Lara Fabian

Josh has an amazing voice in English or Spanish - We were so impressed with his version of You Raise Me Up that we had our soloist use it for my Dad's funeral. Each of his CD's gives me goosebumps when I listen to them for his use of classical style with modern lyrics and the soulful depth of his voice. Enjoy!

Josh groban sings so amzing. I am his biggest fan ever, and I love this cd, closer. It shows his ability to sing very well and I love his song called confession. He sings that song very well. I also love songs, in her eyes and so she dances. Becides being very cute his voice maches his looks + better. He is so amazing! I highly recamend this cd

The best things about vocal music is the instrument never lies. You cannot cover up mistakes, you cannot hide amateur style with technical flair. The same can be said for the occasional virtuoso. The virtuoso can make someone hear what they feel like they normally would not enjoy, and do it with style. Josh Groban delivers a style unlike those of his typical pop counterparts, and does it with elegance.

Suppose you take the operatic style of say, Andrea Bocelli, and mix it with pop instrumentation styles (keeping with the orchestral traditional style). Some have tried this and succeeded i.e. Boyz 2 Men, and others took it to a further extreme by lighting up the stage with a traditional operatic style mixed with popular music lyrics i.e. Il Divo. Josh Groban does the same with this album.

At only 22 years of age, this album bridges the gap between a two styles of music where both sides have been in a continuous battle since Elvis Presley first shook his hips on stage in front of a national television audience. Those who listen to classical opera often seem haughty and distainful to those who listen to pop, who look uneducated and "lower class" to those who listen to classical. This album, while it isn't the first to use both styles as one element, certainly is the one which can be used as a starting off point to come to a common ground.

Key tracks on this album are "You Raise Me Up," "Oceano," and "Mi Mancherai." With another virtuoso Joshua Bell accompanying Josh Groban, I can't help but wonder if a full collaboration will ever be considered. I certainly hope so, and look forward to hearing more.

They are calling it Neo-classical. It's the classically trained voice, singing with some "pop" quality, and singing newer compositions including modern instruments.

Josh Groban has a fabulous singing voice, and the selection of songs on this recording is nearly flawless. I love the fact that he is helping to bridge the gap between "pop" and "art" musics.

Some night long ago, I was watching television and the commercial for this cd came on - Groban was singing "Oceano" throughout and, simple as that, I was addicted. Though filled with songs that are in Italian, French, and some other languages I can't reasonably understand the lyrics in given my history with language classes, I love the cd.
Any fan of Groban's will love this CD, and songs like "Remember when it Rained" will draw in a new round of fans.

Keep in mind this cd was released in 2000, so it has distinct "sounds" from that time period. Sounds very 90's in a way!
Nonetheless, her voice does do 'gymnastics' like the overly mean critics review above, (geez, amazon!) but not in a bad way. I feel she is singing perfectly for her voice range, not trying to sound like she tries to hit notes she shouldn't attempt, instead hitting them perfectly and with emotion. Broken Vow and The Dream Within are my favorites. (Josh Groban does a nice version on Broken Vow as well.)
Try going to the youtube website and looking up Broken Vow, and see just how powerful and gymnastic-ky her voice actually is.
3 stars only because this cd does sound very 90s, if I were giving a review 8 years ago, it would have been 4.

My family has owned and listened to Lara for years yet remain always in complete awe of her near perfect vocal abilities. She is an amazing melding of Celine Dion & Mariah Carey, but unlike those two, she presents her vocal talents without pretense - pure music.
Lara Fabian is gifted in many languages and easily represents herself in French, Italian and Spanish (oh and English of course). I will likely never hear another who's so gifted vocally; who can better the power of Dion, has cleaner virtuosity than Mariah and yet can suddenly drop down into the most mesmerizing pianissimos. I would simply consider this voice to be akin to a concert pianist who can at will do whatever is wished musically.
If you've not heard her, you miss a superbe talent!

There is not a bad cut on this it is well written easy listening to neo classical music, begining with the song that got her noticed in the U.S.; "I Will Love Again", "Giving Up On You", "I Am What I Am", Yeliel(My Angel), Adagio and "Love By Grace". Stands to repeated listenings without it hardly getting old, Lara Fabian is a beautiful lady with a beautiful voice and an expertly produced album to boot.

I was on Yahoo Answers when I saw a question with a link to a video by Lara. It was fantastic! With her beautiful and passionate voice, it completely blew me away. She deserves to be better known.

