Post by davidhr on Feb 17, 2015 9:53:44 GMT -5
The big news this week of course was Lara’s participation in the Sanremo singing competition in Italy. As usual for Lara, complications ensued; the whole fairy tale idea of her returning to Italy to sing to acclaim went off the tracks – more like a Grimm fairy tale. Nevertheless, she accomplished at least some of what she wanted, and as far as Italy is concerned, we’ll see where it goes from here.
At the end of the last Update, Lara was getting ready for the first event. She posted some photos on her website of the last rehearsals, at:
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/pcb.852454598129372/852452351462930/?type=1&theater
Lara seemed relaxed and confident going in, and very happy to be there. Here first performance of the new song ‘Voce’ took place Tuesday night:
www.rai.tv/dl/RaiTV/programmi/media/ContentItem-a732c361-5206-41d3-a82b-7276147a367f.html
While Lara’s singing was o.k., if anything she seemed a bit too relaxed – like a ‘playoff team that was just happy to be in the playoffs, rather than focused on winning’. Out of 10 singers that night, Lara finished in tenth position, on the ‘bubble’ of being eventually eliminated.
Wednesday was an off-day for her. Thursday morning, presumably chastened by the voting results, Lara issued the following statement on her FB site (in translation):
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Love!!!!!
I having a ball here...
The incredible and warm welcome at the Ariston theatre last night turned me upside down..
But your messages have made me fly...
Thank you to my angels around the world for this fabulous support!!!!
Lov
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Thursday evening was the time for her cover of ‘Sto male’, the Italian version of ‘Je suis malade’. No longer so relaxed, Lara produced her most intense singing in quite some time, hitting all the notes and including a long, extended passionate ending. It brought the audience to a standing ovation:
video.repubblica.it/dossier/sanremo-2015/sanremo-lara-fabian-canta-sto-male/191873/190826
Note that this performance did not ‘count’ in the voting for the competition – only the appearances with ‘Voce’ were relevant.
Friday morning Lara left a video message (in French) on her FB site noting that she was going to sing ‘Voce’ for a second time, and was very thankful for the support of her fans – clearly she was nervous about it, and under such circumstances leans back for the support of her ‘Angels’. It was very touching.
Then Friday evening she performed a more passionate version of ‘Voce’:
video.repubblica.it/dossier/sanremo-2015/sanremo-lara-fabian-voce/192032/190994
Lara had to be happy that she had done her best, after a somewhat slow start. Nevertheless, she was eliminated – which meant that she was one of four singers out of the 20 who did not ‘survive’ to sing again on Saturday night in the competition final. Having heard many of the singers while waiting for Lara to appear (the previously announced schedule was not adhered to – where was Mussolini when he was needed!), it was inconceivable that a combination of audience, expert, and ‘associated experts’ felt Lara was not one of the top 80% of the performers at the Festival. In fact she finished next to last (https://www.facebook.com/246805652001644/photos/a.247913198557556.83420.246805652001644/1023898437625691/?type=1&theater). In some sense, that was better - had she finished in the ‘middle of the pack’, one might have concluded that Lara was somehow a mediocre singer. Her finishing so low exposed the contest as being unconnected to the quality of the singing.
Lara herself provided a link to one of the likely explanations, referencing an Italian article about the competition
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.215378125170359.50343.201065806601591/854229794618519/?type=1&theater
Here is the approximate translation:
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Goodbye foreigners to Sanremo
Questionable and highly despicable decision to eliminate Lara Fabian, unique and first international artist to try and get closer to the singing competition. An act that in addition to being capital punishment of the sense of Italian meritocracy, represents an indisputable outrage against the political strategies of approach of the foreigners to any competition locally. Lara Fabian, who the previous evening, while enhancing the cover assigned, had provoked the standing ovation of the crowd of the Ariston, artist of impeccable singing and professionalism, pays the price of the results of the dark balances to protect agreements of media groups in competition with each other. Not only does it become the symbol of the impotence, present in many Italian families, rather than to see the award-winning go to real value and genius, but it represents the supremacy of the stupidity of any policy seeking the approach of internationality to Italy. Despite the regularity which the Festival provides for the possibility of foreign artists to participate in the singing competition, nobody before Lara Fabian had dared to propose. The elimination of Lara justifies the skepticism, even now the conviction internationally that winning in Italy only balances management based on opportunism and underground interests agreed upon beforehand.
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Clearly Lara wanted to highlight this explanation, as a post of this nature on her FB site is highly unusual. It is a way of expressing her opinion, without having to say it herself. Lara has said in the past that she had not put out an album in Italy because the recording business there was terrible to deal with – but presumably she thought that it didn’t extend to the Sanremo Festival itself. According to this article – and to anyone who had ears to hear the various competitors – unfortunately, it seems to. Perhaps the only thing Lara can be blamed for is naiveté.
Lara then adopted the stance of someone ‘turning the other cheek’. She put the following statement on her FB page in French, English and Italian. It’s reproduced here for completeness:
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Dear All,
The dust fell off and this morning I woke up again in front of this beautiful landscape... this splendid country, among these wonderful people...
What happens in Sanremo stays in Sanremo ... and doesn’t apply to anything else.
When we take part in such events, we must accept the rules of a competition, and congratulate the winner respectfully remembering that public choice is the only that matters.
Well done il Volo, you are wonderful !
For me it doesn’t change anything, nor my background, or the love I feel for Italy, and even less the desire I have to comeback more than ever...To share my music, sing on stage and mix our passions...
I'm half Italian, this blood runs in my veins, colors my soul and my life. It hurts me to hear some comments... Comments that create amalgam and hasty categorizations...
We must separate things, nothing is fully black or white. NOWHERE on earth...
The world is running (slowly) towards new horizons... Best ones, I hope. And music is one of his great hopes...
We shall not let our bitterness and our beliefs dismiss our hopes. We shall not let someone's words and the "translation" we make out of it, reach our hearts already too disturbed...
I'm nothing but an artist. I have no other purpose than sharing and communicating through my art, my unbreakable hope in life, in us... here or elsewhere.
"Voce" was born in Italy, created by Italian, sung in Italian, by half an Italian...
I’m so proud of it...
In this country, millions of people are fighting every day to create better living conditions.
