People Magazine: Celine Cozies With David

A picture's worth a thousand songs... Now this is a diva picola, if I've ever seen one! Go, girl!

From Robin Leach's ever-fab Las Vegas Sun column:

It was Celine Dion’s own crazy idea for a stunt photograph, and it turned out to be a first. All four of the superstars performing at the Colosseum in Caesars Palace — Shania Twain, Elton John, Rod Stewart and Celine — agreed to a unique photo shoot that next week in People magazine. 

“I don’t like to do things that are easy,” 46-year-old Canadian songbird Celine told the weekly celebrity publication. It was a coup to have all four pose for the photos. Celine was hauled 11 feet into the air to pose in the arms of the hotel’s replica of the Michelangelo masterpiece of the statue of David. 

The original ideas for the shoot didn’t get Celine excited, and she came up with her own “dream” of winding up in David’s arms. The magazine photographers loved her idea and said, “Let’s do it.” Afterward, Celine told People’s Mark Gray: “I don’t know if anyone else went into David’s arms, but, if I am the first, I am very honored.” Turns out she was the first... *

Meanwhile, a wondrous collection of still shots from Celine & NeYo's "Incredible" video (courtesy of Facebook's Celine Dionn).

Olivia Newton-John Invades Vegas For Flamingo Residency!

Following in the footsteps of Celine Dion's mega-success as an A-level entertainer setting up residency in Las Vegas, fave Olivia Newton-John is the latest (and indeed greatest) act to set up shop in town, launching a 45-date set at the Flamingo Hotel & Casino.

Press has been nuts over her April 2 arrival into town, complete with a welcoming parade befitting of a Presidential inauguration. Congrats to my buddy Michael Caprio, Livi's longtime publicist, for engineering the whole damn thing. Now, let's see, when shall I plan on a Vegas sojourn to revisit Olivia? *

Shania Twain Launches Las Vegas Residency At Caesars Palace

Shania Twain launched her first live show in more than eight years as she began a two-year residency at Las Vegas' Caesars Palace. The 47 year old is, of course, performing in the space all but owned by fellow Canadian Celine Dion during her breaks from her latest five-year sold-out run at Casears.

Twain's set list includes all of her '90s hits, including: "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under," "Any Man of Mine," "That Don't Impress Me Much," "If You're Not In It For Love (I'm Outta Here)," "You're Still the One," "Man! I Feel Like a Woman" and my fave "From This Moment On."

According to press reports, "Saturday's show was extra meaningful in part because Twain has been in vocal rehabilitation for years, since reporting the sudden loss of her voice following her painful split from studio wizard and key creative collaborator Robert (Mutt) Lange."

Her initial run will include 10 shows through Dec. 15, with the next 14-show engagement beginning March 19. Added press report: "It's still unclear whether Twain has the globe-spanning appeal of Céline Dion, whose own residency at the Colosseum has become one of Las Vegas's premiere attractions." *

Caesars Palace Hypes Shania Twain Show—By Relying On Celine's Rep

Caesars Palace has released a commercial promoting Shania Twain's upcoming Las Vegas residency, along with the posh new Nobu Hotel tower (that Celine Dion's ongoing residency no doubt bankrolled). Shania's "Still the One" show is set to launch at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace December 1. She'll rotate with Celine, Elton John and Rod Stewart.

Obviously, the hotel recognizes that its reputation as a world-class live concert mecca has everything to do with Celine's persistent sell-out concert presence... and thus she appears in the spot. Man, oh man, Celine looks beautiful.

Meanwhile, here's a news flash: Apparently, Ne-Yo is collaborating with Celine Dion on her upcoming English album Water and a Flame. He shared on his Instagram page a pic of the pair hugging during a late-night studio session, writing, "The incomparable Celine Dion!! In the studio doing something epic. God is good. Music is good, all the time."

This isn't the first time that Ne-Yo and Celine have worked together: He wrote the wonderfully intense "I Got Nothing Left" for her previous album Taking Chances. *
*

At Last: Real Details @ Celine Dion's Upcoming English/French Albums

As Celine Dion returned to Las Vegas for her latest series of shows at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas June 9 through August 19 (following a throat infection that canceled a number of shows earlier in the spring) hubbie and manager Rene Angélil shared with the Montreal Gazette some precious details about her long-mysterious new English and French albums due later this year.

