When Amy Winehouse first burst onto the scene in 2003, it was immediately evident that she came from a radically different tradition to the girl-next-door types such as Dido and Katie Melua who were dominating the charts at the time. With her potent, soulful voice and whisky-breathed, nicotine-stained, bad-girl attitude, Winehouse stood defiantly in the lineage of lusty, ball-busting divas of earlier eras such as Billie Holiday and Janis Joplin
She shared with them many of the same traits – a complex mix of fierce pride, bruised vulnerability and an unhealthy predilection for self-destruction. Yet out of the chaos of a deeply troubled personal life, Winehouse fashioned a rare artistry to rival Dusty Springfield as the most talented British female singer ever to grace a stage.
The wild child image, which the media fed upon and the marketing men exploited with relish, was not contrived – if only it had been a cynical marketing ploy, then she would still be with us today. Sadly the “troubled track” which she sang of treading in Back To Black was all too dangerously real. Almost from the outset, she cut a doomed figure who lived on the edge. Yet along with the impression that she was never far away from self-immolation came a colossal talent.
Winehouse was just 20 when she made her breakthrough, but her artistic maturity was remarkable as she married a thrilling jazz-soul voice of compelling conviction to a precocious songwriting talent.
Denne historien er fra October 2021-utgaven av Hi-Fi Choice.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 2021-utgaven av Hi-Fi Choice.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Old boys network
As the lineups start to emerge for this summer's festivals, Nigel Williamson investigates where the problem lies for the continuing dearth of female headliners
DESTINATION: LEITH
Welcome to a friendly haven of Californian cool in the creative heart of a former Edinburgh port. Simon Berkovitch samples the sunshine on Leith
Core values
Apple’s revamped HomePod smart speaker off ers attractive sound quality, but its Apple-centric focus remains frustrating for Cliff Joseph
Forty something
Creek Audio is celebrating its big four-o with the release of the new 4040 A integrated. Nick Tate lights the candles and listens in
One for all
German high-ender AVM wants to make top all-in-one performers. David Vivian takes a listen to its all-singing integrated amp
Three for all
The 700 Series receives a helping of tech from the flagship 800 models. Ed Selley sees how the smallest speaker fares
All in one
DAP, DAC, amplifier and streaming device, is there anything A&K’s new Acro can’t do? Cliff Joseph finds out
Wooden wonder
Better known for its speakers, ELAC’s range of electronics now has a new flagship turntable. Ed Selley takes it for a spin
System matching
Why finding the perfect synergy between your chosen integrated amplifier and favourite speakers holds the key to maximising your system’s potential
Game on!
At times the hi-fi and gaming industries might seem like they’re worlds apart, but Cliff Joseph reckons they both share a love of high-quality sound