Post by davidhr on Jun 12, 2018 8:13:25 GMT -5
The big news this past week was Lara’s concert in Brussels for her English language album Camouflage. Lara started out by telling them that it was so special for her to bring the album to them, after all the various places around the world she’s gone. That put everything in the right mood, and she got a wonderful reception (review the audience response to her prior to ‘Choose What You Love Most’ in the video below). The set differed somewhat in that, given the locale, she included “Tu es mon autre” for Muarane; and perhaps, to provide equal balance, brought back her song with Johnny Hallyday, “Requium pour un fou” which had been missing from the last concerts. She was in quite good voice, and seemed in a great mood.
We have some nice videos from the show, linked to below. [Again, the best videos are indicated by an *, but all videos are welcome; even among the starred choices, there is a difference in quality).
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgheU0lgpxc*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbIOXudWBn0*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FyIs1vzxEA*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8pyf0k2l4Y*
Communify: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhtLfNQ_EKI*
Communify and I Will Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQpSfDQvsts*
Humana: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzOTrktZ1fA*
I’m Breakable: www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-FVgbOlBsU*
I Will Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XqQSUcA904*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3US8AwJRBg*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9npvBzRpi34*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDRoGgfTDbg*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbSNXUVVa3A(inc)*
Pas sans toi: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPUfQL7lLtA*
Perfect: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqmnRyYSRPc*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCleHaBv2hg*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYrHvVuNGmU*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2ao8TJZWew
Many wonderful photos are available from the ‘Lara Fabian plus qu’une Passion: Corse Reunion” site, at:
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianBienPlusQuunePassionCorseReunion/photos/pcb.852333271627517/852330991627745/?type=3&theater
And an Instagram post shared by the Lara Fabian es ton autre FB site of Lara with attendees can be seen at:
Lara spoke mostly (but not exclusively) in French while describing the songs, and there was enough French in the setlist that it didn’t seem to be a problem. The top balconies apparently were closed, and so the hall seated some 4000, which was seemed pretty well-filled.
Afterwards, she had the following (translated) Tweet (https://twitter.com/LFabianOfficial):
“My Belgium.. Brussels… It feels so good [for one] to find her family.. Thank you for this beautiful evening.. I love you…”
A review of the concert can be found at (http://www.ultratop.be/fr/blog/popattitude/1419). Here’s the translation:
----------------------------------------------------
Lara Fabian is an artist who needs no introduction. After selling more than 12 million albums worldwide in 30 years of career, she is one of the key figures of the French and world music scene. Indeed, in 2010, it is Russia that the singer conquered with 'Mademoiselle Zhivago'. Her name also circulates in the Middle East (Turkey, Israel ...), Italy, Portugal ...
On the occasion of the promotion of her 4th album in English, 'Camouflage', she decided to promote her career abroad, notably by becoming a coach in the Canadian edition of The Voice. However, Lara Fabian does not forget her country of origin, and made a homecoming by performing on the stage of Forest National this June 9th. In front of more than 4000 spectators, the artist has embarked on a major demonstration of her talent. And as seems to be the case for years now, the public seems to hold on to it immeasurably.
The Great Court
From experience, we know very well that going to see Lara Fabian live is to set the bar high in terms of vocal range and stage performance. Indeed, critics have often criticized her tendency to be too "screaming" in her songs. Yet the vocal palette of the artist is her asset. We can not imagine her singing "Je t’aime" without going to the maximum of her abilities. Although, it seems that Lara took into account these remarks because, although exceptional from one end to the other, we are persuaded that the singer still kept some in reserve at times.
This being the case, the artist has this undeniable talent to provoke us to shivers. Notably, by revisiting her repertoire, we remained staring at the moment when the melodies of 'Je suis malade’ and 'Adagio' sounded. Emotion also on the side of Lara Fabian who confesses "to have the chance, thanks to the public, to live moments of music across many cities. She adds, "I want to tell you how happy, touched and grateful I am to see you again at Forest National".
