Post by davidhr on Feb 13, 2018 8:53:16 GMT -5
Before getting into the main news: for those who can access TV in the U.S., Lara posted pictures of her “Recording for the 'Home & Family' show on Hallmark Channel”, while she was in L.A. The pictures can be seen at:
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/pcb.1922602754447879/1922601421114679/?type=3&theater
‘Pam’ reported that will air this morning, at 10 AM EST (9 AM Central time). The program schedule lists, “"Happy the dog from Hallmark Channel's "2018 American Rescue Dog Show"; singer Lara Fabian performs; TV personality Joanna Krupa talks about her work with Farm Sanctuary, America's leading farm animal protection organization.” This News Update is being posted early enough, hopefully, to give you a chance to tune in.
Now onto the main news: there were two dominant stories this past week , indicative of the dual nature of Lara’s career – the completion of her tour in the United States, and the beginning broadcast of the TV show “La Voix” in Quebec. We’ll start with the tour, which has greater geographic extent.
We’ll go through the individual venues, starting with material that became available for the first show:
(1) Miami (2/2/18).
There were a few additional videos (to those posted in last week’s Update); again the emphasis is on the complete, or more nearly so, versions:
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QsKEDV2-hw
Je suis malade: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zevWKfVrzpk
Almost complete show: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW_vlnIMmGM
(missing, e.g., Requiem pour un fou)
Obviously, this last is a wonderful gift.
An article discussing this show came from, curiously enough, Sao Paulo
(http://www.acessocultural.com/2018/02/lara-fabian-estreia-nova-turne-nos-eua.html); here it eh (google) translation:
---------------------------------------------
Lara Fabian debuts new US tour
By Cristian César
After her last album "Ma Vie Dans La Tienne", Lara Fabian returns to the stages betting on her new project: Camouflage. About a year after the closing of her last tour, Lara Fabian returned to the stage in style, repaginating old hits and consecrating new ones.
The first show of the new tour happened on February 2 and the singer made a point of betting on a new image for herself. The album Camouflage mixes a lot of pop with the lyrical bringing with it arrangements that make us feel at home and at the same time in a ballad of the 80s. On the same day of her return, a partnership with DJ Tomer G was launched, a remix of "Chameleon" one of the heaviest tracks on her CD.
For those who thought the show would sum up Lara's voice, they were wrong. The Belgian-Canadian gave a show and proved that her voice is still intact and very jovial. The presentation began with "Chameleon" and ended with "I Will Love Again", one of her greatest hits worldwide.
The setting was very different from what had already been done, Lara played hard on more current lighting and a flawless stage with sensational acoustics. It is noteworthy how the presentation was made, since after years the singer decided to bring backing vocals back and also brought excellent musicians to give more colors to her new show.
The songs "Choose What You Love Most" and "Je Suis Malade" were the most surprising because the singer could not help herself and she let go of her voice, making the audience sigh with admiration. To the astonishment of many, the greatest success of the singer's career "Je t'aime" received a new version, turning it into a slight new bossa.
The wardrobe was impeccable, it really brought a new image of the soprano who has one of the most beautiful voices in the world, wearing a long dress in the slower songs and ending with a gala dress, black and shiny. Friday night was certainly a lot of surprises for fans and admirers who accompany her.
The singer now dedicates herself to this new work that bears the name of "Camouflage Word Tour". More shows will be added in its new phase. Get ready, Lara Fabian is coming back with everything!
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The appearance of this article may suggest that a concert by Lara in Brazil could occur on this tour.
And while in Miami, Lara played a little game called “Six in the City” in which she answered six questions (in French). It can be found at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RGXGsEBU00
She was given different choices of two items: she preferred: (1) the Statue of Liberty to Manneken Pis, which is a landmark small bronze sculpture (61 cm) in Brussels, depicting a naked little boy urinating into a fountain's basin; (2) Canada to the U.S., for it matches better who she is; (3) both Johnny Hallyday and Elvis Presley, Johnny for the joint experience they had together, Elvis for what he did that her father transmitted to her; (4) both songs in English and in French (and in other languages); (5) cafe terraces to rooftops, she can watch the people pass and imagine their lives; (6) French kiss or French fries: it depends on the moment, probably French kiss but not after French fries!
(2) New York: This was officially a sold-out show, as had been the Carnegie Hall show in 12/14, due in significant part to the same reason, the Russian audience available in that city.
Videos:
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYQyc_dv0VA
www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0HmCF8Dtv0
Je suis malade: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u3om_jekDk
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhCgGNWT1pM
Je t’aime: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e9_YEj4tZI
Pas sans toi: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pCu0AM4dSk
Perfect: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHidjTN5UGs
Requiem pour un fou: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS1kmjVcV-c
Appropriately enough, a Russian report on the concert (with Lara responding in English) can be seen at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l11nF57Su8
A published report on the concert can be seen at: (https://patch.com/new-york/new-york-city/opinion-lara-fabian-conquers-new-york-beacon-theater). Here’s what it said:
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Opinion: Lara Fabian Conquers New York At Beacon Theater.
Lara Fabian had a very successful launching of her new tour, standing ovations along with shouts of I love you defined the night.
Two years after playing her first New York concert ever, Lara Fabian, the Belgian/Canadian singer returned to New York City. Playing to an adoring packed international crowd, Lara Fabian blew away her audience and received numerous standing ovations. Unlike her very successful sold out show at Carnegie Hall two years ago the multi-lingo Lara Fabian sang most of her songs in English performing her whole new album (just released late last year 2017), CAMOUFLAGE, along with her other favorites.
The new songs were greeted with appreciation but it was greatest when she turned to her international standards such as her "Je t'aime," the song she wrote and sang that put her on the map 21 years ago. Her rendition of her original composition, Broken Vow, was so powerful the audience erupted into respectful standing applause three times during the song. Something you just don't see much these days. She also sang her American Hit "I Will Love Again," and finished the show with an emotional English version of her "Adagio."
The best way to explain Lara Fabian to someone who has never heard her is she is the best of Adele, Celine Dion, and Barbara Streisand all in one woman. Her fans are so loyal and so dedicated she is music royalty in Europe. For whatever reason Ms. Fabian has never toured the U.S. until deciding to do it in 2018. Her "Camouflage" Album is her first all new material English album ever, although years back she did release, Lara Fabian Every Woman in Me (2009), with covers of great women singers hits. However Camouflage is a step in a new direction for Lara Fabian. In my opinion there is not one weak song on this new album.
Lara Fabian's ability to connect to her audience is part of her good given talent. During a Lara Fabian performance of any song you will see grown men tearing up and woman crying. Somehow Fabian reaches into hearts and touches souls of her audience intimately and majestically It is worthwhile to check her out on YouTube or iTunes etc. Seeing her sing is a special event.
After the show ended the audience at the Beacon Theater cheered a full 15 minutes after Ms. Fabian played the encore. She came back out and reached into the stands to touch as many people as possible and said thank you many times. She is someone special, please checkout her talent if you haven't already.
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An adulatory article, even though there are a few mistakes concerning her past English album experience.
And then an article from Canada (http://plus.lapresse.ca/screens/21d2e85d-2e09-4459-8eac-ea8f029880ab__7C___0.html), translated below:
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LA PRESS IN NEW YORK
THE UNITED NATIONS OF LARA FABIAN
Without any media promotion, Lara Fabian was sold out at the Beacon Theater in New York early last week. La Presse had behind-the-scenes access to the legendary theater on the Upper West Side, where the most Quebecois of Belgian singers began her new world tour.
DAPHNÉ CAMERON
17 h
Sound test
Lara Fabian enters the Beacon Theater. From the console, installed in the center of the floor of the beautiful Art Deco room, a technician shouts instructions to the musicians ... in Swedish. Made famous by the Quebec public thanks to her French ballads, Lara Fabian turned to Mecca of pop music - Sweden - to recruit her new musical producer. And that's fine.
The first notes of the dress rehearsal reveal a more current electro-pop sound - that of her fourth opus in English, Camouflage, released last October. No guitars on stage, but rather three keyboards, a drum and percussion.
"I always jokingly say,"We do not put on bell bottoms anymore, so we should not play music from the '70s or' 90s", the 48-year-old will later explain in an interview.
"I belong to a category of singers who are from the 90s with a specific style: broad-spectrum songs, impressive notes. It's not really that today. We can still go stick two, three against the grain on an album on the whole, but it is no longer mandatory to be in the demonstration, the "showcase". It's fun to evolve with our times."
