Amy Winehouse - Lioness: Hidden Treasures

[HER MINAJesty]

Jul 28 2011 8:16 PM EDT

Amy Winehouse Honored By Vibe, Janelle Monae
MTV News obtains exclusive excerpt from magazine's August/September 'Juice' issue.

By Rob Markman



Amy Winehouse's death stunned her family and friends, fans and musical comrades. While her loved ones stopped to mourn her passing, Vibe magazine stopped the presses. With an already-scheduled Kelly Rowland cover on its way to the printer, editor in chief Jermaine Hall paid homage to Winehouse with a second cover for the mag's annual August/September "Juice" issue.

Hall said he wanted to capture Winehouse's beauty on the cover, and he and his team considered 40 different photos before finally deciding on a classic black-and-white portrait shot by Mischa Richter in 2008. "We had literally 36 hours to pull it off. It was a stop-the-presses situation, obviously," Hall said. "It was a hustle, but I thought it was necessary."

As part of the magazine's editorial direction, Vibe reached out to Winehouse's producer and friend Salaam Remi and singer Janelle Monáe, who toured with Winehouse earlier this year. "Salaam was still out there because they were supposed to go to a wedding together that weekend," Hall explained. "He was with her for those last six days, so he was able to give us just incredible perspective on where she was, what kind of space she was in before everything went down."

In his interview, Remi speaks about his plans to celebrate Winehouse's September 14 birthday with rapper Nas. "For the last couple of weeks, we were video-chatting regularly," he said. "I was just talking to Nas. Both her and Nas were born on September 14, so we were going to Barbados with all of them for her birthday. She really doesn't look forward to her birthday."

For Vibe, the decision to cover Winehouse was an easy one. "When Amy hit with that second album, there was no denying that she was a Vibe artist," Hall said. "Her sound was like a mix of R&B, soul, there's some jazz in there. The way she was delivering the material, her tales of struggle, it was so clear, and it kinda felt like we were back in the '60s: the Motown era."

In an exclusive excerpt given to MTV News, Monae talks to the magazine about the first time she met Winehouse: "I was honored then, and I am now, that I had the opportunity to share the same tour and stage with Amy this year in Brazil. Each night she came out onstage, she performed effortlessly.

"At our first meeting, she was very shy, a sweet girl. Her first words to me were, 'It's so nice to meet you finally. I'm shy; you're a shy girl like me, huh?' She was so giving: She even bought me a swimming suit that she thought I'd like."

The rest of Monae's Vibe Q&A can be accessed by scanning the code on the front cover of the Amy Winehouse edition of the magazine, hitting newsstands nationwide August 16.

[Nick]

Stevie talks more about Amy:

The last minute or so.

www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent/video/Stevie-Nicks-on-the-Red-Carpet/1343610

[Deleted]

I've never liked her father but all the tabloid photos he's in show him looking all happy. He's giving me Joe Jackson vibes.

[Deleted]

14 6 AMY WINEHOUSE UNIVERSAL REPUBLIC 37,386
BACK TO BLACK
-- 33 AMY WINEHOUSE UNIVERSAL REPUBLIC 11,972
FRANK

Hits underestimated her last week so I could definetely see Back To Black going top 5 and Frank going top 30 once the billboard album chart is posted. "Frank" will definetely reach a new peak.

[Deleted]

Duets II also features one of the last recordings from the late Amy Winehouse, who sings with Bennett on the track "Body And Soul." Upon learning of her passing, Bennett released a statement saying: "Amy Winehouse was an artist of immense proportions and I am deeply saddened to learn of her tragic passing. She was an extraordinary musician with a rare intuition as a vocalist and I am truly devastated that her exceptional talent has come to such an early end. She was a lovely and intelligent person and when we recorded together she gave a soulful and extraordinary performance. I was honored to have the opportunity to sing with her. It had been my sincere hope that she would be able to overcome the issues she was battling and I send my deepest sympathy to her father Mitchell, her entire family and all of those who loved her."

fmqb.com/article.asp?id=2251897

[Deleted]

Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" unsurprisingly surges up the chart, moving up 9-4 (54,000; up 44%) after a full week's worth of sales impact following her death on Saturday, July 23. Last week's chart only reflected two days of sales after news broke of her passing. (SoundScan's tracking week ends at the close of business on Sunday.) Her earlier album, "Frank," also rallies, climbing 57-33 with 12,000 (up 58%). On the Digital Songs chart, "Rehab" rises 46-20 (66,000; up 75%) while she also re-enters with "You Know I'm No Good" (No. 52 with 32,000 -- up 76%) and "Back to Black" (No. 55 with 31,000; up 81%).

HITS underestimated "Back To Black" yet again . 17,000 is a huge difference considering the album sold below 100,000.

