Post by davidhr on Feb 4, 2020 8:47:57 GMT -5
Emotions associated with Lara’s two ‘jobs’ hit the respective ends of the spectrum this past week, utter dismay and on-going joy. We’ll start with the bottom end of the emotional scale first, so that we can end on a happy note.
Lara’s concert in Greece was scheduled to take place on February 1st. As noted previously, Lara has had trouble getting the concerts to take place in Greece, with weather-related cancellations and other postponements, the latest being last December. This then was a “make-up” concert for that one. However, this one too was postponed. Here’s the (google) translated explanation offered by the promoters (from the Lara Fabian Greece FB site):
-----------------------------------------
High Priority Promotions to Lara Fabian - “50” World Tour / Athens
January 30 at 6:57 AM
Lara Fabian's scheduled concert on Saturday 1st February at the Nikos Galis Basketball Court (OAKA) is canceled due to unexpected developments related to tour planning.
The artist regrets the inconvenience caused and promises to return to Greece soon!
Ticket Return Information:
Online
For online ticket purchases made through highpriority.gr and ticketmaster.gr, refunds will be automatically made to the customer account within ten days.
Ticketmaster Call Center 210 893 8111
For purchases of tickets at the physical resale points, customers should contact the respective stores where they purchased their ticket by 29 February 2020.
---------------------------------
As one might expect, this was not greeted with equanimity by fans, especially considering that it was posted just two days before the scheduled event. Here are some of the (google translated) responses:
--------------------------------------
Andreas Vienna: sorry no understanding for another cancellation.
Barbi Cotsoglou: Unacceptable !!! This is the third time I hit it ... there will be no fourth!!! We booked tickets 6 months ago, I paid for air tickets twice because I do not live in Athens !!!! Unfortunately this is how she loses the few fans she has in Greece !!!
Reinaldo Conceição: It was predictable given the very low number of tickets sold.
Again, people don't come back ... because they remain hungry.
Antigoni Maniati: I write in Greek on the one hand because if I start " French " the level I will reach is not my fault because I was looking to find the translation of the word " Philotimo " [nb: sort of like ‘pride’] but it does not exist either in French or in the vocabulary of the organizers. I would like Mrs. to answer me. Is either she or one of her team aware of how she would feel if she faced the situation herself, what her opinion and her treatment would be? Thank you in advance and hope to receive an answer.
Μαίρη Ράμφου: OK, incredible…
Melissa Ladouceur Andree-anne Lachapelle another cancellation!
Pavlos Bairamis 2nd cancellation within two months. Prepaid tickets 6 months ago !!! Shame on you for canceling the concert at the last minute, without bothering to give a credible excuse ... I don't know if this is due to the artist's fault or the organizer's inability. Either way it shows bad professionals. These ... from a sucker who paid in addition to concert tickets, airline tickets and duplicate and unfair hotels ....
---------------------------
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/videos/627649544677237/
In it she thanked the people of Bucharest for being understanding of her need to postpone the previoius concert due to her bout with Meniere’s disease. She said now she was over it, was well, and was there in Bucharest, and happy to see them very soon.
However, that concert too was then cancelled. Lara left a despondent picture of herself,
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.622966977744803/3546524928722312/?type=3&theater
with a more detailed explanation (in English) of what’s going on, copied below:
---------------------------------
My friends,
I wrote “my friends” because you are a big part of my life... and I will be very sincere with you ... as a friend should be.
I am in Bucharest, in my hotel ... and I am profoundly saddened because I have to tell you that tonight's show is cancelled due to very unfortunate circumstances, totally independent of my will or the will of my band and crew. But as I have always shared with you my feelings and my heart, I must today offer you transparency and pure truth, in all objectivity.
I feel anger and resentment, because for the fourth time in a row, the person who manages the tour of international dates (does not concern France and French Tour) who is supposed to pay me for performing our shows, is in default of payment.