As the sound test draws to a close, technicians experiment with a smoke machine. Lara Fabian is afraid of damaging her voice. After a long debate, the singer concludes: "No smoke, people will go to see Beyoncé for that!"
18 h
Meeting of the musicians
With its pipes exposed, the basement of the Beacon Theater is nothing like the opulent gilded auditorium located one floor above. Before the performance, the musicians - all of Swedish origin - break the crust while talking about the last settings. By his own admission, the band's leader, Andreas Unge, had never heard of Lara Fabian before being recruited to collaborate with her. He was immediately impressed by her vocal abilities.
"Today, 95% of pop artists performing a show sing along with a prerecorded vocal tape. It's very, very rare to hear someone being able to sing everything live", he emphasizes.
The chorister Nils Tull makes the same observation. "I was knocked down when I heard her for the first time in rehearsal. We were just thinking, "How lucky we are to be here. How many voices like this are on the planet?"
20:15
Beginning of the show
"Good evening, good evening, boa noite, dobrý večer, buona sera, buenas tardes. "
Lara Fabian arrives on stage greeting the public in several languages. The 2600-seat theater is full. There are spectators of several nationalities in the room: "The United Nations", sums up the singer about her audience.
French, Quebeckers, Swiss, Brazilians, Americans, Ukrainians, but most of all - and maybe even a majority - Russians, whose diaspora is important in the Big Apple.
The singer is very popular in the Kremlin since the launch, in 2010, of the album Mademoiselle Zhivago, co-written with a Russian star, Igor Krutoy.
In the United States, the singer has conquered many fans in the LGBTQ community since the release of her hit I Will Love Again, which reached the top position in Billboard's dance charts 18 years ago.
"It's been 15 years since I did concerts like that which have not necessarily been the subject of big marketing and it's full. I think there is a link that goes beyond a hit," she observes after the performance.
Lara Fabian launches her show by presenting her new songs. "English, I know it's not always very well seen, but it's still a passport that allows one to communicate with many different nationalities," said the one who will produce in Quebec in the fall.
Her greatest hits in French will still earn her ovations - the greatest will come after the famous song Je t'aime.
22:30
Meeting with fans
In front of the door of the tiny box on the fifth floor of the theater, spectators with VIP tickets line up.
Rimma Krutashinskaia, who lives in Siberia, took nine hours of train and then nine hours of flight to meet her idol. "My dream, my dream to see you," said the young woman in broken English, with tears in her eyes.
Julie Durocher of Montreal brought flowers and a card to the singer. "I've been with her since she started, I wanted to see her because she has been with me all my life. "
Meanwhile, outside the theater, a handful of admirers shout, singing "Je t’aiaaaaiiiimmmmeeee", so loudly that Lara Fabian hears them from her dressing room.
This surge of love touches the singer, who re-emigrated to Montreal last October and is a coach in the television contest "La Voix" this season.
I am always amazed, I look at them, I say to myself: "It's incredible." I have a lot of gratitude because it is the durability of my career. That's what I've been doing for 30 years."
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One implication in this article is that Lara might be doing a concert in Quebec this coming fall.
Lara posted the following pictures of her New York experience,
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/pcb.1915598928481595/1915597791815042/?type=3&theater
with the caption, “An unforgettable evening .. I love New York.
Tonight, first concert in Washington D.C. (Warner Theatre)
And on Instagram she posted some more pictures,
with the caption, “Such a wonderful evening.. thank you New York!”
(3) Washington:Then onto a decidedly less than full house, though one estimate had it up to 70%. That was dealt with (here and apparently elsewhere) by allowing people from the balcony to move down to the main floor.
Here are the videos available so far; (Some – but not all - of these alternate choices for the various songs are the same video; not sure why they were put on twice, but in case one goes away…) :
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1wmDN0Pkzw
Broken Vow: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2xcSC26i6w
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwGklIGeD50
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6Wy8CGSNtg
Camouflage: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH6zHq7cWXg
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWZNQdDj-JU
Choose What You Love Most: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLMNrUt09Cg
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a95JJ-Zujrc
Communify/I Will love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=owKZ59NWgNU
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRQOrtFwnF8
Growing Wings: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YB3zh8lLwo
I’m Breakable: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljaYIwmtd-0
If I Let You Love Me: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBW1GtvU7o0
Je t’aime: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQZZEEKDdYE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTu-YepD8c0
Je suis malade: www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7Z8H9bVYqc
Keep the Animals Away: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW-nK3fLKBU
Painting in the Rain: www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9YpGKUbfLo
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxuJAhfo_EU
Pas sans toi: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5P1LHlwJmE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0HthTRpRVk
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC0Nzoz5LuI
We Are the Flyers: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNajp53aEVc
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFFCIPzOdz0
(4) Chicago: Lara started her adventure there with a typical winter experience, as she posted this picture:
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.622966977744803.1073741829.201065806601591/1918214994886655/?type=3&theater
along with the caption, “Brrrrr! Snow in the Windy City.. let’s warm things up in Chicago this evening at the Copernicus Center..” One report then had the show at 90% full.
The following videos are available:
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=csEiTgkEeMM
I Will Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO7JSg6yB5I
Je t’aime: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKEPsoL6amA
Multiple songs: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUO_TiG-o94
Multiple songs: www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-dz2Rc6wbM
Pictures:
chicagoconcertreviews.com/2018/02/09/lara-fabian-photos/
An article about the show appeared in the Gay Lesbian Bi Trans News Archive – Windy City Times
www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/NUNN-ON-ONE-MUSIC-Lara-Fabian-on-I-Will-Love-Againvisiting-Chicago/61825.html, copied below:
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NUNN ON ONE MUSIC Lara Fabian on 'I Will Love Again’, visiting Chicago
Canadian-Belgian singer Lara Fabian continues to astound the masses with her incredible three-octave range.
She began her career in singing competitions eventually coming in fourth place to winner Celine Dion in the 33rd Eurovision Song Contest. Her popularity quickly grew after that in the '90s, with Carpe Diem being her breakthrough album. Awards followed along with each musical endeavor and early on she released an anti-homophobia anthem called "La Difference" to show her stance on gay rights.
Her self-titled English album launched the 2000 dance hit "I Will Love Again" crossing over in the charts and various countries.
The latest record, Camouflage, is produced with a Swedish-American team and has her touring the United States.
Windy City Times: Hi, Lara. I'm so excited to see you in concert finally. When was the last time you have toured to Chicago?
Lara Fabian: I am very excited to come to Chicago. This will be my first show ever in Chicago. I have toured in the USA many times but, for some reasons, we never managed to come to Chicago, which I always found odd.
My last concerts in the USA were in 2015 when I did an acoustic show. This current tour is very different, as it is based on the new pop album, as well as rearranged new versions of my songs from all my previous albums. We have a large band, and great visuals, so this is going to be a fun show.
WCT: How many languages do you speak and how many languages have you sung in?
LF: I am fluent in English, French, Italian and Spanish. I also speak and understand some Dutch. Being Belgian-Canadian, with a Flemish father, an American grandfather and a Sicilian mother helps. As I have now been touring and singing across the world for more than two decades, I've had the chance to sing in many other languages, from Russian to Hebrew, from Greek to Portuguese. A duet I did with a Chinese artist in Mandarin was the toughest for me. And the lady who was assigned to me as my translator told me I was: "Good singer, but bad-Mandarin." When I write songs, I write in English and French.
WCT: Have you ever met Barbra Streisand, being such a fan of hers?
LF: Oh, yes—Barbra Streisand is, for me, a living monument who should be put under the protection of UNESCO as world cultural heritage! And I've had the chance to meet her a couple of times. I might have sold more than 20 million records in my career, but shaking hands with Barbra is an experience I will never forget. Actually, I've not only met Barbra: one day, I received a call at my house in Belgium. And a woman on the line said "Hello, May I speak with Lara? This is Barbra Streisand." Thinking that it was a hoax, I hung up. She called back, and it was actually really Barbara!
She was calling to talk about covering a song I wrote called "Broken Vow." How amazing was that? And how embarrassing for me to hang up on her!
WCT: The song "I Will Love Again" really connected with your gay fan base. Can you talk about your gay fans?
LF: Me and the LGBT community have a long-term relationship. "I Will Love Again" being a number one dance Billboard hit has something to do with that. But I believe, other titles have also had an impact, such as the song "La Difference," which I wrote decades ago, in which I voiced respect and equality of rights, and explaining something as simple as that there is no difference in love. I believe a lot has been achieved on the path of equality, in the USA or in Western Europe. But we shouldn't take anything for granted, all acquired rights, gender equality, human rights, women's rights, these are all fragile, and need to be taken care of and defended constantly, and fought for everywhere. Even in the most liberal societies.
