The two of them together have to be my most favorite musical duos hands down. They were meant to sing together. Their duets had more depth, emotion and soul. They certainly had more of an impact than Marvin and Tammy. Roberta was an excellent pianist who I think was over shadowed by Aretha and her voice had a more finessed sound. Her version of Compared To What blew me away the first time I heard it. Her phrasing was impeccable. Then there’s Donny who had such a calm about his voice, it felt like a comfy blanket. For All We Know still makes me cry almost as much as This Christmas, another one of my favorites, every time I listen to it. They brought out the best in each other and it’s so heartbreaking to think of how Donny’s life was cut short due to mental illness. To think of the years of musical collaboration they could have brought us. We can only imagine.
Oh yeah, her version of 'Compared to What' is a marvel - it's quiet but still retains the edge of Eugene McDaniels' lyrics. Flack may be soft-spoken when singing it but no mistaking that she is mad as hell about what's going on, and the precision with which she delivers that messages make it even more chilling than Les McCann's famous (and great!) recording of it from Montreux in 1969.
'The Closer I Get To You' is such a beautiful coda to Hathaway's music but almost unspeakably sad.
Matt Fish has a Substack on Chicago’s ten best songs. I’m anxious to see what makes the list. He must’ve read your article on them a while back and decided to continue the love.
This was lovely, Robert. On their own, they made albums that rank among the best ever recorded. But there was something about the two of them together that was magical, given their similar sensibilities.
It was in 1972 that I graduated from college, and had this album as part of the soundtrack of my last semester. I was already a huge Roberta Flack fan, considering her in the pantheon of great artists of her time, but this was my introduction to Donny Hathaway. I looked into his music at some point, and his live version of the song Sackful of Dreams remains one of my very favorites. Now, more than 50 years later I remain a music obsessive, and have created over 400 playlists, and the song Where is the Love? Is on my Guilty Pleasures list, not just because it’s so infinitely listenable, but because it’s so easy to sing along to. I used to enjoy listening to the two disco-era songs they did in the late 70s until I discovered that Donny Hathaway took his life by jumping from a window in Essex House on Central Park South right after the recording session. A few years ago, I visited the Alvin Ailey retrospective at the Whitney Museum, where there was a video presentation on one wall of many of the great moments from Ailey’s work, including pieces he choreographed to music of Laura, Nyro and Donny Hathaway as well. Seeing the video and hearing the music brought tears to my eyes. It’s unfortunate that Roberta Flack is mostly considered a middle of the road artist now, based on some of her hits, and also unfortunate that we don’t have more recordings of Donny Hathaway and the two of them together. Thank you for recognizing this album and their tremendous artistry.
The two of them together have to be my most favorite musical duos hands down. They were meant to sing together. Their duets had more depth, emotion and soul. They certainly had more of an impact than Marvin and Tammy. Roberta was an excellent pianist who I think was over shadowed by Aretha and her voice had a more finessed sound. Her version of Compared To What blew me away the first time I heard it. Her phrasing was impeccable. Then there’s Donny who had such a calm about his voice, it felt like a comfy blanket. For All We Know still makes me cry almost as much as This Christmas, another one of my favorites, every time I listen to it. They brought out the best in each other and it’s so heartbreaking to think of how Donny’s life was cut short due to mental illness. To think of the years of musical collaboration they could have brought us. We can only imagine.
Oh yeah, her version of 'Compared to What' is a marvel - it's quiet but still retains the edge of Eugene McDaniels' lyrics. Flack may be soft-spoken when singing it but no mistaking that she is mad as hell about what's going on, and the precision with which she delivers that messages make it even more chilling than Les McCann's famous (and great!) recording of it from Montreux in 1969.
'The Closer I Get To You' is such a beautiful coda to Hathaway's music but almost unspeakably sad.
Matt Fish has a Substack on Chicago’s ten best songs. I’m anxious to see what makes the list. He must’ve read your article on them a while back and decided to continue the love.
I'll have to check that out!
Happy Cause I’m going Home probably won’t be on. Just a hunch.
Very enjoyable article huge Roberta and Donny fan still mourn what could have been thanks for posting
Thank you, David, for the kind note.
This was lovely, Robert. On their own, they made albums that rank among the best ever recorded. But there was something about the two of them together that was magical, given their similar sensibilities.
Thanks, Emm! They both had this very wide view of music, and it comes through powerfully on the album.
I love them both and I love their collaborations. Thanks for such a great analysis!
Thanks, Andres!
Beautiful writing and analysis as always.
I haven't played the album in years, often choosing Hathaway's solo material instead.
But like all good writing you have pushed me to re-listen to some beautiful vinyl .
Smooth soulful grooves.. brilliant work,
A real treat.
Thanks.
You're welcome - so glad that you were encouraged to re-visit the album by what I wrote.
Surely one of the best duet albums of all time!
I agree - revisiting it twice recently has only emphasized this point.
It was in 1972 that I graduated from college, and had this album as part of the soundtrack of my last semester. I was already a huge Roberta Flack fan, considering her in the pantheon of great artists of her time, but this was my introduction to Donny Hathaway. I looked into his music at some point, and his live version of the song Sackful of Dreams remains one of my very favorites. Now, more than 50 years later I remain a music obsessive, and have created over 400 playlists, and the song Where is the Love? Is on my Guilty Pleasures list, not just because it’s so infinitely listenable, but because it’s so easy to sing along to. I used to enjoy listening to the two disco-era songs they did in the late 70s until I discovered that Donny Hathaway took his life by jumping from a window in Essex House on Central Park South right after the recording session. A few years ago, I visited the Alvin Ailey retrospective at the Whitney Museum, where there was a video presentation on one wall of many of the great moments from Ailey’s work, including pieces he choreographed to music of Laura, Nyro and Donny Hathaway as well. Seeing the video and hearing the music brought tears to my eyes. It’s unfortunate that Roberta Flack is mostly considered a middle of the road artist now, based on some of her hits, and also unfortunate that we don’t have more recordings of Donny Hathaway and the two of them together. Thank you for recognizing this album and their tremendous artistry.
Thanks, John, for these thoughts. I'm so glad you liked the piece.
"Back Together Again" is just too good.
I have to re-visit it!
I admire Roberta (RIP) but I especially love Donny (RIP). The amount of enduring music he managed to produce in a very short lifetime is magical.
I agree!