'Mojo' Recommends
British picks for SXSW by 'Mojo' Editor-in-Chief Phil Alexander
Fri., March 16, 2007
Thursday, March 15
AMY WINEHOUSE
12mid, Eternal
"Everything I've ever written is about my life; all my songs are autobiographical," says hard-living North London soul-jazz girl Amy Winehouse, discussing her album Back to Black. Released in the UK October 2006, the 23-year-old's second set was spearheaded by "Rehab," a track that matches the power of classic soul with the melodrama of the Shangri-Las, one of the singer's key influences. "They tried to make me go to rehab. I said no, no, no!" sings Winehouse, coming on like a latter-day Etta Jones against a deep funk groove provided by the Dap-Kings."They really did try to put me in rehab," she told Mojo earlier this year. "People think it's an answer to something. I'm not an alcoholic. If I drink, it's a symptom of depression or boredom, but people don't see that. They only see it as surface." If Winehouse's "bad girl" reputation has delighted the British tabloids, Back to Black has enchanted the record-buying public with sales topping the million mark in the UK. Voted Mojo's Woman of the Year 2006, she appears to have the talent, toughness, and personality to become a truly international British star. Now it's America's turn to fall under her spell.
Four more 'Mojo' Brit Picks
Fujiya & Miyagi, Karma Lounge, 11pm
Vashti Bunyan, Central Presbyterian Church, 12:30am
The Young Knives, Friends, 1am
The Horrors, Red Eyed Fly, 1am
