Post by davidhr on Sept 9, 2014 8:40:07 GMT -5
Lara’s activities this past week encompassed many different countries, and so in an attempt to summarize it, we will use the countries as the organizing factor for most of it. We’ll start with the Francophile countries.
BELGIUM/FRANCE (thanks primarily to LaraFabianweb.com, Lara Fabian est ton autre, and the LF Mademoiselle Zhivago FB sites for these stories):
**Back in March, an announcement was made about Lara’s participation as ‘ambassador’ for the Belgian charity “L’Enfant des Etoiles”, which raises money to help children in difficulty (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHf5_H2mQBo). At the time it was indicated that if available (i.e., healthy), she would be present for their big events. Lara was healthy/present for the inaugural evening/press conference this past Monday night at the Lake Genval Chateau for the project MAÏRE (http://www.lenfantdesetoiles.com/Spectacles.php?t=19 ). It will “offer a new three-dimensional original story that is to be set in the Caribbean in the sixteenth century, shortly after the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. Thus it focuses on the Caribbean at the time, and features the conquistadors, Haiti, resistance to oppression, Voodoo , etc.).” Auditions for the show will be help towards the end of September, and the show itself will take place on November 7; Lara may join them to sing the closing song.
**With respect to another Belgian charity, Lara announced that she will attend the fifth anniversary of the ‘Little Dreams’ foundation on November 28 at the Steigenberger hotel in Brussels. The organization is run by Phil and Orianne Collins (http://www.ldf.cc/fr/node/241; www.facebook.com/littledreams). Its mission is “to fulfill the dreams of young talents within Music, Art and Sports”. As Lara said, she has long supported it (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfmjpvCNkio), and of course sang a duet with Phil Collins on what has become the theme song for the organization, ‘True Colors’ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCYZBqJvHc4).
**Lara will participate in an ensemble album celebrating the 30 year anniversary of the program "Les enfants du Top 50" (The Children of the top 50). An article in ‘Charts in France’ (http://www.chartsinfrance.net/actualite/news-91948.html#1Ke3CLgCZHHe5A4Y.99) discussed the show; here’s the translation:
----------------------------------------
"Les enfants du Top 50" (The children of the Top 50): a cover album with Yannick Noah, Chimene Badi, Zaz ...
Another one! To celebrate the 30 year anniversary of the celebrated hit parade, a host of French artists was contacted to interpret the hits that marked the charts. If Yannick Noah and Zaz will participate in the album of reprises, it’s "Désir Désir" sung by Joyce Jonathan, Mickael Miro, Brice Conrad and Elisa Tovati, which has just been unveiled.
The cover albums have not finished blooming. After the incredible success of "Generation Goldman," which attracted more than one million fans in two volumes, and the warm welcome reserved for projects "Tropical Family", "We Love Disney", which sold 270,000 copies, or "Forever Gentleman" (280,000 sales), similar ideas have sprouted in the heads of record companies. Indeed, it is the repertoire of Renaud that one will next attack with Nolwenn Leroy, Carla Bruni and Raphael on "the Renaud band", while Damien Sargue, Nuno Resende, and Julio Iglesias Junior become the "Latin Lovers". Not to mention the cover album of NTM group, on which Jenifer and Zaho will participate.
Now put the disc "Les enfants du Top 50". On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the famous program, which was launched on Canal + in 1984, a bunch of French artists wanted to pay homage to the titles that made the heyday of the charts. Directed by musician Jean-Félix Lalanne, the covers album will contain the voice of Yannick Noah, Chimene Badi, Gregory or Zaz on hits that became cults "Te vas pas" of the singer Elsa, "Une femme avec une femme" of Mecano "Tout doucement" from Bibie or "Le Géant de papier", sung by Jean-Jacques Lafon. The first single has just been posted on YouTube, and it's "Desire Desire".
They are Joyce Jonathan, Mickael Miro, Brice Conrad and Elisa Tovati who take over this hit, played originally by Laurent Voulzy and Veronique Jannot, released in 1984. The album "Les enfants du Top 50" is expected on October 13, on the labrel Play On (Zaz, Matt Houston, "Tropical Family" ...) label. Future success? Julien GONCALVES
-------------------------------------------------------
The video, without Lara in it, can be seen at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX7mzWpngiA, and here’s the tracklist for the album:
01. T’en va pas – Joyce Jonathan
02. Il est libre Max – Yannick Noah
03. Petite Marie – ZAZ
04. Le géant de papier – Mickaël Miro
05. Une femme avec une femme – Lara Fabian
06. Elle a les yeux revolver – John Mamann
07. Le coup de soleil – Grégoire
08. La groupie du pianiste – Judith
09. Ils s’aiment – Brice Conrad
10. On se retrouvera – Lara Fabian & Yoann Fréget
11. Tandem – Natasha St-Pier
12. Une autre histoire – Chimène Badi
13. Tout doucement – Elisa Tovati
14. Désir, Désir – Joyce Jonathan, Elisa Tovati, Brice Conrad, Mickaël Miro
15. Ouragan – Maude
Interestingly, Lara is featured on two of the songs, but is not mentioned in the article. Furthermore, despite that prominence, there is nothing about it on Lara’s official FB page. It is also of note that Jean Felix Lalanne has directed the project. A cover picture for the album can be seen at:
www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/a.168982793155393.43222.166959643357708/721615164558817/?type=1&theater
For those interested in attending the TV show, its URL is:
www.emissions-tv.com/emissions/301/les_30_ans_du_top_50
Apparently Lara will not be present.
