"Back to Black" performed LIVE by Amy Winehouse - Vocal Analysis and Reaction

Today I'm talking about Amy Winehouse and her unique sound as we watch a live performance of the song "Back to Black."
Watch the original video uninterrupted: • Amy Winehouse - Back T...
Website: bethanyhickman...
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[@steveg6035]

Her phrasing was so unique. She had so much old soul, and yet somehow it also felt new and fresh. A real loss but the music she left is timeless and brilliant

[@anonimus5996]

Yeah definitely. I love Amy, she was one of the greats.

[@808bear2]

I would thumbs up your comment but I cannot go further than 69. 👍

[@IgorFioli]

What a classy performance. She deserved more.

[@FatWhiskyDrinkingGuy]

More cocaine?

[@kengruz669]

What an impressive live recording and mix of Amy. There is such amazing clarity and range captured. The musicians and backing singers have beautiful punch and presence. Any audience captured is perfectly balanced and unobtrusive.

[@Smokinjoewhite]

Honestly this was one of her lesser performances.

[@damarcuscolfer1485]

Seems a shame to me to pick this performance to analyse to be honest. She was so impaired by drugs at this point her singing had quite degraded. If you look at her live performances of songs from the album Frank, you can see her in her vocal prime, which I think she deserves. She really was a wonder before the substances robbed her of so much.

[@whisperriah]

i understand whr ur coming from, frank amy was just a genius singer full with soul and power in her voice, technique was superb, but a part of me loves the fragility that back to black amy had, she looked like she was gonna break the next second, and its just a certain aesthetic that we see in today's singers like lana del rey, of course its toxic and we shouldnt glorify substance and addiction but its just so DIFFERENT idk how to explain

[@TheBurdenOfHope]

I don’t think it’s a shame. Amy was both made and destroyed by these songs. Her fame killed her. We shouldn’t ever forget that.

[@nellsimpson9307]

I think drugs killed her… her singing was probably the only thing that remained pure in her ❤

[@deltalima6703]

She is dropping the volume randomly, probably not physically controlling the mic enough. Yeah, she is a hot mess. She was also unique and extremely talented as a singer. Great to listen to.

[@davidking258]

If you want sterile polished crap there’s always X factor.

[@naosmo]

I love Amy and her lyricism, and the two backup brothers are killing it, the band is tight af

[@pattylisk6170]

So sad what happened to her. Even in this performance she was clearly heavily under the influence. Some people think the slurring was a trade mark but was not. So sad

[@quz908]

@damarcuscolfer1485 I agree. She was underweight, in the throes of addiction, and haunted. And still that talent grips us and won't let us forget her.

[@schawo2]

I miss her so much

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

Such a wonderful singer... sad that she died the way she did...

[@goldenruletv7301]

to say I love Amy Winehouse is really an understatement. She is a Mutha Fgn legend.

[@ClandOp]

Amy and Angelina are often compared -- for good reason. The vocal fry. The rich alto tone. The resonate vibrato, sustained through fry. Amy wasn't surrounded by family and agents that were interested in her happiness first. Let's hope AJ takes a better life trajectory.

[@fredkrissman6527]

THIS was such a great reaction! I don't know why we don't get lots more reactions to AmyW live performances; they are all so good! Thanx

[@felipebravo7667]

Hi Bethany..2 days ago I discovered your channel and I love it..Thanks a lot for being vulnerable and share your special charisma( Charisma is a divine gift) Greetings 😉❤️

[@borntolose246]

Its actually mostly about her charisma and then humanity, intellect, curls;) Its just somehow intriguing and soothing at the same time;)

[@jenshampel1481]

Legend ... She is one of the Greatest ... Soul Voices

[@Flum666]

it's so cute you're spending so much time trying to figure it out, I don't think Amy spend a single second thinking about singing, she just did

[@burlsmcburls7305]

I think you might be surprised to discover just how detailed an understanding of every single detail and nuance of her vocal performances that a singer like AW had.

[@untergehermuc]

Oh god, you are giving European fascists arguments. Stop it.

[@massimoseganti8687]

Wonderful musical analysis on what was an incredible musical meteor, unique in her being a singer in every situation, wonderful vocal quality, currently, personal opinion, I see in Angelina Jordan the qualities both vocal and as an author, not as a substitute, but in very high quality music sequel, thanks Beth, have a good life and good music.

