By Donald B. Kravitz
Celine Dion brings out the best there is in concert music as she brought her Courage World Tour to Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Saturday evening, February 22, 2020. Pairing the singer who possesses a voice filled with power and unbelievable range, who also displays a mixture of vulnerability and humility with the best medium sized venue in the country, makes for an historical entertainment night difficult to surpass.
Celine Dion is ONE of a kind. She took the stage at 8:20 pm and beginning at 8:21 the filled hall saw the unleashing of her powerful uncompromising voice, her ability to dance with ease across the stage embracing everyone in the audience. Within five minutes Dion had everyone on their feet as immersed in her sounds. Dion’s vocals are undoubtedly impressive. She uses her warmth to draw everyone to her, puts them at at ease as if they were family.
This was not a concert. It was an amazing show that provided attendees with large side, front and upper screens that allowed a clear and unobstructed view as she performed and moved around the stage and of course there were the many colored flashing lights, that not only enhanced Dion’s elaborate costumes, but mesmerized the audience.
The above was just a touch on the background that made the concert a show. However, the real treasure was the talent of Celine Dion. She is a powerhouse who reached the soul of the audience. She had a set list of eighteen songs plus a two song encore. Listening to Dion project her multi-octave voice as she pumps her fist in the air, it is easy to feel “The Power of Love.”
After 2 hours of a powerful non stop music, her fans were hoping she was just getting started as they could not get enough of what was taking place on stage. There were some songs like “Beauty and The Beast, My Prayer and All By Myself” that were just written for Dion’s range and style which sent chills up and down the spine of the listeners.
Ending with her first encore song, “My Heart Will Go On from the movie Titanic with Celine Dion standing center stage making it impossible for the audience to contain themselves and what started as a standing ovation roared into thunderous screams continued applause, whistles, cheers and foot pounding which continued for four minutes.
Obviously overwhelmed by the warmth and love from the audience from the prolonged ovation and her standing there holding her face and bowing, “This is not something you get used to,” she said, through her tears, standing there in a white ball gown. “I will never take this for granted. I love you guys very much.” She reached out and told the audience, “This stage is my home away from home and I am sharing it with you my family” which endeared her even more to the filled arena.
The gratitude and humility displayed by Dion was real, everyone felt it and everyone knew it was from her heart. Celine Dion has not toured in the last eleven years because she has had a Residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for the last eight years, so coming out on the road again can be daunting. However the 51 year old French Canadian is in spectacular shape, very nimble and can dance a sing for two hours without missing a note or a step.
When you add a 17 piece band to the one woman who can hold an arena audience in awe with the sound of her voice and ease and warmth of a remarkable performance and her ability to connect to her fans, you have a one of a kind evening that is impossible to forget. Dion is the pinnacle of performing and she is the standard others can only hope to attain.
Donald B. Kravitz is an Entertainment & Special Events photographer for national publications including Getty Images & Miss America
