Frank by Amy Winehouse
Frank is the debut studio album by English recording artist Amy Winehouse, released 20 October 2003 on Island Records. Production for the album took place during 2002 to 2003 and was handled by Winehouse, Salaam Remi, Commissioner Gordon, Jimmy Hogarth and Matt Rowe. Its title alludes to the nature and tone of Winehouse's lyrics on the album. Upon its release, Frank received generally positive reviews from most music critics and earned Winehouse several accolades, including an Ivor Novello Award. Since its original release in the United Kingdom, the album has been reissued in Canada, the United States and Australia. On 18 December 2008, it was certified triple platinum by the British Phonographic Industry, denoting shipments in excess of 900,000 copies in the UK.
Like the bittersweet documentary they soundtrack, these demos, live versions, and alternate takes trace Amy Winehouse’s turbulent path, and are punctuated by Antonio Pinto’s considered mood pieces. The staggering potential on 2004’s “What Is It About Men (Live at North Sea Jazz Festival)” is magnificently realized by “We’re Still Friends (Live at The Union Chapel).” Inevitably though, her careworn vocal on 2011’s Tony Bennett duet “Body and Soul” betrays darker struggles.