[Deleted]

AMY WINEHOUSE’S ‘FINAL RECORDING’ TO BE RELEASED IN SEPTEMBER

Before her untimely passing, Amy Winehouse had been writing material for her third album and had collaborated with the legendary Tony Bennett. Columbia Records will release the pair’s duet, which is being described as her “final recording,” next month with proceeds benefitting charity.

“Body and Soul” was recorded in March at Abbey Road Studios in London for Bennett’s upcoming 85th birthday album Duets II. The song will be released in September in aid of the Amy Winehouse Foundation, which was created by the late singer’s family to help a number of charities connected with children and young people.

“We wanted to make a positive difference and help a range of causes close to Amy’s heart,” stated Amy’s father, Mitch Winehouse. “This could include help for children in trouble, suffering from health problems, children’s hospices, and more.

“While it is separate from my campaign to find more help for young addicts, that may be one of the areas that Foundation contributes to. We intend to raise funds and distribute them to individual projects who apply for help. I couldn’t be happier that everyone involved with Amy and this recording felt they wanted to contribute.”

Amy considered Bennett one of her idols, so the song is a fitting tribute. “Amy was so excited to be working with Tony Bennett and really looking forward to her fans hearing this new recording,” added her father. “The fact that Amy’s voice is sounding as amazing and beautiful as ever and she is singing with the great Tony Bennett seems the most fitting tribute of all at this very difficult time.”

Duets II is due September 20 featuring “Body and Soul,” as well as collaborations with Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, and Queen Latifah.

www.rap-up.com/2011/08/04/amy-winehouses-final-recording-to-be-released-in-september

[Deleted]

According to Billboard, there is an Amy Winehouse tribute in the works for the VMAs.

[stunnedout]

uhhh.... no comment

[hidizzyguy]

I know..I kinda want VMA to have nothing to do with her. But, whatever, exposure, I guess.

[Deleted]

I heard Christina Aguilera was confirmed for that tribute too.

[Deleted]

Here's a clip of Body & Soul.

[hidizzyguy]

Chills. And I really really hope Christina has absolutely nothing to do with her tribute.

[Deleted]

AMY WINEHOUSE'S FAMILY: Singer Was NOT On Drugs When She Died

Amy Winehouse's family claims toxicology tests prove Amy was not on any sort of illegal drugs at the time of her death ... but she had been drinking.

According to the family, officials have not determined if the booze played a role in the singer's death.

The statement comes as a shock to just about everyone on the planet ... since Amy struggled with a MAJOR substance abuse problem for years.

TMZ spoke with a rep from Scotland Yard ... who told us the law enforcement agency has not yet received a copy of the toxicology results from the coroner.

Winehouse died in her London apartment on July 23.

UPDATE

7:43 AM: A rep for the family released a statement saying, "Toxicology results returned to the Winehouse family by authorities have confirmed that there were no illegal substances in Amy's system at the time of her death."

The statement continues, "Results indicate that alcohol was present but it cannot be determined as yet if it played a role in her death."

"The family would like to thank the police and coroner for their continuing thorough investigations and for keeping them informed throughout the process. They await the outcome of the inquest in October."

www.tmz.com/2011/08/23/amy-winehouse-drugs-alcohol-booze-family-toxicology-scotland-yard-system-death/

[itsaboutart]

please please let christina or lady gaga have NOTHING to do with a tribute. i actually dont think there needs to be one. and i know this is selfish but has anyone heard whether they will release the songs she was working on for her third record???

[Deleted]

Back To Black is officially the best selling album of this millenium in the UK:

3,259.100 Back To Black
3,245.118 Back To Bedlam

[Deleted]

Any new word on if they plan to release any stuff she recorded for her 3rd album?

[Deleted]

[hidizzyguy]

Haha... she seems quite alright in the singing parts.... and then she starts talking, and you're like, oh yeah, that's right..... she seems a bit off.

[Deleted]

AMY WINEHOUSE'S DAD
Rx Drug In Her System When She Died

Amy Winehouse's father claims there was one drug found in the singer's system when she died -- but he insists ... Amy had a prescription for it.

In an interview on Anderson Cooper's new talk show -- which airs Monday -- Mitch Winehouse admits Amy was taking a drug called Librium, which he describes as a drug for detoxing alcoholics.

According to Mitch, she had a prescription for it -- to help prevent seizures -- and she took one dose daily.

Unfortunately, Mitch says it didn't work like it was supposed to -- telling Anderson, he believes Amy died from an alcohol detox seizure ... and "there was nobody there to rescue her."

Mitch still insists there were ZERO illegal drugs in his daughter's system at the time of her death -- adding, "We really felt we were out of the woods. We saw the light at the end of the tunnel."

www.tmz.com/2011/09/09/amy-winehouse-father-dad-mitch-winehouse-anderson-cooper-interview-illegal-drugs-alcohol-prescription-rx-video-new-talk-show/

[Deleted]

Amy's vocals on "Body and Soul" remind me of 1950s Billie Holiday. They're worn and gritty from years of drug abuse, but there's still a gorgeous quality to them. So sad it was the last thing she ever recorded.

