Post by davidhr on Aug 26, 2014 8:45:10 GMT -5
More news concerning Lara’s recent focus on Turkey surfaced this past week. On her FB site, Lara indicated that the duet of ‘Make Me Yours Tonight’ had reached number 1 on the Turkish music charts:
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.215378125170359.50343.201065806601591/760631070645059/?type=1&theater
Certainly a verification of the hopes she expressed coming into this venture.
The Lara Fabian Turkey FB site had some more nice pictures of Lara with Mustafa Ceceli, at:
www.facebook.com/Larafabianturkiye/photos/pcb.697840660292716/697840450292737/?type=1&theater
And on the topic of photos, the larafabianweb FB site had some more very nice ones from Turkey, available at:
www.facebook.com/246805652001644/photos/pcb.915799455102257/915799108435625/?type=1&theater
These are part of a much larger article, available at: www.hurriyet.com.tr/kelebek/paparazzi/27055584.asp
There were some interesting questions asked. Here are the key points:
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** Currently ‘Make Me Yours Tonight’ is the top item in the (Turkish) music world.
**The song was a joint work of friends who were very enthusiastic about it, and brought them together.
**Lara’s friends thought that Mustafa and she were compatible, that they had the same talent and expression.
**Lara had not previously met Mustafa, but knew his song ‘Es’, and she watched his videos. She also knew that Belgium has a large Turkish community, and Mustafa is a very big star for them, as he is in every Turkish community around the world. He was offered the song and he agreed – that’s how they met.
**When they came together, they each gave their impressions about the song. Lara felt that with Mustafa’s perspective and hers, it was a mix of two worlds. They were each allowed to be themselves.
**Concerning Lara’s work, Mustafa said he really liked ‘Je t’aime’, but his favorite was “I Will Love Again” because “it is incredibly fun and lively”. He thinks they need more such songs.
**Lara agreed that she loves songs with energy.
**Mustafa’s songs are mainly slow, because “our music is very similar to our tissues”. When he performs he moves and sings together – like Lara, who he says has sold 20 million albums worldwide but has no ego.
**Lara: “Ego is not an option for me”.
**Mustafa felt that Lara has been very kind to him, and she seems like someone he has known for many years. On first looking at piano songs together, she told him, “Our sound is very consistent, it would make a nice duet”. It thrilled him. Lara said she felt thrilled as well.
**Lara said she wrote the lyrics of the song in English working with a team of American and Greek. Sezen Aksu wrote the Turkish part of the lyrics.
**Mustafa Ceceli: “Sezen Aksu's love for music is very good, you know. I grew up ‘in her school’. And I did not graduate. I do not want to be (just like her). Because of her I learn something new every day. This song could be the best Sezen Aksu. A diva like Lara Fabian, was worthy of a diva like Sezen Aksu”.
**The video was shot in Brussels with a British director and a young team.
**Lara said it was very easy to shoot the video. “Mustafa was very humble, also a very talented person”. What they shared was at a very profound level; when “one gets away from being self-absorbed, we can have the success of meeting other people, and that keeps us from getting bored”.
**They have already started working together further…Lara says they’re ready for the next international concert. Mustafa said they’re working together on a song in Italian, for which he is doing the arranging.
**Lara said she would love to have Mustafa go on stage during her upcoming European concert tour. Perhaps in Berlin or Prague. Mustafa said he’d love to do that.
**Eurovision has created stars, but (the questioner asked) do you think it’s changing? Lara responded that its original purpose was bringing together cultures, songs that can be heard by different cultures.
**Apparently Mustafa participated in Eurovision, but very reluctantly. Lara said she understood that; “20 years ago it was the right thing to do, but nowadays it has become political rather than musical…”
**Mustafa said that was the biggest reason concerning his involvement. He also said that “Sertab Erener had placed the bar very high with her participation”. [One of the most successful Turkish pop singers, she won the Eurovision contest in 2003].
**This is Lara’s second visit to Istanbul, having given a concert there in March of 2013. She was also in Bursa 3-4 years ago and in Ankara, in April of 2013.
**Lara’s thoughts about Turkey: “It has a very rich history, many civilizations were born in this land, you can feel it especially in the architecture. Even Marco Polo passed through here. And the food here is really great – had the most delicious sandwich from a tiny shop.”
**Concerning the question of the Armenian genocide, [2015 is the 100th anniversary of the massacre of Armenians], it was reported that Lara had previously said that she supports the Armenian diaspora in France, or at least she knows of it. This time, however, when asked she said, "In this regard I do not have enough information to comment. I'm just an artist”.
**However, the interviewer did not let her get away with that. Lara then added, "I think people suffering, no matter who is being massacred, is a very sad thing. In the past my comments about it were misinterpreted by a French journalist who doesn’t like me. That's why there was such a perception. But I'm not interested in politics."
**When the proposal first came to Cecelia Mustafa concerning the duet, he said "I guess they're joking.” “Do not believe where the fake email account came from, check," he warned his friends. For a long time he did not believe it was true..
**When asked whether Turkish singers could become more popular in Europe, Mustafa responded that it was difficult, that there was a lot of pressure on Turkey. However, “the most talented musicians in the world live in this country. Currently our duet plays with Spanish subtitles on channels in Mexico. And our video clip is playing on music channels in Europe. Even Japan is playing our song on the radio.”
