Reviews of 'En Toute Intimite'

[achebeautiful]

Here is where we should post our March reviews of "En Toute Intimite."

[ocelot]

En Toute Intimite review

J’Y Crois Encore 10/10

I love this version of this song. Lara’s voice shines in this song, it shows that she doesn’t need a lot of fancy musical stuff to hide beyond. The emotion in this song shows off Lara’s great performing abilities.

Comme Ils Disent 9/10

Lara’s voice sounds really beautiful on this song. I love how the emotion comes out in her voice. The arrangement really supports this and the total effort is beautiful.

Caruso 10/10

I love Lara singing this song. She just sounds so majestic and beautiful. The emotion, the language, the voice, and the song just creates a spirit of music that blows you away. This is one of my favourite vocal performances by Lara.

S’en Aller 9/10

I love how Lara plays with her voice in this song. She makes this song a lot of fun, while at the same time impresses you with her voice. As much as she makes this song a lot of fun, she still brings the other emotions very beautifully.

Voir Un Ami Pleurer 10/10

This is a beautiful song. Lara does a fabulous job with it. The emotion that she brings to the lyrics and melody is beautiful and arrangement compliments it very well. This is just an example of Lara not only singing the song but also having the song become a part of her. Absolutely beautiful.

Je T’Aime 10/10

One of Lara’s biggest hits and most noticeable songs, this version is so beautiful. Instead of the power coming from everything it comes solely from Lara’s voice. The emotion that she brings to this performance is beautiful. This song shows that Lara doesn’t have to push her voice to make a powerful performance but let the emotions in her voice overpower you.

Je Suis Mon Coeur 10/10

This song is so beautiful and Lara sings it to perfection. This is one of my favourite songs by Lara because of the fragile beauty of music that this song has. Outstanding.

Addio Del Passato 10/10

This song shows just how talented Lara is. Though most of the time she sings through her chest voice and middle voice, this time she sings from her head voice, and the performance is amazing. Lara is still able to show the emotion that she has in her lower range. It’s a beautiful piece of music.

Mistral Gagnant 8/10

This is one of my least favourite songs on the album. It’s a beautiful performance but I just can’t get into it like the other songs.

Si Tu M’Aimes/Parce Que Tu Pars 10/10

It’s great to hear 2 of Lara’s most powerful songs stripped down so that you notice the songs and her voice. The arrangement is great and Lara’s voice is even better. Lara’s performance is full of emotion and passion. Incredible.

Tu Es Mon Autre 10/10

A duet with Maurane. I prefer this version to the version on the Nue album. It’s an absolutely beautiful song and performance by both artists.

Medley Starmania 10/10

Lara brings so much to these songs. Her performance is so beautiful and emotional. The arrangement again centers on the songs and her voice brings them out so beautifully.

Calling You 9/10

The only reason why I didn’t give this track a perfect 10 is the talking at the start of the track. I just want to get to the song, where Lara sings so beautifully with longing and gentle emotion.

Tout 10/10

This stripped down version of “Tout” brings out the emotion so well. I prefer the vocals on this version to the studio version on the “Pure” album. Just Amazing.

Immortelle 10/10

Lara’s voice takes you on a journey through the skies of the mind. This song just flows and powers through with emotion. I love the arrangement of this track, it strips it down without losing the out of this world feeling.

Bambina 9/10

I’m not a big fan of this song to begin with but Lara brings so much to this song. I probably would hate it if anyone else recorded it but the emotion that Lara brings to it is beautiful.

[lapayin]

Great review Leona. I am still working on mine but hope to finish it this weekend.

[lapayin]

“En Toute Intimite” is a theatrical masterpiece concert. Lara takes many of her songs and transforms them acoustically and for the most part they work very well. I rarely listen to the CD because the video is so entertaining. Since we have reviewed many of these songs previously I will concentrate on the non reviewed songs and add the video impact to my review. But, I will only review the songs on the CD and not all the songs on the video. This is one concert I wish I was able to have attended in person. I feel it is one of Lara’s best.


J’y Crois Encore – (I Believe Again) – Lara Fabian and Rick Allison

This is not my favorite rendition of this song. I like the more upbeat version with the extra power. I love the cello in the beginning. I also love the interaction Lara has with the cellist (Noemie Lecampion) and the pianist (Pierre Grimard) at the beginning of the song, in the video. It is a good start for the concert and sets the tone for the theatrics to come.


