A three-disc anniversary edition brings together demos, alternate takes and a 2007 live performance alongside Amy Winehouse’s landmark album.
27th October 2006 saw the release of Amy Winehouse’s critically acclaimed album Back to Black. Her sophomore effort truly defined her career, bringing critical acclaim and global success. The LP was built on heartache and addiction, with candid lyrics that still resonate with her listeners today. Something that has always stood out about this album is its seamless integration of soul and Motown influences with a modern production quality and lyricism that is vulnerable and open.
Amy was a public figure who valued her authenticity and candidness. Right from her debut album, Frank, her honesty was felt in her music. Fans resonated with a sound that was crafted from the musician’s own inspirations and experiences. Twenty years on, her reach is still impressive, with over 24 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
The twentieth anniversary release of Back to Black spans three discs. Disc one contains the classic record, whereas disc two offers alternate takes, demos and tracks not included on the original release, such as Amy’s iconic cover of Toots and the Maytals’ ‘Monkey Man’. These tracks provide more variety and wider interpretations of the original album. Ghostface Killah’s feature on a remix of ‘You Know I’m No Good’ is a great example of this.
The demos of some of Amy’s biggest hits help the legendary artist feel more authentic than her image has felt since she’s been gone. Listeners can hear alternate takes and ideas that ultimately were changed before the record was finished. Her vocals on the demo for ‘Rehab’ are powerful yet raw, with slight differences to her delivery as she works out what the final product will sound like. The ‘Tears Dry’ demo follows almost a completely different melody to what the song would become. The soft keyboard chords create a more romantic atmosphere; it almost feels as though it’s a completely different track.
Finally, the third disc is a full live recording from Amsterdam in 2007. It’s a strong performance that feels like a solid representation of Amy at her best. It’s also a great opportunity to include songs like Frank’s ‘Fuck Me Pumps’ in this celebration of her career. The three-disc special ends with her live rendition of the Zutons’ ‘Valerie’. Her Live Lounge version of this song remains one of her most well-known and well-loved performances.
This isn’t the only incorporation of live music to celebrate Back to Black’s anniversary. A concert curated by Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi was aired on BBC Two. The two have been key figures in Amy’s musical career, producing the record and working with her in a wider capacity. Every detail of the one-off concert was carefully thought out to represent the woman as well as the music. It took place at the Roundhouse in Camden, a region close to Amy’s heart throughout her life.
The entire performance was built around honouring her work in the best possible way. The Amy Winehouse Band were a cemented feature throughout the night, with guest vocalists for each track. Corinne Bailey Rae took on the challenge of performing the title track, which opened with a beautiful orchestral segment. The entire night showcased talented musicians and honoured the legacy that this album still holds twenty years after its release. One of the only downsides was that it couldn’t be enjoyed at length as a concert as there were interviews thrown in. Every time a great performance took place, the music had to briefly stop, whereas it could’ve flowed as beautifully as the album.
The featured artists at this concert, however, did help to hammer home how clear it is that Amy still has a space in today’s music, with musicians still feeling inspired by her. Whilst only two albums were released in her lifetime, this anniversary piece has certainly helped to provide some deep cuts of her classics that give listeners a more intimate and stripped-back approach. The combination of this new insight into her beloved songs along with the live performances feels like a fitting way to remember a woman whose music is still influencing upcoming artists twenty years on.