Lioness: Hidden Treasures (International Version) [Explicit]

Amy Winehouse | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: December 6, 2011
• Release Date: December 6, 2011
• Label: Universal (UC)
• Copyright: (C) 2011 Universal Island Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited Licensed exclusively to Universal Republic Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc. 1755 Broadway, New York, N.Y.
• Record Company Required Metadata: Music file contains unique purchase identifier. Learn more.
• Total Length: 45:13
• Genres:
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• ASIN: B006FS22Y8
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (121 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #290 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)
  • #12 in MP3 Downloads > MP3 Albums > R&B

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A passionate, soulful affair., December 6, 2011

By 

giucaz (London) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lioness: Hidden Treasures (Audio CD)

"Lioness" consists of 12 previously unreleased archive recordings and alternate takes, compiled by long-time friends and producers including Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson, in the wake of her death this July, aged just 27.
In the wrong hands, this might have been a slapdash collection, but "Lioness" is presented with genuine tenderness and it never paints Winehouse as a tragic diva stereotype.
The focus, quite rightly, is her vocal talent - not just its soulful power but also its stylistic range. And while there's an obvious melancholy in hearing Winehouse's tones again, there's also dreamy warmth, demonstrated by the opening reggae version of "Our Day Will Come" (originally by 1960s group Ruby & The Romantics Our Day Will Come: Very Best of).
Some of these tracks predate Winehouse's 2003 debut album, "Frank": there's her jazzy teenage take on "The Girl From Ipanema" and the arguable stand-out, elegant original soul melody "Halftime" (dating back to 2002).
Her casual charm and command elevates the familiar covers, whether it's The Shirelles' "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" or another reworking of The Zutons' "Valerie".
There are also curious collaborations: Like "Smoke" is infused with Nas's rap homage to his Camden 'homie', while Winehouse's final studio recording is "Body & Soul", a vintage jazz cut with 85 year old crooner Tony Bennett.
Essentially, the material on "Lioness" should have been a foundation, not a memorial, but it feels like a passionate affair.
The end notes are sweet, full of unmistakeable personality and resonance. A Haider

The Best Of The Shirelles
Tired of Hanging Around

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars So sad, such a waste, January 20, 2012

By 

Alan A. Elsner "Alan Elsner, author" (Washington DC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Lioness: Hidden Treasures (Audio CD)

Listening to this recording is such a bitter-sweet experience. Amy Winehouse had the voice and the musical talent to build a career for the ages. Unlike so many pop divas, her genius was built to last. She could have become an Ella Fitzgerald-like figure -- a towering icon. If only. If only the self-destructive part of her psyche could have been brought under control. You read the liner notes of this CD and you see the photos of the intrinsically lovely but deeply damaged person -- you see the signs of personal destructiveness on her body. And you sigh for what might have been.

I don't think this was Amy's best work. I didn't love all the arrangements. But it shouldn't have mattered. She should have had many years to do better and better, to nurture and grow that talent, to fulfill that huge potential.

What I do like about the choice of music is the way she was consciously placing herself as a link in the chain of a grand musical tradition. There are songs here from the 1930s, from the 1950s and 1960s -- and brand new compositions. There are really lovely moments. Even the failures are interesting. You can tell she thought about this music and engaged fully with it.

What a terrible pity.

46 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A mixed bag, December 6, 2011

By 

Nick Dangerous (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lioness: Hidden Treasures (Audio CD)

Considering the impact of 2006's instant classic Back to Black I don't think many would have thought they'd still be waiting for a follow up in 2011. In the years between the two albums Amy became a drug user and by 2008 at age 24 was diagnosed with emphysema as a result of smoking crack cocaine, cannabis & tobacco. Images of Amy on drugs from 2008 onwards were grim. Weight drained with sunken cheeks she looked like a completely different person to the happy curvaceous Frank singer of 2003.

Amid stories of bar fights and substance abuse eventually reports of new music trickled through. In October 2009 Island Records co-president Darcus Beese claimed- `I've heard a couple of song demos that have absolutely floored me', while Amy stated in July 2010 that a new album similar in sound to BtB would be released by 2011. Throughout 2010 Universal had kept several London studios open around the clock incase Amy would want to record. However following her death most reports indicated studio sessions had been sporadic and the bulk of new material left behind consisted of demos. Amy's passing was not a surprise but it was a shock and ultimately disappointing as we'd never get a third album from this prodigal songstress as intended.

For the release of Lioness: Hidden Treasures Salem Remi, Mark Ronson & co have compiled a career spanning collection of material consisting of Frank/BtB demos, multiple covers and a couple of new tracks. In short this is not the mock up third album of all new material fans were hoping for, although it appears only two new songs were completed so perhaps this is as close as we're going to get. Being a shameless cash grab aimed at the Christmas market it is as you would expect a mixed offering, but more than anything this collection highlights the diversity of Amy's music both vocally and stylistically.

'Between the Cheats' (2008) a Doo-wop inspired number and one of the tracks most likely to have appeared on a third album is an undisputed highlight. It shuffles along in somber/soulful fashion with an awesome chorus you can't help but sing along to. You get the sense the vocals could have been a guide track as some of the lines seem slightly muffled. That aside BTC ranks alongside anything off BtB. 'Tears Dry' (2005) on paper looks like an needless addition but with a slowed tempo and original arrangement in lieu of the Gaye/Terrell sample it's effectively a completely different song and arguably better than the 'original' version.

Other highlights include new song 'Like Smoke' (2008) which finds Amy swapping verses with her favourite rapper Nas, Frank era leftover 'Best Friends, Right?' & 1930's Jazz standard 'Body and Soul' recorded in March of this year with another of her musical heros- Tony Bennet (originally appearing on his Duets II album). On the flip side demos of BtB tracks we've all heard a million times such as 'Wake Up Alone' & 'Valerie' are unessesary and feel like they're included to make up the numbers while Mark Ronson's posthumously added production to tracks such as 'Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow' feels forced and ham-fisted.

The final song is a cover of the Leon Russell classic 'A Song For You' made famous by Donny Hathaway. Recorded by Salem Remi in 2009 at Amy's home while she was reportedly under the influence of heroin. This is not Amy at her best but the performances' failings actually add an extra layer of emotion that elevate this to become one of her most powerful songs, and it's inclusion while somewhat controversial paints the full picture of who she was within the scope of her music by showing her at her best And worst. To conclude If you're a fan this is an essential purchase full of rarities and gems which occasionally rival Frank & BtB.