The concert was also punctuated by moments of weightlessness. We think especially of this moment of tribute to Maurane where the singer interpreted their title in common 'Tu es mon autre’. In front of a fragile ovation of the public, Lara confides, moved: "Forest National is a particular place for me where I lived incredible moments. And among them, there are those sublime moments, reached those stars that one can not distinguish, unless we approach them thanks to another artist. And the star I'm going to talk to you about is Maurane". Vivid emotion also at the end of the concert, when the artist takes again with a hand of a master 'Requiem pour un fou' of Johnny Hallyday, with whom she had shared a duet at the Stade De France.
Chameleon
Although the artist is comfortable in the register of emotion, she is not confined to a style. During a catchy medley, Lara demonstrated her ability to ambience a room with the energetic 'I Will Love Again'. Huge surprise and crush for the rhythmic 'Communify', present on her latest album. This title, accompanied by the visual universe accompanying 'Camouflage', would have been a perfect single. We are convinced of it.
In true chameleon style, the artist oscillates with disconcerting ease between new English titles (like the sublime ballad 'Growing Wings') and her French classics. We do not know in what language we prefer her.
Close to her audience, she kept repeating how much she owed it, and how much she held to it. Accepting gifts and handshakes, there is no doubt that Lara was moved to perform in her homeland. Seeing the singer once in concert is something we recommend. For the energy that emanates from her, for the particular atmosphere that is felt there and especially, for the vocal talent of Lara Fabian. Many would dream, after 30 years of career, to have her career. And above all, it's a good idea to enjoy a concert live pure, not in semi playback. Proof that yes, Belgium is full of talent. They are before our eyes, and we must appreciate them. There is no need to look beyond borders.
----------------------------------------------------------
Wonderful review, and nice summary of what Lara brings to the world of music.
In other news, several other stories of note occurred. Lara’s team made the following announcement:
“We regret to inform that the Germany concerts are cancelled by the organizing company, BEBG. Following a tragic accident occurred to the Director of the organizing company, BEBG, the company representatives have informed us about their incapacity to ensure proper promotion and organization of the concerts in Germany, or to ensure any of their financial obligations in regards to the artist, band and crew. We have witnessed in the last months, that no promotion was made in Germany about these concerts, which have resulted in poor ticket sales situation. We expect the organizing company to publish information regarding the reimbursement of all tickets purchased. We are working now to bring Lara Fabian to Germany in cooperation with another concert organizing company.”
We wish them good luck in finding a new group to take over five concerts just a few months downstream, for an artist who is fairly unknown in that country. One imagines this will not be an easy task, not if Lara intends it to be commercially viable for her. This means that after the concert in Paris next Saturday there will be only one more ‘Camouflage’ concert – in Sao Paulo, at the end of September. If the German concerts cannot be resuscitated, perhaps Lara can expand the South American portion of that tour, even if it is late in the game. If nothing else is done, the Camouflage world tour will at the end have had some 23 concerts, quite a reduction from the 35-40 originally planned.
The other major subject concerns the new French album, which had its first pre-listening session in Brussels, and it is starting to get noticed by the media. For example (http://www.melody.tv/actualite/lara-fabian-va-proposer-un-nouvel-album-en-francais), translated below:
-------------------------------------------------------
The new Lara FABIAN (in French) is on track! The management of the singer announces the pre-listening dedicated to the professionals and some lucky fans, of a disc realized by the team of her previous opus "Camouflage". Electro-pop sounds are expected, for this successor of " Ma vie dans la tienne", published three years ago. A French-language cake that had generated 100,000 cash passes.
Moreover, last February, the singer of 48 years was installed for the first time in the red seat jury of season 6 of "La Voix" on TVA, Quebec - alongside GAROU , Alex NEVSKY and Eric LAPOINTE .
Undisputed star in the 90s, and until the mid-2000s, Lara FABIAN has - it must be said, experienced some difficulties in recent years. "Camouflage", her last English-language record, did not exceed 10,000 takers.
--------------------------------------------------------
There have been a few general reports from those who attended the pre-listening session. Clearly they didn’t want to (and were encouraged not to) say too much. In addition, they were told the album is still being produced, the vocals are not finished, there are missing string arrangements etc on some songs…Nevertheless, the quick impression was that it was sort of like a French version of Camouflage, a possibility made more likely by having, as the article above stated, the same writing team. Another opinion was that some of the ballads made it resemble a French version of ‘A Wonderful Life’, but more electric. All of this sounds somewhat promising, though again one should apparently not expect “Pure”, or the first English album.
