Singing genuis in need of songs

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"It's really great to be in Camden!" she proclaims from the crimson-lit stage, teetering on peep-toe platform shoes and almost wearing a tiny, black print mini-dress.

Despite acting like a premature foal revived by rum, she's backed by a band that includes a horn section and a brace of backing singers wearing pale blue Wedding Singer-style suits.

A female gig-goer is impressed - if only because Winehouse has emerged at 9.30pm. "Oooh! She's on time!" Her companion darts back: "Not very rock'n'roll, is it? And she still looks a bit thin."

And therein lies Amy's dilemma. The voluptuously voiced darling of the Ivor Novello awards three years ago, Amy has only made tabloid column inches since she dropped about four dress sizes, coupled with reports of debauched behaviour.

If this was America, she would be our Courtney-Love, only more talented and interpreting Sixties soul with lyrics to make Kurt's widow contemplate swallowing a thesaurus. A genuine singing genius, where's Amy supposed to go from here?

The way forward is clearly her new album. Where debut Frank noodled around in the sub-jazz stratosphere, her current album shows Amy's talent for proper pop songwriting - although still not at the levels she can reach.

Rehab, of course, is the song of the night - Koko is raised to its rafters. So let's have more of that, because Amy might be the biggest retro talent we know - if only she can write more songs to go with it.

Amy Winehouse
KOKO
Camden High Street, NW1 7JE