from FRENCH TOUCH
written by Willie Nelson
“Crazy” is an evergreen that belongs in the songbook of country legend Willie Nelson. Nelson wrote “Crazy” in early ’61 when the future superstar was just a 28 year old songwriter based in Nashville .
That same year, another country superstar, the late Patsy Cline (September 8, 1932 to March 5, 1963), recorded “Crazy” and scored a big hit with that beautiful ballad which attracted both pop and country lovers. Ms. Cline’s definitive rendition of the song reached #2 on the Country chart, #2 on the Easy Listening chart and #9 on Billboard’s Hot 100. With an unique blend of jazz, country and pop plus the power of its gorgeous and complex melody, “Crazy” quickly became a standard covered by dozens of stars including Linda Ronstadt, Neil Young, Julio Iglesias, LeeAnn Rimes and Diana Krall.
Italian/French former supermodel turned singer/songwriter, Carla Bruni, just released an excellent cover of “Crazy” on her new French Touch cd. Produced by David Foster, French Touch was a startling collection of music classics from different eras that combine in an absolutely charming way. Ms. Bruni’s take on “Crazy” was tender and evocative, almost fragile with the bittersweet lyrics sung with the right amount of vulnerability. The instrumental track offered a refined musical scenario that Foster crafted with the help of top musicians including Jim Keltner on drums, Dean Parks on acoustic guitar plus the beautiful work of Mickey Raphael on harmonica. The icing on the cake is Nelson’s trademark voice harmonizing with Ms. Bruni with an ear-candy result that brings to life one of the showstoppers on the cd.
French Touch also included smart interpretations of other songs ranging from AC/DC’s “Highway To Hell” to The Rolling Stones’ “Miss You,” from Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day” to Abba’s “The Winner Takes It All.” Foster’s arrangements are right on target. The Hitman’s brilliant musical ideas fit Ms. Bruni’s breathy voice like a glove. There are touches of sophisticated soul and jazzy landscapes meeting country-tinged atmospheres. Who else could have re-invented Reed’s signature “Perfect Day” as an intimate waltz or turned The Clash’ rocker, “Jimmy Jazz” into a swinging jazz number? Only the Foster feel could make French Touch so remarkable from beginning to end. French Touch gave a smooth and elegant but not schmaltzy feel.
This good music makes us long for other new Foster projects in the near future. Let’s hope The Hitman is listening…
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/carla-bruni-feat-willie-nelson-crazy.mp3|titles=Crazy|artists=Carla Bruni]
Lead Vocals: Carla Bruni
Guest Vocals: Willie Nelson
Keyboards: David Foster & Cyril Barbessol
Acoustic Guitars: Dean Parks, Taofik Farah –
Drums: Jim Keltner
Percussion: Rafael Padilla
Synth, programming & sound design: Jochem van der Saag
Bass: Laurent Vernerey
Harmonica: Mickey Raphael
Produced & Arranged by David Foster
Co-Produced by Jochem van der Saag
Lyrics
[Verse]
I’m crazy
Crazy for feeling so lonely
I’m crazy
Crazy for feeling so blue
I knew
You’d love me as long as you wanted
Then someday
You’d leave me for somebody new
Worry
Why do I let myself worry
Wondering
What in the world did I do
[Bridge]
Crazy
For thinking that my love could hold you
[Outro]
I’m crazy for crying
I’m crazy for trying
I’m crazy for loving you