As to the timing of the release, clearly from the comments about the state of the album it is not really finished, although it was never going to be put out in the summer anyway. So this implies Lara will be spending at least some time during the summer finishing it. That probably implies it will not be on the shelves immediately after ‘la rentree’ in September, and the general statement ‘by the end of the year’ would seem more appropriate.
WRT the minuscule sales achieved by ‘Camouflage’, also noted in the article above: Camouflage had very little direct promotion, in English or French speaking countries, and while the health problems referred to above seemingly played a role in (so far) cancelling the German concerts, one wonders how many people would have come anyway – her September concerts would have come one year after she was last there, promoting it for a few days when it was first launched. And given the potential of another appearance on La Voix in Quebec, one wonders how much Lara will be around in France and Belgium to actively promote the new French album in the media (an important factor, in addition to whatever concerts she may have planned). The commercial fate of even high quality albums, like Camouflage and perhaps this new one, is not pre-ordained, it’s the result of choices made or not made, based on what one feels is important. We’ll find that out.
Interesting photo(s) of the week: from Lara Fabian Mexico, at her Brussels concert:
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianfromMexico/photos/a.747329741987755.1073741888.556364357750962/1700795356641184/?type=3&theater
This week marks Lara’s (almost) last concerts for the Camouflage tour, with two performances in Prague and one in Paris. Prague has always featured very enthusiastic audiences, though primarily for French language concerts, but it would be surprising if she didn’t get a rousing reception for this (mostly) English one as well. Paris might be a tougher sell for a mostly English concert, but look for Lara to include the two "duet" songs in French to even up the distribution a bit. With this show now almost at an end, it’s probably past time to congratulate Lara and her team that put it together – visually, vocally, musically, it has been a great enjoyment, and this has been universally recognized by all the audiences that have the fortunate to see it in person. May all her future shows be as good.
David
We have some nice videos from the show, linked to below. [Again, the best videos are indicated by an *, but all videos are welcome; even among the starred choices, there is a difference in quality).
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgheU0lgpxc*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbIOXudWBn0*
Broken Vow: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjiwwX47uHw*
Camouflage: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpjl3WNo4zE*www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FyIs1vzxEA*
Chameleon: www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_clLnGz1jw*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSG7GadtyKs*Choose What You Love Most: www.youtube.com/watch?v=csW7bFXHgsU*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu7xtpYxsW4*www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8pyf0k2l4Y*
Communify: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhtLfNQ_EKI*
Communify and I Will Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQpSfDQvsts*
Humana: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzOTrktZ1fA*
I’m Breakable: www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-FVgbOlBsU*
I Will Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XqQSUcA904*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3US8AwJRBg*
If I Let You Love Me (inc): www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CeRzqGgoV4
J’ai zappe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOKd4klqo08*www.youtube.com/watch?v=9npvBzRpi34*
Je suis malade: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG6TxOHSINU*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rS6-z7U0E8*www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDRoGgfTDbg*
Je t’aime: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rS6-z7U0E8*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXDWf7L3n84*Painting in the Rain: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCFJwVF2orc*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zgi_BRwje4*www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbSNXUVVa3A(inc)*
Pas sans toi: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPUfQL7lLtA*
Perfect: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqmnRyYSRPc*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCleHaBv2hg*
Requiem pour un fou: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY1diFy93nE*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQNfZR_neAg*www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYrHvVuNGmU*
Tu es mon autre: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vLrigsCYWU*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz0cyqyKegU*www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2ao8TJZWew
We are the Flyers: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiZ1teHaXzI*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5KZ85t8uis*We Are the Storm: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Fs2P5HzhTc*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T7bsLUS-Ig*Many wonderful photos are available from the ‘Lara Fabian plus qu’une Passion: Corse Reunion” site, at:
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianBienPlusQuunePassionCorseReunion/photos/pcb.852333271627517/852330991627745/?type=3&theater
And an Instagram post shared by the Lara Fabian es ton autre FB site of Lara with attendees can be seen at:
http://instagram.com/p/Bj0b_xPAgxK
Lara spoke mostly (but not exclusively) in French while describing the songs, and there was enough French in the setlist that it didn’t seem to be a problem. The top balconies apparently were closed, and so the hall seated some 4000, which was seemed pretty well-filled.
