"I can write better than anybody who can write faster, and I can write faster than anybody w...
"I can write better than anybody who can write faster, and I can write faster than anybody who can write better."
- A. J. Liebling (1904-1963)
Member since:23.03.2007
Reviews:26
Members who trust:7
Let me start by saying that as an old fuddy duddy my enjoyment of this type of music will be probably for different reasons than a lot of youngsters. It seems these days that if music has a tune you can remember, a vocal you can wail along to and a bass line you can blast from your car windows then it`s good music. My interpretation of good music is somewhat different, I like a vocalist that can perform vocals that equal or better the tune he / she is singing along to, I like a tune to have rhythm as well as just a banging bass line and most of all I like to be able to find some sort of meaning from the lyrics.
In recent years I have been unable to find an artist that can supply any of that let alone all of it but with one Amy Jade Winehouse I think I have found a true talent. This girl just opens her mouth and a beautiful voice emerges, she does not have to limit herself to any one type of music as her voice is natural and can be adapted for all sorts. I was first drawn to her just very recently when I heard her cover version of the Zuton`s Valerie and was absolutely blown away by her vocal performance of this track.
I began the download search to find out if this was a one off for her or if she had any other songs that I would enjoy. On finding the album Back To Black I hit the jackpot, a new album for me to enjoy, one that was recorded after 1978, at last I was in with the in crowd again.
THE TRACKS ON THE ALBUM ALONG WITH MY OPINION
Rehab - this is the first track on the album and admittedly my least favourite, its one of those catchy tracks that
the youngsters will enjoy but it has no real depth or thought provoking lyrics and for me lets this great album down a bit. 4/10
You Know I'm No Good - now this second track is the complete opposite of the first, it has direction and good strong lyrics which allow Amy to really show off her voice. A touch of a jazz feel to this one also which I quite enjoy. 10/10
Me and Mr - this track could have been brilliant if only she had either left out or kept to a minimum the swearing, I am not some old prude who does not like bad words but bad words have a place and this song is not it. A very good track ruined by thoughtless lyrics. 6/10
Just Friends - A bit of an oddity this one does not seem to fit in with what the album is trying to do but still quietly enjoyable, no better than decent though. 5/10
Back To Black - This track for me is excellent, limited instruments a great drum beat and Amy`s excellent vocals. I have tracked down an almost acoustic version of this track with just Amy and the drummer and it is fantastic but even with the added instruments in this version this track illuminates the album without doubt. 10/10
Love Is a Loosing Game - this track took me back a bit, a kind of late sixties feel to it. Again not sure it fits in with where this album is headed but a very good track which allows Amy to stretch her vocals to the limit letting them make the song great rather than a tune or a beat. 9/10
Tears Dry On Their Own - another track with a bit of a sixties feel to it apart from the fact that she blurts out the F word and that would not have gone down well in the sixties. Enjoyable track relaxing and again good lyrics and a great vocal performance. 8/10
Wake Up Alone - A good song that I am strangely unable to really explain, it has a modern feel to it but still a somewhat classic perhaps even retro note also. Good but by no means great this one. 5/10
Some Unholy War - I take little enjoyment from this track it seems like a lot less thought went into this than many of the other tracks, it is uninspiring perhaps even a little dull but the fact that Amy`s vocals are so good keeps it listenable. 5/10
He Can Only Hold Her - what I like about Amy most is somewhat missing in this track, her vocals are over powered by strong even too strong instruments it feels like she is trying to be heard at times, not a track suited to my enjoyment of Amy Winehouse. 4/10
Addicted - What a disappointing ending to a good album this track gives, no where near as good as some of the tracks on the album. The lyrics are very poor although I have heard critics calling them wonderful as they seem to be an explanation by Amy as to why she is how she is. For me a poor attempt at bringing reality to her music and a let down to the album. 4/10
MY SUMARY OF THE ALBUM
I would call this album very good although it does have two great tracks the album itself is not great. Some have been calling it a masterpiece and brilliant, in my opinion it is not that. Those kinds of statements can be aimed realistically at very few albums, to find masterpieces and works of genius you must look to the Beatles and Abbey road or Queen with A Kind of Magic.
These types of brilliance come along very rarely but what Amy has to offer that most do not these days is an original style and a natural vocal performance.
For me this album is one which can be listened to and enjoyed tirelessly I have it on cd in the car as well as at home and I can tell you that outside of my favourites dating back centuries this is one of the few albums I will listen to when driving. It is one of the first albums in years that carries both upbeat and slow songs that can be enjoyed by young and old alike. At 67 years old I rarely find anything new coming out that I truly enjoy so thank you Amy!
Over all album rating - 7/10
This album was Released: 30/10/2006 and is available in many places for as little as £5.99 and can of course be downloaded from various locations also. At £5.99 or pretty much any other price it is an album you should definitely add to your collection.
AMY THE PERSON
I think I have fully covered who Amy Winehouse is as a performer but I am sure a lot of you know she is a young lady with many things going on in her life outside of music. Now with the younger generation I know this will not effect them going and buying her music but with some of the older generation they might just see Amy as another sad example of today's world so I have added this small section to try to make people see via my opinion that they should forgive Amy her private goings on and just enjoy what she offers us as a performer.
Amy clearly has issues with drugs and that to many is unforgivable, they see this girl with a god given talent appear to be throwing it away by getting wrecked and partying her life away. I however see a young lady who indeed does have a god given talent but is perhaps herself not aware of how good she is and seeks to hide from the reality of the fame that is enveloping her.
There is of course no excuses or real reasons I nor anyone else can give for Amy`s behaviour away from her music but I think she knows she has these issues and is more than capable of coming through them and continuing to entertain us for many years.
I saw her recently live on TV and have never seen anyone since Elvis Presley (strange comparison I know) take to a stage open their mouths and release such perfect vocals. I for one hope this is not a talent that will be stolen from us by drugs or anything else.
MY FINAL SAY
So in closing I would strongly suggest that anyone who is not familiar with Amy`s music familiarises themselves with it soon and that those who are already fans stand by her whatever her life outside of music throws up. A talent like hers comes along so very rarely it would be awful to see it disappear.
Thank you kindly for reading.
Bill
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I'm guessing that many of my musical tastes are similar to yours LOL. I rarely find myself wanting "popular" music these days. Unlucky with the POW to be pipped, this is at least as good.
Amy Winehouse's second album,Back to Black, is one of the finest soul albums, British or ... more
otherwise, to come out for years.Frank, her first album, was a sparse and stripped-down affair;Back to Black, meanwhile, is neither of these things. This time arou...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Amy Winehouse's second album, Back to Black, is one of the finest soul albums, British or ... more
otherwise, to come out for years. Frank, her first album, was a sparse and stripped-down affair; Back to Black, meanwhile, is neither of these things. This time a...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: The songs have real meaning, easy listening, different style & what a unique voice! Disadvantages: The swearing could be scaled down & the feeling your aiding towards a bad lifestyle
Mar 21st, 2008
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