England Wolfie.
Weller? - Surrey boy isn't he.......
Someone who's turned my head recently and can REALLY sing is that young lady Amy Winehouse. Anyone got her album 'Frank'?
She's from North London and combines traditional jazz-flavoured songwriting with soul and modern hip-hop beats. Her voice belies her age, but her lyrics candidly explore the anguish of being a young woman in the 21st century. Strong, streetwise and very outspoken.............. not to mention quirky looking and rather attractive.
She won Best Contemporary Songwriter at the 2004 Ivor Novello Awards.
Amy describes Madonna as an "old has-been" and said, "Kids listening to Dido thinking 'I want to be like her', make me want to vomit."
How's this for a review of your debut album: (nicked from somewhere)
This is the kind of debut album that comes so rarely that when it does special attention must be paid. Let me just lay all my cards on the table right now - I have fallen deeply in love with this album and it's artist. From the moment of the first track the album took a hold of me and point blank refused to let go - I can't say I put up much of a fight. A truly wonderful recording in every which way - "Frank" - is exactly that, it's real and honest music that never fails to touch a part of your soul that's very hard to reach. All the while, Winehouse achieves it all with the kind of effortless cool and sex appeal that any number of her contemporaries would give thier right arms for. Performed by anyone else, the songs here might sound pre-concieved, false, unbelievable but Winehouse makes you feel as if you're having a conversation with her through the stereo. Her voice is beautifully accesible and you'll fall head over heals in love with all it's rough sounds and pure emotion instantly. It is the tone and tangible quality of her voice rather than it's range and power that is so appealing.
The thing most impressive about "Frank" is also the lyrical content. The lines will make you think, make you reminice, daydream and even laugh. How many other artists have you heard in the past 10 years that can pull off lines like "I brought you downstairs with a Malborough Red"? I can't think of any. There are so many golden moments on the album it's hard to pick out the best tracks but the lead single "Stronger Than Me" is the first obvious winner. "You Sent Me Flying" is an absoloutley stunning track, the calibre of which I haven't heard in years. "In My Bed" provides a harder edge where Winehouse takes back seat to some killer musical hooks. "Help Yourself" is a beautifully retro-jazz styled track that almost sounds like it's straight out of World War II, but it's a gorgeous track. There are so many other amazing tracks and there's no point listing them. You'll love them all when you buy the album, something you must do today. If not, your collection will be missing a timeless classic. Winehouse is the kind of artist that will be remembered with a tear in the eye decades down the line, and "Frank" is a debut that will inspire thousands of singer/songwriters the world over for years to come.
Give her a whirl. I'll 'Skype' anyone the album of you want...............Sam
