Customer Reviews

These Songs for You Live

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Donny Hathaway is the pinnacle of the soul artist. He wrote, arranged, whaled on the keyboard, and sang definitive interpretations of so many songs. *Any* unreleased material seeing the light of day is cause for celebration and a major event. Yet, this release, while containing outstanding music worthy of hearing, could have and should have been so much more.

Donny Hathaway "Live" is one of the greatest live albums ever made and one of my desert island discs. I own about 1200 CDs and only carry around 24 in a wallet at one time. Donny Hathaway "Live" is a permanent resident in that wallet along with Coltrane's "A Love supreme." Unfortunately, "Live" is only available as a pricey import right now. In the liner notes to "These Songs", David Nathan writes, "fate, destiny, or the ups and downs of the biz meant the reissues never happened" when explaining why "Live" was not released domestically on CD. "These Songs" is a compilation that has some of the highlights from the original "Live" album and the posthumous "In Performance", especially "What's Going On", "You've Got a Friend", and "The Ghetto". There's much classic material missing, however. Donny's cover of "Jealous Guy" isn't here, one of my favorite tracks on that album. Willie Weeks' classic bass solo on "Voices Inside" , which shows him as an extension of Motown's James Jamerson, is also absent. From "In Performance", the live version of "Young, Gifted, and Black" is a major omission. I think those new to Donny Hathaway would have benefitted from a rerelease of "Live" with some of the unreleased material on this compilation as bonus tracks. I think collectors would have preferred a live two disc compilation with all of the available live sides or even better [please, Rhino please!] a complete box set worthy of this great artist's stature.

Another big problem is that this CD does not play well on all players. This would not play on my Sony CD walkman or my 12 year old AIWA stereo system. It did play fine through my DVD player and it plays fine on my Sony box. I returned a copy to Borders as defective before I realized that it was simply incompatible with my player.

So, yell at Atlantic for not handling the reissues first and putting out something that doesn't play....

And then listen to the marvellous music. The unreleased material is stellar stuff. "Flying Easy" and "Valdez in the Country" emphasize Donny's electric piano chops and jazz skills. On "Extensions of a Man", where these tracks originally appeared, the arrangements provide a luxurious setting but require more restrained playing. On the live versions, Donny really lets loose and his drummer goes right with him on the breaks. "Someday Will All Be Free" is fine vocally, but again its Donny's piano playing where the trumpet solo is on the studio version that adds new meaning to the track. "He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother" is a vocal tour de force and shows all the gospel music that fills Donny's art. "Yesterday" is a nice chart, but I think "Jealous Guy" would have been a better choice for all but the Donny completists. "Superwoman" is a real revelation. So many have commented on how Donny was a key influence on Stevie Wonder's mature work starting with "Music of My Mind". Well, here you have Donny Hathaway covering a track from that album and showing all he can do vocally. Magnificent! The interview at the end of the album is a nice touch and a window into the depth of this man's interests as a man and as an artist. It only adds to the tragic nature of his incomplete body of work.

The music is awesome and this is definitely worth your time and money. I just hope that Rhino corrects the technical issues and does not allow this to be a peace offering in place of a deserved live reissue campaign.

4.5 stars [6 stars music, 3 stars concept]

--SD

Most of us who love soul music know the difference between singing and sanging. And those familiar with Donny Hathaway know he did the latter. The brotha had one of the most immensely talented voices in music history. Donny's singing here is an inspiring uplifting lesson in vocal artistry. While I really enjoyed each selection, I found A Song For You to be the real gem. If you're tired of the overhyped, overproduced, media images being thrust in our faces today and want some real music....rush out and get this CD.

A legend who left this world too soon. Thank goodness his live recordings are being released so that those who love real musical genius & talent can somehow feel that we are there while Donny serenades us.

If you have a Donny collection, then some of the songs you already know like: Flying Easy, Someday We'll All Be Free and You've Got A Friend but treats are his covers of Superwoman & Yesterday (and an interview at the end of the disc).

