I'm so very impressed ... that you did NOT stop, but ran to find out not only WHO Donny Hathaway was ... besides just being Lalah's daddy, but can hear his musicianship, the vocal prowess, the piano skills, his arrangements ... HE WAS ALL OF IT !! He is the standard ... he created his own 'genre' and every male singer, since, has a bit of Donny in them.

The absolute greatest male voice my ears have ever heard. Huge inspiration for me!

Donny will make you cry. People don't cover Donny Hathaway cause it's a tall order. Excellent pianist. Excellent arrangements. The feeling you get when he sang.

He knows his music! Donny began singing in the church choir with his grandmother, a professional gospel singer, at the age of three, and studying piano. After high school he studied music on a fine arts scholarship at Howard University in Washington DC. He left Howard just before completing a degree, after receiving job offers in the music business.

He’s beyond words to me, someday we’ll all be free is a great song also.

Donny Hathaway was such a tremendous talent that some people may not realize this song was written by Leon Russell not by Donny , but even Leon said Donny made that song his own. Took it to a new level.

You can't skip through Donny Hathaway...he tells a story. Please listen from beginning to end, even if you don't react.

He was so epic. R.I.P. Donny

THANK YOU FOR THIS! I requested this after watching your Lalah Hathaway on The Terrell show video! Part of why she is so amazing is because both of her parents were amazing musicians/singers!

Emotions, Donnie just ran with the emotions he could take you up and he could take you down but he always left you wanting more

Glad to hear more male voices on your channel!

This is literally one of the most beautiful songs ever written and sung by the most powerful voice this planet has ever been graced with. It always makes me think of my Granny and I cry every time. Listen to "Givin' Up" by him as well.

The live version is even better!

Yessss I knew Donny would be your next video. Can't wait to watch this!!

I don't think you can ever fully appreciate his voice until you hear him singing live

I still can’t believe you’ve never heard of Donny Hathaway. I guess I expect everyone too. However, I’m glad you were finally able to take a listen and provide your expert review. 🎶 🎙♥️

He is the greatest vocalist. His voice gives me chills

Yoooo. You getting into Mr. Hathaway? What!? P.S. Love your channel!

He is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE MALE VOICE, followed closely by Stevie Wonder!

Thanks for this one. Donnie is fantastic at phrasing. How about Luther Vandross for the next one.

I'd like to see how you react to Luther Vandross live at Wembley. Its almost like a studio recording.

A legend! React to "Someday We'll Be Free" by Donny next!

Yess! Thank you for this great review!! Donny Hathaway is a legend. Such a talent. He has the most beautiful male voice I’ve ever heard ❤️ Black folks call it singing with “soul”. Whitney also did a cover of this song live in Welcome Home Hero’s concert. Please review that too.

In Donny’s own words “from the Black Pool of Genius” as he covers Stevie Wonder’s “Superwoman/Where Were You When I Needed You”. A Black Genius covering Black Geniuses which also included Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”. Just born with 🔥!! 🤴🏾🤴🏾🤴🏾

Another great one is Donny Hathaway- I love you more than youll ever know

Absolutely awesomeness!! His daughter sang this at the Apollo. She sounds really really close to her Dad!!

Yes 🥰🥰🥰🥰 I knew Lalah would make him come here

Donny paints beautiful pictures when he sings. His rendition of Sack Full Of Dreams just takes me to another time. I can "see" every word he sings. It's indescribable.

My beautiful people are GENIUSES. Thank You for noticing, and Mr. Donny Hathaway just WOW.

Thanks for the reaction. Donny really inspired me. I'm an oboe and sax (barry and soprano). dude. And a theatre guy. I grew up listening to Glenn Gould. And had Paul Simon, Lou Reed, and Steve Reich at my club (LPRNYC). There are moments when you catch your breath with an artist. Donny is such a good example of this. I truly hope young artists watch and listen to Donny. What a beautiful man and artist.

YAS !!! I love Donny Hathaway. He is a musical genius. Such a tremendous talent.

The great late Leon Russell wrote this song in 1969 for his first album that was released in 1970. The great late Donny Hathaway recorded the song for his album in 1971. Such a beautiful version.