It is unfair to blame them for what they can not control, using a false pretense.
I think we should let these useless polemics with those who take advantage of that... and remember what we are, what links us and makes us one.
"Voce" is humbly a carrier of this belief...
"Voce per chi voce non ne ha, per dare un senso a questo tempo, io canto !!! "
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It was not only ‘conspiracies’ among the recording companies in Italy that hindered her, it was also the lack of her familiarity to the public – she finished near the bottom in the popular vote in addition to the expert vote – see the(almost final) results at:
eurofestivalnews.com/2015/02/15/sanremo-2015-televoto-e-demoscopica-premiano-il-volo/
As advertising companies have long known, familiarity translates into popularity (or notoriety). The News Update of two weeks ago concerning the Barclays Center concert was almost prescient in that regard – it noted that Lara was the best singer that night, but the fans all knew the other acts better, and had a long history with them. Had a poll been taken of the Russian-speaking audience that night, Lara might well have finished last there too. Since the Sanremo competition voting was split between the audience unfamiliar with her, and the possibly biased ‘experts’, Lara may have had little chance. Also working against her was the issue of age – the eventual winner ‘Il Volo’ appealed to a young audience that was highly motivated to vote (in contrast to what may have been perceived as a middle-aged 'interloper').
There was also the question of the song ‘Voce’ itself –fans were generally split on the quality of the song (although I find it grows on you). Lara liked it for its positive, anthem-like message, but the contrast with the more despairing emotions of ‘Sto male’ could not have been greater – and ‘Sto male’ seemed to touch and involve the audience much more. Many of the great works of art, in any medium, display a range of emotions and moods, just as one would not sing only a single note. It is said that the Sanremo competition is about the song, not the stars, and were this really true, that could be an explanation in its own right. But that is its own form of naiveté, for they are quite intermingled – how many ‘Grammys’ for best ‘Song of the Year’ have been won by ‘stars’ with sub-par titles? If it were really about the song, each title could have been assigned, a month in advance, to three different singers, so that on the three nights it was given three entirely different presentations (it makes little sense, as is done now, for the same song to be sung the same way by the same performer three different nights). In any event, given the other impediments to success for her in Sanremo, it is not clear whether any song would have worked – the article above seems to doubt it. And it is more than likely that Lara will never return to this festival with another song, so we’ll never know. As to whether she will take the time to ‘become an Italian’ with an actual presence there, Lara said in her statement that her experience has not dampened her enthusiasm for coming back; but then she always says she will come back (latest previous example – Turkey). We will see…One indication of her seriousness in pursuing the Italian public will be whether she starts putting messages on her FB site in Italian on a more regular basis.
The different versions of ‘Voce’ are available on the web, e.g.,
The live Sanremo version, included on the CDs "Super Sanremo 2015" and "Essential": www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRNEhpbKGmc
And the Warner Italy ‘Essential’ studio version:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDWOsC6q6X0
However, Lara’s real, stated goal was to re-introduce herself to the Italian audience as a singer of something other than ‘Adagio’, and certainly she did that. Not only was she in on the competition, which was seen by ~10 million viewers each night, she was interviewed on numerous TV shows displaying her ‘impeccable’ Italian, lively intelligence and winning personality. For example, on ‘La Vita in Diretta (2/13):
drive.google.com/file/d/0B6PiHUQhfyRtdkVObFl5bk16aXc/view?pli=1
on Radio Bruno
www.facebook.com/pages/LaraFabianWeb/246805652001644
on “The Flight’ (rtl-share.4me.it)
In all of these Lara basically describes her Italian heritage, and her happiness at being there.
There was a live special of the program ‘Domenica’ devoted to Sanremo, shown on channel Rai 1 (http://izlenimtv.com/rai-1.html on Sunday. Some nice pictures are available (thanks to Natalya Nefedova and LaraFabianweb FB page), at:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1572663459643060&set=pcb.1572664132976326
and the video itself (which Lara also put on her own FB site) at:
www.facebook.com/video.php?v=855364971171668&set=vb.201065806601591
Lara performed a live version of ‘Voce’ that met with rousing approval from the audience. [So we did get a third presentation of the song, after all!
]. The program itself made news (http://www.lanostratv.it/2015/02/domenica-in-speciale-sanremo-paola-perego-presenta-lara-fabian-facendo-una-gaffe/comment-page-1/#comment-159061) first when she was called “Laura’ rather than Lara; and then as Lara was being hurried off the stage without the usual questions to make room for the other live performers, Mortal Coil called her back. He wanted her to receive an audience commendation for “her bold and humble choice to participate in the Festival despite her foreign origin and successful international career". He stated that “she was a real star”. The audience responded even more enthusiastically, deeply touching her, especially after the competition’s results..
There was also an interview with station RTL 201.5 (http://vk.com/lf_cp?w=page-121236_50982224) for which 'The Lara Fabian Connecting People' site provided a transcription Here’s a translation:
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Moderator: All speakers at the Festival of San Remo in 2015 give interviews in our studio. Of course, today our guest is an international star, but in fact, Lara Fabian has an Italian heart, because on her mother's side she is from Sicily
Q: You've lived for some time in Italy?
Lara: Yes, of course, I was not only the first few years of my life in Italy, but then came here very often. My whole family lives here.
Q: How did the idea of participation in the festival come about?
Lara: Listen to me, this idea - something like adventures. Not only due to the fact that this - the connection with my family, but also a way to discover something for yourself: I have a huge number of years in different countries, go and sing. But in Italy - a lot less. I almost did not give concerts here. I have appeared on occasion: I am known for "Adagio", but otherwise virtually none. Therefore, it was proposed to participate in San Remo and get acquainted with the Italian public.
Q: Your family in Catania should be very happy
Lara laughs: Of course, you can not even imagine how all are excited in Sicily! (as this festival is associated with childhood, etc.). Moreover, the Festival of San Remo has always been for me a place where great music is born. So for me to perform at the festival - a real privilege.
Then there is a brief overview of who this Lara is, gives one of the most powerful voices comparison with Dion and so on. And about the success in the world.
Q: And suddenly you're so easily come to Italy, we did not expect.
Lara: Really? ..
Q: Honestly.
