A Donny Hathaway Collection

by

Donny Hathaway

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When u listen to a Donny Hathaway song, you are listening to elements of man's heart and soul. What elements, you ask?

Love. On "A Song For You" the devotion he sings of is powerful. "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know" exudes soul-stirring dedication and realness with lyrics like "when i wasn't making much money, u know where my paycheck went...u know i bought it home to you baby & i never spent a red cent".

Passion. "The Closer I Get to You", "Where Is the Love", "You Are My Heaven", "Back Together Again" are silky duets with Roberta Flack. What a gorgeous blend of voices. Perfect songs for warm summers day in the park or just reflecting on the happiness that being in love brings.

Pain. "Giving Up" is one of the most powerful songs I have ever heard in my life. Starting with that soulful church moan, this is a gut-wrenching testimony of what used to be. The song is filled with punching horns, a creeping piano and the strings are incredible that help add to the mood of this song. The climatic build has a lasting and quite emotional intensity. Simply stated, this is a masterpiece right down to the ad libbing at the fade.

Pride. "To Be Young Gifted & Black" makes you want to stand up and shout "that's where its at!". "What's Going On" gives us a sample of Donny live on his keyboards leading into "Ghetto", which is laden with funky bass and takes us into a rythmic world complete with down home moans, riffs and great audience participation.

Strength. "Someday We'll All Be Free" reminds us all to keep your head up and walk tall because better things are coming. It is a simply beautiful and inspirational piece. "things are moving fast" he sings in his eloquent vibrato, "hold on tight and you will last".

Donny Hathaway is a legend that blessed the world with a voice of gold and whatever led to his demise is not for us to judge. I'm just glad he gave us the jewel of his music while he was here & his passion and soul continues to live through the voice of his daughter Lalah. She is another golden-voiced singer. His work is a true blueprint for what real soul is.

These are the kinds of songs that you want to play loud enough for everyone within ear shot can hear and let the voice and messages cause movement of heart, mind & soul.

Peace. CLB.

Donny Hathaway is one of the great unsung heroes of soul music. A pioneer in the purest since of the word, Hathaway's solo work has long been overshadowed by his groundbreaking duets with Roberta Flack. Like the late Tammi Terrell, Marvin Gaye's frequent duet partner, Donny's solo work was largely underrecognized by the general public. This collection is no exception.

While "A Donny Hathaway Collection" certainly boasts many of Donny Hathaway's best moments, among them "A Song For You" and "To Be Young, Gifted and Black", it overwhelmingly consists of his duets with Roberta Flack. Granted, songs like "Where is the Love?" and "You've Got a Friend" are definitive soul tracks, but a little more of the solo Hathaway is in order.

This collection will no doubt satisfy casual admirers of Donny Hathaway's work. Those in search of something more comprehensive would be better served to purchase the "Free Soul" retrospective of Hathaway's caree (which is regrettably only available as a high-priced import).