Post by davidhr on Jul 16, 2013 13:45:51 GMT -5
A potpourri of news items this week, with Lara still on her honeymoon in Indonesia. She has continued to post some photos on her instagram site, the latest one being at:
Meanwhile, there has been a little more publicity for ‘The Best’, whose broadcast is still almost two weeks away. Larafabianweb.com posted one such scan, at:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=530554380325526&set=a.104315726282729.2679.103390503041918&type=1&theater
and there’s another from a television magazine at: www.toutelatele.com/the-best-le-meilleur-artiste-lara-fabian-une-juree-bienveillante-50941
This last one emphasized Lara’s comment that she and the others are not ‘judge and jury’, but rather helpful, beneficent companions (who nonetheless have to provide grades).
A trailer for ‘The Best’ (sans Lara) can be found at:
www.wat.tv/video/the-best-meilleur-artiste-6ciht_6c71l_.html
It seems as if the acts will be in the same vein as ‘Cirque du soleil’.
And Lara’s recent marriage is still getting some press, with an article in the latest issue of ‘Voici’. The scan can be seen at:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=521095491277453&set=a.168982793155393.43222.166959643357708&type=1&theater
There was also an indication that Lara was due to appear on "Absolument Stars" July 14th, on M6 in France; at least she was listed among the participants. Apparently she was not on the show, another example of French TV programs advertising names in a callous manner to attract an audience.
Lara is continuing to add venues to her upcoming tour, which is advertised as being anywhere from 80-120 concerts, depending on what one reads. The latest is in Minsk, Belarus, and it presages the possibility that there will be an expanded tour of eastern Europe in addition to Russia. What would really be innovative for her is if she were to include western Europe outside of the French speaking countries. Since she is now married to an Italian (in addition to being half Italian)…
There were also several press interviews that appeared. One of them was in ‘Feminin’; (http://www.larafabianweb.com/images/scans/femininjuillet2013N2.png)
Here’s the translation:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Her comeback succeeded. Four years after the release of her last album, Lara returns transformed, more serene and finally in full bloom. At 43 years old, mother of a little girl, she is nevertheless well ahead of the others in album sales. A happy thumbing one’s nose at all those who believed her buried.
Your new album ‘Le Secret’ is classed as number one in sales, a beautiful success compared to your last album of reprises. How do you explain it?
You know, if there had been a recipe, I would apply it each time. My last album “Toutes les femmes en moi” was composed mostly of reprises and I think that the people love more deeply that which comes from me, my lyricism, my intensity, my eclecticism. The theme of Le Secret is also that of happiness refound, a universal theme which many must recognize.
How did you come by the inspiration for this new album?
In general, the creation of a title is always tied to a moment of grace. This time it is a voyage which inspired me. This album has been composed some 80% between the sky and the earth, in airplanes, a helmet on my head.
You speak of happiness refound, what is it that you gave up if so unhappy?
When I speak of happiness refound, I speak of happiness that one had when one was a small child, of the care-free. Of a happiness refound, of a road traveled and of experience, of age, of the maturity which leads to finally letting go, to find the strength to transform pains into cures.
The fact of being a mother has it helped you now come to terms with yourself?
That has been fundamental in the writing of this album and that has led me toward a true resilience. My daughter has revived all my priorities.
You deliver a true message of tolerance with “Deux ils, deux elles”, where you tackle the theme of homosexuality…
I had already tackled it some years ago with the title ‘La Difference’. I saw the damage that intolerance could bring into the life of individuals, and I had a desire to show that one is primarily determined by his humanity and not by his sexuality.
You have a strong bond with Canada, do you live there still?
No, I no longer have a house in the Laurentides, but my affection for this country is very strong. I live today in Brussels with my daughter.
Any regrets in not having broken through in the United States?
It was an extraordinary moment, the day when I saw my face stuck up on a poster covering an entire building, I was the first to be astonished. I worked hard in the United States, made some tours, but the agendas, the political circumstances and the fact that the country wasn’t mine, led me elsewhere.
You have conquered the world, what can you still dream about?
I have a million dreams in my head! To open a music school, collaborate with young artists, raise my child, be as happy as possible, age well, do some theatre or movies, I could speak to you of my dreams for hours.
What is the esoteric symbol on the pocket cover [of the CD]?
