VanJess on Amy Winehouse's "Back To Black" (2006)

When Amy Winehouse released her debut studio album Frank back in 2003, it made waves in her native UK, but it didn't quite make it across the pond. Those who heard it, loved her contralto vocals, relatable lyrics, and blending of musical genres. A few years later, she would go on to release her second and final album, Back to Black, to both critical and commercial success, earning the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album and selling over 16 million copies worldwide. Unfortunately, the success was short-lived; Winehouse struggled with substance abuse and mental illness and died of alcohol poisoning in 2011, at just 27 years old.R&B sister duo VanJess sits down with us to discuss Amy's influence on artists today, blue-eyed soul, and what direction her next album would have gone if she were still here with us. More on VanJessCheck out VanJess' new single Slow DownVanJess Are The Sister Two-Piece Cultivating Their Own Strand Of R&B (Vogue)Twitter | InstagramMore on Back to BlackSalaam Remi on producing the album‘Back To Black’: How Amy Winehouse Crossed The Atlantic (uDiscoverMusic)‘Back to Black’: 10 Things You Didn’t Know (Rolling Stone)Show Tracklisting (all songs from Back to Black unless otherwise indicated):RehabVanJess: Touch the FloorAddictedJazmine Sullivan: Round MidnightAmy Winehouse: In My BedTears Dry on Their OwnBack to BlackTears Dry on Their OwnWaking Up AloneLove Is A Losing GameRehabAmy Winehouse: ValerieHe Can Only Hold HerThe Icemen: (My Girl) She's  A FoxLove Is A Losing GameJust FriendsBack To BlackAmy Winehouse: Mr. Magic (Through the Smoke)Me and Mr. JonesBack to BlackSharon Jones & The Dap-Kings: Let Them KnockAmy Winehouse: Amy, Amy, AmyCorinne Bailey Rae: Till It Happens to YouSade: Tar BabySnoh Aalegra: Fool For YouHere is the Spotify playlist of as many songs as we can find on there.If you’re not already subscribed to Heat Rocks in Apple Podcasts, do it here!