**The subject then turned to Robin William’s death, and they were asked why stars sometimes ‘come crashing down’, celebrities choosing death. Lara joined Mustafa in saying that, “Everything depends on the people around you. Families provide one with a sound and stable basis. When one has the responsibility of being a parent, one doesn’t have time to ‘fall into a pit’. Humanity is going through a very difficult period, with extremists, drug use; and whether or not one is an artist, for anyone seeking improvement, there is a sense of helplessness. There is an extreme individualism. And that is pushing us to loneliness… To create a new society, new world and old, there is a real need to communicate. In a modest way I think music also contributes to this."
**Apparently, there is a desire to draw Mustafa Ceceli into political debate. When asked about that tension he responded, "Our lifestyle is changing. I think it is a priority for everyone to respect each other's lifestyle. A musician plays though, even if we know that he is a human being. He carries the heart and brain. And these two should rely on their intuition. Its important to respect everyone's life outside of a key.
**With respect to everyone attempting to justify the pursuit of self-righteousness: “All of the artists think that they should stay out. For an Artist, there must be a structure that embraces everyone. Respect everyone's thoughts. Because we're doing a global business. "
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And the larafabianweb FB site reported that Lara will also be in the Turkish ‘Cosmopolitan’, www.cosmodergi.com/.
As we’ve seen before with respect to Eastern Europe and Russia, Lara is having to dance around the political issues, this time concerning Turkey, as is Mustafa. However, it will be hard to convince the French public that "she is not interested in politics", after all the effort that she put into the ‘marriage for all’ debate last year. And it works both ways…the Lara Fabian Turkey FB site had to publish a short message saying that, “Questions about the domestic or foreign policy on religious speech will not be allowed on this page. Any comments of this nature on this page will be deleted”.
So far, however, there has been no French/Belgian comment of a political nature. An interview with Lara appeared in the Belgian Ciné-Télé-Revue of 8-21 (https://www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/a.402343953152608.90759.166959643357708/715839165136417/?type=1&theater); here’s the translation:
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‘I go better and better each day”
Victim of a grave internal ear problem, our compatriot restarts and meets again the public. August 13 she was in concert in Istanbul to accompany Mustafa Ceceli, star of song in Turkey, with whom she has just released a single “Make Me Yours Tonight”.
First of all Lara, how are you since the problems which forced you to cancel essentially all of your concerts?
LF: Much better, and better and better each day. I think that one has a true power of heating when one wants it.
You were really in fear that your career could be compromised?
LF: It is sure that the announcement of a television problematically could be frightening. But I repeat it to you, that I believe in the power of positive thinking.
What is it that permitted you to retain your morale in those difficult moments?
LF: My family. Its support, its comprehension, its understanding.
You from now on get back on stage and you have many dates in Europe in October. No new concerts in Belgium?
LF: We are in the course of preparing a French album which will permit us to refind the French and Belgian fans very quickly, I hope.
While waiting, you have just participated in the concert of Mustafa Ceceli in Istanbul. Is it a city where you have already performed?
LF: Yes. It is the second time that I have been here, with great pleasure. It is an extraordinary megapolis. And the invitation of Mustafa Ceceli is not to be refused.
You have released a new single with Mustafa Ceceli “Make Me Yours Tonight”. How was this duet born?
LF: The song had been written in New York. Its composer wanted that I sing it but didn’t know how to join me. He finally met in Los Angeles with Matt Ersin and Jean-Francois Veneriano, who have founded the label Odacity, and it is thus that the title came to me. They proposed to me to sing with Mustafa in duo. I adored the piece, therefore I didn’t hesitate to accept the project.
You are finally a singer of the world…To discover new territories, a new audience, is your driving force?
LF: My driving force is the joy of doing. And my aim is of lasting. The multiple voyages that that induces are a gift of being.
You have also two new albums in preparation for the spring, 2015, the one in English, the other in French.
LF: These are the languages in which I love to express myself and to sing. It is very stimulating to conceive some projects in parallel and to build some bridges between them. I am enjoying myself a lot.
You have been happy with the welcome of your last album, which had been so much acclaimed by critics than by the public.
LF: Infinitely. I have the feeling that they welcome me again with open arms.
You have also celebrated the first anniversary of your marriage. You have done something particular for the occasion?
LF: We have discovered an extraordinary restaurant that is truly worth the detour and which is called ‘L’air du temps’. It is one of the most moving moments that I have received in matters of gastronomy thanks to the chef Sang Hoon Degeimbre.
Your husband, who is a magician, accompanied you on stage. It is important to be also associated artistically, and is he going to participate in one manner or another in certain of your future projects?
LF: For the moment, there is nothing planned in this sense, but it is always a pleasure to be surrounded by people whom you love.
