Back to Black: The Music of Amy Winehouse – The Space @ Surgeons Hall

A fantastic night of Jazz and neo-soul from singer Reine Beau who inhabited Amy Winehouse down to the last growl.

There is nothing so enjoyable than watching an expert singer purring along, completely in her comfort zone and with plenty left under the bonnet if she needs it.

In what was one of their first, and most well-travelled shows the winning Night Owl docu-style formula works really well with Beau filling in the blanks and video and audio clips from Winehouse’s back story. There is also the superb musicianship of the Night Owl band, who are as usual fantastic and note perfect. No more so than Luke Cunningham jazzing it up in fine style on the keys.

A whistle stop tour through the Winehouse back catalogue in less than an hour, we hear the classics, Me and Mr Jones, Tears Dry On Their Own, You Know I’m No Good (featuring Cornet solo by Beau!). A real highlight is Back To Black with Beau so reminiscent of Winehouse with her smokey voice, so full of expressive flicks and note curls, and half-finished phrases.

Beau is a natural jazz singer as Amy Winehouse was. This is not a tribute act, it’s a reimagining, in a show she knows so well and has taken around the world.  It was my absolute pleasure to experience it in Edinburgh, and if you are an Amy fan, you will not want to miss this one.

Reviewer: Greg Holstead

Reviewed: 14^th August 2023

North West End UK Rating: