Amy Winehouse: A true story?

Last night I watched a Channel 4 documentary that was filmed in 2008, adapted and edited in the light of her sad demise.

They began, not surprisingly, at the talent school she attended, aged just twelve. According to Sylvia Young, the owner of the school, she described Amy as a "shy little girl... with an incredible voice - it blew me away." They said that once she entered into a relationship with Blake, she changed... spiralling to such an extent they were photographed leaving a hotel as if they'd gone ten rounds with a pitbull. I found this segment of the programme unnerving. As I haven't bought a newspaper for about ten years, this was new to me.

This is a real rags-to-riches story: It could quite easily come couretesy of Daphne du Maurier, but instead, this was real person - manipulated by a wayward partner - crying out for guidance by some reliable figurehead. To that end, where were her parents? When interviewed by a well-known radio broadcasting company Amy's father stated he would wait for Amy to approach him. He didn't want to interfere...

Good God, if it was my daughter I wouldn't wait: I'd be in there quicker than one could say "bank balance", starting the ball rolling so she got the very best help - no hurdle too high.

Whatever the truth, the conclusion was a waste: Had a lovely voice, almost Karen Carpenter-like with emotion, but most of her music was cloned from the sixties. Influence is good, outright copies not so, and I think you could catagorise her music into the latter.

Amy is not the first to prematurely bring a life to a full-stop - won't be the last, either. Ian Drury once sang a song called 'What A Waste'. So true. 

This documentary was compelling, tinged with sadness.