He tells the newspaper that recording took place for the sets in April and May in Florida... with the French album due in September and the English CD "probably" in November.

The French album is all original, thankfully, including compositions from Jean-Pierre Ferland and longtime contributor Luc Plamondon. “Ferland’s song, 'I Do Not Need Love' is a masterpiece,” Angelil told the Journal de Montreal.

Half of the English disc will comprise studio versions of songs from the Vegas show, including her stunning version of Janis Ian's "At Seventeen" (which, granted, any fan already has in HQ from her "Oprah" performance), as well as Journey's "Open Arms" (zzzz...) and her tear-jerking rendition of Jacques Brel’s "Ne Me Quitte Pas," one of the peak highlights of the Vegas show. Angélil says six original songs will round out the English set. There is also talk she has recorded a cover of James Ingram & Patti Austin's "How Do You Keep the Music Playing" from the show—which would be utterly stellar... just the kind of consummate ballad perfectly suited to Celine.

Meanwhile, according to the Journal, the English album will be titled "Water and a Flame," based on a collaboration on the album from British Producer Francis Eg White, who has worked with Adele, which, as we know, Celine is a huge fan of... given the addition of "Rolling In the Deep" to her Vegas show.

Comparing singing in English and French, Celine told the Journal: "It is like wearing jeans or an evening gown. You can not get a change of blood. French is my home, my roots. This is what I live first. French is a more domestic energy, more poetic. But when I sing in English, there are other emotions. As a singer I can not choose I need both. "

Celine Dion Covers Adele's 'Rolling In The Deep'!

As Celine Dion returned to Las Vegas for the latest leg of her Casear's Palace residency, she added new material, including this killer version of Adele's "Rolling In the Deep." Man, does she nail the soulful signature of this indelible song.

My god, even the perpetually snarky Gawker.com has nuttin' but nice to say: "What I love about this is how well someone who is widely considered to be the antithesis of cool can slide back in and completely own something as culturally approved as the contemporary standard that is 'Rolling in the Deep'."

In addition, EW, which typically loathes anything without an overt hip factor, is also offering kudos: "Covering Adele: Just another reason Celine Dion is amazing. I’m shocked this cover took so long to happen. The two women’s vocals are so similar, and many of Adele’s tracks would feel right at home on Let’s Talk About Love or Falling Into You. I especially love the darker tone Dion adds to the chorus."

Jesus, when the hell did the rest of the world finally realize that Celine Dion is among the finest singers of our generation? Man, when I reviewed her at Billboard all through the 1990s, I always felt like I stood solitary in recognizing her as the most emotive, sincere vocalist of the era... while every other critic was ripping her to shreds. Nice that a decade later, uh, I was right all along. Better listen quick: This will likely be removed from YouTube any minute! *

Joey Lawrence Shows What Manhood Is All About In Chippendales

Mercy, almighty. Longtime Smoking Nun sex god Joey Lawrence began strutting his buff stuff Friday, June 8, as the special guest host with the Chippendales at the Rio in Las Vegas. His run is through June 24th, for two shows a night, Thursdays through Sundays.

Make sure you give me a call if you need someone to accompany you, cool cats. Read more about what's going on with Joey on his official blog & website here. (Thanks, Randy Report.) *

Celine Dion Scraps Vegas Shows Through June: On Vocal Rest

God bless Celine Dion. And more so, those thousands of poor folks traveling from all over the world just to see her phenomenal sold-out Las Vegas show at Caesars Palace.

Celine was diagnosed with a viral illness and weakness in her right vocal cord during an examination at UCLA Medical Center Monday, and ordered to rest her voice for six to eight weeks. She won't resume performances until June 9.

On her webbie Tuesday, the savior of Vegas entertainment said, "I tried to sing at my sound check last week, and had no control of my voice whatsoever. We thought after a few days' rest I would improve, but it wasn't getting any better." She added, "I feel worse knowing I'm disappointing my fans. I'm so sorry... I hope they forgive me."

Dion's three-year residency at Caesars began last March, with tickets going as high as $250 a pop. Her previous run at Caesars Palace, "A New Day," drew 3 million fans from 138 countries between 2003 and 2007, sold out 723 times and grossed more than $400 million. Tickets for the canceled performances will be refunded. Dion's next run of performances is scheduled from June 9 to Aug. 19.

