Sadly, Amy, we kinda knew this was coming...

One of my favorites from the first time I heard her.  Back to Black is one of my top ten favorite albums of all time, putting a modern spin on 60s soul/girl group style, backed by Sharon Jones' fabulous Dap Kings.  Prompted me to sample Frank, her more jazz oriented first (and only other) album; liked it a lot (Andy, you still have it, my gift of a Christmas past?).  Her successful style begot the likes of Duffy, Adele, Lily Allen, etc., some of whom I really like, but none the match of Winehouse.  Unfortunately, she quickly became a public trainwreck (that dickhead 'My Blake, Incarcerated' helped push her over the edge, it seems), and my fear that we'd never get another taste has been fulfilled.  So, now she becomes immortal.  Sad how that works.

Amy Winehouse dead at 27  
LONDON (AP) - Amy Winehouse, the beehived soul-jazz diva whose self-destructive habits overshadowed a distinctive musical talent, was found dead Saturday in her London home, police said. She was 27.  Winehouse shot to fame in 2006 with the album "Back to Black," whose blend of jazz, soul, rock and classic pop was a global hit. It won five Grammys and made Winehouse - with her black beehive hairdoand old-fashioned sailor tattoos - one of music's most recognizable stars. But her personal life, with its drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders and destructive relationships, soon took over her career.  Police confirmed that a 27-year-old female was pronounced dead at the home in Camden Square northern London; the cause of death was not immediately known. London Ambulance Services said Winehouse had died before the two ambulance crews it sent arrived at the scene. -(more)

Performance at the 2008 Grammys:

Back to Black:

Cover of Leslie Gore's It's My Party for Quincy Jone's album:




Cover of the Shirelles' Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow for the movie, Bridget Jones: