Celine Dion - My Love -essential Collection--20...

Upon release, AllMusic gave the album high marks, noting that while die-hard fans might complain about missing B-sides, the "big picture" is flawless. Fans on forums like CelineDionWeb.com have long debated the exclusion of the original “The Power of Love” (the Jennifer Rush cover). Instead, My Love includes a different recording. This specific choice is the album’s only controversial note. However, the inclusion of "Immortality" (a duet with the Bee Gees) and "Falling Into You" quickly silences dissenters.

One user review on Amazon summarizes the feeling perfectly: “You don't buy a Celine Dion album to hear experimentation. You buy it to feel the ceiling of the human voice. This album delivers on every single track.”

Critics were surprisingly warm. AllMusic gave it 4.5/5 stars, noting that "even cynics will be moved by the sheer craft of tracks 2 through 6." The Guardian called it "a karaoke bible for the lovelorn." While some argued that her French hits (like “Pour Que Tu M’aimes Encore”) were missing, the brief of the album was always "My Love" – the English global hits.

The title track of her comeback album is an anthem of hope. Written specifically about the birth of her son, the lyrics ("Let the rain come down... a new day has come") are pure resilience. This is essential listening for anyone going through a difficult time.

The beauty of My Love lies in its sequencing. Unlike the earlier All the Way… A Decade of Song, this collection offers a broader scope, including French-language hits that remind listeners of her roots.

Disc One is the radio-friendly international juggernaut. It opens with the seismic power of “My Heart Will Go On” —the Titanic theme that needs no introduction. From there, it cascades into the dramatic “Think Twice” and the Diane Warren-penned “Because You Loved Me” (from Up Close & Personal).

However, the album’s title track, “My Love,” is a hidden gem among giants. Written by Linda Perry, the song showcases a more restrained, mature Dion, moving away from the soaring key changes of the 90s into a raw, confession booth style of pop.

Disc Two (or the latter half of the single disc) offers the exuberant “That’s the Way It Is” and the dance-pop evolution of “I Drove All Night.” It also pays homage to her heritage with the stunning “Pour que tu m’aimes encore,” proving that her emotional delivery transcends language barriers.

Initially released only in Japan as the theme for a drama, this song became so popular that tourists bought it overseas and demanded a US release. Featuring a haunting violin solo by Taro Hakase, it is a quintessential "Celine Cry." The lyric, "I’ll be waiting for you / Here inside my heart," is the definition of the "Essential Collection."