[Keelzit]

Sept 9, 2011 11:26:02 GMT -5 @jazzysoul47 said:

:'( :'( :'(

[Definitely High]

Check out the Amy Winehouse sample, my roomate and I did. We did it a while ago and just got it mastered, so here's the final version...the demo is also available there too. "You Know I'm No Good" was my jam for life so I had to go in on that!

www.reverbnation.com/yoyoungoriginals

[Nick]

Sept 14, 2011 13:09:05 GMT -5 @jazzysoul47 said:

Amy's vocals on "Body and Soul" remind me of 1950s Billie Holiday. They're worn and gritty from years of drug abuse, but there's still a gorgeous quality to them. So sad it was the last thing she ever recorded.

Agreed. I had no desire to buy the Tony Bennett album in full, but I bought these 3 duets: Amy, Gaga, Mariah.

[Deleted]

Official cause of death was alcohol poisoning.

www.cnn.com/2011/10/26/world/europe/uk-winehouse-inquest/index.html

[SHOOTER]

Still heartbreaking.

[Gray.]

Not surprising, but still tragic.

[Nick]

Lioness: Hidden Treasures

Today it’s been announced that on the 5th December, “Lioness: Hidden Treasures“, the third album from Amy Winehouse, without question one of the most talented, original, and best loved artists to emerge in popular music for decades, will be released through Island Records.

Following her tragic passing in July, some of the producers and musicians who worked closely with Amy Winehouse, among them Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi, spent time listening over the many recordings that Amy had made, before, during, and after the release of “Frank” and “Back To Black”. It was said by all who worked with Amy that she never sang or played a song the same way twice. It quickly became apparent to Salaam and Mark that they had a collection of songs that deserved to be heard, a collection of songs that were a fitting testament to Amy the artist and, as importantly, Amy their friend.

The 12 track collection features previously unreleased tracks, alternate versions of existing classics as well as a couple of brand new Amy compositions, and has been compiled by long-time musical partners Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson in close association with Amy’s family, management and record label Island Records. “Lioness : Hidden Treasures” proves a fitting tribute to the artist, the talent and the woman and serves as a reminder of Amy’s extraordinary powers as a songwriter, a singer and an interpreter of classics.

The full tracklisting is as follows:

“Our Day Will Come (Reggae Version)” – reggae re-working of classic 60’s doo wop song produced by Salaam Remi. Recorded May 2002.

“Between The Cheats” – new Amy composition recorded in London in May 2008 for potential inclusion on album three produced by Salaam Remi.

“Tears Dry” – originally written by Amy as a ballad, this is the original version she recorded in November 2005 in Miami with Salaam. The later uptempo version appears on “Back To Black”.

“Wake Up Alone” – the first song recorded for the “Back To Black” sessions. This is the one-take demo recorded in March 2006 by Paul O’Duffy.

“Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” – Amy’s beautiful reading of the Carole King written Shirelles classic. Produced by Mark Ronson and featuring the Dap Kings with string arrangements by Chris Elliott who did all the strings for Mark’s tracks on “Back To Black”. Recorded in September 2004.

“Valerie” - one of Amy’s jukebox favourites. This is the original slower tempo version of the Mark Ronson produced post “Back To Black” single. Recorded in December 2006.

“Like Smoke” featuring NAS – Amy and Nas became really good friends after Amy name checked the New York rapper on “Back To Black’s” “Me & Mr Jones”. “Like Smoke” is finally Amy doing a song with one of her favourite artists. Produced by Salaam Remi. Recorded in May 2008.

“The Girl From Ipanema” – the first song the 18 year old Amy sang when she first went to Miami to record with Salaam. Salaam remarked that “the way she re-interpreted this bossa nova classic made me realise that I was dealing with a very special talent. Her approach to the song was so young and fresh, it really inspired the rest of our sessions.” Recorded in May 2002.

“Halftime” - Amy had talked to Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson of the Roots about working together. “Halftime” is a song that Amy and Salaam had worked on since the Frank sessions. The result is beautiful. Recorded in August 2002.

“Best Friends” – “Frank” era live set opener produced by Salaam Remi. Probably the first song that early Amy fans would have heard live. Recorded in February 2003.

“Body & Soul” with Tony Bennett - cover of 30’s jazz standard with hero Tony Bennett. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios London in March 2011 and produced by Phil Ramone. Amy’s final studio recording.

“A Song For You” - heartbreaking and emotional version of the Leon Russell classic made famous by Donny Hathaway. Hathaway was Amy’s all-time favourite artist and the song was recorded in one take, just Amy and her guitar, at her home in London during the spring of 2009 as she battled her demons.
Produced by Salaam Remi.

www.amywinehouse.com/

[Deleted]

Wow. That's so soon. Most of these songs have already been released in one form or another though.

[Deleted]

I can't believe that's all they could cobble together.