Post by davidhr on May 22, 2018 8:41:13 GMT -5
A week of decidedly mixed emotions for Lara, with meaningful events all around. Thursday morning started with the funeral for Maurane. Lara did attend, and there are various photographs of her, understandably looking sad, e.g.,
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianfromMexico/photos/a.556367684417296.1073741826.556364357750962/1675597665827620/?type=3
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianetEmmanuelMoireLEduo/photos/a.199122136821054.50267.160613337338601/1787842301282355/?type=3&theater
Note Gerard Pullicino to Lara’s right in this last picture.
Lara did not speak to the press, but instead addressed a letter directly to Maurane, which was printed in Cine Tele Revue (https://www.cinetelerevue.be/actus/lhommage-de-lara-fabian-maurane-nous-etions-jumelles). Here’s the translation:
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The tribute of Lara Fabian to Maurane: "We were twins"
Child of the stars ... Is it warmer away from metal? Here we lie down on top every night, our heart in the water since your departure. Only the warmth of your voice reminds us that you will never die. Since last May 7, I talk to life of taking back its rights ..., but my body has lost sleep and my spirit is swirling with you. My memory puts back in place the history of our "love". I'm 16 when I fall in love with your mug, 18 when the one who will become my best friend, Nathalie, appears in my life with you on her arm, quite naturally.
Very quickly, I come to see you in concert ... Nathalie takes me along. You'll laugh about it affectionately, but I'll cry for two hours of the show. How not to reconnect to the source upstairs and to make it color your own sound when one listens to you. This sensation of being at home when I hear your voice will never leave me. Gradually I learn to know you, for me. You are almost untouchable, and I look at you in the face while rising up to walk on the thread that only you knew how to tame. This thread that with so much simplicity you drew tight between you and me, as if we were the missing part of the voice of one and the other.
But strangely, until then, I always meet you trembling ... Because a part of me will always see you as the one who guides, like the one, the one that inspires forever ... I will never forget your look when I told you that for me you were the other Ella Fitzgerald. And that you belonged to the most beautiful voices of the universe. That for me you were up there at the top with Callas and Streisand ... Your brave heart jumped for joy, your eyes lit, like when a child realizes she is the most beautiful in the world for her dad. You looked at me like you had never done before and then I understood. I understood that you were a little girl ... A little girl with her polka-dot dress and her Fisher Price ... I understood that you gave to the infant for a piece of love to finally come back to your soul. I realized that in the place of our fragility we were twins.
Your soul was so vast that you lost yourself in it by trying to go around it ... While we were floating there stunned by its beauty. Because nobody changes like that unless her soul is really beautiful ... Nobody. Each time that our lives mixed with or without light, I lived it as a gift. The stories that unite us are many and they are ours. I keep them for us. But some of them, so beautiful, have been shared and loved by millions of people. I believe we measured the chance that we had at that moment. From "Tu es mon autre" to "Mais vie" through "Evidemment" and "Fais moi une place", we always jumped to the heart at the moment when the music took us with her.
After we had our "Lou(s)", our astrological signs crossed from mothers in girls, our love for the lightness and its bubbles. Our strolls in front of the squirrels in Montreal, our crazy laughter, our meals overflowing with pasta balls and tomato sauce, with my dad and "the mamma". My parents loved you so much ... They will love you again and again ... After there was the life, violent and without pity that slapped both of us in the face... But we gave her the change and she only had to behave well. One does not prevent a large lake from reflecting the beauty of a cello.
As we throw a bottle to the sea, I come to send you a last message, I have written it to you on this phone that you will never look at again. I could not stop myself. You never know ... everything is possible from the stars, no? I'm going to get drunk with your voice, so that hell becomes paradise ... You sang it: the day rises despite the night ...
Amen Mau, I love you
Mau I love you ...
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Very poetic, sometimes cryptic – one gets the feeling Lara really is writing to Maurane, in the hope that she can, somehow, receive it. As Lara said, perhaps everything is possible from the stars…Along with her FB comment, discussed last week, these are the only two communications Lara gave out to the public concerning her feelings about Maurane’s passing. For more Lara-Maurane material from the past, a number of sites are linking to the video from 2005, “Lara Fabian – Un an de vie avec Maurane”, available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TbClplaQrU, and well-worth seeing.
Then of course Lara had to quickly get to Amsterdam for her concert that evening. But with Maurane still on her mind, she opened that concert with a homage to her, singing “Tu es mon autre” in front of a big picture of Maurane. Lara put a video of it, from the Lara Fabian Holland site, on her facebook page, visible at
www.facebook.com/121219371308834/videos/1607434296020660/
with a longer video but from further away, at:
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianBienPlusQuunePassionCorseReunion/videos/838744042986440/
Actually, the best video of this is listed below, with the few other videos that are available from that concert:
Amsterdam 5-17
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBVF4VTQFPk*
Choose What You Love Most: www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2l60Z6qMLo*
Je t’aime (inc): www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIru4-BdGxE
Tu es mon autre: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWu6O04lL3U*
We Are the Storm: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFWT8eM-nx0*
[Once again the best videos, those with close-ups, are indicated by asterisks, but it is important to emphasize that we are grateful to all the people who take the time to record any videos, and then place them on youtube for all to see. Thank you!]
