Fabulous Fabienne

Fabulous Fabienne

     Fabienne is a professional singer: she has a sultry voice with a wide range that she knows how to use, like the musical instrument that it is, an amazing feat for a vocalist who has had no formal training. Fabienne also has great stage presence with a knack for engaging her audience and she obviously enjoys what she does. All these elements are showcased on her new CD, titled simply “Fabienne”. It is a six song set comprised of four classic songs and two originals. The album is self produced and was recorded at the Recording Studio in Liberia by Warren Alani over a span of two months in total, at times with various tracks recorded separately and overdubbed.

     The quartet backing her is rock solid, with Warren Alani on keyboards and synthetic percussion, David Herzovitch “nuestro Pelotudo” handling the bass guitar, Pierre Gaillard on six string guitar and vocals as well as composing the two new songs, and the inimitable Brad Schmidt on red hot saxophone. The standards “Cry Me a River’ and “Summertime” are standouts, timeless songs that serve as wonderful vehicles for Fabienne’s delivery. Her new band, Fabi & Swing Cats (Ludovic Solar on guitar and David Herzovitch on bass) has been busy, performing live at Witches Rock every Tuesday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and next door at Vacquero on Sundays from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. They also appear Saturdays from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Hotel Marriot and at Langosta Beach Club on Fridays 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Whew, busy, indeed.

     Fabienne has lived in Costa Rica for fourteen years, the last ten in Tamarindo. She told me that she has been performing live for eight years now and that after the first year; she worked for a second year by herself to improve her voice, always aspiring to have full range and control. I think she’s gotten there. She performed for three years with local guitar wizard Jesse Bishop, to whom she attributes a lot of her early development. “He was like a trainer, a mentor for me,” she explained, pointing out his help with her timing and stage presence. After her three year stint with Jesse, she was ready to strike out on her own. She noted how bands form and transform, evolving and changing, and that the relationships and commitments among band members for a successful group needs to be as strong as that of a romantic relationship. “I’m actually married to my singing,” she half-joked. “Actually, there can be something close… pretty close, to orgasmic in a good live performance,” she explained, and I believe she wasn’t kidding this time.

     I’ve seen Fabienne perform for several years now in a few different bands and every time I see her, I am reminded of how much fun she is having onstage. I also note that she gets better with each new show I get to see. “Fabienne” the CD is a reflection of the culmination of her hard work and her natural talent, something worthy of anyone’s music library. In Playa Tamarindo, the CD is available at Jaime Peligro book store and at all her live shows.  
     All comments concerning this article are gladly welcome.