Beautiful to behold…Motown revisited
Written: Apr 14 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Innovative re-imagining of classic 1960s soul, tart, witty lyrics
Cons: One or two bland tracks, very short (around 30 minutes), explicit lyrics
The Bottom Line: Four out of ten tracks are absolute gems, while the remaining ballads remain faithful to Winehouse's girl group idols. Fresh and addictive, this is a treat for Motown buffs.
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| chiliqueen's Full Review: Back to Black by Amy Winehouse |
I’d never heard of Brit Amy Winehouse until watching a CNN segment entitled “Singer’s “Debauched” Image Not Whole Story.” (http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Music/03/30/music.winehouse.ap/index.html)
Just the title of this news story had me hooked. The first surprise was seeing Amy Winehouse's photo: eyeliner swooped so thickly, it looked like wings and a large black beehive that shouted 1960s girl group.
Although I wasn’t around for the real Motown, I was raised on a steady diet of Phil Spector, Berry Gordy, Stax, Volt, Muscle Shoals, and Chicago and Delta Blues, so “Back to Black” immediately struck a chord. I’ve followed the careers of several neo-soul artists such as Ricky Fante, Joss Stone, and Corinne Bailey Rae, so I was interested to see how Winehouse compared.
From the opening bars of “Rehab,” you could *almost* think you were in the heyday of Motown, from the Spectoresque “Wall of Sound” production (chimes, what reviewers described as “fat drums” and “grunting saxophones”), to the anachronistically saucy lyrics about drinking (“I didn’t get much in class, but I know it don’t come in a shot glass”) and classic soul (“I’d rather be at home with Ray [Charles], there’s nothing you can’t teach me that I can’t learn from Mr. [Donny] Hathaway”).
The odd tracks are the strongest Northern Soul offerings. Track Three is the biting doo-wop ode “Me and Mr. Jones,” with the intriguing intro of “What kind of f**kery is this? You made me miss the Slick Rick gig.” Some of Amy’s strongest, most assertive vocals are on Me and Mr. Jones.
“Back to Black” (Track 5) sounds like a lost Funk Brothers / Supremes track, with prowling piano bassline and bright tambourine that morph into a string-drenched chorus punctuated by chimes. The ghostly choir and stretch of silence mid-song punctuated only by tambourine beats make Back to Black a powerful, haunting declaration of loss and one of the most powerful soul songs of the last decade.
Finally, the oft-discussed “Tears Dry On Their Own,” a “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”- inspired anthem. This may be the most prominent example of the album's Motown roots, carefully and lovingly crafted. Except for the modern lyrics (“ I f**k myself in the head with stupid men”), this sounds like it could have been an undiscovered gem from the Motown vaults. Amy’s most soulful singing is unleashed on the chorus.
The other tracks range from girl group / soul ballads (“Love Is a Losing Game,” “Wake Up Alone,” “He Can Only Hold Her,” “Unholy War”) to modern hip-hop (You Know I’m No Good, and a rap remix with Ghostface Killah as the bonus track). The only dud was the ska-heavy Just Friends, which I found grating and cloying after the excellence displayed on the above tracks. The American version substitutes the “You Know I’m No Good” remix in place of “Addicted,” an ode to marijuana, a move which many fans denounced. I did not care at all for the rap remix, which felt like a last-minute move to appeal to rap fans rather than a well-thought-out bonus.
Split between two producers (Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson), Back to Black pays fitting tribute to Amy’s favorite artists, including the Shirelles, the Ronettes, and Carole King. Amy’s tart, lewd lyrics offer up a shrewd look at dating and love in contemporary London and seem a natural counterpart to the 1960s soul and R&B standards she channels. Perhaps her greatest accomplishment is making the Motown and Phil Spector sound her own – Back to Black always comes off as innovative and original rather than an attempt to imitate. If you love 1960s soul, Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” feels like a long-lost friend.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out
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chiliqueen
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Member: Veggiechiliqueen
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