Lara: Look, I do not know ... When the working day is over, we are all the same, we are all - simplicity simply people, and myself included. Of course, sometimes it is hard to imagine when you're doing such "nice" things - traveling, CDs sold ... when you know around the world ... But for me, for example, coming here - it's like knocking on the door of your home and say, "Guys, hi !! I'm back! How are you?". So for me, it looks like this.
Q : You, of course, they will ask have you eaten ??
Lara: Oh, that's for sure! I swear to you, they all say to me: after the San Remo you will be terribly tired! Come, be with my mother, my aunt, the whole family ...
Moderator: Yeah, added: oh-oh, how thin something, and I bet not eat at all!
Next topic that everything is connected with the family. About the name say: Crokaert - Belgian, Belgian dad, and her mother - Fabiano Serio - Italian surname. Leads to talking about songs that she sings in the 90s.
Lara: Yes ... God how long! (Pretends to cry, because it is already so old)) Moderator: Yes, many years have passed)) (neigh)
Moderator: About the song: Which songs from your repertoire - is the personification of you the most? Tell us about them
Lara: It's a song «Pas sans toi», which I wrote when I was 21, I dedicated it to my listeners. And, of course, is a song «Je suis malade» (which I will perform today in Italian) In these two songs I feel like I'm completely in them. Then the passage of a new song "Voce". Voiceover: "This is the voice of ..."
Q: When you sing vocalize that we mere mortals simply can not afford, it is interesting what happens to a person at that point: it does not appear effort that you applied to sing something.
Lara: Work on the voice - it is work (after all, the voice - is a muscle), and I do it every day for 25 years, this is my job. Plus the work is just to face what was that hard to sing for you, some vocalize or passage. On the face should be written, that you did it easily.
Then talk about the difference between "sing" and "screaming."
Lara says that over the years one loses tessitura [tessitura is the most musically acceptable and comfortable range for a given singer], lightness in her voice, or more precisely - "freedom."
Lara : I like to study singing with the teacher, it's just fun now! And when he scolds me also ...
Host: Of course, only in order to learn something!
Q: You've been more and more cussing?
Lara: Well, of course!
Q: And teacher did not try to say "yes you even know that I'm such a $*#&"??
Lara: Yes the teacher knows something, he's helping me to become a $*#& .
Narrator: And he'll probably say, "and I swear to you why, because I know who you are!" .
Lead: Please, can you sing at least a couple of lines from "Sto male"? At least a little piece! Lara sings an excerpt from it: "I sang it softly now" - she added at the end. (
More about the plans for Italy (release "Best Of"). Everybody is excited, a leading listeners says: " Run quickly learn all Lara Fabian repertoire, and now we need to say exactly Lara that you – (in ITALIAN !!
Lara: Thank you so much, it was very very nice to meet you here. Everyone obnimashki." [Russian word for hugging and kissing].
----------------------------------------------------
The ending comments of this interview are exactly what Lara set out to accomplish. Before she was the ‘superstar’ whom nobody knew; now at least she has a footprint in the country. She may well feel she accomplished that goal, regardless of the contest outcome. On Lara’s FB site there were some 5,000-10,000 people who read her Sanremo messages, with hundreds responding, many of them in Italian, some saying they had never heard of her previously, but were very impressed with her singing. As might be expected, the vast majority of respondents felt that the ‘judging’ was a joke.
It is not clear whether her appearance will be sufficient to sell records, like the ‘Essential Lara Fabian’ disc that Warner Italy is releasing. It’s possible that some may view her as a ‘loser’, based on the competition results. But that could be overcome if Lara were to return to Italy, give concerts, involve herself in the local culture. Given the ending of the ‘Domenica’ program, it would appear that Lara could become a great attraction in Italy if she really does put her mind to it .
It may be small consolation, but Lara was actually the leading vote-getter of the performers in the ‘Campioni’ [Champion’] class, in a poll on Radio Italia. (http://www.radioitalia.it/sanremo2015/?cl=1) (which is now closed…).The vote was open to fans from around the world, definitely boosting her chances.
In addition to now better understanding Italian music industry politics, Lara may also have learned an even more important lesson – she needs to sing with greater emotion and intensity if she is to win over an audience. This is something she had first learned performing in bars in Brussels, but over the years she appears to have gradually forgotten it. The more successful performances of her last two nights have hopefully re-instilled that message. Perhaps it will even carry over to her North American tour…
There were many wonderful pictures of Lara from her three nights. The highlight was perhaps her outfit for ‘Sto Male’, e.g.,
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1087798067904254&set=pcb.934984493212330
with a darker outfit on Tuesday night:
www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/pcb.797932476927085/797932396927093/
and on Friday night:
www.facebook.com/246805652001644/photos/pcb.1023270761021792/1023270357688499/
Lara Fabian Mexico has a nice compendium of pictures from February 10th-14th, at:
www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.796211917099537.1073741895.556364357750962&type=1
Some of the fans thought Lara should not have entered the ‘competition’, that as an accomplished singer she didn’t need to put herself on the line that way (especially since she really didn’t know the hidden rules). And there is no doubt that her reputation has taken a hit. Various French press organizations have picked up the results. For example, an article in Metronews www.metronews.fr/culture/lara-fabian-recalee-en-italie-aux-portes-de-l-eurovision/mobp!jkNaW3xkUqz6Q/ saying that Lara was hoping to represent Italy in the Eurovision contest but finished last! Charts in France (http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Lara-Fabian/news-95890.html) indicated that Lara was hurt by the results, and was afraid it would affect her other projects (hence, “what happens in Sanremo stays in Sanremo”). An article in the Public had as its headline Lara’s being humiliated in Italy (http://www.public.fr/News/Photos/Photos-Lara-Fabian-humiliee-en-Italie-682106#xtor=CS1-36)). A news report on ‘Non stop people’ concerning Lara’s elimination can be found at: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbL8Vbanka4). So even if the results were not indicative of the quality of her singing, such reasoning easily gets lost.
In conclusion, it looked at first as if Lara’s poor finish in the competition would be the death-knell for any further ventures into Italy, but there seems to be a growing realization there that an injustice was done to someone who is in some sense one of their own. Lara may yet get the last laugh… Sometimes you have to start at the bottom.
