Now here is an album that no doubt will be in most of the “best of” album lists this year, and the reason is simple, it is a flawless record. There is no denying it; Amy Winehouse is an amazingly talented artist, and her retro-smoky voice is just the best thing to happen to hip-hop infused jazz in a long time. Couple her raw talent with top notch production, and hot as hell songs like Rehab and Tears Dry on Their Own, and you are bound to have a winner; and that is exactly what Back to Black
There really isn’t anything negative to say about this record, because it is pretty much flawless. The use of jazz elements, and the layering of dancable beats from the 50s and 60s is sheer brilliance, and cannot be ignored. Amy channels some of the great jazz songs, and with her powerhouse voice, creates the perfect soundtrack for a late night smoky jazz club; one that I would LOVE to attend.
It is clear that the rest of the world is listening to her, and are being impressed as well; just look at how many Grammys Amy Winehouse is nominated for! Seriously, when I first heard Rehab, I was blown away, but I thought to myself, self, she is probably too good for the US to take notice; but as it turns out, I was wrong. I am glad that I was wrong about this one; Amy is too great for her UK citizenship to keep her from being loved on this side of the pond.
Overall, the main thing that should be said about this record, is that if you have been waiting for whatever reason to give it a chance, you are definitely missing out on one of the biggest phenomenons to happen in music in 2007 (and even part of 2006 in the UK). Amy surely has her own “Shirley Bassey” thing going, and it is a feast for the ears, and a soundtrack for the dance floor.
With all of the praise I can lavish upon this record, I can’t help but also say this: I hope that she can pull her rapidly descending life together, so that we can see if she can turn this raw talent into a well deserved long career in music. I would caution, that there be no more drugs Amy, and no more drinking binges; just give us the gift that you were so gracious to share with us on this record – the music! I can’t help but fear that what we are seeing is another tragic example of how such talent can literally drive someone to the grave (Janis Joplin comes to mind when I think of Amy); and I really hope that she can pull it together before it goes that far.
Favorites from Back to Black:
Tears Dry On Their Own
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/amyw-tearsdry.mp3]
Me & Mr Jones
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/amyw-meandmrjones.mp3]
Back To Black (not the infamous live version… sigh)
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/amyw-backtoblack.mp3]
Rehab, You Know I’m No Good, and Love is a Losing Game (links are to youtube goodness).
Rating: 
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