Post by davidhr on Jul 29, 2014 8:13:15 GMT -5
Two big stories this past week. The first one, obviously, was Lara’s public re-emergence in Latvia at the ‘New Wave’ festival. She performed two songs, videos of both are available on youtube, first together covering her full time on stage (a little more than 10 minutes) at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4Zw62tFoMU
or in HD:
yadi.sk/d/3vidFyWIY7ReW
and then separately (thanks to Ocelot in a comment on the past Update for the links):
Furious
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxX5WTS-DtA
Running
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re1ebNOpQjo
The videos and mp3s:
yadi.sk/d/D35ax8HdXwkv2
While both songs are in French, they obviously have English titles, which is curious to say the least (though not unprecedented; other artists have done similar things). It was also an interesting choice to have both of them be in French for that audience; last year, one was in English (Angel Fly Away) and one in French (Yin et Yang). As to whether they were sung live or not, opinion on the web is mixed; it sounded like the instrumentation (BTW, similar to last years’) could have produced the sounds we heard, and Lara’s voice was occasionally fragile, as might be expected for not having sung live in more than six months. On the other hand, it’s been pointed out in the past that when lip-syncing, Lara habitually keeps the microphone very close to her lips, as was done here. Regardless, in stretches the singing was powerful, as we’ve now come to expect in conjunction with Krutoi’s music.
Concerning the songs themselves, fans do seem to have mixed opinions, including the comment that the words were not well-enunciated (responses to a question on ‘La page des Fabianesk’ shows slightly more people liking them). Some have expressed the opinion that the songs ‘grow on you’. Obviously rhythmic, they perhaps presuppose a somewhat less ‘lush’ next album with Krutoi than the Mme. Zhivago disc. Of course, we’ve now heard only four songs (assuming all of these will be on it), and perhaps not the full-fledged versions that will ultimately appear on the record.
The ‘Lara Fabian Is Here” site has collected some 60 pictures (at the time of this writing); here is a sampling:
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152589584812417/?type=1&theater
Lara and her dress:
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152588341027417/?type=1&theater
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152588341837417/?type=1&theater
On-stage:
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152588341067417/?type=1&theater
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152588341112417/?type=1&theater
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152588341642417/?type=1&theater
With Krutoi:
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152588341512417/?type=1&theater
Lara with the ‘candidates’:
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152588341322417/?type=1&theater
With the creator of the dress Igor Gulyaev (thanks to the FB site La Page des Fabianesk):
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152588341707417/?type=1&theater
[also shown on his web site:
With various people/performers:
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152588677822417/?type=1&theater
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/pb.382393522416.-2207520000.1406633212./10152589584567417/?type=1&theater
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152589583957417/?type=1&theater
with Anjelika (from Lara Fabian Mexico):
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianfromMexico/photos/a.556367684417296.1073741826.556364357750962/703048466415883/?type=1&theater
and then:
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152588340947417/?type=1&theater
This last picture is included of course because it shows Lara appearing to pay attention to her ear, or in-ear plug, which as can be noted, did occur at times during her performance. Others have correctly observed that throughout her career Lara was often seen fiddling with her ear plugs, and often, coincidentally her left ear, so it may have been only that. Let’s hope so…(!)
Other videos also are available, e.g., Lara’s dress certainly got a lot of attention, and she responded to questions concerning it on the ‘non-red’ carpet, at:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=702569239796743&set=vb.166959643357708&type=2&theater
and on ‘Fashion one Russia’:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=506222229524455&set=vb.353946178085395&type=2&theater
and also about how she spends her free time in Riga:
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&t=39s&v=R7wPYLYSaag&app=desktop
Lara posted her own message after the concert, saying (in translation), “I was in Jurmala…you were with me…tenderly, L”, with an accompanying picture:
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.215378125170359.50343.201065806601591/747742328600600/?type=1&theater
This event was covered on ‘ChartsinFrance’ (http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Lara-Fabian/news-93014.html:; here’s the translation:
--------------------------------------------------
"Running" and "Furious" Lara Fabian reveals two unpublished songs at a concert in Latvia
In retreat for several months following an auditory shock having cancelled all of her French tour dates, Lara Fabian reappeared on stage last week in Latvia. The opportunity to unveil two new songs.
