Donny Hathaway

Forum

Pages: 1 2
i just recently started to listen to all of donny's music. i know i'm ashamed to even say this, but now that i have discoved how talented he was, it simply astonished me. it makes me look at artist today and think what is your purpose. donny had to live his music, because songs like "you were meant for me" don't come without that yearning of missing that loved one.

>>By roderick sherman   (Wednesday, 13 Nov 2002 21:24)



Donny… what a voice, his pitch, the melodies could still ring in the spirits of the souls today. Its such a shame this life was taken from us, yes, taken. For I believe it’s still a great mystery that surround his death. “ Why would anyone at the height of their career take their own life”? But I thank you for leaving such great shoes to fill. To al the other Donny Hathaway listeners out there, what great taste you all posses, for Donny was and will most likely 4 ever b the Master of his Craft.
rdarnai@yahoo.com

>>By R.darnai   (Tuesday, 19 Nov 2002 00:31)



I'm simply blown away. "This Christmas" led me into a trap. That was a tip of the Ice-berg. The man is just AMAZING! His compositions, lyrics, and Jesus, a voice unlike anything I've ever heard before. I really have found someone to pattern. If you haven't heard him yet, stop waisting time, it's Very worth it. I wish he hadn't left, but I would be lying if I said he didn't leave anything. If you think you can sing, listen to him, you'll think twice, he'll show you that there is more, a lot more.

>>By J. Lewis   (Tuesday, 19 Nov 2002 07:40)



Donny is the man.I was turn on to Donny in 1970 that man could make the earth weep just by singing ( little ghetto boy) to the Donny fans .I have some one you need to check out . his name is Frank McComb the cd is call (love stories) I was at his concert in phila ,man people at the show was crying when he sung ghetto boy. I close my eyes and listen to this brother and it was like Donny rose from the grave. p.s the cd is on columbia records made in 2000.

SCOOK (Everything is Everything) can you dig it! baby

>>By s cook   (Saturday, 21 Dec 2002 03:39)



What can we say? Even while I write this my heart is weeping and laughing because of the life in his voice. The since of the tradgic that lurks beneath the surface of our skin. The blues baby. Donny more than most dealt with the space between the secular and the sacred and colored it with melody. He touched it but could not understand the grace in the room. If he would have only heard the God in himself, "don't let the spin get you down". I heard you brother and I am going to ride it out. Why is it so hard to take ourselves seriously. Love all of you. Stay up.

>>By Greg Parker   (Sunday, 22 Dec 2002 09:51)



Just want to add to what SCook was saying. If you want to find an artist that comes real close to the same quality of Donny Hathaway's voice, get Frank McComb. He is a mixture of Stevie and Donny. Mostly Donny. I miss him. I do. I am only 22 years old. My dad introduced me to Donny at 4 years old. I loved him ever since. I am looking for pictures and information on Donny. I am also looking for old television performances from him. I am going to look for the library of music and television in New York. Maybe they will have something. Go get Frank McComb and buy all of Donny's work!!!!!!

>>By TEMUJIN   (Sunday, 22 Dec 2002 18:20)



i have lisened to donny in recent year and what a arist he was. inspired the like of frank mccomb and the new kid on the block donnies who sound so much like the great man george benson was very close but there was only one donny hathaway in recent times it seen like a lot of the young r&b arist are covering his songs ,its good to see how his music lives on through these times donny hathaway dj tklass salutes you! word!!!!

>>By dj tklass   (Thursday, 26 Dec 2002 06:33)



To know Donny in a time that warranted that every human grasp a ray of sunshine and hope, Donny was that for me. As a young man growing up in Arizona I began to listen to Donny (seems like from birth) at an early age and continued through my school years to date. No one clearly allows us to fall in love with such a buttery, soulful and passionate singer such as Donny. I have never, ever loved a performer such as Donny and his velvet voice. Growing up in the church as a singer I was always influenced by his mastery in song and his playing the keyboards. I have never forgotten his inspiring way when I threw on his albums and played non-stop throughout the day. He was my motivation in high school, college and even through my journeys as an NFL player before each game. My joys have always been my dad (Walter), Ali and Donny. In 2002 he is still my strongest love in music. Thank God for Lalah for carrying on that precious gift of song. God is Real!