I know we all have our opinions, so here's mine. I love what you do, not knocking you. But to not give the proper credit to one of (if not "the") the greatest male soul voices of all time! His tone is GOLD! Known for its raspy and strong character! MANY of our top male soul singers mention him as a inspiration and influence! From Stevie Wonder, all the way up to modern soul singers were influenced, not by the musical arrangements that accompany him (although it's everything you said it is) but purely by his voice. Listen to Frank McComb. Also his daughter Lalah has the same raspy flavor, but in a female voice! PURE GOLD!

I think the tone of his voice is everything! All singing is not just being technically accurate but reaching and touching the soul.

I'm with the dog. If I had a tail, I'd wag it when I hear Donny, too.

I'm impressed. Some people say they'll check/find something out but you did. You mentioned checking out Donny in Lalah's vid reaction and you didn't waste any time. New subscriber. Donny is one of the legends that inspired me to get into songwriting. Epic. A "Song For You" is classic, and one of the deepest, soul-stirring songs and the arrangement is amazing. He did it all. #rip

I would love to get ur take on the gospel singer Rance Allen and one of my all time favorite male voice Al Green.

Donny was the truth when it came to music because he was so deeply entrenched in the music art form.... He was just a great musical genius who was tormented by his own 😈..... it was just a sad moment in time when lost him because it was just so much more music that he could have made for us to listen and learn from.

So excited to hear this review. Because Donny is an iconic musician 🙌🏾

My friend...Donny is a REAL legend!!!

Please react to Someday we’ll all be free by Donny 😭💕

He was an extremely tortured soul. Ended his own life. But you hear the pain, joy, love, humanness in his voice and music. His genuis was passed to his daughter Lalah Hathaway!

Wow, not enough vocal reactions to Donny. His style is something you can’t really teach. He exudes purely from the soul. There’s nothing technical whatsoever about his “technique”. He doesn’t think about NONE of those things. He knows his own physical abilities and applies that in his expression.

The one element that no one never catches in this song with all of the elements in this record... And there's a lot. There is a slight element if Honky Tonk in this song. I always tell people to think 'I cant stop loving you". This song is brilliant...!!!

I also love his duets with Roberta Flack You should also react to the Whitney Houston version live!!😱😱😱😱

Next...For all we know....it never fails to choke me up

My favorite Donny Hathaway song. I don't like that so much of the song was skipped on this reaction but 🤷🏽‍♀️oh well. Lalah Hathaway is daughter did an amazing job of this song at the Showtime at the Apollo.

Donny Is Epic!!! Epic talent

"No, Donny Hathaway says you can't have 1!" 😂😂😂 Love it!!!

YOU F'N GET IT BRO. Loved this video.

I think your analysis…. Evolved…. The Musical arrangement took you to your happy place…. Then the words got you in the feels (your mention of your wife)…. but by the end… you appreciated how Donny’s vocal styling emphasized and elevated the music…. While the music itself was beautiful cushiony place that cradled Donny’s voice…..Ok, maybe that 3rd drink wasn’t the best idea…. Hopefully this comment makes sense…

Donny touches your soul....

Great listening. I’d love to watch you listen a second time because it must be overwhelming to hear it and analyze it at the same time with so much going on. Great work!

You are so young, but you know music like an old soul! Donnie Hathaway and Stevie Wonder and two of our greatest singers, IMO!! You know how to break singing down to the least common denominator and make it so interesting!

I believe Arif Mardin arranged this song and it was originally written by Leon Russel. Really interesting takes on Donny’s vocal nuances. Thanks!

My absolute favorite song ever in life!

You don’t need to stop The song every 7sec. To make a comment!…………please stop, you’re killing me”

I still dont understand how you have one never heard this song/dont know Donny Hathaway smh. Hey you know im just as white as you but about the nuance of donny he just makes you not only pay attention to him but also makes you pay just as much of the silence and just as much as the instrumentals that he put in so purposefully

After Donny's first album came out Stwvie Wonder went back and committed extra time on his next album. Thats according to Stevie.

Donny Hathaway to me is the male counterpart of Aretha. Just dripping with soul.

This is Leon Russell's song .he wrote it and sang it too

I love that you're open to being introduced to all this wonderful music. And I find your explanations of what the artists is doing with his voice or what's going on with the music very intriguing. I look forward to your videos. I would like to suggest that you react to an old song by Phoebe Snow called Cash In. She's different. I think you'll like her.