I can’t accept to remain blind to such abuse, nor can I continue to perform, when I obviously have to pay all of my crew and concert expenses, without being paid myself to cover it all. It’s just such a horrible situation. I’ve tried to keep going, hoping it would all sort itself out but its only gotten worse and regrettably we have now been put in a situation that I can't go on.
This has caused me enormous pain and stress over the last few months, to the point I have been so ill I physically could not perform the last time I came to Bucharest in December.
The love of my fans is the source that keeps me strong... since the beginning of my career...
Everyone knows it ... but I cannot accept this situation which traps me with my team, but also my fans ...
I will fight through legal ways in order to get back to you very quickly.
Bucharest, I promise you, soon I will sing again for you ...
And yes, we will celebrate music and love together in the joy that binds us.
All my Love
Lara
----------------------------
This raises many questions. Was Lara’s Meniere’s disease brought on by the stress associated with a mismanaged international tour? Apparently the person who is supposed to manage it is not doing a proper job – but in the past, Lara’s people have always blamed the promoters when things went wrong; not being paid at all would seem to be more their responsibility. Who would she take legal action against? And why is the problem only discovered a day or two before the scheduled concert?
It also would seem to have implications for how will she proceed in the future. Outside of her French tour (and the Quebec shows), she has 2 concerts in Odessa (March 13, 14) and one in Chisinau, Moldavia (March 16th); then May 10th she is supposed to be in Belgrade, May 28th in Budapest, June 1st in Tallinn, Estonia. Were all these organized by that same person/promoters, and are they at risk as well?
Ultimately, whatever the problem’s source, the buck stops with Lara, and it is her reputation with her fans that suffers (along with them).
And now – for a complete change of pace - months earlier, Lara was filming the Blind Auditions for “The Voice – la plus belle voix”, and the third of those shows was broadcast on Saturday. In contrast to her current situation, Lara posted this picture of herself happy and carefree, on the ‘red chair’,
with the accompanying statement: “What a pleasure to be on the red armchair of @ thevoice_tf1
Week after week, discovering with you these young talents is pure happiness ... I have a real joy in sharing these moments of authentic music with my friends @inst_amel @pascalobispo @marclavoineofficiel @nikosaliagas ✌Thank you for being so numerous at our appointment ✌
I wish you a great Sunday ... #TheVoice
As for the show itself, here’s a summary (personalized, as always ), with the video link below each entry.
1) The first candidate was Even, age 18, who sang “Faith” from George Michael, a rock song. No one turned around for him, though he was o.k. Lara suggested he sing Prince, which he then preceded to do, and Amel Bent got up to dance and sing with him. It brought this first (of many) unsuccessful candidates to a positive ending – in effect, he got to perform two songs before a nation-wide audience.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-even-chante-faith-de-george-michael-27569410.html
2) Pia, age 22, was next, and she sang “I Don’t Wanna Be You Anymore” from Billie Ellish (the first of two songs chosen from her). All the judges turned around, Pascal first, and he was chosen. Lara said she sang (the ballad) very clearly, and Pia hesitated a lot before making her choice. She seems like a very nice person.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-pia-chante-idontwannabeyouanymore-de-billie-eilish-98238803.html
3) Amauny, age 28 came next, singing “Je voudrai un bonhomme de neige" from Kirsten Bell (from the movie La Reine de la neige, i.e., “Frozen”). He is a musical comedy performer with a nice tenor voice – a real character with a turned up moustache – and all the judges turned around for him, which is somewhat rare for that mode of music - however, Lara blocked Pascal. In turn Pascal suggested somewhat jokingly that Amauny not choose Lara. Nevertheless, he did choose Lara, very quickly – clearly he had her in mind all along.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-amaury-chante-je-voudrais-un-bonhomme-de-neige-de-kristen-bell-b-o-la-reine-des-neiges-54053874.html
4) Corinne, age 57 sang “C’est est Septiembre” from Gilbert Becaud, with a good alto voice. No one turned around, and Marc empathetically went up to console her, for she forgot the words part of the way through.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-emue-corinne-oublie-les-paroles-de-sa-chanson-71660524.html
5) Ife, age 27, from Saint-Dennis (Benin) sang “Drowning” from Nick Jenkins, a song which has both a slow, bluesy part and also a rap part. Appropriate title, for Ife had told “Tele Loisirs” of the death of his brother who was drowned and "swept away by the current" when the car driven by one of his friends “under the influence” fell into a river; the body was found a month later, on his mother’s birthday. All the judges turned around (yes, even Lara). Marc was most touched by his story and performance, and even Lara suggested he choose Marc, which he did. This was the most animated Marc has been for any contestant (or for that matter, for anything).