WCT: What is one song you always have to sing in concert?
LF: Actually, my most famous song depends on the country I am in. In the USA, I am mostly known for "I Will Love Again." In France, with the love ballad "Je t'aime." In Italy, with the ballad "Adagio." In Brazil, it would be my song "Love by Grace," and in Russia, "Mademoiselle Zhivago." This is the result of a complex career path that grew organically, based on individual artistic projects I did in various countries. I had different hits in different places. I have to keep this in mind when I go on an international tour, as I do with the upcoming Camouflage World Tour.
WCT: Are you performing any cover songs?
LF: On this tour, I do have a cover song in the set list, which will come as a big surprise.
WCT: Talk about the inspiration for the new record Camouflage.
LF: Camouflage is an electro-pop album, resulting from a cooperation with the Swedish music producer Moh Denebi, and the celebrated American songwriter Sharon Vaughn. I can say that this is my favorite album ever, among all albums I have released. It has various musical textures and colors, big ballads, electro-pop tracks, minimalistic arrangements on some tracks, big string ensembles on others. Camouflage, I believe, reflects as much the artist and woman I have come to be, as it talks about the contradictory and confusing times we live in.
WCT: What is your favorite track on it currently?
LF: My favorite track is the title song "Camouflage," which talks about our fear of standing out from the other one, our need to hide our true selves by blending in and wearing masks. Identity has always been a major theme of my work, and this is a different, updated take on that subject reflecting my personal experiences.
WCT: With having so many albums, has one stood out from the rest? What has been the achievement that meant the most to you over the years?
LF: It is difficult to pick a single episode. However, my eponymous album, released by Sony Music in the USA, with the titles "I Will Love Again," "Adagio," and "Broken Vow" was a turning point for my international career, but my journey took off with my first album released in Canada, which became a massive success, changing my life overnight. Also, the French albums "Nue" and "Pure," with the tracks "Je t'aime," "Immortelle," and others have defined who I am and what I represent as an artist in various countries. I am thankful for all the ups, but acknowledge also all the downs for having brought me to the place I am today. And I am very happy with who I have become today as an artist, a mother, a woman, and a human.
WCT: How do you take care of your voice when out on the road?
LF: That is indeed tricky, especially with changing time zones, traveling long distances in planes, airports, sleeping in hotels, air conditioning, meeting, hugging, kissing and talking with many people. I try to avoid doing interviews during the tour, to protect my voice. I also have a strict vocal exercise program with my vocal coach. I try to isolate myself on the concert days, and speak as little as possible.
WCT: What TV show are you working on now?
LF: I have just recently joined the Canadian edition of The Voice as a judge. And it is a fantastic experience. I really did not expect that I would enjoy this so much? I love to work with the next generation, trying to transmit to them my experience as best as I can. And participating in this show has also given me the opportunity to move back to Canada, after having spent more than a decade in Europe. I can't say often enough how much I am in love with Canada and my hometown of choice, Montreal.
WCT: Future projects?
LF: First of all, I have the Camouflage World Tour which will be ongoing throughout the year, bringing me, my band and our music to 40 or so countries. I also have the TV show The Voice in Canada, which starts airing in February.
Between all those commitments, I am already working on the next album, in French, which will be released by the end of the year. And, if that was not enough, I am also working on preparations to open a multi-disciplinary artistic school, where I and my partners hope to transmit our experiences and knowledge to the next generation of artists. I love to be busy, because I love what I do.
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And a review, at (http://chicagoconcertreviews.com/2018/02/09/lara-fabian/):
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International pop/classical crossover star Lara Fabian makes exquisite Chicago debut
Posted on February 9, 2018 by Andy Argyrakis
Lara Fabian
Right around the time when Cher was getting strong enough to believe in life after love, Lara Fabian was giving her a serious run for her sparkles with the danceable smash “I Will Love Again.” However, that was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to the Belgian pop/classical crossover singer/songwriter’s many talents found on her 2000 self-titled debut, which also included “Broken Vow” (later redone by Barbra Streisand and Josh Groban) and “Adagio” (an ideal showcase of her three octave range).
Though she never stopped recording or touring internationally, it took all this time for Fabian to make her extremely belated debut in Chicago (coincidentally the birthplace of her grandfather) at the gorgeous Copernicus Center, this time in support of “Camouflage” (her thirteenth studio album and fourth in English, which have cumulatively sold more than 20 million copies). With ticket prices reaching all the way into the three hundreds, it might have seemed like a deterrent to the untrained ear, but for those in the know, it appeared entirely worth the price and wait to see the superstar in such an intimate setting.
Clad in a form-fitting black dress, Fabian entered to the new “Chameleon” with a kaleidoscope of colors swirling on the screens above. Along with a five-piece band and two supporting singers, the headliner gradually built up the more than two-hour evening from fellow pop pleasantries “Growing Wings,” “Keep The Animals Away” and “If I Let You Love Me” to practically operatic status.
There was a call to take a leap of faith throughout the talkbox-seasoned “We Are The Flyers,” an entrancing, mystical adventure called “Painting In The Rain,” plus multi-lingual fluency over the beat-centric electro pop of “J’ai Zappe” and the gorgeously radiant “Je T’aime.” “Choose What You Love Most (Let It Kill You)” may have been one of the clunkier titles, but it was nonetheless a mountain top belter that served as an empowering soundtrack to a life with no regrets.
After a cinematic and captivating “Je Suis Malade,” Fabian paused for a brief intermission, then returned in a black sequined gown refreshed and ready for the chilled out “Camouflage,” the soaring ballad “Perfect” and the club stomper “Community” (amongst others). Yet it was “I Will Love Again” that had everyone on their feet, singing along as they surged towards the stage and showered Fabian with flowers, cards, CDs to autograph and even a painted portrait!
Naturally, she encored with “Adagio,” pulling up a seat as she belted out each spine tingling note, then kicked over the stool at the gripping conclusion to increase the dramatic effect. The flawless presentation was just one more of many stunning reminders that Fabian is right up there with the elite likes of Streisand, Celine Dion (probably her closest comparison) or Sarah Brightman, but now that she’s set the bar so high, the only trick is convincing her to roll through town to try and top it more often.
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Lara ended it with a “Thank you, Chicago”, picture:
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.622966977744803.1073741829.201065806601591/1920005141374307/?type=3&theater
(5) Los Angeles: The last stop on the U.S. tour., and it was reported that Gabriel and Lou were at the show. It was also reported that this show was basically sold out. Lara began it with a picture,
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.622966977744803.1073741829.201065806601591/1921514874556667/?type=3&theater
and the comment, “Rehearsing.. tonight.. City of Angels”.
Videos available so far are:
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0bo4jbcvK4
Broken Vow: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g0GPDHcyj0
Camouflage: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idykomb_x2Q
Chameleon: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKbeTQe81uE
Choose What You Love Most: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vArXLZjuOnk
Communify/I Will Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jlj1T5HFZxQ
Growing Wings: www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5D0EU8Hpbw
Humana: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLFl7WliVwU
Je t’aime: www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6PP-8lc6z0
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXObtFD6bno
J’ai zappe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GazCKbicCPA
Je suis malade: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRozSB5r1hg
Pas sans toi: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAI9cA9MVyA
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSB96Mx-Nt4
Painting in the Rain: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk4tGrO2jUY
Perfect (with Matthew Johnson): www.youtube.com/watch?v=De-l6pke2iw
Requiem pour un fou: www.youtube.com/watch?v=unYI6CTeJwM
We Are the Flyers: www.youtube.com/watch?v=X77o2BYIoHg
Lara posted a picture of L.A. at the end of her trip there, at:
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.215378125170359.50343.201065806601591/1922377437803744/?type=3&theater
with the caption, “The sunrise over Los Angeles.. Thank you for this magic final night in the USA for the "Camouflage World Tour".. Your name "City of Angels" suits you so well.. And thank you to an amazing artist, Matthew Johnson, for sharing the stage with me and giving my song "Perfect" a new dimension and meaning…
The Lara Fabian Web site reposted a comment from “Cello the Movie” which contained the following:
------------------------------------------------
“From the moment I heard the title song, ‘Remember Me,’ every word and note resonated,” says vocalist Lara Fabian.
