Customer Reviews

The Daily News

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Donnie is brilliant on this sophomore effort! "Daily News" finds Donnie stepping out of the Stevie Wonder mold that shaped "The Colored Section." From the first track until the latter one the listener is assaulted by a conflagration of gospel, funk, and soul. Not as initially musically catchy as the songs on "Colored Section," these songs are just as colorful, if not more harmonious and gripping. With song titles such as "Suicide," "Atlanta Child Murderers," and "Mason Dixon Line," Donnie got himself booted from Motown. No mainstream artist has the audacity let alone the ability to pull off such complex artistry but Donnie does so with ease. It is impressive that he is able to sound righteous and uncompromising without being too preachy or didactic. Given the seriousness of the issues of which Donnie sings, one would expect each to sound to sorrowful and dreary, but the opposite is the case. For example, I found myself bouncing and snapping my fingers to "China Doll," but then I told myself, wait a minute, is he not singing about a little girl getting rape. The challenging and sensitive nature of the material does not stop Donnie from crafting empowering anthems accentuated by his mellifluous, soulful vocals. Hats off to Donnie's production team, particularly Steve "the Scotsman" Harvey, for producing a sound that fits Donnie's voice like a glove. Here is a track-by-track review of this album:

"Impatient People" - exposes the debacle that was the rescue relief effort of hurricane Katrina: "I'm not a refugee, I am a evacuee, treat me like animals can we be civil ya'll?" Background gospel vocals permeate this song.

"911"-This could easily be America's national anthem as Donnie admonishes the nation to come together. Donnie's idealism and sincerity really shines through on this one.

"Over-The-Counter Culture" - Donnie uses the pharmaceutical industry as a metaphor for the cookie-cutter crap the media shoves down our throat. It is nice to hear a rap verse from Phonte. This song has a very bouncy, dance vibe.

"Classifieds" - This song has a opening line that immediately draws the listener: "This world sho' nuff need a gardener. More than just chronicling the ills of finding a job this song is plain poetry infused with great gospel singing. Very reminiscent of Stevie Wonder.

"Suicide" - A nice flute flutters in the background as Donnie sings about the virtues of living over committing suicide. "It is worth the living, I'm a living witness," Donnie chants. Amen brother!

"If I Were You" - I like this version so much better than the radio one. The warm keys, harmonica, and wah wah guitar can be heard in lieu of bombastic bouncy horns. Caution - this is very addictive.

"Robot" - Rick James synthesizers can be heard on this, and that is a good thing. The robot is any instrument, human and otherwise, that commandeers your thoughts and emotions, and Donnie is tells the robot "to get your dirty hand off me." Amen to that, brother.

"Atlanta Child Murderers" - I am too young to recall this event but I do know that it was a tragic moment in the black community where black children were murdered arbitrarily and brutally. There have always been conspiracy theories in the black community holding the federal government for certain ills. Donnie indulges this paradigm by labeling the murderers as a conspiracy to experiment on the black community's children. It is up to you to agree with this premise. An excellent and provocative song nonetheless.

"For Christ Sake" - The brother takes it to the pulpit on this one, crooning "greater than shall ye do." This is more spiritual than religious, and the chorus literally takes you higher. A very uplifting and encouraging song!

"Mason Dixon Line" - The title obviously references the historical line that separated the slave-owning South from the non-slave-owning North. This song exudes modern gospel.

"China Doll" - find yourself bouncing to groove although he's singing about child molestation. He calls a family friend pedophile and demands that he leaves the little girl alone. The style of this song is reminiscent of how Stevie Wonder executes "Big Brother."

"The Daily News" - Invariably, most news is bad news, so there is no shortage of material for Donnie to sing about here.

"If I Were You" (Radio Version) - I am sure most of you have heard this already. Check out the video on youtube if you have not.

This is a masterpiece of modern, progressive soul deserving of much attention and acclaim. Sadly, "The Daily News" will be overlooked by the masses.