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-ife-chante-drowning-de-mick-jenkins-83631355.html
There was a brief interlude, because during the evening the coaches had encountered a technical problem. They could no longer hear themselves speak and the auditions had to stop while they worked on the chairs/mics. Pascal got to play the guitar and sing “Allumez le feu ” with the other judges joining in to some extent. It’s interesting that they didn’t cut that out of the telecast – probably because the mini-concert was good.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-les-coachs-en-totale-improvisation-sur-allumez-le-feu-25293075.html
6) Rita, age 21 sang the Edith Piaf song “Non, je ne regrette rien”. Amel was the only one who turned around, and they seemed to make a good pair; Amel had the impression she had met her sister.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-rita-chante-non-je-ne-regrette-rien-dedith-piaf-59591243.html
7) Eloisha, age 31 sang “Somebody Else’s Guy” from Jocelyn Brown. She knows Nikos well, because she participated in Star Academy when she was 18 years old. She said she was a little "rebellious" at the time, and wanted to show she had matured. She is a Rhythm and Blues singer with a powerful voice, but nobody turned around. The judges, Pascal in particular, seemed apologetic about it. Amel said she really liked her voice, and encouraged her to continue. Eloisha seemed to take it in good stride. This is just one of several instances where singers with really good voices were not chosen.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-eloisha-ancienne-de-la-star-ac-chante-somebody-elses-guy-de-jocelyn-brown-50893461.html
8) Abi, age 18, sang “Lovely” by Billie Ellish and Khalld. He played the piano as well for this ballad, and all the judges turned around, most at the last, very high note. Pascal had him sing at the piano again, this time in French (a Celine Dion song), and Lara joined in a bit. Lara praised the tenderness in his voice. Nevertheless, he chose Pascal. Amel was very upset that he hadn’t chosen her, and Lara, laughing, called her a ‘bad loser’. This candidate smiled a lot, and seemed very pleasant.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-abi-bluffe-les-coachs-puis-improvise-sous-le-vent-au-piano-09782213.html
9) Tony, age 30, sang “La vie ne m’apprend rien” from Daniel Balavoine. No one turned around, and the judges indicated this was a complicated song that needed a trained voice to sing. Nevertheless, Amel regretted not having turned for him.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-tony-chante-la-vie-ne-mapprend-rien-de-daniel-balavoine-28664342.html
10) Hakob, age 16, sang Lara’s song “Broken Vow”, knowing it was a risk. Pascal turned around at the very last moment, the only one to do so. When Lara saw him she was quite sorry she hadn’t turned around – the second time a man’s physical appearance had made her feel that way – but the reality was, while he sang o.k., Lara said, “We don't have the distance when it is our songs”.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-hakob-chante-broken-vow-de-lara-fabian-65858135.html
or
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUqHNSJntg8
11) Celia, age 20, sang “Tu n’es plus la”, from Amel Bent. Like Lara before her, Amel did not turn around for him, and no one did. The judges said it (too) was a difficult song and Amel said Celia needed more work. A beautiful girl with an alto voice, she too was philosophical, saying “next time”.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-celia-chante-tu-nes-plus-la-damel-bent-35503668.html
12) Fayz, age 38, from Brussels sang 1,2,3 Soleils from Abdel Kader, an ‘Arabian’ song with appropriate rhythm. All the judges but Lara turned around. Amel mentioned that it was the music of her mother, and she was chosen. He is a comedian, and had everybody laughing – if the show ever needs a new MC, he’d be great (better than some of the judges).