Comme Ils Disent - (As They Say) - Charles Aznavour

A very interesting song about a homosexual whose days, are filled with taking care of his mother and nights are filled with performing as a transvestite

“I live alone with mom”
“To let mom rest
Very often I do the market
And the cooking
I arrange, I wash, I wipe”

“Work does not make me fearful
I am a little decorator
A little stylist
But my true trade, it is night
That I exercise it, dressed up
I am an artist”

“No one has the right in truth
To criticize me, to judge me
And I specify
That this is well the nature that
Is solely responsible if
I am a homo, as they say”

This is an extremely well written song and Lara portrays this man very well. I truly feel the dark side from the lyrics and from the lighting used during the song, in the video. She sings this song with many feelings. At first you see the simple man and then she interprets his defiance which ultimately becomes torment, and lastly a declaration.


Caruso – Lucio Dalla

This is another very well written song. I believe this song is about Enrico Caruso the great tenor. Again Lara theatrically interprets this song of a man who dramatically acts and sings in operas. And of his dreams and career that took him from Sorrento Italy to America.

“He felt the pain in the music
and stood up from the piano,
but when he saw the moon emerging from a cloud
death also seemed sweeter to him. ”

“The power of opera,
where every drama is a hoax;
with a little make-up and with mime
you can become someone else.”

Both Comme Ils Disent and Caruso fit very well into this production. They were excellent choices for “En Toute Intimite.”


S’en Aller – (To Go Away) – Lara Fabian and Rick Allison

After two very deep and passionate songs Lara lightens the mood with this song. Originally very upbeat, S’en Aller works very well as a slow acoustic song. As much as I love the original version, I love this version too.

“And to go away
As one loses oneself better to begin again
The moment has arrived
And to go away
As one returns
As one returns to oneself at last”

Lara interprets these lyrics, in the video, by starting out as a child and then returning to one at the end to the song. I love Lara’s facial expressions and the way she emphasizes during this song.


Voir Un Ami Pleuer – (To See A Friend Cry) – Jacques Brel

What a powerful beginning to this song Lara portrays with her cellist Noemie Lecampion. It sets the stage for a very emotional performance, friends helping friends and supporting each other. The world is one. We are all brothers/sisters.

“Of course there are our defeats
And then the death that is the end of all
Our body already inclines its head
Astonished to be still standing
Of course the unfaithful women
And the murdered birds
Of course our hearts lose their wings
But but to see a friend cry!”

“Of course our mirrors are upright
Neither the courage of being Jewish
Nor the elegance of being black
One believes oneself the wick one is only tallow
And all these men that our brothers
In such a manner that one is only more astonished
That for love they lacerate us
But to see a friend to cry!”

In my opinion, Lara’s passionate interpretation of Voir Un Ami Pleuer transforms an average song into a moving heartfelt performance.


Je T’aime – (I Love You) – Lara Fabian and Rick Allison

This song is an example of how well Lara and Rick compose. I love the original version but I also love this version. It works very nicely with just the piano. Many of their songs convert beautifully to multiple styles. Here Lara starts the song singing directly to the audience. You immediately feel the connection and how much she cares for them. They in turn show their appreciation with their gifts and flowers. Je T’aime is Lara and Lara’s audience’s signature appreciation song.


Je Suis Mon Coeur – (I Am My Heart) – Christine Lidon and Daniel Levoie

For me this is the best song and best performance of the CD/DVD. The piano sets the mood and the violin joining in emphasizes it. Lara holds the notes perfectly and again her facial expressions add volumes to this powerful performance. I love her vocalizing at the end. The manner in which she walks and the lighting upon her face, creates a haunting and ghostly appearance.

“I am afraid of my longing”
“I am afraid to forget”
“I am afraid of the offense”
“I am afraid of your voice”
“I am afraid of confidence”
“Even if I am afraid, I am my heart”

“To the heart of nowhere
Where love drowns itself”

Bravo Lara


Addio Del Passato – (Goodbye To The Past) – Francesco Maria Piave and Giuseppe Verdi

This aria from the opera La Traviata (The Youth) is the song I like the least on this CD/DVD. I remember the first time she sang this song she struggled with it but here she sings it in great voice. It does flow with the theme of the concert. It’s just not my cup of tea.

“The pleasures and the pains
will soon have ended
the grave of mortals
of everything is the border!
No tears or flowers
will there be in my grave!”


