LP Review: Donny Hathaway
Released: 1971
LP Charts: #6 R&B, #89 pop
Okay, right from the jump this eponymous album feels different than Hathaway’s really uneven debut. Hathaway leaves behind some of the try-too-hard R&B that marred his first album. Too often his voice was struggling to power through the loud trumpets and whatnot. Or it was trying too hard to fill in ALL THE SPACE on some of the more slower-paced gospel-styled tunes that were dominated by his piano.
Some of the credit for this opening up of the sound goes to industry veterans Arif Mardin and Jerry Wexler who co-produced half of the album’s songs together; Hathaway produced the other half. And this album is full of covers and outside writing contributions. Hathaway only co-wrote one song after writing almost all the songs on Everything is Everything.
The album opener “Giving Up” (#21 R&B, #81 pop), written by future “The Hustle” maven Van McCoy, has Hathaway employing an orchestra for the first, but certainly not last, time. The song is definitely grounded in the blues, but that orchestra gives it a cinematic depth. Furthermore, a saxophone solo breaks in providing the emotional release that Hathaway might have done with his vocals on the previous album. THIS IS GOOD. I’d rather hear the sax wail too hard than Ole Donny. He isn’t powering through anything on this song. A scene is set and he is able to just vocally stroll through as necessary.
Another cover ensues with “A Song For You”, perhaps Hathaway’s most famous solo song… not counting “This Christmas”. Written by Leon Russell, the lyrics of this song are pretty silly, but Hathaway sells them with a perfectly controlled vocally delivery augmented by his gorgeous piano playing. Can’t get enough of that cascading keyboard twinkle. Again, the orchestra earns its keep as the strings and woodwinds provide some serious heft when necessary on this song.
I think “A Song For You” more than any of Hathaway’s song inspired legions of future R&B singers. Too bad they didn’t take note of the meticulous instrumentation that his voice rested upon. Even Hathaway’s acoustic live versions of this song are fairly weak compared to the studio version because, again, those strings and woodwinds are indispensable.
Next up is another ballad, “Little Girl”. It flows naturally from its predecessor and is a nice album cut. I’ve never understood the fascination with “He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother”. I’ve yet to hear a version of this song that moves me, Hathaway’s cover included. He really sings the song well. The arrangement is nice. The piano work is pretty. This song is just boring, though.
After Side One was one mopey ballad after another, we get some pep in our step right off the bat on Side Two with the funky “Magnificent Sanctuary Band”. Male vocalists give some marching orders during the first minute or so, before Hathaway and female vocalists begin testifying that following Christ is the way to leave this troubled world.
The ballads immediately return with the string-swept “She Is My Lady”. “Take A Love Song” has a similar approach, but is less effective, still good though. “I Believe In Music” is one of those hokey “the power of music can make you feel good” songs. Worst track on the album.
Closing the LP is “Put Your Hand in the Hand”, which is unsurprisingly a gospel number. I can dig it since it’s more of the “sway with the piano” type gospel. I’m actually kinda mad the song is only 3:49 long. Just when the backing choir is really getting into the holy spirit the song cuts off. Pfft.
ALBUM GRADE: B-
Despite being a bit too heavy on the ballads, Donny Hathaway is a solid step up from Everything is Everything. Still kinks to work out, but there’s clear progression and improvement in Hathaway’s music.
I should also note this album suffered mightily from not including two contemporary Hathaway songs: “Be There” and “This Christmas”. “Be There” is baroque pop crossed with soul. A solid 6.5/10. “This Christmas” is a stone-cold holiday classic and a 9/10 from me.
Song Scores
Giving Up: 7.5/10
A Song For You: 9/10
Little Girl: 6/10
He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother: 5/10
Magnificent Sanctuary Band: 6/10
She Is My Lady: 7/10
I Believe In Music: 4/10
Take A Love Song: 6/10
Put Your Hand in the Hand: 7/10