André De Laat, Loes’ father, is close to realizing his dream to record an entire CD in honor of his daughter. A consolation plate. A way to process the drama as a musician, but also to thank the people who sympathize with him, his wife Nathalie and their other children Ella (8) and Lenn (4).
“We started on Monday morning and everything should be ready by 7 p.m. on Friday,” says André, who coordinates everything himself. “Thanks to Joes’ patience and professionalism, things are going very well. Jean Bosco Safari and Dennis Meentz, the drummer and godfather of Loesje, who lives in Sweden, have already visited, along with many other musicians and artists.”
André de Laat is very happy with the commitment of Koen Wauters and all other artists who participate in ‘Voor Loes’. — © koen fasseur
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Thursday was a special day because the last recordings were made for what is already the most famous song on the record: De Eenhoorn. “Ruth Beeckmans, a fantastic colleague who, like Loes, also comes from Schoten, asked me during the recordings of the VTM program Snackmasters if I didn’t want to sing along to that song”, says Koen while he, like his young choir members, enjoy an ice cream.
“I knew immediately what she was talking about. I too had read the tragic story about the traffic accident in the newspaper and was moved by the beautiful symbolism of the unicorn. My kids also had a favorite stuffed animal when they were little. I didn’t hesitate for a second to come and record this afternoon.”
Besides Ruth and Loes, there is another reason why Koen Wauters was in the Bloemendaal district in Schoten on Thursday. “Maxim, son of Pascal Ferryn, my regular co-driver during rally competitions, also died five years ago,” says the artist. “Although that happened in very different circumstances, it is something we often talk about among ourselves. In fact, I have become a lot more careful on the road than I used to be. In races I dare to push the accelerator pedal hard, on the road I invariably adhere to all speed and traffic rules. That used to be different, I have to admit, with some licenses revoked as a result.”
Not known to the children
There were not many children in group 5, the class of the BMS in which Loes would normally also have attended this school year, who knew Koen Wauters. “His face looks familiar to me from television, but I don’t know from what,” says a girl honestly. Rik (7) couldn’t name a hit by Clouseau either, but his parents gave him an old LP from Koen’s band to sign. The very first is still: Hoezo from 1990.
–Rik hands an old Clouseau LP to Koen Wauters. “Will you sign it for my mom and dad please?” André de Laat looks on with amusement. — © koen fasseur
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The children were let into the studio in groups of six to sing in their touching voices the chorus about that horse with a horn on its head, the image for Loesje’s flame that will never go out. “Beautiful lyrics by Jean Bosco Safari, who is a very warm artist himself by the way”, Wauters expresses his appreciation for the song on which his voice can also be heard, in addition to that of the writer himself, Ruth Beeckmans and Marijn Devalck, who played in the studio is expected.
Not all group 5 children were in the studio on Thursday. “Most were really looking forward to this, but for some the confrontation with Loesje’s death is too sensitive. We obviously understand that. In consultation with their parents, they did not come,” says Miranda, one of the teachers who accompanied the children during their trip to the studio.
Presentation on December 18
Nathalie, Loesje’s mother, used to play nice double bass. “But not nearly good enough to play on this record,” she says. “I help where I can. André himself plays his beloved saxophone, but will also sing a few songs, even alone. I think those will be the hardest moments for him.
–Ruth Beeckmans came to sing along and also provided a happy note among the BMS students. As a Schotense she did not have to drive far to Bloemendaal, where the Sputnik Studio is located. — © koen fasseur
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The presentation of ‘Voor Loes’, which can be reserved for free via the website, is scheduled for December 18 in De Kaekelaar. A selection of the collaborating artists will perform all songs live during two live concerts. The entire operation is financed thanks to the crowdfunding that André launched shortly after Loesje’s death and with which he raised 13,500 euros.
“We plan to use the remaining budget to support a local charity. We will also announce that on December 18. The concerts will also be viewable via livestream,” says André de Laat. (jaa )
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