I'm a fool to want you

I was mesmerized when I heard the latest Chanel No 5 advert.

You read that right! When I HEARD the advert. On the telly, mind you.

It is to the tune of a familiar song that caught my attention, though the vocal is not a voice I am familar with.

Don't get me wrong; I thought it was a catchy advert. The scene and scenery was breathtaking to say the least. It is the stuff romance is made of - the Orient Express, the tunnel and the arch bridge. I should not comment much on the actor/actress or the models, if you must, in it. The model was not up to my standard, to be honest, but then again, what do I know about casting, right?

It is also stuff murder is made of - Agatha Christie's style.

Here is the advert again.

But what I would like to highlight is this is one song I have been listening to at night, coming back from the harsh working environment at Perak Hanjoong Simen in mid 80s, and I have known this song from my uni days circa 84-85. Her voice is so soothing.

The orchestra, helmed by Nelson Riddle, was fantastic and Linda Ronstadt's voice was simply awesome and full of bodies. I can listen to this over and over again 25 years on. How I would melt over and over again if she would sing it for me! ;-)

The arrangement showcased the voice beautifully. YOu can immersed yourself in her voice, and yet still able to listen to each one of the instrument; the piano, the viola, the horn section. Wonderful.

I'm a fool to want you
I'm a fool to want you
TO want a love that can't be true
A love that's there for others too

I'm a fool to hold you
Such a fool to hold you
To seek a kiss not mine alone
To share a kiss the devil has known

Time and time again, I said I'd leave you
Time and time again, I went away
But then would come a time
When I would need you
And once again these words I have to say

I'm a fool to want you
Pity me I need you
I know it is wrong - it must be wrong
But right or wrong,
I can't get along
without you

But here is the version by Billie Holiday as used in the advert. She sounds so painful to be honest though it is a pleasure to listen to her too. While I have always been a fan of Linda Ronstadt, I would give credit to Billie Holiday for this 1950s version. The arrangement is great too.

She sends shivers down my spine. She sounds like she was in pain. Frank Sinatra has a hand in writing this song though his version to me is forgetful.

I did not realize that the 'you' in this song was really a fragrant! ;-)

EPILOGUE

Listening to both I am a fool to want you and What's New, I was transported to another era and another equally haunting song, of course this remake was by Linda Ronstadt and The Nelson Riddle Orchestra. Both of song I am a fool and the one below When your lover has gone are songs from her Lush Life Album.

If only Arif and Akmal would one day produce this kind of work, I would be extremely proud. Never mind Mozart or Beethoven. That's why I thought the Lush Life album is one album I would take with me if I am stranded on a deserted island.

When Your Lover has Gone

What good is the scheming, the planning, the dreaming
that come with each new love affair
The love that you cherish,
so often may perish
and leave you with castle in air

Aah, what a voice, and what an era. Err, never mind the lyrics of both song OK. It may have some negativity in it, but I guess they are reflections of the time they were written . If I may term the 40s and the 50s as the romantic era, with apologies to the real romantic era of classical music.

Here is what I found in Wikipedia.

The album was released in 1958. Says Ray Ellis (composer/arranger), "I would say that the most emotional moment was her listening to the playback of "I'm a fool to want you" There were tears in her eyes...It wasn't until I heard the final mix a few weeks later that I realized how great her performance really was."