Catch her concert tonight at Pasadena Civic Auditorium and you may see her perform Cello The Movie's title song, 'Remember Me' by Randy Kerber and Glen Ballard
Can't go to the show? Order your copy of the soundtrack today: bit.ly/2wuNzR0
----------------------------------------------------
Of course, Lara did not sing that song, and it probably never crossed her mind to do so. She never has sung the songs she has done for movies in her concerts, even if they would be very well appreciated. [See the ‘interesting photo(s) of the week at the end for an additional example].
All in all, her U.S. tour had wonderful shows; the only improvement one could have asked for were for them to have been better attended (and publicized). Over all, one can see that the favorite videos to post of the fans were also the ones that received the most standing ovations, i.e., Lara’s older songs. That doesn’t take away from the quality of the new album; it just indicates that what people want most to remember from Lara are those songs of hers that have withstood the test of time.
The other big story was the first show of "La Voix", which debuted while Lara was in Los Angeles. We have several videos from it:
First, the opening, which included a joint performance of “Je t’aime” (we had already seen a teaser of this):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5sfJngPMEo
(the “Je t’aime” portion alone can be seen at: www.facebook.com/lavoixtva/videos/1573509352744567/).
Then there was a performance by Jonathan Freeman; Lara desperately wanted him to choose her as his coach, but as you can see, he chose Eric Lapointe instead:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=11S4egGRXSU
or
tva.canoe.ca/emissions/lavoix/videos/la-voix-6-audition-a-laveugle-de-jonathan-freeman
His voice is actually much like Eric’s, and his temperament seemed better fitted for him as well.
Then, Lara was in tears for a contestant, Félix Lemelin, who sang “"Maudite Promesse”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOyPj7NzZGE
and he did choose her, saying he came to touch people, and he saw that he touched her.
There were several articles about this, that appeared accompanying a teaser from the show. The first is at
(http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2018/02/08/voyez-le-premier-extrait-de-la-voix-6); here’s the translation:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
First excerpt from The Voice 6: Lara Fabian is moved to tears by the performance of a candidate
JOURNALDEMONTREAL.COM
Only a few days before the return of La Voix!
It is this Sunday that the first round of blind auditions will be presented on TVA.
In the first extract of the sixth season of the popular singing contest, the new coach, Lara Fabian, is moved to tears as a result of the performance of a candidate.
The Belgian singer will take her place in one of the red chairs, alongside recruits Garou and Alex Nevsky and veteran Éric Lapointe.
-----------------------------------------------------------
And the second article is at www.envedette.ca/stars/television/la-voix-6-lara-fabian-fond-en-larmes-lors-de-la-grande-premiere-1.3612013, translated below:
------------------------------------------------------------
THE VOICE 6: LARA FABIAN FOUND IN TEARS AT THE FIRST SHOW
It's this Sunday that La Voix will be back to TVA! Are you as excited as we are?
In an excerpt currently circulating on the web, the new coach Lara Fabian burst into tears after the performance of a candidate. Moved, she talks about her father.
"It's so came to find me, I do not know how to explain. There is something that takes me back very far, I do not know why. It led me to find something from my childhood, something with my father. "
See the very touching pictures below!
Once again, this new season of La Voix promises great surprises and great moments of emotion.
The coaches Garou, Alex Nevsky, Eric Lapointe and Lara Fabian will discover at the same time as you the greatest talents of Quebec!
Charles Lafortune will always be at the animation of the galas, while the beautiful Anouk Meunier you will make you discover behind the scenes of the show every Monday in La Voix Extra.
Will you be watching the show this Sunday, February 11 from 19 hours at TVA?
--------------------------------------------------
And then there was contestant Krystel Mongeau, singing the Tammy Wynette song, “Stand By Your Man” who also chose Lara:
tva.canoe.ca/emissions/lavoix/videos/la-voix-6-audition-a-laveugle-de-krystel-mongeau
She asked, "Which of you loves country music the most?" Lara mentioned that the first song she ever sung with her father was the John Denver song, “Take Me Home Country Roads". Lara then got up and sang a duet of that song with her – certainly one of the highlights of the show. A video of that alone can be found at:
www.facebook.com/larafabiangreece/videos/871381929653568/
Krystel’s belting voice obviously fits Lara’s much better than that of the other judges, as they themselves knew.
Lara posted the following (translated) comment about this first show on her FB site:
“I am impressed by this first broadcast of La Voix and your messages so warm in my regard. How good it is to find you, all and all. I am delighted with this beautiful adventure alongside the wonderful Alex Nevsky, Éric Lapointe and Garou. I warmly welcome on my team tonight Krystel who, by her magnificent voice, has made me connect again with the country repertoire on which my father taught me music. I also open my arms to Felix, who has shaken me by the purity of his soul and by his truly exceptional voice. I'll keep in me these two candidates for a long time.” This was accompanied by pictures of her ‘teammates’:
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/pcb.1921602461214575/1921602221214599/?type=3&theater
A more general article on Lara’s participation in La Voix can be found in the Quebec magazine “7 Jours” (https://www.facebook.com/LaraFabianBienPlusQuunePassionCorseReunion/photos/pcb.784108495116662/784108338450011/?type=3&theater). [Thanks to the Lara Fabian Bien Pus Qu’une Passion: Corse Reunion for the scans]. Here’s the translation:
------------------------------------------------
"The Voice experience is important in my life."
Q: Lara, what kind of coach do you think to be in La Voix?
A: I am a novice, but I must say that I feel good in the coach chair. For the 4 coaches there is a great responsibility to assume.
Q: What are your expectations?
A: I am not a girl who lives in expectancy. I will live The Voice day by day. What I feel is an immense joy.
Q: What do you think you can bring to the candidates?
A: My experience and my baggage. And also the experience I gained during my travels, because I have seen many cultures and different audiences in my career, be it Americans, Swedes, Italians, Belgians, French. .. I have worked with so many people that I carry this diversity in me.
Q: Do you feel that this experience will feed the artist that you are?
R: Absolutely! Especially since the second phase of my career, I want to devote it to the transmission of my knowledge in a school. The first part of a career is often based on travel, remoteness and sacrifice that mingle with joy. The second part is different: we stabilize and we can offer the sum of our baggage. I always knew that one day I will be in the transmission; this is also why the experience of La Voix is important in my life.
Q: How do you think you convince candidates to be part of your team?
A: My strategy is not to have one. I put above all sincerity.
Q: At the same time as La Voix, you're also touring the world ...
A: My tour started on February 2 in Miami, and I'm going to go a little around the United States, Russia, the Eastern countries ... From one place to another, the public is a little different, but what's amazing is that it rises up at the same time.
Q: You said that you came back to settle in Quebec ... Do you sometimes aspire to a more sedentary life?
A: Of course, but there is a time for everything. I am sure that one day it will happen, that I will be more often at home. But it’s not exactly the time for that.
Q: Will your daughter, Lou, watch The Voice?
A: Of course, the music interests her, but I already know that's not what she'll do in life. She is hooked on something that fascinates her: cooking. At the same time, she is only 10 years old. She still has time before her.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Obviously, Lara’s strategy of ‘not having one’ has worked so far, with two contestants now on her team. Watching this show, it is clear that it is as much a contest for the judges, in getting the candidates to choose them, as it is for the competing candidates themselves.
In other news, Lara sang “Happy Birthday”, Quebecois-style, to Roger Muntu on the “RM SHOW PAGES” video, available at:
www.facebook.com/rmshowvoa/videos/2026247260724323/
(thanks to the Lara Fabian web site for the link).
Interesting photo(s) of the week: Lara posted this one,
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.622966977744803.1073741829.201065806601591/1917302788311209/?type=3&theater
with the caption, “Happy Birthday to the Master of Music, John Williams”. He, of course, was the writer of “For Always” which Lara sang both by herself and in duet with Josh Groban. This is another example of a ‘movie’ song that Lara has never sung in her concerts, and which would be extremely popular.
Although the U.S. portion of the tour is over, Lara is already making preparations for upcoming shows. While in Florida, Lara met with Maria Andreea, a Romanian journalist whose interview is to be broadcast there and in other European countries. Their picture and a brief discussion of this can be found at:
www.crainou.ro/2018/02/07/maria-andreea-a-intalnit-o-in-sua-pe-lara-fabian/
Before then, the next scheduled events are in a little more than 10 days, two concerts in Moscow. We are still awaiting the ‘second phase’ of concert announcements; the implication is that they will extend further into this year than originally envisioned. But it has been indicated that Lara is already working on the next French language album, and that is still scheduled for the end of this year. An ambitious schedule; we’ll see how it all fits together. But the first parts, the tour and TV show, have gotten off to very good starts.
