Rating:
Genre: Rock
Release Date: 11/03/1998

In the wake of her Titanic success, Celine Dion produced two new albums for the holiday season of 1998. One was a new French album, and the other was These Are Special Times, her first Christmas album. These Are Special Times is an especially successful holiday album since Dion wisely balances popular carols ("The Christmas Song," "Blue Christmas," "Feliz Navidad") with new songs ("Don't Save It All for Christmas," the R. Kelly duet "I'm Your Angel"), hymns ("Ave Maria," "Adeste Fidelis"), and Christmas songs with a distinct religious theme ("O Holy Night," the Andrea Bocelli duet "The Prayer"). At times, the production is too slick, at other times Dion's vocals are a little mannered, but overall, These Are Special Times is very effective, because the songs are good and she's committed to the material. Any fan of Dion, or of '90s adult contemporary pop in general, should find this very enjoyable.

~Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

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Bryan Adams - Bass
Bryan Adams - Guitar
Bryan Adams - Arranger
Bryan Adams - Producer
Bryan Adams - String Arrangements
Celine Dion - Main Performer
Jeff Hamilton - Drums
Jeremy Lubbock - Arranger
Jeremy Lubbock - String Arrangements
Sharon Bryant - Vocals (Background)
Louis Price - Choir, Chorus
David Foster - Piano
David Foster - Arranger
David Foster - Keyboards
David Foster - Producer
David Foster - ?
Carole Bayer Sager - Producer
Tony Black - Programming
Martin Briley - Vocals (Background)
John Chiodini - Guitar
John Chiodini - Guitar (Electric)
Yvonne Gage - Vocals (Background)
David Taylor - Trombone (Bass)
Michael Thompson - Guitar (Electric)
Sue Ann Carwell - Vocals (Background)
Vaneese Thomas - Vocals (Background)
Dennis Collins - Vocals (Background)
Ronn Huff - Arranger
Maria Christensen - Vocals (Background)
R. Kelly - Arranger
R. Kelly - Producer
R. Kelly - Performer
Tawatha Agee - Vocals (Background)
Morgan Ames - Vocals (Background)
Randy Andos - Trombone
Bashiri Johnson - Vocals (Background)
Dick Bolks - Vocals (Background)
Jeff Bova - Programming
Jimmy Bralower - Drum Programming
Alexandra Brown - Choir, Chorus
Bridgette Bryant - Choir, Chorus
Bob Buckley - Conductor
Bob Buckley - String Arrangements
Amick Byram - Vocals (Background)
Bob Cadway - Engineer
Richie Cannata - Saxophone
Richie Cannata - Sax (Tenor)
Johnnie Carl - Arranger
Carmen Carter - Choir, Chorus
Lafayette Carthon, Jr. - Conductor
Lafayette Carthon, Jr. - Keyboards
Lafayette Carthon, Jr. - Vocals (Background)
Barry Danielian - Trumpet
Donna Davidson - Vocals (Background)
Shane Keister - Piano
Shane Keister - Arranger
Shane Keister - Synclavier
Shane Keister - Handbell Arrangement
Chuck Domanico - Bass
Felipe Elgueta - Programming
Felipe Elgueta - Engineer
Gary Falcone - Choir, Chorus
Bob Franceschini - Sax (Alto)
Simon Franglen - Synclavier
Roger Freeland - Vocals (Background)
Humberto Gatica - Engineer
Humberto Gatica - Mixing
Diva Gray - Vocals (Background)
Nikki Gregoroff - Vocals (Background)
Linda Harmon - Vocals (Background)
Loris Holland - Conductor
Loris Holland - Keyboards
Loris Holland - Organ (Hammond)
Loris Holland - Vocals (Background)
Loris Holland - Vocal Arrangement
Jimmy Hoyson - Assistant Engineer
Tony Kadleck - Trumpet
Khris Kellow - Vocals (Background)
Brenda White-King - Vocals (Background)
Curtis King - Vocals (Background)
Darlene Koldenhoven - Vocals (Background)
John Kurlander - Engineer
Rick Logan - Vocals (Background)
Vito Luprano - Executive Producer
Paulette McWilliams - Vocals (Background)
Johnny Mandel - Orchestral Arrangements
