Wan For The Win

Saw T-ara's live vid of "Like An Indian Doll" embedded by Seoulbeat; the context was an article of concern regarding T-ara overworking themselves to the detriment of their health and psyches, the dead look of Jiyeon (at 0:56 and singing 1:05–1:13) a supposed prime example. But I had the wrong reaction, which was "WHAT A GREAT, GREAT SONG!" And this performance by T-ara (the only one of it they ever gave, at least that I can find) easily beats all others,* by anyone else, in studio or out, whether the hard-edged disco-funk of the original by Nami, the upbeat remake by Fin.K.L, the jazz-funk cover by Daybreak, or any of the countless versions by idol star singers, bar bands, rock bands, workers bands (seemingly a marathon concert featuring a single set of musicians accompanying scores of different singers all attempting the song), lonely hearts club bands, wedding bands, and so forth.

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Seriously, this is one of the great songs of my life. Where the other performances go wrong is in trying to power through it, rather than letting its beauty move through the singers. The smooth arrangement and tepid delivery by T-ara turn out to be just right, reminding me of my favorite song-set by Boney M., side one of Ten Thousand Lightyears. Same desiccated reggae-funk**:

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( Jiyeon's smile-free effervescence )