**An article in the September issue of Wolvendael magazine (http://issuu.com/wolvendael/docs/w601_single) indicated that Joëlle Morane was responsible for the choreography of Lara’s ‘Le Secret’ show (hence, primarily of the dancer employed). She has also been responsible for choreography of shows such as ‘Emilie Jolie’, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, etc.
**The mZ FB site has an excerpt from the magazine ‘Femme Actuelle’ showing Lara (like others in the article) before and after her ‘diet’. It can be seen at:
photo.femmeactuelle.fr/ces-people-qui-ont-fait-un-regime-efficace-4143/lara-fabien-avant-et-apres-son-regime-65661#extract
Of course, in Lara’s case, the pictures look like they are 20 years apart, so a lot more than the ‘diet’ has changed (and diet is written in quotation marks, because Lara has indicated she has problems with anorexia). [That’s not the only thing amiss – as people commented, they spelled Lara’s last name wrong, as well].
**The video of the program "à la vie, à la mode" which includes a segment questioning Lara on the role of fashion in her life is available in some European countries at
www.tv5mondeplus.com/video/07-09-2014/la-vie-la-mode-ete-ep10-701960
This French TV5 production is not yet available in French speaking countries – that will have to wait until its official release on Thursday. It’s also not (yet) available outside of Europe as far as I can tell. The website describing the program is at: www.facebook.com/246805652001644/photos/a.247913198557556.83420.246805652001644/926197850729084/?type=1&theater.
TURKEY (many thanks to Lara Fabian Turkey for these stories)
**Lara was interviewed by the Turkish edition of ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine. Lara Fabian Turkey provided the translation, and it is copied here for completeness:
------------------------------------------------
COSMO: Can you tell us about your feelings regarding the concert, less then 24 hours after it ?
LF: It was incredible. I have done many concerts until today, but the energy of the Turkish public is very special. It was so fun to share the scene with Mustafa (Ceceli) and perform with him
Cosmo: How is it to work with Mustafa ?
LF: As soon as we met, our energies matched. When we did the duet on the song "Make Me Yours Tonight, written and composed by Anthony James and Yiorgos Bellapaisiotis, we realized how complementary our voices were. This does not happen often. There is always a probability that your duet partner's voice is does not match with yours. We did not experience any issue, so we decided to go ahead with the title, and here I am. Mustafa and his family were such great hosts, they made me fall in love with Istanbul again.
Cosmo: Every visitor talks about how much they enjoy the sweets of our country. Which one is your favorite ?
LF: Definitely Tulumba. It is currently on top of the list of my favorite desserts
Cosmo: Your mother is Italian, your father Belgian. What are the advantages of growing up in multi-cultural family ?
LF: And my grandfather was born in Detroit. When you experience so many different cultures together, you are curious to see more. Since I was a child I always was interested in discovering different cultures. And what I inherit from having grown up in such a family, are my language skills, as I speak English, French, Italian and Spanish.
Cosmo : Which Turkish artists do you know ?
LF: Tarkan, Sezen Aksu, and Ajda Pekkan, known as "Superstar"
Cosmo: Can you tell us about your daughter Lou ? Does she want to become a singer too ?
LF: Lou is now 6 years old, and I love the quality time and having fun with her. She likes to sing, but she is more into taking pictures and putting them together in sort of short films. I would not be surprised if she turns out to become a movie director. I wish for her to do what she enjoys most.
Cosmo: Which is your favorite country ?
LF: Canada, Belgium, Italy, and all the others.. I think I am a citizen of the world. Home is wherever my family is. I love to change location.
Cosmo: Do you like shopping?
LF: My answer will probably disappoint you. I am not really fond of shopping. I find especially trying outfits in fitting rooms very annoying. But I love to watch fashion show, follow fashion trends. I love designer creations.
Cosmo: Which designers are your favorites?
LF: I like Dolce & Gabbana. Don't forget that my mother is Sicilian. Dior is also among my favorites.
Cosmo: What makes you happy ?
LF: To be the mother of Lou, and the spouse of Gabriele
Cosmo: Which are your favorite holiday destinations ?
LF: Costa del Sol [Spain], Positano [Italy], and my Sicily
Cosmo: Can you describe your regular non-working day ?
LF: I wake up at 7 am; then I wake up Lou. We have breakfast together, then I drop her off at the school. After that, I do grocery shopping. I love to do grocery shopping. Then I go to pick up Lou from school, and we spend the evening with friends. These kind of days are priceless to me
PART OF THE INTERVIEW WITH MUSTAFA CECELI:
Cosmo: Tell us about your encounter with Lara Fabian ?
MC: We met with Lara through our common friend, Matt (Ersin). Matt had heard my song "ES" and liked it, and thought that our voices would be a good match. Then we decided on which song to perform, and chose "Make Me Yours Tonight". I travelled to Brussels to meet Lara Fabian. I was very excited that day. I always wondered, how a world star works in the studio, how much time she would spend, and I had the occasion to witness that. I was very much impressed by her humility. We went to the recording studio the next day, and the result was amazing. As Lara said, we found that our voices really completed each other.