Lara Fabian has offered a warm-up lap last week, before launching a European tour in October. The singer of "Humana" went on stage Saturday during the New Wave Festival in Jurmala, Latvia, to present two new titles. Wearing a long black dress, hair pulled back and with a smile on her lips, the singer presented the titles "Running" and "Furious", which are far from being unanimous in the opinion of her community of fans. Both pieces were written in the language of Molière, but we do not yet know the identity of authors and composers. They are nevertheless in line of titles of her latest album "Le Secret" (2013), written with Janey Clewer, and which included singles such as "Deux ils, deux elles" and "Danse".
This concert is a taste of what Lara Fabian has in store for the fall. First appearance since the cancellation of her French tour late last year due to a severe hearing shock, Lara Fabian plans to start on the road in October. She will sing notably in Munich, Berlin, Hannover, Prague, Bucharest and Helsinki. Further performances in North America may be announced next. On the other hand, no date in France is planned for the moment. And, according to our information, Lara Fabian does not count on adding (concerts) here in October despite the many concerts that she would normally have carried out on the territory in 2013 and 2014. But fans will be delighted to learn that singer will make an appearance on the compilation "Kiss and Love", produced under the direction of Pascal Obispo for Sidaction, in duet with Michel Jonasz. It is planned to be released this fall.
Jonathan HAMARD
-----------------------------------------------------------
In the past, Lara’s activities in the ‘countries to the east’ passed unnoticed, so it is interesting that the French press is now primed to pay attention to it, although it would be better if they were more informed. We know that Krutoi wrote those songs, and one expects Lara wrote the lyrics - they do not really appear to be following the line of 'Le Secret'. And it is not at all guaranteed that these songs will be part of her coming fall concerts. We’ve also heard this rumor about a North American tour for several months; we’ll see.
The second big story concerns Lara’s ‘Turkish adventure’. We know she will be in Istanbul on August 13. What we’ve learned is that she will attend the concert as a special guest of Mustafa Ceceli (at Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Ampitheatre, Istanbul). She will apparently perform a duet with him on the song "Al Götür Beni", which literally translates to “Take Me Away” or “Take Away”. In addition, we have now also learned that they will be releasing an ‘extended’ single together, sung in both Turkish and English. In addition to the above song, an English version, renamed “Make Me Yours Tonight” will be included, as well as acoustic versions of both, and an instrumental. Here is the cover of it:
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.398533517416.164839.382393522416/10152584980982417/?type=1&theater
It can be bought at:
www.idefix.com/muzik/al-gotur-beni-mustafa-ceceli-lara-fabian/tanim.asp?sid=YN86GGVTUG0BI5Y3BTX8
A video of Mustafa Ceceli himself can be seen at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQhoVGSYi-A
Presumably this ‘single’ was recorded earlier this year, while Lara was still on ‘hiatus’. Note that Lara’s ‘9 Productions’ is involved, suggesting it was not a ‘spur of the moment’ occurrence. When people wondered earlier this year in which direction Lara might be headed, it’s a safe bet that no one imagined this! Lara is really forging ahead with an ever more international focus…
[There had been some speculation that the song ‘Take Away’ is really "Emmenez-moi" (“Take Me Along”), the Charles Aznavour song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieYQKS9-Is0). Although the title, in effect, is the same, the Aznavour song was written by Aznavour/Garvarentz, and the cover referred to above lists completely different writers for both the lyrics and the music].
In other news, Lara’s official FB site also had another message (in translation):
“If there are followers of the blue bird among the angels, go to Twitter — @lfabianofficial...” twitter.com/LFabianOfficial
and on that account, she (or more likely her team) wrote:
#FF Lov... @nikosaliagas @macomagency @mauraneofficiel @cauetofficiel @cyrilhanouna @obispopascal @evalongoria @versaversa @unicef
Basically, they were suggesting (using the ‘Follow Friday’ Twitter shortcut) that fans sign up to follow various people’s Twitter accounts. What is interesting is the choice of accounts they give, perhaps indicating Lara’s closest friends/relations. [The MaCom Agency had actually started this interaction by sending around an #FF for their various clients, including Lara…]. On the more general point of following Lara on Twitter, she herself has often expressed a disdainful opinion of people who “live their lives on Twitter”, so one shouldn’t expect frequent communications with her.
