Lara Fabian (1999 album)

"Lara Fabian" is the fourth studio album and the first English-language album by pop singer Lara Fabian. It was first released on 29 November 1999 in France and was released worldwide in 2000. The album features the hit singles "I Will Love Again", "I Am Who I Am" and "Love by Grace".

Lara Fabian
Studio album by
Released29 November 1999
Recorded1998–1999
Studio
  • Capitol Studios (Los Angeles)
  • Larrabee West Studios (Los Angeles)
  • Studio Marko (Montreal)
  • The Hit Factory (New York)
  • The Record Plant (Los Angeles)
Genre
Length74:39
Label
Producer
Lara Fabian chronology
Live
(1999)
Lara Fabian
(1999)
Nue
(2001)
Alternative cover
International Version
Singles from Lara Fabian
  1. "Adagio"
    Released: December 1999
  2. "I Will Love Again"
    Released: 18 April 2000
  3. "I Am Who I Am"
    Released: 18 September 2000
  4. "Love by Grace"
    Released: December 2000
  5. "To Love Again (Meu Grande Amor)"
    Released: December 2001
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Amazon(favorable)[2]
Dooyoo UK[3]
Rolling Stone[4]

Album information

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After the Francophone star's huge success, in 1998 and 1999, Lara went to New York City and San Francisco to record her first album in English. She wrote or co-wrote most of the songs, working with Rick Allison and producers Walter Afanasieff (Mariah Carey, Céline Dion, Michael Bolton), Patrick Leonard (Madonna), Sam Watters (Color Me Badd, Jessica Simpson, Anastacia) and Mark Taylor (Cher, Enrique Iglesias).

Produced by Sony Music, the self-titled album was launched in May 2000 on America's most popular morning television show, NBC's Today Show. Invitations poured in, and Lara Fabian appeared on The Tonight Show, The View, Access Hollywood, Craig Kilborn, and Entertainment Tonight.

The album's first excerpt, "I Will Love Again", hit No. 1 on the Billboard Dance Music charts.[5] Fabian received the Félix for Quebec Artist Having the Most Impact in a Language other than French.

From June 2000 to February 2001, the song "Love by Grace" became the theme song of the lead couple in the Brazilian soap opera Laços de Família, broadcast by Rede Globo for millions of viewers in Brazil and Portugal. For several weeks, the song was number 1 on most Brazilian and Portuguese radio stations. "Love by Grace" generated an incredible frenzy around the artist.

After From Lara with Love, her first American TV special broadcast by PBS, the singer-songwriter participated in the very popular WTKU New York radio special, Miracle on 34th Street, where many popular artists appeared, including Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony, Ricky Martin and Toni Braxton.

Shortly after, when her self-titled English-language album was released in Asia, Lara scored a number one hit on the Taiwanese top ten, a great moment for the artist. Many were particularly impressed with the song "Light of my Life" (found only on the Asian edition of the album), which she interpreted with Leehom Wang, Asia's top male Chinese-speaking vocalist. This song was included in the movie feature China Strike Force, starring newcomer Lee-Horn along with Aaron Kwok, a box-office idol throughout Asia.

Eagerly awaited in several cities throughout the world, Lara dealt with her growing popularity by frequently appearing abroad. Fans and critics questioned her promotional tactics, however, as she neglected the US market in favor of a European tour, where she had already solidified her popularity. In 2001, promotion of "Lara Fabian" slowed significantly and a third single was not released. Lara has been absent from the US music landscape since that time.

There are many different international versions of this album. There is a version each for Canada, France, Japan, America, and South America. The albums vary greatly from each other because of different song tracks or cover artwork.

The song "Till I Get Over You" was produced by the duo Louis Biancaniello and Sam Watters, who became the producer team behind the sound of the initial hits for American female singer Anastacia. One can see the similarities in sound and production between Lara's "Till I Get Over You" and Anastacia's "I'm Outta Love" on Anastacia's 2000 debut album "Not That Kind".

The songs "Adagio" and "Broken Vow" were covered by Filipino singers, Mark Bautista and Sarah Geronimo. Also Josh Groban covered "Broken Vow" for his 2003 album "Closer", and Lebanese singer Majida El Roumi sang an Arabic cover of "Adagio", titled "Habibi", for her 2006 album "E'tazalt El Gharam".

