Back to Black

Amy Winehouse (Author) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD
• ASIN: B001GH1ZQE
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #240,505 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Track Listings Rehab You Know I'm No Good Me & Mr. Jones Just Friends Back to Black Love Is a Losing Game Tears Dry on Their Own Wake Up Alone Some Unholy War He Can Only Hold Her You Know I'm No Good [Remix] Release Date: 12/19/2006 Re-Released On: 3/13/2007 Label: Republic, Island, Universal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Too Early Passing, July 24, 2011

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Back to Black (Audio CD)

Amy Winehouse is gone. The news is sad for many reasons, but it does drive us back to our CD collection to reevaluate her gifts - and they were extraordinary. This 2 CD album is probably her best known and certainly the number of Grammy Awards would indicate that. Just the lead song 'Rehab' is worth the price of the recording.

Winehouse created a sensation both in the musical world with what was indelibly her own style. Many of us felt at first like this was another Janis Joplin, not only in her committed delivery but also in her drug abusive life. It seems like every generation has a wounded sparrow - Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday, Janis Joplin. And like those who came before her she was as much a star off stage as she was on stage. Now at age 27 she is gone, but with songs such as Rehab, You Know I'm No Good, Just Friends, Back To Black, Love Is A Losing Game and Tears Dry On Their Own her memory will live on. She was a one of a kind for this generation and it is difficult to say goodbye. Grady Harp, July 11

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful music with honest and meaningful lyrics, July 23, 2011

By 

Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Back to Black (Audio CD)

I am extremely saddened by the untimely death of Amy Winehouse; she had so much more to give! Back To Black by Amy Winehouse features her talents as a professional singer, songwriter and guitar player. She even provides her own background vocals on some of these tracks! I'm impressed. Amy had her personal demons; but she does an incredible job performing the songs on this CD. The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is beautifully done. The liner notes include the song lyrics as well as the credits.

The album begins with Amy singing her heart out on "Rehab." She sings of a woman, probably based in part on her own experiences, who is not exactly eager to go to a rehabilitation center as a way to get better. The musical arrangement has a strong percussion element that supplies the foundation for the music; the guitar and brass work well for "Rehab" to create a lush musical arrangement. Nevertheless, this arrangement never steals the spotlight away from Amy's vocals; and "Rehab" is a powerful, catchy and memorable number. "You Know I'm No Good" starts off with what sounds like a rap or hip hop musical intro; but when the music goes into the main portion of the song you get that `60s style arrangement Amy does so well. Amy sings this without a superfluous note and she never falters. "You Know I'm No Good" explores complicated, painful love relationships and Amy delivers this like a champ! In addition, I really like "Just Friends;" Amy sings this wearing her heart on her sleeve. Her excellent diction enhances her performance even more and again the music fits in perfectly with her singing.

"Back To Black," the title track for this album, reminds me of a tune The Supremes might have released in their time. Amy delivers this without a hitch and that's grand. "Back To Black" deals with the pain that can come with the ending of a love affair; and "Back To Black" is obviously a major highlight of this album. "Love Is a Losing Game" is another tune that explores the painful end of a love affair. "Love Is a Losing Game" also has a somewhat mellow, old school vibe arrangement to accompany Amy as she sings this to perfection and beyond! "Wake Up Alone" has complex key modulations but Amy handles this like the pro she is and always will be! "Wake Up Alone" stuns me with its beauty even though it's not the happiest of songs; Amy Winehouse does a great job on "Wake Up Alone."

"Some Unholy War" has Amy singing, playing guitar and providing her own backup vocals. "Some Unholy War" has Amy squarely in the spotlight--right where she belongs! Although the track set appears to end with "He Can Only Hold Her," the CD has silence for about 20 seconds before we are treated to a remix of "You Know I'm No Good." Excellent!

Review update: There is a two CD "Deluxe" edition of Back to Black; here is the track listing according to Amazon's British website:

CD 1
1. Rehab
2. You Know I'm No Good
3. Me And Mr. Jones
4. Just Friends
5. Back To Black
6. Love Is A Losing Game
7. Tears Dry On Their Own
8. Wake Up Alone
9. Some Unholy War
10. He Can Only Hold Her
11. Addicted (an extra track for the first CD)

CD 2
1. Valerie
2. Cupid
3. Monkey Man
4. Some Unholy War (Down Tempo)
5. Hey Little Rich Girl
6. You're Wondering Now
7. To Know Him Is To Love Him
8. Love Is A Losing Game (Original Demo)

"Addicted" is a very good tune; Amy sings her heart out! "Valerie" showcases Amy's excellent diction and the musical accompaniment fits in perfectly with her singing--I love it. "Cupid" features just how well Amy could interpret a lyric with a reggae style that just can't sound any better--and I'm very impressed. In fact, Amy's rendition of "Cupid" sounds even better than the original; and that's grand. "Monkey Man" is another fine song; and listen for Amy to do a great job on "Some Unholy War;" she really pours her soul into ballads like this one! "Hey Little Rich Girl" just plain sounds good; and "You're Wondering Now" is absolutely brilliant. "To Know Him Is To Love Him" is very well done; and the second CD closes with a demo of "Love Is a Losing Game" which leaves me wanting more!

Back To Black still sells well years after its release; this proves just how wonderful the music is on this album. This CD and especially the two CD set is a "must-have" for Amy's fans; and people just discovering Amy would do well to start with this album. In addition, people who enjoy songs with a retro soul, R&B and even reggae flavor to them will not be disappointed.

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Album, September 28, 2011

By 

Eric Mattila "WatchGuy64" (RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, US) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Back to Black (Audio CD)

I purchased this album after the singers untimely passing. I should have bought it much earlier. This album is great, simply one of the best albums in my collection. Her voice is smokey, jazzy, sensuous and bluesy. I love the arrangements of the songs and the throwback style. She was truly an incredible talent. If you don't have this album, you need to get it; you will not be sorry!