Less than six months after Amy Winehouse’s tragic death, fans were able to listen to one last album dedicated to her legacy and life. “Lioness: Hidden Treasures” is a perfect yet subtle story of Amy Winehouse’s legacy and talents all compiled into one extraordinary album.

Jazz, R&B and soul are mixed into Winehouse’s last album, creating sounds that only she could have produced. Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Winehouse used that to her advantage and was able to tour and become a world-wide star, not only in Europe, but also in the U.S.

“Lioness: Hidden Treasures” is filled with artists and other collaborators such as Tony Bennett, Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi. Most of the tracks on Winehouse’s last album were either original recordings produced solely by Winehouse, or alternative versions of past songs that she recreated with a different twist.

One of Winehouse’s popular songs, “Valerie,” made its début early in her career, but on her final album, she had been holding onto a different version that she had messed around with in the studio. On this album, “Valerie” is played with blues and soul pertinent to the ’60s, making it a nice transition on the overall album.

Even though Winehouse’s success was sometimes dismayed due to her personal struggles and addiction, the inner battle Winehouse faced was portrayed in songs on her final album, such as “Wake Up Alone” and “Our Day Will Come.” Both of these tracks leave you with a sense that Winehouse was at times ready to leave this world, but wanted to make sure her dedicated fans had a final extraordinary album to remember her by.

Remember Winehouse not by the personal struggles she faced, but by her talents of giving listeners the pleasures of soul, blues and R&B. This album will make you wonder where Winehouse would have been able to take her remarkable talents if her life had continued.

Tune into KSLC 90.3 FM for an exclusive sneak peak of Amy Winehouse’s final album, “Lioness: Hidden Treasures.” You can also listen online at www.linfield.edu/kslcfm or stream the station on iTunes.

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Haydn Nason/KSLC 90.3 FM
Haydn Nason can be reached at  [email protected].