Customer Reviews

Lalah Hathaway

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I feel in love with this cd the moment I heard it. She is one of the best unknown talents around. I'm a radio DJ and whenever I play "Heaven Knows" people call in and ask if she's a new singer. I tell them "nope, she's been around for awhile" Favorite cuts: Stay Home Tonight, I'm Coming Back, Baby, Don't Cry and of course Heaven Knows. I heard she recently sign with a record company, if so I can't wait for her new album. If you don't own this one, you're truly missing a royal treat!!!!!

Vocalist Lalah Hathaway shines on her 1990 debut CD.Standout cuts include the Jazz ladden "Somethin'", the funk filled first single "Heaven Knows", the Angela Winbush produced "Baby Dont Cry".Lalah's vocals really come alive on the sassy "You Got It Going On". "Smile", reminds one of the early Rufus and Chaka Khan days (this track was produced by former Rufus member Andre Fisher). Lalah successfully attempts a remake of Vesta Williams' "I'm Coming Back".It unfortunate that Lalah has never received her props with this CD and her 1994 "A Moment" CD. Sadly, another case of a talented singer being overlooked in a world of skinny, half dressed video models who have no singing talent whatsoever.

It never hurts to have music in your genes, and as the daughter of late soul singer Donny Hathaway, Lalah's got plenty. But don't expect another mediocre young hopeful riding her family's coattails. Lalah Hathaway possesses a rich and distinctive voice brimming with warmth. And the ten songs on this noteworthy debut show it in all its glory.

Lalah is at her best with midtempo, jazz-tinged material. "It's Something," "Smile," and "Stay Home Tonight" are all sunny soul numbers with lush chords, easygoing beats and various members of the jazz outfit Yellowjackets thrown in for good measure. On numbers like these and her hit single, "Heaven Knows," the warmth and richness of Lalah's voice is undeniable. She can also belt out an R&B ballad with the best of them, and does so with glorious results on the Angela Winbush-penned and produced "Baby Don't Cry," a single that should have soared to higher reaches on the charts; this song features one of Lalah's best vocals to date.

When she decides to sound more modern on a handful of hip-hop inspired material, the results are almost as good. Chuckii Booker's complex chords suit her well on "Sentimental," but material like "Obvious" and "U Godit Gowin On" doesn't play to her strengths as well. Still, even when handed a mediocre tune Lalah manages to sing the hell out of it. And when a song is worthy of her talents, like the longing ballad "I'm Coming Back," it's clear that she's one of the most talented vocalists of her generation.

Since this landmark debut Lalah has gone on to release a wonderful sophomore effort ("A Moment") and appear on countless jazz albums (Grover Washington Jr., Art Porter, Gerald Albright, and Marcus Miller are among the artists to call on her talents for their own albums). When only singing one song on someone else's project, though, she makes you long for more of that voice...which is just one reason "Lalah Hathaway" is a must-have.

Following in the footsteps of a musical genius who just happens to be your father is the worst fate cast upon many young musicians. But with a debut as good as this, the late Donny Hathaway's daughter proves that she is more than capable of picking up where her brilliant father left off. Now, in all fairness, Lalah and Donny are two distinctly different artists, but comparisons are inevitable since they both possess rich, full bodied, passionate and devastatingly expressive voices. The similarities in thier voices are simply uncanny, and pop music is blessed by thier presence. With the exception of the two uptempo dance-flavored numbers that close this LP ( the reason I couldn't give it 5 stars ), every track here is outstanding! The opener 'Something' is an easy paced ballad highlighted by a superb sax solo. The hit singles, the buoyant 'Heaven Knows' and 'Baby Don't Cry' (the remix produced by Angela Winbush is much livelier than the version presented here) are both joyful declarations of womanly love that never sound too teeny-boppish or trite. My personal favorite is the flawless 'Smile' which presents Lalah in her natural element; singing in front of a live band. The richness of the playing, Ms. Hathaway's perfect vocals, elegant back up singing and a Stevie Wonder-ish melody and arrangement lend the song it's highbrow, jazzy feel. In short, it's simply a breathtaking piece of music that will stick in your mind once you hear it. The LP is worth owning for that song alone, but other notable highlights are the dramatic, yearning 'I'm Coming Back' (pristine production, and the most powerful phrasing of Lalah's career) 'Stay Home Tonight' ( sort of a sonic "cousin" to 'Smile') and the tear-inducing 'I've Gotta Move On', I dare you to be dry-eyed after it's over. The last 10 years have not diminished the beauty of this album, and it would actually be a classic from start to finish if the grating 'Sentimental' and 'Obvious' had never made the cut, but since they are the last two songs in sequence, they can be easily ignored. Buy it and enjoy the ballads and the funky/jazz leanings of the rest of the material, it will be time well spent.

