Amy Winehouse

[Denny]

OMG

That was my immediate reaction too.

One of my musical heroes, Paul Weller, whose songwriting and voice I greatly admire, recently said that Amy Wineshouse was a 'good role model' despite her drink and drug habits, which he wasn't referring to (despite breaking the smoking ban in enclosed spaces twice during his recent tour). He was strictly confining his remarks to her musical talent. Although I don't appreciate what AW's talent is supposed to be, apart from recognising that she has a rather deep, exotic voice that makes her stand out from the crowd amongst the durge of female pop pap you normally see in the charts from gyrating bimbos signed up for the sex appeal than their talent, I do, on reflection, see why he makes sense...

But first I had to cast my mind back to Janis Joplin's famous performance at Woodstock that was, quite simply, awesome. She too struggled with the demon booze and Heroin (and probably every other substance fashionable for its time) and was said to be heavily tanked up during her Woodstock performance and died not long after from an overdose. Nevertheless, everyone who had a good ear still recognised then, and even now, she was and still is regarded as one of the best female singers of her time. So Welly is merely putting the same point across: by ignoring AW's demons, and focusing on her talent. Not a bad thing for a now superficial pop industry that cares more about making money than promoting real talent.

I would say, though, that JJ was a lot better and more talented as a singer and songwriter than AW is and will ever be. But that's just me. So I've decided to trust PWs opinion about her talent, even if it's not mine. So she must be good if he says so.

[Cliphead]

So I've decided to trust PWs opinion about her talent, even if it's not mine. So she must be good if he says so.

You can't make up your own mind? In my opinion you still can't polish a turd, end of.

[Denny]

You can't make up your own mind? In my opinion you still can't polish a turd, end of.

I have made up my own mind, Clippy. I made up my mind to trust PW's better judgement.

It is perfectly possible to believe someone is talented without relating to their talent just because you like them enough to listen to them, enjoy their songs or want to buy their music. If I was to give my opinion on her, I would say that she has a powerful exotic voice, has a distinctive singing style to set it off but is certainly not a great singer or songwriter compared with other greater singers and songwriters in recent decades. She's also unprofessional as a stage performer, mainly due to her drug and drink problems. She looks trashy as well. But I also recognise that many great names in music, like PW, think she is the bees knees and she's won quite a number of awards, so she must have something going for her.

[BrowneIssue]

In my opinion you still can't polish a turd, end of.

Oh yes you can. A teaspoon of paraffin will put a polish on your poo. And if Amy Whinge-arse thought it would make her high, I'm sure that prison bait, junkie waste-of-air would be quaffing it like lager.

[Denny]

A teaspoon of paraffin will put a polish on your poo.

You really should take up more wholesome hobbies in your spare time, BI. Have you considered trainspotting or stamp collecting?

[BrowneIssue]

You really should take up more wholesome hobbies in your spare time, BI. Have you considered trainspotting or stamp collecting?

I sold my stamp collection to buy cigarettes when I was 14.

Train spotting involves being out of doors and standing up.

The paraffin trick is one of the many, many unsavoury things one can learn as a Cub Scout.

[Cliphead]

I have made up my own mind, Clippy. I made up my mind to trust PW's better judgement.

It is perfectly possible to believe someone is talented without relating to their talent just because you like them enough to listen to them, enjoy their songs or want to buy their music. If I was to give my opinion on her, I would say that she has a powerful exotic voice, has a distinctive singing style to set it off but is certainly not a great singer or songwriter compared with other greater singers and songwriters in recent decades. She's also unprofessional as a stage performer, mainly due to her drug and drink problems. She looks trashy as well. But I also recognise that many great names in music, like PW, think she is the bees knees and she's won quite a number of awards, so she must have something going for her.

I've been there, seen it and still doing it in the music business. As it was in the 70's when I was growing up so it still is now, talentless earners for the record companies abound and just because someone gets airplay and media exposure that seems to equate to talent. Why is it so difficult to see the wood from the trees ffs?

[Denny]

I sold my stamp collection to buy cigarettes when I was 14.
.

Yes, I remember buying that Mauritius 2 penny blue from you.

Many, many, many thanks.

[Troll]

I wonder if she is inside ir35? After all, she can't very well be substituted during a AW gig, can she! They just cancel, if they can't perform, and most artists have their own limited companies.

IIRC there was a dispensation for IR35 given for 'entertainers' by St Tony

[EternalOptimist]

That was my immediate reaction too.

his remarks to her musical talent. Although I don't appreciate what AW's talent is supposed to be, apart from recognising that she has a rather deep, exotic voice that makes her stand out from the crowd amongst the durge of female pop pap you nso.

Dirge