I find this album outstanding. Really love this album. It has good musics, good arrangements, outstanding and breathtaking vocals, what else can you probably wants? :)
I really love the Broken Vow, it's just the best I've ever heard..

A Wonderful Life cd arrived and I have to say simply took my breath away.

The song Unbreakable played and reminded me of when the man in my life we were communicating and he told me that I was behind a wall and the only one who could get me out? Well : After searching for that, he was right. I just dont like to admit that to him after 20 years of marriage. I will not as his wife and the mother to his daughters.

For all the PAIN I have endured as a person, a woman and a mom and most of all a daughter and wife. I'Ve Cried Enough!

Sometimes I feel all alone in this world, for I battle DEPRESSION but my motto is: 1 day at a time. Deep down I have had a wonderful life.

If you don't know Lara Fabian but know and like Celine Dion's music, you must give Lara Fabian's a try.

She is an international sensation singer and songwriter. She is often compared to Celine Dion but IMO, she is a much better singer. Her voice is much stronger and deeper. Her choice of songs are as emotional as she is when she sings them (no matter how many times she sang them). She is also a very classy performer.

Once you've listened to Lara Fabian, you'd never go back to Celine Dion's music! I know, I did.

Many songs on this CD are revised from her previous Int'l CDs but are in English. Love them when she sang them in French and still love them when she sang them in English.

Search her on YOU TUBE and you'll see plenty of her. One other recommendation is her DVD, a live concert of "Un Regard 9"; another must have for Lara's fans.

Wish she'd to better in the US so I could just go to a local music store to get her music instead of waiting for weeks for international orders. It's only times... only times... before her fans in the US will increase.

I bought this CD from a Music shop in my place, it is truely wonderful, the voice of Lara in the CD was so heart taking, specialy review my kisses and a wonderful life.

best english songs i heared, because i don't actualy buy a lot of CDs this is my only loved one.

I very much enjoy this CD, and Lara Fabian has made "A Wonderful Life" her own. Although others have recording this, I find her version to be almost ethereal. I definitely would recommend this album to anyone who enjoys classical-type music with a modern twist.

I have been enjoying listening to Lara Fabian's CD because she has a wonderful voice and all the songs are good on this CD. I would recommend this CD to anyone.

No other words to express this album,,,the artistry is superb. would recommend to anyone, this album makes me glad I am a music lover, it is inspiring

This was my first Josh Groban album and definitely not my last. I've never been fond of opera for the simple reason that I disliked not knowing the words. Clearly that is not really the problem because as far as I'm concerned Josh can sing to me any language he wants. He has a rich smooth sound that reaches deep inside. I initially purchased this CD for "You Raise Me Up," and discovered a wealth of inspiring music. In mi mancherai (il postino), the duet with Joshua Bell is heart rendingly beautiful. My favorite is "When You Say You Love Me." It's romantic and touching. Throughout, Josh demonstrates a remarkable capacity for variation in his taste in music and his skill in presenting it. This extended version included a DVD that clued me into his latest project AWAKE, which I'm glad I purchased as soon as it became available. I hope to see much more by Josh soon.

This album has inspired me to begin learning Italian. I learned the words to "Oceano" by heart almost immediately. Not a single song on this album do I not like. Josh is an incredible singer--one of the best voices I have heard in a long time. This is actually the second time I have purchased this album, because I wanted to get the accompanying "Making Of..." DVD.

This is the first album I bought from this artist and I loved it so much I bought all of them and then flew to Las Vegas to see the first concert I have ever been to--that sounds silly since I am over 60 and really think the music is wonderful!

I am a big fan of Josh Groban so this CD is one of my favorites. His song, "You Raise Me Up" was recently sung at a dear friend's funeral, and there was not a dry eye in the church. Josh really delivers the message of each of his songs in such a professional and musically perfected manner. Keep on recording, Josh, because we all love you!

SSH

I have both this CD and the same DVD of this CD. This is great for vocal lovers of french music. she has the talent and also tremendous grace!
The "Un Regard 9 Live" is very good also but Lara's voice is not as clear except some of the song she sang solo (the other songs have back-up singers).
It's a toss-up to compare to me but I love both of her live CDs (or DVDs)

This is true to Lara's style and brings another dimension to her career. The pure delight of hearing her in new songs or reprises of older ones is such a rewarding experience. I love this CD and just wish Lara was more prolific in her recordings. What a shame that she stays a well kept secret in the US. Her voice rivals Barbra and surpasses Celine and yet few have experienced the magic of her talent. This could become my favorite ever.

Lara Fabian may very well have the most beautiful voice on the whole planet, and no album demonstrates that more than En Toute Intimite. - she hardly even needs the piano and cello accompaniments and she displays a vocal range that other singers can only dream about. This is a live recording, the quality of which is unsurpassed. Never mind if you don't speak French - that won't stop you from enjoying an immensely talented singer. And if her French weren't beautful enough, there are a couple of tracks to show that her Italian is no worse.

I bought this based on a review I read here from someone who said he speaks no French but loved this anyway. On faith, I did the same - bought it, and have really loved it -- Lara could sing my grocery list and make a symphony of it. Even if you speak no French, you'll really enjoy watching her in this small intimate concert, where she sings in Italian, French, and even English. She is one gorgeous woman!

The first song I heard of Lara Fabian's was 'Adagio' almost five years ago--on the self-titled English debut of 2000. Since that first song, I haven't been able to find enough of Lara.
This album showcases 16 tracks, taken mostly from the 2001 French release 'Nue,' and features Lara with a simple, elegant combination of strings and piano; creating a perfect mood to stir emotion when adding her phenomenal voice.
Highlights for me on 'En Toute Intimité'are the cover of Charles Aznavour's 'Comme ils disent,' the loss in Fabian's 'Je T'Aime,' the hit duet with French vocalist Maurane 'Tu Es Mon Autre', and the impressively executed Italian aria 'Addio Del Passato' taken from Verdi's opera 'La Traviata.'
Also included on the live album is an English track 'Calling You,'--never-before-recorded, nor released til now.
In the beginning--Fabian was determined to become a recording artist after her success at the 1988 Eurovision song contest, and soon moved to French speaking Quebec. Born and raised in Belgium by a Flemish father and Italian mother--Lara learned and spoke several languages, studied dance, and was classically trained as a vocalist--though she considers herself more of a songwriter than as a vocalist. Lara Fabian is often considered a contemporary to Celine Dion. Unlike Celine however, Lara writes a majority of the music she records, which comes through in her interpretations. Thus Lara connects to her audiences' deepest cores with her voice, her uninhibited delivery, and most of all the intense performance that delivers her experiences, joys, sorrows, and more directly from Lara Fabian's mouth. She loses herself, and you will too if you listen with your soul.
If you enjoy Lara Fabian, especially her 2001 album, 'Nue,' I would most definately recommend 'En Toute Intimité.'
Lara Fabian sings with the voice of my soul, undoubtedly you will think the same after buying 'En Toute Intimité.'
Otherwise I will tell you, if you appreciate incredibly beautiful music you will add this cd to your collection as soon as you can.

This is one of my favorite by Miss Fabian! This album is from the tour of "Nue" album, including most songs from this record and some other (french) hits. For the Lara's english-songs-only fans: this album has no english songs, but all the songs included are so amazing and so passionate. Perhaps you may know the track Si Tu M'aimes (included on this live), which is the original version of To Love Again. There's also 2 inedit studio songs. One original and one reprise of a Charles Aznavour's song. Well... i strongly recommend the DVD of this Live, but the cd is also an item you won't regret buying!

Im needing info about this cd, wanting to know how great it is? I have only been listening to her music for about 10 months now and I love her. She has the voice . My favorites are : The Last Goodbye, I've Cried Enough, I Guessed I Loved You, I Will Love Again and Broken Vow also Til I Get Over You. Her music is so inspiring and real that I can just think and cry all at the same time. A voice that can be heard over and over again. Lara you are that shiny star and I would love to see you in concert. Any info please let me know. I love them both and are fantastic and a pleasure to listen too. If only some of these songs I knew about could have kept me in comfort when I was hurting over a relationship that put a hole my heart big time with lots of tears and heartache.

-I'm not big on RPG's so I don't know much about the "Final Fantasy" games, but I do hear that the scores are largely excellent so I was a bit surprised when the game composer wasn't used and the great Elliot Goldenthal was brought in instead. Unlike the movie which is a beautiful disappointment, the score is fantastic and definitely one of the best from this very underrated composer that does not get the respect he deserves.

-The best piece of music on the album and one of the best musical cues I've heard in my life is "Race to Old New York" which starts off with this fast moving strings that plays this simple melody, then shortly after the brass comes in and picks up the melody which keeps going to the short cue comes to it's natural resolution. I don't seem to remember hearing that cue in the movie which was a shame because it's so wonderful.

-Other tracks that should make glad that you have ears are "The Phantom Plains", "Dead Rain", "Code Red", "Music for Dialogues", "Winged Serpent", "Zeus Cannon", and "Adagio and Transfiguration". I love how he blends the techno stuff with the orchestral elements in "Dead Rain" and "Winged Serpent" is just creepy as hell. "Zeus Cannon" is a majestic piece that sounds like the music that should accompany a Greek god. "Music for Dialogues" is a great piece that should be familiar territory for all Goldenthal fans.

-There is an isolated track on the DVD which is great, but Goldenthal seems to have the same problem that great composer Marco Beltrami has, which is to talk over the music. Most of the cues he does talk over are on the album so it's not that big of a problem, although I do wish he would have actually talked for the scenes when there was no music. 10 minutes would pass by and we won't hear a peep from him, but he is a brilliant composer so I guess we can forgive his lack of great DVD commentaries.

-Even if you find the movie to be a little disappointing, the score should keep you interested. It's fresh, it's great and gives birth to "Race to Old New York" which should be included in any filmmusic geek's top 50 of great musical cues of all time

I cannot express how finely crafted this score is. Goldenthal is one of my favorite composers (not just for film) and this is definitely one of his highlights. I believe that where this score really shines is Elliot's way of making really simple musical ideas sound extremely intense and grand. For example, Race to Old New York, one of my favorite cues, has an extremely powerful opening that is nothing but a string ensemble racing up and down a g minor chord. Yet it instantly exposes many raw emotions that other composers would need a few movements of a symphony to convey. Most of Goldenthal's trademarks can be found in this score. Horn tone clusters, near-atonal trills on brass, and HUGE, no, EPIC orchestrations that we fell in love with in Titus. The glass harmonica (and the way Elliot employs it) found its way into this film from the score for Interview with the Vampire. I could go on, but I won't. This is a remarkable CD by one of the best living composers (now that Ligeti is no longer with us).

This has to be Goldenthal's best score to date! It's an orchestral masterpiece performed by none other than the London Symphony Orchestra.

Let me explain a few awesome tracks before giving the downside to this release.

The album opens with ambient noise and dark choir, much like Horner's Aliens. The second track, "Race to Old New York", doesn't appear on the film, or as this cue version does on the album. It's played by racing strings and low brass. Very good track and one of my favorites.

"The Kiss" proves to Hollywood and Goldenthal skeptics that he is able to pull of romantic, soothing themes. "The Kiss" is a romantic theme played by piano with some strings.

"Toccata and Dreamscapes" is the longest and most difficult track to perform. Goldenthal employs 40 French horns (!) to blast, grunt and shrill away every once in a while during the percussion and interrupted string action. One of the best tracks!

"Adagio and Transfiguration" closes the score album with a sad, sweeping reprise of the romantic theme and finishes on a solo trumpet.

Between all of these reviewed tracks are mixtures of sweeping cues, rolling strings, tense moments and dark choir. All this makes for a very diverse range of music on about 50 minutes of score for this release.

The album ends with two songs. Lara Fabian's rendition of the love theme in pop form is nice but is ruined by the last song on the album not worth mentioning. The rock song ruins the entire listening experience.

The Complaints:
One I've already mentioned: the stupid rock song at the end of the CD; two, the music is not in chronological order, but I guess it makes for a better listening experience; and three, much good music is missing! "Dead Rain" is almost 8 minutes long on the film and we only get about 2 minutes on the album cut. The good thing about the special edition DVD is that we get the option of an isolated track and commentary by Elliot Goldenthal. Goldenthal is smart leaving the music cues that didn't appear on the album uncommented.

Get this soundtrack and the special edition DVD. They're worth every penny!

If you've seen Final Fantasy - The Spirits Within DVD, you've probably listened to the isolated score with commentary by Elliot Goldenthal, during which you will notice that he talks over certain bits of score but leaves other chunks of score alone, un-interrupted.

It more or less translates to this: The sections of score he talks over seem to all be here on the soundtrack and well covered. The several chunks of score he doesn't talk over some over eight minutes in length: completely axed and not used for this soundtrack.