Kazakh singer, Dimash Kudaibergen (Kazakh: Дінмұхаммед Қанатұлы Құдайберген, Dinmuhammed Qanatuly Qudaıbergen), who also works now with Igor Krutoy, sang "Adagio" in his "wild card" entry performance in 2017 on the Chinese talent competition Singer,[6] which catapulted him to world-wide notice, also performing it on the US show The World's Best (controversially withdrawing due to, against his contractual stipulations, being placed to compete against much younger performers, which is much against his Kazakh cultural tradition of always supporting and encouraging youth).[7] In 2019, he and Lara performed together in a concerts with Igor Krutoy.[8]

Both versions of "Adagio" and the song "To Love Again (Si Tu M'Aimes)" feature Steve Lukather guitar solos.

Singles chart performances

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  • United States Billboard Chart Albums (2000):
  • United States Billboard Chart Singles (2000):
  • The Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart: #25
  • Brazil Hot 100 Airplay: #1 (26 weeks)
  • Belgian Singles Chart (Flanders):
  • Adagio: #29
  • Belgian Singles Chart (Wallonia):
  • Adagio: #3
  • Canadian Singles Chart:
  • Canadian Singles Chart: #4
  • Dutch Singles Chart:
  • Adagio: #66
  • Eurochart Hot 100 Singles Chart:
  • New Zealand Singles Chart:
  • UK Singles Chart:

Awards and achievements

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  • Gold Album: Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Norway
  • Platinum Album: Belgium, Brazil and France
  • Triple Platinum Album: Portugal
  • "World Music Award" for "Best Selling Benelux Artist" (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)

Track listing

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# Title Written by Produced by Time
1. "Adagio" Remo Giazotto, Rick Allison, Lara Fabian, Dave Pickell Rick Allison 04:28
2. "Part Of Me" Lara Fabian, Patrick Leonard Patrick Leonard 04:32
3. "Givin' Up On You" Lara Fabian, Patrick Leonard Patrick Leonard 04:36
4. "You Are My Heart" Walter Afanasieff, Rick Allison, Lara Fabian, John Bettis Walter Afanasieff 04:10
5. "I Am Who I Am" Rick Allison, Lara Fabian, Evan Rogers, Carl Sturken Evan Rogers, Carl Sturken 03:47
6. "To Love Again" Rick Allison, Lara Fabian Rick Allison, Dave Pickell 03:46
7. "You're Not From Here" Walter Afanasieff, Rick Allison, Lara Fabian, John Bettis Walter Afanasieff 04:49
8. "Till I Get Over You" Louis Biancaniello, Sam Watters Louis Biancaniello, Sam Watters 03:45
9. "Love by Grace" Wayne Tester, Dave Loggins Walter Afanasieff 04:09
10. "Yeliel (My Angel)" Lara Fabian, Patrick Leonard Patrick Leonard 05:02
11. "I Will Love Again" Paul Barry, Mark Taylor Mark Taylor, Brian Rawling 03:45
12. "Broken Vow" Walter Afanasieff, Lara Fabian Walter Afanasieff 05:16
13. "Adagio" (Italian version) Tomaso Albinoni, Rick Allison, Lara Fabian, Dave Pickell Rick Allison, Dave Pickell 04:28
Bonus tracks
14. "Before We Say Goodbye" Joanne Houlden, Dave Pickell Rick Allison, Dave Pickell 04:28
15. "Ivy" Lara Fabian, Glen Ballard Glen Ballard 04:24
16. "Light Of My Life" (duet with Leehom Wang) Amy Sky, Lara Fabian, Dave Pickell Rick Allison, Dave Pickell 04:14
17. "I Will Love Again (ballad reprise)" Paul Barry, Mark Taylor Rick Allison 04:52
18. "Sola Otra Vez" Lara Fabian, K. C. Porter, Chein Garcia Alonso K. C. Porter 04:55
19. "Quédate" Denise Rich, K. C. Porter, Chein Garcia Alonso K. C. Porter 04:29
20. "Otro Amor Vendrá" Paul Barry, Mark Taylor, Chein Garcia Alonso Mark Taylor, Brian Rawling 03:42
21. "Otro Amor Vendrá (ballad reprise)" Paul Barry, Mark Taylor, Chein Garcia Alonso Rick Allison 04:53
22. "Sin Ti" Claudia Brandt, Danny Thomas Rick Allison 04:09
23. "Meu Grande Amor" Rick Allison, Lara Fabian Rick Allison, Dave Pickell 03:48

Production and Personnel (as adapted from liner notes)

