I was fascinated by the music of Amy Winehouse. Once I started diving into her influences which include jazz vocalists Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Sarah Vaughan, and especially Dinah Washington, I wanted to challenge myself and write songs, imagining what would happen if those singers made a hip hop soul record.

One difficulty I had while listening to Amy, is that she mumbled her words, and forced the jazz vibrato. While listening to Frank and Dinah, I learned a lot about vibrato control (for that style of singing), as well as enunciating the words! So when I covered this song from Winehouse’ first album, I wanted to channel a hint of Frank and Dinah, while taking an Ella (Fitzgerald)/ Sarah approach in the scat singing.

The fake sample of the Nas song “Made You Look” wasn’t looped, and was played live from start to finish. Every instrument except the guitar or flute were played on the Korg Grandstage 88. The drums and congas are from Sonar’s Session Drummer’s library, and the fake trumpet and saxophone solos were from Garritan’s Jazz and Big Band library.

Recreating Amy’s approach to playing jazz guitar was kind of a challenge: less harmonious like Joe Pass, and more like written chord charts. I wanted to make my flute solo more expressive than the original, and it was just fun!!!

Hope you like this cover.

In My Bed - Amy Winehouse Cover

You can now purchase Rachel's solo albums "Bigger on the Inside" (2021), "Going Somewhere" (2018), and "Listen" (2016) along with "3x2," Rachel's collaboration EP with Michael Sadler of Saga!

From the first moment she touched the piano, Rachel Flowers has been consumed by music. Like a sponge she has spent her life absorbing every kind of music she encounters. This channel is her outlet where she gets to play, creating covers of the music she loves, and sharing that music with the world.

Now you can also hear Rachel's original music! Just visit shop.rachelflowersmusic.com

In My Bed - Amy Winehouse Cover

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