Cosmo: And you recorded the song also in Turkish
MC: Yes, we decided that it would be a nice idea to record the song in both languages. I really wanted Sezen Aksu to write the Turkish lyrics of this song. And she was so kind to give us the honor. And I believe the result is beautiful. The song starts with the lyrics "whatever happens, don't let loose of my hands". These days, people seem so easily to let loose and run away..
Cosmo: How long did it take you to prepare the concert?
MC: It took a full month. To be honest, I really wanted this concert to be worthy of Lara Fabian. We worked with a symphonic orchestra; we re-arranged the repertoire accordingly. The feedback I got that evening, was that people really enjoyed it. I hope that our future projects will also be as fun as this one.
---------------------------------------
Thanks again to the Lara Fabian Turkey FB site.
Several nice pictures from the article can be seen at:
www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/pcb.721504964569837/721504827903184/?type=1&theater
www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/pcb.721504964569837/721504801236520/?type=1&theater
**Lara was also featured in the LGBT magazine turk G'zOne Rock, in an article entitled (in translation) "A goddess of tolerance". [Thierry Palomares on the MZ FB site wrote that it came out in Romania]. It is available at:
gzone.com.tr/eylul2014.pdf
Lara’s interview is on pp. 19-21, and features some nice pictures. Lara indicated that the first time she was in Turkey was when she was 19, and even though she has been back to give a concert, she had not had time for sightseeing. She is happy to ‘not be alone’, with Mustafa Ceceli to help her. She has listened to samples from various forms of Turkish music (Pop, Classical, Folk, Arabesque). Given that her mother is Sicilian, she feels she shares some of their ‘Mediterranean’ DNA and emotions.
With respect to LGBT issues in Turkey, after her parents [and presumably, husband], her most important friend is gay. There are still major problems with acceptance, not only in that country but in Russia, France and among conservative Christians in Italy. She feels it important for her to push for greater tolerance, that people should not be characterized by their sexual preferences.
**Two videos on Lara’s ‘fashion’ sense from her concert appearance several weeks ago in Turkey can be seen at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-yPU-rrzno#t=11
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkGgSQyRxVo
[Coincidentally, this is the third mention of Lara and ‘fashion’ in this News Update…].
**The Lara Fabian Turkey site indicated that one month after its release, "Make me Yours Tonight" is still in 2nd position in physical single sales, as well as in digital platform sales. It is number 8 in the TV rotation list of preferred songs and artists. And a remix of Remix of "Al Götür Beni / Make Me Yours Tonight" will apparently be released soon.
**The same site also indicated that they have researched who ‘Mrs. Ayten Ersin’ is – she is one of two people thanked for their contributions to the single (the other being Sezen Aksu who wrote the Turkish lyrics). As they note, “Mrs. Ayten Ersin is the mother of the producer based in Los Angeles and Brussels, Matt Ersin. When Matt mentions that he is working on a project with Lara, she tells him “You should listen to Mustafa Ceceli's songs, his voice would be very complementary to Lara's voice. And he has a big heart, just like Lara. Listen to his song 'ES’”. Many successful projects have ‘midwives’.
One can see two pictures of her, one with Lara and one with Mustafa, at:
www.facebook.com/Larafabianturkiye/photos/pcb.704295669647215/704293002980815/?type=3&permPage=1
‘COUNTRIES TO THE EAST ‘(with reference to the upcoming tour)
Lara has started doing promotional videos/interviews for her upcoming concerts.
**The German promotional video can be seen at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDuNRq89u-8
(or www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB_xfeJsjTY).
They feature Lara’s recent duet with Mustafa Ceceli. As noted previously, Lara’s Turkish adventure has strong resonance in Germany, due to their large Turkish population. According to Wikipedia, “In 2010, the Embassy of Germany said that there are 3.5 million people of Turkish origin living in Germany and that a further 3 million Turks have spent part of their lives in Germany. Other estimates suggest that there are now over 4 million people of Turkish descent living in Germany.”
On the video, the ‘test’ with the flags was humorous, with Lara missing on the one from Luxembourg (the country she represented on the Eurovision contest in 1988; shows how closely performers pay attention to the countries they’re representing – or how one’s memory fades after 25 years ).
**Romania promotion on radio Magic FM (thanks to the Lara Fabian Romanian FB site): www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLBu-SGO80c
(or www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9KU9n0VTYM)
Very nice comments, about what Lara would do if she had one wish…
**Finland promotion: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv3XBb2qYrU
(or www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9KU9n0VTYM)
**There is also an article about Lara in a Finnish publication (http://m.iltalehti.fi/viihde/2014090318624276_vi.shtml). Here is the translation:
-----------------------------------------------
Finnish article about Lara’s projects: “for the moment, we are in Brussels, but the next time we go to America”.
Singer Lara Fabian domiciled in Brussels is excited about her visit to Finland.
“I have a lot of fans out there. Finland is, I think, the only country in Europe where I've never been or been produced.”
The 44-year-old singer has, throughout her long career, visited half the world and where she has sold over 20 million records. Lara Fabian sings mainly in French, but has also recorded three discs in English (Editor's Note: Lara Fabian, A Wonderful Life and Every Woman In Me). The concert will have a third of its songs in English.
