RE: Hathaway Live (was 'Valdez in the Country')
Kurt Iveson (kiveson@coombs.anu.edu.au)
Fri, 11 Apr 1997 12:03:35 +1000
>While, we have been talking about Donny, I always wondered why, in a historical
>sense, he was never considered one of the true greats. He had a beautiful
>voice, could play a mean piano (or organ or any keyboard) as any of the greats
>(Marvin Gaye, Al Green, et al.). The only thing I can point to is that his
>record sales weren't as good as other artists and, even by his admittance, he
>wasn't the most appealing looking guy in the world (he was kind of a husky
>looking guy with a round face). I consider him every bit as great as Marvin
>Gaye and none of his albums or collaborations IMO are disappointing even into
>the late '70s, early '80s when some of Gaye's work was a bit stagnant.
>Hmmm...anybody else feel similiarly?
>
>--Jon
I agree!! What a voice. It is weird, eh? The other theory I've heard
about Hathaway's legacy is the one put by Nelson George in his book The
Death of Rhythm and Blues. It's been a while since I read it, but from
what I remember, George reckoned that right about the time Hathaway looked
like he was gonna start getting the same kinda recognition as the likes of
Marvin Gaye, etc, he started having mental illness problems that got in the
way of his output. This illness eventually saw him institionalised and
contributed to his death (was it suicide or something?). In any case,
Nelson George seemed to think that Hathaway was a very significant figure
at the time for the development of soul music, even if he isn't always
remembered with the other greats.
Kurt