REVIEW: AMY WINEHOUSE-LIONESS: HIDDEN TREASURES

3.5/5

Amy's legacy lives on.

Just months after great British singer/songwriter Amy Winehouse's tragic death comes her posthumous album. Still, fans needn't worry. This isn't another case of people cashing in like with the case of Michael Jackson post-death merchandising. Instead this is more like rapper Tupac's post-death releases. With her producer partners manning the boards, 'Lioness: Hidden Treasures' continues this sublime singers lasting legacy that still has so much to give after a short life, much like the late, great Shakur. Mark Ronson, Salaam Remi and Amy's family have done great work in producing a cohesive, concise collection for this album.

Like 'Body and Soul', the classic collaboration with iconic crooner Tony Bennett that was her last work but also her greatest. Standing and singing proudly next to a real legend she bares her all and it's worthy of the Grammy award that should in all rightness come with the nomination. She struck a chord and touched Bennett's heart and soul and it's clear to hear on this beautiful, traditional record. This delightful duet was meant to happen.

The second and third singles ('Our Day Will Come' and 'Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow') are further examples of Amy's greatness. They prove that not only did she sing like a throwback of blues singers from decades back, but that she wrote like them too. This is further evident on the creative and tongue-in-cheek titled 'Between The Cheats' or the haunting 'Like Smoke'. This collaboration with Remi's frequent collaborator and friend Nas has the legendary makings of the iconic rapper and our singers status. As Winehouse's spirit lingers on the track, she hums; "Like smoke, I hung around in the unbalance/Whoa, ohhhh", while Nas exhales rhyme totes that take this track higher, rapping; "Y’all know the story, y’all know the commentary/I kick the narrative, this is legendary/The good Samaritan, hood thespian/Like a polygamist, with a twist." Another duet leads to another classic.

Just like when Amy beautifully covers the classic 'The Girl from Ipanema' but with a cool, modern twist. Or Leon Russell's 'A Song For You', which Amy owns and wears with pride, before ending with a nice tribute to soul legend Donny Hathaway. This is the perfect closer to a fitting album that opens up new favourites like the perfect blues number 'Wake Up Alone', the love tormented lament 'Best Friends, Right?', or the Remi produced 'Half Time'. Still the 'Hidden Treasures' really hit gold on the movingly, blues beautiful 'Tears Dry On Their Own', which evokes all the purity and pain of Winehouse's songwriting art. The 'Lioness' also reveals more of her pride on the perfect ''68 Version' of Mark Ronson's 'Valerie', which is stripped down to it's bare, beautiful essentials and in some way is better than the original.

Sure after the classic 'Back To Black' and Winehouse's incredible career this album has a tough act to follow. Still this album shows it has the strength. Who knows how Amy would have wrote this chapter of her career if she was still here. Still with her friends and family handling creative control it probably would have sounded a lot like this and this is what it's important. It's not just Amy's legacy that is kept on record here, it's her dignity too. You couldn't imagine a tribute more beautiful. Even with her passing she says it best herself. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

ALBUM SELECT OF THE WEEK: ALICIA KEYS-AS I AM

This year saw the release of the '10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition' of this woman's worthwhile, classic debut and from 'Songs in A Minor' to 'Element Of Freedom' and other diary entries Miss Keys really has had the talents to help her become one of the best singer/songwriters of current and all time. Still 'As I Am' was the album that the R&B star was at her most seriously, sincere soulful self. The hot, lead single 'No One' was a sublime, classy chart smash, and you could tell from the black and white, personal portrait on the front cover that 'As I Am' was going to be an in-depth classic. Marvin would be proud from the powerful, heart-breakingly appreciative reflection points of 'Like You'll Never See Me Again' (which had a terrific second take on a Ludacris remix) to John Mayer's simply awesome, 'It's Alright' vocals on 'Lessons Learned' along with the heroic, female rally-cry of 'Superwoman' and it's world-wide inspiration to the love lament of 'Where Do We Go From Here'. Every track on this album was perfect from the upbeat drumbeat of 'I Need You' to the angelic, 'Saviour' off the albums 'Super Deluxe Edition'. This record is timeless like Smokey and Stevie vinyl's. All in all this take of Alicia as she is was more then just the real thing, it was the truth. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

TAPE DECK SHUFFLE-RAT PACK SPECIAL

Here's a warm, Winter's Christmas treat. This weeks playlist in our 'Tape Deck Shuffle' takes it back to the cool of The Rat Pack. 'Side A' has to be Frank, 'Side B', Dino and how about some 'Bonus' Sammy for good measure?

