La Vérité was the last album by Niagara. Niagara was one of the few French bands who had success and critical acclaim outside France despite not singing in English, because of this they embarked on an international tour in 1991 which included many sold-out concerts. Based on this success, Polydor decided to spare no expense on La Vérité which was recorded with a big band consisting of 45 musicians and had a special jewel case with a relief of the logo of the band on the cover.
The album was dark with an apocalyptic sound, sometimes bordering on hard rock with ballads intermixed and deals with subjects like the state of the planet, the weird role of the media, the problems of being accepted and being a woman. Up to now they were known for an acid rock sound which was reasonably happy. The change of theme resulted in an album which didn't go straight to #1 like their previous two albums, . The album was nevertheless certified Gold.Charts in France: Certifications Niagara (Accessed: Aug 10, 2006) On the personal side, the relationship between Muriel Moreno, the flamboyant singer, and Daniel Chenevez, the guitar and keyboard player, was not as it used to be. Niagara gave a final concert in Le Zénith, Paris on 25 March 1992 before going their separate ways with moderately successful solo careers.RFI Musique: Biography Niagara (Accessed: Aug 10, 2006)NB. Sound quality: DDD.
Track listing # Title Length 1. "Je suis de retour" (Muriel Laporte/Daniel Chenevez) 3:48 2. "C'est maintenant !" (Muriel Laporte/Daniel Chenevez) 4:10 3. "La Fin des étoiles" (Muriel Laporte/Daniel Chenevez) 3:50 4. "Le Minotaure" (Daniel Chenevez) 2:53 5. "Plus belle qu'une femme" (Daniel Chenevez/Muriel Laporte) 3:55 6. "Un million d'années" (Muriel Laporte/Daniel Chenevez) 4:01 7. "Le prochain payera pour les autres" (Muriel Laporte/Daniel Chenevez) 3:20 8. "De la victoire" (Muriel Laporte/Daniel Chenevez) 3:35 9. "Je n'oublierai jamais" (Muriel Laporte/Daniel Chenevez) 3:35 10. "Aux cœurs blessés" (Muriel Laporte) 4:11 11. "Ma dernière pensée" (Muriel Laporte/Daniel Chenevez) 3:20 12. "Ultravision" (instrumental) (Daniel Chenevez) 1:20 13. "Les Sapins" (Muriel Laporte/Daniel Chenevez) 2:59
Album credits Source: Personnel
Muriel Moreno - lead vocals, backing vocals, guitar Daniel Chenevez - keyboards, Hammond organ, piano, programming Andy Newmark - drums Evert Verhees - bass guitar René Van Barneveld - guitar Yarol Poupaud - guitar P.P. Arnold - backing vocals Juliet Roberts - backing vocals Christian Le Chevretel - trumpet Patrick Mortier - trumpet Michel Marin - saxophone Carlo Mertens - trombone Wim Poesen - bagpipe Jean-Pierre Vanttees - bagpipe Patrick Moreau - tuba Karel Van Wynandaele - tuba Jacques Blanche - French horn Michel Leveugle - French horn Dirk de Caluwé - flute Werner Braïto - harmonica Frank Michiels - percussion Arnoult Massart - string conducting
String section 1 Jean-Pierre Catoul - violin Éric Gerstmans - violin Christian Gerstmans - viola Jean-Paul Zanutel - cello André Klenes - double bass
String section 2 Manuel Cormacho - violin Shahrzad Djanati - violin Christian Gerstmans - violin André Klenes - violin Hélène Lislu - violin Ariane Plumerel - violin Georges Siblik - violin Ulysse Waterlot - violin Patrick Dussart - viola Éric Gerstmans - viola Sylvia Tolis - viola Jean-Paul Dessy - cello Fernando Lage - cello Sigrid Vandenbogaerde - cello Gerry Cambier - double bass Alain Denis - double bass
Production Arranged & produced by Daniel Chenevez Engineered by Erwin Autrique Mixed by Dominique Blanc-Francard at Electric Lady Studios, New York City Mastered by Bob Ludwig at Masterdisk, New York City Executive producer - Cyril Prieur
Design Jean-Baptiste Mondino - black and white photography Eddie Monsoon - colour photography Juergen Teller - front cover & back cover photography Den Denis - paintbox Niagara - cover design
References