Twang, Dog Faced Boy, Ruby Blue and visitor Pip discuss the “Amy” movie, her albums and legacy. The team vary in their affection for the records, but agree that the film perfectly captures her tragic decline and the almost universal lack of care which was on offer when she really needed it. They explore the best (and worst) of the extensive live footage which is there for all the world to see and join in on the richly deserved shoeing of the likes of Graham Norton for their cheap shot comments in her darkest days.
See our heroine in her prime here…
https://youtu.be/GjfHqHROIhc
DogFacedBoy says
Like he said one of THE live performances caught on film
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjfHqHROIhc&feature=youtu.be
The early Jonathan Ross interview
And as much as I loathe Later this is just sublime
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV4ytI0ZgHc
Well done to Twang for editing and for his first upload!
RubyBlue says
Yes, thanks Twang and thanks all.
dai says
Very good, despite some technical (and cat) issues.
Once more speaking from a Brit abroad I find the general view of her to be different than the one stated in the podcast. I think in North America she is viewed as a great talent with a lot of pity for her personal issues. Is the tabloid culture so strong in the UK that she is really seen as a hopeless drunk/addict only?
dai says
Should say I haven’t seen the doc yet.
DogFacedBoy says
There is a clip of Jay Leno ripping the piss in the documentary but yes, the tabloids were relentless over here
Tiggerlion says
I’ve just caught up with this (I’ve decided to have a second bath this month 😀).
Wow! Pip is a star. Can’t you sign her up for the Afterword, Twang?
Twang says
She’s fab. Great singer too.
Tiggerlion says
As an old Soul boy, I’m going to defend Mark Ronson’s production. For a start, he’s not the only producer. Salaam Remi, who produced the ‘jazzy’ Frank, is in charge for half the tracks and, I bet, on a blind listen of the album as a whole, you couldn’t tell which was which. Amy set the agenda. She hired Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings to back her in the studio and on tour. She was actively looking for that Tamla/Phil Spector girl-group sound. Ronson and Remi did a great job. Back To a Black does sound like the classic sixties girl groups updated to the 21st Century, with plenty of space for Amy’s vocal to shine through.
In fact, Ronson wanted to keep the mix sparse and not overproduced. If anyone over cooked things, the mixer, Tom Elmhirst, is where to point the finger. Here he is describing what he did to Rehab:
http://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/secrets-mix-engineers-tom-elmhirst
Whatever. At that time, Amy was confident and in charge. She wasn’t afraid to let people know when she wasn’t happy with the music. She fully appreciated Ronson’s contribution and was grateful for it.
Back To Black sounds superb to my ears.
DogFacedBoy says
That’s all fine and dandy but in the film Mr Ronson’s is seen wearing a RHCP T shirt. He is therefore a no nothing cunt – QED.
I don’t like the sound of the records no matter who produced, recorded or mixed the buggers
Tiggerlion says
I had to look up RHCP. I don’t like the Red Hot Chilli Peppers either but I don’t feel that violently about them.
*hides AWB T shirt*
Twang says
I actually like the sound of BIB, my point was as a man who has never had an original idea, cloning something which already existed ie girl group records he was the perfect guy. True it was handy for him to have a few people around who knew what they were doing. See also his other ghastly cut up derivative records. Not a fan.
Tiggerlion says
In that case, we are in absolute agreement.