Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Amy Winehouse has Emphysema
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
so, you never heard her music or know what she does or where she's from (england, btw, not hollywood), but still, you stand by your assessment? awesome.
I wouldn't call myself a fan, though I'm pretty familiar with her stuff as my girlfriend listened to both "Frank" and "Back to Black" somewhat regularly. I certainly prefer it to a lot of what occupies pop radio, though that's not saying much.
But my opinion of her musical output and/or talent aside, I feel the same way about her that I feel for any addict - that I hope she can get her life together. I do think she gets much harsher treatment than many other who have done the same thing. Aerosmith, RHCP, Jimi Hendrix, Sublime etc are all bands/artists that either were or almost were torn apart completely by drugs. And there are hundreds of other examples.
What I suppose confuses me most about any of these pop or rock stars is that with all the money they generate and the number of people they have around them, that nobody really does what's necessary to protect them from themselves. If not out of altruistic reasons then at least to avoid losing their golden goose. But then maybe they're afraid doing the former will lead to the latter anyway.
It reminds me of a conversation I had with my brother's old neighbor who is a recording engineer and worked on the Nevermind album. He said Kurt Cobain was clearly in a bad way and that often in the studio he was non-functional. He said it was clear he was headed down a dark road but that in the here and now he was everyone's meal ticket so nobody wanted to upset the apple cart.
Sad really. It puts them at the same level as every other junkie despite their wealth and fame. I couldn't believe it when I read that Winehouse is only 24. There's a lot of life left to live if she wants to.
But my opinion of her musical output and/or talent aside, I feel the same way about her that I feel for any addict - that I hope she can get her life together. I do think she gets much harsher treatment than many other who have done the same thing. Aerosmith, RHCP, Jimi Hendrix, Sublime etc are all bands/artists that either were or almost were torn apart completely by drugs. And there are hundreds of other examples.
What I suppose confuses me most about any of these pop or rock stars is that with all the money they generate and the number of people they have around them, that nobody really does what's necessary to protect them from themselves. If not out of altruistic reasons then at least to avoid losing their golden goose. But then maybe they're afraid doing the former will lead to the latter anyway.
It reminds me of a conversation I had with my brother's old neighbor who is a recording engineer and worked on the Nevermind album. He said Kurt Cobain was clearly in a bad way and that often in the studio he was non-functional. He said it was clear he was headed down a dark road but that in the here and now he was everyone's meal ticket so nobody wanted to upset the apple cart.
Sad really. It puts them at the same level as every other junkie despite their wealth and fame. I couldn't believe it when I read that Winehouse is only 24. There's a lot of life left to live if she wants to.
- Apr 1, 2000
- 17,398
- 9,831
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
It's ironic there's so many people vilifying her on a bass players' forum. Anybody remember this guy named Jaco - also very talented, also very troubled with drugs/alcohol?
yeah
yeah
Very true, but also very troubled with mental illness, which was way beyond his control.
- Apr 1, 2000
- 17,398
- 9,831
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
haha, can you imagine if there were internet forums back in the day?
"yeh, that hendrix dude is a no-talent hack. and that bob marley, what a pothead loser. reggae isn't even real music!"
I don't think any of us know enough about her to judge her mental state intelligently.
I agree. But based on what I see, and based on my education and experience with mental health and substance abuse, I would be more surprised than not if she had any underlying mh issues.
Bob Lee (QSC)
In case you missed it, I work for QSC Audio!
- Jul 3, 2001
- 12,668
- 2,036
- 67
- Disclosures
- Former Technical Communications Developer, QSC Audio
From Hollywood, no less.
Well, I hope she gets herself straightened out. I hope her family and loved ones can get through to her; it must be really painful for them, as anyone who's seen a family member or friend drive himself or herself into destruction knows.
- Apr 1, 2000
- 17,398
- 9,831
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
Hardly enough to make a medical diagnosis. I doubt you see even a sliver of her life, and you feel qualified to make a call of not mentally ill. Nobody really saw any of Jaco to make that diagnosis either (which is why it wasn't made until so late).