Afterwards, she had the following (translated) Tweet (https://twitter.com/LFabianOfficial):
“My Belgium.. Brussels… It feels so good [for one] to find her family.. Thank you for this beautiful evening.. I love you…”
A review of the concert can be found at (http://www.ultratop.be/fr/blog/popattitude/1419). Here’s the translation:
----------------------------------------------------
Lara Fabian is an artist who needs no introduction. After selling more than 12 million albums worldwide in 30 years of career, she is one of the key figures of the French and world music scene. Indeed, in 2010, it is Russia that the singer conquered with 'Mademoiselle Zhivago'. Her name also circulates in the Middle East (Turkey, Israel ...), Italy, Portugal ...
On the occasion of the promotion of her 4th album in English, 'Camouflage', she decided to promote her career abroad, notably by becoming a coach in the Canadian edition of The Voice. However, Lara Fabian does not forget her country of origin, and made a homecoming by performing on the stage of Forest National this June 9th. In front of more than 4000 spectators, the artist has embarked on a major demonstration of her talent. And as seems to be the case for years now, the public seems to hold on to it immeasurably.
The Great Court
From experience, we know very well that going to see Lara Fabian live is to set the bar high in terms of vocal range and stage performance. Indeed, critics have often criticized her tendency to be too "screaming" in her songs. Yet the vocal palette of the artist is her asset. We can not imagine her singing "Je t’aime" without going to the maximum of her abilities. Although, it seems that Lara took into account these remarks because, although exceptional from one end to the other, we are persuaded that the singer still kept some in reserve at times.
This being the case, the artist has this undeniable talent to provoke us to shivers. Notably, by revisiting her repertoire, we remained staring at the moment when the melodies of 'Je suis malade’ and 'Adagio' sounded. Emotion also on the side of Lara Fabian who confesses "to have the chance, thanks to the public, to live moments of music across many cities. She adds, "I want to tell you how happy, touched and grateful I am to see you again at Forest National".
The concert was also punctuated by moments of weightlessness. We think especially of this moment of tribute to Maurane where the singer interpreted their title in common 'Tu es mon autre’. In front of a fragile ovation of the public, Lara confides, moved: "Forest National is a particular place for me where I lived incredible moments. And among them, there are those sublime moments, reached those stars that one can not distinguish, unless we approach them thanks to another artist. And the star I'm going to talk to you about is Maurane". Vivid emotion also at the end of the concert, when the artist takes again with a hand of a master 'Requiem pour un fou' of Johnny Hallyday, with whom she had shared a duet at the Stade De France.
Chameleon
Although the artist is comfortable in the register of emotion, she is not confined to a style. During a catchy medley, Lara demonstrated her ability to ambience a room with the energetic 'I Will Love Again'. Huge surprise and crush for the rhythmic 'Communify', present on her latest album. This title, accompanied by the visual universe accompanying 'Camouflage', would have been a perfect single. We are convinced of it.
In true chameleon style, the artist oscillates with disconcerting ease between new English titles (like the sublime ballad 'Growing Wings') and her French classics. We do not know in what language we prefer her.
Close to her audience, she kept repeating how much she owed it, and how much she held to it. Accepting gifts and handshakes, there is no doubt that Lara was moved to perform in her homeland. Seeing the singer once in concert is something we recommend. For the energy that emanates from her, for the particular atmosphere that is felt there and especially, for the vocal talent of Lara Fabian. Many would dream, after 30 years of career, to have her career. And above all, it's a good idea to enjoy a concert live pure, not in semi playback. Proof that yes, Belgium is full of talent. They are before our eyes, and we must appreciate them. There is no need to look beyond borders.
----------------------------------------------------------
Wonderful review, and nice summary of what Lara brings to the world of music.
In other news, several other stories of note occurred. Lara’s team made the following announcement:
“We regret to inform that the Germany concerts are cancelled by the organizing company, BEBG. Following a tragic accident occurred to the Director of the organizing company, BEBG, the company representatives have informed us about their incapacity to ensure proper promotion and organization of the concerts in Germany, or to ensure any of their financial obligations in regards to the artist, band and crew. We have witnessed in the last months, that no promotion was made in Germany about these concerts, which have resulted in poor ticket sales situation. We expect the organizing company to publish information regarding the reimbursement of all tickets purchased. We are working now to bring Lara Fabian to Germany in cooperation with another concert organizing company.”