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There also seems to be another, overall rationale behind Lara’s Turkish focus. Germany has a large Turkish population, and Lara’s concerts in Germany are coming up first on her European fall concert tour. So it is no surprise that while gearing up for her fall concerts, there is a push especially for the shows in Germany. First, more posters/articles are surfacing for all the upcoming fall concerts:
Munich October 5
www.facebook.com/larafabiandeutschland/photos/a.255601841230694.1073741828.255401654584046/255678307889714/?type=1&theater
Offenbach October 8 www.facebook.com/246805652001644/photos/a.247913198557556.83420.246805652001644/916313685050834/?type=1&theater
Dusseldorf October 9
www.facebook.com/246805652001644/photos/a.247913198557556.83420.246805652001644/916324648383071/?type=1&theater
Hannover October 10
www.adticket.de/LARA-FABIAN-THE-BEST-OF-LARA-FABIAN-%E2%80%93-unplugged/Hannover-HCC-Kuppelsaal/10-10-2014_20-00.html
Lithuania October 15
www.larafabianweb.com/images/scans/zalgirioarena.png
Prague October 16 and 17 (in English)
www.larafabianweb.com/images/scans/karlin16102014eng.png
www.larafabianweb.com/images/scans/karlin17102014eng.png
Bucharest October 20
www.facebook.com/larafabianinukrainianhearts/photos/a.374906669306704.1073741829.374882332642471/505201342943902/?type=1&theater
Sophia Bulgaria October 22,23
www.facebook.com/246805652001644/photos/a.247913198557556.83420.246805652001644/915941468421389/?type=1&theater
Finland October 26
www.facebook.com/246805652001644/photos/a.247913198557556.83420.246805652001644/915946195087583/?type=1&theater
Tickets for German concerts are available at:
www.eventim.de/lara-fabian-Tickets.html?affiliate=EVE&doc=artistPages/tickets&fun=artist&action=tickets&kuid=486389
or
www.berin-artmanagement.de/dm_tourlf14.html
There is also a new FB site for Lara in Germany:
www.facebook.com/larafabiandeutschland
with some very nice pictures of Lara:
www.facebook.com/larafabiandeutschland/photos/a.255601841230694.1073741828.255401654584046/255777944546417/?type=1&theater
www.facebook.com/larafabiandeutschland/photos/a.255601841230694.1073741828.255401654584046/255601804564031/?type=1&theater
Lara was also on the TV show ARD "Brisant” (http://www.mdr.de/brisant/index.html); the Lara FB Germany site indicates it will soon have the video available of this show. The big pushes in Germany and Turkey at the same time could play off each other nicely, and establish a truly expanded fan base for her. Perhaps Lara will have to learn German!
Meanwhile, she was in Paris the last few days with Pascal Obispo and Michel Jonasz recording a duet for the album ‘Kiss and Love’. This is another release by the ‘Sidaction’ group, to raise funds for the battle against AIDS. As part of that effort, a new single “Kiss & Love’, an ensemble presentation including Lara will be out on September 1. A short video promo for it can be seen at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9JxaBd-mm8
and an article about it at www.justmusic.fr/actualites/kiss-love-le-nouveau-single-du-sidaction-102468. Here’s the translation:
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After the success of the titles “Ensemble”, “Noel Ensemble” or again “Love United” which had permitted the collection of more than 14 million euros, Pascal Obispo is once more behind the new single of ‘Sidaction’.
In effect, “Kiss & Love” was written and composed by him and Lionel Florence. The single will be released next Monday along with the clip. A new 20 year special album will arrive thereafter. It will be composed of 20 unexpected duets of original titles arranged for a symphony orchestra.
Discover an extract of ‘Kiss and Love’ for which more than 120 artists were mobilized. [see link above]
----------------------------------------------------
The album itself is expected to be released November 3 (https://www.facebook.com/events/303626706468543/). As the ‘larafabianweb.com’ site pointed out, many of these same artists had also been gathered together for the song "Sa raison d'être" in 2001 under Pascal Obispo’s guidance. It can be seen at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KRvvRN8hMc .
And concerning action against another disease, Lara’s people yesterday put on her FB site the following (translated) message:
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“Lara Fabian notes the "Ice Bucket Challenge" to support The ALS Association and those affected by the disease ALS.
Make your donation to the site ... http: //alsa.pub30.convio.net/
Lara's nominees are: Mustafa Ceceli, Maurane, and Gerard Pullicino!”
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And then, she underwent it, herself!
www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=762133343828165&set=vb.201065806601591&type=2&theater
One recent friend, and two long-term ones (and see below for how much of a friend Maurane really had to be…). [Wonder what would have happened if she had nominated Igor Krutoi - he doesn't seem the ice bucket type! ]
This was followed today on Lara’s FB site (in translation):
"I nominated Gerard Pullicino…and he did it! The gift and the shower…your turn… (https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/icebucketchallenge)"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jyiya5-9Y68
In addition, Mustafa Ceceli followed suit:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fFLMk0B0M8&feature=youtube_gdata_player
In other news, the ‘larafabian est ton autre’ FB site has reported that Lara will be included on the TV5 Monde show “A Life in Fashion” on Saturday, September 6 (the schedule varies for other countries, as shown below):
France Belgium, Switzerland: every Saturday at 12h30 (Paris time) + rebroadcast the following Thursday at 19h05 (Paris time)
EUROPE : Every Saturday at 1:00 pm (Berlin time)
EAST NORTH AFRICA : Every Sunday at 7:00 pm (Beirut time)
ASIA : Every Sunday at 3:00 pm (Bangkok time)
PACIFIC : Every Sunday at 6:00 pm (Tokyo time)
USA : Every Sunday at 11:30 am (New York time)
AMERICA LATINA : Every Friday at 11:30 am (Buenos Aires time)
The announcement of the program can be seen at www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/a.168982793155393.43222.166959643357708/716701075050226/?type=1&theater
Lara didn’t overtly disagree when Mustafa Ceceli announced his love for ‘I Will Love Again’ but its absence from her setlist for some 10 years implies she is not of exactly the same mind. One wonders what she thinks/would think of the new ‘vimeo’ release of the song in a ‘2014’ version, using images from past videos. It can be seen at: vimeo.com/98753567.