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-fayz-chante-abdel-khader-de-1-2-3-soleil-26753427.html
13) Finally Kim, age 25 sang “Saint Claude” from Christine and the Queens. Kim is a professional singer, yet Marc was the only one who turned around. The judges felt that she had two voices, representing, Lara said, two different personalities; Marc suggested it was associated with the song, which was partly in French and partly in English.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-kim-chante-saint-claude-de-christine-and-the-queens-23289328.html
So on the night, Pascal picked up 3 candidates, Amel and Marc 2 each, and Lara 1. Lara now has 7 members to her team, Pascal and Marc 6 each, and Amel 5.
As one can see, five of the 13 candidates got no response from the judges. The general opinion is that Ife and Abi are the two most promising candidates from this group. The advance promo for this season said that ‘The Voice’ would return to its origins, with “big voices” much in evidence. Well, maybe that will happen in the remaining shows, but it hasn’t so far, and those who have sung quite well have not necessarily been chosen. Actually the program has a problem: if all the singers have the same, great voices, then the audience will be bored. So they try to ‘change the pace’, bringing in singers from a wide variety of genres, which makes for better viewing. But it doesn’t necessarily make for great voices. Nor do the judges seem open to choosing them, since, as they say, they “don’t know what they would do with those voices”. Maybe Lara will be able to add some ‘singers of voice’ to the five slots she has left.
In other news, another broadcast featuring Lara appeared on French TV Saturday night. Here’s an article describing it from Tele-Loisirs (https://www.programme-tv.net/news/tv/248530-la-vive-emotion-de-lara-fabian-face-a-une-benevole-de-la-croix-rouge-dans-la-lettre-videos/):
-------------------------------
In La Lettre, a fan of the singer of “Je t’aime” had a very nice surprise. Not only was she able to meet her, she also attended - for the first time in her life - the concert of her idol. And the singer was very touched by her story.
The evening was rich in emotion for the viewers of France 2 as for Lara Fabian. The singer participated in an issue of La Lettre, Sophie Davant's new entertainment. This Saturday, February 1, she had to read dozens of letters in order to select only one. The author of each letter asked the artist to surprise a loved one, whom he wished to thank and honor. If the task was not easy, the singer ended up selecting Martial's letter written for Martine.
Listening to the journey of this very committed French Red Cross volunteer, the artist was very touched. She had a hard time hiding her emotion by singing “J’y crois encore” in front of the amazed one - and filled with tears - eyes of the principal concerned. And for good reason, the latter did not expect at all to meet her idol and literally burst into tears upon seeing her.
At the end of her performance, Lara Fabian made another surprise to her fan. She invited her to the concert she was giving that evening. A very symbolic gift for her who had never had the opportunity to attend a show.
---------------------------
The show can be seen at
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianetEmmanuelMoireLEduo/videos/754714771604199/
with a shorter segment at
www.france.tv/france-2/la-lettre/1252155-martine-rencontre-son-idole-lara-fabian.html?fbclid=IwAR2YfSgm_rERGozF4DIv4t1jvQOz2LuqESJwB7LI26u6WpYpULfJXyHKO7I#xtor=AL-85-partage
Good thing that Lara didn't invite her to see one of her "international concerts" in Greece or Romania.
In upcoming TV events, Lara will be on “50' inside” this coming Saturday on TF1.
Interesting photo(s) of the week: both from Lara’s Instagram site concerning “The Voice”; first, a wonderful photo and background,
and then Lara with what are presumably the outfits available to her for the show,
Lara resumes her concert schedule tomorrow in France, with seven concerts scheduled for the next 11 days. None of these will be affected by her ‘international tour’ problems, as she was quick to point out in her message. It will undoubtedly be a relief for her to get back on stage, and back to singing, something she finds much easier to control. And of course this coming weekend will also bring the fourth edition of the blind auditions on 'The Voice'. Ups and downs, i.e., LIFE.
