Second up is Amy Winehouse! I love her newest cd, and to be honest, the real reason I am highlighting her is because the DJ’s in my area had no idea who she was. I found that a little sad.

“I didnt want to play the jazz thing up too much again she says now, sitting in the snug of her favourite Camden boozer. Id been listening to a lot of girl-groups from the fifties and sixties. I liked the simplicity of that stuff. It just gets to the point. You can hear it on the subtley Supremes-referencing intro of Back To Black. But her reach stretches further, Amy can break loose with Aretha-style vocal stylings on Just Friends or by turning the whole idea of drying out into a gospel spiritual on the stunning opener Rehab. Which other female British singer could turn the opening line on her album - try to make me go to rehab/I say no, no, no into a churchy stomp.”

Back to Black-

Rehab-

Acoustic “Valerie”

I know everyone says that people watch way too much tv, but if I didn’t - I would have never found this next artist. Jon Cleary is a brillant pianist who has lived in New Orleans for quite a few years now. His song “Got to be More Careful” was featured on Fox’s House sometime last year. His cd’s are great fun - a lot of jazz, blues, and funk.

His Website

Born in Kent, England, Cleary has educated himself in the musical culture and life of New Orleans for the past 20 years steeped in the sounds of the Caribbean from Cuba to Haiti and beyond. His deft piano style and unmistakable vocals are heard on recordings by Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, B.B. King, Ryan Adams, and Eric Burdon. Clearys original compositions have been recorded by Taj Mahal on Phantom Blues, and Bonnie Raitts most recent albums Souls Alike and Silver Lining. Cleary does double duty performing as full-time keyboardist for Grammy Winner Bonnie Raitt when not touring with his the Absolute Monster Gentlemen.

Jon Cleary radio (hopefully this works!)

Short video of Jon playing “Big Chief” for a documentary:

Video of Tipitina after the cut (more…)