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Narr: Amy Winehouse is only 23, but her music is boozy and world-weary, and her formidable voice sounds worn with cigarettes and scotch. Her first album, which was released in the UK 2003, was a jazzy break-up record. It got her critical and popular acclaim, and drew comparisons to everyone from jazz greats Sarah Vaughn and Billie Holiday to pop stars Lauryn Hill and Macy Gray. But Winehouse says that she got bored with the complex chords of jazz and wanted something more direct. She started listening to girl-groups of the 50's and 60's and says that she liked the directness of the songs. Their influence is evident throughout the record.
AX: Me and Mr. Jones.
Narr: In the song, Me and Mr. Jones, the call and response and the harmonies sound like they're ripped from Motown, but Back to Black isn't a tribute album. Winehouse cribs from jazz, R&B, gospel, soul, and hip-hop…but Winehouse makes the her own. She also gives credit where it is due. The Mr. Jones of the song is actually Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, otherwise known as the rapper Nas. Winehouse gives shoutouts to her other musical heroes. In the song Rehab, perhaps the best song on the album, Winehouse argues against going to rehab, saying that she'd rather be at home with Ray, Charles, that is….and that there isn't anything she can't learn from Donny Hathaway.
AX: Rehab
Narr: In the title track, Back to Black, Winehouse channels a bit of Billie Holiday, with her dark, somber straight singing. Winehouse doesn't write euphemistically. Her lyrics are explicit, and sometimes raunchy, but she sings so naturally, you might miss it the first few times around.
AX: Back to Black
Back to Black is available on CD and digital download now and Winehouse begins touring the US in April.
Backannounce: Irene Jay Liu reviewed the album Back to Black by Amy Winehouse.