When I first heard Lalah, I had no idea of her heritage. I first thought, this lady sounds like a "female Donny Hathaway". Then I found out, she was his daughter. I fell in love with that golden voice, that put you in mind of: Ella, Billie, and Sarah... The world is her oyster... She can seduce one with her voice, improv and scat... I first heard "I coming back" and I could not stop listening to it. Later, it was "I got to move on". Her album is priceless.... Her collaboration with "the Maestro of Sax" Grover Washington, is a jewel. Joe Sample has found a niche with Lalah as his side "women"....

I loved each and every track on this "sizzlin'"CD.When Lalah opens her mouth to sing it seems as though see is invoking spirits of the great Jazz female singers of long ago.She sings with style and pazazz.The up-tempo cuts are cool,but if you want to rid your mind of the ups and downs of a terrible day,the slows cuts will do.I especially love"I'm Coming Back"and "Smile".Lalah is also great on the collaboration with Grover Washington Jr."Love Like This".This lady is blessed with raw talent and the ability to know what to do with it.This CD is a must have for any true Jazz conisseure.Please don't make us wait to long for another offering.Heaven's choir must be missing an angelical voice because,Lalah Hathaway is here with us.Keep on blowin' diva.

I saw Lalah live a couple of months ago for the second time. The difference was, I was only a few feet away from her and the stage. What makes a great singer is her ability to make songs flow effortlessly. It's the reason us mere non-singers/fans think we can do it in the mirror utilizing a comb, brush or pencil as a microphone. Lalah's approaches to these songs is done with such authority, confidence and sophistication; but not so out of reach that her sound is too haughty. It's honest, hungry, deep, seductive and lush. I don't have her newest cd, but this one is one I can vouch for and it has a dear place in my must have music list. She evokes a similiar tone and approach to her father, yet she remains true to her own voice. The production is tight and almost every cut is perfect! "Your Smile" is my favorite cut. The lyrical content, music and production represent the best of what good music should be.

When I heard her version of "Forever, for always, for love" by the late and great Luther Vandross I was floored!! I always knew she had a strong voice but I did not know how strong until I purchased her latest CD. I love it!! It just takes me to so many past time memories in my life, good and bad. Her lyrics paints pictures in your mind. Her voice is just incredible...

I loved this CD from the moment I first heard it as a pre-teen. And hearing it again recently just reminded me how much the music industry has slighted this woman. Lalah Hathaway is a talented singer with her own style. I guess the apple doesn't fall far!

"I'm Coming Back" is my favorite song on the entire CD. Although the quality of the music throughout is a refreshing relief from what we're calling "R&B" these days! Not one rap cameo -- can you believe it????

Anywho, Lalah Hathaway rocks. Check this one out.

didn't even know about. I just remember my mother and her friends grooving to some tunes from someone who I thought was acutally a guy - maybe Mr. Donny Hathaway reicarnate- whoever that was I remember thinking at the time. Only until recetly while dappling around was I hit with so much familiarity with this album. Not only is it great because it puts me back in my little twin bedroom dancing around, but that this album has the stamina to sound as amazing now as it did then. Ms. Hathaway did good!!!