[@eduardogarate5396]

I love to Amy... I stay so much sad when I see that video. Thanks dear Vocalyst... greetings from Chile, South America!!

[@fingling8]

Oh! Bravo to you. I've waited for a reactor / analyst to take on this 2007 Glastonbury. She is bloody shockingly great in this vid. Please extrude her version of Cupid from this; you can see she's studying the lyrics glued to the stage at her feet. What a gal--no one sings better.

[@amandlathree]

Thank you for showcasing Amy. I feel like she’s been forgotten about, mainly because of her addictions. She was the freshest sound I’d heard in a very long time, and since. She is right up there with all the icons who also struggled with addiction-Billie Holiday, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Bird, Jimi, etc.

[@SuiLagadema]

Her music wasn't my cup of tea, but I can't deny she had a BEAUTIFUL voice. When I heard she died I was sad because I thought "damn it, another voice lost to substance abuse".

[@wilor09]

This will never be complete until you do a video on Simply Red (Mick Hucknall). Pls…😊

[@BrianRobson-n9u]

Never really listened to Amy Winehouse but you gave me someone to explore further with your review. I would like to see you check out another unique voice ( Canadian powerhouse ) Amanda Marshall. One of my favourite songs is Beautiful Goodbye and it is almost better to listen to a live version than the studio version just for her raw emotion in her voice. Thanks for all that you do.

[@maxx.mazzeo]

The feelings on her singing Is Amazing

[@ridgemanron]

Amy, Angelina, and of course, Billie Holiday, were the three most improvisational jazz singers of all time. I know that Billie influenced Angelina greatly, but I believe the same applies to Amy, for Billie's arsenal of inventive, improvisational forms of musicality was extensive to a mind boggling degree.

[@Death-gj2dn]

I don’t know if it is up your alley, but I would love to hear your thoughts on the original actors for Beetlejuice the musical. Both of them did very interesting and unique things with their voices when originating the roles that even laymen have noted as being special, so I would love to hear your thoughts on Alex Brightman’s performance as Beetlejuice and/or Sophia Anne Caruso’s performance as Lydia.

[@andradehgm]

Hay personas en el mundo que vienen a él y en corto tiempo dejan un legado para toda la vida. Esa fue Amy. Fue única, a tan corta edad se identificó con un género musical que no es atractivo para los jóvenes, pero lo hizoincreiblemente bien. Y la banda, es la banda señores.

[@Zacens]

Muy bien dicho

[@zenclover8468]

Its unfortunate she was a bit tipsy there, i dont care as much for this footage compared to some other versions. She varies so much from recording to recording and performance to performance, she has high highs but also low lows. My heart goes out to people that struggle with addiction. RIP. When she was at her best, she was so fun to listen to.

[@juliethompson9196]

This is agonising to watch, the lady judging her vocals is in my opinion wrong to be judging Amy on this performance. Amy could barely string it together. You can’t judge her on this . Amy was a light that shone to bright, her light was to bright for this world . Miss you Amy my darling 💖xxx

[@jennyferrios245]

Deep and loving. Amy was Such a sweet soul🥰 Her voice was different from everyone and she did not try to appeal to the average popular demand genre.

[@angela86753]

I miss her so much 😢

[@stevek5332]

I always love your analyses, Beth, whether or not I'm into the artist. Angelina covered this song when she was 10, backed by the KORK orchestra as has been the case several times, most recently when she performed "Unchained Melody" at the formal Nobel Peace Prize Concert. There's a backstory to that which I'll go into via an IG message, along with the link.

[@tisme13]

I think Amy was a time traveler.. she covered Angelina,, as best she could..

[@jensr.3409]

She also reminds me a bit of the singer Duffy

[@Zacens]

They actually got popular at around the same time but obviously only one of them saw her fame skyrocket

[@Sassyglbeauty]

Man. Makes me so sad to see her here. Even in this condition, she absolutely KILLS this performance! She should forever serve as a cautionary tale for all young artists.