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  • Tracks 1, 6 and 13 produced by Rick Allison; co-produced by Dave Pickell. Recorded by Jay Healy, Mario Brillion, Jeff Caruthers and John Kurlander; assisted by Ethan Shofer, Ian Dalsemer, Steve Baughman, Peter Doell, Dann Thompson, Andy Magnanello (Manganello on track 1 only) and David Channing (Channing on track 13 only). Mixed by Jay Healy, with assistance on track 6 by Gordon Fordyce. Rick Allison and Dave Pickell: Keyboards and Programming; Steve Lukather: Electric Guitars; Bruce Gaitsch: Acoustic and Nylon-String Guitars; Remy Malo: Bass; Mickey Curry: Drums
  • Tracks 2, 3 and 10 produced by Patrick Leonard Technical assistant to Mr. Leonard: David Channing. Recorded by Ross Hogarth. Mixed by Mick Guzauski (track 2) and Mike Shipley (tracks 3 and 10). Patrick Leonard: Keyboards and Programming; James Harrah and David Channing (Channing on track 2 only): Electric Guitars; Dean Parks: Acoustic Guitars; Paul Bushnell: Bass; Vinnie Colaiuta: Drums; Luis Conte and Brian MacLeod (MacLeod also played drums on track 3): Percussion; Steven Tavaglione: Soprano Saxophone (track 2 only).
  • Tracks 4, 7, 9 and 12 produced by Walter Afanasieff. Recorded by Dave Reitzas, David Gleeson and Bobbie Fernandez. Mixed by Mick Guzauski, with assistance by Tom Bender. Walter Afanasieff and Dan Shea: Keyboards, Drum and Rhythm Programming (note that track 12 features piano only); Michael Landau: Electric Guitars; Dean Parks: Acoustic Guitars
  • Track 5 produced by Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken. Recorded by Al Hemberger; mixed by Mick Guzauski, with assistance by Tom Bender. Marc Antoine: Guitars; Carl Sturken: Guitars, Keyboards and Drum Programming
  • Track 8 produced by Louis Biancaniello and Sam Watters. Recorded and mixed by Mick Guzauski, with assistance by Tom Bender. Louis Biancaniello: Keyboards and Programming; Chris Camozzi and Vernon "Ice" Black: Guitars
  • Track 11 produced by Mark Taylor and Brian Rawling. Recorded by Mark Taylor and Glen Marchese. Mixed by Mark Taylor. Mark Taylor: Keyboards and programming.

Charts

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Chart (2000-2001) Peak
position
Austrian Albums Chart[10] 24
Belgian Albums Chart (Flanders)[10] 11
Belgian Albums Chart (Wallonia)[10] 2
Dutch Albums Chart[10] 44
Finnish Albums Chart[10] 4
French Albums Chart[10] 1
German Albums Chart[10] 14
New Zealand Albums Chart[10] 34
Norwegian Albums Chart[10] 3
Portuguese Albums Chart[11] 1
Swedish Albums Chart[10] 38
US Billboard 200[12] 85

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Belgium (BEA)[13] Platinum 50,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[14] Platinum 250,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[15] Gold 50,000^
France (SNEP)[16] Platinum 300,000*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[17] Gold 25,000*
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[18] Gold 25,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Lara Fabian at AllMusic
  2. ^ "Amazon review". Amazon. Retrieved 2012-05-20.
  3. ^ "Dooyoo UK review". Dooyoo.co.uk. 2009-02-06. Archived from the original on 2012-03-16. Retrieved 2012-05-20.
  4. ^ "Lara Fabian : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. 2008-05-03. Archived from the original on May 3, 2008. Retrieved 2012-05-20.
  5. ^ "Lara Fabian | Biography, Music & News". Billboard.
  6. ^ March 2017, Dmitry Lee in People on 30 (2017-03-30). "Dimash Kudaibergen wins Best Asian Singer in China's Top Music Awards". The Astana Times. Retrieved 2020-08-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ cartermatt (2019-03-14). "Dimash Kudaibergen quits The World's Best before final round". CarterMatt. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
  8. ^ INFORM.KZ (2019-11-04). "Dimash Kudaibergen performs with Lara Fabian". KAZinform. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
  9. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "australian charts.com: ARA FABIAN - LARA FABIAN (ALBUM)". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
  11. ^ https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2001/MM-2001-02-24.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  12. ^ "Lara Fabian Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved July 29, 2011.
  13. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 1999". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
  14. ^ "Brazilian album certifications – Lara Fabian – Lara Fabian" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil.
  15. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Lara Fabian – Lara Fabian". Music Canada.
  16. ^ "French album certifications – Lara Fabian – Lara Fabian" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  17. ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
  18. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Lara Fabian')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.