Rob Mathes - Conductor
Rob Mathes - Orchestral Arrangements
Ozzie Melendez - Trombone
Chieli Minucci - Guitar
Cindy Mizelle - Vocals (Background)
Jeffrey Morrow - Vocals (Background)
Rafael Padilla - Percussion
Bobbi Page - Choir, Chorus
Shawn Pelton - Drums
Jeffrey Ramsey - Choir, Chorus
Anthony Ransom - Vocals (Background)
Dave Reitzas - Engineer
John "J.R." Robinson - Drums
Olle Romo - Programming
Johnny Rutledge - Vocals (Background)
John Scarpula - Sax (Baritone)
Al Schmitt - Engineer
Don Shelton - Vocals (Background)
Marc Shulman - Guitar
Ira Siegel - Guitar
Steve Skinner - Arranger
Steve Skinner - Drum Programming
Steve Skinner - Keyboard Programming
Ramon Stagnaro - Guitar (Acoustic)
Randy Staub - Engineer
Chris Taylor - Guitar
Fonzi Thornton - Vocals (Background)
Terry Trotter - Piano
Rob Trow - Vocals (Background)
Eric Troyer - Vocals (Background)
Carmen Twillie - Vocals (Background)
Carmen Twillie - Choir, Chorus
Frank Vilardi - Drums
Rick Wake - Arranger
Rick Wake - Producer
Rick Wake - ?
Joan Walton - Vocals (Background)
Spencer Washington - Vocals (Background)
John West - Vocals (Background)
George Whitty - Engineer
George Whitty - Keyboard Arrangements
George Whitty - Synthesizer Arrangements
Cheryl Wilson - Vocals (Background)
Elisabeth Withers - Vocals (Background)
Steve Wolf - Drums
Andrea Bocelli - Performer
Diana Krall - Piano
Crystal Cathedral Choir - ?
Elin Carlson - Vocals (Background)
John Doelp - Executive Producer
Dan Hetzel - Engineer
Susie Stevens Logan - Vocals (Background)
Robert Moe - Vocals (Background)
Rob Murphy - Assistant Engineer
Rob Murphy - Mixing Assistant
Don Harris - Trumpet
Lisa Lougheed - Vocals (Background)
Stephen George - Programming
Bill Harris - Sax (Alto)
Russ Desalvo - Guitar
Randee Saint Nicholas - Photography
Nancy Donald - Art Direction
Nathan Dean - Mixing Assistant
William Ross - Arranger
William Ross - Orchestral Arrangements
Steve Amerson - Vocals (Background)
Hooshik - Art Direction
Phil Western - Keyboards
Phil Western - Programming
Phil Western - Engineer
Phil Western - String Arrangements
Rick Kerr - Engineer
Stevie Robinson - Vocals (Background)
Nancey Jackson - Vocals (Background)
Juan Bohorquez - Assistant Engineer
Juan Bohorquez - Mixing Assistant
Gary Van Pelt - Engineer
Larry Salzman - Guitar
David Shackney - Engineer
Aya Takemura - Mixing Assistant
Thomas R. Yezzi - Engineer
Terence Dover - Engineer
Don Hachey - Mixing Assistant
Tony Renis - Producer
Tony Renis - Translation
Kamil Rustam - Guitar (Acoustic)
Peter Zizzo - Guitar
Peter Zizzo - Arranger
Peter Zizzo - Drum Programming
Peter Zizzo - Keyboard Programming
Peter Zizzo - Bass Programming
Chris Brooke - Assistant Engineer
Jane Barnett - Vocals (Background)
Alberto Testa - Translation
Andy Haller - Assistant Engineer
Alfred Bosco - Assistant Engineer
Ayuana George - Vocals (Background)
Laura Mercier - Make-Up
Serge Normant - Hair Stylist
Brian Harding - Assistant Engineer
Brian Harding - Mixing Assistant
Jeff Vereb - Mixing Assistant
Robert Bowker - Vocals (Background)
Troy Bright - Vocals (Background)
Vancouver Orchestra - Strings
Cathy Richardson - Vocals (Background)
UB Tirado - Mixing Assistant
Patrick Carroll - Percussion
Patrick Carroll - Guitar (Bass)
Patrick Carroll - Drum Programming
Jake Ninan - Assistant Engineer
Tom Rainer - Synthesizer
David Barratt - Production Coordination
John Scarpulla - Sax (Baritone)
Ethan Mates - Mixing Assistant
Randy Phillips - Choir, Chorus
Robin Robinson - Vocals (Background)

Because It's Christmas
    Barry Manilow / CD / 1990
The Christmas Album
    Neil Diamond / CD / 1992

Release Date: 11/03/1998
Genre: rock