“When I think of the Finns, I have in my mind images of a prosperous people, where nature is pure and the design of products are innovative. I hope to have time to do shopping.”
“The people speak a little French, and I intend to take this fully into account during the concert. I always try to sing a few songs in relation to the regional language. I promise to learn the songs, if you want me to be back.”
Lara Fabian herself speaks French, English, Spanish and Italian. And she has sung in nine different languages during concerts, including Russian and Hebrew.
“During the singing of songs from the "best" tour, there will be also some of my personal favorites.”
She then spoke about the Eurovision Song Contest in 1988 where she was chosen to represent the Belgium and she came in fourth position behind Céline Dion, who won the competition. The disc [‘Croire’] has sold over half a million and made her a star in 1988. Then moving to Canada in 1990 with Rick Allison to try their luck on the market, they released two discs in French with the money from their collaboration. We recall that Lara has been elected "Best singer" in 1995 with the Canadian Juno Award and the title of the "Revelation of the year" [in France] in 1998.
Then, they (Editor's Note: Lara and Rick) returned to Brussels at the end of the 90s and focused on the French market. The third album 'Pure' album sold more than two million copies in Europe and finally made Lara a star.
In September of last year, Lara had an accident that could have destroyed her career. She rehearsed during a television show, and the stage technician accidentally sent too strong an audio signal to her ears...
“It was a horrible experience, and I’ve now recovered reasonably well. The hearing went away almost completely during a certain time. The singer felt the same thing as if the painter lost the ability to see colors.”
“It was just human error, and I don't blame anyone. I just say that I recuperated from this situation. But I had to cancel a concert tour that I had scheduled at the beginning of the year.”
Lara Fabian cannot say that she is not a citizen of the world. She is of a Belgian father and Sicilian mother, with whom she spent the first five years of her life in Sicily. She has Belgian and Canadian passports.
“My roots are there, in my family. At present, we are in Brussels, but the next time we go to America. The purpose of the album in English (Editor's Note: to be issued in spring 2015) is also to go to Latin America. I am by nature of the kind to keep moving.” Ilpo Musto, London.
-------------------------------------------
The comment about Lara intending to go to Latin America after her North American visit is new – perhaps she will finally return to Brazil ☺, and get a chance to speak Spanish in some of the other countries. Exciting times, if it works out – more countries for us to discuss!
**There’s a short but nice interview with Lara (in English) from the ‘New Wave’ concert last July (thanks to Jean Christofer Santos, who also contributed to a number of the other videos linked here), at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMs8QIiwbvg
In other news, Lara’s FB site noted that they have now gotten 700,000 likes, and ‘celebrated’ by posting a link to the video of the English version of ‘Make Me Yours Tonight’, at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu6imkChHzY.
If you haven’t seen it, the Lara Fabian Romanian site also provided a nice English subtitled version of Lara’s comments during her ‘Concert for Fans’ in 2012 in Paris (it’s listed as Part 1 from that event, so there may be more). It’s at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BumT9gEyRdc
Now for the next three ‘best of’ videos, and these are really three of the most beautiful songs Lara has sung:
Urgent Desir: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFrHqSh9LC8
Voir un ami pleurer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzsABta4fWg
: app.box.com/s/5uyuwro3nb8miu9dlmw8
Wind Beneath My Wings: www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5O8LTzikX0
: app.box.com/s/npjgpm55gjl29a8voerk
: app.box.com/s/vr78aoa7jh5zypwca3mc
‘Urgent Desir’ is a beautiful song that Lara rarely returns to. In this performance from the Molson Centre, even though Lara is ‘back-to-back’ with a fellow musician (like in her recent duet), it seems highly creative rather than restrained. Other very good versions can be found from the Brussels concert of the same year (https://app.box.com/s/18zfieagtcd49t95aw3r), highlighted by her ‘creative’ interaction with another musician; and from one of her very few more recent performances of it, in Moscow (https://app.box.com/s/vt7ofx3uehaq9c2x78do).
Although obviously not Lara’s song, ‘Voir un ami pleurer’ is one of her most beautiful covers. The first choice is from a Jacques Brel tribute show; she did another wonderful performance of it on another tribute show (a video, which actually has a lot more ‘views’, www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo8fV8exxsg). The second choice above is from her wonderfully sensitive performance on the ‘’En Toute Intimite’ DVD. In contrast, a more emotional, powerful version can be seen from earlier in her career (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h02p_I2FjPg) - a woman suggested to me that she felt women in general were more emotional in their 20s than in their 30s. In any form of it, it is one of Lara’s most enticing presentations, it draws the audiences in (as you can tell from their reactions), and she should sing it more often.
Another cover, ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ emerged as Lara’s homage to her fans, as displayed in this gorgeous video from the ‘TLFM font leur show’ DVD. You may remember that Lara asked fans to send in their pictures taken with her, which were then projected during the song. The photos themselves can actually be seen even better in a performance from Lyons (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm7iopSu_hE). The second choice above is from a transcendent emotional performance in Charleroi (proving Lara can be highly emotional even in her 40s!). The third choice above is from the duet sung with Lara’s best friend Nathalie (the gay friend referred to in the LGBT article above), another soul who helps her fly.
