Actor and Filmmaker REACTION - 'JE SUIS MALADE' Lara Fabian Live!

This is what performance is all about. Absolutely superb.

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About the group:
Lara Sophie Katy Crokaert, known professionally as Lara Fabian, is an Italian-Belgian and Canadian singer and songwriter. She has sold over 20 million records worldwide and is one of the best-selling Belgian artists of all time. Fabian is a soprano with a vocal range that spans three octaves from C3 to G5 in live performances. Beginning 2001-2004, the French media began referring to Fabian as one of the grandes voix québécoises ("great Quebecois voices") at the centre of contemporary trends in popular music for whom expressive vocality takes priority over the text, making full use of registers of the chest and head, vocal ornamentation and improvisation. In addition to her main languages, Fabian has also sung in Azerbaijani, German, Greek, Hebrew, Latin, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Russian and Turkish.
-Wikipedia

Thank you all for watching!

[CedricGegel]

Thanks so much for watching! Here are the links I mentioned:

[ericsicard]

“Je suis Malade”, now a french classic, was written by famous French singer & songwriter Serge Lama together with composer/singer Alice Dona in 1973.
This is based on his own experience and he was the original performer, hence some lyrics are a bit male-oriented (eg my mother leaves me, whiskies, I pour my blood in your body, …).

When Serge Lama had a dinner with Alice Dona and told her about his obsessive love that was leading to a road block, she came back home and composed the music in a couple of hours.
The morning after, she presented him the music and he wrote the lyrics in … 20 minutes.

Serge Lama was the original performer in 1973, it started to be promoted on the radio, and the song was brought to fame only when, a few months after, Dalida covered it. She was an absolute mega star in France, another emotional powerhouse, and this song resonated very much with her own feelings. Her success with this song transformed it into a french classic, and started to make it famous abroad.

But it is Lara Fabian that really made this song a very popular song in many countries with her cover in the mid 90s.
At that time Dalida had already passed away, but Serge Lama was (and is) still alive. Dalida and Serge were two inspirations for Lara, so she sent an audio copy to Serge of her version.
She was unknown at that time in France but he was so impressed with her vocal skills and her emotions rendering that he invited her in France to sing it as a duet during his own Paris concert in January 1995. It was a triumph. So he sat in a front row seat and asked her to sing it again alone.

Lara also had made some subtle changes to the song that gave it even more power. Serge and Lara became good friends and performed several other duets later on.

The 1999 version ("From Lara with Love" Concert in Montreal)
is legendary internationally and has attracted many artists to do a cover, even from non french-speaking countries.

The most recent ones I am aware of are from italian singer Giulia Falcone, from the korean singer Choi Sung Hoon or from the korean band Forestella.

Lara is used to perform the song very differently in each of her tour and for instance the En Toute Intimité, 2003, Paris Olympia version is even more dramatic

[CTT]

What a wonderful reaction to a beautifully heartbreaking song. I love hearing what you have to say as an actor as well because I love seeing and hearing performers live in the song and in that moment and it’s great to see others have that appreciation too!

[brayonne]

You being an actor reacting to this is fantastic, she will blow your mind, watch for her breaths, heartbreaking! 💜

[ericsicard]

More information on Lara Fabian:

Lara is recognized as one of the best vocalist ever seen on earth and all professionals list her in the top vocalist tier with Barbra, Whitney, Mariah, Celine, Aretha, Shirley Bassey, Lisa Fischer, ....
In my personal opinion, she is even the best.

There are a few vocal characteristics that are her signature: her famous resonance for instance that allows her to sing acapella without mic in venues with 10, 000+ attendees. Her nickname in the singing world is "the ring" due to this. I would also list her amazing phrasing, breath management and her pleasant tone even when belting in her upper register.

So she is one of the best vocalist ever, but on top of that, she adds a few things that make her an absolute package with no equivalence:

• she speaks 2 languages natively (french, italian), and 2 others fluently (english, spanish), can speak a bit of dutch (and sicilian), and understand quite well russian and portuguese. She has sung in 12 languages in total

• she is an amazing songwriter and wrote lyrics for 200+ songs, in the 4 languages she speaks fluently. She often co-composes the music, and is at the source of the melodic line.