Some photos of the concert are available at:
www.facebook.com/AFASLiveOfficial/photos/ms.c.eJxFzcENgDAMQ9GNkBPj1Nl~;MURLy~;Up30mYZEFCNlBXvjA4IKTyjgNhyhpcQLnMSsofFDhhJ5R7jmYe8AKeBCu5NwSFdPc~;Guvif~_uoVjVOognFB0TGKOk~-.bps.a.2083335825029029.1073742229.129793227049975/2083336055029006/?type=3&theater
accompanied by the comment, “For the first time, Lara Fabian came to the Netherlands and we enjoyed her! After an emotional start of the evening, the brave singer still put down a hell of a show!” - AFAS Live
It seemed to be well-attended, e.g.,
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianBienPlusQuunePassionCorseReunion/photos/a.501228263404688.1073741829.496376867223161/838742959653215/?type=3&theater
It would appear as if Lara pretty much recovered from this emotional ordeal under the impetus of having to perform before the public. So while one could bemoan the juxtaposition of the funeral and the concert, perhaps it ultimately helped Lara focus on something that brought some love and joy into her life.
Then it was on to Athens. Prior to the concert, a long interview was published
(https://www.reader.gr/life/moysiki/synenteyxeis/lara-fampian-sto-readergr-den-dino-mathimata-se-kanenan-eimai-aplos-mia). Here’s the (google) translation:
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Lara Fabian at Reader.gr: "I'm not teaching anyone, I'm just a performer"
With 13 albums on her record, more than 32 million disc sales, dozens of successful concerts around the world and an incredible voice that she herself explains in her interview at Reader.gr is her own signature, Lara Fabian is considered worldwide as one of more recognized and commercial singers of her generation.
Born in Belgium from a Flemish father and Sicilian mother, Lara Fabian, who speaks and sings in seven languages, owes her name to the central heroine of the novel "Doctor Zhivago."
From a child she still knew she would become a singer, and from a very short time she came into contact with the Greek element as Maria Callas and Nana Mouskouri with whom she maintains friendly relations. "I have a special relationship with this place on the planet, Greece," she reveals in the interview she gave at Reader.gr a few days before enjoying her at the Tae Kwon Do In Palaio Faliro Indoor Stadium on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th May.
Here’s the interview.
The Greek audience loves you very much and after the concert of 2016, which was finally canceled due to intense weather, it looks forward to seeing you again on the stage.
LF: Love is mutual! I was deeply distressed when we had to cancel that concert in Athens because of the storm that was considered dangerous for our technical equipment. I could not even find myself on the wet stage, greet and say a word to the audience that patiently waited under the rain. But I am so happy that I was able to keep my promise and return to Athens, not for one but for two concerts! This time, we have ensured that the stage is protected (laughs).
So I would like to say that I have a special relationship with this point on the planet, Greece. I grew enchanted by the voice of Maria Callas and then Nana Mouskouri became my idol. The first concert that my parents took me to when I was little, as a birthday gift, was Nana Mouskouri. And today, two of my closest friends are Giorgos Perris and Marios Fragoulis. But my manager and producer, Matt Ersin, is from Cyprus. What I want to conclude is that I feel like I'm surrounded by people from the Aegean and I feel so lucky about it.
Your recent 13th album, "Camouflage", is the 4th English language of your career and the first with electro-pop sound that leaves the listener a taste of excitement and joy.
LF: Like my first album in English, that included "I will love again", which I confess to being even more pop than "Camouflage". As an artist and as a woman, I think I'm evolving as time goes by, and so is my music. The most important thing for me is not to copy anything that is considered a trend in the charts, but to remain faithful and true to my own artistic DNA and musical identity.
Indeed, "Camouflage" has more electronic sound, but at the same time it also has classical instruments such as guitars, piano and strings. Above all, however, it is a "Lara Fabian" disc, where the composition puts my vocals in the center without overlapping electronic tricks. In this album I collaborated with the award-winning Swedish composer Moh Denebi and the country music star in the US, Sharon Vaughn. The concerts we will be presenting in Athens are based on my new album but will still include all the hits from previous albums that have determined my career. I think it's my best show so far.
What are the common elements of "Camouflage" with your previous albums?
LF: As a creator I am also, as I write lyrics and music in most of my songs, I believe the link between the albums is me, it is my voice. But also what I have to be like a woman, a daughter, a mother, an artist and a person who evolves through her experiences as well as everyone. I am an observer. As for music, my signature is my voice. And in whatever language and kind of music I sing, my voice is the key element for the listener to always recognize my own album.
Is there a message you are trying to send with the songs you are writing?
LF: The truth is that there is no social or political message hiding. I'm not teaching anyone, I'm just a creator and performer. However, my songs talk about my experiences in life and what I have noticed and perceived.
My personal search is always love in all its forms. This has always been my most common subject: love between two people, a woman and a man, two men or two women, the mother, two friends, also the lack of love, the separation or the end of love and the pain it causes. Another issue to which I also often refer is the identity of each and the difficulty we have in accepting the difference. "Camouflage" is mainly an observation on a variety of subjects, at a time when we live from a very personal look.
So which message is the homonymous song "Camouflage" sending?
LF: The song talks about our need to hide to protect ourselves. It talks about the fear of behaving like a different person. For our need, we often wear "masks" in the various roles we play in our everyday life, personal or professional. I believe that if we have the courage to throw out the masks, then we can be our real self. And it probably will not be that difficult at all.
You speak 7 languages. How do you choose the language when writing a song, what does it specify?
LF: I speak fluently 4 languages, but yes I can sing in more ways. Each language has its own musicality. Most of the time this comes naturally and so a song works well only in a specific language. But some other songs can also be translated into other languages without losing performance or losing their musical identity. I like to collaborate with other songwriters in my tracks. Like "Camouflage" I collaborated with a Swedish composer and American songwriter. That's why it came out of course an English-language album.
