... When listening to Winehouse’s debut album, Frank, it is not hard to notice the musical influences who of which she has been brought up on. Sarah Vaughn and Diana Washington amazed Amy at the tender age of 13, when she discovered her love for the guitar. However don’t be fooled ... Read review
Frank - Amy Winehouse
With her debut albumFrank, Amy Winehouse proves to be one of the most original, honest and ... more
brave singer/songwriters to emerge in recent years. Over the course of the 13 songs, she manages to do everything required of a classic album. This is a stark pi...
Frank - Amy Winehouse
With her debut album Frank, Amy Winehouse proves to be one of the most original, honest ... more
and brave singer/songwriters to emerge in recent years. Over the course of the 13 songs, she manages to do everything required of a classic album. This is a stark p...
Frank - CD
Stronger Than Me (Jazz Intro) You Send Me Flying (Cherry) Know You Now Fuck Me Pumps I ... more
Heard Love Is Blind Moody's Mood For Love (Teo Licks) (There Is) No Greater Love In My Bed Take The Box October Song What It Is About Men Help Yourself Amy Amy Amy (...
A review by Honey_Bee on Frank - Amy Winehouse January 8th, 2004
Author's product rating:
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency of tracks
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Value for Money
Advantages:
New fantastic female british RnB artist
Disadvantages:
None
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
For me the young songstress Amy Winehouse is a prolific performer. The atmosphere which fills out any room when she performs, or even when you play her CD is astounding. Amy Winehouse is a 19 year old who hails from North London, who writes most of her music on guitar. Not only is Amy’s voice reminiscent of a classic 40’s Jazz singer, she incorporates, Jazz, Hip Hop and R’n’B into each song, but instead of following the norm, Amy adds her own unique stamp to each track. For me the fact that music throughout the decades had influenced a young female (who could be twice her age) is amazing, when listening to her raw voice, it sounds like all her troubles in life have emerged through music. When listening to Winehouse’s debut album, Frank, it is not hard to notice the musical influences who of which she has been brought up on. Sarah Vaughn and Diana Washington amazed Amy at the tender age of 13, when she discovered her love for the guitar. However don’t be fooled by her gentle and innocent classic Jazz childhood; Amy attended the Sylvia Young stage school and she was expelled for not applying herself and wearing a nose stud, however the fact that Amy was going through a “Hendrix” stage, could have been the cause of the problems. Amy detested school and this was when the composition started, she would sit in her bedroom for hours working out new chords for latest song. Instead of going to class she would sit alone with a piano and guitar in front of her. From the outset it was clear Amy did what Amy wanted to do. No one was going to stop her and this does flow on through her music. Amy didn’t want the classic musical theatre training, which is innocent and almost too perfect. It is clear from her lyrics on the debut album Amy is far from a perfect female living a lie. The hard-hitting songs include true emotions and situations of a young girl living in the 21st century; Moschino bras, high heels, breast implants and various sexual situations.
It was at 16 that Amy really began to take an interest in Jazz, she would study the history and push her voice to sound like the Jazz greats. She even became part of the youth Jazz orchestra. However at the same time her flat mate listened to R’n’B and Hip Hop greats, such as Jodeci and Mos Def. This was when Amy’s unique style was subconsciously developing, the soft Jazz, hard hitting lyrics from Mos Def, the smooth style of Jodeci, and Amy’s incredibly strong attitude were netting together. Amy’s name became known around the musical circles, and she eventually was signed to a management company who introduced her to the urban record label Island Records, and the rest they say is history.
The first I heard of Winehouse it was on Later with Jools Holland. As soon as I heard the beat and velvetiness of the chord changes I was drawn to Amy. I was surprised to see a young, Caucasian female, with immense authority and stage presence filling the studio with a unique sound. After hearing the debut single “Stronger than me” I had to hear and find out more about Amy and after listening to her album, Frank (which is aptly named) I was uplifted and inspired. Amy hits you with not only a unique musical style, but with a hard-hitting attitude, which is rather shocking. However this again gives Amy an edge that most artists don’t have, it is clear that Amy speaks her mind and all her morals and values are spilled out into her music. As Winehouse’s music is not commercial she has not had major chart success however she is currently supporting another new young male Jazz artist Jamie Cullum on his tour.