In the competition for ‘Legende de la chanson francophone’, Lara was the winner
www.buzz-land.com/la-legende-de-la-chanson-francophone/
Congratulations to her, and to all the fans who voted for her!
Next task: to get them all to buy ‘Le Secret’
.
Now for the next three (or in this case, three and a half) ‘best of’ videos. [We’re on track to finish just before Lara resumes her fall concert schedule].
S’en aller: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKrpzfUHBsI
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6srJ0jAcQQs
Si tu m’aimes: app.box.com/s/q31b6wf7r5lwbqmowtzb
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHuNwEX1hFQ
Si tu m’aimes/To Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BE24iDVIRE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrxgGVysmw8
Si tu n’as pas d’amour: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRwcK4DQO4k
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R5v-40nTO4
The song ‘S’en aller’ from ‘Nue’ is an attempt to come to terms to the leaving of a lover, but one wouldn’t know it from the normal rhythm or presentation of the song. Here Lara puts a ‘bright face’ on it, (unlike ‘Parce que tu pars’ from the same album which is her allowing herself to feel the pain). The version chosen is a wonderful presentation with movement, from the Live DVD; there is also a good TV version of the same nature (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjqxCEoyX5c). A thoughtful way the song could be sung was presented on the ‘En Toute Intimite’ tour, and its DVD, the second choice given above.
‘Si tu m’aimes’ is the great song from the ‘Carpe Diem’ album, and Lara thought so highly of it that in some of the versions of ‘Pure’, the next album, she included it again. It ranks up with her most powerful, emotional titles. The version chosen above, from ‘Les Annes Tubes’, is indicative of that, but there are numerous other similar videos from TV shows (e.g., www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xB2B8KnPDo; app.box.com/s/5nor6f95gykzx7cxkwwb; app.box.com/s/utn4f9fcebm96h93k2ai). It was also really well done on her live DVDs, somewhat more artistically if a little less impassioned (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnBBhR5F-8Y; www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8z_BdWIE-0). The second choice given above is a slower, haunting version with Rick Allison – a rare treat.
In addition, as we know, Lara liked it so much that she created an English version of it (‘To Love Again’) – that will be covered in its own category, but she had several performances where she combined the two versions, and these, again very powerful, are listed above as well.
For some reason, the song has fallen out of favor; for people who doubt that Lara can sing as powerfully as she used to, this would be a good test.
‘Si tu n’as pas d’amour’ is as far removed emotionally from the previous song as it could be, given that both include a derivative of ‘amour’ in the title. A delightful song from ‘Neuf’, the first version above was from the ‘Un Regard Neuf’ DVD; the second is from the ‘Chante avec Lara’ DVD. There is also a really amazingly creative video of it that came out (along with others) in the CD package; it is, IMHO, one of the best Lara has ever done (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1RuVDm0kQY).
Lara has now entered back into the fray; let’s hope she came out unscathed, health-wise, and is happy with the results. Both big events of this past week have suggested to her French fans that she is turning away from them in earnest, and it would be hard to argue against that, at least in the near term. While it may have been primarily a matter of timing and opportunity, it is not insignificant that Lara chose to make her ‘return’ outside of France/Belgium. Her international ‘bias’ would only be further emphasized if Lara really does arrange a ‘first-ever’ extensive North American tour.
On some of the fan sites, they have complained that she is drawn to a public that treats her like a diva – and could one really blame her? The other side of that, fans have pointed out, is that without the creative scrutiny provided by the French press, if ‘anything is acceptable’ in these other countries, she will lose her creative edge. But the great creativity she showed with ‘Le Secret’ wasn’t really appreciated by the French public anyway. As noted earlier, the French press is now cognizant of her activities internationally; we will see whether they still pay attention if Lara continues to move further away from her Francophile career. [All this could of course change if Lara is chosen to be a judge on the French version of ‘The Voice’, but one rumor has it that Chimene Badi is the favorite to replace Jenifer].