What flavor do you want to leave the audience with the Camouflage World Tour?
LF: Above all I want everyone to get along well. My tour includes songs from my last album "Camouflage" which has many different colors. But as I told you, we have many big bits of previous albums, from "Je t'aime" to "Je suis malade", and from "I will love again" to "Adagio". There will be songs in English and French and so far the audience in various countries of the planet has worshiped the show. I really think it's the best I've ever done.
So your voice is your musical instrument, you are the same. Are you worried, are you afraid for your voice as you pass through the years?
LF: It's not a matter of worry or fear but attention. I follow a healthy lifestyle and avoid any form of bruising. I also continue to do my vocal exercises. Like a trained athlete, the singer needs to work her voice systematically. So I'm continuing vocal lessons to be sure I will give my 100% when I sing live. Also, when I'm on a tour I avoid talking to the media, interviewing or making meetings because I try to protect my voice as much as I can.
Beyond all of this, of course, the voice changes, like everything else, as we grow older. Yes, my voice has evolved, and it’s not the same as when I was 20 years old. However, that does not frighten me; instead, I learned to use my voice differently and to discover myself small differences but also possibilities that I did not know I am capable of.
How is your daily life?
LF: In recent years it was quite intense, as it was full of the creation and recording of "Camouflage", the promotion of the album and the world tour. I also participated as a judge at Canada's The Voice musical talent show. It was a great production that contained many rehearsals and recorded episodes, and it lasted for several months. Among the program emissions I had to fly by air in various parts of the world, crossing the ocean, for concerts and then back. And as if this is not all, I moved to Canada to write my next album in French which will be released next fall or winter. So my everyday life was full of work and music. And the little time I had left was passed with my family at home.
Describe your experience as a judge at "The Voice". If you started your career now, would you join a show talent?
LF: Yes, I would definitely participate. This kind of show gives incredible recognition to all new and emerging talents. When you reach a certain level of the competition, it is not really important whether you will win or not. The important thing is to be able to present your music to a great audience. And then everything will work magically ... or not. Nowadays, in most countries, there is not much space on the TV for music. And the radio always plays the Top 20 of the charts. So, it is very difficult to earn a little attention even if you are a renowned artist. So think if you're young and upward it's almost impossible. For this reason, a show like "The Voice" is a unique opportunity. I would definitely take part if I took my first steps now to have my chances. For me, as a judge, the experience was fantastic. I'm at a point in my career that I want to concentrate on sharing my experience with the new generation. When I direct and transmit some things, I have the opportunity to learn too. My participation in the show encouraged me to do more in this direction.
Nowadays, people around the world feel fear, concern, the threat of war and terrorism. What are your thoughts and what message would you like to send to the world?
LF: I am a very optimistic person. Yes, there is terrorism, there is war, but I think that over the centuries mankind has been experiencing much worse. If we look at things objectively and out of the perspective of social networks and media that sometimes aim at forming specific views, the mind and the heart can recognize the real challenges. I refer to inequalities, injustice, poverty, the destruction of the environment, and so on. We have to understand that we ourselves keep the key to these issues. My music, my albums and my shows, of course, have to do with the uniting people. I'm not a politician, I'm just a songwriter.
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One thing Lara clarified here: even though she didn’t really move back to Canada to record the new French album as said in that interview, apparently it will be recorded there. Lara did provide an 'update', saying that the album would be out either next fall or winter. And, as we learned last week, Odacity will be shepherding it: “After ‘Camouflage’, Odacity is excited to accompany Lara Fabian in her next French album project (Artistic Direction and advice, Production, Promotion and Marketing, Artist Management) – Odacity”. What this means exactly is not clear, despite that statement. Lara is a ‘Musicor’ artist (e.g., from October 2, 2017 on www.facebook.com/Musicor: "The whole team of Musicor is very proud to count again Lara Fabian, an exceptional artist, within its team. Her new album, Camouflage, will be available this Friday on all digital platforms."), so one imagines they would handle some aspect of this, especially as it is being recorded in Canada. And there are rumors that Lara met with Warner last week, that they love the album, and are discussing financial details. Perhaps Odacity will be coordinating with different companies in different countries.