• she acts and performs on stage as nobody else, she colors and reveals the meaning of every single word in the songs, and her ability to emote, to draw you in is second to none

• she is the sweetest soul on earth, very humble, down to earth and benevolent. She likes to meet others, and her fans are always pleasantly surprised when this happens.

A quick background on her and her career:

She is belgian, her father is flemish and grand mother on father side is dutch, but she also has italian roots (her mother is from sicilia) and American roots ( the father of her mother is from Detroit). She had been raised in Sicilia first for 7 years then in Belgium so she speaks both italian and french as native languages.

She has been classically trained on vocal, piano and songs composition for 10 years ( from 8 to 18) in the Brussels Royal Conservatory.
She is still having vocal lessons and training several times a week today. She only moved away from opera to pop because she is first and foremost a songwriter.

After her Eurovision participation in 1988 (4th), she really started her career in Canada in the early 90s, more precisely in Quebec, the french-speaking part of Canada.
She had been living for years in Montreal and has also Canadian citizenship. She moved to Sicilia end of 2022.

She became very famous in Quebec in the early 90s with several double platine records and then conquered France in 1996/1997 (she topped charts there and some of her songs such as "Je t'aime" or "Tout" became classics of the french music).

In 2000, she was about to penetrate the US Market, with a lot of media initial interest. Her first english song (I will love again), a pop dance song, stayed number one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart for 58 weeks in a row and was number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Her Album ("Lara Fabian") was about to become a massive hit, and the concert "From Lara With Love" was recorded to be broadcasted everywhere in the US.
This concert is legendary, packed with masterpieces (covered by many great vocalists later on).

But a dispute with Sony on artistry directions, and the will from Celine Dion's staff to block her progress in the US, completely broke this plan.

She thus refocused back on Europe and made huge success there, extending her reach to Eastern Europe and Central Asia where she became an absolute superstar through her collaboration with Igor Krutoy during several years. She is absolutely massive in Russia for instance.

She is also a star in Brazil as her song "Love By Grace", used as the soundtrack for a very famous soap opera, topped the charts for months and become a recurrent in the local singing contests since then.

Many of her songs became classics and were covered by the other singing legends: Barbra Streisand, Shirley Bassey, Josh Groban (they are friends and he told she is a role model for him), Linda Eder, …

With her success in Europe, Brazil and part of Asia, she is the inspiration of the new generation of vocalists: most of them are coming from there.
Thru their covers of Lara Fabian songs, USA and many other countries are now rediscovering her.

She is Dimash's idol:
• I’ve read somewhere that, when he was a child, he was listening her songs every night to get asleep.
• He covered many of her songs, most of these were composed by Igor Krutoy and written by by Lara.
Out of my mind I can list:
○ Adagio (She wrote it and is the original performer),
○ Mademoiselle Hyde (she wrote it and is the original performer),
○ Love of Tired Swans (she wrote the song in French under the title "Je t'aime encore" and was the original performer of the french then the russian versions, Dimash covered the russian version)
○ Ascolta La Voce / Vocalize (this was a pure vocalization and she was the original performer, then lyrics were added for Dimash and it was rebranded as "Know")
• She also wrote the lyrics of Dimash's song "Your Love".
• And she covered "Love is like a dream" before him (song from Igor Krutoy originally performed by Alla Pugacheva).
• Finally, they also performed "Ti Amo Cosi" together, in trio with Aida Garafulina: this is a song that she performed originally with Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Sumi Jo then again later with Dmitri and Alina Yarovaya, before this new trio with Dimash and Aida.

Dimash is now also working with Igor Krutoy: Igor and Dimash connected after his Adagio cover, also endorsed by Lara.
Igor came back from retirement and composed severals songs for him after it.