SIDE A-FRANK SINATRA

I'VE GOT THE WORLD ON A STRING: Inspiring, 'the world is yours' number.

ONE FOR MY BABY & ONE FOR THE ROAD: One of great depth to drown your sorrows too.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK: The ultimate dedication to Broadway, so good you'll have to play it twice.

COME FLY WITH ME: Truly epic, this is movie making big. Catch me if you can.

MY WAY: THE classic.

SIDE B-DEAN MARTIN

THAT'S AMORE: That's love.

MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS: Moment evoking, nostalgic bliss.

RIO BRAVO: From the same-titled movie that showed he was a real actor and a real star.

HOW D'YA LIKE YOUR EGGS IN THE MORNING?: For those new and in love, time to start your day right.

NIGHT TRAIN TO MEMPHIS: Bold and beautiful, another reason why-'to be Frank'-this guy was better than Sinatra.

BONUS-SAMMY DAVIS JNR

NEW YORK'S MY HOME: Play it again Sam! Another great dedication to the worlds best city.

EEE-O ELEVEN: This classic made both the movie 'Oceans Eleven' and Sammy himself huge.

SMILE DARN YA, SMILE: Why not with this uplifting jam?

SAM'S SONG Feat DEAN MARTIN: Sammy and Dean jokingly argue over who's tune this is in another delightful duet.

YOURS IS MY HEART ALONE: A true devoted love song to end this playlists dedication. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

REVIEW: ROBIN THICKE-LOVE AFTER WAR

4/5

After all the love & war, Thicke still evolves.

Robin Thicke has come a long way, from the long hair/don't care days of his decedent debut 'A Beautiful World'. Evolving from his last name moniker 'Thicke' to giving us his full-title and exposure, his sensational sophomore release; 'The Evolution Of Robin Thicke' became an instant classic thanks to an awesome new sound that sounded something like a young Elton John meeting the world of R&B and hits like 'Got 2 Be Down', 'Wanna Love You Girl' and 'Shooter', featuring Faith Evans, Pharrell and Lil' Wayne respectively to go along with the beautiful introspection's of '2 The Sky', 'Angels' and 'Lonely World'. Since then Thicke has worked with all sorts of people from Lil' Wayne to Will Smith and Usher to Mary J. Blige.

He's also released more great albums like the sublime 'Something Else' and the creative concept album 'Sex Therapy' that really was something else. Soon this megastar will be joining his beautiful actress wife Paula Patton on Hollywood's biggest screens, but now he joins fellow actor/singer Tyrese, Carl Thomas and Anthony Hamilton by releasing an album ('Love After War') to close out the fall, joining these mature R&B stars with his own significant status seated next to the greats of the modern, soul music day.

After his experience with the 'Sex Therapy' sessions, Robin goes back to his traditional, hallmark piano perfect, poetic songs with 'Love After War'. The albums lead single of the same name shows just how great this man's own unique style is. As he bares his soul over Marvin Gaye influences and beats of his own heart he singles out one of the best records of his career. His second single 'Pretty Lil' Heart' is no small number either. It's a real good look to the start of this album. A track that once again shows the chemistry between frequent collaborators Thicke and Lil' Wayne, who last collaborated on the New Orleans rappers introspective look on Hurricane Katrina ('Tie My Hands') off 'Tha Carter III'.