Amazing! I am overwhelmed with appreciation for this type of material. What took him so long to bring this out? I love it. Circuit City has the CD with the 3 bonus cuts, glad I bought it from them! I am a fan of this artist, bought it on site. Great sophomore CD. See the other entry for this CD with his picture on the front/import.

This is a truly beautiful collection of very original songs. As someone who goes back far enough to have seen Donnie Hathaway, Stevie, Curtis Mayfield (Donnie's obvious influences) in person many times, I am completely blown away with his take on their teachings. The lyrics are highly intelligent, spectacularly sung and, IMHO, stretch the boundaries of soul music well-beyond former limits. And, man, the pulsating, great rhthyms and bass parts. Wow.

The daily news is truly a testament to the genius that is DONNIE. Though his first album is widely regarded as a nu-soul classic, 'Daily News' takes the social-political concepts and vibes of 'The colored section' to new, and deeper levels. This album, like its predecessor, is an instant classic and it's already got me wanting more!

Great cd from start to finish! Some people are put off by the political style he uses, and that Is too bad for them, because some people pefer to stay dumb, happy, and unaware.There Is room for artist like donnie and If you don't like him don't listen, with all the party records out there, you have plently to keep you from getting bored.

I was watching Tavis Smiley one day and his guest was the one and only Denzel Washington. Usually when Denzel makes his movie premiere talk show rounds he is donned in a NY fitted, jeans or an occasional collared shirt. When Washington sat down to chat with Tavis; he chilled in a dark tailored two piece that could make the most heterosexual man, mutter damn!! Smiley, not missing the obvious opportunity, asked: Man, why the suit? And, Denzel in an effortless manner that only he could script simply replied: "I wore this suit to show you how much I appreciate what you do." Silence.


Well, as many of you know I am a HUGE music fan and in honor of this spectacular CD, this will be one of the few times where I check my dry-witted sarcasm at the door.

After a four-year lay-off singer/ songwriter extraordinaire, Donnie unleashes his second LP called The Daily News and (honestly) my simple review will never do it justice. In spite of that fact, here it goes. Wait, before I get started, there are a couple of things you have to absorb.

a) Don't for a minute think that you are going to drop the top or swing your hips to this one--it is simply not that type of party. Donnie is much too complex for that. 9-1-1 will be the closest track to a toe-tapping single that you will get from Marvin Gaye's nephew; and believe me, his legendary uncle will be extremely proud of this one. Add Donnie Hathaway to that (would-be) proud list, who Marvin's nephew is named after.

b) You will also notice the inability to categorize this CD, hence the Independent distribution from SoulThought Records--I can only imagine the faces in the recording studio as these lyrics were being recited.

Not so ironically, The Daily News tackles subjects like sexism, racism, drug abuse, homophobia, child molestation, the Atlanta Child Murders, suicide and even the prescription drug companies. Yeah, it is hard to snap your finger to that one--although the brilliant TRUE gospel-like music arrangements actually attempts to do just that.

If you didn't like the debut LP The Colored Section, don't waste your time with this one. Just turn on your urban contemporary radio and watch your soul get washed down the sewer. Who knows, maybe one day it'll make the daily news.

If luck is when preparation meets opportunity, then excellence is when talent meets message. Superb, meaningful, thought provoking work. Almost as good as his debut cd. Donnie is truly talented.

Donnie is truly one of the most courageous artists working today. He melds together thought-provoking lyrics with infectious melodies.

LISTEN to what he has to say...

Donnie has outdone himself again. So politically charged, great voclas, great music, great message. Anyone who is a true soul music fan will love this one.

This album is simply amazing!!!

I blindly bought "The Daily News" at a local record store because it was featured in the "Soul" section and I'm sick of all the whack R&B and rap music that is being recycled today. And Let me say I wasn't dissapointed! From the first track to the last, I was impressed with this young man's lyrics and sound. So impress I sought out his first album as a follow up. It ws amazing as well.

I highly suggest that anyone who has an intrest in Soul music and loves old Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonnder, etc... purchase "The Daily News".

People need to support great music like this and stop all the wack stuff with no depth that gets played on the radio.

I wish you much success Donnie and hope to catch you on tour!

Thanks for the music!