There are numerous videos from the two shows, links provided below:
Athens 5-19
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrDyRBfHPBQ*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfjBTddXP0M*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sCvwCvO6lc*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LziV9ta4Bo
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkqplTZP2y8
Broken Vow: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sCvwCvO6lc*
Camouflage: www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3rzIxVVtMQ*
Chameleon: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsKMuzdNVHw*
Choose What You Love Most: www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3rzIxVVtMQ*
Communify + I Will Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNZlZx0zY-I*
Growing Wings: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFQeijiBZas*
Humana: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXvWF6T0WNg*
I Will Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn6d37wvXew*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnpkCqUf1SE*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaT0V6NCmJ4*
I’m Breakable: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sCvwCvO6lc*
If I Let You Love Me: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcYDcW2u9iA*
If I Let You Love Me + We are the Flyers: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA7uxXKr7tE
J’ai zappe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3hYkijVvBE*
Je suis malade: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZY1st-h8gk*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceCPgWK-Pgc*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNZlZx0zY-I*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsKMuzdNVHw*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRlJFvyRfFE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrDyRBfHPBQ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rumplH2_-qc
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzNfJTCGYfg
Je t’aime: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xpQd74VxuM*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fraCGpZeGlU*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzwWI1sh_4k*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqRxQezHFuU*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjvBus3VZZ4*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qpd7UozdbM*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsKMuzdNVHw*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LziV9ta4Bo
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRlJFvyRfFE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1oJOhPVsQA
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ngxozw6dq2I
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCWEeqrmlz0
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygDI4KSqjac
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRlJFvyRfFE
Keep the Animals Away: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMBY9xoFGZ4*
Painting in the Rain: www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6wMAdXuyZk*
Pas sans toi: www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3rzIxVVtMQ*
Perfect: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sCvwCvO6lc*
We are the Flyers: www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6wMAdXuyZk*
Athens 5-20
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCWEeqrmlz0
Chamelion + opening: www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6nTMXebSqQ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IQaJTpZHMs (inc)
Choose What You Love Most: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyCPoz79dRs
Growing Wings: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX2rFAQYIgM
Je suis malade: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SZclsbzp6Q
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzNfJTCGYfg
Je t’aime: www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9xJh7XSSlA
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygDI4KSqjac
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7vynriAfas
Painting in the Rain: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpduGL9pICQ
Pas sans toi (inc): www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRv62Rn2cRM*
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/videos/2059332320774921/
As one can see there are many high-quality videos, especially for the first show. Although basically the complete concert is therefore available, it is also true that the most videos are of Lara’s older songs. As those who have seen these concerts live can attest, those songs also generally get the most enthusiastic response from the audience. In her numerous interviews, Lara has emphasized how much she likes the new album, how it really is a ‘Lara Fabian’ album – but, understandably, she has had a hard time convincing her long-time audience to enjoy them as much as her long-time favorites.
Lara herself put some pictures from the concert on her site, at
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.622966977744803.1073741829.201065806601591/2060081437366676/?type=3&theater
along with the comment, “Thank you my beloved Greece! See you soon…”
Many photos are available from the Lara Fabian Greece FB site, at:
www.facebook.com/larafabiangreece/photos/a.944875995637494.1073741910.443548625770236/944876045637489/?type=3&theater
with additional ones at
www.govastileto.gr/lifestyle/apoklistika-vinteo-h-lara-fabian-magepse-me-ti-foni-tis-tous-elines-fans-tis/
The latter also includes some text indicating how wonderful the shows were.
Maurane was not left completely behind here either; Lara posted on her Instagram account the following picture:
with the caption, “From my Greek Fans…to you…
A short article about the concert can be found at (https://oikotimes.com/%F0%9F%87%B1%F0%9F%87%BA-lara-fabian-gives-a-second-night-sold-out-concert-in-athens/), copied below (thanks to the LFIAG site for the info):
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LARA FABIAN GIVES A SECOND NIGHT / SOLD OUT CONCERT IN ATHENS
ON THE SPOT: LIVE FROM ATHENS
A year ago the one day tour of Lara Fabian disappointed her Greek fans as the concert cancelled the very last minute (before Lara gets on stage) as a rain made the open air concert at OAKA impossible to take place. A year after, the concert not only took place in an inside arena but also gave the opportunity for the Greeks to enjoy her as Lara performed twice (Saturday 19, Sunday 20). Both concerts were sold out in an arena of estimated 12,000 auditors.
Lara Sophie Katy Crokaert, better known as Lara Fabian, is a Canadian-Belgian singer. She has sold over 20 million records worldwide and is one of the best-selling Belgian artists of all time. She was born in Etterbeek, Brussels to a Belgian father and a Sicilian mother. Since 1996 she holds a Canadian citizenship alongside the original Belgian.
As of 2015 she lived in Walloon Brabant province in Belgium just outside Brussels. She has since moved back to Montreal.
In 1988, the RTL TV channel in Luxembourg invited Fabian to represent the country at the 33rd Eurovision Song Contest, held that year in Dublin, Ireland.
The song was a composition by Jacques Cardona and Alain Garcia entitled Croire (Belief) which reached a respectable fourth place (while Celine Dion won the contest representing Switzerland).
The single became a hit in Europe, selling nearly 500,000 copies.
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While the concert was indoors and away from any rain, it apparently was not the best venue from the standpoint of sound; notice the comments about that which were made in conjunction with one of the Adagio videos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfjBTddXP0M). Regardless, if, as stated, Lara filled 12,000 seats in Athens on two successive evenings, that is extremely impressive!
Interesting photo(s) of the week: obviously, Lara standing before Maurane’s picture at the opening of her concert in Amsterdam,
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.622966977744803.1073741829.201065806601591/2055368807837939/?type=3&theater
And to change the mood, Lara with George Perris in Athens,
Lara in concert in Athens, from Lara Fabian Mexico,
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianfromMexico/photos/a.556367684417296.1073741826.556364357750962/1677515028969217/?type=3&theater
and from an interview there,
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianfromMexico/photos/a.556367684417296.1073741826.556364357750962/1677509382303115/?type=3&theater
And, finally, for something different, Celine Kalantarian shared this picture link on the LFIAG SELECT site,
Lara now has more than two weeks off before her next concert in Brussels, so, assuming (hoping!) there are no more funerals to go to, her life should be easier. There had been rumors that the show in Brussels was going to be recorded for a DVD – and Lara said in the Greek interview that this is her favorite show, ever – but we’ve not heard anything official about that. Perhaps we would have by this time, if it were true. There is still the new French album to be concerned with, though we don’t know how far along that is, while the program with Sonia Benezra is apparently going to be recorded on May 30th. Still this should be a relatively quiet and beneficial time with her family, quite a change from the ups and downs of this past week.
David
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianfromMexico/photos/a.556367684417296.1073741826.556364357750962/1675597665827620/?type=3
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianetEmmanuelMoireLEduo/photos/a.199122136821054.50267.160613337338601/1787842301282355/?type=3&theater
Note Gerard Pullicino to Lara’s right in this last picture.
Lara did not speak to the press, but instead addressed a letter directly to Maurane, which was printed in Cine Tele Revue (https://www.cinetelerevue.be/actus/lhommage-de-lara-fabian-maurane-nous-etions-jumelles). Here’s the translation:
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The tribute of Lara Fabian to Maurane: "We were twins"
Child of the stars ... Is it warmer away from metal? Here we lie down on top every night, our heart in the water since your departure. Only the warmth of your voice reminds us that you will never die. Since last May 7, I talk to life of taking back its rights ..., but my body has lost sleep and my spirit is swirling with you. My memory puts back in place the history of our "love". I'm 16 when I fall in love with your mug, 18 when the one who will become my best friend, Nathalie, appears in my life with you on her arm, quite naturally.
Very quickly, I come to see you in concert ... Nathalie takes me along. You'll laugh about it affectionately, but I'll cry for two hours of the show. How not to reconnect to the source upstairs and to make it color your own sound when one listens to you. This sensation of being at home when I hear your voice will never leave me. Gradually I learn to know you, for me. You are almost untouchable, and I look at you in the face while rising up to walk on the thread that only you knew how to tame. This thread that with so much simplicity you drew tight between you and me, as if we were the missing part of the voice of one and the other.
But strangely, until then, I always meet you trembling ... Because a part of me will always see you as the one who guides, like the one, the one that inspires forever ... I will never forget your look when I told you that for me you were the other Ella Fitzgerald. And that you belonged to the most beautiful voices of the universe. That for me you were up there at the top with Callas and Streisand ... Your brave heart jumped for joy, your eyes lit, like when a child realizes she is the most beautiful in the world for her dad. You looked at me like you had never done before and then I understood. I understood that you were a little girl ... A little girl with her polka-dot dress and her Fisher Price ... I understood that you gave to the infant for a piece of love to finally come back to your soul. I realized that in the place of our fragility we were twins.
Your soul was so vast that you lost yourself in it by trying to go around it ... While we were floating there stunned by its beauty. Because nobody changes like that unless her soul is really beautiful ... Nobody. Each time that our lives mixed with or without light, I lived it as a gift. The stories that unite us are many and they are ours. I keep them for us. But some of them, so beautiful, have been shared and loved by millions of people. I believe we measured the chance that we had at that moment. From "Tu es mon autre" to "Mais vie" through "Evidemment" and "Fais moi une place", we always jumped to the heart at the moment when the music took us with her.
After we had our "Lou(s)", our astrological signs crossed from mothers in girls, our love for the lightness and its bubbles. Our strolls in front of the squirrels in Montreal, our crazy laughter, our meals overflowing with pasta balls and tomato sauce, with my dad and "the mamma". My parents loved you so much ... They will love you again and again ... After there was the life, violent and without pity that slapped both of us in the face... But we gave her the change and she only had to behave well. One does not prevent a large lake from reflecting the beauty of a cello.
As we throw a bottle to the sea, I come to send you a last message, I have written it to you on this phone that you will never look at again. I could not stop myself. You never know ... everything is possible from the stars, no? I'm going to get drunk with your voice, so that hell becomes paradise ... You sang it: the day rises despite the night ...
Amen Mau, I love you
Mau I love you ...
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Very poetic, sometimes cryptic – one gets the feeling Lara really is writing to Maurane, in the hope that she can, somehow, receive it. As Lara said, perhaps everything is possible from the stars…Along with her FB comment, discussed last week, these are the only two communications Lara gave out to the public concerning her feelings about Maurane’s passing. For more Lara-Maurane material from the past, a number of sites are linking to the video from 2005, “Lara Fabian – Un an de vie avec Maurane”, available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TbClplaQrU, and well-worth seeing.
Then of course Lara had to quickly get to Amsterdam for her concert that evening. But with Maurane still on her mind, she opened that concert with a homage to her, singing “Tu es mon autre” in front of a big picture of Maurane. Lara put a video of it, from the Lara Fabian Holland site, on her facebook page, visible at
www.facebook.com/121219371308834/videos/1607434296020660/
with a longer video but from further away, at:
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianBienPlusQuunePassionCorseReunion/videos/838744042986440/
Actually, the best video of this is listed below, with the few other videos that are available from that concert:
Amsterdam 5-17
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBVF4VTQFPk*
Choose What You Love Most: www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2l60Z6qMLo*
Je t’aime (inc): www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIru4-BdGxE
Tu es mon autre: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWu6O04lL3U*
We Are the Storm: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFWT8eM-nx0*
[Once again the best videos, those with close-ups, are indicated by asterisks, but it is important to emphasize that we are grateful to all the people who take the time to record any videos, and then place them on youtube for all to see. Thank you!]
