News Update: 5/27

[davidhr]

Tomorrow marks the launching of the promo for Gigi d'Alessio's album in France, and at least part of Lara's activities this past week were directed towards that. On the 21st, Lara recorded a show with Gigi for "La Methode Cauet", which consisted of the two artists being interviewed and a duo of "Un Coeur Blesse" at the end. Interestingly, since it doesn't appear that he speaks French (remember the picture of Lara mouthing the French words for him in the last Farfallina), I wonder if it was necessary for her to translate the interviewer's questions (or does Cauet speak Italian)? The show will be broadcast on the 31st.

Gigi's album "Made in Italy" is officially released tomorrow, and it is expected that both the audio single and the video clip of "Un Coeur Blesse" will get a lot of airplay in France. Which is funny - because it isn't on Gigi's album, at least not the version of the album that was released in Italy, which had "Un Cuore Malato". It would therefore be somewhat misleading to promote the French/Italian single and the album in the same breath. Yet the single itself has both versions on it, so the stations could play the Italian-only one if they chose. As we know, the only real difference relates to the French words for the sake of the French audience. Translations of both versions are provided in another post, for comparison.

The week also featured performances for which Lara did not show up. First, she was invited by Maurane to be on the program "Vivement Dimanche", which was recorded on the 22 and 23 in Paris. However, apparently she wasn't there, because no one on Maurane's website reported seeing her.

Then she was supposed to be on the show "On n'est pas couché", presented by Laurent Ruquier, recorded on May 24th. Lara has a history with this host, who was apparently quite critical of her when she first started, and when asked about his attitude sometime later, Lara said she was aware of it. During the time of ETI, he apparently said he regretted some of the things he said, that clearly she was a great talent. Nevertheless, people were surprised that she agreed to be on this show. The fact that she didn't appear elicited numerous suggestions - was she afraid, was this retribution, etc.? However, if she didn't appear with Maurane the day before, maybe she was sick - remember the saltines she kept eating at the Montreal concert (perhaps for a sore throat?).

It was pointed out that unlike "La Methode Cauet", these other shows had never actually been listed on the official site. In one of the few responses Lara's people have given to the question of these listings, it was said that no listing happens "until the contracts are signed". So it raises the possibility that while the shows were announced (and they both were officially announced by the programs involved), maybe Lara had never agreed. We've seen this happen before - and in at least one case, Lara indicated she had never even heard that she had been invited. It's hard, however, to imagine her missing a show with Maurane unless either health or her schedule absolutely prevented it.

Speculation about her health at least for the coming week will be ended if Lara appears as scheduled for her Moscow concert tomorrow night. On Laradom, there was a lot of discussion of the price of the tickets for Lara's concert in Portugal - 150 euros, or $200. Imagine what those same people would say if they knew that the ticket prices for the Russian concert ranged between 9000 and 30,000 Russian roubles - or $300 to $1000! Lara's desire to give concerts at these far-flung places has often been discussed in terms of career moves, but one can't ignore the idea that sometimes she just wants to make money (the posts on Laradom didn't ignore that!).

Assuming Lara is o.k. and gets back from Moscow, the next few weeks should feature numerous publicity opportunities with Gigi, including various newspaper interviews (and next Thursday's TV show). Also on tap, presumably in relatively short order, are additional concerts in Turkey and Algeria, although they are still not listed on the official site. A chance to make more money!

(ps - some time ago, a feature was run by one of the major music magazines that discussed how international performers are loath to book a concert following Lara in various foreign cities - because her ticket prices are so expensive, and people save up for them, they have no money left to go to other concerts immediately thereafter. Say what you will, her talent is such that people will pay these prices especially because in many countries - including Canada - they know they might not see her perform for a long while.)

David

[lapayin]

Thanks David.

I can not imagine Lara missing a scheduled appearance with Maurane. It will be interesting to find out what happened. Although they have had their problems in the past few years.

I didn't realize that Lara commanded such high prices in other countries. I have only seen her in Montreal and I thought the prices there were reasonable.

[jimfromtexas]

I'm not sure what goes on in Europe but state side I have seen it where it's the venue that jacks up the price when the think they can get away with it.
Jim

[achebeautiful]

Wow! What a great update! There are so many things that leave me curious, and the only thing about any of it that I know for certain is that Lara is consistantly mysterious!

Can anyone provide me with more information about Gigi d'Alessio's album "Made In Italy"? I would be interested to know if the French release of the album does in fact include ""Un Coeur Blesse" on it, and if not, how this all plays out in terms of sales.

And do any of these "no shows" in France have anything at all to do with Lara's criticism recently of living there?

