Amy Winehouse – WoW

I remember once my Mother telling me that she sat down one day and decided to find out what Billie Holiday was really all about.  When she was done listening to this tragic songbird, she was convinced.  It was genius.  Ms. Holiday was a huge fan of Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith.  What she found herself doing was actually articulating her words in song the way Mr. Armstrong articulated his feelings through his trumpet.  If you ever hear her, listen closely and compare.  Just a thought.  I always veer off just a wee bit to drive home a point.

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Then comes Ms. Winehouse. The first thing I want to say is WOW.  The next thing I will say is GENIUS.  It’s funny but during her career, I was off into hard work, trying to retire and not being that much into music anymore. It happens sometimes as we get older.  Used to be a time that I could not prepare to work without listening to a good radio station.  When in the car as I grew older, there was the Easy Listening.  And then on the news was a constant barrage of news about Ms. Winehouse and missed engagements and drugs and drinks and this and that.  Bottom line, I only heard about this lovely woman’s adversaties and if I heard her music, I had no idea who she was.  And then she dies and I’m reading about her with sadness, I see a clip of her performing and it’s impressive but I still don’t zoom in to this woman and her music.  Now I have and it’s amazing.  Where have I been?  I will admit that I am a little late, but better late than never.  We were blessed to have her around….that is those who her music inspires so much.

Let’s get one thing straight.  Most musicians are inspired by others either intentionally or inadvertantly.  It’s as if Ms. Winehouse’s music throws me back to my younger years.  Her voice, styling, her words, the deep resounding background music. It makes me feel like the her music is the backdrop of my earlier love and experience with music and love itself.  She combines an element of Blues, Motown, Jazz, Folk, RB, and beyond…. and makes it a Neuvo impression of all of the beautiful things we listened to and knew.   And she does it respectfully, artistically, fabulously, creatively and as a result, this  makes her totally unique in usuing such music this way.  I wasn’t going to mention my favorite Male Musicians but I have to bring up Mr. Charlie Parker to finalize a good point in my description of her sound.  Mr. Parker was a Genius of the Alto Saxophone.  He also admired classical music greatly.  He finally began to record his classics with strings.  The result hasn’t been doubled to this day.  Fabulous and awesome was this combination.  Mr. Parker was a genius of the Sax and used the strings as a RED CARPET to walk on while he played.  That’s how I see Ms. Winehouse.  This genius woman could never have pulled such a unique and yet familiar sound so well together without that main instrument: her voice.  And what a voice.  What a style.  Amy haters and wannabees, just look out.  There can never be another.  Try as you will, there could not be another.  She was unique in her approach to her songs, period.  Yes, I’m a modern lady because I love Me and Mr.  Jones too……

Yes, I came late but I still made it to the party.  I understand why folks loved her so much and now I am glad to be on a bagwagon with those who loved her.  Especially in the day when it’s easy for people to just do enough to get by or simply sell out.  This lady took time and effort to create something this beautiful.  No, I’m not too late.  Many of us who love her were blessed that she even cut one song!  And finally and sincerely, Rest In Peace Amy.