The introduction to the album, Frank instantly gives you a taster for what is it come. It includes Amy ad-libbing is a very classical Jazz way, however the music is not classic jazz. It is a mix of R’n’B with slight modern Jazz guitar. In my opinion this is Amy’s way of showing everyone who wants to listen her unique style and various musical influences. The introduction then emerges to the first track and first single; “Stronger Than Me”. The track starts off with a hard beat, then the amazingly smooth chord changes emerge and turn the song from almost a Hip Hop track into an RnB track. “Stronger than me” is probably the most commercial song from the album, as the Jazz influences are not so noticeable. When I first heard Amy’s voice on this track I was blown away, it was a mix of the American Jazz/hip hop singer Erykah Badu and the ex-fugee singer Lauryn Hill. The lyrics on Stronger than me, prove straight away Amy’s determination. The song explains how Amy wants a man to be stronger than her in a relationship. “All I want is for my man to live up to his role” “I don’t want to meet your mother any time I just wanna rip your body over mine” Overall Stronger than me, should have been more commercially successful than it was as it is great modern track which really grows on you. However the fact that Amy’s music has never received much airplay could have been the downfall to the success of this song.
“You sent me flying”, really does show off Amy’s raw vocal skills. It starts off as a soft, smooth track, where Amy explains how devastated she was when her boyfriend “kicked her to the curb” The piano and guitar really are smooth and harmonised on this song. As the track progresses a smooth beat is introduced, which dramatically transforms the song from being a slow and smooth ballad into a what I would call a classic R’n’B ballad, which is filled with a hard beat. This track is rather refreshing as most of the emphasis is on the vocals and not just the tempo of the track. This song gives you a real blast of Amy at her best, singing emotive Jazz.
Amy is a keen and very talented guitar player and the hidden track “Cherry” really expresses her feelings about her guitar, in a rather comical way! I really like Amy’s vocals on this song she really hits some fantastic high notes, which merge with the fantastic chords of the guitar. “Cherry” is a mid tempo song, with almost a reggae style beat, but the guitar chords and vocals scream out Jazz. Amy explains how close he becomes to “Cherry” and how “she plays along as I sing out my blues” This track really makes you sway along to the beat and when you close your eyes you can really hear the fantastic mixture of piano and guitar.
“Know you now” is slightly more up tempo than the predecessor, and it includes a very catchy hook. The harmonised backing vocals really stand out on this track, and give it a very classical Jazz feel to it. The backing vocals also do remind me of a typical Lauryn Hill track. The musical accompaniment to this track is rather amazing, it features Amy on guitar, piano and flute. This is a really relaxing track, which makes you feel really uplifted.
When I first heard the next track on the album “F***k me pumps” it gave me a very raw but realistic image. Amy explains how some females look for love in the wrong way, wearing tight revealing clothes and have many one-night stands. “Your looking for a man, but all you end up with is one-night stands” It also makes fun of most of material possessions people cant live without, like designer clothes and maybe more shocking breast implants! “You cant sit down right, ‘cos your jeans are too tight” Although the lyrics may be seen as shocking and comical they do portray an important message; to respect yourself. The track starts of with the classical jazz type organ, and then a hip-hop beat enters. I really do like this track as the vocal arrangement is really catchy. Again like you sent me flying, most of the emphasis is on the lyrics, these are highlighted by harmony and layered vocals.
“Love Is Blind” is probably one of the most Jazz influenced tracks on the album. The smooth chord changes feature highly and the strumming is really affective against the saxophone. It is noticeable that this track is very “jazz” influenced, as there is no real beat to it, just a soft shaking in the background. The lyrics of this track again play a very important part. Amy explains how she spent a night with a man, but doesn’t feel that it is cheating as “I was thinking of you as I came” Again this track is really relaxing and has a calming edge to it, if you try not to focus on the lyrics too much!
“Moody’s Mood For Love”, really mixes Jazz vocals with a reggae beat. It is a really refreshing track, Amy’s vocals are unusual as they are fast and she really shows off her raw voice, she almost sings with a Caribbean accent. The beat really makes you move along, and it is great alongside a soft saxophone in the background a fantastic feature from the Wurlitzer organ.
When you listen to “There is no greater love”, you could be listening to an old Jazz record. Amy’s vocals are as typically Jazz as you will ever hear them, soft and emotive. The saxophone and soft piano play an important part in making this song a typical Jazz track. The track is slow and incredibly emotive, it is this track, although it is relevantly short, that puts Amy on the map amongst the Jazz greats.