And while on the subject of videos, now for the next three ‘best of’, including two of Lara’s best-known songs (although it is hard to beat the ice-bucket video!):
Tout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOzsFaNvdrc
: www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1Ao0MMIohw
: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqfU2l4Yl5U
Toutes les femmes en moi: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy2b8_kDj9Q
: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA8pHSKPjmY
Tue es mon autre: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEdzCab6ABA
: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx0JQCKfnvI
One of the all-time great Fabian/Allison songs (and I must admit, my favorite of Lara’s French songs), ‘Tout’ is the one that Lara says ‘broke open the doors for her’ with the French public. Released as a single in June 1997 in France, it reached number 4, was in the top 10 for 18 weeks, sold 566,000 copies in that country alone, and was the ninth best selling single for that year. [In comparison, ‘Je t’aime’, released as a single later that year, sold 471,000 copies in France]. It introduced Lara (back) to that country as a Quebecoise artist, only for them to find out later that she was really from Europe after all .
There are some 55 videos for this song, and so a lot to choose from. The first video, from ‘Anees tubes’, is typical of the powerful way the song was first presented. It has the added advantage of showing how beautiful Lara could be as a brunette. Another wonderful example, of equal quality, is from the show ‘Vivement dimanche’ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdDzf-M1X0I). And there are many more, including her presentation of it at the ‘Victoires’ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1637o5_OuA).
As much a ‘power’ song for a ‘singer of voice’ as ‘Je t’aime’, ‘Tout’ nevertheless did not suffer the same ridicule as that song did (nor is it as readily identifiable with Lara - nobody ever introduces her as “the singer of ‘Tout’”). Nevertheless, in Lara’s mind it fell victim to the same type of criticism, and so in addition to the standard powerful version, Lara developed a softer one. That is in evidence in the second choice above, from the ‘En toute intimite’ DVD. Another nice version of it can be seen in a show from Moscow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh7jNurupTk) (which also gives us a chance to put Lara’s comments on ‘Mustafa Ceceli’ in perspective, given her excessive praise for Jean- Felix Lalanne on that video and on others. When one is on Lara’s good side, they are praised to the heavens; but when they get on her bad side…one of the '"world's greatest guitarist", JFL, didn't even appear on the 'Un regard neuf' DVD, even though Lara claimed they were still friends).
For some years this softer version predominated, sometimes as part of a medley, but eventually the song morphed again, into a ‘bossa nova’ beat, as shown on the ‘Un regard neuf’ DVD (the third choice). Even though for some reason it has not been covered by other artists nearly as often as ‘Je t’aime’, it was a favorite of singers performing with Lara on shows such as ‘Star Academy’ - note in particular the version with Cyril (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK9G4Z1hEmw).
Unlike ‘Je t’aime’, ‘Tout’ has never resurfaced in its powerful form, and has been ‘out of rotation’ for a few years now. Perhaps if she is really performing her greatest hits on the fall tour, it will be reborn; it has been her best-selling French single.
‘Toutes les femmes en moi’ was the only song Lara wrote for the TLFM homage album, and was a nice entry to give perspective to the other songs. It didn’t get much traction, and Lara has never sung it after that tour ended. Although it didn’t depend as much on holograms as the other songs, a clear version can be found on the ‘TLFM font leur show’ DVD, the first choice above. Another excellent video, with live singers, is from the (dearly departed) ‘Chabada’ TV show, the second choice.
‘Tu es mon autre’ is one of Lara’s few songs written to be a duet, and so there have been many such. The song was written to be performed with her good friend ‘Maurane’, and so appropriately, the first choice above is with her, from the ‘En toute intimite’ DVD. There’s also a wonderfully sensitive version of the two of them (with Jean-Felix Lalanne) included as a bonus selection from that same concert (https://app.box.com/s/18l4f9sea5hvyyxf2hhd). They performed it together numerous other times as well.
Maurane, in an interview some years ago, discussed the grief she received from her fans for appearing with Lara on this song. Their dislike of Lara was so great that Maurane’s fans called it “a betrayal of Maurane's values and all she stood for”! Evident in this story is the depth of negative emotion Lara’s name called forth in some segments of the French speaking public (and to some extent still visible, e.g. in the on-line comments posted when the news broke that the French version of ‘The Voice’ was considering Lara as one of their judges). Despite that, released as a single, it sold 260,000 copies in France. Lara’s recent emphasis on her international career is a case of turning to a public that is largely free from such prejudices.
The second selection given above, also appropriate, is with Rick Allison, from the ‘Nue’ concert DVD. Appropriate because for many years she called him her ‘other’, and of course they wrote the song together. Among other ‘duets’ of note is with Nolwenn Leroy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZEjwxx8Tao); Gregorio (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjBihMMTZhk); with the backing of a boys choir (https://app.box.com/s/b22lil2rcsukqhysc1fs); and more recently, with Anggun from the concert for Lebanon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJOCeI3fOpk). It is also a favorite of other singers wanting a meaningful duet.
