Re: Hathaway Live (was 'Valdez in the Country')

Kurt Iveson (kiveson@coombs.anu.edu.au)
Fri, 11 Apr 1997 09:32:50 +1000

>> Donny's influence is very apparent in the song and throughout the
>>group's first album.
>
>While we're on Donny, I thought I'd mention that I have a single by a
>group called Soulful Strings titled "Zambezi" that he arranged. It's
>pretty funky, and makes me think he did more than just arrange it. It's on
>Cadet records, where he worked until he got with either Curtom or
>Atlantic. There's also a live album from 1972 (?) on Atco.
>
>Anthony

I just picked up this live album (just called Donny Hathaway 'Live',
available as German import) recently and it blew me away ... way soulful.
It's bits of two concerts, one in Hollywood, one in NYC. Includes a great
version of The Ghetto (clockin in around 11 min), and covers of What's Goin
On, You Got a Friend and Jealous Guy which are all great. Plus the
record's worth grabbing just for the crowd ... they're up in the mix, very
enthusiastic, soul clapping and screaming and singing along. In fact on
You've Got a Friend, Donny has them singing the chorus while he improvises
over the top. Cool

Kurt