Far as the prices for tickets to see Lara go, I think that if people are willing to pay what price is given to see her live, then it doesn't really matter at all whether she is out to make money or not ~ after all, she is a self made artist who got her beginning in the market on her own dollar (or her father's). To me it is only another example of just how great an artist Lara is. Here she is, charging big money to see her perform, and yet people still pay to see her anyway, and from all over the map too! In her trail are other artists who do not even want to follow her into town because everyone spent all their money on her! That is just incredible to me! Go Lara!!

[smoothlara]

i just read that Barbra Streisand got some flack in Rome because her ticket prices were between $200 and $1200. what would Lara do when she tours Italy? hmmm.....

[achebeautiful]

I would give Barbra Streisand flack if she charged $5 to see her in concert! Once an amazing artist, both singing and acting, now she has put her hat in the ring of being very outspoken politically. Big turn off!

[lapayin]

Still an amazing artist (singer, actor, director, writer and producer) and has every right to view her opinions.

I wanted to see her when she was in Boston. The good tickets where $750 and the nosebleed ticket were $350. Too rich for my blood.

[achebeautiful]

I completely agree with you that she has every right to view her opinions, Paula, and wouldn't ever try to stop her from doing so. However, I have the right also to not go to see her because of it.

I think she is very talented, and enjoyed her very much as a young child growing up. I do not like it when people make comparisons of rising young artists today (as they did with Celine Dion) in saying that she was the next Barbra Streisand, because in doing so you are only referring to Barbra's amazing musical talent and making her one dimensional. Few artists if any could fit into Barbra's shoes for sure. She is a standard that will not easily be met.

[vickib]

Hello everyone! So glad to have found an English fan site. I'm so late to the party - Just discovered Lara 3 months ago but it feels like a lifetime already. How did I not hear of her before? And now 7Cd's and countless hours on Youtube and French fan sites later, I feel blessed to have found 'Lara Full of Grace'. I am very impressed with your extensive knowledge of Lara and her music, your obvious love and devotion to her, but most of all your civility towards one another! No wonder she seems to be so proud of her fans.

Read today that Barbara's Rome concert has been canceled, presumably due to a lack of ticket sales. Given that the prices quoted for Lara's Russia show were comparable, can anyone tell me if she ever has trouble selling out shows? I did pay alot once to see Barbara Striesand on New Year's Eve in Las Vegas and it was a memorable evening. But I can tell you that I would gladly spend a whole lot more to see Lara live today than any other artist. How is it that some of you were able to get front row seats? I'm not sure I could even breathe if I was that close to her!


I have a million questions for you and I hope over time you will indulge my insatiable curiosity. I promise not to ask them all at once.

Bon nuit - Vicki

[jimfromtexas]

Hey Vicki,
Glad to see you here. You will find some real knowledgeable people here, Lara wise that is. They are about the most knowledgeable that I know of. I, on the other hand, have to say that I do have a bit of a problem with my memory at time. But the others here will be real glad to help anyone with anything they what to know.

Now, if you don’t mind, I would like to pick up where Ache Beautiful (whatever that means) left off about Babs. Join in whenever you like Vicki. We will be glad to hear anything you have to say.

If my memory serves me right, Barbara always had a big mouth… excuse me, I mean she’s outspoken. And she never minded sticking her foot in it – if my memory serves me right. That’s all just part of the package that makes up Barbara. You gotta love her for who she is. Heck, everyone that gifted and talented has to have something to make them at least look human. The Princess has a few things, as we all know, and she is a lot more musically diverse than Barbara. Just ask Randy Newman, he is the first one that publicly pointed out Babs can’t sing a song with a back bet. That is, if my memory serves me right, he was the first.

[achebeautiful]

Yes, Vicki, It's great to have you join us! I hope that you love it here as much as we love having you! Feel free to post your heart away!

Wowee! Barbra Streisand sure does have an army of defenders here! Maybe I should tuck my tail and run! Nah!

Paula points out that Barbra has every right to view her opinions. Let's talk about that:

I completely agree that Barbra has every right to express her views.

I also believe that the Dixie Chicks have every right to express their views.

And I believe that Bruce Springsteen can print a full page ad in the New York newspapers claiming that the rights of the Dixie Chicks were violated because radio stations stopped playing their music after callers threatened to stop listening if they didn't (which was absurd, Bruce, because there was NEVER a Presidential or Governmental mandated restriction to stop playing Dixie Chicks music on the radio.....no rights were violated in any way imaginable!)

Too, I believe that the music academy has every right to shower lots of awards to the Dixie Chicks for essentially not selling many albums and cancelling tour dates due to poor ticket sales.

