Customer Reviews

Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Soulful ain't even the word. Classic R & B comes close to describing this album, but still doesn't even give it justice. This is an album that demands your complete awe. I have tried cooking while it is playing and nearly burned my entire arm. You just sit and listen. And catch the holy ghost. Shoot, if any preacher wants to increase his church's roll, let him put on "Come Ye Disconsalate". Sinners, saints alike will be coming through the doors in droves. And for all you little kids under 30 who thought Luther Vandross was the first to record "I Who Have Nothing" listen to Roberta and Donny's ORIGINAL version. Be prepared to cringe in agony the next time you hear Luther's version on the radio. And we ain't gon even talk about "For All We Know." I can only imagine how many babies were conceived to that one. Shoot, I probably was.

GET THIS ALBUM IMMEDIATELY!

For once a duets project that made sense! Both Flack and Hathaway were enjoying commercial success at the time, but it was similar approaches to singing and choosing material that made for a natural pairing. The results were largely stellar: a dramatic "I (Who Have Nothing)", the sweet and lush "When Love Has Grown" and a rendition of "For All We Know" that perfectly showcases the lost major talent that was Hathaway's, for example. However, the album's not perfect. The ragtime-ish "Baby, I Love You" doesn't work, and Flack's piano solo "Mood" is self-indulgent. Yet what remains most striking some thirty years after the album's initial release is how perfectly Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway's voices blend, and how they still can stir the soul. No duo ever did it better.

Originally, my dad bought this album in 1972. I've borrowed the album, kept it and worn it out; bought the cassette and wore it out; finally I have the CD. I've loved this album from the moment I heard "Where Is The Love" on the radio, to then listening to the album after my dad bought it. And he didn't buy many albums, so by that fact alone, I knew it was special. This is a classic album, showcasing two exceptional vocalists/instrumentalists. Both Roberta and Donny's vocals are warm and inviting on "You've Got A Friend," and "When Love Has Grown," playful on "Baby I Love You," and so earnest on "You've Lost That Loving Feeling." This album is a classic, and is an example of the great R&B albums of the decade.

I can't say that I was around when this album was first released, but many current soul artists have invoked the names of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway so I figured I'd check this album out. This album is a wonderful collection of standards and original compositions. Roberta and Donny have made each of these songs their own, the emotion is overflowing. The instrumentation and vocal arrangements are superb, they help this album transcend genre. I'd recommend this album to just about anyone.

I was 8 yr old when this album came out and
it got heavy rotation from my mother and her freinds!
The musical marriage of Donny Hathaway & Roberta Flack
was just musical perfection!
Both were prodigious talents vocal-wise and
in their fluency as instrumentalists!
There are a few covers on here..the only one I
could've done without was their rendition of Aretha's
classic "Baby, I Love You" because they brought
absolutely nothing to it.
But make no errors!
They absolutely put their foot in "I Who Have Nothing"
with it's deep bluesy longing that just captures the
pathos perfectly of wanting someone who doesn't want
you as much as you want them! (Woo!--Timeless!)

Donny Hathaway's rendition of "For All We Know" has
become the stuff of legend, and quite a few people
actually think that he was the originator
of this standard!
Now that's when you know that an artist has put
their mark on a song!...When everybody just assumes
that their rendition is the definitive one!
(Kinda like Luther and "A House Is Not A Home"
or "Superstar"!!)
Donny's voice was like buttah!
That man was just so brilliant that it hurts!

I also like what he and Roberta did on
"You've Lost That Loving Feeling"..
a kind of early 70's R&B / Jazz experiment that
opened it up more.
But now, nobody can top the Righteous Brothers version!

Donny & Roberta's version of "You've Got A Freind"
has also become one of legend!--(Just wonderful!)

"Come Ye Dissconsolate" is a church standard and
both Donny and Roberta put some down-home stank on it!
They both were raised up in the black gospel tradition
and it truly shows on this track!

Now on to the original compositions of this album...

"Be Real Black For Me" was a smooth but militant song
about not having to change your african-american
attributes to appeal to the object of your affection.
They did it to death, and any fan of either
Donny or Roberta would be remiss if they
didn't like this one!

"Where Is The Love" was a huge hit and won a
grammy back in 1972 for the duo!
It is another song that just lives on and on!

"When Love Has Grown" has a smooth early 70's
Carpenters meets Fifth Dimension kind of groove
and the two give a laid back but nonetheless
stirring performance on it.

"Mood" is a very dark and moving classical instrumental
piece that shows off their instrumental genius
and well as their Howard University School of
Music training.
All-n-All, this album is just plain CLASSIC!!

Though Donny's been gone 27 yrs now and is a legend
of epic proportions whose influence to black music
as a vocalist / songwriter / arranger & instrumentalist
is immeasurable, and of course Roberta Flack is
no slouch either! This was the first of their
timeless and perfect pairing, and a must-have for any
fan of great music!--Bar None!!

this 1972 classic album came out when i was 8 going on 9 years old.roberta flack and donny hathaway represent the best of classic duos in music history.my favorite tracks on this album are:'be real black for me'the hit single-'where is the love'and the very beautiful 'when love has grown' and the very dark beautiful instrumental piano piece entitled 'mood'/it is genius on how beautiful the way they have the songs 'where is the love' and 'when love has grown' back 2 back.this is a very warm and beautiful album from 2 music legends.roberta&donny along with marvin&tammi and ashford&simpson and stevie&syreeta and rick&teena are the measuring stick 2 follow by.duets of this caliber in music will never be again.as i've said before,this is a very warm and beautiful album...

I bought the original tape in 1973 with money earned from my first job. I wore the tape out a long time ago, and only recently bought the CD. Listening to it was like attending a long-awaited family reunion or seeing an old friend. The pairing of these voices was genius, as Roberta's firm alto would often lay the foundation for Donny's soaring tenor. I enjoy the attention to lyrics, voice, and balance. I wave my hands and shout everytime I hear "Come Ye Disconsolate," but "For All We Know" is without a doubt my favorite. If you want a great example of early '70's R & B, buy this CD. You won't regret it -- you'll be too busy relaxing.

I am stuck for words,this music should be played in church it would bring world peace!!!I agree totally with all the other people who have reviewed this album,it is awesome and some respects i am glad that it is like a rare gem hidden away known to all but the few.It touches heart it inspires it is from the holy spirit.

For those of you who have tired of what passes for R&B today, listen to this one! The blending of Roberta Flack's and Donny Hathaway's voices is a welcome (howbeit retro) rememdy for what ails you. I guarantee that the music on this CD is far more mature and meaningful than the staccato stutter of today's paint-by-the-number R&B wannabes.

"I (Who Have Nothing)" starts the CD off with a mournful, soulful plea. "Be Real Black for Me" is a simple request from one lover to another: Don't change; be yourself for me. Gotta love the tenderness of Hathaway's solo on "For All We Know." "Where Is the Love?" All over this beautiful album!

But the jewel of this collaboration has to be the quirky addition of "Come, Ye Disconsolate," a hymn thats lyrics were written in 1816 by Thomas Moore. This song almost brought tears to my eyes! Flack and Hathaway's treatment of this standard hymn takes one to the altar and leaves you kneeling, heart wrenched and soul stirred! I've played this one over and over.

A thoroughly enjoyable collection of duets by two truly soulful artists.

This is a perfect album - the artists perform magnificent vocal and piano harmonies; the musical styles move effortlessly from country, to R&B, to religious, to classical - so that with each hearing the listener is taken on a new and exciting journey. This CD is a timeless, masterpiece - a treasure. It is a tribute to the extraordinary talents of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway.