That is one of the gigs i played on with the original band 1973 Donny Hathaway,piano ,Mike Howard guitar, Earl DeRouen,conga, Fred White drums, Basie Saunders bass.
Mr. Saunders, imma big fan! That band is one of my all time favorites, if i could trouble you with some questions i would be forever grateful... What was Donnys demeanor like at that time, 1973? Was he easy to get along with? How often did you play with Mike Howard? Was he difficult to harmonize with? and lastly was there ever a night where Donny didnt sound like this? i have never found a live performance where he is off key or even remotely hoarse/off pitch. Its amazing to think that he was literally perfect every time but then again, it is Donny. If you responded to this it would make my day, thank you again.
when a man can sing with pain ,sadness and love all at the same time and make it so rich that you can feel it in his voice. that is all that i need to say that donny was the deepest soul singer of our time.
This man was placed on this earth to do exactly what he did- Touch souls through music!! Listen to that pure voice! Listen to that emotion! Listen to the GENIUS of a musical mind! If it evokes emotion and soothes you today, just IMAGINE what it did for the people of those times- Especially blacks. This artist is the definition of the POWER of music!!! R.I.P. D. Hathaway!
When I hear Donny, it just shatters me. I get lost somewhere and when the song is over, it's like what just happened? Where was I? You don't just listen to him, you experience him. I've never heard a singer and cried upon the the first note that emanated from their mouth. with him, I have.
We couldnt possibly know the deapth of your pain but your music was so deep and heartffelt,I grew up to it. Forty years later it still stirs me so deeply.
Took the words out of my mind 💛 I’m 69 now (here in the UK) & I discovered him in ‘74, got all his albums, he blew me away then & still brings the tears even now 💛
Not quite sure how to explain how this song makes me feel. If one ever questions whether or not there is a God ask yourself who else could give someone the ability to let such a beautiful sound come from there lips. See you soon Donny!
Just when you think you can breath again.......... That unmistakable voice floods into my soul and reminds me that I still love him, and quite possibly will never be "OK" again. "I'm talkin 'bout when you really love someone" church all say AMEN......
Simply the best. Just sit back turn the lights of and put on some Donny Hathaway. .. let you mind be free as you listen to a true master direct his craft... take your mind place and you relax you body. Donny was ahead of his time and simply amazing. R.I.P Mr. HATHAWAY. A true legend.
You know Donny was special because even the greats of music call him their inspiration. He is the physical embodiment of soul. Love the man and his music.
This right here? Donny pulled his heart & soul OUT & throws them on stage & draws powerful responses from the audience so many Xs. It is almost a religious experience to listen. Right at 5:23 and on, he just lays it our there & brings it home. It's even more heart-wrenching knowing our soul brotha had so many voices inside him trying to destroy, yet he pushed past them in order to give the world the gift of his INSTRUMENT. Donny Hathaway was the truth. Musically. Lyrically. Universally. RIP.
MrsD7777 Damn, tough piece you stated. I sometimes reflect that the gifted souls have been touched by the divine. They see the pain of everyday life of many traveling the human experience. They not only see the pain, they feel the pain, try to drown it out. It just hurts so much to see the suffering. Giving up stops being hard to do.
This man has one of the most honorable and sweetest voices that is haughting, and delectable all at the same time. It's like warm honey being poured over your body and licked softly by the sun. Luther Vandross was the Interpreter of Love Songs and Expressions, but Donny Hathaway was the Maestro of Pure soul. He must've known he was going to die young and God sent him home to sing with the Angels. Two great, great voices in American Music...RIP Brother Luther and Brother Donny.
Please Atlantic Records revitalize this live performance for better quality to be put on an album. This is the version that was needy, as only Donny could do, Live
Damn!! I thought I was the only one who felt this way..Well not actually, but the way you put it sound's exactly like how I feel when this man sings. He brings me to tears every time and i'm a grown man..He was pure soul!!!!
nothing like a donny hathaway song to express those deep emotions we all feel at times when life gets a bit tough or u just want to hear some love music..his voice is pure soul and it is like God is grasping his shoulder and squeezing it when he hits those soul-stirring notes and wails...amazing!
First time to hear this song, and its been a while that something has given me goose bumps. I'm still amazed at how unrecognised he was. One of the most talented men to grace this earth.
the first time I heard this was from Jennife Holliday and I fell in love with it But his version is so soul felt just making me shed tears because I am living this right now .I am trying to move on after a 25 year relationship that his ened up in a divorce...IT IS SO HARD.....TO GIVE HIM UP....
Im amazed every time I hear Donny. To hear him is to be touched and inspired. You can tell by the comments that he has touched many with the rich ness of his voice.