The French press has also become aware that Lara is releasing a ‘best of’ for the Italian market, and have some comments on it. As usual, Julian Piraud has the most cogent comments introduced with the notion that Lara drowns in inconsistencies (http://www.ptitblog.net/Lara-Fabian/lara-fabian-une-tracklist-incoherente-pour-son-best-of-italien_art12005.html#form) (in translation):
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Lara Fabian: inconsistent tracklist for her Italian best-of
While she is currently involved in the Sanremo Festival in Italy, the singer Lara Fabian has announced that she will release a new best-of locally Feb. 24, composed of 17 songs, including "Voce" the title she defends on site, the Italian version of "Je suis malade" becomes "Sto Male" and a remix of "Voce" signed Cutugno.
Major weakness of this project: the composition of the cake! A tracklist so awkward ... given the lack of titles such as "Un Cuore Malato" she had recorded with local star Gigi D'Alessio or the Italian title "Perdere l'amore" which was present on her successful album Pure. Another "oddity" having opted for a live version of the famous "Adagio" in English, rather than the Italian version yet present on her first English album! Some albums of the singer are outright rejected from the tracklist ... not easy to understand the career path of the artist, which had however an opportunity to get a place in the Italian music scene ... not sure why she arrives with a majority of French titles, where Italian titles she already has would have been more obvious.
We must also admit that the duet "Un Cuore Malato" with the singer Gigi D'Alessio had the effect of wildfire. Despite a very effective song and a video viewed over 2 million times, the singer had not used her access to the local market to really break through and get her place, preferring to focus on the countries of the East. Some years ago Lara Fabian sang in duet with Laura Pausini the cult song "Solitudine" in Rome for a program on France 2, again not taking advantage of the opportunity given her to pursue projects with the star of that country. Yet it would be logical that Lara, Belgian-Sicilian by birth, provides a current project in the native language of her mother and tries to enter the market of which she perfectly masters the language.
It is rumored moreover that it is on the side of Turkey that the singer will soon release the third best-of, multiplying the projects that do not go after their goals. The new song "Make me yours tonight" a duet with Mustafa Ceceli currently running in Turkey is also present on the platter. At the local level the title is a nice route but we can not say that it is therefore become a hit. It's not for lack of local promotion and of her having been invited as a guest at the singer’s concerts.
The only consolation for fans of the first hour is having something unique in this best-of, with the presence of the title "Voce", presented at what is now known as the Festival of Sanremo these days. They will also have the pleasure - if the adaptation is successful - to discover a new version of the famous hit of Serge Lama "Je suis malade" in an Italian version renamed for the occasion "Sto Male". Also the presence of the title "Toccami", from the project Mademoiselle Zhivago she released in 2010 under the leadership of the Russian producer Igor Krutoy and in which she had compiled titles in English, French, Italian, Spanish and Russian. A film portraying the chronicle was even shot between Ukraine and Russia, and finally strongly censured by the singer, who disagreed with director Alan Badoev on editing images and the message conveyed. From this film remain only a few sequences to illustrate some of the songs of the project, in particular the sulphurous video for "Toccami", where Lara Fabian is revealed more sexy than ever, taking her body and her generous curves.
For France it will be necessary to wait until May to hear the new unreleased single from the singer. Information to be taken lightly though, for it is announced in the Italian media and not confirmed by the entourage of the singer. According to our latest information, Lara Fabian prepares an album that is close to her previous albums Nue released in 2001 and Pure released in 1996. Despite the 50,000 sales of her latest album Le Secret, she will have to do much better to win back the heart of French public and refill theaters ... her last tour having been completely canceled due to a health problem. The career of the singer, while respectable, has experienced many twists and turns. We wish for Lara that the best is yet to come!
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He could also have added ‘Caruso’ and ‘Lou’ as songs that could have been on the Italian 'Essentials' – maybe Lara is saving them along with the others mentioned for another Italian album. But one wouldn’t want to bet on it…
And speaking of inconsistencies: you may have noticed the response of the record company ‘Odacity’ to questions raised about the relationship between the Italian ‘best of’ and the Turkish ‘best of’. First, their comments in response to the last Update:
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Hello, The two releases are indeed unrelated. The tracklist is different then the release by Warner Music Italy; And the release by Odacity will have 2 CDs. Odacity is also not in any way involved in the choice, production, marketing and/or artistic work of the song "Voce", or in any form in the participation of Lara Fabian in the Festival of San Remo (Starpoint Corporation). Odacity is working currently with Lara Fabian only in Southeast Europe, Turkey, Middle East and Central Asia.
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Also a comment from Odacity (noted in a comment by Julie Clift McGraw):
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Following the many messages, we would like to clarify, that the album of Lara Fabian to be distributed by WARNER MUSIC ITALY in Italy is NOT the "Best of" album to be released by Odacity in March , although the same photography is apparently being used as cover. We have no information on the release date, or tracklist of that Italian release. For any questions regarding the Italian CD release, please contact directly Warner Music Italy and/or 9PROD. Any information on the release by Odacity will be announced on this page and on twitter.
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To use the same cover photography for two different albums, even though they are aimed at different markets, is confusing to say the least. Seems like it was a ‘target of opportunity' to get something quickly, probably by Warner Italy and Lara since the Odacity album has been in the works for many months. One wonders if there are any copyright issues involved here, although Lara’s company ‘9 Productions' is co-producing the album along with Warner. Eventually we’ll see what the tracklist is for the 2 CDs Odacity is releasing – given all these inconsistencies, wouldn’t it be humorous if it had more Italian tracks than the Italian release does?
The only unblemished winners from all these events – Lara’s participation at the Barclays Center, at Sanremo, and the two ‘best of’ albums – are the fans, who can enjoy these wonderful videos, some new songs, and new combinations of tracks.
In completely unrelated news, Lara did leave a Valentine’s Day wish to her fans, along with the accompanying photo:
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.622966977744803.1073741829.201065806601591/854167741291391/
And speaking of photos – the interesting picture(s) of the week:
From Lara Fabian – PHQ:
www.facebook.com/1547345518870231/photos/a.1547345838870199.1073741825.1547345518870231/1547345848870198/
and from Lara’s FB site, associated with this message to her Italian fans (in translation):
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.622966977744803.1073741829.201065806601591/853623934679105/
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Thanks to my Italian fans !!!
Thanks for this gift
And for your support ...
I love you
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A good note on which to end.
David
At the end of the last Update, Lara was getting ready for the first event. She posted some photos on her website of the last rehearsals, at:
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/pcb.852454598129372/852452351462930/?type=1&theater
Lara seemed relaxed and confident going in, and very happy to be there. Here first performance of the new song ‘Voce’ took place Tuesday night:
www.rai.tv/dl/RaiTV/programmi/media/ContentItem-a732c361-5206-41d3-a82b-7276147a367f.html
While Lara’s singing was o.k., if anything she seemed a bit too relaxed – like a ‘playoff team that was just happy to be in the playoffs, rather than focused on winning’. Out of 10 singers that night, Lara finished in tenth position, on the ‘bubble’ of being eventually eliminated.
Wednesday was an off-day for her. Thursday morning, presumably chastened by the voting results, Lara issued the following statement on her FB site (in translation):
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Love!!!!!
I having a ball here...
The incredible and warm welcome at the Ariston theatre last night turned me upside down..
But your messages have made me fly...
Thank you to my angels around the world for this fabulous support!!!!
Lov
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Thursday evening was the time for her cover of ‘Sto male’, the Italian version of ‘Je suis malade’. No longer so relaxed, Lara produced her most intense singing in quite some time, hitting all the notes and including a long, extended passionate ending. It brought the audience to a standing ovation:
video.repubblica.it/dossier/sanremo-2015/sanremo-lara-fabian-canta-sto-male/191873/190826
Note that this performance did not ‘count’ in the voting for the competition – only the appearances with ‘Voce’ were relevant.
Friday morning Lara left a video message (in French) on her FB site noting that she was going to sing ‘Voce’ for a second time, and was very thankful for the support of her fans – clearly she was nervous about it, and under such circumstances leans back for the support of her ‘Angels’. It was very touching.
Then Friday evening she performed a more passionate version of ‘Voce’:
video.repubblica.it/dossier/sanremo-2015/sanremo-lara-fabian-voce/192032/190994
Lara had to be happy that she had done her best, after a somewhat slow start. Nevertheless, she was eliminated – which meant that she was one of four singers out of the 20 who did not ‘survive’ to sing again on Saturday night in the competition final. Having heard many of the singers while waiting for Lara to appear (the previously announced schedule was not adhered to – where was Mussolini when he was needed!), it was inconceivable that a combination of audience, expert, and ‘associated experts’ felt Lara was not one of the top 80% of the performers at the Festival. In fact she finished next to last (https://www.facebook.com/246805652001644/photos/a.247913198557556.83420.246805652001644/1023898437625691/?type=1&theater). In some sense, that was better - had she finished in the ‘middle of the pack’, one might have concluded that Lara was somehow a mediocre singer. Her finishing so low exposed the contest as being unconnected to the quality of the singing.
Lara herself provided a link to one of the likely explanations, referencing an Italian article about the competition
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.215378125170359.50343.201065806601591/854229794618519/?type=1&theater
Here is the approximate translation:
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Goodbye foreigners to Sanremo
Questionable and highly despicable decision to eliminate Lara Fabian, unique and first international artist to try and get closer to the singing competition. An act that in addition to being capital punishment of the sense of Italian meritocracy, represents an indisputable outrage against the political strategies of approach of the foreigners to any competition locally. Lara Fabian, who the previous evening, while enhancing the cover assigned, had provoked the standing ovation of the crowd of the Ariston, artist of impeccable singing and professionalism, pays the price of the results of the dark balances to protect agreements of media groups in competition with each other. Not only does it become the symbol of the impotence, present in many Italian families, rather than to see the award-winning go to real value and genius, but it represents the supremacy of the stupidity of any policy seeking the approach of internationality to Italy. Despite the regularity which the Festival provides for the possibility of foreign artists to participate in the singing competition, nobody before Lara Fabian had dared to propose. The elimination of Lara justifies the skepticism, even now the conviction internationally that winning in Italy only balances management based on opportunism and underground interests agreed upon beforehand.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clearly Lara wanted to highlight this explanation, as a post of this nature on her FB site is highly unusual. It is a way of expressing her opinion, without having to say it herself. Lara has said in the past that she had not put out an album in Italy because the recording business there was terrible to deal with – but presumably she thought that it didn’t extend to the Sanremo Festival itself. According to this article – and to anyone who had ears to hear the various competitors – unfortunately, it seems to. Perhaps the only thing Lara can be blamed for is naiveté.
Lara then adopted the stance of someone ‘turning the other cheek’. She put the following statement on her FB page in French, English and Italian. It’s reproduced here for completeness:
--------------------------------------------------------------
Dear All,
The dust fell off and this morning I woke up again in front of this beautiful landscape... this splendid country, among these wonderful people...
What happens in Sanremo stays in Sanremo ... and doesn’t apply to anything else.
When we take part in such events, we must accept the rules of a competition, and congratulate the winner respectfully remembering that public choice is the only that matters.
Well done il Volo, you are wonderful !
For me it doesn’t change anything, nor my background, or the love I feel for Italy, and even less the desire I have to comeback more than ever...To share my music, sing on stage and mix our passions...
I'm half Italian, this blood runs in my veins, colors my soul and my life. It hurts me to hear some comments... Comments that create amalgam and hasty categorizations...
We must separate things, nothing is fully black or white. NOWHERE on earth...
The world is running (slowly) towards new horizons... Best ones, I hope. And music is one of his great hopes...
We shall not let our bitterness and our beliefs dismiss our hopes. We shall not let someone's words and the "translation" we make out of it, reach our hearts already too disturbed...
I'm nothing but an artist. I have no other purpose than sharing and communicating through my art, my unbreakable hope in life, in us... here or elsewhere.
"Voce" was born in Italy, created by Italian, sung in Italian, by half an Italian...
I’m so proud of it...
In this country, millions of people are fighting every day to create better living conditions.
It is unfair to blame them for what they can not control, using a false pretense.
I think we should let these useless polemics with those who take advantage of that... and remember what we are, what links us and makes us one.
"Voce" is humbly a carrier of this belief...