Meanwhile, a new Celine waxie was revealed at the Las Vegas Madame Tussauds last week... pretty stunning job, I'd say. *

One Hit Wonder Cee-Lo Green Thinks Vegas Tourists Give A Flip

Cee-Lo Green's plum-shaped body isn't the only thing that's large about the hip-hop artist. Apparently, he has a big head, too. With only three solo albums to his name—none of them gold selling—the one-hit wonder of 2011's "Fuck You!" believes he has the catalog... and the following... to launch a Las Vegas residency, a la Celine Dion, Elton John, Prince, Barry Manilow or Bette Midler.

Pardon me... Haha hahaha ha haha hahaha hahaha hahaha...

Rolling Stone has confirmed that the former duet partner in one-hit wonder Gnarls Barkley (2006's "Crazy") will launch a "theatrical-style show" called “Loberace,” this year—after reports in The New York Times last December said he was already confirmed at Planet Hollywood, "so he can perform to fans without traveling and aggravating a slipped disc in his back."

Man, I feel sorry for the buffet business in Las Vegas. *

Oh, Justin... No! No! No!

A boy is never too old for his toys, but there's something waaaay off about this pic of Justin Bieber working it at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. *

Celine Dion 'Celebrates' Casear's Palace New Octavius Tower—Apropos $ince Her Ongoing Residency Paid For It | Resort Total: 3,960 Rooms!

God bless the fact that Celine Dion's heart will go on after having to endure a parade of scary monsters in the name of the Chinese Lunar New Year, "the Year of the Dragon." That was the parade of folly behind the opening ceremony of the new 668-room Octavius Tower at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas Sunday night, January 22.

This latest highrise—which, let's be honest, Celine's successful residency at Caesars pretty much bankrolled—is the resort's sixth tower amid an 85-acre spread, bringing its total to 3,960 rooms and suites.

During the ceremony, Celine had the grace and humility to smile amid the customary "lion dance" for happiness and prosperity, and to paint on the eyes of the lion to awaken it. Bless her heart. *

Celine Dion Continues To Prep Her—Gasp—52nd Album Release

* Nice: Celine Dion's Sunday performance at the Colosseum at Caesar's Palace benefited Children's Hospital Boston, raising money for sickle cell research (photos below from the event).

* Meanwhile, Celine's husband Rene Angelil turns 70 today! He is truly one of the great gentlemen I've known...

* In addition, Celine covers both Hello Canada! this week and La Semaine. Whee ha!

* And more: Murmurs continue about Celine's upcoming English and French albums later this year. She told Vegas Confidential over the weekend that her first Engish-language album since Taking Chances four-and-a-half years ago is due in May.

Two songs have supposedly been completed since November, including a cover of Janis Ian's "At 17," produced by Babyface. Previous reports add to the repertoire two other songs from her Vegas show: Journey's "Open Arms" and "Ne me quitte pas," among the most stirring songs of the night. She returns to the studio Jan. 31.

Hubby Rene says this will be Celine's 52nd album, following 27 in French and 24 in English. *

Celine Dion Still On Top: Colosseum at Caesars Named Top U.S. Venue

Surprised? Not in the least. Thanks to Celine Dion's sell-out return to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in March 2011, the venue has been named the Top U.S. Venue under 5,000 seats for the sixth consecutive year, according to Billboard Boxscore.

In 2011, The Colosseum, operated by AEG Live, was home to the first of 54 Celine performances, along with runs during her breaks from Cher, Rod Stewart and Elton John. Shania Twain will begin performing in December 2012.

“Celine Dion had a triumphant return to The Colosseum, ushering in a whole new era of top-shelf entertainment for the venue and, frankly, the city of Las Vegas, “ said Gary Selesner, president of Caesars Palace. “Celine’s first 20 shows grossed more than $14 million, and we saw a ripple effect from those ticket sales by way of increased hotel revenue at Caesars Palace.”

Other entertainers who helped make The Colosseum at Caesars Palace the top 2011 venue include Jerry Seinfeld, Luis Miguel, Jeff Dunham, Diana Ross, Leonard Cohen, Stevie Nicks and Janet Jackson.

Celine will return to Casears Dec. 28.

Cosmopolitan Las Vegas: 'Just The Right Amount Of Wrong' Campaign

The stunning $3.9 billion Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas, which I toured in March, has a wonderfully playful, slightly naughty ad campaign that caught my eye today. The tagline: Just the Right Amount of Wrong. Genius.
See the accompanying hotel commercial on YouTube here.