Post by davidhr on Feb 21, 2012 13:32:50 GMT -5
A quiet week for Lara, but she continued to get excellent reviews from all over for her classy show on Lebanese TV last week. It turns out that more than 2/3 of the people watching TV in Lebanon at that time tuned in to see Lara. Many copies of it are now available on the web (even 3D versions, that require certain hardware and software). So Lara would appear to have put this whole incident to rest, in a very suitable manner that enhanced her reputation (and name-recognition). However, having been once burned, we’ll see if she makes further attempts to appear in predominantly Moslem countries any time soon…
Also from last week: Lara’s comments about Whitney Houston’s death (given on her FB site and copied in last week’s update) have gotten some play on the web. They seem to have struck a responsive chord.
Lara’s people put a message on her FB site this past week reminding fans that her official fan club is closed, and if they receive any messages reminding them to pay dues, just ignore them. Not having a ‘paying’ fan club means they have no responsibility to provide justification for the support, such as special events, songs, videos (or quarterly magazines), some of which they obviously feel they’re providing anyway through the FB site. It probably wasn’t worth it to them financially, or time-wise. But to not have any fan club at all – even voluntary ones – further distinguishes Lara from many of the popular singers of the day (some of whom even have fan clubs organized by countries). At the risk of reading too much into this, it seems to be another contraction of her career, along with the coming split from established record companies.
The FB site also reminded people not to miss her coming appearance on “Vivement Dimanche” February 26th (the program will actually be recorded tomorrow). In honor of Nana Mouskouri, Lara will sing with her the song “La vie, l’amour, la mort”, which they recorded together for Nana’s new CD. For those who missed it, LFIAG FB site has made it available again, at:
soundcloud.com/lecritikeur/la-vie-lamour-la-mort-duo
Videos of the TV appearance will probably be readily available on the web, at least for a moment…since French channels have taken to having them removed for copyright violation, it might be necessary to be quick about downloading them. There’s also the chance that it will be available on NABBOX. [Note that the channels often make them available on their own web sites, but unfortunately, they are generally not available to people outside of France].
Here is a translation of Nana Mouskouri’s song:
--------------------------------------------------------
Life, Love, Death
I can choose the stones of my house,
And even a God for my prayers.
And when I despair, I have my reason,
Which encourages me and enlighten me.
But I can not do anything
Against death, against life, against love.
I can choose my land
And it's a game to take or not the passing wind.
I make light, I make fire,
When they go out, I replace them.
But I can not do anything
Against life, against death, against love.
I can choose war or peace
And pleasure when I try.
I can change my heart others have done it,
Throw my soul into torment.
But I can not do anything
Against death, against life, against love.
---------------------------------------
As indicated by the dearth of Lara’s scheduled appearances in France (this Sunday’s show being the exception), Lara’s career in that country would seem to be at a low ebb. In the comments on her Lebanese show, it was noted in France that she’s very rarely seen there anymore. Not having a new tour with a new CD (or at least one that she’s willing to promote) will do that. Her fan club is up to 21.000 visitors, but in reading the messages, increasingly they are coming from around the world. And Lara’s next scheduled concerts, from March 12-18th, are all in Eastern Europe/Asia. No fan club, no tour, no new CD (no new film at this point)…a difficult time for her career, somewhat masked by recent events…
David
Also from last week: Lara’s comments about Whitney Houston’s death (given on her FB site and copied in last week’s update) have gotten some play on the web. They seem to have struck a responsive chord.
Lara’s people put a message on her FB site this past week reminding fans that her official fan club is closed, and if they receive any messages reminding them to pay dues, just ignore them. Not having a ‘paying’ fan club means they have no responsibility to provide justification for the support, such as special events, songs, videos (or quarterly magazines), some of which they obviously feel they’re providing anyway through the FB site. It probably wasn’t worth it to them financially, or time-wise. But to not have any fan club at all – even voluntary ones – further distinguishes Lara from many of the popular singers of the day (some of whom even have fan clubs organized by countries). At the risk of reading too much into this, it seems to be another contraction of her career, along with the coming split from established record companies.
The FB site also reminded people not to miss her coming appearance on “Vivement Dimanche” February 26th (the program will actually be recorded tomorrow). In honor of Nana Mouskouri, Lara will sing with her the song “La vie, l’amour, la mort”, which they recorded together for Nana’s new CD. For those who missed it, LFIAG FB site has made it available again, at:
soundcloud.com/lecritikeur/la-vie-lamour-la-mort-duo
Videos of the TV appearance will probably be readily available on the web, at least for a moment…since French channels have taken to having them removed for copyright violation, it might be necessary to be quick about downloading them. There’s also the chance that it will be available on NABBOX. [Note that the channels often make them available on their own web sites, but unfortunately, they are generally not available to people outside of France].
Here is a translation of Nana Mouskouri’s song:
--------------------------------------------------------
Life, Love, Death
I can choose the stones of my house,
And even a God for my prayers.
And when I despair, I have my reason,
Which encourages me and enlighten me.
But I can not do anything
Against death, against life, against love.
I can choose my land
And it's a game to take or not the passing wind.
I make light, I make fire,
When they go out, I replace them.
But I can not do anything
Against life, against death, against love.
I can choose war or peace
And pleasure when I try.
I can change my heart others have done it,
Throw my soul into torment.
But I can not do anything
Against death, against life, against love.
---------------------------------------
As indicated by the dearth of Lara’s scheduled appearances in France (this Sunday’s show being the exception), Lara’s career in that country would seem to be at a low ebb. In the comments on her Lebanese show, it was noted in France that she’s very rarely seen there anymore. Not having a new tour with a new CD (or at least one that she’s willing to promote) will do that. Her fan club is up to 21.000 visitors, but in reading the messages, increasingly they are coming from around the world. And Lara’s next scheduled concerts, from March 12-18th, are all in Eastern Europe/Asia. No fan club, no tour, no new CD (no new film at this point)…a difficult time for her career, somewhat masked by recent events…
David