Celine Dion (album) - Album Information

Album Information

Dion's real international breakthrough came when she paired up with Peabo Bryson to record the title track to Walt Disney Pictures animated film Beauty and the Beast (1991). The song captured a musical style that Dion would utilize in the future: sweeping, classical and soft rock influenced adult contemporary ballads with soft instrumentation. Both a critical and commercial smash, the song became her second United States top 10 hit, and also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, Grammy Awards for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and "Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media, and was nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. That song was also the first single from Celine Dion album which had a soft rock influence that was combined with elements of soul and classical music. Due to the success of the lead-off single, the album was as well received. As with Dion's earlier releases, the album had an overtone of love.

Dion worked with a new team of writers and producers on her eponymous album. Five songs were written by Diane Warren. "With This Tear" was a gift from Prince who wrote the song especially for Céline Dion and offered it to her. The tracks were produced mainly by Walter Afanasieff, Ric Wake and Guy Roche. Thanks to Celine Dion, the singer was nominated also for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

By 1992, Unison, Celine Dion and media appearances had propelled Dion to superstardom in the North America. She had achieved one of her main objectives: wedging her way into the anglophone market and establishing fame. Apart from her rising success, there were also changes in Dion's personal life, as René Angélil would make the transition from manager to lover. However, the relationship was kept a secret as both feared that the public would find the twenty-six-year difference between their ages incongruous.

The European version of Celine Dion included "Where Does My Heart Beat Now" as a bonus track. The album was re-released on September 7, 1992 in Australia with a bonus disc containing four songs which had been previously released as singles from Unison.

Dion did the Celine Dion Tour to support the album.

"Send Me a Lover" was a "leftover" from the recording sessions of the Celine Dion album and it was released in 1994 on the charity compilation Kumbaya Album 1994.