Many other top vocalists from the current generation covered her songs, some have Lara as a role model and big inspiration (singers from every region in the world: from China and Taiwan, to Philippines, Indonesia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Netherlands, Greece, Israel, Lebanon, Italy, France, Belgium, Norway, UK, USA, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Central Africa, …)
○ Floor Jansen (Adagio),
○ Polina Gagarina (Adagio, Je t’aime),
○ Diana Ankudinova (Tomorrow is a lie),
○ Morissette Amon (Broken Vow),
○ Gabriel Henrique (Love by Grace),
○ Cakra Khan (Broken Vow),
○ Charice Penpengco (Adagio),
○ Katrina Velarde (Broken Vow),
○ Regine Velasquez (Broken Vow),
○ Dmitri Hvorostovsky (Adagio),
○ Giulia Falcone (Adagio, Caruso, Je suis malade, Je t'aime),
○ Forestella (Je suis Malade),
○ Almira (from 4th Impact band) (Broken Vow),
○ Gigi de Lana (Broken Vow)
○ Julie Anne san Jose (Adagio, Broken Vow),
○ Rimar ( Adagio, Broken Vow, Know),
○ Il Divo (Adagio)
○ Daria Bentsa (I guess I loved you),
○ Sarah Geronimo (Broken Vow)
○ Laura Bretan ( Adagio, Caruso),
○ Jackie Evancho (Je t’aime, Caruso and Broken Vow, BV rewritten as « Imaginer » by Lara for Jackie),
○ Harrison Craig (Broken Vow),
○ Amir (Je t’aime),
○ Pauline Aguirre (Adagio)),
○ George Peris (Broken Vow, Humana),
○ Vitas (Adagio),
○ Wanessa Camargo (Love by Grace),
○ Anastasia Luna (Adagio),
○ Jeck (Je T’Aime),
○ Evgenia Fanfara (Adagio),
○ Anne Sila (pas sans toi, Tu es mon autre),
○ The Canadian Tenors (Adagio),
○ Anna Eriksson (Je suis malade),
○ Choi Sung Hoon (Je suis malade),
○ Soprano Turetsky band (Adagio),
○ Sarah Naura Irbah (Mademoiselle Hyde),
○ Elisabetta Rinaldi (Adagio),
○ Alyona Yarushina (Adagio),
○ Marie Payet (Pas sans toi),
○ Laurh (Immortelle),
○ Inger Lise Hope (Adagio),
○ Håkon Sønsterud Tollefsrød (Broken Vow),
○ Flora Tandi (Bambina),
○ Cindy Chao (Yeliel My Angel),
○ Majda Roumi (Adagio),
○ Abraham Mateo (Adagio),
○ Petra Berger (Adagio, Broken Vow),
○ Russel Watson (Adagio),
○ Katerina Maslova (Je t’aime, I guess I loved you)
○ Annointed (Love by Grace),
○ Sevara Nazarkhan (Je t’aime)
○ ....

NB: Lara did cover Caruso, Je suis malade, and Love by grace, these are not her originals, but I mention these here as the related artists were attracted to cover it again after listening to Lara’s version.


Today, Lara still has an amazing voice and tone and can still reach the 5th octave with resonance ; she still offers these emotive renditions that are her unique signature.

In June 2022, she kicked off a WW tour and stunned her fans once again with 5 magical concerts in Canada. She completed the europe part in September/October 2022 and I attended a concert from this tour. It was packed and she was again spectacular.

On April, May, June 2023 she had again some wonderful concerts in Tbilissi, Georgia, then in Ouzbekhistan, Kazakhstan, Romania.

She is about to release a new album and just completed another popular tour in eastern europe (Czech Republic, Moldavia, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkiye, Hungary) and in Canada in april-june 2024. She also appeared as a guest in some big events such as Hauser’s concert in Royal Albert Hall (May 9th 2024). Then, after some rest and a few TV Shows, she will tour France in 2025.

The first song of her new album (titled "Ta Peine" - Your Sorrow) was released late January 2024 and is a success in France. Her album is expected to be released in fall 2024.

Sorry if I was long, but I hope this gives some context on Lara.

[michaelbattat]

Brilliant reaction and one of the best to such an incredible performance! My favourite female singer. I highly recommended that you react to the following songs. Adagio, You're not from here, Broken Vow, Caruso and Perdere l'amore. They are really amazing like all her songs are.
Very much looking forward to your next reaction!
Greetings from London 😀

[MariaRuiz-Jargon]

Thank you so much, Cedric for showcasing the incredible Lara Fabian. I adore your Dimash reactions and the perspective you bring as an actor/ singer/ filmmaker. You can't go wrong with any of Lara's songs, and I'm sure Eric will provide some guidance. ❤

[Andrea-sqch]

So happy to see you doing a review of one of Lara's songs. Loved your review, and hope you will do more of Lara. Always do reviews of her live performances. I believe Eric Sicard gave you the links below. As Lara sings in many languages, some videos have translations. It is nice for us to see those. I am convinced you will enjoy this journey. 😊

[DAlex]

Truly wonderful reaction. Your own musical and dramatic knowledge lead you to recognize the multiple layers in Lara's exceptional performance.
Please give us some more Lara reactions.

[sophieviala]

Cette chanson est une merveilleuse reprise d'une chanson écrite dans les années 70 par Serge Lama, un chanteur français, et ça raconte son histoire. Lara Fabian a fait cette chanson sienne et quand elle dit "tu m'as privée de tous mes chants, tu m'as vidée de tous mes mots, pourtant je crois que j'avais du talent" et plus loin elle dit qu'elle crêvera seule, près de sa radio, en écoutant sa chanson, sa propre voix... c'est une chanteuse amoureuse, une artiste blessée, que cet amour tue jusqu'à son art... à la manière des artistes romantiques du 19e siecle, poètes maudits...

[cottontopprintshop]

Wonderful reaction and analysis. Haven't seen this much passion in a reaction since your 'early Dimash'! (That's a compliment!!) Lara is truly a gifted performer. The entire concert this song is taken from is worthy of further reactions!! Thanks so much for your time!

[sandrachristiansen]

I've been listening to this song for a couple of years after discovering her myself (through Dimash too) and I still get goosebumps EVERY TIME! It's an amazing performance. It's a piece of exquisite theater. I can see her influence in Dimash. Break a leg and have a great time with your new show.

[guittadabe]

There's a reason that Lara was Dimash's idol while he was growing up. They have so much in common, from being multi-lingual, to being wonderful storytellers, to the emotion that they can evoke in the listener, and even their humility on and away from the stage. No wonder he covered so many of her songs and did several duets with her!

[sandrak.robbins]

Oh my, thank you Cedric! I can't tell you how many times I have watched this performance by Lara Fabian. It is mesmerizing and devastating and amazing. She totally immerses herself into the character of the song. Thank you for sharing your expertise.

[mariodubuc]

Merci Cedric, j'aime beaucoup tes réactions car elles sont toujours très intéressantes et je trouve tes commentaires toujours appropriés et justes. Je suis de Montréal Québec, et j'aime Lara Fabian depuis très longtemps déjà. Elle est extraordinaire! Pas surpris d'ailleur qu'elle soit une des idoles de Dimash !

[eliselippert]

Dimash has been a fan of Lara since his childhood .. thats how I found my way to her ❤ .. She's one of the best storytellers out there ❤
Greatings from an old Danish Dear and Angel 🌷🇩🇰❤️

[boozie]

Fantastic review because you’ve married together the singing with the portrayal.

[stephendee]

One of the best reactions to this song I've seen. You should check out her live performance of Barbra Streislands A piece of Sky and Papa can you hear me, its outstanding

[raquelra]

Lara, the Fabulous! She’s simply amazing! 👸🏼

[ildefonsobenitez]

Thank you for making the effort to discover the artist Lara Fabian. She is not very well known in the United States for various reasons despite her immense talent. The rest of the world knows her and she is simply my favorite singer because her singing and her voice transport me. Magnificent reaction, you are talented. Friendship from France.