I'd highly recommend this disc if you are a serious fan looking to add to your collection AND if you are merely curious about Donny Hathaway, this is a good collection of his songs to begin to familiarize yourself with his music.

YES, this is the singer that contestant Elliott mentioned in such love and respect on the show. YES, you can get the best introduction to Donny by buying this live album and the Greatest Hits compilation that is the other best-selling Donny Hathaway album.

He has inspired many, and I envy you that you can now discover him through having heard his name on television.

Like everybody else, I agree this is one of the best albums ever released. I have the other live albums so I was really looking forward to the unreleased material. I was not disapointed. He put so much soul into "Yesterday" that I dont remember what the Beetles version sounds like. "He aint heavy, He's my brother" is sung with so much feeling, it was just amazing.

This is a must have. I suggest you strongly get the other live CD's to get some of the other jams left off this CD. Trust me, if you love music its worth it.

There really are no words that can adequately express the genius of this album. I adore the music of many different artists, but there has never been a voice like Donny Hathaway's. This collection of live pieces is an absolute masterpiece; every note is perfection. "Superwoman" is breathtaking, and "You've Got a Friend" makes you feel that you really have. It literally hurts my heart that Donny is not recognized by the world at large - but, to me, he is the GREATEST SOUL SINGER WHO EVER LIVED. This album is a must-have!!

If you love great singing, just buy this CD. You will be gratefull you did. Need I say more. OK I will. I'm a singer and have several hundred CDs from all singers from all styles from Luther, Stevie, Aretha, Chaka, to Bocelli and Pavoroti. This is my favorite. I can listen to this guy all day long. I haven't taken this out of my car stereo for weeks. Great rich smooth voice and sings with more love and soul than anyone else. And you really capture this on this live recording. In a time when very few artists can sing at all this is as good as it gets. Tell your kids to throw out their Usher and Maxwell and all these pale comparisons and listen to how it's supposed to be done. True combination of talent, musicality, vocal tone, and feeling. The band totally grooves together and his piano playing is very musical with a lot of subtle nuances,just like his singing. Do I need to say more. Just buy it. There is not one song on here that is not better than 90% of the vocal recordings out there. It is a huge loss and tragedy that we lost Donny way way too soon. He only has a handfull of albums. Extensions of a Man is a must have as well. Although you can't go wrong with any of his recordings. As a singer he has been an inspiration and an example of what it means to really sing.

I own both "Live" and "In Performance" and had resigned myself to the fact that these would be the only times I would hear this master in his best setting. Then comes this album. I could barely catch my breath when listening to these unreleased songs. The man's gift was God-given, truly. I have to say "Yesterday" is my favorite (now). I had to pull over when hearing him sing this. The Beatles who? Donny's voice reaches down and pulls out your soul. So dramatic, but so true. Any live album of his is a treasure.

As one reviewer said...there's singing and then there's SANGIN' and anyone who really knows, loves and understands the roots and rhythm of soul music will know the difference. This gentleman left us way too soon. What a talent he was...but The Creator allowed him just enough time to leave a legacy of some of the best vocals caught on wax! More people need to take notice, be ever grateful and praise his talents! With his talent he spawned a generation of wannba-be..some good, some bad, some just okay..but there will never be another Donny Hathaway! The musical mold was forever broken!

I can listen to this CD all day. Today not only are good soulful singers hard to come by, but you'll be lucky if they can sing LIVE! And this man Donny Hathaway.....I don't think there are words to describe his voice, it's just unrealistic. His studio songs does his voice no justice he still sounds goods but, LIVE he sounds unbelievable incredible. I mean there are parts on this CD that makes me cry because his voice is so pure and crisp it's crazy! I wish I was born when he was alive because I surely would have went to his performances any chance I could get. I would've been one of those women screaming in the back! RIP Donny your music still touches people.