David
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/pcb.1922602754447879/1922601421114679/?type=3&theater
‘Pam’ reported that will air this morning, at 10 AM EST (9 AM Central time). The program schedule lists, “"Happy the dog from Hallmark Channel's "2018 American Rescue Dog Show"; singer Lara Fabian performs; TV personality Joanna Krupa talks about her work with Farm Sanctuary, America's leading farm animal protection organization.” This News Update is being posted early enough, hopefully, to give you a chance to tune in.
Now onto the main news: there were two dominant stories this past week , indicative of the dual nature of Lara’s career – the completion of her tour in the United States, and the beginning broadcast of the TV show “La Voix” in Quebec. We’ll start with the tour, which has greater geographic extent.
We’ll go through the individual venues, starting with material that became available for the first show:
(1) Miami (2/2/18).
There were a few additional videos (to those posted in last week’s Update); again the emphasis is on the complete, or more nearly so, versions:
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QsKEDV2-hw
Je suis malade: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zevWKfVrzpk
Almost complete show: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW_vlnIMmGM
(missing, e.g., Requiem pour un fou)
Obviously, this last is a wonderful gift.
An article discussing this show came from, curiously enough, Sao Paulo
(http://www.acessocultural.com/2018/02/lara-fabian-estreia-nova-turne-nos-eua.html); here it eh (google) translation:
---------------------------------------------
Lara Fabian debuts new US tour
By Cristian César
After her last album "Ma Vie Dans La Tienne", Lara Fabian returns to the stages betting on her new project: Camouflage. About a year after the closing of her last tour, Lara Fabian returned to the stage in style, repaginating old hits and consecrating new ones.
The first show of the new tour happened on February 2 and the singer made a point of betting on a new image for herself. The album Camouflage mixes a lot of pop with the lyrical bringing with it arrangements that make us feel at home and at the same time in a ballad of the 80s. On the same day of her return, a partnership with DJ Tomer G was launched, a remix of "Chameleon" one of the heaviest tracks on her CD.
For those who thought the show would sum up Lara's voice, they were wrong. The Belgian-Canadian gave a show and proved that her voice is still intact and very jovial. The presentation began with "Chameleon" and ended with "I Will Love Again", one of her greatest hits worldwide.
The setting was very different from what had already been done, Lara played hard on more current lighting and a flawless stage with sensational acoustics. It is noteworthy how the presentation was made, since after years the singer decided to bring backing vocals back and also brought excellent musicians to give more colors to her new show.
The songs "Choose What You Love Most" and "Je Suis Malade" were the most surprising because the singer could not help herself and she let go of her voice, making the audience sigh with admiration. To the astonishment of many, the greatest success of the singer's career "Je t'aime" received a new version, turning it into a slight new bossa.
The wardrobe was impeccable, it really brought a new image of the soprano who has one of the most beautiful voices in the world, wearing a long dress in the slower songs and ending with a gala dress, black and shiny. Friday night was certainly a lot of surprises for fans and admirers who accompany her.
The singer now dedicates herself to this new work that bears the name of "Camouflage Word Tour". More shows will be added in its new phase. Get ready, Lara Fabian is coming back with everything!
------------------------------------------------------------
The appearance of this article may suggest that a concert by Lara in Brazil could occur on this tour.
And while in Miami, Lara played a little game called “Six in the City” in which she answered six questions (in French). It can be found at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RGXGsEBU00
She was given different choices of two items: she preferred: (1) the Statue of Liberty to Manneken Pis, which is a landmark small bronze sculpture (61 cm) in Brussels, depicting a naked little boy urinating into a fountain's basin; (2) Canada to the U.S., for it matches better who she is; (3) both Johnny Hallyday and Elvis Presley, Johnny for the joint experience they had together, Elvis for what he did that her father transmitted to her; (4) both songs in English and in French (and in other languages); (5) cafe terraces to rooftops, she can watch the people pass and imagine their lives; (6) French kiss or French fries: it depends on the moment, probably French kiss but not after French fries!
(2) New York: This was officially a sold-out show, as had been the Carnegie Hall show in 12/14, due in significant part to the same reason, the Russian audience available in that city.
Videos:
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYQyc_dv0VA
www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0HmCF8Dtv0
Je suis malade: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u3om_jekDk
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhCgGNWT1pM
Je t’aime: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e9_YEj4tZI
Pas sans toi: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pCu0AM4dSk
Perfect: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHidjTN5UGs
Requiem pour un fou: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS1kmjVcV-c
Appropriately enough, a Russian report on the concert (with Lara responding in English) can be seen at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l11nF57Su8
A published report on the concert can be seen at: (https://patch.com/new-york/new-york-city/opinion-lara-fabian-conquers-new-york-beacon-theater). Here’s what it said:
-----------------------------------------------------
Opinion: Lara Fabian Conquers New York At Beacon Theater.
Lara Fabian had a very successful launching of her new tour, standing ovations along with shouts of I love you defined the night.
Two years after playing her first New York concert ever, Lara Fabian, the Belgian/Canadian singer returned to New York City. Playing to an adoring packed international crowd, Lara Fabian blew away her audience and received numerous standing ovations. Unlike her very successful sold out show at Carnegie Hall two years ago the multi-lingo Lara Fabian sang most of her songs in English performing her whole new album (just released late last year 2017), CAMOUFLAGE, along with her other favorites.
The new songs were greeted with appreciation but it was greatest when she turned to her international standards such as her "Je t'aime," the song she wrote and sang that put her on the map 21 years ago. Her rendition of her original composition, Broken Vow, was so powerful the audience erupted into respectful standing applause three times during the song. Something you just don't see much these days. She also sang her American Hit "I Will Love Again," and finished the show with an emotional English version of her "Adagio."
The best way to explain Lara Fabian to someone who has never heard her is she is the best of Adele, Celine Dion, and Barbara Streisand all in one woman. Her fans are so loyal and so dedicated she is music royalty in Europe. For whatever reason Ms. Fabian has never toured the U.S. until deciding to do it in 2018. Her "Camouflage" Album is her first all new material English album ever, although years back she did release, Lara Fabian Every Woman in Me (2009), with covers of great women singers hits. However Camouflage is a step in a new direction for Lara Fabian. In my opinion there is not one weak song on this new album.
Lara Fabian's ability to connect to her audience is part of her good given talent. During a Lara Fabian performance of any song you will see grown men tearing up and woman crying. Somehow Fabian reaches into hearts and touches souls of her audience intimately and majestically It is worthwhile to check her out on YouTube or iTunes etc. Seeing her sing is a special event.
After the show ended the audience at the Beacon Theater cheered a full 15 minutes after Ms. Fabian played the encore. She came back out and reached into the stands to touch as many people as possible and said thank you many times. She is someone special, please checkout her talent if you haven't already.
---------------------------------------------------------
An adulatory article, even though there are a few mistakes concerning her past English album experience.
And then an article from Canada (http://plus.lapresse.ca/screens/21d2e85d-2e09-4459-8eac-ea8f029880ab__7C___0.html), translated below:
------------------------------------------------
LA PRESS IN NEW YORK
THE UNITED NATIONS OF LARA FABIAN
Without any media promotion, Lara Fabian was sold out at the Beacon Theater in New York early last week. La Presse had behind-the-scenes access to the legendary theater on the Upper West Side, where the most Quebecois of Belgian singers began her new world tour.
DAPHNÉ CAMERON
17 h
Sound test
Lara Fabian enters the Beacon Theater. From the console, installed in the center of the floor of the beautiful Art Deco room, a technician shouts instructions to the musicians ... in Swedish. Made famous by the Quebec public thanks to her French ballads, Lara Fabian turned to Mecca of pop music - Sweden - to recruit her new musical producer. And that's fine.
The first notes of the dress rehearsal reveal a more current electro-pop sound - that of her fourth opus in English, Camouflage, released last October. No guitars on stage, but rather three keyboards, a drum and percussion.
"I always jokingly say,"We do not put on bell bottoms anymore, so we should not play music from the '70s or' 90s", the 48-year-old will later explain in an interview.
"I belong to a category of singers who are from the 90s with a specific style: broad-spectrum songs, impressive notes. It's not really that today. We can still go stick two, three against the grain on an album on the whole, but it is no longer mandatory to be in the demonstration, the "showcase". It's fun to evolve with our times."