Minstral Gagnant – (The Muck Ral Drops) – Renaud Sechan

This is a pleasant song about an adult relating life’s stories to a child. As Lara did S’en Aller, Minstral Gagnant lightens up the concert after some dramatic performances.

“Ah... to sit on a bench
five minutes with you
and look at the people
Such as there are
To talk to you about the good times”

“To relate a little
how I was, as a child
the fabulous bonbons
that one stole at the merchants
for in bag and Mintho
caramels for a franc
and the muck ral drops
Ah... to walk under rain
five minutes with you
and look at life
such as is there
To tell you about the Earth
In the puffiness of your eyes
To talk of your mother”

Lara seems to have fun with this song. I like the sequence where she spins around. The slow motion effect is great. I like this song and the way Lara sing it. It’s very entertaining.


Si Tu M’aimes/Parce Que Tu Parce – (If You Loved Me/Because You Leave) – Lara Fabian and Rick Allison

To start off I absolutely love the use of lighting in this performance. “Si Tu M’aimes”, I like this version, but I like the original, with the great guitar solo better. I do think Lara does a great job with both these songs. The bridge to Parce Que Tu Parce is great. I would love to know what she was saying during the bridge. She is very dramatic and you can feel the pain in her singing and in her expressions.


Tu Es Mon Autre – (You Are My Other) – Lara Fabian and Rick Allison

This is not one of my favorite songs but it’s okay. Lara and Maurane are great together. I think their voices compliment each other well. They have done four duets together that I know of and each have been very good: Fais Moi Une Place, Que Dieu Aide Les Exclus, Tu Es Mon Autre and Mais La Vie. I like this version much better than the duet she did with Rick on the Nue Live Tour.


Medley Starmania– Luc Plamondon and Michel Berger

This medley is comprised of four songs from the stage play Starmania: Le Monde Est Stone (The World Is Stone), Le Blues Du Businessman (The Blues Of The Businessman), Monopolis, and La Complainte De La Serveuse Automate (The Lament Of The Waitress Automat). These four songs are great and I have heard others sing them. Even though Lara only sings a portion of each, I have not heard anyone sing them better than she.

“Stone
The world is stone
I look for the sun
In the middle of the night
I don't know if this is the earth
That turns upside down
Or well if it is me”

“I would have wanted to be an artist
To be able to do my number “
“I would have wanted to be a singer
To be able to shout that I am
I would have wanted to be an author
To be able to invent my life”

“In the streets of
Monopolis
There will be no longer any foreigners
One will be all”

“I have no desire to do as everyone in the world
But is necessary though that I pay my rent
I work in the Underground Cafe
One day you will see
The waitress robot”

I would love to see Lara performing in a stage play.


Calling You – Robert Telson

This song is from the movie “Bagdad Café” I did not know this but Jevetta Steele, who Lara did a duet with, last year, sang “Calling You’ on the original movie soundtrack in 1990. I love this song, it’s haunting and soulful. I feel Lara’s version is the best I have heard and that includes Jevetta Steele, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Edyta Gorniak and George Michaels (who in my opinion is a verrrrrrrry close second). Her performance on the DVD was superb.


Tout – (All) – Lara Fabian and Rick Allison

“Tout” is another of Lara’s songs that has been done in various styles and very successful. I love the violins in the beginning and end of the ETI version. I enjoy the original version as a sing along song. But this “Tout” is equally as good as the original and so is the Un Regard 9 version. Lara doesn’t always need the power.


Immortelle – (Immortal) – Lara Fabian and Rick Allison

Lara does a good job with this song but I like the original and other versions better.


Bambina – (Child) – Lara Fabian and Janey Clewer

This song is a great ending to a great concert.


Another song I would like to give honorable mention to, but was not on the CD, is “Pour Que Tu M’aimes Encore” - (If That’s What It Takes) – Jean Jacques Goldman.

I just want to say I love the way Lara sings this song. She makes it very entertaining.


For the most part I like the acoustic style Lara creates in ETI. But it’s the concert performances that I absolutely love. Lara is passionate, emotional and really shows her theatrical abilities. I have always maintained that Lara does not sing songs she interprets them. She sets the mood for the concert by being extremely close with the audience and the musicians on stage. The lighting enhances the mood and Lara ending the concert in a nightgown and bare feet really makes this concert truly - “In All Intimacy”.

[smoothlara]

i just saw a production of the opera La Traviata here in Toronto. i've been curious about the opera ever since i heard Lara sing "Addio del passato" on ETI. i'm not sure if it was the production itself (it was a modern adaptation), but i didn't like how the soprano sang it. she had a great voice and i was moved by it, but the aria itself didn't touch me when she sang it. maybe i'm spoiled by Lara's version but i think she definitely sang it much better. maybe i'll watch another production next time when i get a chance.

one thing's for sure, Lara got me curious about operas :-)

[lapayin]

Funny you say that Lib.

My sister-in-law attended Lara's 2004 Montreal concert with me. Lara sang "Addio Del Passato". The week before the concert my sister-in-law saw La Traviata at Lincoln Center in New York. She told me that Lara sounded as good if not better than the opera singer she saw.

Great reviews for Lara.

[achebeautiful]

Okay, finally I have collected my thoughts about En Toute Intimite. Sorry for the long wait:

“En Toute Intimite” Review

Which is the more accurate way to say it: that Lara’s voice is as beautiful as her physical appearance, or that her physical appearance is as beautiful as her voice? Could it be that you can take your pick, either way will do. That Lara can sing with such ease and grace, making so much of a song with so little instrumentation is nothing less than a wonder of the world. But her stunning beauty, her feminine and womanly attractiveness equally fills the senses with awe. The classical style that she brings to the stage is remarkable not only for her incredible vocal talents and the lovely spectacle that she is, but also because of the integrity and commitment that she gives to each and every performance. She puts all of herself into the song she is singing, and always treats each note with exactly the right touch . Powerful when needed. Emotional when called for. Graceful, lovely and beautiful. Subdued. Lara has the voice to do it, but more importantly, she has the heart to deliver the message perfectly and flawlessly.

The piano is a very romantic and beautiful instrument. So is the violin. “En Toute Intimite” gives us a performance that allows us to experience how an instrument can accentuate one’s vocals, and how one’s voice can do the same for the instrument. A sunset is always beautiful wherever it sets, but how much more so over a calm lake, or a row of mountains? A fireplace is intimate and cozy, but what a difference when placed in a low-lit log cabin in the forest accompanied by someone you love! The one not only compliments the other, but also accentuates them. What the piano and violin do for Lara’s vocals, Lara’s voice equally does for the piano and violin!

It’s a beautiful stage performance from beginning to end that reveals Lara as a true artist and much more than simply an amazing talent. Too often in classical concert settings, I find myself very impressed with the vocal talents of the performers, but not necessarily impressed with their deep passion for the song or the emotion (lack thereof) that they bring to it. Too often in classical music, it is a showcase of vocal talent alone, and not enough true artistry. It is true that many classical artists have enough talent vocally to get away with this. Lara, too, has that much talent, but equally has as much heart. The sincerity and honesty of passion that she brings to each song adds to the intimacy of the whole concert experience. She’s more than a great voice….she’s a great artist, with an ability to truly sculpt for us not only a beautiful listening experience, but also a wonderful visual experience as well. The cinematic quality that she brings to the stage is memorable and lasting long after the show has gone.

One of my favorite songs of Lara’s is “J’y Crois Encore”. What a way to begin the concert with this version of the song! Stripped down to a cello, a piano and Lara’s voice. Wow! All three are beautifully performed. For me, it is amazing how the best artists can transform a song with their variations of it. As one such example, Bruce Springsteen does this often with his songs, but perhaps never better than on “Born To Run”. The original, full band version that most people are familiar with offers a youthful and restless guy who doesn’t want to settle for anything less than fulfilling his hopes and dreams. There is an energy and a passion to it that sweeps you away and makes you want to run for that dream with him! But in his acoustic, stripped down ballad version, you get the exact same lyrics, only now you get the feeling that he is not so young and energetic but rather weathered and somewhat weary of the journey. Still remaining is a man who won’t settle for less than his dreams fulfilled, and instead of youthful passion you feel that he has mature resolve! Isn’t it amazing how an artist can do that? I feel that Lara has done that with this song version. It’s not a matter of comparing which version I like best, but rather appreciating the artistic ability to transform a song the way only the best artists can do. I wonder how any of you feel about this.

I won’t discuss any of the other songs individually except to say that each of them are excellent not only to listen to but also to watch. Lara is so beautiful and graceful. Her stage presence is amazing! She is so passionate and theatrical. And her voice is absolutely perfect! I would really have loved to see her on this tour.

Becoming a Lara fan has introduced me to a lot of music I have never listened to before. It’s really amazing how many very talented artists there are in the world outside of our own surroundings. However, I will say this. Of all the artists and musical styles that I have been introduced to since becoming a Lara fan, none of them compare to Lara in terms of passion to equal vocal talent. In other words, while many artists in classical music have amazing voices, a lot of them do not show a deep passion and conviction for their songs. It is as if they are riding on their vocal talents alone, which they can, because they are so amazingly talented. But Lara sings every song from a deep down place within herself. She is the only singer I have ever heard that has passion equal to the remarkable vocal talent she has. It makes all the difference in a concert like this.

I think that En Toute Intimite was a stunning performance in every regard, and I wouldn’t mind if she would do it again sometime, including some of her newer songs as well.

I listened to "En Toute Intimate" again today to finish my review, and it occured to me that every time I listen to it (as with all of Lara's albums) I find new things to discover and appreciate with each new listen! Isn't that awesome!

[lapayin]

Thanks Mark for the review.

"The sincerity and honesty of passion that she brings to each song adds to the intimacy of the whole concert experience. She’s more than a great voice….she’s a great artist, with an ability to truly sculpt for us not only a beautiful listening experience, but also a wonderful visual experience as well." Perfectly said.

[bward]

My review of ETI will be much shorter than what the rest of you have posted, but let me start by saying this is one of my favourite french recordings after NUE!!

You all have said so much about it above, but for me, this CD/DVD recording of Lara shows her VAST talent not only as a beautiful singer vocally, but even as an actress. For me, watching Lara perform is witnessing such an emotional process that it takes my breath away.

To say that she is phenomenal is an understatement. This woman is in a league all her own and she never fails to astound me with presence!!!

Love this woman!

[achebeautiful]

Bev, I couldn't agree with you more! Lara truly is in a league all her own. She becomes the song so completely that it is nothing less than convincing. I don't know of any artist that is that committed to their music. It is a spectacle!

[smoothlara]

ETI is still my favourite video of Lara. it is still the most amazing spectacle i have ever seen and i can still see each of her performances in my mind without watching the video. the ETI dvd was the one that convinced me of Lara's greatness as an artist, both singer and actress. i truly believe she can do anything, and do it very well. i can't wait for her play next year, maybe i could even go to Paris just to see her....

[ashja]

[bernhard]

En toute intimité - A view from 2021


As I understand it, the album discussed here is an excerpt from the DVD of the live concert of the same name from 2003.

In this concert Lara Fabian sings, accompanied only by piano, cello or violin, in front of an audience at the Olympia in Paris. She performed a total of 19 chansons of her and other artists.

The audio album extracted from it comprises a total of only 16 tracks.

The DVD contains the complete concert.

The DVD is practically only available from private vendors today.

However, there is still a stream of this version in good quality on Youtube, especially sound quality:

youtu.be/WMkwU9HVCvU

The concert included the following chansons:

(01) J'y crois encore

(02) Comme ils disent

(03) Caruso

(04) S'en aller

(05) Aimer deja

(06) Voir un ami pleurer

(07) Je t'aime

(08) Pour que tu m'aimes encore

(09) Je suis mon coeur

(10) Addio del passato

(11) Mistral gagnant

(12) Si tu m'aimes / Parce que tu pars

(13) Tu es mon autre (en duo avec Maurane)

(14) Medley Starmania

(15) Calling you

(16) Tout

(17) Je suis malade

(18) Immortelle

(19) Bambina


The three audio tracks that are not included on the Live CD (you can listen to it on Lara Fabian's YouTube channel) are the following:

- Aimer deja

- Pour que tu m'aimes encore

- Je suis malade

Why are these chansons not featured on the audio version? I can only speculate about the reasons. I suspect that it is about the length of the audio track and the rights management of the songs, especially the cover of "Pour que tu m'aime encore".

Review:

For me it is the best concert by Lara Fabian in her best time span from 2000 to 2010. It is a concert that shows her full abilities and her artistic streak, a unique experience. She reinterprets every single song and makes it a unique, soulful experience. I was particularly moved by her wonderful performance of the chanson "Pour que tu m'aime encore" by Jean-Jacques Goldman. It is the first time that I have experienced this song that I know in the original from Celine Dion. (You can see Lara singing it in the YouTube stream of the concert from minute 39:15 / Just the enthusiastic reaction of the audience when Lara Fabian starts this song, which was very popular in France, gives me goose bumps.) This version of Lara Fabian is from now on my favorite version of this song. It is therefore a pitty that it is not included on the audio version of this memorable concert.

Greetings to all interested readers

Bernhard