Back to Black
20 February 2007I had a ticket to an NME show at the Astoria last night. It was an early one (nothing bumps their G-A-Y nights, one of which followed this show), so I missed the first act, The Noisettes. This was a shame, I wanted to see them.
Second act was Jack Penate. His rockabilly-influenced guitar is marginally interesting, but he’s pretty bland at the moment because he sticks to a boring pop formula.
Headliner was NME-and-Brit award-winning Amy Winehouse. I like Amy. She’s a slightly trashy north London girl, but she’s got a unique (these days, anyway) jazz/R&B sound. Her songs are fun and catchy. The band last night was capable, and balanced just right with some showing (male) backup singers and that sexiest of instruments, the baritone sax. She sang better live than I had expected, and the songs from new album Back to Black are very good. Winehouse ended the night with a nice cover of The Zutons’ hit “Valerie”, saying it was her favourite song of the last year.
The lead singer from The Noisettes is a thoroughly sound lass: am really chuffed about their success. Glad to hear Amy – The irony of her surname! – Winehouse was belter.