As the sound test draws to a close, technicians experiment with a smoke machine. Lara Fabian is afraid of damaging her voice. After a long debate, the singer concludes: "No smoke, people will go to see Beyoncé for that!"
18 h
Meeting of the musicians
With its pipes exposed, the basement of the Beacon Theater is nothing like the opulent gilded auditorium located one floor above. Before the performance, the musicians - all of Swedish origin - break the crust while talking about the last settings. By his own admission, the band's leader, Andreas Unge, had never heard of Lara Fabian before being recruited to collaborate with her. He was immediately impressed by her vocal abilities.
"Today, 95% of pop artists performing a show sing along with a prerecorded vocal tape. It's very, very rare to hear someone being able to sing everything live", he emphasizes.
The chorister Nils Tull makes the same observation. "I was knocked down when I heard her for the first time in rehearsal. We were just thinking, "How lucky we are to be here. How many voices like this are on the planet?"
20:15
Beginning of the show
"Good evening, good evening, boa noite, dobrý večer, buona sera, buenas tardes. "
Lara Fabian arrives on stage greeting the public in several languages. The 2600-seat theater is full. There are spectators of several nationalities in the room: "The United Nations", sums up the singer about her audience.
French, Quebeckers, Swiss, Brazilians, Americans, Ukrainians, but most of all - and maybe even a majority - Russians, whose diaspora is important in the Big Apple.
The singer is very popular in the Kremlin since the launch, in 2010, of the album Mademoiselle Zhivago, co-written with a Russian star, Igor Krutoy.
In the United States, the singer has conquered many fans in the LGBTQ community since the release of her hit I Will Love Again, which reached the top position in Billboard's dance charts 18 years ago.
"It's been 15 years since I did concerts like that which have not necessarily been the subject of big marketing and it's full. I think there is a link that goes beyond a hit," she observes after the performance.
Lara Fabian launches her show by presenting her new songs. "English, I know it's not always very well seen, but it's still a passport that allows one to communicate with many different nationalities," said the one who will produce in Quebec in the fall.
Her greatest hits in French will still earn her ovations - the greatest will come after the famous song Je t'aime.
22:30
Meeting with fans
In front of the door of the tiny box on the fifth floor of the theater, spectators with VIP tickets line up.
Rimma Krutashinskaia, who lives in Siberia, took nine hours of train and then nine hours of flight to meet her idol. "My dream, my dream to see you," said the young woman in broken English, with tears in her eyes.
Julie Durocher of Montreal brought flowers and a card to the singer. "I've been with her since she started, I wanted to see her because she has been with me all my life. "
Meanwhile, outside the theater, a handful of admirers shout, singing "Je t’aiaaaaiiiimmmmeeee", so loudly that Lara Fabian hears them from her dressing room.
This surge of love touches the singer, who re-emigrated to Montreal last October and is a coach in the television contest "La Voix" this season.
I am always amazed, I look at them, I say to myself: "It's incredible." I have a lot of gratitude because it is the durability of my career. That's what I've been doing for 30 years."
---------------------------------------------------
One implication in this article is that Lara might be doing a concert in Quebec this coming fall.
Lara posted the following pictures of her New York experience,
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/pcb.1915598928481595/1915597791815042/?type=3&theater
with the caption, “An unforgettable evening .. I love New York.
Tonight, first concert in Washington D.C. (Warner Theatre)
And on Instagram she posted some more pictures,
http://instagram.com/p/Be5qlLrnCdS
with the caption, “Such a wonderful evening.. thank you New York!”
(3) Washington:Then onto a decidedly less than full house, though one estimate had it up to 70%. That was dealt with (here and apparently elsewhere) by allowing people from the balcony to move down to the main floor.
Here are the videos available so far; (Some – but not all - of these alternate choices for the various songs are the same video; not sure why they were put on twice, but in case one goes away…) :
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1wmDN0Pkzw
Broken Vow: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2xcSC26i6w
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwGklIGeD50
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6Wy8CGSNtg
Camouflage: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH6zHq7cWXg
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWZNQdDj-JU
Choose What You Love Most: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLMNrUt09Cg
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a95JJ-Zujrc
Communify/I Will love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=owKZ59NWgNU
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRQOrtFwnF8
Growing Wings: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YB3zh8lLwo
I’m Breakable: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljaYIwmtd-0
If I Let You Love Me: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBW1GtvU7o0
Je t’aime: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQZZEEKDdYE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTu-YepD8c0
Je suis malade: www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7Z8H9bVYqc
Keep the Animals Away: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW-nK3fLKBU
Painting in the Rain: www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9YpGKUbfLo
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxuJAhfo_EU
Pas sans toi: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5P1LHlwJmE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0HthTRpRVk
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC0Nzoz5LuI
We Are the Flyers: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNajp53aEVc
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFFCIPzOdz0
(4) Chicago: Lara started her adventure there with a typical winter experience, as she posted this picture:
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.622966977744803.1073741829.201065806601591/1918214994886655/?type=3&theater
along with the caption, “Brrrrr! Snow in the Windy City.. let’s warm things up in Chicago this evening at the Copernicus Center..” One report then had the show at 90% full.
The following videos are available:
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=csEiTgkEeMM
I Will Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO7JSg6yB5I
Je t’aime: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKEPsoL6amA
Multiple songs: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUO_TiG-o94
Multiple songs: www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-dz2Rc6wbM
Pictures:
chicagoconcertreviews.com/2018/02/09/lara-fabian-photos/
An article about the show appeared in the Gay Lesbian Bi Trans News Archive – Windy City Times
www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/NUNN-ON-ONE-MUSIC-Lara-Fabian-on-I-Will-Love-Againvisiting-Chicago/61825.html, copied below:
---------------------------------------------------------
NUNN ON ONE MUSIC Lara Fabian on 'I Will Love Again’, visiting Chicago
Canadian-Belgian singer Lara Fabian continues to astound the masses with her incredible three-octave range.
She began her career in singing competitions eventually coming in fourth place to winner Celine Dion in the 33rd Eurovision Song Contest. Her popularity quickly grew after that in the '90s, with Carpe Diem being her breakthrough album. Awards followed along with each musical endeavor and early on she released an anti-homophobia anthem called "La Difference" to show her stance on gay rights.
Her self-titled English album launched the 2000 dance hit "I Will Love Again" crossing over in the charts and various countries.
The latest record, Camouflage, is produced with a Swedish-American team and has her touring the United States.
Windy City Times: Hi, Lara. I'm so excited to see you in concert finally. When was the last time you have toured to Chicago?
Lara Fabian: I am very excited to come to Chicago. This will be my first show ever in Chicago. I have toured in the USA many times but, for some reasons, we never managed to come to Chicago, which I always found odd.
My last concerts in the USA were in 2015 when I did an acoustic show. This current tour is very different, as it is based on the new pop album, as well as rearranged new versions of my songs from all my previous albums. We have a large band, and great visuals, so this is going to be a fun show.
WCT: How many languages do you speak and how many languages have you sung in?
LF: I am fluent in English, French, Italian and Spanish. I also speak and understand some Dutch. Being Belgian-Canadian, with a Flemish father, an American grandfather and a Sicilian mother helps. As I have now been touring and singing across the world for more than two decades, I've had the chance to sing in many other languages, from Russian to Hebrew, from Greek to Portuguese. A duet I did with a Chinese artist in Mandarin was the toughest for me. And the lady who was assigned to me as my translator told me I was: "Good singer, but bad-Mandarin." When I write songs, I write in English and French.
WCT: Have you ever met Barbra Streisand, being such a fan of hers?
LF: Oh, yes—Barbra Streisand is, for me, a living monument who should be put under the protection of UNESCO as world cultural heritage! And I've had the chance to meet her a couple of times. I might have sold more than 20 million records in my career, but shaking hands with Barbra is an experience I will never forget. Actually, I've not only met Barbra: one day, I received a call at my house in Belgium. And a woman on the line said "Hello, May I speak with Lara? This is Barbra Streisand." Thinking that it was a hoax, I hung up. She called back, and it was actually really Barbara!
She was calling to talk about covering a song I wrote called "Broken Vow." How amazing was that? And how embarrassing for me to hang up on her!
WCT: The song "I Will Love Again" really connected with your gay fan base. Can you talk about your gay fans?
LF: Me and the LGBT community have a long-term relationship. "I Will Love Again" being a number one dance Billboard hit has something to do with that. But I believe, other titles have also had an impact, such as the song "La Difference," which I wrote decades ago, in which I voiced respect and equality of rights, and explaining something as simple as that there is no difference in love. I believe a lot has been achieved on the path of equality, in the USA or in Western Europe. But we shouldn't take anything for granted, all acquired rights, gender equality, human rights, women's rights, these are all fragile, and need to be taken care of and defended constantly, and fought for everywhere. Even in the most liberal societies.
