AMG Review of Back to Black: The B-Sides

John Bush
All Music Guide

A collection of B-sides to Amy Winehouse's massive Back to Black album, this eight-track set features a range of material (nearly all consisting of covers) and functions at nearly the same high level as the A-sides and album tracks -- no small feat. The first track is a slower version of the Zutons' song "Valerie" that Winehouse had done earlier with Mark Ronson for Ronson's Version album (and also featured in the film 27 Dresses). The second is Sam Cooke's "Cupid," done refreshingly simply, and bolstered most by Winehouse's expressive voice. The third is Toots & the Maytals' "Monkey Man," and here too Winehouse shows her talents and adeptness sailing the waters of other genres and other traditions. (Reggae and ska are touchstones here -- also included are versions of the Specials' "Hey Little Rich Girl" and the Skatalites' "You're Wondering Now," the latter of which was also done by the Specials.) Other notables include Phil Spector's "To Know Him Is to Love Him" and a demo of "Love Is a Losing Game."