In conclusion, one could say, accurately on all accounts, that Lara is back, running and furious!
David
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4Zw62tFoMU
or in HD:
yadi.sk/d/3vidFyWIY7ReW
and then separately (thanks to Ocelot in a comment on the past Update for the links):
Furious
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxX5WTS-DtA
Running
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re1ebNOpQjo
The videos and mp3s:
yadi.sk/d/D35ax8HdXwkv2
While both songs are in French, they obviously have English titles, which is curious to say the least (though not unprecedented; other artists have done similar things). It was also an interesting choice to have both of them be in French for that audience; last year, one was in English (Angel Fly Away) and one in French (Yin et Yang). As to whether they were sung live or not, opinion on the web is mixed; it sounded like the instrumentation (BTW, similar to last years’) could have produced the sounds we heard, and Lara’s voice was occasionally fragile, as might be expected for not having sung live in more than six months. On the other hand, it’s been pointed out in the past that when lip-syncing, Lara habitually keeps the microphone very close to her lips, as was done here. Regardless, in stretches the singing was powerful, as we’ve now come to expect in conjunction with Krutoi’s music.
Concerning the songs themselves, fans do seem to have mixed opinions, including the comment that the words were not well-enunciated (responses to a question on ‘La page des Fabianesk’ shows slightly more people liking them). Some have expressed the opinion that the songs ‘grow on you’. Obviously rhythmic, they perhaps presuppose a somewhat less ‘lush’ next album with Krutoi than the Mme. Zhivago disc. Of course, we’ve now heard only four songs (assuming all of these will be on it), and perhaps not the full-fledged versions that will ultimately appear on the record.
The ‘Lara Fabian Is Here” site has collected some 60 pictures (at the time of this writing); here is a sampling:
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152589584812417/?type=1&theater
Lara and her dress:
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152588341027417/?type=1&theater
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152588341837417/?type=1&theater
On-stage:
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152588341067417/?type=1&theater
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152588341112417/?type=1&theater
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152588341642417/?type=1&theater
With Krutoi:
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152588341512417/?type=1&theater
Lara with the ‘candidates’:
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152588341322417/?type=1&theater
With the creator of the dress Igor Gulyaev (thanks to the FB site La Page des Fabianesk):
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152588341707417/?type=1&theater
[also shown on his web site:
http://instagram.com/p/q7_0jNEq0T
With various people/performers:
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152588677822417/?type=1&theater
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/pb.382393522416.-2207520000.1406633212./10152589584567417/?type=1&theater
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152589583957417/?type=1&theater
with Anjelika (from Lara Fabian Mexico):
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianfromMexico/photos/a.556367684417296.1073741826.556364357750962/703048466415883/?type=1&theater
and then:
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.10152588340807417.1073741869.382393522416/10152588340947417/?type=1&theater
This last picture is included of course because it shows Lara appearing to pay attention to her ear, or in-ear plug, which as can be noted, did occur at times during her performance. Others have correctly observed that throughout her career Lara was often seen fiddling with her ear plugs, and often, coincidentally her left ear, so it may have been only that. Let’s hope so…(!)
Other videos also are available, e.g., Lara’s dress certainly got a lot of attention, and she responded to questions concerning it on the ‘non-red’ carpet, at:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=702569239796743&set=vb.166959643357708&type=2&theater
and on ‘Fashion one Russia’:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=506222229524455&set=vb.353946178085395&type=2&theater
and also about how she spends her free time in Riga:
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&t=39s&v=R7wPYLYSaag&app=desktop
Lara posted her own message after the concert, saying (in translation), “I was in Jurmala…you were with me…tenderly, L”, with an accompanying picture:
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.215378125170359.50343.201065806601591/747742328600600/?type=1&theater
This event was covered on ‘ChartsinFrance’ (http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Lara-Fabian/news-93014.html:; here’s the translation:
--------------------------------------------------
"Running" and "Furious" Lara Fabian reveals two unpublished songs at a concert in Latvia
In retreat for several months following an auditory shock having cancelled all of her French tour dates, Lara Fabian reappeared on stage last week in Latvia. The opportunity to unveil two new songs.
Lara Fabian has offered a warm-up lap last week, before launching a European tour in October. The singer of "Humana" went on stage Saturday during the New Wave Festival in Jurmala, Latvia, to present two new titles. Wearing a long black dress, hair pulled back and with a smile on her lips, the singer presented the titles "Running" and "Furious", which are far from being unanimous in the opinion of her community of fans. Both pieces were written in the language of Molière, but we do not yet know the identity of authors and composers. They are nevertheless in line of titles of her latest album "Le Secret" (2013), written with Janey Clewer, and which included singles such as "Deux ils, deux elles" and "Danse".
This concert is a taste of what Lara Fabian has in store for the fall. First appearance since the cancellation of her French tour late last year due to a severe hearing shock, Lara Fabian plans to start on the road in October. She will sing notably in Munich, Berlin, Hannover, Prague, Bucharest and Helsinki. Further performances in North America may be announced next. On the other hand, no date in France is planned for the moment. And, according to our information, Lara Fabian does not count on adding (concerts) here in October despite the many concerts that she would normally have carried out on the territory in 2013 and 2014. But fans will be delighted to learn that singer will make an appearance on the compilation "Kiss and Love", produced under the direction of Pascal Obispo for Sidaction, in duet with Michel Jonasz. It is planned to be released this fall.
Jonathan HAMARD
-----------------------------------------------------------
In the past, Lara’s activities in the ‘countries to the east’ passed unnoticed, so it is interesting that the French press is now primed to pay attention to it, although it would be better if they were more informed. We know that Krutoi wrote those songs, and one expects Lara wrote the lyrics - they do not really appear to be following the line of 'Le Secret'. And it is not at all guaranteed that these songs will be part of her coming fall concerts. We’ve also heard this rumor about a North American tour for several months; we’ll see.
The second big story concerns Lara’s ‘Turkish adventure’. We know she will be in Istanbul on August 13. What we’ve learned is that she will attend the concert as a special guest of Mustafa Ceceli (at Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Ampitheatre, Istanbul). She will apparently perform a duet with him on the song "Al Götür Beni", which literally translates to “Take Me Away” or “Take Away”. In addition, we have now also learned that they will be releasing an ‘extended’ single together, sung in both Turkish and English. In addition to the above song, an English version, renamed “Make Me Yours Tonight” will be included, as well as acoustic versions of both, and an instrumental. Here is the cover of it:
www.facebook.com/382393522416/photos/a.398533517416.164839.382393522416/10152584980982417/?type=1&theater
It can be bought at:
www.idefix.com/muzik/al-gotur-beni-mustafa-ceceli-lara-fabian/tanim.asp?sid=YN86GGVTUG0BI5Y3BTX8
A video of Mustafa Ceceli himself can be seen at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQhoVGSYi-A
Presumably this ‘single’ was recorded earlier this year, while Lara was still on ‘hiatus’. Note that Lara’s ‘9 Productions’ is involved, suggesting it was not a ‘spur of the moment’ occurrence. When people wondered earlier this year in which direction Lara might be headed, it’s a safe bet that no one imagined this! Lara is really forging ahead with an ever more international focus…
[There had been some speculation that the song ‘Take Away’ is really "Emmenez-moi" (“Take Me Along”), the Charles Aznavour song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieYQKS9-Is0). Although the title, in effect, is the same, the Aznavour song was written by Aznavour/Garvarentz, and the cover referred to above lists completely different writers for both the lyrics and the music].
In other news, Lara’s official FB site also had another message (in translation):
“If there are followers of the blue bird among the angels, go to Twitter — @lfabianofficial...” twitter.com/LFabianOfficial
and on that account, she (or more likely her team) wrote:
#FF Lov... @nikosaliagas @macomagency @mauraneofficiel @cauetofficiel @cyrilhanouna @obispopascal @evalongoria @versaversa @unicef
Basically, they were suggesting (using the ‘Follow Friday’ Twitter shortcut) that fans sign up to follow various people’s Twitter accounts. What is interesting is the choice of accounts they give, perhaps indicating Lara’s closest friends/relations. [The MaCom Agency had actually started this interaction by sending around an #FF for their various clients, including Lara…]. On the more general point of following Lara on Twitter, she herself has often expressed a disdainful opinion of people who “live their lives on Twitter”, so one shouldn’t expect frequent communications with her.
