Visiting with the ghost of Amy Winehouse

Camden Town is, according to my sister, a lot like Greenwich Village-----it's edgy, funky, and a bit sketchy around the edges.  Camden has had a number of famous residents, most recently Amy Winehouse.  Amy was a great jazz-pop vocalist, whose troubled, turbulent and sometimes violent life ended 2 years ago due to alcohol poisoning.  Amy lived in Camden----and after wandering around there a bit, I can understand why.  It's an interesting mix of a lot of things-----vegan cafes, punk attire, reeeeaaaalllly interesting storefronts, some great music opportunities, and a party atmosphere.  

I wish she could have cleaned up her act, realized her own greatness, left the negative lifestyle behind and become an artist who could have endured for more than a generation.  It wasn't to be.  Her demise is something that should be a teaching moment--people often get into the romantic notions around being gifted and dying young, when they should really pay attention to the terrible loss of life and talent due to a lifestyle focused on drugs, alcohol, violence---a recipe for death.  Her ghost seems to hover over Camden. 

We went back to Camden Town today---we were there last week to see and hear Chris Coleman on the last night of his tour.  Chris is a great musician, and a lovely guy, and you should check his music out:  https://www.facebook.com/ChristopherColemanCollective

Photos:

1. Camden market shoe seller

2-5. Camden storefronts

6. Camden lock

7. Christopher Coleman