[@kerridocherty5744]

I am so sad that I only discovered this beauty until recently. Her voice,:just wow, her life: dreamlike, her death: tragic for everyone

[@Vocalz3]

As great of a voice she had , it's sad the way her life had ended. I just wished she was helped along the way as she progressed in to her career.🙏🏼🕊

[@milesdavisricketts9825]

PLEASE DO THE BAND CIRCA SURVIVE. PLEASE!!! I love the way you analyze.

[@lauras7307]

I love Amy Whinehouse....I loved all her music! She was great singing with Tony Bennett . I'm so sorry she became another member of the 27 Club. She had gotten clean and was going to adopt a young girl. When she drank again, she drank like she had before, but her tolerance was so low she died of alcohol poisoning. Such a loss.

[@RJMCK]

Her Porchester Hall performance is a great one. Prime of her career imo

[@4Saken4ever]

A real talent she was, sadly caught up with drink and drugs, such a waste, a real loss, saddens me to even see her in this video all thin n gaunt, her voice was unique unlike anyone in her time, and very recognised

[@brianthompson9241]

It was so painful to watch her in this performance. Only a fraction of her incredible vocal ability comes through here. It’s still so terrible that no one saved her from what was so obviously and publicly happening.

[@JFisher-kl5fx]

@Beth: Just dropping by with two reaction-video suggestions I haven't found yet: Annie Lennox singing "Into the West" (original "Return of the King" movie version preferred), and Sarah Brightman singing "Time to Say Goodbye" (take your pick of duets online, like this one with Andrea Bocelli in 2007: kzbin.info/www/bejne/an3Cqnate6lpgNE).

[@alisonmotta5204]

Your hair is so beautiful

[@lfvc9682]

She was so effing high in this perfomenance( I can tell because I was that person), like in many others, It is so sad that people werent trained enough to help her, Its so sad that she went the way she did, because she had all this amazing talent and potential to be one of the greatest singers. Please everyone get familiar with mental health issues and with addiction issues, all this could have been prevented.

[@faithwithoutprejudice2380]

Please could you react to a George Michael live performance? The one I have in mind was from the Rock in Rio concert in 1991 and is an Elton John/Bernie Taupin song called ‘Tonight’. Thank you so much ❤😊

[@jmcr7f]

Oh my 🥳

[@LandyCooper-h6w]

I love Amy winehouse 😢😢❤❤😢

[@RicardoPaez-k2o]

😊😊London Grammar - Rooting For You😊😊😊😊

[@nikkihayes5411]

Would be interesting to watch The Vocalyst react to GWAR's Carry On My Wayward Son....eyes boggle, mouth open🙀

[@capstan50g]

There's no denying Amy's talent and technique, but I feel she, perhaps unintentionally, glamorized or validated the dark side of life. I have plenty of darkness of my own; no need to add to it. I think that's why my favorite Amy Winehouse performance is her cover of Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow. Bethany, did you know that Angelina Jordan covered this song at age 10? Her mom had her re-write the lyrics the night before the recording, so it makes an interesting contrast to Amy's version. Here's a link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3S8YqiAmpZoma8

[@BunnyWatson-k1w]

If you want to see Amy at her best physically and vocally, she did many appearances (still online) doing classic jazz songs. Her father was also a jazz singer. Amy should have stuck to jazz as she was much better at that than pop music.

[@monicasoldani]

Damn addictions..☠️

[@robertpiechocki9171]

Ok, so who can sing like Amy, over the last 10-plus years how many people have tried to sing like her!!

[@rickjones7712]

She picked the same with Alice in Chains. When Layne was deep in addition. To truly see what me these artists fantastic. Find the earliest performance possible.

[@ronlim5402]

Hi there. You are one of my favorite reactors of Angelina Jordan and I've missed your reactions to her. I'm sure that most of her angels feel the same way. Will you react to her songs that she performed in Las Vegas last month? She was outstanding and it was my first time to see her live. She's an amazing singer especially live on stage. She did two performances back to back for a total of 38 songs! Thank you in advance, Ron from California USA

[@amandinedalessa.1666]

Love your channel, do you know Charlie Winston? I would love to hear your feelings about his voice ❤

[@yasinkocaduz1807]

My best performance is from glastonbury 2008. I think that performance is richer than this one.