There seems to be no shortage of news in the weeks leading up to Lara’s fall tour, and it comes from everywhere, so more of the same may be expected for next week. Lara is making up for lost time.
David
BELGIUM/FRANCE (thanks primarily to LaraFabianweb.com, Lara Fabian est ton autre, and the LF Mademoiselle Zhivago FB sites for these stories):
**Back in March, an announcement was made about Lara’s participation as ‘ambassador’ for the Belgian charity “L’Enfant des Etoiles”, which raises money to help children in difficulty (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHf5_H2mQBo). At the time it was indicated that if available (i.e., healthy), she would be present for their big events. Lara was healthy/present for the inaugural evening/press conference this past Monday night at the Lake Genval Chateau for the project MAÏRE (http://www.lenfantdesetoiles.com/Spectacles.php?t=19 ). It will “offer a new three-dimensional original story that is to be set in the Caribbean in the sixteenth century, shortly after the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. Thus it focuses on the Caribbean at the time, and features the conquistadors, Haiti, resistance to oppression, Voodoo , etc.).” Auditions for the show will be help towards the end of September, and the show itself will take place on November 7; Lara may join them to sing the closing song.
**With respect to another Belgian charity, Lara announced that she will attend the fifth anniversary of the ‘Little Dreams’ foundation on November 28 at the Steigenberger hotel in Brussels. The organization is run by Phil and Orianne Collins (http://www.ldf.cc/fr/node/241; www.facebook.com/littledreams). Its mission is “to fulfill the dreams of young talents within Music, Art and Sports”. As Lara said, she has long supported it (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfmjpvCNkio), and of course sang a duet with Phil Collins on what has become the theme song for the organization, ‘True Colors’ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCYZBqJvHc4).
**Lara will participate in an ensemble album celebrating the 30 year anniversary of the program "Les enfants du Top 50" (The Children of the top 50). An article in ‘Charts in France’ (http://www.chartsinfrance.net/actualite/news-91948.html#1Ke3CLgCZHHe5A4Y.99) discussed the show; here’s the translation:
----------------------------------------
"Les enfants du Top 50" (The children of the Top 50): a cover album with Yannick Noah, Chimene Badi, Zaz ...
Another one! To celebrate the 30 year anniversary of the celebrated hit parade, a host of French artists was contacted to interpret the hits that marked the charts. If Yannick Noah and Zaz will participate in the album of reprises, it’s "Désir Désir" sung by Joyce Jonathan, Mickael Miro, Brice Conrad and Elisa Tovati, which has just been unveiled.
The cover albums have not finished blooming. After the incredible success of "Generation Goldman," which attracted more than one million fans in two volumes, and the warm welcome reserved for projects "Tropical Family", "We Love Disney", which sold 270,000 copies, or "Forever Gentleman" (280,000 sales), similar ideas have sprouted in the heads of record companies. Indeed, it is the repertoire of Renaud that one will next attack with Nolwenn Leroy, Carla Bruni and Raphael on "the Renaud band", while Damien Sargue, Nuno Resende, and Julio Iglesias Junior become the "Latin Lovers". Not to mention the cover album of NTM group, on which Jenifer and Zaho will participate.
Now put the disc "Les enfants du Top 50". On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the famous program, which was launched on Canal + in 1984, a bunch of French artists wanted to pay homage to the titles that made the heyday of the charts. Directed by musician Jean-Félix Lalanne, the covers album will contain the voice of Yannick Noah, Chimene Badi, Gregory or Zaz on hits that became cults "Te vas pas" of the singer Elsa, "Une femme avec une femme" of Mecano "Tout doucement" from Bibie or "Le Géant de papier", sung by Jean-Jacques Lafon. The first single has just been posted on YouTube, and it's "Desire Desire".
They are Joyce Jonathan, Mickael Miro, Brice Conrad and Elisa Tovati who take over this hit, played originally by Laurent Voulzy and Veronique Jannot, released in 1984. The album "Les enfants du Top 50" is expected on October 13, on the labrel Play On (Zaz, Matt Houston, "Tropical Family" ...) label. Future success? Julien GONCALVES
-------------------------------------------------------
The video, without Lara in it, can be seen at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX7mzWpngiA, and here’s the tracklist for the album:
01. T’en va pas – Joyce Jonathan
02. Il est libre Max – Yannick Noah
03. Petite Marie – ZAZ
04. Le géant de papier – Mickaël Miro
05. Une femme avec une femme – Lara Fabian
06. Elle a les yeux revolver – John Mamann
07. Le coup de soleil – Grégoire
08. La groupie du pianiste – Judith
09. Ils s’aiment – Brice Conrad
10. On se retrouvera – Lara Fabian & Yoann Fréget
11. Tandem – Natasha St-Pier
12. Une autre histoire – Chimène Badi
13. Tout doucement – Elisa Tovati
14. Désir, Désir – Joyce Jonathan, Elisa Tovati, Brice Conrad, Mickaël Miro
15. Ouragan – Maude
Interestingly, Lara is featured on two of the songs, but is not mentioned in the article. Furthermore, despite that prominence, there is nothing about it on Lara’s official FB page. It is also of note that Jean Felix Lalanne has directed the project. A cover picture for the album can be seen at:
www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/a.168982793155393.43222.166959643357708/721615164558817/?type=1&theater
For those interested in attending the TV show, its URL is:
www.emissions-tv.com/emissions/301/les_30_ans_du_top_50
Apparently Lara will not be present.
