[quote=Reality Sucks;26781039]
Well she didnt make it in the UK, until she went over to the US and put kayne west on her album, she had two flop albums in the UK before this. She said herself that she had to go over to the US to make it in the UK- so thats why i used her as an example. But i dont think shes particularly great, nor is her voice.

It' s a wonder that Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Etta James, Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan, Marion Montgomery, Cleo Lane, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Beyonce, Gladys Knight, Randy Crawford, Eartha Kitt, Nina Simone, Alicia Keyes, Missy Elliot, Beverley Knight et al ever sold any records by your reckoning then.

I don't agree with you about the human voice either, No two voices are identical, rather like fingerprints. Each voice is unique in it's own way. That's why I'll be interested to hear Rachel's voice when she isn't copying Amy 's intonations.

Well not in the UK, otherwise why does the UK music industry ignore them? Im not denying the greats sold alot back then either but the industry has changed since then.

Alot of voices are very similar, some are more distinctive and stand out, if the differences are very subtle then the majority wont be able to really tell the difference.

Amy does not sound copied and contrived. Her music has influences from Jazz and blues but also a strong influence from the sixties (Phil Spector's wall of sound) She also has touches of Helen Shapiro. Her vocals are entirely natural to her- and that's how she won 5 grammys, not by copying any single artist.

All the black women that some people are suggesting she copied have also been influenced by other black singers. The fact that Amy sounds as though she could be black is just the way her voice is. You say you are into tones and sounds, but you don't seem to recognise a great vocal when you hear it. Have you actually listened to any of Amy's albums?

But you argued that there are loads of black women who sound like Amy in the States, but they can't sell records because they are black.

Black artists do still sell well in the US, i.e beyonce, rihanna, they do mainstream pop so aren't really relevant. IMO a black soul, jazz singer probably wont sell as well as a white girl like amy winehouse or duffy. Maybe because people dont expect it, therefore it has more of the wow factor, I dont know. One example is fantasia.

^ Reality sucks I have been into music all my life. My age might give it away here. What do you mean if I have listen to Amy albums? Have you listened to all the greats in jazz, blues and R & B from the begining of time? I do not need to listen to her album to recognise that its copied/contrived. Look, music is for everyone and people enjoy different sounds and some people know how jazz/blues/R & B and other black music is formed. So if you are telling me I should know Amy Winehouse when she was not even born when I started listening and and being involved in music then I have nothing more to say on the matter. You listen to Winehouse and you think its the greatest thing in music-no thank you. Everyone to their own.I listen to Billie, Dinah, Sarah Vaughn or Nina Simone and more to get a real impact and the interpretation of real pain. This my story I do not mean no harm. I am very passionate and express it the way how I see it-that all. I respect your views but do not tell me to listen to Amy Winehouse. She should forget about the greats and sing from her real self. Thats my opinion.

I must add that this era is a sad time in music-when music and singing is all but lost in what's hip and sells. I was begining to think that real singing was coming back with some of the British Crop and I tell you that includes Whinehouse although her singing is not my taste. But there might be some hope yet.

Babeth

Yes, I have listened to most of the great jazz/blues singers from the past and that's how I know an authentic singer when I hear one. If you haven't listened properly to Amy that may explain why you are so scathing about her ability.

I have Billie Holliday, Nina Simone, Dinah Washington and Nancy Wilson in my collection. I'm not keen on Sarah Vaughan personally, though I would not say that she is not a great singer just because she's not to my taste. Same goes for Ella, just a bit too jazzy for me. Never could stand scat singing either.

That's why when someone with a distinctive vocal comes along (like Amy) everyone else copies them

Article in today's The Sun gives the result away (don't peek if you don't want to know)
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...cle1580080.ece

^I have heard enough of her songs to make a decision on what I like and do not like-and am not scathing am making a passionate point.

We are all open to our likes and dislikes. It cannot be forced upon. I know great music when I hear it. You have deomonstated my point by your views on some of the greats.

Whinehouse has not got an original voice-thats my opinion. There ends the discussion.You can go on and on its the same view and wont change. Thanks.

Babeth

I'm making a passionate point too. I have not said that the greats such as Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald are not great singers, just that I don't care for their very jazzy style.
You are saying that Amy is a copycat - two different things entirely.

I think Rachel's voice sounded very much like Amy's.

Whether that is just the way she sings or not I don't know. It will be interesting to hear her sing other types of songs and then it will be easier to make out if it is her true singing voice.

shes great winner haha

I can't wait to hear Rachel sing another song, she truly has natural talent.

Yeah I dno!

I thought that... they look rather similar... sisters?