The Forever 27 club gained another member yesterday morning, in the black-beehived, chain-smoking, binge-drinking, crack-snorting Amy Winehouse. Though I can't agree with most of her lifestyle choices, I can agree with most of the world in the fact that she was a powerful musician; something different in a world of bubblegum Disney pop and anyone who knows a few chords of the acoustic guitar. She gave us hope that maybe, the music of yesteryear wasn't gone from our lives after all. It's saddening to know that she was taken from us so young, and that perhaps this untimely end could have been avoided, but Miss Winehouse left us with nothing short of greatness in her discography. In her memory, I bring you my possible favourite song of hers, "Back To Black."
A sultry, dark, jazzy tune gives Amy the formula for success. This is what she did best. With the occasional shake of the tambo, the pounding of the piano, and her strong vocals (has anyone heard anyone like this before? I'd be interested in knowing if someone has a similar sound to Amy Winehouse), she proves that one doesn't have to be mainstream in order to achieve both success and critical acclaim. The best part is that her musical career was devoid of duds, even her slightly newer releases, such as a wonderful cover of "Valerie."
People will say horrible things about her death, for instance, that people who behave in such a way deserve what they get. Even celebrities who run into trouble don't deserve to be taken this young. What if Janis Joplin was still alive? And Mr. Hendrix? We may never known how greater Amy Winehouse's music could have become, but we are left with what was, and I'm more than happy to have that.
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