There is also the "Love Is" album by Lovelace Watkins on UNI Records with some Donny Hathaway arrangements on it.
I was excited to see Donny's name in the credits, but when I checked this LP out recently it wasn't really hittin - like one or two songs were decent but it really wasn't a listener IMO.
Wasn't Lovelace Watkins a straight-up Vegas lounge singer?
Looked like it might have been early enough that it predated his solo releases, had me wondering if he was another one of those dudes who was doing hella work behind the scenes in the 60s before he really got to put it down on his own.
I think you just hit the nail on the head. Just yesterday I was listening to a Carla Thomas live CD that was recorded in the mid-sixties but only came out last year. On piano: a young Donny Hathaway. She's singing one of his songs on the set, too.
A while ago, Upskiboo played me a novelty Moog record (I think it was on Chess), and as I recall, Donny Hathaway was doing the Moog work on it. Most of it was kinda cheesy (a la "Popcorn"), but 1 or 2 tracks were OK. I'm pretty sure he wrote most of the tunes, and it had some other usual Chicago suspects like Phil Upchurch playing on it too. I was surprised to see his name on that.
I picked up the Phil Upchurch Darkness, Darkness LP this weekend and noticed Donny arranged, conducted and played on the song "What We Call the Blues". It's a great tune on a good LP.
A while ago, Upskiboo played me a novelty Moog record (I think it was on Chess), and as I recall, Donny Hathaway was doing the Moog work on it. Most of it was kinda cheesy (a la "Popcorn"), but 1 or 2 tracks were OK. I'm pretty sure he wrote most of the tunes, and it had some other usual Chicago suspects like Phil Upchurch playing on it too. I was surprised to see his name on that.
Sounds like you're talking about Moogie Woogie by the Zeet Band. I've been interested in hearing that too, due to Michael Bloomfield's presence on the LP (as "Fast Fingers Finklestein"). I wouldn't drop a fortune on it, though - your description sounds about like what I'd expect.
Another addition to the DH canon: that 1969 single on Curtom by "June & Donnie." After Donny hit it big on his own, Curtom cannily reissued it credited to "June Conquest & Donny Hathaway" (at least June still had top billing!).
Sounds like you're talking about Moogie Woogie by the Zeet Band. I've been interested in hearing that too, due to Michael Bloomfield's presence on the LP (as "Fast Fingers Finklestein"). I wouldn't drop a fortune on it, though - your description sounds about like what I'd expect.
Could a reason why Donny is a little slept-on because, and I know this may sound lame, he lacks "uptempo" or "happy" jamz? I know it's a shitty litmus test for an artist, especially for someone like Donny, but I think a reason why a lot of soul legends still got a lot of love is because the number of catchy songs. IMO of course..
A speaking of shitty litmus tests=this a good measure of the typical soulstrut collectro mentallity.
Could a reason why Donny is a little slept-on because, and I know this may sound lame, he lacks "uptempo" or "happy" jamz? I know it's a shitty litmus test for an artist, especially for someone like Donny, but I think a reason why a lot of soul legends still got a lot of love is because the number of catchy songs. IMO of course..
A speaking of shitty litmus tests=this a good measure of the typical soulstrut collectro mentallity.
"No Funky BlackMan Soul on here."
U can have a Soul R&B career by stayin in the quiet storm format. No club bangers needed. IMO of course.
That Roberta Flack collabo rocks the Roller Disco.
I dunno mate, I think he has a good quantity of 'uptempo jams' like The Slums/The Ghetto, Magnificant Sanctuary Band etc. And some of his features he rips into some nice funky keys work.
But alot of his uptempo stuff aint 'happy sounding' IMO, because it sound more smobre and melancolic I think because of his voice and emotions.
I want to know more about the mans life. Anyone reccomend a good Bio or Doco on the man/ I have never seen much mentioned about him, and once read he died by committing suicide in the late 70s, which is a shame. I think he's the most underate, and overlooked, soul singer/songwriter/musician of that era.
I want to know more about the mans life. Anyone reccomend a good Bio or Doco on the man/ I have never seen much mentioned about him
I don't think there's any full-blown bios, but from what little I've read, the man seemed just as melancholy as his music. Jerry Wexler talks about him a little in his memoirs, The Rhythm & the Blues. And I haven't seen it in a long time, but I seem to remember Ebony did a pretty comprehensive article on him just after his death in 1979. Check the library for that one...
and once read he died by committing suicide in the late 70s, which is a shame.
At the time, he was (reportedly) prone to deep depression, which explains why he hadn't put out a new album in six years. He was just starting to make a comeback (this is right around when "The Closer I Get To You," his duet with Flack, became a hit).
Comments
Wasn't Lovelace Watkins a straight-up Vegas lounge singer?
I think you just hit the nail on the head. Just yesterday I was listening to a Carla Thomas live CD that was recorded in the mid-sixties but only came out last year. On piano: a young Donny Hathaway. She's singing one of his songs on the set, too.
I wouldn't be surprised cuz thats what the bulk of the LP sounded like...
Great, I get a never-ending supply of 30 year old losers whenever I discuss music!
(Correct me if I'm wrong, R*s!)
Sounds like you're talking about Moogie Woogie by the Zeet Band. I've been interested in hearing that too, due to Michael Bloomfield's presence on the LP (as "Fast Fingers Finklestein"). I wouldn't drop a fortune on it, though - your description sounds about like what I'd expect.
http://36-15-moog.blogspot.com/2008/03/zeet-band-moogie-woogie-1970.html
Yup, that's the one.
A speaking of shitty litmus tests=this a good measure of the typical soulstrut collectro mentallity.
"No Funky BlackMan Soul on here."
U can have a Soul R&B career by stayin in the quiet storm format. No club bangers needed. IMO of course.
That Roberta Flack collabo rocks the Roller Disco.
His cover of Jelous Guy is one of my favourtie tunes.
I dunno mate, I think he has a good quantity of 'uptempo jams' like The Slums/The Ghetto, Magnificant Sanctuary Band etc. And some of his features he rips into some nice funky keys work.
But alot of his uptempo stuff aint 'happy sounding' IMO, because it sound more smobre and melancolic I think because of his voice and emotions.
I want to know more about the mans life. Anyone reccomend a good Bio or Doco on the man/ I have never seen much mentioned about him, and once read he died by committing suicide in the late 70s, which is a shame. I think he's the most underate, and overlooked, soul singer/songwriter/musician of that era.
I don't think there's any full-blown bios, but from what little I've read, the man seemed just as melancholy as his music. Jerry Wexler talks about him a little in his memoirs, The Rhythm & the Blues. And I haven't seen it in a long time, but I seem to remember Ebony did a pretty comprehensive article on him just after his death in 1979. Check the library for that one...
At the time, he was (reportedly) prone to deep depression, which explains why he hadn't put out a new album in six years. He was just starting to make a comeback (this is right around when "The Closer I Get To You," his duet with Flack, became a hit).
yup, that's what I meant.
His live version of "You've Got A Friend" slays me, love it ot death.