Beyonce's got the right idea: if you're going to cover an Amy Winehouse song, you better make sure it's as different as possible from the original. And that's just what she and Andre 3000 have done with their cover of the Mark Ronson produced classic, Back To Black.
Reworking the originals structure and sound, the pair have made a version that sounds, simply put, as high as a kite. However, whereas Beyonce manages to still sound great in her haze, the most immediate problem I can see folks having with this rendition comes from Andre 3000's intentionally (I hope) out of tune delivery. It takes some getting used to, but I suppose it works with the languid and minimalist production.
I don't think it needs to be said, but I'll say it anyway, this isn't a patch on the original. I just hope the version found on The Great Gatsby soundtrack is longer in length, because this "radio rip" sounds too short and, as a result, comes off lazy. A ratio of more Beyonce to less Andre might change all of that!
Rating: D