"Voce per chi voce non ne ha, per dare un senso a questo tempo, io canto !!! "
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It was not only ‘conspiracies’ among the recording companies in Italy that hindered her, it was also the lack of her familiarity to the public – she finished near the bottom in the popular vote in addition to the expert vote – see the(almost final) results at:
eurofestivalnews.com/2015/02/15/sanremo-2015-televoto-e-demoscopica-premiano-il-volo/
As advertising companies have long known, familiarity translates into popularity (or notoriety). The News Update of two weeks ago concerning the Barclays Center concert was almost prescient in that regard – it noted that Lara was the best singer that night, but the fans all knew the other acts better, and had a long history with them. Had a poll been taken of the Russian-speaking audience that night, Lara might well have finished last there too. Since the Sanremo competition voting was split between the audience unfamiliar with her, and the possibly biased ‘experts’, Lara may have had little chance. Also working against her was the issue of age – the eventual winner ‘Il Volo’ appealed to a young audience that was highly motivated to vote (in contrast to what may have been perceived as a middle-aged 'interloper').
There was also the question of the song ‘Voce’ itself –fans were generally split on the quality of the song (although I find it grows on you). Lara liked it for its positive, anthem-like message, but the contrast with the more despairing emotions of ‘Sto male’ could not have been greater – and ‘Sto male’ seemed to touch and involve the audience much more. Many of the great works of art, in any medium, display a range of emotions and moods, just as one would not sing only a single note. It is said that the Sanremo competition is about the song, not the stars, and were this really true, that could be an explanation in its own right. But that is its own form of naiveté, for they are quite intermingled – how many ‘Grammys’ for best ‘Song of the Year’ have been won by ‘stars’ with sub-par titles? If it were really about the song, each title could have been assigned, a month in advance, to three different singers, so that on the three nights it was given three entirely different presentations (it makes little sense, as is done now, for the same song to be sung the same way by the same performer three different nights). In any event, given the other impediments to success for her in Sanremo, it is not clear whether any song would have worked – the article above seems to doubt it. And it is more than likely that Lara will never return to this festival with another song, so we’ll never know. As to whether she will take the time to ‘become an Italian’ with an actual presence there, Lara said in her statement that her experience has not dampened her enthusiasm for coming back; but then she always says she will come back (latest previous example – Turkey). We will see…One indication of her seriousness in pursuing the Italian public will be whether she starts putting messages on her FB site in Italian on a more regular basis.
The different versions of ‘Voce’ are available on the web, e.g.,
The live Sanremo version, included on the CDs "Super Sanremo 2015" and "Essential": www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRNEhpbKGmc
And the Warner Italy ‘Essential’ studio version:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDWOsC6q6X0
However, Lara’s real, stated goal was to re-introduce herself to the Italian audience as a singer of something other than ‘Adagio’, and certainly she did that. Not only was she in on the competition, which was seen by ~10 million viewers each night, she was interviewed on numerous TV shows displaying her ‘impeccable’ Italian, lively intelligence and winning personality. For example, on ‘La Vita in Diretta (2/13):
drive.google.com/file/d/0B6PiHUQhfyRtdkVObFl5bk16aXc/view?pli=1
on Radio Bruno
www.facebook.com/pages/LaraFabianWeb/246805652001644
on “The Flight’ (rtl-share.4me.it)
In all of these Lara basically describes her Italian heritage, and her happiness at being there.
There was a live special of the program ‘Domenica’ devoted to Sanremo, shown on channel Rai 1 (http://izlenimtv.com/rai-1.html on Sunday. Some nice pictures are available (thanks to Natalya Nefedova and LaraFabianweb FB page), at:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1572663459643060&set=pcb.1572664132976326
and the video itself (which Lara also put on her own FB site) at:
www.facebook.com/video.php?v=855364971171668&set=vb.201065806601591
Lara performed a live version of ‘Voce’ that met with rousing approval from the audience. [So we did get a third presentation of the song, after all!
]. The program itself made news (http://www.lanostratv.it/2015/02/domenica-in-speciale-sanremo-paola-perego-presenta-lara-fabian-facendo-una-gaffe/comment-page-1/#comment-159061) first when she was called “Laura’ rather than Lara; and then as Lara was being hurried off the stage without the usual questions to make room for the other live performers, Mortal Coil called her back. He wanted her to receive an audience commendation for “her bold and humble choice to participate in the Festival despite her foreign origin and successful international career". He stated that “she was a real star”. The audience responded even more enthusiastically, deeply touching her, especially after the competition’s results.. There was also an interview with station RTL 201.5 (http://vk.com/lf_cp?w=page-121236_50982224) for which 'The Lara Fabian Connecting People' site provided a transcription Here’s a translation:
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Moderator: All speakers at the Festival of San Remo in 2015 give interviews in our studio. Of course, today our guest is an international star, but in fact, Lara Fabian has an Italian heart, because on her mother's side she is from Sicily
Q: You've lived for some time in Italy?
Lara: Yes, of course, I was not only the first few years of my life in Italy, but then came here very often. My whole family lives here.
Q: How did the idea of participation in the festival come about?
Lara: Listen to me, this idea - something like adventures. Not only due to the fact that this - the connection with my family, but also a way to discover something for yourself: I have a huge number of years in different countries, go and sing. But in Italy - a lot less. I almost did not give concerts here. I have appeared on occasion: I am known for "Adagio", but otherwise virtually none. Therefore, it was proposed to participate in San Remo and get acquainted with the Italian public.
Q: Your family in Catania should be very happy
Lara laughs: Of course, you can not even imagine how all are excited in Sicily! (as this festival is associated with childhood, etc.). Moreover, the Festival of San Remo has always been for me a place where great music is born. So for me to perform at the festival - a real privilege.
Then there is a brief overview of who this Lara is, gives one of the most powerful voices comparison with Dion and so on. And about the success in the world.
Q: And suddenly you're so easily come to Italy, we did not expect.
Lara: Really? ..
Q: Honestly.
Lara: Look, I do not know ... When the working day is over, we are all the same, we are all - simplicity simply people, and myself included. Of course, sometimes it is hard to imagine when you're doing such "nice" things - traveling, CDs sold ... when you know around the world ... But for me, for example, coming here - it's like knocking on the door of your home and say, "Guys, hi !! I'm back! How are you?". So for me, it looks like this.