WCT: What is one song you always have to sing in concert?
LF: Actually, my most famous song depends on the country I am in. In the USA, I am mostly known for "I Will Love Again." In France, with the love ballad "Je t'aime." In Italy, with the ballad "Adagio." In Brazil, it would be my song "Love by Grace," and in Russia, "Mademoiselle Zhivago." This is the result of a complex career path that grew organically, based on individual artistic projects I did in various countries. I had different hits in different places. I have to keep this in mind when I go on an international tour, as I do with the upcoming Camouflage World Tour.
WCT: Are you performing any cover songs?
LF: On this tour, I do have a cover song in the set list, which will come as a big surprise.
WCT: Talk about the inspiration for the new record Camouflage.
LF: Camouflage is an electro-pop album, resulting from a cooperation with the Swedish music producer Moh Denebi, and the celebrated American songwriter Sharon Vaughn. I can say that this is my favorite album ever, among all albums I have released. It has various musical textures and colors, big ballads, electro-pop tracks, minimalistic arrangements on some tracks, big string ensembles on others. Camouflage, I believe, reflects as much the artist and woman I have come to be, as it talks about the contradictory and confusing times we live in.
WCT: What is your favorite track on it currently?
LF: My favorite track is the title song "Camouflage," which talks about our fear of standing out from the other one, our need to hide our true selves by blending in and wearing masks. Identity has always been a major theme of my work, and this is a different, updated take on that subject reflecting my personal experiences.
WCT: With having so many albums, has one stood out from the rest? What has been the achievement that meant the most to you over the years?
LF: It is difficult to pick a single episode. However, my eponymous album, released by Sony Music in the USA, with the titles "I Will Love Again," "Adagio," and "Broken Vow" was a turning point for my international career, but my journey took off with my first album released in Canada, which became a massive success, changing my life overnight. Also, the French albums "Nue" and "Pure," with the tracks "Je t'aime," "Immortelle," and others have defined who I am and what I represent as an artist in various countries. I am thankful for all the ups, but acknowledge also all the downs for having brought me to the place I am today. And I am very happy with who I have become today as an artist, a mother, a woman, and a human.
WCT: How do you take care of your voice when out on the road?
LF: That is indeed tricky, especially with changing time zones, traveling long distances in planes, airports, sleeping in hotels, air conditioning, meeting, hugging, kissing and talking with many people. I try to avoid doing interviews during the tour, to protect my voice. I also have a strict vocal exercise program with my vocal coach. I try to isolate myself on the concert days, and speak as little as possible.
WCT: What TV show are you working on now?
LF: I have just recently joined the Canadian edition of The Voice as a judge. And it is a fantastic experience. I really did not expect that I would enjoy this so much? I love to work with the next generation, trying to transmit to them my experience as best as I can. And participating in this show has also given me the opportunity to move back to Canada, after having spent more than a decade in Europe. I can't say often enough how much I am in love with Canada and my hometown of choice, Montreal.
WCT: Future projects?
LF: First of all, I have the Camouflage World Tour which will be ongoing throughout the year, bringing me, my band and our music to 40 or so countries. I also have the TV show The Voice in Canada, which starts airing in February.
Between all those commitments, I am already working on the next album, in French, which will be released by the end of the year. And, if that was not enough, I am also working on preparations to open a multi-disciplinary artistic school, where I and my partners hope to transmit our experiences and knowledge to the next generation of artists. I love to be busy, because I love what I do.
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And a review, at (http://chicagoconcertreviews.com/2018/02/09/lara-fabian/):
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International pop/classical crossover star Lara Fabian makes exquisite Chicago debut
Posted on February 9, 2018 by Andy Argyrakis
Lara Fabian
Right around the time when Cher was getting strong enough to believe in life after love, Lara Fabian was giving her a serious run for her sparkles with the danceable smash “I Will Love Again.” However, that was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to the Belgian pop/classical crossover singer/songwriter’s many talents found on her 2000 self-titled debut, which also included “Broken Vow” (later redone by Barbra Streisand and Josh Groban) and “Adagio” (an ideal showcase of her three octave range).
Though she never stopped recording or touring internationally, it took all this time for Fabian to make her extremely belated debut in Chicago (coincidentally the birthplace of her grandfather) at the gorgeous Copernicus Center, this time in support of “Camouflage” (her thirteenth studio album and fourth in English, which have cumulatively sold more than 20 million copies). With ticket prices reaching all the way into the three hundreds, it might have seemed like a deterrent to the untrained ear, but for those in the know, it appeared entirely worth the price and wait to see the superstar in such an intimate setting.
Clad in a form-fitting black dress, Fabian entered to the new “Chameleon” with a kaleidoscope of colors swirling on the screens above. Along with a five-piece band and two supporting singers, the headliner gradually built up the more than two-hour evening from fellow pop pleasantries “Growing Wings,” “Keep The Animals Away” and “If I Let You Love Me” to practically operatic status.
There was a call to take a leap of faith throughout the talkbox-seasoned “We Are The Flyers,” an entrancing, mystical adventure called “Painting In The Rain,” plus multi-lingual fluency over the beat-centric electro pop of “J’ai Zappe” and the gorgeously radiant “Je T’aime.” “Choose What You Love Most (Let It Kill You)” may have been one of the clunkier titles, but it was nonetheless a mountain top belter that served as an empowering soundtrack to a life with no regrets.
After a cinematic and captivating “Je Suis Malade,” Fabian paused for a brief intermission, then returned in a black sequined gown refreshed and ready for the chilled out “Camouflage,” the soaring ballad “Perfect” and the club stomper “Community” (amongst others). Yet it was “I Will Love Again” that had everyone on their feet, singing along as they surged towards the stage and showered Fabian with flowers, cards, CDs to autograph and even a painted portrait!
Naturally, she encored with “Adagio,” pulling up a seat as she belted out each spine tingling note, then kicked over the stool at the gripping conclusion to increase the dramatic effect. The flawless presentation was just one more of many stunning reminders that Fabian is right up there with the elite likes of Streisand, Celine Dion (probably her closest comparison) or Sarah Brightman, but now that she’s set the bar so high, the only trick is convincing her to roll through town to try and top it more often.
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Lara ended it with a “Thank you, Chicago”, picture:
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.622966977744803.1073741829.201065806601591/1920005141374307/?type=3&theater
(5) Los Angeles: The last stop on the U.S. tour., and it was reported that Gabriel and Lou were at the show. It was also reported that this show was basically sold out. Lara began it with a picture,
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.622966977744803.1073741829.201065806601591/1921514874556667/?type=3&theater
and the comment, “Rehearsing.. tonight.. City of Angels”.
Videos available so far are:
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0bo4jbcvK4
Broken Vow: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g0GPDHcyj0
Camouflage: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idykomb_x2Q
Chameleon: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKbeTQe81uE
Choose What You Love Most: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vArXLZjuOnk
Communify/I Will Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jlj1T5HFZxQ
Growing Wings: www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5D0EU8Hpbw
Humana: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLFl7WliVwU
Je t’aime: www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6PP-8lc6z0
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXObtFD6bno
J’ai zappe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GazCKbicCPA
Je suis malade: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRozSB5r1hg
Pas sans toi: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAI9cA9MVyA
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSB96Mx-Nt4
Painting in the Rain: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk4tGrO2jUY
Perfect (with Matthew Johnson): www.youtube.com/watch?v=De-l6pke2iw
Requiem pour un fou: www.youtube.com/watch?v=unYI6CTeJwM
We Are the Flyers: www.youtube.com/watch?v=X77o2BYIoHg
Lara posted a picture of L.A. at the end of her trip there, at:
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.215378125170359.50343.201065806601591/1922377437803744/?type=3&theater
with the caption, “The sunrise over Los Angeles.. Thank you for this magic final night in the USA for the "Camouflage World Tour".. Your name "City of Angels" suits you so well.. And thank you to an amazing artist, Matthew Johnson, for sharing the stage with me and giving my song "Perfect" a new dimension and meaning…
The Lara Fabian Web site reposted a comment from “Cello the Movie” which contained the following:
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“From the moment I heard the title song, ‘Remember Me,’ every word and note resonated,” says vocalist Lara Fabian.