>>By Preston   (Thursday, 26 Dec 2002 18:12)



To me Donny Hathaway navigated the musical terrain like no other.
Everything from church to the bitter blues.
Like the posts aforementioned, he internalized what he sang about.
Perhaps, that's the difference between the old school and new,there aren't many who write from a perspective of their surroundings and are
capable of making it musically edible without sugar coating it...he was musically,spiritually,emotionally raw!

I think my connection with Donny would be some of the same experiences gained both in music and in life, especially life with it's tosses and turns...
For instance, being raised in a somewhat sheltered lifestyle that had
many stipulations, namely "The Church"...like many of us, Donny wasn't
allowed to think outside the vortex of what the institution of church was.
Anything with limits and bondaries is a breeding bin for curiousity anyway, and I had those same experiences in my own upbringing...
The music was either too contemporary or to way out, for church that is!
there were no Kirk Franklins,Yolanda Adams to set us free.

So the image of what church, was, grandma and her red hat faning herself from the pressures of life...with a big voice choir singing!!!
Never was there any kind of church service with a 5/4 tempo, but in
Donny Hathaway's mind it was!

So musically, his head was so far advanced, because he wasn't allowed to express in his early life, til he began to delve in other worlds and find that both music and God could not be boxed!...just take a listen
to "Come little Children" from Extensions of a Man and witness the blues told in a story that sounds like a sunday morning testimony with a
5/4 rythm....then jump to the first track "I love the Lord" and you'll understand why Donny Hathaway extended himself musically,spiritually,
emotionally!

Big Poppa...


>>By Big Poppa!   (Tuesday, 21 Jan 2003 09:12)



Quite simply, one of the greatest voices in Soul music history. There's nothing else that needs to be said. period.

>>By Michael P. Lee   (Thursday, 23 Jan 2003 03:14)



It is a great thing to admire an artist for their ability to touch all humanity.
But it's even greater when it becomes apparent that the same mantle
has beautifully fallen on it's second generation...
There are a host of who's who children of celebrities by the mile, who sometimes attempt to follow in the same path as the parents, not always as successful at it...
However, Lalah Hathaway, decided to follow in the steps of her very gifted father.... and the world would've been robbed again had she chosen otherwise.
A very gifted musician/vocalist in her own right, has trod a path of many different styles....check out her criticallly acclaim collab with the great Joe Sample and be prepared to fall in love...or her very experimental sound with genius bassist Marcus Miller and you'll find that she, like her
daddy, moves to the tempo of her own drum!!!

When you first hear Lalah, you hear the apparent genetic of Donny, but
trust me you get past it very quickly. Because Ms. Hathaway doesn't rest on her musical heritage, but jumps forward into a world all her own.
That smooth velvet voice, yet smokey can make you drop to the floor in
awe!...The things she does with her voice is spellbounding!
If you like Donny Hathaway, then you'll fall madly in love with his daughter as well....

Donny Hathaway would be proud to hear his daughter carry on a legacy
that so rare, but touches the soul of every man just as he did!
Be sure to keep yor ears peeled for her forthcoming album in the mid to late part of 2003!

Be at Peace : )
Live & Color
it's sure to be a classic....

>>By Live & Color   (Saturday, 25 Jan 2003 07:18)



Donny is the greatest singer that I have ever heard in my life. In my short 28 years of life there has never been another to capture that sweet, R&B, gospel, and soulful sound that he posessed. I have every cd that was ever made by him even one old album that my mother had that I still try to listen today ( scratche's and all ). I can't imagine another person taking his place, but it's such a shame that people don't really know who he is. So to all you Donny fans spread the word and keep real music alive. There are so many stories of Tupac and Biggie but not a single on on Donny. Funny isn't it?

>>By BIG BILL   (Monday, 3 Feb 2003 21:37)



Anyone who would be nice to send me some pictures of Donny????
_____________________________
My e-mail is kkristiann@ofir.dk
_____________________________

If ya'll can't send'em would you please give me a good link!!!