In the competition for ‘Legende de la chanson francophone’, Lara was the winner
www.buzz-land.com/la-legende-de-la-chanson-francophone/
Congratulations to her, and to all the fans who voted for her!
Next task: to get them all to buy ‘Le Secret’
. Now for the next three (or in this case, three and a half) ‘best of’ videos. [We’re on track to finish just before Lara resumes her fall concert schedule].
S’en aller: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKrpzfUHBsI
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6srJ0jAcQQs
Si tu m’aimes: app.box.com/s/q31b6wf7r5lwbqmowtzb
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHuNwEX1hFQ
Si tu m’aimes/To Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BE24iDVIRE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrxgGVysmw8
Si tu n’as pas d’amour: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRwcK4DQO4k
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R5v-40nTO4
The song ‘S’en aller’ from ‘Nue’ is an attempt to come to terms to the leaving of a lover, but one wouldn’t know it from the normal rhythm or presentation of the song. Here Lara puts a ‘bright face’ on it, (unlike ‘Parce que tu pars’ from the same album which is her allowing herself to feel the pain). The version chosen is a wonderful presentation with movement, from the Live DVD; there is also a good TV version of the same nature (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjqxCEoyX5c). A thoughtful way the song could be sung was presented on the ‘En Toute Intimite’ tour, and its DVD, the second choice given above.
‘Si tu m’aimes’ is the great song from the ‘Carpe Diem’ album, and Lara thought so highly of it that in some of the versions of ‘Pure’, the next album, she included it again. It ranks up with her most powerful, emotional titles. The version chosen above, from ‘Les Annes Tubes’, is indicative of that, but there are numerous other similar videos from TV shows (e.g., www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xB2B8KnPDo; app.box.com/s/5nor6f95gykzx7cxkwwb; app.box.com/s/utn4f9fcebm96h93k2ai). It was also really well done on her live DVDs, somewhat more artistically if a little less impassioned (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnBBhR5F-8Y; www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8z_BdWIE-0). The second choice given above is a slower, haunting version with Rick Allison – a rare treat.
In addition, as we know, Lara liked it so much that she created an English version of it (‘To Love Again’) – that will be covered in its own category, but she had several performances where she combined the two versions, and these, again very powerful, are listed above as well.
For some reason, the song has fallen out of favor; for people who doubt that Lara can sing as powerfully as she used to, this would be a good test.
‘Si tu n’as pas d’amour’ is as far removed emotionally from the previous song as it could be, given that both include a derivative of ‘amour’ in the title. A delightful song from ‘Neuf’, the first version above was from the ‘Un Regard Neuf’ DVD; the second is from the ‘Chante avec Lara’ DVD. There is also a really amazingly creative video of it that came out (along with others) in the CD package; it is, IMHO, one of the best Lara has ever done (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1RuVDm0kQY).
Lara has now entered back into the fray; let’s hope she came out unscathed, health-wise, and is happy with the results. Both big events of this past week have suggested to her French fans that she is turning away from them in earnest, and it would be hard to argue against that, at least in the near term. While it may have been primarily a matter of timing and opportunity, it is not insignificant that Lara chose to make her ‘return’ outside of France/Belgium. Her international ‘bias’ would only be further emphasized if Lara really does arrange a ‘first-ever’ extensive North American tour.
On some of the fan sites, they have complained that she is drawn to a public that treats her like a diva – and could one really blame her? The other side of that, fans have pointed out, is that without the creative scrutiny provided by the French press, if ‘anything is acceptable’ in these other countries, she will lose her creative edge. But the great creativity she showed with ‘Le Secret’ wasn’t really appreciated by the French public anyway. As noted earlier, the French press is now cognizant of her activities internationally; we will see whether they still pay attention if Lara continues to move further away from her Francophile career. [All this could of course change if Lara is chosen to be a judge on the French version of ‘The Voice’, but one rumor has it that Chimene Badi is the favorite to replace Jenifer].
In conclusion, one could say, accurately on all accounts, that Lara is back, running and furious!
David