We wish them good luck in finding a new group to take over five concerts just a few months downstream, for an artist who is fairly unknown in that country. One imagines this will not be an easy task, not if Lara intends it to be commercially viable for her. This means that after the concert in Paris next Saturday there will be only one more ‘Camouflage’ concert – in Sao Paulo, at the end of September. If the German concerts cannot be resuscitated, perhaps Lara can expand the South American portion of that tour, even if it is late in the game. If nothing else is done, the Camouflage world tour will at the end have had some 23 concerts, quite a reduction from the 35-40 originally planned.
The other major subject concerns the new French album, which had its first pre-listening session in Brussels, and it is starting to get noticed by the media. For example (http://www.melody.tv/actualite/lara-fabian-va-proposer-un-nouvel-album-en-francais), translated below:
-------------------------------------------------------
The new Lara FABIAN (in French) is on track! The management of the singer announces the pre-listening dedicated to the professionals and some lucky fans, of a disc realized by the team of her previous opus "Camouflage". Electro-pop sounds are expected, for this successor of " Ma vie dans la tienne", published three years ago. A French-language cake that had generated 100,000 cash passes.
Moreover, last February, the singer of 48 years was installed for the first time in the red seat jury of season 6 of "La Voix" on TVA, Quebec - alongside GAROU , Alex NEVSKY and Eric LAPOINTE .
Undisputed star in the 90s, and until the mid-2000s, Lara FABIAN has - it must be said, experienced some difficulties in recent years. "Camouflage", her last English-language record, did not exceed 10,000 takers.
--------------------------------------------------------
There have been a few general reports from those who attended the pre-listening session. Clearly they didn’t want to (and were encouraged not to) say too much. In addition, they were told the album is still being produced, the vocals are not finished, there are missing string arrangements etc on some songs…Nevertheless, the quick impression was that it was sort of like a French version of Camouflage, a possibility made more likely by having, as the article above stated, the same writing team. Another opinion was that some of the ballads made it resemble a French version of ‘A Wonderful Life’, but more electric. All of this sounds somewhat promising, though again one should apparently not expect “Pure”, or the first English album.
As to the timing of the release, clearly from the comments about the state of the album it is not really finished, although it was never going to be put out in the summer anyway. So this implies Lara will be spending at least some time during the summer finishing it. That probably implies it will not be on the shelves immediately after ‘la rentree’ in September, and the general statement ‘by the end of the year’ would seem more appropriate.
WRT the minuscule sales achieved by ‘Camouflage’, also noted in the article above: Camouflage had very little direct promotion, in English or French speaking countries, and while the health problems referred to above seemingly played a role in (so far) cancelling the German concerts, one wonders how many people would have come anyway – her September concerts would have come one year after she was last there, promoting it for a few days when it was first launched. And given the potential of another appearance on La Voix in Quebec, one wonders how much Lara will be around in France and Belgium to actively promote the new French album in the media (an important factor, in addition to whatever concerts she may have planned). The commercial fate of even high quality albums, like Camouflage and perhaps this new one, is not pre-ordained, it’s the result of choices made or not made, based on what one feels is important. We’ll find that out.
Interesting photo(s) of the week: from Lara Fabian Mexico, at her Brussels concert:
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianfromMexico/photos/a.747329741987755.1073741888.556364357750962/1700795356641184/?type=3&theater
This week marks Lara’s (almost) last concerts for the Camouflage tour, with two performances in Prague and one in Paris. Prague has always featured very enthusiastic audiences, though primarily for French language concerts, but it would be surprising if she didn’t get a rousing reception for this (mostly) English one as well. Paris might be a tougher sell for a mostly English concert, but look for Lara to include the two "duet" songs in French to even up the distribution a bit. With this show now almost at an end, it’s probably past time to congratulate Lara and her team that put it together – visually, vocally, musically, it has been a great enjoyment, and this has been universally recognized by all the audiences that have the fortunate to see it in person. May all her future shows be as good.
David
