Young, Gifted, and Donny
Chicago soul legend Donny Hathaway's solo career only lasted three studio albums and he had his main success singing sweet duets with Roberta Flack but he was still one of the most influential soul artists of the 70s; fusing gospel, jazz and even classical into some amazing records. Unfortunately he also suffered from depression and threw himself out of a window to his death in 1979. He was only 33.
His 1970 debut album "Everything Is Everything" brought a new level of musical and thematic sophistication to the soul album (it came out the year before "What's Going On.") The most famous track is the funk classic "The Ghetto" but I think Hathway is at his best on more heavenly fare like this wonderful cover of Nina Simone's "To Be Young, Gifted and Black" as it really shows off his incredible voice. The original of this song was a celebration of black pride but Donny's slow, mournful version turns in into a lament for black youth trapped by lack of opportunity (that's what the album's sleevenotes say anyway). With his beautiful organ playing and the gospel choir the track is just overflowing with spirituality.
You can also find this on A Donny Hathaway Collection and I highly, highly recommend "Donny Hathaway Live" which is one of the best live albums ever.
[Download]
To Be Young, Gifted and Black - Donny Hathaway
6 Comments:
Spot on Lee. A voice that has to be heard to be believed.
Donny "Live" "best live album ever"? No contest.
Good post Lee! I love Donny Hathaway’s Live album. I think it's essential soul stuff as well as essential bass groove stuff. I wrote about it some monts ago at Xanax Taxi, focusing on the work of bassit Willie Weeks.
Keep up the good work!
a day starting with the live version of "the ghetto" canNOT be a bad day
this tune concentrates all of donny's talents (plus this guy roy deroy thrilling bongo/conga solo)
thnaks for those who still don't know
I agree a 100% with you guys, DONNY HATHAWAY LIVE is the best live album ever released!
Hathaway live is a superb album -- his best, I think. You get straight up Donny without all the strings clustered around.
Sorry I lost track of you for a while there, Mr. London Lee.
Speaking of live albums, are you familiar with Gene Chandler's Live at the Regal? It's not even a prominent featue in lists of his releases, but I ran across a reference that claimed Chandler delivered a connection to the audience in the classic soul mode that was beyond Sam Cooke's abilities. Not sure about that, but it's a damn fine concert album from an underrated performer.
the Dock
Great article.
My aunt enjoyed it.
Do you have anything on George Harrison or John Lennon???
Post a Comment
<< Home