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Amy Winehouse Performing At St. Lucia Jazz 2009
First of all I must apologise for the late post today, as I had to sort thru over 1000 images shot last night…
Now I have seen a lot of concerts in my life but last nights St. Lucia Jazz with Amy Winehouse was the most disturbing performance I have ever witnessed and the pictures here don’t even begin to tell the story.
Winehouse was at times incoherent, off-key, appeared to forget her lines and seemed to be in some sort of a stupor…
And I thought to myself: "How tragic" then asked the question "Is failure the ultimate price that one might pay for what is perceived as success?"
More Amy Winehouse
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Winehouses’ performance came to an abrupt end when she walked off the stage…mid song…never to return!
Then after a lenghty set change Kassav came on and quite simply Blew The Crowd Away
Now while most of my English speaking friends may know nothing of this group just about everyone who is French know of Kassav.
To get a feel for there music just think Earth Wind & Fire, speed up the tempo, include some beautiful girls and the Regal Jocelyne Beroard, add the classic French sophisticated sensuality and imagine the treat that everyone who attended the show enjoyed last night.
I was absolutely amazed when a lady with a distinct British accent said to me "Praise the Lord for Kassav after the disater before them, then proceeded to sing along word for word (in French) to Kassav’s songs!
…And the pictures you see here are just the tip of the iceberg. I hope you enjoy them.
Kassav The inventors of Zouk
The Regal Jocelyne Beroard
Lead Vocalist Jean-Philippe Marthély
Jean-Claude Naimro
Thanks to Maiwenn for telling me the names of the guys here
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on May 9th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Hi there Kirk,
Kassav sure is legend to French, and internationally known and appreciated ! Nice pics there and good sounds !
So the first lead vocal picture up here is Jean-Philippe Marthély, and the second one is Jean-Claude Naimro.
Glad to see it overpassed Amy Winehouse in her neverending fall.
Take care !
(P.S : Kassavs 30 years news : http://www.kassav30ans.com/kassav30ans.htm )
on May 9th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
So Sad!
on May 10th, 2009 at 2:03 am
Yeah, such a tragic reminder that fame & fortune can’t buy peace & happiness…maybe because they are priceless…
on May 10th, 2009 at 2:04 am
Thanks for the names Maiwenn…Now I can add them
on May 10th, 2009 at 2:35 am
It is tragic but can you blame it on fame? I think some people would be a mess whether rich or poor.
on May 10th, 2009 at 2:55 am
Hey Gwen, Always good to hear you!! I think that fame & fortune can be a catalyst causing a warped delusional sense of invincibility to set in where the celebrity thinks that there’s a different rule for them.
Sobriety House is one of my favorite shows because I am fascinated by how fame and fortune derails all these famous people who we consider more fortunate
on May 10th, 2009 at 4:13 am
[...] Original post by St. Lucia Weddings by St. Lucia Photographer Kirk Elliott [...]
on May 10th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Why on earth was Amy Winehouse even given the chance to headline as such an important event. I am not disputing that her last album was a runaway success but this girl has some serious issues and as such has no business being allowed to perform in public. I sure hope she gets the help she needs for her problems sooner rather than later.
on May 10th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Like you I disagreed with having Winehouse on this year’s St. Lucia Jazz ticket and if it weren’t for Kassav’s sterling performance I would have wanted a refund and compensation for being exposed to that spectacle…(Oh I almost forgot – I can’t claim a refund since I have a Press Pass!)
Maybe the powers that be felt that Bad Publicity is good publicity, or that she would draw a crowd of people hoping to see St. Lucia’s positive influence on her…or who knows what else…
However I think that the biggest salute must go to her band who had to perform under rather adverse conditions with Amy in the role of lead. Special kudoos are also due to her backup vocalists who worked hard to defend her honour.
All I too can say is: May Amy get the help she desperately needs before its too late for her to be helped.
on May 12th, 2009 at 1:13 am
Amy…Amy…Amy…It’s so so sad…God bless her…before its too late.
She’s a wonderful artist with a wonderful voice…
on May 12th, 2009 at 10:20 am
So poignantly said.
on May 12th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Hallelujah ! Such a talented womand but she is so lost. She went through a short course of rehab but she is way too far up that road. And with her husband in jail, that can’t help. Her familiy’s love does not seem to be enough for her to beat the addiction. My heart bleads.
But I am glad that Kassav’ followed on as this might have opened the doors for them to greater things in the UK. They are known by a few, but not enough. It is a tough audience but hopefully people now will see what they are missing.
And I am so happy that I am going to be counted amongst the revellers at their 30th Anniversary at the Stade de France. Can’t wait!
on May 12th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Well said Catherine about Kassav coming on after Winehouse. It’s such a pity with the language barrier that more english speakers are unable to appreciate the beauty of Kassav’s music.
Do enjoy their 30th birthday party in a few days time…I envy you!!!
on May 15th, 2009 at 12:08 am
Greetings Kirk
Great photos. Do you have any of Allison Marquis please? I found your website by accident and I am glad I did. Thanks
Many of the artistes whose music we have enjoyed for decades have used some sort of drug some have even died of ODs. It was inevitable that it would be “in our face” one day considering our dealings with international artistes. It took 18 years now it has finally happened we can’t handle it. Well I say learn from it and move on.
You know what, the foreign media not giving us “bad press” but some of us seem to enjoy/gloat/revel and give ourselves more negativity than Amy ever could.
The great performances of our local performers have been overshadowed by this Amy incident and it is really a sad indictment on our local folks. I would really like to hear rave reviews on people like Allyson , Barbara, Boo, Miguel, Nicole, Shane,Tennyson etc.
Blessed Love Kirk
on May 15th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Hi Ulynder,
Thank you for that poignant missive. Sometimes when situations like this are presented smack dab in our faces it can give us pause to reflect that we may not be as bad off as we think.
Problem though is will we as a people see the bigger picture? It is for exactly this reason that I give this blog post the title that it bears.
Peace,
Kirk
on May 16th, 2009 at 4:24 am
Ulynder,
BTW I will be posting Allison Marquis’ photos so do stay tuned!
on May 31st, 2009 at 11:57 pm
St Lucia has been very good to Amy and here was her big chance to give back and she blew it. I am having a hard time sticking up for her talent
because people frankly can’t even remember how good she is, its been too long since we heard her beautiful voice. Have to go into the archives of you tube to truly appreciate Amy.
on Jun 1st, 2009 at 12:32 am
I was right at the front of the stage and the pictures don’t even begin to show the extent of the disaster that was. It was particularly heart wrenching when I listened to a young lady say that it was just too painful to watch Winehouse in the obvious stupor that she was in. As I posted, that was my lowest low of ever watching an artiste perform and I have to say that fame and fortune can exact a really heavy toll when left unchecked and allowed to run amuck