THANX EVERYBODY!!!!!!


Luda

>>By Ludacrispie   (Friday, 7 Feb 2003 23:33)



There are no good sites for this great artist. So I'm working on one myself, so if you have any pictures or information it would be a big help. I already have all of his CD's and have used all of those photos, so send anything other than that to......(whkingw@netscape.net) thank you.

>>By BIG BILL   (Monday, 17 Feb 2003 21:42)



I was greatly touched by some of the intensity of the testimonies you peoiple have written about Donny.It is like you collectively took the words right outta my mouth,all i can add is that Donny has helped my to get back on track spiritually.The passion and conviction that man created must have lifted the people up to the roof at his live performances!!!! "God you heard me cry" Donny thanks for Love you shared with us all !!!!!!

>>By cuchullainuk   (Wednesday, 19 Feb 2003 13:52)



Donny Hathaway is quite simply the diffinition of Soul Music.

>>By Oldsouleloquent   (Friday, 21 Feb 2003 08:51)



There are few musicians and singers who have changed the history of modern music. Every soul singer owes a large debt of gratitude to Donny. Donny, in my opinion, is still the most perfect male voice I have ever heard, period. All of our "American Idols" need to sit down and listen. I have yet, in my brief 31 years of extensive listening and playing of music, to encounter such a controlled and beautiful instrument as Donny's tenor. I think the Creator gives us people like Donny, Jaco, Jimi, etc., so that we can realize our potential and escape our often self-imposed artistic boundaries.
As an African American male involved in civil rights work, I find it impossible to hold back tears when I listen to Donny's rendition of "He Ain't Heavy, He's my Brother" because you can tell from his inspirational and passionate delivery that he means and is feeling every lyric that he's singing ("his welfare's my concern"). I'm just getting to point where I can listen to it around others without feeling self-consicious when someone notices me getting misty, but it's something I've given up trying to control!
Please spread the message to those who don't know about Donny and I'm sure it will enrich their lives as much as it has enriched all of us who are familiar with music.

>>By c free   (Friday, 28 Feb 2003 09:26)



Man. "Were still friends" is one of the most pain felt songs I have ever heard. My boy gave me Donnys C.d. last year and its been in my 5 change disc thang ever since. His voice and keys are like butter baby.

>>By David Lee   (Wednesday, 5 Mar 2003 22:20)



I might just be only 17 years old , but i sing alot and I just want to say that Donny is the most inspiring singer to me and if were born in the time of his short life I would have been his most fatithful fan and I listen to him in my car at home and at school during class and my favorite is "For All We Know" that touches my heart , but I have yet to collect all of his cd's but when I do my life will be complete!

>>By Ian d.   (Friday, 7 Mar 2003 17:19)



I had the immense pleasure of hearing a concert tribute to Donny Hathaway (UBUKU Productions) this weekend in Detroit, and to put it mildly, I was blown away! I am only 34 years old, and knew of the more popular songs, but stuff they never played on the classic R&B stations was some of his best! I just got online to see what more I could find about this musical genius. I hope Reuben Ubuku doesn't make his recent generosity of sharing his passion for this man's work the last time the world is re-introduced to Donny Hathaway.

>>By Cheryl S.   (Monday, 10 Mar 2003 19:48)



DONNY!!!! To even think to pattern this man musically is unheard of. He was phenomenal, gifted in every since of the word. It is a tragedy that he 'lived' so much that he couldn't be set free with his own music. I aspire to even grasp an inkling of his creativity one day. Until then his music lives on.

