Love. On "A Song For You" the devotion he sings of is powerful. "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know" exudes soul-stirring dedication and realness with lyrics like "when i wasn't making much money, u know where my paycheck went...u know i bought it home to you baby & i never spent a red cent".

Passion. "The Closer I Get to You", "Where Is the Love", "You Are My Heaven", "Back Together Again" are silky duets with Roberta Flack. What a gorgeous blend of voices. Perfect songs for warm summers day in the park or just reflecting on the happiness that being in love brings.

Pain. "Giving Up" is one of the most powerful songs I have ever heard in my life. Starting with that soulful church moan, this is a gut-wrenching testimony of what used to be. The song is filled with punching horns, a creeping piano and the strings are incredible that help add to the mood of this song. The climatic build has a lasting and quite emotional intensity. Simply stated, this is a masterpiece right down to the ad libbing at the fade.

Pride. "To Be Young Gifted & Black" makes you want to stand up and shout "that's where its at!". "What's Going On" gives us a sample of Donny live on his keyboards leading into "Ghetto", which is laden with funky bass and takes us into a rythmic world complete with down home moans, riffs and great audience participation.

Strength. "Someday We'll All Be Free" reminds us all to keep your head up and walk tall because better things are coming. It is a simply beautiful and inspirational piece. "things are moving fast" he sings in his eloquent vibrato, "hold on tight and you will last".

Donny Hathaway is a legend that blessed the world with a voice of gold and whatever led to his demise is not for us to judge. I'm just glad he gave us the jewel of his music while he was here & his passion and soul continues to live through the voice of his daughter Lalah. She is another golden-voiced singer. His work is a true blueprint for what real soul is.

These are the kinds of songs that you want to play loud enough for everyone within ear shot can hear and let the voice and messages cause movement of heart, mind & soul.

Peace. CLB.

33 of 33 found the following review helpful:


"And when my life is over, remember..."  Feb 23, 2000
What a haunting line from the first song of this transcendental collection of hits from the incomperable Donny Hathaway. I was a kid when he left us, yet I remember my oldest sister always playing his music as we would clean the house. Seems appropiate listening to him now; there's something about Donny's voice that helps purify the air, the moment, and the soul. Truly he was the first male vocalist to take the torch from the likes of Mahalia Jackson and show the world that spirit stirring soul and sophisticated song could and should co-exist. Furthermore, he quickly ispired the talents of Stevie Wonder, Jeffrey Osborne, and Peabro Bryson while giving us premoniton of Freddie Jackson, Johny Gill, and the legendary Luther Vandross. It is my hope, as a playwright, to see that his impact is noted. Get away from your day, shut off the tube, relax and play, "For All We Know." Let, "A Song For You," travel through the windows and change your neighborhood. Read about the life of Donny, then let, "Young, Gifted, and Black," talk to your soul - or better yet, drink some grean tea and groove to "Someday We'll All Be Free," and you will definitely be.

22 of 22 found the following review helpful:


Soul stirring  May 29, 2006 By chercat
I had heard Donny Hathaway decades before on the Roberta Flack duets but never even paid much attention to his name - it was all about Roberta back then ( who is a rare talent!) and I just assumed he was a back up -type singer - how wrong ( and young ) I was back then.

After being re-introduced to the great Donny Hathaway by Elliott Yamin of American Idol fame, I honestly can say that this is one of the VERY FEW male vocalists I want to listen to in addition to Elliott whose voice blows me away every time !

Sure,I know A Song for You is a Leon Russell original and I have some old Leon Russell albums, not cds, that is vinyl . Leon Russell is great but I much , much prefer the vocals on this song done by Donny and Elliott - the passion, the intensity, the raspy smoothness - not an oxymoron descriving their voices - more like a phenomenon.

Do yourself a great favor and buy this CD - it will lift your soul at every listen.

16 of 16 found the following review helpful:


Donny Hathaway's reintroduction to the world through Elliott Yamin...  May 21, 2006 By D. Pepper
I can honestly say I had never heard of Donny Hathaway until American Idol contestant Elliott Yamin sang 'A Song For You' on the show. Elliott introduced Donny's daughter to the audience (she is a backup singer on A.I.) & made it known how strongly Donny's music influenced him. In return, it piqued the interest of Elliott Yamin fans to find out about Donny's music...including myself. I must say, I do enjoy Donny's music & am grateful to Elliott Yamin for introducing it to me! THANKYOU!!

28 of 31 found the following review helpful:


Thank You Elliott Yamin for putting Donnie's Voice Forefront  Apr 27, 2006 By Linda D. Robinson "The Queen"
I love this CD and have all of Donnie's and Roberta's CD's. When I heard Elliott was going to sing this song, I agreed with David Foster, it is a very stylized song and for THAT is why you do not hear alot of covers on it. But Elliott sang this song with heart and soul and it fell over to the public, period. I hope he wins this contest because he is the best male vocalist, but more importantly his performance of Donnie's classic will go down in AI's history as a performance to remember. And yes, Leon Russell wrote this tune, but it is Donnie's version everyone remembers.

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