Back To Black (Deluxe Edition) - Amy Winehouse > Reviews > Amy is truly a vocal star - forget the lifestyle

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Tears Dry On Their Own, Love Is A Losing Game, Back To Back
Disadvantages:	Newer version of Valerie should have been included

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Amy Winehouse. Who hasn't heard of her? Shes known for her 'beehive and her lifestyle is known by the majority of the UK as a drug taking, drunk, rehab entry who commonly now asks audiences to 'Big up' her 'hubby Blake' who is in prison right now. But with all this happening, it can make some people miss out on the good side of Amy - her music. While this dramatic change in her lifestyle has entered the headlines, Amy Winehouse has been producing some amazing music, of which this very album includes.

From the start of the album until the end, the ex Sylvia Young Theatre School and Brits School goer never fails to show off her loud and extremely talented voice. The album starts with CD1 starter 'Rehab'. Probably now her most well-known song due to her recent circumstances. Its a great and straight to the point song, with Amy concluding continuously that she is fine and needs no help with drinking problems. From the start, we understand that this album is full of lyrics that mean a lot to Amy, even more understandable by the day as more and more of Amy's life admittances are plastered over newspapers and the weekly Heat magazines.

Other fantastic songs on CD1 are Back To Black, a song of which I can tell you from personal experience will fail to leave your head for days or even weeks, Love Is A Losing Game, a beautiful ballad that can even actually make you feel sorry for her distancing with Blake right now, Tears Dry On Their Own, the fastest song of the album which is highly catchy and one great to dance to, and finally Me & Mr Jones, an album track which is meant for Amy's voice, a truly amazing and relaxing song to listen to.

The track listing for CD1 is:

01. Rehab
02. You Know I'm No Good
03. Me & Mr Jones
04. Just Friends
05. Back To Black
06. Love Is A Losing Game
07. Tears Dry On Their Own
08. Wake Up Alone
09. Some Unholy War
10. He Can Only Hold Her
11. Addicted

This deluxe edition contains a bonus CD.

CD2 starts off with Amy's original recording of Valerie, the now well known Amy cover of the Zutons classic which people are singing all over the country on karaoke. A lot less up-tempo, this version may seem boring to some, however those who love to treasure songs of which her vocal talent is expressed to the limits will love this. Another great track is the Love Is A Losing Game Original Demo. It does what you would expect, impresses which a much more liver version of the song which could easily have been released how it is heard here, relaxing and in some ways heart-breaking, with yet live, amazing vocals!

Overall though, the bonus CD is not very exciting.

CD2 Track Listing:

01. Valerie
02. Cupid
03. Monkey Man
04. Some Unholy War
05. Hey Little Rich Girl Feat. Zalon & Ade
06. You're Wondering Now
07. To Know His Is To Love Him
08. Love Is A Losing Game - Original Demo

Overall, this is definitely a must buy. Amy Winehouse and her producers, including famous Mark Ronson have created an Album to treasure. This is a must-own and was the most bought album in 2007. It also recently topped the charts again after her outstanding performances on the Brit Awards 2008.

Well done Amy!