Amy Winehouse's death this past July was one of the year's most depressing losses in the music industry. With vamped cat-eyes, red lips, Monroe piercing and an unforgettable beehive, there's a reason why Winehouse remains a musical icon in the minds of fans and observers.
Images
Her posthumous album, "Lioness: Hidden Treasures," only adds to her legacy as an accomplished artist. A compilation of previously unreleased tracks handpicked by long-time producers Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi, "Lioness" arrives only three months after Winehouse's death from alcohol poisoning. A blend of blues, bebop, R&B, jazz, Motown and '60s soul and harmony, "Lioness" could have been a scattered anthology because of its impromptu construction. Instead, it's a nostalgic tribute to of one of the most talented singers of our generation.
Winehouse left little in the vault of unheard lullabies to salvage after her sudden death. Among the few hidden treasures, the album features recordings Winehouse recorded before she finished her debut album, "Frank," that are tracked alongside songs from the Grammy-winning "Back to Black," like "Tears Dry On Their Own" and "Wake Up Alone."
Belting verses of heartbreak and freely improvising is Winehouse's MO, and this album is no different. "Lioness" includes three incredible covers, all of which show the artist at the peak of her game. "Valerie ('68 Version)," a Zutons song, is a slow-tempo mix to her retro-soul rendition that is far better than the Zutons' original. Her "Body and Soul" duet with Tony Bennett is nothing we haven't heard, but it's always good for another listen. Last but not least, the 1960's Shirelles' classic "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" is one of the best songs on "Lioness." It's hard to imagine anything better than this vintage-pop hit, but this cover does a good job of measuring up to one of the most iconic '60s oldies.
"Lioness" is full of sadness and joy, up until the final track of the album (and likely the final track of Winehouse's career). "A Song for You" is one of the only brand new tracks on the album, and it is clear from the first verse that Winehouse's skill and composure is unraveling. It is an ode to the volatile, drug-fueled relationship with her ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil — a symptom of her declining state.
On this troublesome track, Winehouse swoons between her own slurs and a soft jazz ensemble, "I've acted out my love in stages/ With 10,000 people watching/ But we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you." The songwriting is beautiful, but her words are hardly distinguishable. The chorus is the most striking given the circumstances of her death: "I love you in a place where there's no space or time/ I love you for in my life you are a friend of mine/ And when my life is over/ Remember when we were together."
After experiencing a breathtaking voice that breaks your heart and warms it at the same time, there's nothing left to say except that much is lost and will be missed. "Lioness" captures this contradiction in full; it's a great listen that leaves you wanting more.