David
Lara’s concert in Greece was scheduled to take place on February 1st. As noted previously, Lara has had trouble getting the concerts to take place in Greece, with weather-related cancellations and other postponements, the latest being last December. This then was a “make-up” concert for that one. However, this one too was postponed. Here’s the (google) translated explanation offered by the promoters (from the Lara Fabian Greece FB site):
-----------------------------------------
High Priority Promotions to Lara Fabian - “50” World Tour / Athens
January 30 at 6:57 AM
Lara Fabian's scheduled concert on Saturday 1st February at the Nikos Galis Basketball Court (OAKA) is canceled due to unexpected developments related to tour planning.
The artist regrets the inconvenience caused and promises to return to Greece soon!
Ticket Return Information:
Online
For online ticket purchases made through highpriority.gr and ticketmaster.gr, refunds will be automatically made to the customer account within ten days.
Ticketmaster Call Center 210 893 8111
For purchases of tickets at the physical resale points, customers should contact the respective stores where they purchased their ticket by 29 February 2020.
---------------------------------
As one might expect, this was not greeted with equanimity by fans, especially considering that it was posted just two days before the scheduled event. Here are some of the (google translated) responses:
--------------------------------------
Andreas Vienna: sorry no understanding for another cancellation.
Barbi Cotsoglou: Unacceptable !!! This is the third time I hit it ... there will be no fourth!!! We booked tickets 6 months ago, I paid for air tickets twice because I do not live in Athens !!!! Unfortunately this is how she loses the few fans she has in Greece !!!
Reinaldo Conceição: It was predictable given the very low number of tickets sold.
Again, people don't come back ... because they remain hungry.
Antigoni Maniati: I write in Greek on the one hand because if I start " French " the level I will reach is not my fault because I was looking to find the translation of the word " Philotimo " [nb: sort of like ‘pride’] but it does not exist either in French or in the vocabulary of the organizers. I would like Mrs. to answer me. Is either she or one of her team aware of how she would feel if she faced the situation herself, what her opinion and her treatment would be? Thank you in advance and hope to receive an answer.
Μαίρη Ράμφου: OK, incredible…
Melissa Ladouceur Andree-anne Lachapelle another cancellation!
Pavlos Bairamis 2nd cancellation within two months. Prepaid tickets 6 months ago !!! Shame on you for canceling the concert at the last minute, without bothering to give a credible excuse ... I don't know if this is due to the artist's fault or the organizer's inability. Either way it shows bad professionals. These ... from a sucker who paid in addition to concert tickets, airline tickets and duplicate and unfair hotels ....
---------------------------
There were others, but one gets the point. Not only a cancellation but a vague reason for it. Was she ill again?
Yet the next day, January 31st, Lara posted the following video referring to her concert in Bucharest, scheduled for February 3rd,
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/videos/627649544677237/
In it she thanked the people of Bucharest for being understanding of her need to postpone the previoius concert due to her bout with Meniere’s disease. She said now she was over it, was well, and was there in Bucharest, and happy to see them very soon.
However, that concert too was then cancelled. Lara left a despondent picture of herself,
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.622966977744803/3546524928722312/?type=3&theater
with a more detailed explanation (in English) of what’s going on, copied below:
---------------------------------
My friends,
I wrote “my friends” because you are a big part of my life... and I will be very sincere with you ... as a friend should be.
I am in Bucharest, in my hotel ... and I am profoundly saddened because I have to tell you that tonight's show is cancelled due to very unfortunate circumstances, totally independent of my will or the will of my band and crew. But as I have always shared with you my feelings and my heart, I must today offer you transparency and pure truth, in all objectivity.
I feel anger and resentment, because for the fourth time in a row, the person who manages the tour of international dates (does not concern France and French Tour) who is supposed to pay me for performing our shows, is in default of payment.
I can’t accept to remain blind to such abuse, nor can I continue to perform, when I obviously have to pay all of my crew and concert expenses, without being paid myself to cover it all. It’s just such a horrible situation. I’ve tried to keep going, hoping it would all sort itself out but its only gotten worse and regrettably we have now been put in a situation that I can't go on.
