If "Lioness: Hidden Treasures" was a discotheque, it would be dark, ardent, souful and its air would be smothered in cigarette smoke.
The posthumous compilation album by the English singer was released on December 2, 2011 under Island Records and it's a heartbreaking listen, simply because the breadth of her talent reminds us all just how tragic a loss her death was.
Coming home
"Lioness: Hidden Treasures" was publicised as Winehouse's third album, with more than half of the album's tracks being covers.
The first track, "Our Day Will Come", a cover of the number one hit in 1963 for Ruby & The Romantics, is painful to listen to, knowing that the day she sings of will never come to fruition. Despite its optimistic intention, it delivers a sombre energy with the help of backing vocalists and the gusts of the trumpet.
One of Lioness's fiercest tracks is "Between the Cheats", with the introduction of whistling and a piano that is propelled forward by Winehouse's incredible vocal stylings and phrasing: "I would die before I divorce ya. I'd take a thousand thumps for my love. 'Cause you kissed a lucky horseshoe. Stuck it in my boxing glove."
Her delivery conjures images of a 1950s formal dance.
Many of the tracks are covers, however, some are different enough to stand out.
An original recording of "Tears Dry on Their Own" is slower than the version heard on "Back to Black" and it is more direct.
As strong as Back to Black
You don't have to search for Lioness's hidden treasures as you will find them in "Half Time", which is as strong as anything on Back to Black. An early recording of "Valerie", "The girl from Ipanema is sweet, girlish and offers a cafe-styled sound.
An early recording of "Wake up Alone" is present. It's slower, soaked in a jazz arrangement which allows more lyrical emotion to creep through. "I stay up clean the house. At least I'm not drinking. Run around just so I don't have to think about thinking. That silent sense of content.That everyone gets. Just disappears soon as the sun sets."
Contrary to other reports, "Body and Soul" is a classic and smooth piece moving both voices in harmony. The last track is "A Song for You" and it is echoingly haunting. Again, Winehouse's phrasing and the way she cuts words off at the very end is amazingly souful and adds to the song's themes.
There are a few missteps: "Will you Still Love me Tomorrow" is destroyed by the stampede of marching band instruments and would have worked better as an acoustic cover. The pairing with rapper Nas on "Like Smoke" lacks harmony with the rest of the album, and "Best Friends, Right?" doesn't work either.
Verdict - Does Lioness stand as boldly as Frank and Back to Black?
As a whole it isn't as strong as Back to Black, but her unique voice and lyrics are what set her apart: mischievous, cheeky, honest, and raw, they breathed new life into an industry that often celebrates the mediorce.
There is no doubt that Amy Winehouse was heavily influenced by jazz, and soul of the 1960s. However, her writing ability took her to a level of artistic individualism most musical acts will never achieve. With most of "Lioness: Hidden Treasures" being cover songs, that lyrical talent isn't present.
But her voice will blow one's mind, the familiar songs are still thrilling, and the new tunes are mostly classic.
Aden Miles - Aden is a journalist, writer and artist with a passion for music, food and telling people's stories.