[@AgenteusaRR]

same as Freddie Mercury, she was god-touched, i didnt like her music at all but i recognize she had an out of this world voice. Watch "Valerie" off-stage, acoustic kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKGkq2yLpdOFgdk Stevie Ray was the same, guitar wise, brings back the old saying "the good die young but bad people live forever" :)

[@janihaavisto79]

Love this song very much, even tho I'm not huge fan of this genre Amy had good songs

[@shaneclark8141]

Just a suggestion for a band to Analyze Boston any song off their first album

[@jonathanlandau-litewski7405]

If I were you, I would have used her Back To Black performance from Other Voices. She's clearly on stuff here.

[@archstanton1628]

She was completely Donald Ducked by this point, vocally, mentally and physically. I never cared for her personally, but I'll admit she could sing a few years before this skeletal wreck shuffled onto the Glastonbury stage.

[@Cajonzone]

❤😢

[@gabrieltorres5225]

I can't believe all that talent has gone. So sad.😢

[@scott3744]

If you like this song, there are even better live versions 👍 Live acoustic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmK3goWAjLGNadU Live at St. James Church: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q52ro6uinq2Dgtk Live acoustic at the Orange Lounge (2007): kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnfCpHighrCoqJY

[@suekuarell4685]

Oh if i could wish for only one song to react to, i would love you to choose Insomnia by iamx

[@EmillionWayz]

Suggestions for songs with singers that you will most probably love: 1. Tom's Diner (Cover) - AnnenMayKantereit x Giant Rooks 2. Roxanne (Cover) - AnnenMayKantereit & Milky Chance 3. Juju feat. Henning May - Vermissen (Henning May's part is the seconde one and the more important when it comes to vocals) 4. Barfuß am Klavier - AnnenMayKantereit Suggestions 1, 2 and 4 are my most recommended options. All of them revolve around german prodigy Henning May.

[@OzguCan-dq7yy]

Teşekkürler.

[@Fenkreg]

Plz make Video about Protest the Hero - From the Sky or some other songs, that would be really interesting to share it with you

[@professoroak9721]

Id love a reaction video of Arch Enemy - Handshake with Hell

[@TomThatcher-wi2fj]

I feel that Amy winehouse and Frank Sinatra are on the same level

[@Ankanyon]

You look like Şebnem Ferah!!!!!!

[@jeffreyyenior9757]

Amy hit the music scene at just the right time. She was unique and talented enough to garner attention and sell albums. She certainly had unique texture...too much texture and not always pleasantly so. This particular performance was tough to get through. I'm not sure she would do so well if she was just starting out now. Even sober, she never measured up to Angelina's skill set. But then, neither does anyone else.

[@jf-be4zy]

I would love to see you react to Dimash's new MV "When I Got You" where he is a vampire. thanks

[@israteeg752]

I'm so sorry to spoil the party. As a great admirer of the late Amy Winehouse, I don't believe this specific performance was among her best, to put it mildly, and I won't elaborate on my reasons in detail or further speculate on the issue out of the utmost respect for her genuine talent.

[@wxdave5448]

I agree with a couple of other commenters. A live performance in this case was not a good basis for vocal analysis. The studio version should have been used. There are cases where the video/live performance versions are not good candidates for review, and this is one of them.

[@rapsux]

I disagree. Live is where they prove it. Many times in studio they fix a lot of things, many times singing line by line, utilizing multiple tracks and choosing the best line from around 6 tracks or more, then piece it together. Live is live and that's who they are.

[@wxdave5448]

@@rapsux I agree in part but disagree that any given live performance is who they are. It’s what they were able to do that specific day.

[@blahblahblah6898]

I agree with u if ur talking about THIS live performance which is just not that good. But she does have live performances of this song infinitely better than the record

[@rapsux]

@@blahblahblah6898 I've never been a fan of the nasal sounding vocal. One song and I'm changing the channel or song.

