Roots of Amy Winehouse

Tributee: Amy Winehouse.
Liner Note Author: Dave Henderson.
This 20-track collection of jazz, blues, and soul songs that supposedly inspired husky-voiced, 21st century retro-pop star/tabloid nightmare Amy Winehouse plays like a juke box in an old black-and-white movie. While choices like Billie Holiday, ("I Must Have That Man!"), Ella Fitzgerald ("Every Time We Say Goodbye"), and Dinah Washington ("If I Could Be with You One Hour Tonight") are obvious ones, the inclusion of the impossibly smooth Chet Baker ("My Funny Valentine") and amiable jazz flute master James Moody -- though solid cuts from unquestionable legends -- feels out of place when put into context with the ferocious Winehouse. ~ James Christopher Monger