**An article in the September issue of Wolvendael magazine (http://issuu.com/wolvendael/docs/w601_single) indicated that Joëlle Morane was responsible for the choreography of Lara’s ‘Le Secret’ show (hence, primarily of the dancer employed). She has also been responsible for choreography of shows such as ‘Emilie Jolie’, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, etc.
**The mZ FB site has an excerpt from the magazine ‘Femme Actuelle’ showing Lara (like others in the article) before and after her ‘diet’. It can be seen at:
photo.femmeactuelle.fr/ces-people-qui-ont-fait-un-regime-efficace-4143/lara-fabien-avant-et-apres-son-regime-65661#extract
Of course, in Lara’s case, the pictures look like they are 20 years apart, so a lot more than the ‘diet’ has changed (and diet is written in quotation marks, because Lara has indicated she has problems with anorexia). [That’s not the only thing amiss – as people commented, they spelled Lara’s last name wrong, as well].
**The video of the program "à la vie, à la mode" which includes a segment questioning Lara on the role of fashion in her life is available in some European countries at
www.tv5mondeplus.com/video/07-09-2014/la-vie-la-mode-ete-ep10-701960
This French TV5 production is not yet available in French speaking countries – that will have to wait until its official release on Thursday. It’s also not (yet) available outside of Europe as far as I can tell. The website describing the program is at: www.facebook.com/246805652001644/photos/a.247913198557556.83420.246805652001644/926197850729084/?type=1&theater.
TURKEY (many thanks to Lara Fabian Turkey for these stories)
**Lara was interviewed by the Turkish edition of ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine. Lara Fabian Turkey provided the translation, and it is copied here for completeness:
------------------------------------------------
COSMO: Can you tell us about your feelings regarding the concert, less then 24 hours after it ?
LF: It was incredible. I have done many concerts until today, but the energy of the Turkish public is very special. It was so fun to share the scene with Mustafa (Ceceli) and perform with him
Cosmo: How is it to work with Mustafa ?
LF: As soon as we met, our energies matched. When we did the duet on the song "Make Me Yours Tonight, written and composed by Anthony James and Yiorgos Bellapaisiotis, we realized how complementary our voices were. This does not happen often. There is always a probability that your duet partner's voice is does not match with yours. We did not experience any issue, so we decided to go ahead with the title, and here I am. Mustafa and his family were such great hosts, they made me fall in love with Istanbul again.
Cosmo: Every visitor talks about how much they enjoy the sweets of our country. Which one is your favorite ?
LF: Definitely Tulumba. It is currently on top of the list of my favorite desserts
Cosmo: Your mother is Italian, your father Belgian. What are the advantages of growing up in multi-cultural family ?
LF: And my grandfather was born in Detroit. When you experience so many different cultures together, you are curious to see more. Since I was a child I always was interested in discovering different cultures. And what I inherit from having grown up in such a family, are my language skills, as I speak English, French, Italian and Spanish.
Cosmo : Which Turkish artists do you know ?
LF: Tarkan, Sezen Aksu, and Ajda Pekkan, known as "Superstar"
Cosmo: Can you tell us about your daughter Lou ? Does she want to become a singer too ?
LF: Lou is now 6 years old, and I love the quality time and having fun with her. She likes to sing, but she is more into taking pictures and putting them together in sort of short films. I would not be surprised if she turns out to become a movie director. I wish for her to do what she enjoys most.
Cosmo: Which is your favorite country ?
LF: Canada, Belgium, Italy, and all the others.. I think I am a citizen of the world. Home is wherever my family is. I love to change location.
Cosmo: Do you like shopping?
LF: My answer will probably disappoint you. I am not really fond of shopping. I find especially trying outfits in fitting rooms very annoying. But I love to watch fashion show, follow fashion trends. I love designer creations.
Cosmo: Which designers are your favorites?
LF: I like Dolce & Gabbana. Don't forget that my mother is Sicilian. Dior is also among my favorites.
Cosmo: What makes you happy ?
LF: To be the mother of Lou, and the spouse of Gabriele
Cosmo: Which are your favorite holiday destinations ?
LF: Costa del Sol [Spain], Positano [Italy], and my Sicily
Cosmo: Can you describe your regular non-working day ?
LF: I wake up at 7 am; then I wake up Lou. We have breakfast together, then I drop her off at the school. After that, I do grocery shopping. I love to do grocery shopping. Then I go to pick up Lou from school, and we spend the evening with friends. These kind of days are priceless to me
PART OF THE INTERVIEW WITH MUSTAFA CECELI:
Cosmo: Tell us about your encounter with Lara Fabian ?
MC: We met with Lara through our common friend, Matt (Ersin). Matt had heard my song "ES" and liked it, and thought that our voices would be a good match. Then we decided on which song to perform, and chose "Make Me Yours Tonight". I travelled to Brussels to meet Lara Fabian. I was very excited that day. I always wondered, how a world star works in the studio, how much time she would spend, and I had the occasion to witness that. I was very much impressed by her humility. We went to the recording studio the next day, and the result was amazing. As Lara said, we found that our voices really completed each other.