Q : You, of course, they will ask have you eaten ??
Lara: Oh, that's for sure! I swear to you, they all say to me: after the San Remo you will be terribly tired! Come, be with my mother, my aunt, the whole family ...
Moderator: Yeah, added: oh-oh, how thin something, and I bet not eat at all!
Next topic that everything is connected with the family. About the name say: Crokaert - Belgian, Belgian dad, and her mother - Fabiano Serio - Italian surname. Leads to talking about songs that she sings in the 90s.
Lara: Yes ... God how long! (Pretends to cry, because it is already so old)) Moderator: Yes, many years have passed)) (neigh)
Moderator: About the song: Which songs from your repertoire - is the personification of you the most? Tell us about them
Lara: It's a song «Pas sans toi», which I wrote when I was 21, I dedicated it to my listeners. And, of course, is a song «Je suis malade» (which I will perform today in Italian) In these two songs I feel like I'm completely in them. Then the passage of a new song "Voce". Voiceover: "This is the voice of ..."
Q: When you sing vocalize that we mere mortals simply can not afford, it is interesting what happens to a person at that point: it does not appear effort that you applied to sing something.
Lara: Work on the voice - it is work (after all, the voice - is a muscle), and I do it every day for 25 years, this is my job. Plus the work is just to face what was that hard to sing for you, some vocalize or passage. On the face should be written, that you did it easily.
Then talk about the difference between "sing" and "screaming."
Lara says that over the years one loses tessitura [tessitura is the most musically acceptable and comfortable range for a given singer], lightness in her voice, or more precisely - "freedom."
Lara : I like to study singing with the teacher, it's just fun now! And when he scolds me also ...
Host: Of course, only in order to learn something!
Q: You've been more and more cussing?
Lara: Well, of course!
Q: And teacher did not try to say "yes you even know that I'm such a $*#&"??
Lara: Yes the teacher knows something, he's helping me to become a $*#&
. Narrator: And he'll probably say, "and I swear to you why, because I know who you are!"
. Lead: Please, can you sing at least a couple of lines from "Sto male"? At least a little piece! Lara sings an excerpt from it: "I sang it softly now" - she added at the end. (
More about the plans for Italy (release "Best Of"). Everybody is excited, a leading listeners says: " Run quickly learn all Lara Fabian repertoire, and now we need to say exactly Lara that you – (in ITALIAN !!
Lara: Thank you so much, it was very very nice to meet you here. Everyone obnimashki." [Russian word for hugging and kissing].
----------------------------------------------------
The ending comments of this interview are exactly what Lara set out to accomplish. Before she was the ‘superstar’ whom nobody knew; now at least she has a footprint in the country. She may well feel she accomplished that goal, regardless of the contest outcome. On Lara’s FB site there were some 5,000-10,000 people who read her Sanremo messages, with hundreds responding, many of them in Italian, some saying they had never heard of her previously, but were very impressed with her singing. As might be expected, the vast majority of respondents felt that the ‘judging’ was a joke.
It is not clear whether her appearance will be sufficient to sell records, like the ‘Essential Lara Fabian’ disc that Warner Italy is releasing. It’s possible that some may view her as a ‘loser’, based on the competition results. But that could be overcome if Lara were to return to Italy, give concerts, involve herself in the local culture. Given the ending of the ‘Domenica’ program, it would appear that Lara could become a great attraction in Italy if she really does put her mind to it .
It may be small consolation, but Lara was actually the leading vote-getter of the performers in the ‘Campioni’ [Champion’] class, in a poll on Radio Italia. (http://www.radioitalia.it/sanremo2015/?cl=1) (which is now closed…).The vote was open to fans from around the world, definitely boosting her chances.
In addition to now better understanding Italian music industry politics, Lara may also have learned an even more important lesson – she needs to sing with greater emotion and intensity if she is to win over an audience. This is something she had first learned performing in bars in Brussels, but over the years she appears to have gradually forgotten it. The more successful performances of her last two nights have hopefully re-instilled that message. Perhaps it will even carry over to her North American tour…
There were many wonderful pictures of Lara from her three nights. The highlight was perhaps her outfit for ‘Sto Male’, e.g.,
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1087798067904254&set=pcb.934984493212330
with a darker outfit on Tuesday night:
www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/pcb.797932476927085/797932396927093/
and on Friday night:
www.facebook.com/246805652001644/photos/pcb.1023270761021792/1023270357688499/
Lara Fabian Mexico has a nice compendium of pictures from February 10th-14th, at:
www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.796211917099537.1073741895.556364357750962&type=1
Some of the fans thought Lara should not have entered the ‘competition’, that as an accomplished singer she didn’t need to put herself on the line that way (especially since she really didn’t know the hidden rules). And there is no doubt that her reputation has taken a hit. Various French press organizations have picked up the results. For example, an article in Metronews www.metronews.fr/culture/lara-fabian-recalee-en-italie-aux-portes-de-l-eurovision/mobp!jkNaW3xkUqz6Q/ saying that Lara was hoping to represent Italy in the Eurovision contest but finished last! Charts in France (http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Lara-Fabian/news-95890.html) indicated that Lara was hurt by the results, and was afraid it would affect her other projects (hence, “what happens in Sanremo stays in Sanremo”). An article in the Public had as its headline Lara’s being humiliated in Italy (http://www.public.fr/News/Photos/Photos-Lara-Fabian-humiliee-en-Italie-682106#xtor=CS1-36)). A news report on ‘Non stop people’ concerning Lara’s elimination can be found at: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbL8Vbanka4). So even if the results were not indicative of the quality of her singing, such reasoning easily gets lost.
In conclusion, it looked at first as if Lara’s poor finish in the competition would be the death-knell for any further ventures into Italy, but there seems to be a growing realization there that an injustice was done to someone who is in some sense one of their own. Lara may yet get the last laugh… Sometimes you have to start at the bottom.