This has caused me enormous pain and stress over the last few months, to the point I have been so ill I physically could not perform the last time I came to Bucharest in December.
The love of my fans is the source that keeps me strong... since the beginning of my career...
Everyone knows it ... but I cannot accept this situation which traps me with my team, but also my fans ...
I will fight through legal ways in order to get back to you very quickly.
Bucharest, I promise you, soon I will sing again for you ...
And yes, we will celebrate music and love together in the joy that binds us.
All my Love
Lara
----------------------------
This raises many questions. Was Lara’s Meniere’s disease brought on by the stress associated with a mismanaged international tour? Apparently the person who is supposed to manage it is not doing a proper job – but in the past, Lara’s people have always blamed the promoters when things went wrong; not being paid at all would seem to be more their responsibility. Who would she take legal action against? And why is the problem only discovered a day or two before the scheduled concert?
It also would seem to have implications for how will she proceed in the future. Outside of her French tour (and the Quebec shows), she has 2 concerts in Odessa (March 13, 14) and one in Chisinau, Moldavia (March 16th); then May 10th she is supposed to be in Belgrade, May 28th in Budapest, June 1st in Tallinn, Estonia. Were all these organized by that same person/promoters, and are they at risk as well?
Ultimately, whatever the problem’s source, the buck stops with Lara, and it is her reputation with her fans that suffers (along with them).
And now – for a complete change of pace - months earlier, Lara was filming the Blind Auditions for “The Voice – la plus belle voix”, and the third of those shows was broadcast on Saturday. In contrast to her current situation, Lara posted this picture of herself happy and carefree, on the ‘red chair’,
http://instagram.com/p/B8EbUWcB-K2
with the accompanying statement: “What a pleasure to be on the red armchair of @ thevoice_tf1
Week after week, discovering with you these young talents is pure happiness ... I have a real joy in sharing these moments of authentic music with my friends @inst_amel @pascalobispo @marclavoineofficiel @nikosaliagas ✌Thank you for being so numerous at our appointment ✌
I wish you a great Sunday ... #TheVoice
As for the show itself, here’s a summary (personalized, as always ), with the video link below each entry.
1) The first candidate was Even, age 18, who sang “Faith” from George Michael, a rock song. No one turned around for him, though he was o.k. Lara suggested he sing Prince, which he then preceded to do, and Amel Bent got up to dance and sing with him. It brought this first (of many) unsuccessful candidates to a positive ending – in effect, he got to perform two songs before a nation-wide audience.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-even-chante-faith-de-george-michael-27569410.html
2) Pia, age 22, was next, and she sang “I Don’t Wanna Be You Anymore” from Billie Ellish (the first of two songs chosen from her). All the judges turned around, Pascal first, and he was chosen. Lara said she sang (the ballad) very clearly, and Pia hesitated a lot before making her choice. She seems like a very nice person.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-pia-chante-idontwannabeyouanymore-de-billie-eilish-98238803.html
3) Amauny, age 28 came next, singing “Je voudrai un bonhomme de neige" from Kirsten Bell (from the movie La Reine de la neige, i.e., “Frozen”). He is a musical comedy performer with a nice tenor voice – a real character with a turned up moustache – and all the judges turned around for him, which is somewhat rare for that mode of music - however, Lara blocked Pascal. In turn Pascal suggested somewhat jokingly that Amauny not choose Lara. Nevertheless, he did choose Lara, very quickly – clearly he had her in mind all along.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-amaury-chante-je-voudrais-un-bonhomme-de-neige-de-kristen-bell-b-o-la-reine-des-neiges-54053874.html
4) Corinne, age 57 sang “C’est est Septiembre” from Gilbert Becaud, with a good alto voice. No one turned around, and Marc empathetically went up to console her, for she forgot the words part of the way through.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-emue-corinne-oublie-les-paroles-de-sa-chanson-71660524.html
5) Ife, age 27, from Saint-Dennis (Benin) sang “Drowning” from Nick Jenkins, a song which has both a slow, bluesy part and also a rap part. Appropriate title, for Ife had told “Tele Loisirs” of the death of his brother who was drowned and "swept away by the current" when the car driven by one of his friends “under the influence” fell into a river; the body was found a month later, on his mother’s birthday. All the judges turned around (yes, even Lara). Marc was most touched by his story and performance, and even Lara suggested he choose Marc, which he did. This was the most animated Marc has been for any contestant (or for that matter, for anything).