Catch her concert tonight at Pasadena Civic Auditorium and you may see her perform Cello The Movie's title song, 'Remember Me' by Randy Kerber and Glen Ballard
Can't go to the show? Order your copy of the soundtrack today: bit.ly/2wuNzR0
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Of course, Lara did not sing that song, and it probably never crossed her mind to do so. She never has sung the songs she has done for movies in her concerts, even if they would be very well appreciated. [See the ‘interesting photo(s) of the week at the end for an additional example].
All in all, her U.S. tour had wonderful shows; the only improvement one could have asked for were for them to have been better attended (and publicized). Over all, one can see that the favorite videos to post of the fans were also the ones that received the most standing ovations, i.e., Lara’s older songs. That doesn’t take away from the quality of the new album; it just indicates that what people want most to remember from Lara are those songs of hers that have withstood the test of time.
The other big story was the first show of "La Voix", which debuted while Lara was in Los Angeles. We have several videos from it:
First, the opening, which included a joint performance of “Je t’aime” (we had already seen a teaser of this):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5sfJngPMEo
(the “Je t’aime” portion alone can be seen at: www.facebook.com/lavoixtva/videos/1573509352744567/).
Then there was a performance by Jonathan Freeman; Lara desperately wanted him to choose her as his coach, but as you can see, he chose Eric Lapointe instead:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=11S4egGRXSU
or
tva.canoe.ca/emissions/lavoix/videos/la-voix-6-audition-a-laveugle-de-jonathan-freeman
His voice is actually much like Eric’s, and his temperament seemed better fitted for him as well.
Then, Lara was in tears for a contestant, Félix Lemelin, who sang “"Maudite Promesse”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOyPj7NzZGE
and he did choose her, saying he came to touch people, and he saw that he touched her.
There were several articles about this, that appeared accompanying a teaser from the show. The first is at
(http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2018/02/08/voyez-le-premier-extrait-de-la-voix-6); here’s the translation:
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First excerpt from The Voice 6: Lara Fabian is moved to tears by the performance of a candidate
JOURNALDEMONTREAL.COM
Only a few days before the return of La Voix!
It is this Sunday that the first round of blind auditions will be presented on TVA.
In the first extract of the sixth season of the popular singing contest, the new coach, Lara Fabian, is moved to tears as a result of the performance of a candidate.
The Belgian singer will take her place in one of the red chairs, alongside recruits Garou and Alex Nevsky and veteran Éric Lapointe.
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And the second article is at www.envedette.ca/stars/television/la-voix-6-lara-fabian-fond-en-larmes-lors-de-la-grande-premiere-1.3612013, translated below:
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THE VOICE 6: LARA FABIAN FOUND IN TEARS AT THE FIRST SHOW
It's this Sunday that La Voix will be back to TVA! Are you as excited as we are?
In an excerpt currently circulating on the web, the new coach Lara Fabian burst into tears after the performance of a candidate. Moved, she talks about her father.
"It's so came to find me, I do not know how to explain. There is something that takes me back very far, I do not know why. It led me to find something from my childhood, something with my father. "
See the very touching pictures below!
Once again, this new season of La Voix promises great surprises and great moments of emotion.
The coaches Garou, Alex Nevsky, Eric Lapointe and Lara Fabian will discover at the same time as you the greatest talents of Quebec!
Charles Lafortune will always be at the animation of the galas, while the beautiful Anouk Meunier you will make you discover behind the scenes of the show every Monday in La Voix Extra.
Will you be watching the show this Sunday, February 11 from 19 hours at TVA?
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And then there was contestant Krystel Mongeau, singing the Tammy Wynette song, “Stand By Your Man” who also chose Lara:
tva.canoe.ca/emissions/lavoix/videos/la-voix-6-audition-a-laveugle-de-krystel-mongeau
She asked, "Which of you loves country music the most?" Lara mentioned that the first song she ever sung with her father was the John Denver song, “Take Me Home Country Roads". Lara then got up and sang a duet of that song with her – certainly one of the highlights of the show. A video of that alone can be found at:
www.facebook.com/larafabiangreece/videos/871381929653568/
Krystel’s belting voice obviously fits Lara’s much better than that of the other judges, as they themselves knew.
Lara posted the following (translated) comment about this first show on her FB site:
“I am impressed by this first broadcast of La Voix and your messages so warm in my regard. How good it is to find you, all and all. I am delighted with this beautiful adventure alongside the wonderful Alex Nevsky, Éric Lapointe and Garou. I warmly welcome on my team tonight Krystel who, by her magnificent voice, has made me connect again with the country repertoire on which my father taught me music. I also open my arms to Felix, who has shaken me by the purity of his soul and by his truly exceptional voice. I'll keep in me these two candidates for a long time.” This was accompanied by pictures of her ‘teammates’:
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/pcb.1921602461214575/1921602221214599/?type=3&theater
A more general article on Lara’s participation in La Voix can be found in the Quebec magazine “7 Jours” (https://www.facebook.com/LaraFabianBienPlusQuunePassionCorseReunion/photos/pcb.784108495116662/784108338450011/?type=3&theater). [Thanks to the Lara Fabian Bien Pus Qu’une Passion: Corse Reunion for the scans]. Here’s the translation:
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"The Voice experience is important in my life."
Q: Lara, what kind of coach do you think to be in La Voix?
A: I am a novice, but I must say that I feel good in the coach chair. For the 4 coaches there is a great responsibility to assume.
Q: What are your expectations?
A: I am not a girl who lives in expectancy. I will live The Voice day by day. What I feel is an immense joy.
Q: What do you think you can bring to the candidates?
A: My experience and my baggage. And also the experience I gained during my travels, because I have seen many cultures and different audiences in my career, be it Americans, Swedes, Italians, Belgians, French. .. I have worked with so many people that I carry this diversity in me.
Q: Do you feel that this experience will feed the artist that you are?
R: Absolutely! Especially since the second phase of my career, I want to devote it to the transmission of my knowledge in a school. The first part of a career is often based on travel, remoteness and sacrifice that mingle with joy. The second part is different: we stabilize and we can offer the sum of our baggage. I always knew that one day I will be in the transmission; this is also why the experience of La Voix is important in my life.
Q: How do you think you convince candidates to be part of your team?
A: My strategy is not to have one. I put above all sincerity.
Q: At the same time as La Voix, you're also touring the world ...
A: My tour started on February 2 in Miami, and I'm going to go a little around the United States, Russia, the Eastern countries ... From one place to another, the public is a little different, but what's amazing is that it rises up at the same time.
Q: You said that you came back to settle in Quebec ... Do you sometimes aspire to a more sedentary life?
A: Of course, but there is a time for everything. I am sure that one day it will happen, that I will be more often at home. But it’s not exactly the time for that.
Q: Will your daughter, Lou, watch The Voice?
A: Of course, the music interests her, but I already know that's not what she'll do in life. She is hooked on something that fascinates her: cooking. At the same time, she is only 10 years old. She still has time before her.
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Obviously, Lara’s strategy of ‘not having one’ has worked so far, with two contestants now on her team. Watching this show, it is clear that it is as much a contest for the judges, in getting the candidates to choose them, as it is for the competing candidates themselves.
In other news, Lara sang “Happy Birthday”, Quebecois-style, to Roger Muntu on the “RM SHOW PAGES” video, available at:
www.facebook.com/rmshowvoa/videos/2026247260724323/
(thanks to the Lara Fabian web site for the link).
Interesting photo(s) of the week: Lara posted this one,
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.622966977744803.1073741829.201065806601591/1917302788311209/?type=3&theater
with the caption, “Happy Birthday to the Master of Music, John Williams”. He, of course, was the writer of “For Always” which Lara sang both by herself and in duet with Josh Groban. This is another example of a ‘movie’ song that Lara has never sung in her concerts, and which would be extremely popular.
Although the U.S. portion of the tour is over, Lara is already making preparations for upcoming shows. While in Florida, Lara met with Maria Andreea, a Romanian journalist whose interview is to be broadcast there and in other European countries. Their picture and a brief discussion of this can be found at:
www.crainou.ro/2018/02/07/maria-andreea-a-intalnit-o-in-sua-pe-lara-fabian/
Before then, the next scheduled events are in a little more than 10 days, two concerts in Moscow. We are still awaiting the ‘second phase’ of concert announcements; the implication is that they will extend further into this year than originally envisioned. But it has been indicated that Lara is already working on the next French language album, and that is still scheduled for the end of this year. An ambitious schedule; we’ll see how it all fits together. But the first parts, the tour and TV show, have gotten off to very good starts.
David