It is the ‘enso’, a painting in ink representing a circle made from a single trace, the expression of a cycle of life without end, and which can thus resume. “All happiness is in the center, a point, that’s all.”
Lara Fabian is thus more zen today?
Yet, and moreover I practice for some time, the ONsei-Do. The “Path of Sound”, a kind of sound bridge between the spirit and matter, a form of meditation that allows calming mental agitation and that frees tensions too.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lara has a ready-made answer for why this album is preferred over TLFM by her fans, but the facts so far suggest otherwise, for the general public at least. After 12 weeks, ‘Le Secret’ is in 150th place on the French charts. After 12 weeks, TLFM was in 40th place, although it did benefit from a concert schedule that Lara has yet to begin. Another inaccuracy: Lara made no ‘tours’ in the U.S. to promote her first English album, although she did make a tour of TV studios. Had she worked as hard to sell it in the U.S. as she appears willing to do in France for ‘Le Secret’, the result might well have been different.
And an article appeared on fan sites this week of an interview in "La Libre Essentielle" from April 2013... (the scan can be seen at www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=521881374532198&set=a.168982793155393.43222.166959643357708&type=1&theater). It got most attention for the picture of Lara, available in a bigger size at:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151715358472417&set=a.398533517416.164839.382393522416&type=1&theater
But the interview itself is of interest, translated below:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Her new double album is entitled ‘Le Secret’. Hers is without a doubt her affirmed desire to express sweetness and optimism in all circumstances.
The look, the voice, the gesture, the smile. All of it she expressed with an incredible sweetness that she has acquired after a long quest, so as to better find herself. The singer ‘of voice’ utilizes her strength to better affirm her choices in life. With her we have played a game of words, she who loves them so much. Words of shock, words of love, landmarks of an existence…
SECRET
We all hold within us one or more secrets, it is not necessarily negative. The word ‘secret’ makes me think of a happiness that we all want to attain and which is found inside ourselves and not outside like we have a tendency to think. It takes a lifetime to look for it but, in my view, I think to have the possibility of touching this interior happiness.
VOICE
Like a woman who looks at herself in a mirror and happens, on certain days, to find herself pretty, I can appreciate my voice at some moments. With respect to all the qualifications that one has been able to frame it in, I remain astonished and touched. I am very conscious that there are two categories of people: those who love it and find themselves moved by it, and those who see it as a disruptive element. I let it speak my nature when I put in my voice a charge of energy powerfully expressing my passion.
CHILDHOOD
A very happy period. Childhood is synonymous, in my eyes, with absolute marvels and my greatest moments of happiness are those which pass with my daughter Lou.
HOME
I share myself between Canada, France and Belgium but at this moment I live in Brussells, or rather Waterloo. I have a very strong linke with Quebec which has seen me build myself professionally. However, my heart jumps as soon as I hear of Belgium, as it shudders at the least quebecois accent. And similarly for Siciliy to which I am linked by my mother.
TRUST
I have arrived at trusting people a lot but that permits me to live incredible experiences. On the contrary, to have trust in oneself is work for society doesn’t teach that absolutely, one can rather learn to doubt and be wary of oneself. Since I have learned to listen to myself more, to have trust in ME, I refine my choices.
FIGHT
I have learned a litte, via martial arts, that combat isn’t necessary. It is better to evade blows than to give them. On planting myself and combing through certain decisions, I have sorted and met the right people for me to have found.
WORDS
I sometimes prefer silence to them for it has happened that in my life I have utilized them a lot….But I remain attached to their significance. The right words coexist better between two silences, from where emerge the musical tracks that punctuate each song on the album, so that the listener can rest for a moment before returning to a new song.
GLUTTONY
I like good products: a good wine, a cheese, a perfect tomato, a sweet mango, a St.-Jacques [shells] all fresh with its bright coral. My mother gave me the taste for good and beautiful things and I have done so with Lou, even if we have our own tastes. My daughter five years old is salty, she goes more for a beautiful slice of ham or an excellent plate of pasta than for chocolate or cake.
HEALING
The only and true way for me to heal myself is to return to the house and spend time with my daughter: draw, cook, take a long walk…The simple fact of sitting on the stairs, of throwing my shoes in the hallway and of hearing her cry “Mama!”, it’s just good.