'Love After War' begins with the beautiful, spiritual ballad 'An Angel on Each Arm', before unleashing 'I'm an Animal', 'Never Give Up' and the powerful 'The New Generation' from this young pop prince. Robin then writes with Mary J. Blige as they wrap together seamlessly on the track 'All Tied Up'. The husband of 'Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol' star Paula Patton cruises on the cool 'Mission' before he sheds more introspective suited ballads on 'Tears on My Tuxedo'. As Robin harmonises "Don’t make me close my heart on all your bad news./You got me breaking all my rules," he moves as well as soothes his audience and muse with his music and lyrics.

The track 'Boring' is anything but, while 'Lovely Lady', 'Dangerous' and 'Full Time Believer' evoke more energy and emotion from the solo, soul man. 'I Don't Know How It Feels To Be U' takes a closer look at the singers love for women, while 'Cloud 9' takes 'Love After War' even higher. 'The Lil' Things' and 'What Would I Be?' close out this C.D. perfectly without question before this album goes deluxe. It really is the little things. 'Stupid Things', the direct 'Compass or Map' and the close closer 'We a Family' bring everything together perfectly. The war is over for Thicke to end this album and it's clear it's all about love. How can anyone hate that? It's clear this man's heart will be in soul for a long time to come. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

REVIEW: THE GLASS CHILD-THIS IS HOW GHOSTS ARE MADE

5/5

The Glass Child's style and spirit will not be broken.

Charlotte Eriksson is 'The Glass Child'. If you don't know anything about this smashing, sensational singer/songwriter by now then you either aren't familiar with this little blog, or you aren't familiar with incredible rising talent. To say that this Glass Child is the next big thing is not an overstatement. It's evident in her music. To say this young 20 year old is mature beyond her years however is an understatement. It's clear to hear she's so much more than that from her lyrics to the scoring, soaring sound of a talent that moved from her home in Sweden to London and started her own record label, putting out her own music when she was still a teenager.

That's not the only amazing thing about this young lady. Take her last EP-the moniker self-titled 'The Glass Child'-for example. From songs like the crazy, good 'Insanity' to the secret, solitary, solo number 'I'll Never Tell' this was a breakthrough success from the Glass Child that broke more new ground then a girl moving from country to country. Or how about her song for her nation in the inspiring support of 'I Will Lead You Home'? A song that raised money for her home-country Sweden's cancer-organization Ung Cancer in support of young victims. This was good enough to make the number 2 spot on the Swedish iTunes chart and is great enough for us all to lend a helping hand and download in support.

Now after giving so much Eriksson is looking to take centre stage. This breakthrough indie artist of the year has just released her second EP titled 'This Is How Ghost's Are Made' and its is one spirited, heaven sent release. Taking inspiration from everyone from Björk to Paramore and the Counting Crows to Ben Harper, this incredible writer mixes Gothic stylings with lyrics from a songbook of beautiful language like no other. Take the atmospheric 'Tell The World'. The opening lines "A journey on a a broken piece of glass/On my own in a town that has no soul/Learned how, to breathe alone," draw you in like no other as you really get a feel and spirited sense of just how fragile but at the same time strong this young singers heart really is. As the song ends on the note "Like a soldier I resolve/I found a way on my own", it's evident that this strong-minded pioneer and innovator is ready to show us all just what she's made of.

The great 'Best Part Of Me' and the angelic harmonies of 'The Devil's Sin' show us exactly what she's made of. Creative contrasts that are classically considered and not confused or conflicted. Charlotte blends the dark and the decedent, the light and the shadow and the good and the bad all seamlessly into her lyrics and music and it all sounds so great. It all sounds so natural, not worked or hashed out, just her, honest, pure, genuine and spirited most highly. The real best this EP has to offer though is 'Hypnic Jerk', a beautiful ballad that shows just how good this artists brushes of songwriting and strokes of singing can be. As she laments "I'm too numb to feel you/I'm to numb to see you". We feel and see someone who really is a talent of great depth and devotion.

The Glass Child is not another transparent young artist with a guitar, she's someone baring her soul over acoustics for all those willing to see. Take a look now at someone that's taken a different route to get to the mainstream and someone that's going to shatter the notion that success is all about 'industry' or watered down throwaway music. The Glass Child has broken through with some music of real depth for her fans to keep. This is how music is going to sound good again. 'Ghost's' shows the makings of an icon. I believe. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

See Also

ONE TO RECORD-CHARLOTTE ERIKSSON

http://ampsand808s.blogspot.com/2011/11/for-record-charlotte-eriksson.html

SONG FOR THE MOMENT (NOVEMBER): CHARLOTTE ERIKSSON-I WILL LEAD YOU HOME

http://ampsand808s.blogspot.com/2011/11/song-for-moment-november-charlotte.html

ALBUM SELECT OF THE WEEK: NORAH JONES-THE FALL

This year Miss Jones has helped Danger Mouse, Daniele Luppi and Jack White craft a classic in 'Rome', aswell as expanding ehr range of 'Duets' by working with Tony Bennett, so for this weeks 'Album Select Of The Week' let's take a look at one of Norah Jones finest records. Now every one of her platinum plaque albums are perfect and obviously the best is her classic, diamond debut 'Come Away With Me' but let's pop her latest work 'The Fall' in the player. Partly a break-up record and all a change of heart in Norah's style (she even cut her hair into a beautiful bob) this different stroke from Jones was a master craft. Bob Dylan, Neil Young, all the legends went electric in their time so it's only right that this eclectic, best of our generation singer followed suit and put the lid on her beautiful piano for a few tracks. From the quirky, lead, lead strong single 'Chasing Pirates' to the hilarious, cute, 'all men aren't as good as dogs', 'Man Of The Hour' closer this record tracks the opening up of Norah. With new classics like the vibrant, red 'Young Blood', the decedent 'December', the single story 'Stuck', and the ode to home 'Back To Manhattan' this album had it all. The gorgeous gems; 'Even Though', 'Missing', 'Waiting', 'I Wouldn't Need You' and 'It's Gonna Be' rounded out this real classic timelessly. Make sure you pick up the deluxe edition for some 'Live From The Living Room' takes on some of these best album tracks and some cool covers from this welcome household name. From a heartfelt homage to Johnny Cash's 'Cry, Cry, Cry' to her familiarly fantastic cover of The Kinks 'Strangers'. A beautiful take and an unheralded new Norah classic. On 'The Fall' Miss Jones truly rose. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

TAPE DECK SHUFFLE-The Top 10 Workout Songs For December

By Chris Lawhorn

The Top 10 Workout Songs For December

Fort Wayne, IN – Dec 2, 2011 – Given that they've both passed on now, it's been a surprise to see both The King and his son-in-law (The King Of Pop) drop club hits this month.Elvis turns up in a remixed version of “Suspicious Minds.”It's the latest in a series of re-worked Elvis tracks that began appearing after Junkie XL had a crossover hit with “A Little Less Conversation” from Ocean's Eleven.And, Michael Jackson's “Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'” also gets the remix treatment—though the changes are subtle—as part of the new MJ-themed Cirque du Soleil production Immortal.

Other highlights from the top 10 include Katy Perry's latest single, two tracks featuring Lil Jon, and a curious collaboration between Will.I.Am, J-Lo, and Mick Jagger.

Here's the full list, according to votes placed at Run Hundred--the web's most popular workout music blog.

Calvin Harris - Feel So Close (Benny Benassi Remix) - 131 BPM

Katy Perry - The One That Got Away - 135 BPM

Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds (Can't Walk Out Remix) - 121 BPM

Michael Jackson - Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (Immortal Version) - 123 BPM

LMFAO & Lil Jon - Shots (Dummejungs Remix) - 128 BPM

Rihanna & Jay-Z - Talk That Talk - 84 BPM

Will.I.Am, Mick Jagger & Jennifer Lopez - T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever) - 106 BPM

Alexandra Stan - Mr. Saxobeat (Maan Studio Remix) - 126 BPM

Laidback Luke, Steve Aoki & Lil Jon - Turbulence - 129 BPM

Dev - In The Dark (DJ Kue Remix) - 126 BPM

To find more workout songs--and hear next month's contenders—folks can check out the free database at RunHundred.com. Visitors can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era—to find the music that best fits with their particular workout routine.