Some photos of the concert are available at:
www.facebook.com/AFASLiveOfficial/photos/ms.c.eJxFzcENgDAMQ9GNkBPj1Nl~;MURLy~;Up30mYZEFCNlBXvjA4IKTyjgNhyhpcQLnMSsofFDhhJ5R7jmYe8AKeBCu5NwSFdPc~;Guvif~_uoVjVOognFB0TGKOk~-.bps.a.2083335825029029.1073742229.129793227049975/2083336055029006/?type=3&theater
accompanied by the comment, “For the first time, Lara Fabian came to the Netherlands and we enjoyed her! After an emotional start of the evening, the brave singer still put down a hell of a show!” - AFAS Live
It seemed to be well-attended, e.g.,
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianBienPlusQuunePassionCorseReunion/photos/a.501228263404688.1073741829.496376867223161/838742959653215/?type=3&theater
It would appear as if Lara pretty much recovered from this emotional ordeal under the impetus of having to perform before the public. So while one could bemoan the juxtaposition of the funeral and the concert, perhaps it ultimately helped Lara focus on something that brought some love and joy into her life.
Then it was on to Athens. Prior to the concert, a long interview was published
(https://www.reader.gr/life/moysiki/synenteyxeis/lara-fampian-sto-readergr-den-dino-mathimata-se-kanenan-eimai-aplos-mia). Here’s the (google) translation:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Lara Fabian at Reader.gr: "I'm not teaching anyone, I'm just a performer"
With 13 albums on her record, more than 32 million disc sales, dozens of successful concerts around the world and an incredible voice that she herself explains in her interview at Reader.gr is her own signature, Lara Fabian is considered worldwide as one of more recognized and commercial singers of her generation.
Born in Belgium from a Flemish father and Sicilian mother, Lara Fabian, who speaks and sings in seven languages, owes her name to the central heroine of the novel "Doctor Zhivago."
From a child she still knew she would become a singer, and from a very short time she came into contact with the Greek element as Maria Callas and Nana Mouskouri with whom she maintains friendly relations. "I have a special relationship with this place on the planet, Greece," she reveals in the interview she gave at Reader.gr a few days before enjoying her at the Tae Kwon Do In Palaio Faliro Indoor Stadium on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th May.
Here’s the interview.
The Greek audience loves you very much and after the concert of 2016, which was finally canceled due to intense weather, it looks forward to seeing you again on the stage.
LF: Love is mutual! I was deeply distressed when we had to cancel that concert in Athens because of the storm that was considered dangerous for our technical equipment. I could not even find myself on the wet stage, greet and say a word to the audience that patiently waited under the rain. But I am so happy that I was able to keep my promise and return to Athens, not for one but for two concerts! This time, we have ensured that the stage is protected (laughs).
So I would like to say that I have a special relationship with this point on the planet, Greece. I grew enchanted by the voice of Maria Callas and then Nana Mouskouri became my idol. The first concert that my parents took me to when I was little, as a birthday gift, was Nana Mouskouri. And today, two of my closest friends are Giorgos Perris and Marios Fragoulis. But my manager and producer, Matt Ersin, is from Cyprus. What I want to conclude is that I feel like I'm surrounded by people from the Aegean and I feel so lucky about it.
Your recent 13th album, "Camouflage", is the 4th English language of your career and the first with electro-pop sound that leaves the listener a taste of excitement and joy.
LF: Like my first album in English, that included "I will love again", which I confess to being even more pop than "Camouflage". As an artist and as a woman, I think I'm evolving as time goes by, and so is my music. The most important thing for me is not to copy anything that is considered a trend in the charts, but to remain faithful and true to my own artistic DNA and musical identity.
Indeed, "Camouflage" has more electronic sound, but at the same time it also has classical instruments such as guitars, piano and strings. Above all, however, it is a "Lara Fabian" disc, where the composition puts my vocals in the center without overlapping electronic tricks. In this album I collaborated with the award-winning Swedish composer Moh Denebi and the country music star in the US, Sharon Vaughn. The concerts we will be presenting in Athens are based on my new album but will still include all the hits from previous albums that have determined my career. I think it's my best show so far.
What are the common elements of "Camouflage" with your previous albums?
LF: As a creator I am also, as I write lyrics and music in most of my songs, I believe the link between the albums is me, it is my voice. But also what I have to be like a woman, a daughter, a mother, an artist and a person who evolves through her experiences as well as everyone. I am an observer. As for music, my signature is my voice. And in whatever language and kind of music I sing, my voice is the key element for the listener to always recognize my own album.
Is there a message you are trying to send with the songs you are writing?
LF: The truth is that there is no social or political message hiding. I'm not teaching anyone, I'm just a creator and performer. However, my songs talk about my experiences in life and what I have noticed and perceived.
My personal search is always love in all its forms. This has always been my most common subject: love between two people, a woman and a man, two men or two women, the mother, two friends, also the lack of love, the separation or the end of love and the pain it causes. Another issue to which I also often refer is the identity of each and the difficulty we have in accepting the difference. "Camouflage" is mainly an observation on a variety of subjects, at a time when we live from a very personal look.
So which message is the homonymous song "Camouflage" sending?
LF: The song talks about our need to hide to protect ourselves. It talks about the fear of behaving like a different person. For our need, we often wear "masks" in the various roles we play in our everyday life, personal or professional. I believe that if we have the courage to throw out the masks, then we can be our real self. And it probably will not be that difficult at all.
You speak 7 languages. How do you choose the language when writing a song, what does it specify?
LF: I speak fluently 4 languages, but yes I can sing in more ways. Each language has its own musicality. Most of the time this comes naturally and so a song works well only in a specific language. But some other songs can also be translated into other languages without losing performance or losing their musical identity. I like to collaborate with other songwriters in my tracks. Like "Camouflage" I collaborated with a Swedish composer and American songwriter. That's why it came out of course an English-language album.