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-ife-chante-drowning-de-mick-jenkins-83631355.html
There was a brief interlude, because during the evening the coaches had encountered a technical problem. They could no longer hear themselves speak and the auditions had to stop while they worked on the chairs/mics. Pascal got to play the guitar and sing “Allumez le feu ” with the other judges joining in to some extent. It’s interesting that they didn’t cut that out of the telecast – probably because the mini-concert was good.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-les-coachs-en-totale-improvisation-sur-allumez-le-feu-25293075.html
6) Rita, age 21 sang the Edith Piaf song “Non, je ne regrette rien”. Amel was the only one who turned around, and they seemed to make a good pair; Amel had the impression she had met her sister.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-rita-chante-non-je-ne-regrette-rien-dedith-piaf-59591243.html
7) Eloisha, age 31 sang “Somebody Else’s Guy” from Jocelyn Brown. She knows Nikos well, because she participated in Star Academy when she was 18 years old. She said she was a little "rebellious" at the time, and wanted to show she had matured. She is a Rhythm and Blues singer with a powerful voice, but nobody turned around. The judges, Pascal in particular, seemed apologetic about it. Amel said she really liked her voice, and encouraged her to continue. Eloisha seemed to take it in good stride. This is just one of several instances where singers with really good voices were not chosen.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-eloisha-ancienne-de-la-star-ac-chante-somebody-elses-guy-de-jocelyn-brown-50893461.html
8) Abi, age 18, sang “Lovely” by Billie Ellish and Khalld. He played the piano as well for this ballad, and all the judges turned around, most at the last, very high note. Pascal had him sing at the piano again, this time in French (a Celine Dion song), and Lara joined in a bit. Lara praised the tenderness in his voice. Nevertheless, he chose Pascal. Amel was very upset that he hadn’t chosen her, and Lara, laughing, called her a ‘bad loser’. This candidate smiled a lot, and seemed very pleasant.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-abi-bluffe-les-coachs-puis-improvise-sous-le-vent-au-piano-09782213.html
9) Tony, age 30, sang “La vie ne m’apprend rien” from Daniel Balavoine. No one turned around, and the judges indicated this was a complicated song that needed a trained voice to sing. Nevertheless, Amel regretted not having turned for him.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-tony-chante-la-vie-ne-mapprend-rien-de-daniel-balavoine-28664342.html
10) Hakob, age 16, sang Lara’s song “Broken Vow”, knowing it was a risk. Pascal turned around at the very last moment, the only one to do so. When Lara saw him she was quite sorry she hadn’t turned around – the second time a man’s physical appearance had made her feel that way – but the reality was, while he sang o.k., Lara said, “We don't have the distance when it is our songs”.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-hakob-chante-broken-vow-de-lara-fabian-65858135.html
or
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUqHNSJntg8
11) Celia, age 20, sang “Tu n’es plus la”, from Amel Bent. Like Lara before her, Amel did not turn around for him, and no one did. The judges said it (too) was a difficult song and Amel said Celia needed more work. A beautiful girl with an alto voice, she too was philosophical, saying “next time”.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-celia-chante-tu-nes-plus-la-damel-bent-35503668.html
12) Fayz, age 38, from Brussels sang 1,2,3 Soleils from Abdel Kader, an ‘Arabian’ song with appropriate rhythm. All the judges but Lara turned around. Amel mentioned that it was the music of her mother, and she was chosen. He is a comedian, and had everybody laughing – if the show ever needs a new MC, he’d be great (better than some of the judges).