Lara is returning to full stride, at the time the French public will be as well, but that seems to matter less and less these days. As September begins, Lara’s look is definitely eastward, and we may expect more and more promo efforts heading that way. Break out those German dictionaries!
David
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.215378125170359.50343.201065806601591/760631070645059/?type=1&theater
Certainly a verification of the hopes she expressed coming into this venture.
The Lara Fabian Turkey FB site had some more nice pictures of Lara with Mustafa Ceceli, at:
www.facebook.com/Larafabianturkiye/photos/pcb.697840660292716/697840450292737/?type=1&theater
And on the topic of photos, the larafabianweb FB site had some more very nice ones from Turkey, available at:
www.facebook.com/246805652001644/photos/pcb.915799455102257/915799108435625/?type=1&theater
These are part of a much larger article, available at: www.hurriyet.com.tr/kelebek/paparazzi/27055584.asp
There were some interesting questions asked. Here are the key points:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Currently ‘Make Me Yours Tonight’ is the top item in the (Turkish) music world.
**The song was a joint work of friends who were very enthusiastic about it, and brought them together.
**Lara’s friends thought that Mustafa and she were compatible, that they had the same talent and expression.
**Lara had not previously met Mustafa, but knew his song ‘Es’, and she watched his videos. She also knew that Belgium has a large Turkish community, and Mustafa is a very big star for them, as he is in every Turkish community around the world. He was offered the song and he agreed – that’s how they met.
**When they came together, they each gave their impressions about the song. Lara felt that with Mustafa’s perspective and hers, it was a mix of two worlds. They were each allowed to be themselves.
**Concerning Lara’s work, Mustafa said he really liked ‘Je t’aime’, but his favorite was “I Will Love Again” because “it is incredibly fun and lively”. He thinks they need more such songs.
**Lara agreed that she loves songs with energy.
**Mustafa’s songs are mainly slow, because “our music is very similar to our tissues”. When he performs he moves and sings together – like Lara, who he says has sold 20 million albums worldwide but has no ego.
**Lara: “Ego is not an option for me”.
**Mustafa felt that Lara has been very kind to him, and she seems like someone he has known for many years. On first looking at piano songs together, she told him, “Our sound is very consistent, it would make a nice duet”. It thrilled him. Lara said she felt thrilled as well.
**Lara said she wrote the lyrics of the song in English working with a team of American and Greek. Sezen Aksu wrote the Turkish part of the lyrics.
**Mustafa Ceceli: “Sezen Aksu's love for music is very good, you know. I grew up ‘in her school’. And I did not graduate. I do not want to be (just like her). Because of her I learn something new every day. This song could be the best Sezen Aksu. A diva like Lara Fabian, was worthy of a diva like Sezen Aksu”.
**The video was shot in Brussels with a British director and a young team.
**Lara said it was very easy to shoot the video. “Mustafa was very humble, also a very talented person”. What they shared was at a very profound level; when “one gets away from being self-absorbed, we can have the success of meeting other people, and that keeps us from getting bored”.
**They have already started working together further…Lara says they’re ready for the next international concert. Mustafa said they’re working together on a song in Italian, for which he is doing the arranging.
**Lara said she would love to have Mustafa go on stage during her upcoming European concert tour. Perhaps in Berlin or Prague. Mustafa said he’d love to do that.
**Eurovision has created stars, but (the questioner asked) do you think it’s changing? Lara responded that its original purpose was bringing together cultures, songs that can be heard by different cultures.
**Apparently Mustafa participated in Eurovision, but very reluctantly. Lara said she understood that; “20 years ago it was the right thing to do, but nowadays it has become political rather than musical…”
**Mustafa said that was the biggest reason concerning his involvement. He also said that “Sertab Erener had placed the bar very high with her participation”. [One of the most successful Turkish pop singers, she won the Eurovision contest in 2003].
**This is Lara’s second visit to Istanbul, having given a concert there in March of 2013. She was also in Bursa 3-4 years ago and in Ankara, in April of 2013.
**Lara’s thoughts about Turkey: “It has a very rich history, many civilizations were born in this land, you can feel it especially in the architecture. Even Marco Polo passed through here. And the food here is really great – had the most delicious sandwich from a tiny shop.”
**Concerning the question of the Armenian genocide, [2015 is the 100th anniversary of the massacre of Armenians], it was reported that Lara had previously said that she supports the Armenian diaspora in France, or at least she knows of it. This time, however, when asked she said, "In this regard I do not have enough information to comment. I'm just an artist”.
**However, the interviewer did not let her get away with that. Lara then added, "I think people suffering, no matter who is being massacred, is a very sad thing. In the past my comments about it were misinterpreted by a French journalist who doesn’t like me. That's why there was such a perception. But I'm not interested in politics."
**When the proposal first came to Cecelia Mustafa concerning the duet, he said "I guess they're joking.” “Do not believe where the fake email account came from, check," he warned his friends. For a long time he did not believe it was true..
**When asked whether Turkish singers could become more popular in Europe, Mustafa responded that it was difficult, that there was a lot of pressure on Turkey. However, “the most talented musicians in the world live in this country. Currently our duet plays with Spanish subtitles on channels in Mexico. And our video clip is playing on music channels in Europe. Even Japan is playing our song on the radio.”
