...and the Ridiculous

The death of singer Amy Winehouse is hardly a surprise to those who have followed the amazing train wreck that was her life. She released only two fine CDs during her 27 years, and wasted talent that could have made a significant impact in bridging the worlds of jazz, pop and soul. Her voice will be missed; she will not. The Smooth Jazz All-Stars released a "tribute" Cd to her a few years ago, and here is their version of a song that becomes even more of a theme song for her tragic life - "You Know I'm No Good." Ironically, I saw Wanda Jackson, the ageless rockabilly star, sing this song last weekend at the Green River Music Festival in Greenfield, MA. At 74 she could really bring it - Amy had nothing left decades younger. In an additoonal slice of irony, Amy's father, Mitch Winehouse, released a jazz vocal CD this month, entitled Rush of Love to the Heart, while Amy was unable to advance her recorded career. Check out a New York Times interview with him here, and listen to "Please Be Kind" from the CD.