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-fayz-chante-abdel-khader-de-1-2-3-soleil-26753427.html
13) Finally Kim, age 25 sang “Saint Claude” from Christine and the Queens. Kim is a professional singer, yet Marc was the only one who turned around. The judges felt that she had two voices, representing, Lara said, two different personalities; Marc suggested it was associated with the song, which was partly in French and partly in English.
www.tf1.fr/tf1/the-voice/videos/the-voice-2020-kim-chante-saint-claude-de-christine-and-the-queens-23289328.html
So on the night, Pascal picked up 3 candidates, Amel and Marc 2 each, and Lara 1. Lara now has 7 members to her team, Pascal and Marc 6 each, and Amel 5.
As one can see, five of the 13 candidates got no response from the judges. The general opinion is that Ife and Abi are the two most promising candidates from this group. The advance promo for this season said that ‘The Voice’ would return to its origins, with “big voices” much in evidence. Well, maybe that will happen in the remaining shows, but it hasn’t so far, and those who have sung quite well have not necessarily been chosen. Actually the program has a problem: if all the singers have the same, great voices, then the audience will be bored. So they try to ‘change the pace’, bringing in singers from a wide variety of genres, which makes for better viewing. But it doesn’t necessarily make for great voices. Nor do the judges seem open to choosing them, since, as they say, they “don’t know what they would do with those voices”. Maybe Lara will be able to add some ‘singers of voice’ to the five slots she has left.
In other news, another broadcast featuring Lara appeared on French TV Saturday night. Here’s an article describing it from Tele-Loisirs (https://www.programme-tv.net/news/tv/248530-la-vive-emotion-de-lara-fabian-face-a-une-benevole-de-la-croix-rouge-dans-la-lettre-videos/):
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In La Lettre, a fan of the singer of “Je t’aime” had a very nice surprise. Not only was she able to meet her, she also attended - for the first time in her life - the concert of her idol. And the singer was very touched by her story.
The evening was rich in emotion for the viewers of France 2 as for Lara Fabian. The singer participated in an issue of La Lettre, Sophie Davant's new entertainment. This Saturday, February 1, she had to read dozens of letters in order to select only one. The author of each letter asked the artist to surprise a loved one, whom he wished to thank and honor. If the task was not easy, the singer ended up selecting Martial's letter written for Martine.
Listening to the journey of this very committed French Red Cross volunteer, the artist was very touched. She had a hard time hiding her emotion by singing “J’y crois encore” in front of the amazed one - and filled with tears - eyes of the principal concerned. And for good reason, the latter did not expect at all to meet her idol and literally burst into tears upon seeing her.
At the end of her performance, Lara Fabian made another surprise to her fan. She invited her to the concert she was giving that evening. A very symbolic gift for her who had never had the opportunity to attend a show.
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The show can be seen at
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianetEmmanuelMoireLEduo/videos/754714771604199/
with a shorter segment at
www.france.tv/france-2/la-lettre/1252155-martine-rencontre-son-idole-lara-fabian.html?fbclid=IwAR2YfSgm_rERGozF4DIv4t1jvQOz2LuqESJwB7LI26u6WpYpULfJXyHKO7I#xtor=AL-85-partage
Good thing that Lara didn't invite her to see one of her "international concerts" in Greece or Romania.
In upcoming TV events, Lara will be on “50' inside” this coming Saturday on TF1.
Interesting photo(s) of the week: both from Lara’s Instagram site concerning “The Voice”; first, a wonderful photo and background,
http://instagram.com/p/B7_Dh8ZCyou
and then Lara with what are presumably the outfits available to her for the show,
http://instagram.com/p/B74JGuhCZRW
Lara resumes her concert schedule tomorrow in France, with seven concerts scheduled for the next 11 days. None of these will be affected by her ‘international tour’ problems, as she was quick to point out in her message. It will undoubtedly be a relief for her to get back on stage, and back to singing, something she finds much easier to control. And of course this coming weekend will also bring the fourth edition of the blind auditions on 'The Voice'. Ups and downs, i.e., LIFE.
David