Tuesday, July 17, 2012

DONNY HATHAWAY – LIVE / IN PERFORMANCE


Both Donny Hathaway concert albums in a single set – both on US CD for the first time! CD 1 features Donny Hathaway Live – massively beautiful work from the legendary Donny! After two studio albums that had firmly put him on the map as one of the 70s best soul talents, Atco had the genius to have Donny record this live album before very enthusiastic crowds in Hollywood and New York. The result is one of the best soul albums ever – one that shows a totally different side of Donny, and which has him jamming with a smaller, hipper, jazz-oriented group in long versions of some of his best tracks. Features a massive 12 minute version of "The Ghetto", which has loads of excellent instrumental breakdowns, a 13 minute version of "Voices Inside (Everything Is Everything)", a superior version of the track "Little Ghetto Boy", which was only ever on a soundtrack, and covers of "What's Going On" and "Jealous Guy" that really transform them from the original versions. Very similar to the classic Curtis Mayfield 2LP live set on Curtom – and with a similar "Chicago studio soulster goes jazzy and intimate" feel.

In Performance was issued after Donny's untimely death, and features rare live material from his classic years – most recorded during the same concerts on Donny Hathaway Live! As the fame of his first concert album will attest, Donny's an extremely wonderful live performer, with a wealth of talents that show that his studio work is only half the picture of his soulful creativity. Includes a great version of "Sack Full Of Dreams", plus "Nu-Po", "Song For You", "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know", and "To Be Youg, Gifted, & Black". 2CD set features new remastering too – better than ever! ~ Dusty Groove

No comments:

Post a Comment