But what about my rights? Am I allowed to choose whether or not I spend my money on an artist for whatever reason I desire? Does a radio station reserve the right to do what it considers best for its business according to its audience's voice?

Nobody's rights are being violated in any way, shape or form. The beauty of it all is that you can express yourself and have every right to do so. The celebrity gets to do so with a microphone and a platform. The fan gets to do so with his/her wallet. All rights intact.

Perhaps I have offended many of you for expressing my views about Barbra Streisand. Perhaps she means a lot more to many of you than I would have imagined. If I offended anyone because Barbra Streisand is very dear to your heart, I am truly sorry.

Allow me to modify my comments. I would be more than happy to see Barbra Streisand in concert regardless of how the price of the tickets if one of you would be willing to pay for it. Jim, is it a date? LOL

[lapayin]

First of all welcome Vicki. Very nice to meet you. Please feel free to ask away about Lara. Hopefully we can answer your questions. I have been a fan for about 6 years. Please tell us how you first heard about Lara.

Mark
I do not believe you have offended anyone, at least not me.

It's true what you say about "artists having the microphone and platform and the fans their wallet". Everyone has the right to choose.

This is my thought. Why would anyone want to limit themself because of a difference in political views. I could understand if one did not like an artist because of personality or ability. I could also understand not wanting to pay $750. LOL But if one admires and enjoys the artistry of a performer and is truly entertained then I think it's the fans loss. But that is just me, a lot of people feel the same way you do.

[achebeautiful]

Paula, I do agree with what you say. Here is the best way I can answer. I love Barbra Streisand as an artist. I also love Bruce Springsteen as an artist. Believe it or not, Pearl Jam is one of my favorite groups. All three have been very outspoken politically, and all three have political views that greatly differ from my own. None of that really matters to me, insofar as the buck I am paying to see them is for their art. When they use their stage to voice their politics, I am turned off by it. I did not go see Bruce Springsteen on his Devils & Dust tour after learning that he made a lot of political statements at most cities on his tour. I was fully prepared, and told my friend so, to walk out of the Paerl jam concert we went to if he started his litlle tirade against Bush. Barbra charges a lot of money to see her perform. I really just want to here her sing. She has been know to throw in a few political points along the way.

I'm not claiming to be right about my opinions on this matter. It's just that it leaves a noticable bad taste in my mouth, and I don't much like spending my money on bad food.

All that said, Barbra is a treasure in the entertainment industry. I am sure that seeing her in concert would be a magical experience. I retract my statement.

[jimfromtexas]

It's a date Mark; that is as long as the tickets are not more the $5. Just to be clear, I made my comments to reaffirm yours that Barbara has a big mouth. It’s just that she has always had a big mouth. I basically never listen to what she says anymore, unless she is singing that is. I guess what I didn't make clear was I wouldn't pay much to go see her myself.

So Mark, now that Barbara is off the list for us to go see, how about a Bruce Springsteen concert. Or I know, the Dixie Chicks. Sorry, I hope you are smiling right now as much as I am intending.

Your remarks are spot on as far as I am concerned. Music is no place for politics.

Sorry to Vicki too, I bet you never realize what you were stepping into when you posted. I hope we haven’t scared you off, most of the time we are real sensible around here. Well, everyone one else is sensible. I figure being from Texas and all give me an out.

Jim

PS
Just so everyone knows, I’m not suggesting that Mark and I go out on a date, date; just a guy’s night out kind of thing. There’s no Broke Back Mountains in my part of Texas. No sirreee.

[ocelot]

For me, politics have a small part in music but your politics should not be forced on others. I write songs that are quite political in nature but I don't mention names (unless they're in respect of what a person has done like Martin Luther King or Gandhi). When politics come into music it should be nameless, and show the emotion, circumstance and people that are affected. When politics come into music it should be in a way that people who don't agree with the political view of the artist can think of something else so it doesn't leave them with a bad taste in their mouth.

There will always be political songs, but they don't have to force-feed the fans their view. A good example for me of this is "Timor" by Shakira. I know because of her interviews that she doesn't feel that the world leaders are doing enough for countries like Timor, but she makes her point without pointing fingers at any one person or party. That's how political songs and artists should hold themselves: no pointing fingers, no calling people names, and no insulting specific decisions, but we should get to the root of the problem and make people aware of situations without the negativity.

As far as not seeing an artist perform because they are so vocal about their political views, all power to you. You need to stand up for what you believe in. If you want a good steak, you don't get a Big Mac from McDonalds because that's not what you want. Everyone has the right to avoid situations that are going to leave a bad taste in your mouth.