I doubt any psychologist would judge her based on media exposure, no matter how qualified. What is your education, by the way?
edit: I'm not trying to pick a fight, by the way. I'm just suggesting that none of us know nearly enough to know about her problems. Just like someone we're quick to defend, who happened to be a bass player. The point about no internet back then is right on point, too.
I never said I was diagnosing her. I said I'd be more surprised if she did than she didn't. That's a far cry from a dx, dude.
I have my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Sociology (double major) I have two Masters Degrees. One in MH Counseling, and one in School Counseling. I'm PA State certified as a Marriage and Family Therapist, and I'm a Nationally Certified Counselor.
I've worked in mental health and/or substance abuse facilities for over 14 years cumulative time.
If she croaks soon though, so many will say something like " Oh what could have been", like she's up there with the greats or something. Decent voice for sure, but I bet she didnt write any of her songs. I bet it was all put together. Some guy got the idea to merket her that way. It worked, but, well....stuff happens.
reguarding sympathy...she knowingly did it to herself. Perhaps Im just desnsitized...IF she can clean up, great....if not, Hey, I never knew her to begin with. Thats COLD! Damn!
reguarding sympathy...she knowingly did it to herself. Perhaps Im just desnsitized...IF she can clean up, great....if not, Hey, I never knew her to begin with. Thats COLD! Damn!
- Apr 1, 2000
- 17,398
- 9,831
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
And you'd lose your money. Here's yet another case of someone quick to judge someone they know nothing about! Check your facts - it took me 12 seconds to find out she writes virtually all her music
john turner
You don't want to do that. Trust me.
i'm surprised so many folks are defending her. she's nowhere near as talented, nor has she tried to be, as the folks she's being compared to. putting her in the same sentence as jaco is criminal. there's talent and genius, and then there's luck, and being at the right place at the right time.
jaco manufactured himself through - hard work-. i've listened to all of frank, along with as much other crap as i could stand of hers, and all i see is a very naked, and ugly, emperor, especially in live recordings. if she was as talented as everyone says, it would be obvious, beyond the subjective. she -cant carry a tune-. there's a difference between being a tortured genius and being a junkie.
take janis joplin - total washout, but the -talent- was obvious. i don't like anything she did, but she obviously had soul. i don't hear anything of substance or skill from AW in what she's trying to do, and definitely not in what she actually accomplishes. she's like a crappy copy of etta james. blech.
comparing her to jimi hendrix? bob marley? well, i guess that's subjective, but we'll see if 30-40 years after she kills herself with her uncontrolled substance abuse if anyone talks about her "accomplishments".
- Apr 1, 2000
- 17,398
- 9,831
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
John, I normally respect your observations, but on her being able to sing I think you're completely wrong. Maybe it's a style thing, and you just don't like it - but if you look at some of those old clips she unmistakeably on. She's in tune, in time and her stye is very reminiscent of a 'modern' Billie Holiday.
And I'll stand by my comparison to Jaco - feel free to send the music police.
john turner
You don't want to do that. Trust me.
well, what qualifies as an early recording?
i'll give it a listen.
And I'll stand by my comparison to Jaco - feel free to send the music police.
so who was jaco shamelessly copying/imitating? you know, like she is trying to do with any number of stax and chess chicks from the 40's and 50's ?
i need to know to file my police report.
Toasted, you are right on the money...
Frankly, I'm appalled by the unrestrained animosity, and the coldness and meanness coming from several of you. Nobody knows what private demons and private suffering one may endure - for whatever reason(s) - except that person who endures it.
None of us is in a position to condemn another - particularly someone whom none of us has ever even met - on the basis of what we think that person has done to herself. Drug addiction is kind of like that, ya know? It clouds your judgment and compromises your ability to make wise decisions and to take care of yourself.
Everyone screws up from time to time - some of us more than others, some of us more spectacularly than others - but everyone does it. At one time or another, we all need some sympathy and care. We all need forgiveness and an opportunity for another chance.
So have a heart then, why don't ya?
MM
