What About Amy?

Amy Winehouse- Back to Black (SXSW 2007)

It's a shame its taken me to the time of her demise to recognize the genius that is Amy Winehouse. Being only a mere spectator, i've viewed her life from a distance. Judging her just as you and many others may have as a person with an addiction, highly troubled and as a celebrity scandal with a carrier in turmoil. The critics criticized, we found it easy to judge and a screen of ignorance blinded us- well at least me- from the truth.....

The truth is, a lot of people never tried or gave up.....Amy never did. No matter the depiction of her within the media, her goal was to make music, and make music she did. 

I view Amy Winehouse as an artist that has now become a part of a dying breed of 'true artistry.' Her music was never geared to appeal to the masses or for radio play. Instead, It was organic and above all it was made for 'her' first. It had to do with the situations taking place within her own life. When the judgment of the world weighed heavy upon her she backlashed with songs like "Rehab." Truly blessed with not only the ability to write but also to sing and play music. Amy let the world in and a connection was made.

My connection had been pro-longed. But better late than never it has finally arrived, and in the form of the song below.

After hearing this song, not only did i become an Winehouse fanatic but i was possessed to learn more.

That's when I stumbled upon a a post entitle, "For Amy' written by Russell Brand himself on his official website. Essentially this post by Mr. Brand is a recollection of his own experience with long-time acquaintance and friend Amy Winehouse. He mainly tries to challenge the way the world views addiction and treats addicts using Amy and himself as a vessel to get the point across. The writing is very personal with a sense of seriousness, care and emotion. Though, Russell maintains his publicly viewed persona by adding little dashes of wit and humour. Leaving it hard for readers to imagine anyone but Russell Brand could write this post.

He explains the reality of being addicted to something by relating his own experience of addiction. This was something that him and Amy had in common but it was nowhere near the bond that moulded their relationship.

He explains his confusion at first to figure out who Amy was. At most he had an understanding of what she was going through with her addiction but never really listened to her music or attend her shows. It was only by chance that he attended a gig at the "Roundhouse," and seen her perform live. The feeling he describes in that moment when he first heard her sing, was much like the feeling i got when i first heard "Cherry Wine."

"A voice that was filled with such power and pain that it was at once entirely human yet laced with the divine. My ears, my mouth, my heart and mind all instantly opened. Winehouse. Winehouse? Winehouse! That twerp, all eyeliner and lager dithering up Chalk Farm Road under a back-combed barnet, the lips that I’d only seen clenching a fishwife fag and dribbling curses now a portal for this holy sound. So now I knew. She wasn’t just some hapless wannabe, yet another pissed up nit who was never gonna make it, nor was she even a ten-a-penny-chanteuse enjoying her fifteen minutes. She was a fucking genius."

I knew what i felt when i listened to "Cherry Wine" but had no real way of putting it into words. When i read the quote above, I felt as if they were the exact words to describe my own moment.

This post by Russell exemplifies who the true Amy Winehouse was and what she meant not only to music but to the world. He makes it clear that society needs to spend less time judging and more time understanding. Amy Winehouse was more than just an addict. She was an artist, a women and above all an individual.