Please any links, photos, that you can send on this artist is MUCH appreciated also YOu're right FRANK MCcomb is talented & didn't get much promotion. Lastly- Any sites for Angela Winbush? If you don't know who she is YOU NEED TO FIND out!
please email info to kankantx@blackvoices.com & check out my site for entertainment networking
www.geocities.com/krdelley/nwslttr.html Thanks & God Bless
phil 4:7

>>By kankantx   (Thursday, 13 Mar 2003 02:13)



a tribute to a great man who shaped my life in the 70's . I would play his songs over and over while attending college. He is gone but not forgotten,there has never been anyone since that could compare in his vocal range

>>By sissy (laverne   (Friday, 21 Mar 2003 06:07)



I was watching music choice on a cable channel and my favorite song came on. It was " You are my heaven'' with Roberta Flack. When they explained how he took his life, I could not believe it. I knew he died years ago, but I just did not know how. He was a great artist with such a beautiful voice, he will never be forgotten.

>>By neeta   (Friday, 21 Mar 2003 11:02)



Man, i kinda felt weird looking for info about Donny on the net, but visiting this site has made me see how many people love him. A man that used to play with Donny once told me that I sounded like Donny Hathaway, and I had to find out more about him. When I first heard him, I breathed heavy, realizing what a great honor it was to be told that I sounded like an Angel. But, i couldn't bring myself to make the comparison. No one can compare to that sound, spirit, talent, and character. I think him and Stevie Wonder are the only two singers in history that stand head and shoulders above the rest. Donny's music really lifts my spirit and has made me feel so much more confident and proud of being "Young, Gifted, and Black." If you don't know Donny, meet him through the music. Be easy

>>By delwin   (Sunday, 23 Mar 2003 23:30)



If you've never heard pure perfection, listen to Donny Hathaway. He's awe inspiring. Enough said.

Yolanda.   (Tuesday, 1 Apr 2003 10:10)



I remember the night he died...I remember sitting up in bed listening to the radio as they broadcast the terrible news and tears just flowed as if someone in my family had just died. I remember saying, "who am I going to listen to now?" I listen to this gift and I understand that God gave him something extra. I even got angry at George Benson when he emerged on the scene. No way was he gonna replace "my" Donny.

I was in the recording studio doing a session when my cousin called and said, "Listen to this!..." she then put this music on and through the phone I heard Donny singing, but it wasn't one of his songs. My cousin told me it was FRANK McCOMB! I almost dropped the phone! I couldn't believe it. The mantle has fallen on this man and he gets little airplay and support. Of course no one can replace Donny Hathaway...oooh those tones!!!! But I feel a sense of healing when I listen to Frank McComb. He didn't ask for Donny's sound, he was given it from God....who can be mad at that!

>>By Mikki   (Thursday, 3 Apr 2003 04:06)



im 23 years of age. i recently started listenin to DONNYS' music. i was blown away at the ease of his voice, no strain whatsoever. then my brother told me what happened to him and my eyes started to tear up. i couldnt believe i would never hear this voice live. "A SONG FOR YOU " is my favorite it has two meanings. there is the gospel meaning and also the romantic meaning i was blown away by this great man enability to reach both audiences. we miss u , never forget never forgotten.

>>By chocolatboiwunda2002   (Friday, 4 Apr 2003 05:33)



donny hathaway is truly a legend in music. Most people dont know of him but his music is awsome you live thru his music. Its sad he died so young and mysteriously but i love his music and im 17 years old. Donny Hathaway is a legend and made the best of music.

Donny hathaway biggest fan

>>By josh guerra   (Monday, 14 Apr 2003 07:40)



Well, I think he was the music wearing clothes!!!
He is full of air, sensitivity, his voice sounds like velvet, if you know what i mean!
He was a genius...Listen to the songs For All We Know , Mood, A Song For You or Someday We´ll All Be Free in the dark, high volume, alone, and that´s it. Can you feel It?
If you can, tell me about it: e-mail: rasabreu@ig.com.br
I´m from Brasil, São Paulo, Campinas.
Bye!

>>By Rodrigo Abreu   (Thursday, 17 Apr 2003 04:11)



i'm only 18, but donny hathaway has blown me away with his amazing voice. my generation hasn't grown up with musicians like him and his style of music. i really enjoy this man and his music. unfortunately he isn't here but his music is and i'm thankful for that.

>>By young blood   (Sunday, 20 Apr 2003 02:36)



Pages: 1 2
The discussion board is currently closed.