BREATHTAKING! POWERFUL! Makes me almost FAINT! A lot of pretty voices in the world today...but WHO sings like this from the DEEPEST part of one's soul??? Let me know... Donny's Voice can Never die!
I just go back to this and mourn for his loss all over again, it was as if it was God in him, his voice is too distinct and when I think about it's crazy that a 25 year old has this much vocal clarity and control and talent, I can't help but tear up.
Oh, if only there was a time machine! I so wish I could have seen this total Genius of a man live. Donnie you were absolutly amazing. I now have the joy of my 8 year old son listening to and appreciating your legendary music, no pressure he loves it and I'm so gratefull he does..........your music will live on in my house long after I'm gone. Oh, and thanks to Mr C for my early induction to motown.......your only legagcy lives on.
The man is a genius! Children today do not have a capacity to enjoy great music. I just love that fact that at one point in my life, I was turned on to Mr. Hathaway. Keep Great Music Alive! One, Maka
I love Donny Hathaway as well and agree that his voice was ahead of his time yet others fail to realize that. I never really listened to his work until about 3 years ago and am not sure how I didn't know about him. I wish that he were still alive today just to see how great he would have been.
this just brings the tears. His naked heart, the gift of his pain and his beauty. Sigh. It's so hard for all of us that you couldn't make the choice to live, Donny. We all send you our love where ever you are.
I had no idea he was so powerful with the gospel as he was with secular music and you FEEL what he is saying is for real. It's as though you're in the presence of God on his gospel songs. What a way to enter heaven, by being sung in by Donny Hathaway.
THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS! I'm still convinced that, even 30 years later, the man was ahead of his time. Thanks for putting a rare gem out for us fans to hear!
written by my dear friend VAN MCCOY MY SISTER ZULEMA CUSSEAUX ALSO RECORDED GIVEN UP /THANKYOU FOR THIS AMAZING RECORDING DONNYS VOICE IN THE ASTRODOME IS SO POWERFUL TRULY AMERICAN MUSICAL ROYALTY THEY ARE ALL GONE FOR NOW BUT THEY LEFT US WITH GREATNESS GIVING UP IS TRULY AMERICAN OPERA MOST POWERFUL ODE TO LOVE EVER RECORDED RIP FAMILY .28 LEAD SINGER EARONS NYC BAND
This song Donney Hathaway is singing you can feel his pain throgh the song and the beat. This brother is hurting bad! The lyrics are so deep, it penitrate stright through your heart and soul. Well done Donney!
When God gave us Donny Hathaway, he gave us a sample of the language your soul can speak when its got something to say. "Artists' have almost forgotten how to speak from the depths of their soul. He's a nce reminder....
This song is it. He put it down every time he opened his mouth to sing. His voice reaches and hits the emotions its meant to touch. Love this song, Love lill ghetto boy can't find up here anywhere and his rendition of the beatles yesterday or stevie's superwoman nearly tossed my stereo didn't want to hear music from anyone else after that. please let me know if anyone find any of the mentioned on here. peace.
built in reverb in the amp head by vibration on the stage cannot upset me the fact this AMERICAN MUSICAL ROYALTY WAS CAPTURED IN ANY CAPACITY IS TRULY A GIFT IMPERFECTIONS TECHNICAL THIS THE HOUSTON ASTRODOME TEXAS A PLACE THAT CAPACITATES UP TO NINETY THOUSAND PEOPLE IS TRULY EXTROIDENARY TO HEAR DONNYS VOICE FILL THIS LEGENDARY VENUE WITH VOCAL POWER AND EXCEPTIONAL BAND IS TRULY A BLESSING DONNY HATHAWAY BRAVO .28 nyc
Any aspiring artist,musician,songwriter.music enthusiast,and lover of life..with all of it's sham,drudgery,and broken dreams,could learn some things about passion and pain through the sound of this voice.He was the second next to B.B. that brought a tear to my eye and made me realize that pain could evoke sadness as well as joy in my soul.Truly a master of his craft. RIP Donny.
brother sounds sooooooo goooood. I REALLY really wish I was around when he was here so I could go to a concert.. Unfortunately I was born about 10 months after he died..
The "Experience" of the Voice of Mr Donny Hathaway IS... A Voice that Flows from the Crystal Clear Waters of Heaven down to Earth... as a Balm for the Wounds of Humanity....A Voice so Deep & Powerful, Silky Smooth, Razor Sharp Vocals with Riffs that Rock your Spirit & Pierce the Depths of your Very Soul, Removing all Sorrow & Pain, and then Leaving you Healed and Complete!!! VS~ The cheap, shallow, commercialized, bubble-gum/ice-cream & auto-tune Voices of Today? NO COMPARISON WHATSOEVER!!!