**The subject then turned to Robin William’s death, and they were asked why stars sometimes ‘come crashing down’, celebrities choosing death. Lara joined Mustafa in saying that, “Everything depends on the people around you. Families provide one with a sound and stable basis. When one has the responsibility of being a parent, one doesn’t have time to ‘fall into a pit’. Humanity is going through a very difficult period, with extremists, drug use; and whether or not one is an artist, for anyone seeking improvement, there is a sense of helplessness. There is an extreme individualism. And that is pushing us to loneliness… To create a new society, new world and old, there is a real need to communicate. In a modest way I think music also contributes to this."
**Apparently, there is a desire to draw Mustafa Ceceli into political debate. When asked about that tension he responded, "Our lifestyle is changing. I think it is a priority for everyone to respect each other's lifestyle. A musician plays though, even if we know that he is a human being. He carries the heart and brain. And these two should rely on their intuition. Its important to respect everyone's life outside of a key.
**With respect to everyone attempting to justify the pursuit of self-righteousness: “All of the artists think that they should stay out. For an Artist, there must be a structure that embraces everyone. Respect everyone's thoughts. Because we're doing a global business. "
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And the larafabianweb FB site reported that Lara will also be in the Turkish ‘Cosmopolitan’, www.cosmodergi.com/.
As we’ve seen before with respect to Eastern Europe and Russia, Lara is having to dance around the political issues, this time concerning Turkey, as is Mustafa. However, it will be hard to convince the French public that "she is not interested in politics", after all the effort that she put into the ‘marriage for all’ debate last year. And it works both ways…the Lara Fabian Turkey FB site had to publish a short message saying that, “Questions about the domestic or foreign policy on religious speech will not be allowed on this page. Any comments of this nature on this page will be deleted”.
So far, however, there has been no French/Belgian comment of a political nature. An interview with Lara appeared in the Belgian Ciné-Télé-Revue of 8-21 (https://www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/a.402343953152608.90759.166959643357708/715839165136417/?type=1&theater); here’s the translation:
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‘I go better and better each day”
Victim of a grave internal ear problem, our compatriot restarts and meets again the public. August 13 she was in concert in Istanbul to accompany Mustafa Ceceli, star of song in Turkey, with whom she has just released a single “Make Me Yours Tonight”.
First of all Lara, how are you since the problems which forced you to cancel essentially all of your concerts?
LF: Much better, and better and better each day. I think that one has a true power of heating when one wants it.
You were really in fear that your career could be compromised?
LF: It is sure that the announcement of a television problematically could be frightening. But I repeat it to you, that I believe in the power of positive thinking.
What is it that permitted you to retain your morale in those difficult moments?
LF: My family. Its support, its comprehension, its understanding.
You from now on get back on stage and you have many dates in Europe in October. No new concerts in Belgium?
LF: We are in the course of preparing a French album which will permit us to refind the French and Belgian fans very quickly, I hope.
While waiting, you have just participated in the concert of Mustafa Ceceli in Istanbul. Is it a city where you have already performed?
LF: Yes. It is the second time that I have been here, with great pleasure. It is an extraordinary megapolis. And the invitation of Mustafa Ceceli is not to be refused.
You have released a new single with Mustafa Ceceli “Make Me Yours Tonight”. How was this duet born?
LF: The song had been written in New York. Its composer wanted that I sing it but didn’t know how to join me. He finally met in Los Angeles with Matt Ersin and Jean-Francois Veneriano, who have founded the label Odacity, and it is thus that the title came to me. They proposed to me to sing with Mustafa in duo. I adored the piece, therefore I didn’t hesitate to accept the project.
You are finally a singer of the world…To discover new territories, a new audience, is your driving force?
LF: My driving force is the joy of doing. And my aim is of lasting. The multiple voyages that that induces are a gift of being.
You have also two new albums in preparation for the spring, 2015, the one in English, the other in French.
LF: These are the languages in which I love to express myself and to sing. It is very stimulating to conceive some projects in parallel and to build some bridges between them. I am enjoying myself a lot.
You have been happy with the welcome of your last album, which had been so much acclaimed by critics than by the public.
LF: Infinitely. I have the feeling that they welcome me again with open arms.
You have also celebrated the first anniversary of your marriage. You have done something particular for the occasion?
LF: We have discovered an extraordinary restaurant that is truly worth the detour and which is called ‘L’air du temps’. It is one of the most moving moments that I have received in matters of gastronomy thanks to the chef Sang Hoon Degeimbre.
Your husband, who is a magician, accompanied you on stage. It is important to be also associated artistically, and is he going to participate in one manner or another in certain of your future projects?
LF: For the moment, there is nothing planned in this sense, but it is always a pleasure to be surrounded by people whom you love.