[@blahblahblah6898]

@@rapsux thats fair but she was indeed a great vocalist. Surely not here but in her prime days she had a voice heavens. Ofc its not for everyone so ur opinion is completely valid. Just hope ur not basing it on this performance

[@alexguajardovera]

Please react to RAYE in Brits❤

[@Boozywoozy27]

If you are gonna react to Amy live, it has to be the other voices session. The absolute pinnacle & the lack of drums really brings her voice out. Search Amy Dingle kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKeZonVsr8x3d7Msi=OB7tMH9IYpTx48aR

[@nepenthes1978]

Her best Back to Black performance is BY FAR this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5PJYmpnq7Vqas0

[@blahblahblah6898]

I can think of at least 4 performances of that same song done by her that are much much much better. She was again just too high and drunk in that performance as well

[@nepenthes1978]

i guess its a matter of taste@@blahblahblah6898

[@LUISMISA-BOY]

LUIS MIGUEL!!!!!😊

[@allbies]

My favourite Back to Black live version is still this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmK3goWAjLGNadU

[@timmy-dnumber1990]

I suggest Alice in Chains "Don't follow" .

[@andreabadolato5316]

React Paramore "Decode" Live please.

[@celinamorel4274]

Amo a Amy, pero no creo que esta sea su mejor version

[@CarlD70]

May want to check out the 10 year old Angelina covering this song...just saying.

[@adamronald89]

Blind melon a mouth full of cavities next please 🙏

[@СашаПеров-н5ж]

Привет солнышко, гляжу не нагляжусь на твоë красивое личико😘😘🥰☺❤

[@Lucia-sy7le]

Dah😊🤍💙❤️Spatiba

[@СашаПеров-н5ж]

@@Lucia-sy7le 😘😘😘😘😘😘

[@svenpoletka5236]

One of her most tragic performances, obviously not one of the better ones

[@netbarber232]

Please ❤ listening to Simply Red 🦋🙏he deserves a comment from woman like you 😊

[@helfgott1]

We lost her

[@cancanturco]

She was the new Janis Joplin....without Janis's voice

[@vendre2]

suggestions for next: JINJER - Pisces or/and Dimash - Unforgettable Day by Gakku (D8)

[@carceleros]

TÚ Y YO... PIÉNSALO, ARREGLANDO EL MUNDO CON MÚSICA, NO ES TENTADOR? JOKE, IT`S A JOKE BABE

[@davidw5629]

She's drunk here.

[@pbrain2000]

I clicked on your video to experience who she was because I’m not familiar with her. Maybe this was just a bad example, but I found her words slurred, her voice sloppy hard to understand, almost as if she’s doing a bad impersonation of the old-time black singers. I did not find this clip very captivating. Is there a better example somewhere of her best work?? Thanks.

[@blahblahblah6898]

I can give u links for her actual good performances of this song. As a fan this is just bad. She was too high and too drunk and her voice had severely declined from substance abuse and smoking

[@rainerwaansinn]

human tragedy 😞

[@otisyoung7061]

Almost as good as her acoustic version

[@adamyoung6797]

Yeah, wrong choice

[@SgtPUSMC]

I could never see what everyone seems to see in Amy Winehouse. For me her style seems more like affectation than genuine emotion. Maybe that's because by the time I really listened to her, she was already spiraling down and every time I saw her I thought she was on a self destruct mission and somebody should stop her.

[@blahblahblah6898]

This is the problem with videos like this. Believe me when i say this performance doesn’t display a 10th of her talent. She was too high too drunk and her voice just sounds COMPLETELY unhealthy (strained and harsh to the ear). Its sad cause she was actually a brilliant vocalist (and an original one) before all the drug abuse. If u want i can give u links of actual good performances of this song

[@wheatthicks]

…so …far …behind …the …beat 🫠

[@SeanFication]

I assume it's in English, but I can't understand a word she's saying.

[@clintatk]

Every time I hear Amy I’m moved and all I think is “tragedy”.

[@TomokoMurakami]

Bee Gees?

[@Michael-wx7dr]

I agree that it is absolutely tragic that we lost her so soon, however I like to also think that we are very lucky to be left with what she gave us, her incredible music and talent that will live on forever. There is a tragedy in that the world didn't have her for longer but it's also a celebration that she was here at all.

[@jjhall1963]

I love so many vocalists today......and for some reason no one can hold a candle to Amy Whinehouse. I cant even understand it, and I love some of these other artists.

[@nirsochen2093]

Try Angelina Jordan

[@funkyradbomtrack]

I think the pinnacle of knowing your instrument is effortless improvisation. Amy had it in spades like all virtuoso's RIP Amy