Update: Bad news for Amy Winehouse is good news for James Bond

The news this weekend that Amy Winehouse would not, in all likelihood, be recording the theme song for the upcoming James Bond film was disappointing in that it again turned the focus away from the British singer's music and onto her personal life.

This Associated Press story quotes Winehouse producer Mark Ronson as stating that the soul revivalist is "not ready" to record any music, a comment that seems to have been disputed by Winehouse's press team. Other stories claim to quote an unnamed Winehouse rep as saying the reason Winehouse won't record the theme for "Quantum of Solace" is a result of artistic differences.

An official statement from Winehouse's U.S. rep implies that Winehouse and Ronson couldn't agree on the song. "Mark had presented a track to Amy but she had other ideas about the direction it should take. She’s always made her own decisions about her music. Needless to say, this is part of the process between artist and producer and we're sure they will continue to make great music together."

But regardless of the reason, it is indeed a shame that Winehouse's career continues to play out in the tabloids. Getting a healthy Winehouse back in the studio could potentially quiet the tales of drug abuse and police run-ins that dominate headlines about her.

Nevertheless, the Grammy darling, no matter your take on her music, was still the wrong choice for "Quantum of Solace."

While tapping Winehouse could be seen as a risk, she was actually a risk-free, obvious choice, her music steeped so much in the soul of the '60s and '70s that Winehouse can sometimes look as if she's playing a part. To compare her with a former Bond songstress, Winehouse is Shirley Bassey with a rebel's streak. It's hard to imagine Winehouse crafting anything that didn't sound a bit like a rip on Bassey's own "Diamonds Are Forever." In fact, much of Winehouse's 2007 album "Back to Black" does.

So there's no doubt that Winehouse could have crafted a perfectly acceptable Bond theme, as any of the songs on "Back to Black" would have fit in comfortably with the jazzy Bond songs of the '70s. They're dapper and sexy and attempt to exploit a sort of vintage coolness, and that's the problem.

Check her 2008 Grammy appearance. Stripped of all the drama as to whether she would appear, Winehouse and her black cocktail dress could be dropped 20 to 30 years in the past and no one would be the wiser. Indeed, the song "You Know I'm No Good" comes complete with a reference to former Bond man Roger Moore.

But 2006's Bond film "Casino Royale" marked a change in direction for the series. It was a Bond less concerned with the kind of retro charm that Winehouse is steeped in. Although some here in the office would argue that "Casino Royale" saw 007 copping a few moves from Jason Bourne, it was nevertheless a sleeker, tougher, more modern Bond, and one less concerned with where the films had already gone ("Casino Royale" essentially restarts the Bond myth).

A Winehouse song opening the new Bond film would be a step backward for the new Daniel Craig Bond flicks, a nod to a period when the Bond films where championing Bassey, Louis Armstrong and Carly Simon, among others. Winehouse's music essentially celebrates playing a game of dress-up, and a case could be made that it easily fits within the constraints of the Bond formula -- the formula of the pre-"Casino Royale" Bond films.

"Casino Royale," we hope, began a new Bond trend -- redefining the series so it's one that's less concerned with tradition.*

* Note: That doesn't mean allowing a Madonna to pander to now-outdated pop trends.

A better alternative:

The best choice for the job, while still staying on a soul-music tip, would be Gnarls Barkley, who could bring an appropriate sense of outlandish grandeur to the tune. Through its two albums, the electro-soul duo has shown an ability to add orchestral flourishes and modern accessories without sounding indebted to an era or obsessed with the latest sounds.

Photo: Getty Images / NARAS

Comments

[Ted]

Sometimes you get to a point you just quit feeling sorry for someone. AmyW would be a major risk to any serious business agreement.

There a lot of talented singers out there that would love to be where Amy is. She's on a path to self-destruction and is just throwing it all away. I wish SHE would just go away.

[DS9Sisko]

So, um, when DID you hear the never written song for 'Quantum of Solace' to know that Winehouse was "the wrong choice" and that she'd ape Shirley Bassey...having never heard the song, that is?

Have you even listened to "Back to Black"? It's far more Shirelles than anything that resembles Shirley.

[Ruud]

Hi, I like your article, not knowing Amy's music (yes, there still appear to be some out there). About Diamonds Are Forever. This was not written by Shirley Bassey, which "Bassey's own" appears to imply, but John Barry. So one should compare Amy's style to his?

[Mac Ambo]

Nonetheless, she's a fool to have let this slipped by her - as if a crackhead could really appreciate the value. Her 10 million in assets could be gone in as many years - providing she lasts as long, Sadly the grip of addiction is managing her choices in just about everything she does nowadays.

[Bond Fan]

This is very most irreatation. Is she or she not Doing the song for Quantum of Solace. If not Eon should move with some else.

[Pat Geiger]

I wish someone would get rid of that "trash" all together.

[K. Bowen]

Casino Royale, while a new direction, had a lot of retro to it. I think the same can be said for Winehouse.

That said, Radiohead would be a great choice. The new Bond film is allegedly about his isolation, and what band does isolation better? Qunatum of Solace practically sounds like their next album title.

[daniel]

Shes HOT, extremely talented, and dirty. complete debauchery. I love her. Stick and stay Amy!

[Greg]

Just bring back Chris Cornell! Plain and simple.

[Moonraker]

It's time for Bassey to return....check out last years "The Living Tree" the greatest Bond theme that never was!.Shirley Bassey means B O N D>

[Joanne]

ARE YOU COMPLETELY NUTS???? Don't make me laugh. All you "critics" are just blowing hot air. Have you even watched a JB movie or even get what they are all about???
Amy is the quintessencial
voice for a JB movie. She is everything I enjoy in a JB movie, and I have seen every one many, many times. Starting with the very first (when it first was released). I know JB like nobody's business. Some of us "Old timers" know what a good movie really is.

JB movies not only stretch the imagination of technology but they still keep the "Slickness" of those old "Spy" movies. Amy fits the genre perfectly.
If you don't believe me, watch, "On Her Majesty's Secrect Service", "Live & Let Die", and "For Your Eyes Only". The BEST of the Bonds.
In My Well Versed Opinion. ha

[trash]

I think its a good point you made about not falling back - but going in a new direction. It's probably tempting to choose her because of her bondi-sh style.
I hope to see (- and hear) more of the new direction. If she could have mastered that issue is now open - I think it could have been interesting.

- about getting rid of that trash all together - you mean music and movies?

[Ben From France]

Bring back a big name in to the world of Bond. Not a temporary populair person, but an icon. Chris cornell, please no...
Or a great instrumental thing like in OHMSS. Perhaps, Tina, Shirley, again? Or Grace jones like she did for The Av engers... Keep it in style please!!! Keep it Bond.

[phil]

Roger Moore is a music critic who trashed her album. Not James Bond. Are you people idiots?

[Jezebel]

Since Amy Wino is in no shape to make music, I think Goldfrapp would make for the perfect replacement. Their music on Felt Mountain sounded like it would have been perfect for a Bond film.

[qwiggles]

I second Radiohead. Both "Down Is the New Up" and "Bangers and Mash" on cd 2 of In Rainbows have a distinctly Bond-ian flavour. And they've already done a smashing cover of "Nobody Does It Better."