WOMAN
I think of my mother, a mixture of elegance and sweetness. The elegance comes from the look that one shows to others. I am sweet, naturally, in all my actions. The sweetness makes me, every day, a happy woman.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Ironically, 'Le Secret' is one album in which there isn't silence between the tracks, and in this case, it worked very well!
In other news, the author Jeremy who wrote the biography of Lara that we reviewed in some detail several years ago is back with another book, this time a novel, “Lara Fabian, in her skin” (https://www.facebook.com/events/184522535057062/)
According to the blurb, “it will be surprising, a little surreal, a burlesque road movie, an encounter with a fan that will change everything!” Apparently there are a whole set of novels written about star singers, as can be seen at (https://www.facebook.com/StrassDesRomansDeStars).
Julie Clift McGraw has opened her new website, “Lara Fabian, the Voice of Passion”. It’s available at: www.facebook.com/LaraFabianTheVoiceOfPassion
As is obvious from the title, it is in English. Good luck, Julie!
Pure-Lara reported that the French TV channel HD1 (tnt) will show the movie ‘La Neige and Le Feu’ (from 1991) on July 22nd. Lara sang on the soundtrack.
Those of you who have followed these updates on their various sites for a number of years may remember that the definitive review of Lara’s albums have always come from “Platine” magazine. It was the one publication that attempted to understand what the song lyrics were actually about, critiqued the music and the singing, and, in general, provided the in-depth review that one does not really find in any other French publication. So it was with some anticipation that this latest review was awaited, given the uniquesness of Lara’s effort. What a disappointment! The reviewer, who is the editor, has for some reason taken an intense dislike to Lara (previously she was eulogized by the magazine as being the one star who answered all their questions and never asked to see the final article before it was published). Why this has happened, who knows, but the “review” consisted primarily of his recounting all of Lara’s recent ‘failures’ (the TLFM album, MZ movie, etc.). When, finally, he got around to the album, he simply said, “My review, like the album, is a Secret”. (!). Probably he couldn’t find anything bad to say about it, so said nothing at all. It’s sad when a previously professional publication sinks under the weight of an emotionally distraught editor.
Another light week in terms of public appearances, but Lara should eventually be getting back from Indonesia in time for her appearance in Latvia some 10 days from now. At about the same time, “The Best” will start airing – we will see what it does for her album sales.
David
http://instagram.com/p/bsztRuB8yH
Meanwhile, there has been a little more publicity for ‘The Best’, whose broadcast is still almost two weeks away. Larafabianweb.com posted one such scan, at:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=530554380325526&set=a.104315726282729.2679.103390503041918&type=1&theater
and there’s another from a television magazine at: www.toutelatele.com/the-best-le-meilleur-artiste-lara-fabian-une-juree-bienveillante-50941
This last one emphasized Lara’s comment that she and the others are not ‘judge and jury’, but rather helpful, beneficent companions (who nonetheless have to provide grades).
A trailer for ‘The Best’ (sans Lara) can be found at:
www.wat.tv/video/the-best-meilleur-artiste-6ciht_6c71l_.html
It seems as if the acts will be in the same vein as ‘Cirque du soleil’.
And Lara’s recent marriage is still getting some press, with an article in the latest issue of ‘Voici’. The scan can be seen at:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=521095491277453&set=a.168982793155393.43222.166959643357708&type=1&theater
There was also an indication that Lara was due to appear on "Absolument Stars" July 14th, on M6 in France; at least she was listed among the participants. Apparently she was not on the show, another example of French TV programs advertising names in a callous manner to attract an audience.
Lara is continuing to add venues to her upcoming tour, which is advertised as being anywhere from 80-120 concerts, depending on what one reads. The latest is in Minsk, Belarus, and it presages the possibility that there will be an expanded tour of eastern Europe in addition to Russia. What would really be innovative for her is if she were to include western Europe outside of the French speaking countries. Since she is now married to an Italian (in addition to being half Italian)…
There were also several press interviews that appeared. One of them was in ‘Feminin’; (http://www.larafabianweb.com/images/scans/femininjuillet2013N2.png)
Here’s the translation:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Her comeback succeeded. Four years after the release of her last album, Lara returns transformed, more serene and finally in full bloom. At 43 years old, mother of a little girl, she is nevertheless well ahead of the others in album sales. A happy thumbing one’s nose at all those who believed her buried.
Your new album ‘Le Secret’ is classed as number one in sales, a beautiful success compared to your last album of reprises. How do you explain it?
You know, if there had been a recipe, I would apply it each time. My last album “Toutes les femmes en moi” was composed mostly of reprises and I think that the people love more deeply that which comes from me, my lyricism, my intensity, my eclecticism. The theme of Le Secret is also that of happiness refound, a universal theme which many must recognize.
How did you come by the inspiration for this new album?
In general, the creation of a title is always tied to a moment of grace. This time it is a voyage which inspired me. This album has been composed some 80% between the sky and the earth, in airplanes, a helmet on my head.
You speak of happiness refound, what is it that you gave up if so unhappy?
When I speak of happiness refound, I speak of happiness that one had when one was a small child, of the care-free. Of a happiness refound, of a road traveled and of experience, of age, of the maturity which leads to finally letting go, to find the strength to transform pains into cures.
The fact of being a mother has it helped you now come to terms with yourself?
That has been fundamental in the writing of this album and that has led me toward a true resilience. My daughter has revived all my priorities.
You deliver a true message of tolerance with “Deux ils, deux elles”, where you tackle the theme of homosexuality…
I had already tackled it some years ago with the title ‘La Difference’. I saw the damage that intolerance could bring into the life of individuals, and I had a desire to show that one is primarily determined by his humanity and not by his sexuality.
You have a strong bond with Canada, do you live there still?
No, I no longer have a house in the Laurentides, but my affection for this country is very strong. I live today in Brussels with my daughter.
Any regrets in not having broken through in the United States?
It was an extraordinary moment, the day when I saw my face stuck up on a poster covering an entire building, I was the first to be astonished. I worked hard in the United States, made some tours, but the agendas, the political circumstances and the fact that the country wasn’t mine, led me elsewhere.
You have conquered the world, what can you still dream about?
I have a million dreams in my head! To open a music school, collaborate with young artists, raise my child, be as happy as possible, age well, do some theatre or movies, I could speak to you of my dreams for hours.
What is the esoteric symbol on the pocket cover [of the CD]?
It is the ‘enso’, a painting in ink representing a circle made from a single trace, the expression of a cycle of life without end, and which can thus resume. “All happiness is in the center, a point, that’s all.”
Lara Fabian is thus more zen today?
Yet, and moreover I practice for some time, the ONsei-Do. The “Path of Sound”, a kind of sound bridge between the spirit and matter, a form of meditation that allows calming mental agitation and that frees tensions too.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lara has a ready-made answer for why this album is preferred over TLFM by her fans, but the facts so far suggest otherwise, for the general public at least. After 12 weeks, ‘Le Secret’ is in 150th place on the French charts. After 12 weeks, TLFM was in 40th place, although it did benefit from a concert schedule that Lara has yet to begin. Another inaccuracy: Lara made no ‘tours’ in the U.S. to promote her first English album, although she did make a tour of TV studios. Had she worked as hard to sell it in the U.S. as she appears willing to do in France for ‘Le Secret’, the result might well have been different.
And an article appeared on fan sites this week of an interview in "La Libre Essentielle" from April 2013... (the scan can be seen at www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=521881374532198&set=a.168982793155393.43222.166959643357708&type=1&theater). It got most attention for the picture of Lara, available in a bigger size at:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151715358472417&set=a.398533517416.164839.382393522416&type=1&theater
But the interview itself is of interest, translated below:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Her new double album is entitled ‘Le Secret’. Hers is without a doubt her affirmed desire to express sweetness and optimism in all circumstances.
The look, the voice, the gesture, the smile. All of it she expressed with an incredible sweetness that she has acquired after a long quest, so as to better find herself. The singer ‘of voice’ utilizes her strength to better affirm her choices in life. With her we have played a game of words, she who loves them so much. Words of shock, words of love, landmarks of an existence…
SECRET
We all hold within us one or more secrets, it is not necessarily negative. The word ‘secret’ makes me think of a happiness that we all want to attain and which is found inside ourselves and not outside like we have a tendency to think. It takes a lifetime to look for it but, in my view, I think to have the possibility of touching this interior happiness.
VOICE
Like a woman who looks at herself in a mirror and happens, on certain days, to find herself pretty, I can appreciate my voice at some moments. With respect to all the qualifications that one has been able to frame it in, I remain astonished and touched. I am very conscious that there are two categories of people: those who love it and find themselves moved by it, and those who see it as a disruptive element. I let it speak my nature when I put in my voice a charge of energy powerfully expressing my passion.