Cosmo: And you recorded the song also in Turkish
MC: Yes, we decided that it would be a nice idea to record the song in both languages. I really wanted Sezen Aksu to write the Turkish lyrics of this song. And she was so kind to give us the honor. And I believe the result is beautiful. The song starts with the lyrics "whatever happens, don't let loose of my hands". These days, people seem so easily to let loose and run away..
Cosmo: How long did it take you to prepare the concert?
MC: It took a full month. To be honest, I really wanted this concert to be worthy of Lara Fabian. We worked with a symphonic orchestra; we re-arranged the repertoire accordingly. The feedback I got that evening, was that people really enjoyed it. I hope that our future projects will also be as fun as this one.
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Thanks again to the Lara Fabian Turkey FB site.
Several nice pictures from the article can be seen at:
www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/pcb.721504964569837/721504827903184/?type=1&theater
www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/pcb.721504964569837/721504801236520/?type=1&theater
**Lara was also featured in the LGBT magazine turk G'zOne Rock, in an article entitled (in translation) "A goddess of tolerance". [Thierry Palomares on the MZ FB site wrote that it came out in Romania]. It is available at:
gzone.com.tr/eylul2014.pdf
Lara’s interview is on pp. 19-21, and features some nice pictures. Lara indicated that the first time she was in Turkey was when she was 19, and even though she has been back to give a concert, she had not had time for sightseeing. She is happy to ‘not be alone’, with Mustafa Ceceli to help her. She has listened to samples from various forms of Turkish music (Pop, Classical, Folk, Arabesque). Given that her mother is Sicilian, she feels she shares some of their ‘Mediterranean’ DNA and emotions.
With respect to LGBT issues in Turkey, after her parents [and presumably, husband], her most important friend is gay. There are still major problems with acceptance, not only in that country but in Russia, France and among conservative Christians in Italy. She feels it important for her to push for greater tolerance, that people should not be characterized by their sexual preferences.
**Two videos on Lara’s ‘fashion’ sense from her concert appearance several weeks ago in Turkey can be seen at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-yPU-rrzno#t=11
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkGgSQyRxVo
[Coincidentally, this is the third mention of Lara and ‘fashion’ in this News Update…].
**The Lara Fabian Turkey site indicated that one month after its release, "Make me Yours Tonight" is still in 2nd position in physical single sales, as well as in digital platform sales. It is number 8 in the TV rotation list of preferred songs and artists. And a remix of Remix of "Al Götür Beni / Make Me Yours Tonight" will apparently be released soon.
**The same site also indicated that they have researched who ‘Mrs. Ayten Ersin’ is – she is one of two people thanked for their contributions to the single (the other being Sezen Aksu who wrote the Turkish lyrics). As they note, “Mrs. Ayten Ersin is the mother of the producer based in Los Angeles and Brussels, Matt Ersin. When Matt mentions that he is working on a project with Lara, she tells him “You should listen to Mustafa Ceceli's songs, his voice would be very complementary to Lara's voice. And he has a big heart, just like Lara. Listen to his song 'ES’”. Many successful projects have ‘midwives’.
One can see two pictures of her, one with Lara and one with Mustafa, at:www.facebook.com/Larafabianturkiye/photos/pcb.704295669647215/704293002980815/?type=3&permPage=1
‘COUNTRIES TO THE EAST ‘(with reference to the upcoming tour)
Lara has started doing promotional videos/interviews for her upcoming concerts.
**The German promotional video can be seen at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDuNRq89u-8
(or www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB_xfeJsjTY).
They feature Lara’s recent duet with Mustafa Ceceli. As noted previously, Lara’s Turkish adventure has strong resonance in Germany, due to their large Turkish population. According to Wikipedia, “In 2010, the Embassy of Germany said that there are 3.5 million people of Turkish origin living in Germany and that a further 3 million Turks have spent part of their lives in Germany. Other estimates suggest that there are now over 4 million people of Turkish descent living in Germany.”
On the video, the ‘test’ with the flags was humorous, with Lara missing on the one from Luxembourg (the country she represented on the Eurovision contest in 1988; shows how closely performers pay attention to the countries they’re representing – or how one’s memory fades after 25 years
). **Romania promotion on radio Magic FM (thanks to the Lara Fabian Romanian FB site): www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLBu-SGO80c
(or www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9KU9n0VTYM)
Very nice comments, about what Lara would do if she had one wish…
**Finland promotion: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv3XBb2qYrU
(or www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9KU9n0VTYM)
**There is also an article about Lara in a Finnish publication (http://m.iltalehti.fi/viihde/2014090318624276_vi.shtml). Here is the translation:
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Finnish article about Lara’s projects: “for the moment, we are in Brussels, but the next time we go to America”.
Singer Lara Fabian domiciled in Brussels is excited about her visit to Finland.
“I have a lot of fans out there. Finland is, I think, the only country in Europe where I've never been or been produced.”
The 44-year-old singer has, throughout her long career, visited half the world and where she has sold over 20 million records. Lara Fabian sings mainly in French, but has also recorded three discs in English (Editor's Note: Lara Fabian, A Wonderful Life and Every Woman In Me). The concert will have a third of its songs in English.
“When I think of the Finns, I have in my mind images of a prosperous people, where nature is pure and the design of products are innovative. I hope to have time to do shopping.”
