Amy Winehouse

Best R & B ACT in NATIONAL

 

Leslie Feist has more range, but when it comes to pure octane, it’s hard to beat Amy Winehouse’s soul-on-bourbon-with-ice bawl. She could probably take Feist in a punch-up, too. After all, she’s had more practice. But those tabloid headlines just make us like Winehouse more. They prove that the live-wire blend of toughness and vulnerability that echoes through her singing and in the lyrics of her smashes “Rehab” and “You Know I’m No Good” is the real thing. And honesty in the pop world deserves to be rewarded. So, Ms. Winehouse, we present your Best Music Poll tiara for female vocalist, with a Best National R&B Act laurel to boot. Obviously it’s not just ’cause you’re honest. It’s ’cause you’re damn good — the owner of one of the most deliciously complex blood-and-chocolate voices since Nina Simone. What a surprise from a tiny white Jewish girl from Southgate! But you don’t need us to tell you how fine you are, with five Grammys under your little black patent leather belt for Back to Black (Republic), which hit number two on Billboard’s album charts. To be honest, we’re glad you finally went to rehab. Your mix of old-school soul and modern-day perspective makes us want to have you around — even if love is a losing game.

—Ted Drozdowski

See Also: Best Female Vocalist

Runners-up
1. Alicia Keys
2. Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings
3. Chris Brown