When the album moves onto the next track “In My Bed”, you shoot straight back into the 21st century. The track has a hard hip hop beat, and reminds me of a track that Lauryn Hill or Angie Stone would perform. The chorus is very catchy and this would make it a very commercial track. The vocals are fantastic, harmonised and very strong. Although it is a modern style song, you can still hear the influences of classic Jazz, such as the organ and even saxophone. Even some of the vocals seem like they have moved from a classic Jazz record onto this modern track. This track really shows off how versatile Amy is to produce a track filled with so many different influences. “In My Bed”, is definitely a very strong track on the album, which is why I am surprised it was not released as a single. Not only is the music on the song fantastic the lyrics again are very important. Amy speaks of how her boyfriend only wants her in her bed.
“Take the box” slows the tempo down and shows Amy as the strong young female that she is, Amy takes us on a emotional journey and explains how much her boyfriend has changed from how he originally was, and asks him to put all the presents he gave her in the box “The Moschino bra, you brought me last Christmas” I really enjoy listening to this song as although it is slow, it has a great beat to it, and Amy’s voice is the most emotional you will hear on the album. The track starts off with a sorrowful piano and then as the song progresses Amy’s seductive backing vocals give the song a cool and refreshing edge. “Take the box” was the second release from the album, although it was not successful the track itself is amazingly strong. It is not as commercial as Stronger than me, however once you listen to it a few times, it really grows on you. “Take the box” is a definite strong point on the album.
After the slow and sorrowful “Take The Box”, “October song” bursts through your speakers. Again it is a definite modern rnb/hip hop track. The beat and bass of “October song” is very addictive, and will get you moving. I wouldn’t say this was a strong point on the album, but as you listen to the track more and more you begin to really appreciate Amy’s vocal style on this track.
“What is it about men?” Has the most amazing edge to it, it is cool, smooth but has that hard edge that only Amy can produce. It is a very modern RnB track, however the backing vocals and vocal arrangements give it a classic edge. It features a range of instruments that all co-ordinate together and compliment Amy’s vocals. Again this track reminds me of a track that an artist like Lauryn Hill would produce, it is a strong point on the album.
“Help Yourself” has to be one of my favourite tracks on the album, as Amy was performing it on Jools Holland when I first noticed her. I was amazed at how original sounding it was. It is a hard song to describe as it features so many features from the different urban genres. The beat to the song again is reminiscent of a reggae track and the organ is another feature of classic jazz. The chorus of “Help Yourself” is unusual as the beat totally stops and the organ, sax and fantastic layered harmonised vocals take the forefront. Although the song isn’t commercial, it has the qualities to be as it is very catchy and the fact that that it is very unusual with make it stand out. The lyrics of this track are also very “Amy”, They are hard hitting and show strength. Amy explains how she can’t help her man, if he doesn’t help her to. “Its were your at, not where you’ve been”
The last track “Amy, Amy, Amy”, reminds me of the show track, which has recently been covered by another English RnB group, Big Brovaz, “It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it” I cant fault this track it is actually verging on fantastic, it is the type of track that you would find playing is a Jazz café. The bass on the track is amazing and the long notes from the saxophone give it the most fantastic cool and calm sound. It is also interesting to hear a bassoon type instrument in the background, which again gives the track the classic Jazz edge. Amy’s vocals on this track are very similar to the Jazz great Ella Fitzgerald.
The outro to the album features a spoken part from a male “ Thank you for attending the Amy Winehouse show, please exit the building” Although it is comical, after listening to the whole album, you do feel like you have been to a live performance by Amy Winehouse!
The album booklet perceives Amy in a very unglamorous way, which is the way in my opinion that Amy wants to be seen. She is an ordinary young female who speaks her mind and allows her talent to shine through music. It is obvious that she is confident and doesn’t feel the need to be half naked on her album cover! Amy wants people to enjoy the music she produces and not be the pin up. The front cover of the album, features Amy in a pink jumper walking with her two dogs on leads. The background of the album cover is very dark, which means that Amy stands out. As you look through the booklet it features Amy in different “natural” poses, such as on the phone and playing pool. The album sleeve also features all the lyrics to the tracks and the track information. The back of the album box includes a picture of a pair of pink high-heeled shoes thrown on the floor in a street. This to me shows Amy’s attitude, she doesn’t need to wear high heels, or dress a certain way to be successful
I cannot fault the album, Frank by Amy Winehouse. It is definitely the best album I have purchased in a very long time. It is Amy’s emotive voice, strong willed attitude, hard hitting, down to earth lyrics that to me make her an amazing performer, who deserves more recognition that she receives. Frank will have a fantastic shelf life, and the uniqueness of it will allow the album to be played over and over again without it dating for many, many years to come. I would recommend this album to anyone who enjoys the voice and style of Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu and even classic jazz artists. After listening to the album, I feel uplifted and enlightened, not many albums have that affect on me, it just shows Amy Winehouse’s talent through music.“The best UK soul album this year” – Echoes “One of the most impressive British debut in years” – Dazed and Confused
Advantages: Smart tunes with a jazz undercurrent Disadvantages: Too "modern" for jazz purists?
