The last meeting with Daniel Lavoie took place at the time of his 12th album («Long Courrier») release in spring 1990. Then Lavoie casually mentioned his English album, recorded simultaneously with the «Long Courrier».

«There is a big difference. And not because of my songs translation, as it happened with my 2 albums in English, «Tips» and «Cravings»,- he says contentedly. Two years later, he admitted that «Here In The Heart» had done its own special way.

Daniel: My first thought was to duplicate «Long Courrier» in the other language. But Roch Voisine had come to this idea long before me. «Long Courrier» took all my attention, so I left the English album until better times. Coming back to it I realized, that some of the songs were a little bit outdated. And then I rubbed them. It was at that moment I had the idea to go to Los Angeles to see my old friend, the publisher Bo Goldson. Goldson asked me to meet with the author Mary-Beth Darry.

The contract had been signed and the work began immediately. Lavoie and Darry came to a mutual understanding very quickly and co-wrote four songs for the album.

 Daniel: It was a very interesting collaboration. I was writing with the other person in such a manner for the first time. While working with Thierry Séchan (Renaud`s brother) we used to send our lyrics via fax. With Mary we have worked at the same time and spontaneously. 

This without any doubts oriented the texts more specifically, to more specific topics than on «Long Courrier». Far from dreaming manner of his latest CD, «Here In The Heart» has been presented as a snapshot in the spirit of its time. It felt more excitement, it's like a father, apologizing, bequeaths such an uneasy world to his descendants.

 Daniel: Restless? Yes, it can be the better word, it was my big concern during the recent years. Because of the teenager who was growing up, because of the kid who was expecting to come into this world. Into the world which is, I believe, much more complex than in the days of my youth. I think it was much less negative, and especially much less violent. The impression of these days is that there are too many young people who have no other choice but to play these violent games. They're all trapped. I do not mean that someone in a particular is responsible for that. Everything follows from what we all have made a choice. But still I try to look at it with some sense of humor. You do not need to panic much. Not all is that bad.

 As the proof there is «100 kilowatts», where the future world is ironically described, where the missing birds songs are replaced by CDs, being played at 10 and 4 pm. As for the sound, it is not too far from the «Long Courrier». There is always the exact balance between the acoustics and the synthesizers. And, as always, there are elegant arrangements and performances, marked in Lavoie and mandatory for Andre Lambert. As for the songs, composed and recorded in Los Angeles, Lavoie called Billy William, «Lyle Lovet» director, and another Bo Goldson`s friend. 

Daniel: Billy introduced me to several artists, among them were a great bass player from «Leland Sklarr», famous in the '70s, and James Taylor, who recorded CDs with Phil Collins. 

As for the Montreal group, it remains the family: «Hart Rouge», Moran, Warren Williams – back vocal, Bob Cohen - guitar, Michel Cusson, who appears only several times. It`s a perfect ensemble, because the unity prevails throughout the album. 

Daniel: I really liked the hint of country music, which californian musicians brought into this album. But, to be honest, the work with them allowed me to understand one thing – there is no need to go far to find the musicians of this magnitude. They are many in Montreal. 

We can only act boldly before the canadian anglophone audience, before which he feels perfect stranger.

 Daniel: It encourages me even more, because it seems that you come back again to start everything from the scratch. Given my decades of experience, it's much less scary.