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There also seems to be another, overall rationale behind Lara’s Turkish focus. Germany has a large Turkish population, and Lara’s concerts in Germany are coming up first on her European fall concert tour. So it is no surprise that while gearing up for her fall concerts, there is a push especially for the shows in Germany. First, more posters/articles are surfacing for all the upcoming fall concerts:
Munich October 5
www.facebook.com/larafabiandeutschland/photos/a.255601841230694.1073741828.255401654584046/255678307889714/?type=1&theater
Offenbach October 8 www.facebook.com/246805652001644/photos/a.247913198557556.83420.246805652001644/916313685050834/?type=1&theater
Dusseldorf October 9
www.facebook.com/246805652001644/photos/a.247913198557556.83420.246805652001644/916324648383071/?type=1&theater
Hannover October 10
www.adticket.de/LARA-FABIAN-THE-BEST-OF-LARA-FABIAN-%E2%80%93-unplugged/Hannover-HCC-Kuppelsaal/10-10-2014_20-00.html
Lithuania October 15
www.larafabianweb.com/images/scans/zalgirioarena.png
Prague October 16 and 17 (in English)
www.larafabianweb.com/images/scans/karlin16102014eng.png
www.larafabianweb.com/images/scans/karlin17102014eng.png
Bucharest October 20
www.facebook.com/larafabianinukrainianhearts/photos/a.374906669306704.1073741829.374882332642471/505201342943902/?type=1&theater
Sophia Bulgaria October 22,23
www.facebook.com/246805652001644/photos/a.247913198557556.83420.246805652001644/915941468421389/?type=1&theater
Finland October 26
www.facebook.com/246805652001644/photos/a.247913198557556.83420.246805652001644/915946195087583/?type=1&theater
Tickets for German concerts are available at:
www.eventim.de/lara-fabian-Tickets.html?affiliate=EVE&doc=artistPages/tickets&fun=artist&action=tickets&kuid=486389
or
www.berin-artmanagement.de/dm_tourlf14.html
There is also a new FB site for Lara in Germany:
www.facebook.com/larafabiandeutschland
with some very nice pictures of Lara:
www.facebook.com/larafabiandeutschland/photos/a.255601841230694.1073741828.255401654584046/255777944546417/?type=1&theater
www.facebook.com/larafabiandeutschland/photos/a.255601841230694.1073741828.255401654584046/255601804564031/?type=1&theater
Lara was also on the TV show ARD "Brisant” (http://www.mdr.de/brisant/index.html); the Lara FB Germany site indicates it will soon have the video available of this show. The big pushes in Germany and Turkey at the same time could play off each other nicely, and establish a truly expanded fan base for her. Perhaps Lara will have to learn German!
Meanwhile, she was in Paris the last few days with Pascal Obispo and Michel Jonasz recording a duet for the album ‘Kiss and Love’. This is another release by the ‘Sidaction’ group, to raise funds for the battle against AIDS. As part of that effort, a new single “Kiss & Love’, an ensemble presentation including Lara will be out on September 1. A short video promo for it can be seen at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9JxaBd-mm8
and an article about it at www.justmusic.fr/actualites/kiss-love-le-nouveau-single-du-sidaction-102468. Here’s the translation:
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After the success of the titles “Ensemble”, “Noel Ensemble” or again “Love United” which had permitted the collection of more than 14 million euros, Pascal Obispo is once more behind the new single of ‘Sidaction’.
In effect, “Kiss & Love” was written and composed by him and Lionel Florence. The single will be released next Monday along with the clip. A new 20 year special album will arrive thereafter. It will be composed of 20 unexpected duets of original titles arranged for a symphony orchestra.
Discover an extract of ‘Kiss and Love’ for which more than 120 artists were mobilized. [see link above]
----------------------------------------------------
The album itself is expected to be released November 3 (https://www.facebook.com/events/303626706468543/). As the ‘larafabianweb.com’ site pointed out, many of these same artists had also been gathered together for the song "Sa raison d'être" in 2001 under Pascal Obispo’s guidance. It can be seen at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KRvvRN8hMc .
And concerning action against another disease, Lara’s people yesterday put on her FB site the following (translated) message:
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“Lara Fabian notes the "Ice Bucket Challenge" to support The ALS Association and those affected by the disease ALS.
Make your donation to the site ... http: //alsa.pub30.convio.net/
Lara's nominees are: Mustafa Ceceli, Maurane, and Gerard Pullicino!”
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And then, she underwent it, herself!
www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=762133343828165&set=vb.201065806601591&type=2&theater
One recent friend, and two long-term ones (and see below for how much of a friend Maurane really had to be…). [Wonder what would have happened if she had nominated Igor Krutoi - he doesn't seem the ice bucket type!
]This was followed today on Lara’s FB site (in translation):
"I nominated Gerard Pullicino…and he did it! The gift and the shower…your turn… (https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/icebucketchallenge)"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jyiya5-9Y68
In addition, Mustafa Ceceli followed suit:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fFLMk0B0M8&feature=youtube_gdata_player
In other news, the ‘larafabian est ton autre’ FB site has reported that Lara will be included on the TV5 Monde show “A Life in Fashion” on Saturday, September 6 (the schedule varies for other countries, as shown below):
France Belgium, Switzerland: every Saturday at 12h30 (Paris time) + rebroadcast the following Thursday at 19h05 (Paris time)
EUROPE : Every Saturday at 1:00 pm (Berlin time)
EAST NORTH AFRICA : Every Sunday at 7:00 pm (Beirut time)
ASIA : Every Sunday at 3:00 pm (Bangkok time)
PACIFIC : Every Sunday at 6:00 pm (Tokyo time)
USA : Every Sunday at 11:30 am (New York time)
AMERICA LATINA : Every Friday at 11:30 am (Buenos Aires time)
The announcement of the program can be seen at www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/a.168982793155393.43222.166959643357708/716701075050226/?type=1&theater
Lara didn’t overtly disagree when Mustafa Ceceli announced his love for ‘I Will Love Again’ but its absence from her setlist for some 10 years implies she is not of exactly the same mind. One wonders what she thinks/would think of the new ‘vimeo’ release of the song in a ‘2014’ version, using images from past videos. It can be seen at: vimeo.com/98753567.