...straight love songs.
WHAT'S FRANK LIKE?
--------------------------------
Funny you should ask, because I've separated out the tracks below. I've marked the songs out of five and also given a "jazzy" content mark in case you're not a fan of jazz and start having panic attacks.
1. Intro/Stronger Than Me (3:54)
--------------------------------------------
Not a good start to the album, or so I thought. A mild Cleo Laine "skoo-be-do"-type acapella ... ...----------------------------------
The best song on Frank so far. Although simple in its execution and a somewhat annoying nursery rhyme delivery, this is where Winehouse gets really "urban". "You did too much E/met somebody/and spent the night getting caned".
The knives are out on this one, a tirade against ageing women trying to look the part in a young environment. Winehouse sings: "don't be mad at me/cos you're pushing 30/and your old tricks ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Very cool, majority of tracks outstanding Disadvantages: Not to everyones taste
Amy Winehouse seems to be in the news a lot, for her well published issues with drink and drugs, her husband and her 'antics'. I have to say that I was not initially impressed with her music. Then someone suggested I listen to 'Moody's Mood For Love'. I loved it, I will talk a bit more about it later on, suffice to say, in my opinion it is a modern Jazz classic. I have now bought the album on i-tunes.
This was her first album, before all the 'rehab' ... ...1. Intro/Stronger Than Me --------------------------------------------
Quite a strong start, very smokey, bit 'angsty', she does not really sound like any other artist that comes to mind, maybe an octave higher than Billie Holliday.
2. You Sent Me Flying Interesting, eclectic mix of instrumental (bit long), sultry vocals and a bit of Bossa Nova, bit long, not the best track on the album.
3. Know You Know Loveley, funky, soul jazz combo, Simon ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Sparkling debut from Winehouse Disadvantages: One or two weaker links, but nothing drastic
...her drug and drink problems. Frank was her first album, which I really loved. I've only just dug it back out and I was suprised by how witty, clever and talented Amy used to be before drugs got to her.
Frank opens with "Stronger Than Me", a scathing song directed at a boyfriend. Amy throws insults at him in a witty and unforgiving fashion, questioning his manhood and sexuality, spelling out in no uncertain terms that she doesn't view theirs as a ... ...focus of this album the frank and honest lyrics rather than the subdued jazz accompaniments.
"You Sent Me Flying", the second track, is a highlight of the album for me - there is a certain vulnerability in the lyrics as she sings about being rejected by a romantic prospect for being too young. The same gutsy attitude and honesty is still evident, though, with Amy singing about how her "pride is not easily disturbed".
This track also includes a ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Both contempory and old fashioned sounding,vocally superb & different,Lyrically brilliant &honest. Disadvantages: None really
...distinguisahble vocalists. Reviewing Frank her debut album; I will endeavor to be Frank. I am not going to say anything about her public persona as I dont think this is the most interesting or special thing about this lady. I sometimes feel like the media concentrates far too much on the behaviour of a given star instead on really just how good an artist they. In this case I will agree she is probably a bitch (as many of my friends try to convince ... ...friends who went to my school (same school as Amy) and were in her year (she is a few years younger than me). But I really dont think this should bare any relevance on her clear abilities as a song writer and vocalist. Her vocals are best descrived as Jazz R&B and her voice is really strong as well as subtle depending on the desired effect of the song and deliverance of the lyrics. Although her vocals are really distinguishable from women in her ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Original new take on the 'new Jazz' style Disadvantages: Some repetitive songs
...chord Amy demands your attention. Frank certainly doesn't make easy listening, but with its 'Frank', comical and often poignantly accurate lyrics it engages with the listener on a musical as well as lyrical level.
