Because nothing says “the music of Ennio Morricone” like “the spleen-shattering vocals of Celine Dion,” the Academy Awards have reportedly decided to tack her on to their tribute to the Italian composer:
Sources tell me that Dion has been booked to perform at this year’s Academy Awards. The Canadian crooner will sing during a tribute to legendary composer Ennio Morricone, who will be receiving an honorary Oscar at the Feb. 25 ceremony.
I’m told lyrics have been written for Morricone’s score for Once Upon a Time in America just for Dion. “The lyrics have never been heard before,” one source says.
We realize Dion hasn’t performed at the Oscars in a few years, and that the bigwigs at the Academy probably feel that they need to fill their Celine-quota, but really–couldn’t she have filled in for James Taylor instead?
Celine Nabs Another Date with Oscar [E!]
[Photo: Getty Images]
My favourite Celine Dion song is her cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “I Drove All Night.” Mainly because I can’t imagine Celine Dion capable of driving.
Well, “I Hired My Driver For The Night” doesn’t really have the same ring.
Shane McGowan already wrote lyrics for that song. It’s called “Fairy Tale of New York” Don’t know how Celine will feel being called “an old slut and drunk.”
Seriously, Shane lifted the melody from Once Upon a Time in America and Morricone is credited on the track.
There is a new CD coming out (or maybe it already is out)
We All Love Ennio Morricone
Track listing includes:
1. I Knew I Loved You – Celine Dion
2. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – Quincy Jones featuring Herbie Hancock
3. Once Upon a Time in the West – Bruce Springsteen
4. Conradiana – Andrea Bocelli
5. The Ecstasy of Gold – Metallica
6. Mal?na – Yo-Yo Ma
7. Come Sail Away – Renee Fleming
8. Gabriel’s Oboe – Ennio Morricone
9. Conmigo – Daniela Mercury featuring Eumir Deodato
10. La Luz Prodigiosa – Dulce Pontes
11. Love Affair – Chris Botti
12. Je Changerais d’Avis – Vanessa and The O’s
13. Lost Boys Calling – Roger Waters
14. The Tropical Variation – Ennio Morricone
15. Could Heaven – Denyce Graves
16. Addio Monti – Taro Hakase
17. Cinema Paradiso – Ennio Morricone
So if Bruce Springsteen already recorded it for a record, what lyrics will Celine be butchering at the Oscars? It would be great if she would sing and strut like she did at VH1 Divas when she and Anastacia sang “Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC. It doesn’t get any better than some overly primped primadonna strutting around in a $10,000 dress and high heels trying to look like a bad ass.
Longer writeup on the CD, with audio samples of Metallica’s song here.
Maybe Elliott Smith can win an Oscar over her for something this time.