What flavor do you want to leave the audience with the Camouflage World Tour?
LF: Above all I want everyone to get along well. My tour includes songs from my last album "Camouflage" which has many different colors. But as I told you, we have many big bits of previous albums, from "Je t'aime" to "Je suis malade", and from "I will love again" to "Adagio". There will be songs in English and French and so far the audience in various countries of the planet has worshiped the show. I really think it's the best I've ever done.
So your voice is your musical instrument, you are the same. Are you worried, are you afraid for your voice as you pass through the years?
LF: It's not a matter of worry or fear but attention. I follow a healthy lifestyle and avoid any form of bruising. I also continue to do my vocal exercises. Like a trained athlete, the singer needs to work her voice systematically. So I'm continuing vocal lessons to be sure I will give my 100% when I sing live. Also, when I'm on a tour I avoid talking to the media, interviewing or making meetings because I try to protect my voice as much as I can.
Beyond all of this, of course, the voice changes, like everything else, as we grow older. Yes, my voice has evolved, and it’s not the same as when I was 20 years old. However, that does not frighten me; instead, I learned to use my voice differently and to discover myself small differences but also possibilities that I did not know I am capable of.
How is your daily life?
LF: In recent years it was quite intense, as it was full of the creation and recording of "Camouflage", the promotion of the album and the world tour. I also participated as a judge at Canada's The Voice musical talent show. It was a great production that contained many rehearsals and recorded episodes, and it lasted for several months. Among the program emissions I had to fly by air in various parts of the world, crossing the ocean, for concerts and then back. And as if this is not all, I moved to Canada to write my next album in French which will be released next fall or winter. So my everyday life was full of work and music. And the little time I had left was passed with my family at home.
Describe your experience as a judge at "The Voice". If you started your career now, would you join a show talent?
LF: Yes, I would definitely participate. This kind of show gives incredible recognition to all new and emerging talents. When you reach a certain level of the competition, it is not really important whether you will win or not. The important thing is to be able to present your music to a great audience. And then everything will work magically ... or not. Nowadays, in most countries, there is not much space on the TV for music. And the radio always plays the Top 20 of the charts. So, it is very difficult to earn a little attention even if you are a renowned artist. So think if you're young and upward it's almost impossible. For this reason, a show like "The Voice" is a unique opportunity. I would definitely take part if I took my first steps now to have my chances. For me, as a judge, the experience was fantastic. I'm at a point in my career that I want to concentrate on sharing my experience with the new generation. When I direct and transmit some things, I have the opportunity to learn too. My participation in the show encouraged me to do more in this direction.
Nowadays, people around the world feel fear, concern, the threat of war and terrorism. What are your thoughts and what message would you like to send to the world?
LF: I am a very optimistic person. Yes, there is terrorism, there is war, but I think that over the centuries mankind has been experiencing much worse. If we look at things objectively and out of the perspective of social networks and media that sometimes aim at forming specific views, the mind and the heart can recognize the real challenges. I refer to inequalities, injustice, poverty, the destruction of the environment, and so on. We have to understand that we ourselves keep the key to these issues. My music, my albums and my shows, of course, have to do with the uniting people. I'm not a politician, I'm just a songwriter.
---------------------------------------------------------
One thing Lara clarified here: even though she didn’t really move back to Canada to record the new French album as said in that interview, apparently it will be recorded there. Lara did provide an 'update', saying that the album would be out either next fall or winter. And, as we learned last week, Odacity will be shepherding it: “After ‘Camouflage’, Odacity is excited to accompany Lara Fabian in her next French album project (Artistic Direction and advice, Production, Promotion and Marketing, Artist Management) – Odacity”. What this means exactly is not clear, despite that statement. Lara is a ‘Musicor’ artist (e.g., from October 2, 2017 on www.facebook.com/Musicor: "The whole team of Musicor is very proud to count again Lara Fabian, an exceptional artist, within its team. Her new album, Camouflage, will be available this Friday on all digital platforms."), so one imagines they would handle some aspect of this, especially as it is being recorded in Canada. And there are rumors that Lara met with Warner last week, that they love the album, and are discussing financial details. Perhaps Odacity will be coordinating with different companies in different countries.