“The people speak a little French, and I intend to take this fully into account during the concert. I always try to sing a few songs in relation to the regional language. I promise to learn the songs, if you want me to be back.”
Lara Fabian herself speaks French, English, Spanish and Italian. And she has sung in nine different languages during concerts, including Russian and Hebrew.
“During the singing of songs from the "best" tour, there will be also some of my personal favorites.”
She then spoke about the Eurovision Song Contest in 1988 where she was chosen to represent the Belgium and she came in fourth position behind Céline Dion, who won the competition. The disc [‘Croire’] has sold over half a million and made her a star in 1988. Then moving to Canada in 1990 with Rick Allison to try their luck on the market, they released two discs in French with the money from their collaboration. We recall that Lara has been elected "Best singer" in 1995 with the Canadian Juno Award and the title of the "Revelation of the year" [in France] in 1998.
Then, they (Editor's Note: Lara and Rick) returned to Brussels at the end of the 90s and focused on the French market. The third album 'Pure' album sold more than two million copies in Europe and finally made Lara a star.
In September of last year, Lara had an accident that could have destroyed her career. She rehearsed during a television show, and the stage technician accidentally sent too strong an audio signal to her ears...
“It was a horrible experience, and I’ve now recovered reasonably well. The hearing went away almost completely during a certain time. The singer felt the same thing as if the painter lost the ability to see colors.”
“It was just human error, and I don't blame anyone. I just say that I recuperated from this situation. But I had to cancel a concert tour that I had scheduled at the beginning of the year.”
Lara Fabian cannot say that she is not a citizen of the world. She is of a Belgian father and Sicilian mother, with whom she spent the first five years of her life in Sicily. She has Belgian and Canadian passports.
“My roots are there, in my family. At present, we are in Brussels, but the next time we go to America. The purpose of the album in English (Editor's Note: to be issued in spring 2015) is also to go to Latin America. I am by nature of the kind to keep moving.” Ilpo Musto, London.
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The comment about Lara intending to go to Latin America after her North American visit is new – perhaps she will finally return to Brazil ☺, and get a chance to speak Spanish in some of the other countries. Exciting times, if it works out – more countries for us to discuss!
**There’s a short but nice interview with Lara (in English) from the ‘New Wave’ concert last July (thanks to Jean Christofer Santos, who also contributed to a number of the other videos linked here), at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMs8QIiwbvg
In other news, Lara’s FB site noted that they have now gotten 700,000 likes, and ‘celebrated’ by posting a link to the video of the English version of ‘Make Me Yours Tonight’, at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu6imkChHzY.
If you haven’t seen it, the Lara Fabian Romanian site also provided a nice English subtitled version of Lara’s comments during her ‘Concert for Fans’ in 2012 in Paris (it’s listed as Part 1 from that event, so there may be more). It’s at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BumT9gEyRdc
Now for the next three ‘best of’ videos, and these are really three of the most beautiful songs Lara has sung:
Urgent Desir: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFrHqSh9LC8
Voir un ami pleurer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzsABta4fWg
: app.box.com/s/5uyuwro3nb8miu9dlmw8
Wind Beneath My Wings: www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5O8LTzikX0
: app.box.com/s/npjgpm55gjl29a8voerk
: app.box.com/s/vr78aoa7jh5zypwca3mc
‘Urgent Desir’ is a beautiful song that Lara rarely returns to. In this performance from the Molson Centre, even though Lara is ‘back-to-back’ with a fellow musician (like in her recent duet), it seems highly creative rather than restrained. Other very good versions can be found from the Brussels concert of the same year (https://app.box.com/s/18zfieagtcd49t95aw3r), highlighted by her ‘creative’ interaction with another musician; and from one of her very few more recent performances of it, in Moscow (https://app.box.com/s/vt7ofx3uehaq9c2x78do).
Although obviously not Lara’s song, ‘Voir un ami pleurer’ is one of her most beautiful covers. The first choice is from a Jacques Brel tribute show; she did another wonderful performance of it on another tribute show (a video, which actually has a lot more ‘views’, www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo8fV8exxsg). The second choice above is from her wonderfully sensitive performance on the ‘’En Toute Intimite’ DVD. In contrast, a more emotional, powerful version can be seen from earlier in her career (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h02p_I2FjPg) - a woman suggested to me that she felt women in general were more emotional in their 20s than in their 30s
. In any form of it, it is one of Lara’s most enticing presentations, it draws the audiences in (as you can tell from their reactions), and she should sing it more often. Another cover, ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ emerged as Lara’s homage to her fans, as displayed in this gorgeous video from the ‘TLFM font leur show’ DVD. You may remember that Lara asked fans to send in their pictures taken with her, which were then projected during the song. The photos themselves can actually be seen even better in a performance from Lyons (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm7iopSu_hE). The second choice above is from a transcendent emotional performance in Charleroi (proving Lara can be highly emotional even in her 40s!). The third choice above is from the duet sung with Lara’s best friend Nathalie (the gay friend referred to in the LGBT article above), another soul who helps her fly.
There seems to be no shortage of news in the weeks leading up to Lara’s fall tour, and it comes from everywhere, so more of the same may be expected for next week. Lara is making up for lost time.
David