And while on the subject of videos, now for the next three ‘best of’, including two of Lara’s best-known songs (although it is hard to beat the ice-bucket video!):
Tout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOzsFaNvdrc
: www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1Ao0MMIohw
: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqfU2l4Yl5U
Toutes les femmes en moi: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy2b8_kDj9Q
: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA8pHSKPjmY
Tue es mon autre: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEdzCab6ABA
: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx0JQCKfnvI
One of the all-time great Fabian/Allison songs (and I must admit, my favorite of Lara’s French songs), ‘Tout’ is the one that Lara says ‘broke open the doors for her’ with the French public. Released as a single in June 1997 in France, it reached number 4, was in the top 10 for 18 weeks, sold 566,000 copies in that country alone, and was the ninth best selling single for that year. [In comparison, ‘Je t’aime’, released as a single later that year, sold 471,000 copies in France]. It introduced Lara (back) to that country as a Quebecoise artist, only for them to find out later that she was really from Europe after all
. There are some 55 videos for this song, and so a lot to choose from. The first video, from ‘Anees tubes’, is typical of the powerful way the song was first presented. It has the added advantage of showing how beautiful Lara could be as a brunette. Another wonderful example, of equal quality, is from the show ‘Vivement dimanche’ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdDzf-M1X0I). And there are many more, including her presentation of it at the ‘Victoires’ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1637o5_OuA).
As much a ‘power’ song for a ‘singer of voice’ as ‘Je t’aime’, ‘Tout’ nevertheless did not suffer the same ridicule as that song did (nor is it as readily identifiable with Lara - nobody ever introduces her as “the singer of ‘Tout’”). Nevertheless, in Lara’s mind it fell victim to the same type of criticism, and so in addition to the standard powerful version, Lara developed a softer one. That is in evidence in the second choice above, from the ‘En toute intimite’ DVD. Another nice version of it can be seen in a show from Moscow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh7jNurupTk) (which also gives us a chance to put Lara’s comments on ‘Mustafa Ceceli’ in perspective, given her excessive praise for Jean- Felix Lalanne on that video and on others. When one is on Lara’s good side, they are praised to the heavens; but when they get on her bad side…one of the '"world's greatest guitarist", JFL, didn't even appear on the 'Un regard neuf' DVD, even though Lara claimed they were still friends).
For some years this softer version predominated, sometimes as part of a medley, but eventually the song morphed again, into a ‘bossa nova’ beat, as shown on the ‘Un regard neuf’ DVD (the third choice). Even though for some reason it has not been covered by other artists nearly as often as ‘Je t’aime’, it was a favorite of singers performing with Lara on shows such as ‘Star Academy’ - note in particular the version with Cyril (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK9G4Z1hEmw).
Unlike ‘Je t’aime’, ‘Tout’ has never resurfaced in its powerful form, and has been ‘out of rotation’ for a few years now. Perhaps if she is really performing her greatest hits on the fall tour, it will be reborn; it has been her best-selling French single.
‘Toutes les femmes en moi’ was the only song Lara wrote for the TLFM homage album, and was a nice entry to give perspective to the other songs. It didn’t get much traction, and Lara has never sung it after that tour ended. Although it didn’t depend as much on holograms as the other songs, a clear version can be found on the ‘TLFM font leur show’ DVD, the first choice above. Another excellent video, with live singers, is from the (dearly departed) ‘Chabada’ TV show, the second choice.
‘Tu es mon autre’ is one of Lara’s few songs written to be a duet, and so there have been many such. The song was written to be performed with her good friend ‘Maurane’, and so appropriately, the first choice above is with her, from the ‘En toute intimite’ DVD. There’s also a wonderfully sensitive version of the two of them (with Jean-Felix Lalanne) included as a bonus selection from that same concert (https://app.box.com/s/18l4f9sea5hvyyxf2hhd). They performed it together numerous other times as well.
Maurane, in an interview some years ago, discussed the grief she received from her fans for appearing with Lara on this song. Their dislike of Lara was so great that Maurane’s fans called it “a betrayal of Maurane's values and all she stood for”! Evident in this story is the depth of negative emotion Lara’s name called forth in some segments of the French speaking public (and to some extent still visible, e.g. in the on-line comments posted when the news broke that the French version of ‘The Voice’ was considering Lara as one of their judges). Despite that, released as a single, it sold 260,000 copies in France. Lara’s recent emphasis on her international career is a case of turning to a public that is largely free from such prejudices.
The second selection given above, also appropriate, is with Rick Allison, from the ‘Nue’ concert DVD. Appropriate because for many years she called him her ‘other’, and of course they wrote the song together. Among other ‘duets’ of note is with Nolwenn Leroy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZEjwxx8Tao); Gregorio (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjBihMMTZhk); with the backing of a boys choir (https://app.box.com/s/b22lil2rcsukqhysc1fs); and more recently, with Anggun from the concert for Lebanon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJOCeI3fOpk). It is also a favorite of other singers wanting a meaningful duet.
Lara is returning to full stride, at the time the French public will be as well, but that seems to matter less and less these days. As September begins, Lara’s look is definitely eastward, and we may expect more and more promo efforts heading that way. Break out those German dictionaries!
David