There are numerous videos from the two shows, links provided below:
Athens 5-19
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrDyRBfHPBQ*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfjBTddXP0M*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sCvwCvO6lc*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LziV9ta4Bo
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkqplTZP2y8
Broken Vow: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sCvwCvO6lc*
Camouflage: www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3rzIxVVtMQ*
Chameleon: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsKMuzdNVHw*
Choose What You Love Most: www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3rzIxVVtMQ*
Communify + I Will Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNZlZx0zY-I*
Growing Wings: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFQeijiBZas*
Humana: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXvWF6T0WNg*
I Will Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn6d37wvXew*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnpkCqUf1SE*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaT0V6NCmJ4*
I’m Breakable: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sCvwCvO6lc*
If I Let You Love Me: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcYDcW2u9iA*
If I Let You Love Me + We are the Flyers: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA7uxXKr7tE
J’ai zappe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3hYkijVvBE*
Je suis malade: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZY1st-h8gk*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceCPgWK-Pgc*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNZlZx0zY-I*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsKMuzdNVHw*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRlJFvyRfFE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrDyRBfHPBQ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rumplH2_-qc
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzNfJTCGYfg
Je t’aime: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xpQd74VxuM*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fraCGpZeGlU*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzwWI1sh_4k*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqRxQezHFuU*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjvBus3VZZ4*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qpd7UozdbM*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsKMuzdNVHw*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LziV9ta4Bo
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRlJFvyRfFE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1oJOhPVsQA
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ngxozw6dq2I
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCWEeqrmlz0
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygDI4KSqjac
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRlJFvyRfFE
Keep the Animals Away: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMBY9xoFGZ4*
Painting in the Rain: www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6wMAdXuyZk*
Pas sans toi: www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3rzIxVVtMQ*
Perfect: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sCvwCvO6lc*
We are the Flyers: www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6wMAdXuyZk*
Athens 5-20
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCWEeqrmlz0
Chamelion + opening: www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6nTMXebSqQ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IQaJTpZHMs (inc)
Choose What You Love Most: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyCPoz79dRs
Growing Wings: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX2rFAQYIgM
Je suis malade: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SZclsbzp6Q
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzNfJTCGYfg
Je t’aime: www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9xJh7XSSlA
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygDI4KSqjac
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7vynriAfas
Painting in the Rain: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpduGL9pICQ
Pas sans toi (inc): www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRv62Rn2cRM*
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/videos/2059332320774921/
As one can see there are many high-quality videos, especially for the first show. Although basically the complete concert is therefore available, it is also true that the most videos are of Lara’s older songs. As those who have seen these concerts live can attest, those songs also generally get the most enthusiastic response from the audience. In her numerous interviews, Lara has emphasized how much she likes the new album, how it really is a ‘Lara Fabian’ album – but, understandably, she has had a hard time convincing her long-time audience to enjoy them as much as her long-time favorites.
Lara herself put some pictures from the concert on her site, at
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.622966977744803.1073741829.201065806601591/2060081437366676/?type=3&theater
along with the comment, “Thank you my beloved Greece! See you soon…”
Many photos are available from the Lara Fabian Greece FB site, at:
www.facebook.com/larafabiangreece/photos/a.944875995637494.1073741910.443548625770236/944876045637489/?type=3&theater
with additional ones at
www.govastileto.gr/lifestyle/apoklistika-vinteo-h-lara-fabian-magepse-me-ti-foni-tis-tous-elines-fans-tis/
The latter also includes some text indicating how wonderful the shows were.
Maurane was not left completely behind here either; Lara posted on her Instagram account the following picture:
with the caption, “From my Greek Fans…to you…
A short article about the concert can be found at (https://oikotimes.com/%F0%9F%87%B1%F0%9F%87%BA-lara-fabian-gives-a-second-night-sold-out-concert-in-athens/), copied below (thanks to the LFIAG site for the info):
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LARA FABIAN GIVES A SECOND NIGHT / SOLD OUT CONCERT IN ATHENS
ON THE SPOT: LIVE FROM ATHENS
A year ago the one day tour of Lara Fabian disappointed her Greek fans as the concert cancelled the very last minute (before Lara gets on stage) as a rain made the open air concert at OAKA impossible to take place. A year after, the concert not only took place in an inside arena but also gave the opportunity for the Greeks to enjoy her as Lara performed twice (Saturday 19, Sunday 20). Both concerts were sold out in an arena of estimated 12,000 auditors.
Lara Sophie Katy Crokaert, better known as Lara Fabian, is a Canadian-Belgian singer. She has sold over 20 million records worldwide and is one of the best-selling Belgian artists of all time. She was born in Etterbeek, Brussels to a Belgian father and a Sicilian mother. Since 1996 she holds a Canadian citizenship alongside the original Belgian.
As of 2015 she lived in Walloon Brabant province in Belgium just outside Brussels. She has since moved back to Montreal.
In 1988, the RTL TV channel in Luxembourg invited Fabian to represent the country at the 33rd Eurovision Song Contest, held that year in Dublin, Ireland.
The song was a composition by Jacques Cardona and Alain Garcia entitled Croire (Belief) which reached a respectable fourth place (while Celine Dion won the contest representing Switzerland).
The single became a hit in Europe, selling nearly 500,000 copies.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
While the concert was indoors and away from any rain, it apparently was not the best venue from the standpoint of sound; notice the comments about that which were made in conjunction with one of the Adagio videos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfjBTddXP0M). Regardless, if, as stated, Lara filled 12,000 seats in Athens on two successive evenings, that is extremely impressive!
Interesting photo(s) of the week: obviously, Lara standing before Maurane’s picture at the opening of her concert in Amsterdam,
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.622966977744803.1073741829.201065806601591/2055368807837939/?type=3&theater
And to change the mood, Lara with George Perris in Athens,
http://instagram.com/p/Bi9_0inlYIX
Lara in concert in Athens, from Lara Fabian Mexico,
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianfromMexico/photos/a.556367684417296.1073741826.556364357750962/1677515028969217/?type=3&theater
and from an interview there,
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianfromMexico/photos/a.556367684417296.1073741826.556364357750962/1677509382303115/?type=3&theater
And, finally, for something different, Celine Kalantarian shared this picture link on the LFIAG SELECT site,
Lara now has more than two weeks off before her next concert in Brussels, so, assuming (hoping!) there are no more funerals to go to, her life should be easier. There had been rumors that the show in Brussels was going to be recorded for a DVD – and Lara said in the Greek interview that this is her favorite show, ever – but we’ve not heard anything official about that. Perhaps we would have by this time, if it were true. There is still the new French album to be concerned with, though we don’t know how far along that is, while the program with Sonia Benezra is apparently going to be recorded on May 30th. Still this should be a relatively quiet and beneficial time with her family, quite a change from the ups and downs of this past week.
David
