Winehouse adapted the jazzy hip-hop elements seen in her debut album ‘Frank’ and transformed them into her more refined, ‘60s and neo-soul sound that ‘Back To Black’ is known for. Amy even originally sported her iconic beehive as an ode to the 1960s girl groups and singers that she loved, such as Ronnie Spector.

The album opens with ‘Rehab’, the best-selling single from ‘Back To Black’ and an arguably now haunting track about Winehouse’s refusal to go to a rehabilitation centre for her drug and alcohol problems. ‘Rehab’ was the lead single for the album.

‘Back To Black’ was inspired by Winehouse’s brief separation from her then-boyfriend Blake Fielder-Civil, who decided to return to his ex-girlfriend. Winehouse’s tumultuous relationships with both Fielder-Civil and substance addiction allowed her to pen arguably one of the greatest breakup albums of all time, and the album that Winehouse is best remembered for.

‘Back To Black’ was not an album that went unheard when it was first released: it was the UK’s top-selling album of 2007, and Winehouse received five Grammys the following year, including the coveted Song of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album titles. Countless musicians have been inspired by Winehouse’s music, including Adele, Olivia Dean and Lady Gaga. In a blog post following Winehouse’s untimely death at the age of 27, Adele said that Winehouse made people “excited about British music again".

In celebration of its anniversary, UMR/Island have reissued the album to include four previously unheard demos, Winehouse’s complete 2007 live performance from the Paradiso in Amsterdam and rare B-sides. Previously unpublished photographs by Mischa Richter and Alex Lake from the original ‘Back To Black’ album shoot also accompany the rerelease.

Richter also contributed photographs to Amy Winehouse: In Focus, a free outdoor exhibition at Granary Square and King's Boulevard in London to celebrate the anniversary of ‘Back To Black’. 30 benches across the area were transformed into an open-air gallery, featuring photographs from throughout Winehouse’s career in her home borough throughout September, October and November.

Also to celebrate the anniversary of ‘Back To Black’, Metropolis Music held Amy Winehouse Back To Black 20, a tribute concert featuring many of Winehouse’s close friends and collaborators – including original album producers Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi. Alongside them, musical guests accompanied The Amy Winehouse Band to perform ‘Back To Black’ in its entirety, with each guest performing a different song. Jorja Smith joined the band to perform ‘Some Unholy War’, while Corinne Bailey Rae took on the album’s titular song ‘Back To Black’.

Held on 21st October at Camden’s Roundhouse, the concert also forms the centrepiece of the BBC’s anniversary programming, with a BBC Two broadcast on 24 October at 9.35pm. BBC Radio 2 will also be playing a recording of the performance on 26 October at 8pm as part of Jo Whiley’s programme celebrating Winehouse, which runs from 7-9pm.

Beth Hibbard
@bethhibbardd
Image: 'Back To Black' Official Album Cover