"Dead Rain" is missing about seven minutes of great scoring which blend into it seemlessly in the film. Why do those responsible for cutting the score for a film's soundtrack axe some of the better parts (in my mind) in exchange for one or two tracks that don't seem to tell as much of a story? I've experienced this with so many scores I've bought. Exceptional pieces used in films getting axed.. and for what? The expense of a second disc? I'd gladly pay for a second disc or for a third folks. I really would, especially with scores like this.

Which is why I'm giving this soundtrack 3 stars. Not because the music sucks, it's great and I enjoyed every minute of it. Just remember to own the film on DVD as well as this soundtrack so you can get a little extra from Elliot.

Elliot Goldenthal wrote a grand, majestic score for the computer-animated science-fiction spectacle "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within." The music bursts with roaring brass under climactic string arpeggios, carrying the listener high on a violent tidal wave, when suddenly the wave is broken and settles down with a soft female voice humming over an elusive and beautiful melody played on the piano. There's a sparse use of the synthesizer, apart from some choir effects in the background and echoing ambient sounds. The accent is very much on music played by a big orchestra.
This film doubtlessly features one of Goldenthal's best film scores. It's rich and inspired in every scene and every take. It keeps your attention, down to the last minute on the album. The music for the dream sequences is the most complex and grand, with a complex combination of percussion, string arpeggios and brass - often culminating like a thunderstorm, but always leaving a calm resuscitation behind. Buy this if you like modern, complex, grand music and lush sweeping "dreamscape" music.

This one gets 4 stars.

Lara always has the ability to bring songs into life. She did just that for this album.

A great album! Very nice double cd edition with a full range of clips to most of the songs on the album. Laras voice is GREAT as usual

What a voice, do I like other artist better?...yes a few, but is there another voice so soft but yet so bold? I have yet to find one. There are enough reviews here, so I'll make this short. Don't know french? Neither do I! I say the following about Lara and no one else "it's like an angel is singing to me." So heavenly her voice floats on hypnotizing you. But when she wants to let you know something, she strikes with such thunder your eyes go wide! Lara you truly are heaven sent. I will always support you Lara!

I LOVE lara fabian, and although this cd is good, it's nothing compared to her others (specifically 'Pure' and 'Nue'). If i had listened to this cd first, i might feel differently but it's just kind of a letdown after the others which are SO good in my opinion. A few of the songs are more pop-y and I don't think the style suits her. All in all though, she still has an amazing voice and I'm glad i bought this.

Lara Fabian is my one of my favourite female vocalists. This CD is as good as the rest. Even though I don't speak or understand French, the music and lyrics and her voice more than compensate. Wonderful to listen to as I drive. I wish she would make more CDs.

i have been looking for another album by lara fabian and chose this one based on the star ratings and the fact that she sings in french. loud vocals, loud music, boring songs...no soul. and i cannot believe i paid so much for it.

This album is too good to be true if you take into account that it is only her second attempt. There is a huge gap between the quality of her first and second album. Carpe Diem was the start of big things of Lara with great tracks like Leila, Tu T'en Vas, Je Suis Malade where Lara illustrates her vocal power by singing acapella at the end of the song, Ramené-Moi, the lovely Pas Sans Toi, Saisir Le Jour (Carpe Diem) and the very emotional Si Tu M'aimes. This track was introduced here to her fans for the first time and was such a success that it was also included in her Pure album. I give the album 4 out of 5 because it is not the quality of an album like Nue, but still deserves a good point because it is absolutely fabulous for a second attempt.

This album shows how a young inexperienced artist transformed into a songwriter-maestro and vocal extraordinaire. A must for every fan and collector.

THIS CD PROVES THAT MS. FABIAN HAD AWESOME TALENT FROM THE START.
"LEILA" IS A GREAT, UPLIFTING TUNE, "PUISQUE C'EST L'AMOUR" IS QUITE SEDUCTIVE, & "SI TU M'AMIES" IS QUITE DRAMATIQUE. SHE'S ONE OF MY ALL-TIME FAVORITES.

Lara Fabian proves she's terrific here. It's a great oportunity to listen to one of the greatest composers/singers of the world!

Lara Fabian is exquisite! Barbara Streisand has nothing on her. The clarity of her voice is above all else. Let's hope she has been booked already for the choir in heaven. She is angelic! More albums please! "For Always" with Josh Groban is the most beautiful song I have ever heard and will be the new wedding song of the future!