CHILDHOOD
A very happy period. Childhood is synonymous, in my eyes, with absolute marvels and my greatest moments of happiness are those which pass with my daughter Lou.
HOME
I share myself between Canada, France and Belgium but at this moment I live in Brussells, or rather Waterloo. I have a very strong linke with Quebec which has seen me build myself professionally. However, my heart jumps as soon as I hear of Belgium, as it shudders at the least quebecois accent. And similarly for Siciliy to which I am linked by my mother.
TRUST
I have arrived at trusting people a lot but that permits me to live incredible experiences. On the contrary, to have trust in oneself is work for society doesn’t teach that absolutely, one can rather learn to doubt and be wary of oneself. Since I have learned to listen to myself more, to have trust in ME, I refine my choices.
FIGHT
I have learned a litte, via martial arts, that combat isn’t necessary. It is better to evade blows than to give them. On planting myself and combing through certain decisions, I have sorted and met the right people for me to have found.
WORDS
I sometimes prefer silence to them for it has happened that in my life I have utilized them a lot….But I remain attached to their significance. The right words coexist better between two silences, from where emerge the musical tracks that punctuate each song on the album, so that the listener can rest for a moment before returning to a new song.
GLUTTONY
I like good products: a good wine, a cheese, a perfect tomato, a sweet mango, a St.-Jacques [shells] all fresh with its bright coral. My mother gave me the taste for good and beautiful things and I have done so with Lou, even if we have our own tastes. My daughter five years old is salty, she goes more for a beautiful slice of ham or an excellent plate of pasta than for chocolate or cake.
HEALING
The only and true way for me to heal myself is to return to the house and spend time with my daughter: draw, cook, take a long walk…The simple fact of sitting on the stairs, of throwing my shoes in the hallway and of hearing her cry “Mama!”, it’s just good.
WOMAN
I think of my mother, a mixture of elegance and sweetness. The elegance comes from the look that one shows to others. I am sweet, naturally, in all my actions. The sweetness makes me, every day, a happy woman.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Ironically, 'Le Secret' is one album in which there isn't silence between the tracks, and in this case, it worked very well!
In other news, the author Jeremy who wrote the biography of Lara that we reviewed in some detail several years ago is back with another book, this time a novel, “Lara Fabian, in her skin” (https://www.facebook.com/events/184522535057062/)
According to the blurb, “it will be surprising, a little surreal, a burlesque road movie, an encounter with a fan that will change everything!” Apparently there are a whole set of novels written about star singers, as can be seen at (https://www.facebook.com/StrassDesRomansDeStars).
Julie Clift McGraw has opened her new website, “Lara Fabian, the Voice of Passion”. It’s available at: www.facebook.com/LaraFabianTheVoiceOfPassion
As is obvious from the title, it is in English. Good luck, Julie!
Pure-Lara reported that the French TV channel HD1 (tnt) will show the movie ‘La Neige and Le Feu’ (from 1991) on July 22nd. Lara sang on the soundtrack.
Those of you who have followed these updates on their various sites for a number of years may remember that the definitive review of Lara’s albums have always come from “Platine” magazine. It was the one publication that attempted to understand what the song lyrics were actually about, critiqued the music and the singing, and, in general, provided the in-depth review that one does not really find in any other French publication. So it was with some anticipation that this latest review was awaited, given the uniquesness of Lara’s effort. What a disappointment! The reviewer, who is the editor, has for some reason taken an intense dislike to Lara (previously she was eulogized by the magazine as being the one star who answered all their questions and never asked to see the final article before it was published). Why this has happened, who knows, but the “review” consisted primarily of his recounting all of Lara’s recent ‘failures’ (the TLFM album, MZ movie, etc.). When, finally, he got around to the album, he simply said, “My review, like the album, is a Secret”. (!). Probably he couldn’t find anything bad to say about it, so said nothing at all. It’s sad when a previously professional publication sinks under the weight of an emotionally distraught editor.
Another light week in terms of public appearances, but Lara should eventually be getting back from Indonesia in time for her appearance in Latvia some 10 days from now. At about the same time, “The Best” will start airing – we will see what it does for her album sales.
David