The French press has also become aware that Lara is releasing a ‘best of’ for the Italian market, and have some comments on it. As usual, Julian Piraud has the most cogent comments introduced with the notion that Lara drowns in inconsistencies (http://www.ptitblog.net/Lara-Fabian/lara-fabian-une-tracklist-incoherente-pour-son-best-of-italien_art12005.html#form) (in translation):
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Lara Fabian: inconsistent tracklist for her Italian best-of
While she is currently involved in the Sanremo Festival in Italy, the singer Lara Fabian has announced that she will release a new best-of locally Feb. 24, composed of 17 songs, including "Voce" the title she defends on site, the Italian version of "Je suis malade" becomes "Sto Male" and a remix of "Voce" signed Cutugno.
Major weakness of this project: the composition of the cake! A tracklist so awkward ... given the lack of titles such as "Un Cuore Malato" she had recorded with local star Gigi D'Alessio or the Italian title "Perdere l'amore" which was present on her successful album Pure. Another "oddity" having opted for a live version of the famous "Adagio" in English, rather than the Italian version yet present on her first English album! Some albums of the singer are outright rejected from the tracklist ... not easy to understand the career path of the artist, which had however an opportunity to get a place in the Italian music scene ... not sure why she arrives with a majority of French titles, where Italian titles she already has would have been more obvious.
We must also admit that the duet "Un Cuore Malato" with the singer Gigi D'Alessio had the effect of wildfire. Despite a very effective song and a video viewed over 2 million times, the singer had not used her access to the local market to really break through and get her place, preferring to focus on the countries of the East. Some years ago Lara Fabian sang in duet with Laura Pausini the cult song "Solitudine" in Rome for a program on France 2, again not taking advantage of the opportunity given her to pursue projects with the star of that country. Yet it would be logical that Lara, Belgian-Sicilian by birth, provides a current project in the native language of her mother and tries to enter the market of which she perfectly masters the language.
It is rumored moreover that it is on the side of Turkey that the singer will soon release the third best-of, multiplying the projects that do not go after their goals. The new song "Make me yours tonight" a duet with Mustafa Ceceli currently running in Turkey is also present on the platter. At the local level the title is a nice route but we can not say that it is therefore become a hit. It's not for lack of local promotion and of her having been invited as a guest at the singer’s concerts.
The only consolation for fans of the first hour is having something unique in this best-of, with the presence of the title "Voce", presented at what is now known as the Festival of Sanremo these days. They will also have the pleasure - if the adaptation is successful - to discover a new version of the famous hit of Serge Lama "Je suis malade" in an Italian version renamed for the occasion "Sto Male". Also the presence of the title "Toccami", from the project Mademoiselle Zhivago she released in 2010 under the leadership of the Russian producer Igor Krutoy and in which she had compiled titles in English, French, Italian, Spanish and Russian. A film portraying the chronicle was even shot between Ukraine and Russia, and finally strongly censured by the singer, who disagreed with director Alan Badoev on editing images and the message conveyed. From this film remain only a few sequences to illustrate some of the songs of the project, in particular the sulphurous video for "Toccami", where Lara Fabian is revealed more sexy than ever, taking her body and her generous curves.
For France it will be necessary to wait until May to hear the new unreleased single from the singer. Information to be taken lightly though, for it is announced in the Italian media and not confirmed by the entourage of the singer. According to our latest information, Lara Fabian prepares an album that is close to her previous albums Nue released in 2001 and Pure released in 1996. Despite the 50,000 sales of her latest album Le Secret, she will have to do much better to win back the heart of French public and refill theaters ... her last tour having been completely canceled due to a health problem. The career of the singer, while respectable, has experienced many twists and turns. We wish for Lara that the best is yet to come!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
He could also have added ‘Caruso’ and ‘Lou’ as songs that could have been on the Italian 'Essentials' – maybe Lara is saving them along with the others mentioned for another Italian album. But one wouldn’t want to bet on it…
And speaking of inconsistencies: you may have noticed the response of the record company ‘Odacity’ to questions raised about the relationship between the Italian ‘best of’ and the Turkish ‘best of’. First, their comments in response to the last Update:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello, The two releases are indeed unrelated. The tracklist is different then the release by Warner Music Italy; And the release by Odacity will have 2 CDs. Odacity is also not in any way involved in the choice, production, marketing and/or artistic work of the song "Voce", or in any form in the participation of Lara Fabian in the Festival of San Remo (Starpoint Corporation). Odacity is working currently with Lara Fabian only in Southeast Europe, Turkey, Middle East and Central Asia.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also a comment from Odacity (noted in a comment by Julie Clift McGraw):
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following the many messages, we would like to clarify, that the album of Lara Fabian to be distributed by WARNER MUSIC ITALY in Italy is NOT the "Best of" album to be released by Odacity in March , although the same photography is apparently being used as cover. We have no information on the release date, or tracklist of that Italian release. For any questions regarding the Italian CD release, please contact directly Warner Music Italy and/or 9PROD. Any information on the release by Odacity will be announced on this page and on twitter.
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To use the same cover photography for two different albums, even though they are aimed at different markets, is confusing to say the least. Seems like it was a ‘target of opportunity' to get something quickly, probably by Warner Italy and Lara since the Odacity album has been in the works for many months. One wonders if there are any copyright issues involved here, although Lara’s company ‘9 Productions' is co-producing the album along with Warner. Eventually we’ll see what the tracklist is for the 2 CDs Odacity is releasing – given all these inconsistencies, wouldn’t it be humorous if it had more Italian tracks than the Italian release does?
The only unblemished winners from all these events – Lara’s participation at the Barclays Center, at Sanremo, and the two ‘best of’ albums – are the fans, who can enjoy these wonderful videos, some new songs, and new combinations of tracks.
In completely unrelated news, Lara did leave a Valentine’s Day wish to her fans, along with the accompanying photo:
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.622966977744803.1073741829.201065806601591/854167741291391/
And speaking of photos – the interesting picture(s) of the week:
From Lara Fabian – PHQ:
www.facebook.com/1547345518870231/photos/a.1547345838870199.1073741825.1547345518870231/1547345848870198/
and from Lara’s FB site, associated with this message to her Italian fans (in translation):
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.622966977744803.1073741829.201065806601591/853623934679105/
---------------------------------
Thanks to my Italian fans !!!
Thanks for this gift
And for your support ...
I love you
---------------------------------
A good note on which to end.
David
