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February 12, 2008

Amy Winehouse is the new Norah Jones

The Grammys were this past weekend...and my predictions were way off. I was surprised that Amy Winehouse won as many trophies as she did, 5 out of 6 that she was nominated for. The girl is talented, there is no doubt; her performance rocked, and in my opinion was second only to Alicia Keys and John Mayer. People ask, "Why is Amy Winehouse considered such a great artist?" I think it's because she's actually an artist. Not only does she write her own music, but she's in the business of creating. She put her own sounds together in order to make the most original music of the past year...among her pop counterparts Winehouse's music remains refreshing and new. Rollingstone described her music in a recent cover story as, "a sound like a British hip-hop brat's interpretation of Sixties Motown soul." She's a 2007 version of the Ronnettes mixed with a persona that resembles the Washington DC punk scene of the 80s. It's like she picked up where rock and roll rebels came before her...and added to the age-old story of rock.

As a self-professed 'daddy's girl,' Winehouse grew up in the home of a taxi driver and a pharmacist mom who divorced when she was 9. She got her first tattoo, Betty Boop, when she was 15-years-old and never looked back. Thirteen tattoos later, her life has been rich in drama and heartbreak...and much ink used to commemorate the events that life has handed her.
Many friends and family describe her as one who has always been strong willed, and has always done what she wanted. There is never an explanation for her actions, which include fits of rage in public, cutting, obvious drug abuse, and the like. There are never apologies...only statements that say, "I'm flawed."
In an industry where every move and decision is calculated, it would seem that there is no room for a singer who's fallenness is so worn on her sleeve, yet she continues to carry the music forward. While the issues at hand are sad and tragic, it's good to see someone not hide behind a facade of pictures and publicists. It's only when we bear our scars that others know to help. I don't know what her hurts or wounds are; why someone would self-destruct the way she does? Amy Winehouse is intriguing for this reason. The tabloids and Perezes of the world have fun making a mockery of her life for the time being, but never question what's behind it. I can't help but wonder why. How could she continue down this long, dark tunnel of drugs and pain.
I've heard many artists say that the most beautiful lyrics and music come from pain. If that's the case then there is a lot of digging of the soul that Winehouse has to do. I hope she gets better, and stronger; and that she will come to prove that assumption wrong.
One thing's for sure, Amy Winehouse is Grammy's new golden girl, picking up where Norah Jones left off.

| By Nathan Gemayel | 11:50 PM

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