Elly Roberts reviews
Amy Winehouse: Back To Black
Distributed by
Island (Universal Records)
- Released: October 2006
- Rating: 10/10+
Amy Winehouse + Back To Black = Modern Masterpiece!,
The sassy 23 year old Londoner delivers the goods with swagger and panache.
2003's single Stronger Than Me and album Frank weren’t exactly
great sellers, despite being hits with the critics, winning her an Ivor Novello
award in the process.
This time it’s a totally different situation, because she’s appealed to fans
and critics alike. Winehouse has a new-found confidence, having slimmed down
four dress sizes with more aggressive make-up; she’s turning into the UK’s
most promising talent in years.
Week commencing 6 Nov, the album stands at no.3 in the charts, propelled by
hit single Rehab, (w/c 6 Nov no.7, download no 8, R’n’B no.2) Back To
Black is a masterstroke of contemporary Jazz-crossover material, all
delivered with supreme style. Her razor-sharp singing is a major highlight
(as shown on Later With Jools Holland, Friday 3rd November), however,
this album is all about truly brilliant songs, all written by Winehouse
herself, with some collaborations.
Using Lily Allen and Robbie Williams’ studio wizard Mark Ronson, Winehouse is
going into a totally different stratosphere with this one, leaving Katie
Melua and Norah Jones in her wake. Amy said, "I didn’t want to play that
jazz thing up too much again. I was bored of complicated chord structures
and needed something more direct." That said, Jazz is very much a
prime element, though this time, more subtle.
She’s been checking out girlie groups from the '50s and '60s, and the likes
of Aretha Franklin, found on reggaefied Just Friends.
Jam-packed with superb songs and impressive production, she’s breaking new
ground, though the past plays a big part. Delving, in places, into Tamla
Motown and The Specials’ musical ideas (You Know I’m No Good), she’s
proved to be a top class songwriter. Jools Holland commented on her incredible
progression over the past couple of years.
Rehab is an out and out classic, with many shades of Motown with
modern twists. Me And Mr Jones is textbook '60s swing, which other
singers like Christina Aguilera are adopting. There’s no question where the
title track came from – right out of the Motown school of classic pop – you
could just see the Funk Brothers doing their inimitable thing on this –
brilliant.
The stunning Soul ballad Loving Is A Losing Game could again be
a Motown classic, taking Diana Ross head on, possibly her finest moment, as
is the sprightly Tears Dry On Their Own: a (slight) remix could well be
the next single – and another hit for sure. The triumvirate run-in has ballads
using R’n’B beats, and yes, even more Motown stylings on the addictively
punchy Addicted.
For one so young, Back To Black is truly remarkable, invigorating, and
genuinely sensational. She’s not only a diva, but a phenomenal talent, with
her best years to come.
Verdict – perfection.
The full list of tracks included are :
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
