Make Me Feel Brand New
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jun 12, 2021
- 3 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - EVENING
Working on a laptop, PETER is listening to oldies from a hifi set. We hear: ...You make me feel brand new...
PETER (V.O.): The Stylistics sings with style. There can't be any substitute.
FLASHBACK
INT. STUDY - EVENING (DAYS AGO)
While turning a radio's frequency, Peter pauses.
PETER (V.O.): The DJ's voice is familiar...Oh, he's Albert Au.
From the radio, we hear: I'm going to play you a song that you wouldn't know who's the singer. He plays the song.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Well, the song has only got verses and no chorus; and it ends with a disproportionate instrumental of electronic organ... The singing wasn't bad.
When the song ends, the DJ remarks: It's the debut recording of Roman and the Four Steps in 1967. And the title of the song is Reflections of Charles Brown...
PETER (V.O.): Is that right? This is the first time I've heard this song.
Peter surfs the web with his phone. Finding the song, he listens to it again.
Act 2
INT. STUDY - CONTINUOUS
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In 1967 in Hong Kong, who would care about the reflections of Charles Brown?
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But if I was just a bandmate, particularly the organist, I'd be delighted to play this song.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): While the band might enjoy themselves, those listening to the song might not feel anything at all.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I think the recording must be a cover version. Which band was the original artist?
Peter surfs the web and finds something.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's a 1967 song recorded by Rupert's People... I've never heard of this band.
Peter continues to read his search result.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Ah, I see. The structure and arrangement of the song is similar to Procul Harem's one-hit wonder - A Whiter Shade of Pale, which was released in May 1967 and sold over 10 million copies.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.): The song's appealing title is about the colour of a face, and its lyrics aren't that comprehensible.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The pop song's melody sounds like classical music, letting people feel the atmosphere.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): A Whiter Shade of Pale was different from other songs of the 1960s.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Music makers might believe the song had set a trend and others could jump onto the bandwagon and capitalise on it.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The Reflections of Charles Brown was released in Nov 1967 and had little chart success.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Was the music market dynamic? Or was it because of the song's music and lyrics?
Peter listens to the song The Reflections of Charles Brown by Rupert's People, and by Roman and the Four Steps.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): To me, the UK original version as a whole sounds better. But I find the lyrics of the song not subtle eg What a quiet life he's had! Don't you think it's very sad?
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I bumped into Roman Tam in a Stanley restaurant months before he died. He face was like a whiter shade of pale.
Peter surfs the web.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In 2002, he lived to the age of 57.
RETURN TO PRESENT
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.): Roman had a sweet voice. I'd listen to his songs when the radio programmes become boring.
Recalling
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In 1967, he was 22 and cut his first record. I was just 13, studied in Form 2 and dreamt to sing in a band.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I loved to watch the TVB Star Show hosted by Sam of the Lotus. Roman and the Four Steps appeared in the show very occasionally.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The Mystics appeared in the show pretty regularly. I liked their song Song of the Wind.
Smiling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It was only years ago that I learned that my friend Ricky Fung was the joint composer!
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Ricky would perform with me in 2013 and in 2014. I did sing in a band!
Smiling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Such fond memories make me feel brand new.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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