Amy Winehouse's new album inspired by 'The Wizard of Oz'

Aug 18, 2008, 10:15 GMT

A file photograph dated 28 June 2008 shows British singer songwriter Amy Winehouse on stage at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, west England. Winehouse was taken to University College Hospital in London on 28 July 2008. EPA/FRANTZESCO KANGARIS *** Local Caption *** 00000401398846

Amy Winehouse's new album is inspired by 'The Wizard of Oz'.

The troubled singer has become obsessed with the 1939 musical film, and is using it as the basis for her upcoming LP - the follow up to Grammy award-winning second album 'Back to Black'.

The new record will reportedly feature samples from the original songs and film score, and will draw heavily on its storyline.

A friend told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "She loves the surreal look, sound and score. One of her new songs heavily samples the theme tune and the soundtrack and score will be a theme running throughout the record.

"It's really interesting, if a little bizarre, but I suppose that's what you would expect from her at the moment."

'The Wizard of Oz' follows the adventures of a young girl called Dorothy who is swept away to a mysterious foreign land in a tornado. She embarks upon a quest to find the Wizard of Oz in her attempt to get home, accompanied by her dog and characters she meets along the way including a lion, a scarecrow and a tin man.

Amy, 24, is believed to be working tirelessly to complete her third album, because she wants it ready by the time her husband Blake Fielder-Civil is released from jail.

Blake is currently serving a 27-month sentence for grievous bodily harm and attempting to pervert the course of justice, but could be released by December 30.

Meanwhile, Amy got mixed reviews for her two performances at the V Festival in England this weekend. She was 20 minutes late for her Saturday (16.08.08) show in Staffordshire, which was met with some boos from the crowd.

However, her Sunday performance (17.08.08) in Essex, Southern England, was met with a more positive response, despite unsubstantiated rumours circulating backstage she had been arrested the previous evening.