What is interesting about the album is that far from going down the route of performing old classics, Amy has written new songs that encompass other styles, from hip-hop to old school jazz, to reggae. This means the music is fresh and ... ...in control/All I need is for my man to live up to his role'. Frank lives up to its name and maintains its originality throughout. Winehouse can only be praised for creating something fresh that people will really connect with.
A fantastic debut - experience it now. ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: An album with soul and class Disadvantages: The songs just don't stand up, and the production tries to overshadow her voice
...After the slightly revelatory return to motown, soul, and dirty jazz that made up her first album "Frank", AmyWinehouse has moved on from the dingy pubs and underworld of London for her second release, the aptly titled "Back To Black". Gone are the more scratchy and scatty elements of the music, while the production has been shifted over into the hands of the motown-inspired Mark Ronson, a man who is never averse to popping a little more trumpet into a song. Together, the brassy singer and brass-loving producer have managed to throw together an album that everyone seems to love despite it not being (and I whisper this part) up to that much. Whilst Back To Black is a decent and at times worthy attempt to recreate the soul of the 60s, only three or four of the songs are good enough to make the album worthwhile.
Winehouse sings...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: great voice, great songs, great tunes Disadvantages: none
...This was the first album I bought by AmyWinehouse. I have seen her in the press, and quite frankly was not impressed. But then I heard Back to Black, and I liked it. I bought the album with very little hope for the album. But now I would class it as one of my all time favourite albums. It is a mixture of jazz and blues with some of the most amazing lyrics I have heard for a while. AmyWinehouse is now, in my opinion is one of the great female vocalists of our time. She captures the sorrow of love so perfect in some of her songs, that they still bring me to tears (and have played this album none stop over the last month).
It is a great album to listen to during most occasions (whether it be relaxing on your own or with friends, or even going to work). After listening to this I bought "Frank", which is okay, but I prefer Back...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: Good, all rounder. Disadvantages: If you don't like a soul/jazz/pop combo, eat elsewhere.
...There seems to be a new wave of female, jazz-esque vocalists reaching the masses, Ms. Winehouse being the front runner (when she's not smoking crack cocaine and scrambling about on stage in an alcohol fuelled mess), that is until Adele arrived on the scene this year. I'm sure she's sick of being compared to winehouse by now, but there's no denying that you can fit them nicely in to the same 'music box'. I first heard Adele's track 'Hometown Glory' on Xfm in Dec '07 - when Marsha described the track as 'devastatingly beautiful', which indeed it is. The song is a simple account of her everyday musings inspired by her, well, hometown. But it's all about the way that she sings it.....(the piano helps too). From then I made it my mission to seek out this talented voice and buy her debut, 19.
OK, so it's not as edgy as Winehouse's 'Frank...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Album Notes: Years before Amy Winehouse garnered international attention with BACK TO BLACK, the sassy British soul singer put herself on the U.K. music map with her 2003 debut, FRANK. Nominated for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize, the record glides along on the subtly jazzy production of Salaam Remi, which allows Winehouse's expressive voice, strongly influenced by Billie Holiday and Dinah Washington, to shine, particularly on the trip-hop-tinged "Stronger Than Me," the powerful "You Sent Me Flying," and the sultry "I Heard Love Is Blind." Although not quite as consistent or daring as her subsequent album, FRANK is an impressive first outing that should win over anyone swooning from BACK TO BLACK.
Album Reviews: Entertainment Weekly (p.79) - "[The album] bristles with intelligence....On this jazzier debut, she's closer to Sade..." -- Grade: A-
Titles on disc 1
1.: Stronger Than Me
2.: You Send Me Flying
3.: Know You Now
4.: Fuck Me Pumps
5.: I Heard Love Is Blind
6.: Moody's Mood For Love
7.: There Is No Greater Love
8.: In My Bed
9.: Take The Box
10.: October Song
11.: What Is It About Men
12.: Help Yourself
13.: Amy Amy Amy
14.: Amy Amy Amy
15.: Outro
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since : 08/01/2004
Compare Frank - Amy Winehouse to other similar Rock & Pop
![Amy Winehouse - Frank [deluxe Edition] Cd](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/98391991.jpg)
This product has not yet been reviewed. 
![River Is Wide, The [Remastered] - Forum (The)](http://imagesb.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/251/River_Is_Wide_The_Remastered_Forum_The__6006251.jpg)
31.03.2008
18.02.2008