I would love to see you react to his live music, in particular, his rendition of He ain't Heavy He's my Brother off the 2004 compilation album entitled "These Songs for you, Live".

U see where Layla Hathaway get it from lol

You missed his voice locked in on the musicianship. But I get it... it's Donny.

After all, it's Donny Hathaway

I love that he is singing this song to Lalah so sweet

If im correct donny has a classical piano album

The most haunting version of this song and my favorite. I’m curious how people feel about the Herbie Hancock/Christina Aguilera version…

Another song I absolutely love is and get your opinion on is "Take a love song"' written by him and a couple of othe great writers. I don't think we appreciate the level of classical music influence he had in his music even knowing that he was classically trained.

Finally!

I just watched your video on his daughter Lalah Hathaway. Both are phenomenal.

Oh ok? U reacting to the Big Dogs!!! Donny Hathaway????Really???? Ur mind will be blown!

Maybe it's just me, but it seems that you were more into his skills on the piano, the arrangement, and Bach than the vocal ability of Donny Hathaway. To even say that it's not really about his voice or the timbre of his voice, but the words. This , in my opinion, was low-key disrespect. I do agree that the words are great, and the voice of Donny Hathaway gave life and took them to another level within the awesome musical arrangement.

Please react to Donny's rendition of "Yesterday."

Dude, stop stopping every second to really appreciate the whole sound- I know you’re teaching but you’re kinda doing yourself a disservice if you don’t hear it through- lol, he’s amazing and I really wanted to see your reaction to the song

If you're a Bea Arthur fan, you may recognize his voice from the "Maude" theme song.

Speaking of genius, have you heard the actual author of this awesome song??? This is a cover and it's a great version. Donnie has more music to experience.

It’s no wonder where Lalah Hathaway gets it from.

I don't have a favorite song, but I DO have a favorite singer. Donny is it. I have a good idea for you. Both Donny and Marvin Gaye sang "what's going on" and they're both beautiful. But I like Donny's version better. Compare the two. Also, listen to Thank you Master and for all we know by Donny as well, you won't be the same.

Lalah's daddy! As the previous comments state please do Luther Vandross live!

If you want more of Donny For All We Know kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nZyopa6lsp6afY0.html You Were Meant For Me (Fantasy Duet) with him and Lalah Hathaway kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jpaDfaWW25iRlnU.html Lalah Hathaway - A Song For You (Live @ New Morning, Paris) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ibKYl7Wi39_Rfqc.html just a bonus

You should react to LABI SAFFRI

This is Lalah Hathaway’s dad…

You really shouldn't call videos that you record like this a "reaction". Throughout your video, the viewer never gets to hear the actual song in its entirety. They only get limited snippets because it's severely edited and you primarily interjected your personal commentary. A more accurate depiction of what you posted was an analyzation and critique of a singer's vocal technique and ability, in this case, the incomparable Donny Hathaway. Many others could have possibly been inspired to listen to his music had they been able to hear the entire song here in your video. Nevertheless, excellent song choice and Be Blessed!

LISTEN TO "TAKE IT FROM ME" BY DONNY, PLEASE!!!! 😩💯💯💯

...but in all your analyzing, and theoretical dissection of music scales, modes of compositional wit, you failed to hear the presence of God in man. Donny was all of the genius that you may laud upon a musician, but as you feel him and the depth and breadth of his emotion, you realize that Donny Hathaway was another angel, sent to live and share with us for a short while. There are some who are incarnations of the deep, ancient, heavy soul, and in whatever is their craft, we are gifted to witness and to feel the presence of the divine.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! PLEASE Do a reaction/video to Jazmine Sullivan’s HBO Special! I have a feeling you would enjoy it! And i would love to hear your reaction and critics to the amazing voice of Jazmine!

"Something like Bach & Chopin", those two composers lived 200 years apart and sound nothing alike. And it has nothing to do with a fugue. Love Donny though.

The only thing that ticks me with this guy, is he never gives the listeners a chance to listen to the whole song without him interrupting and giving notes. He gives great notes, he should allow it to play through, unhampered so the listeners can apply what he's taught us.

👍 ✨👍✨👍

i don't think you really heard the song.

I sure wish we could have seen your reaction to the whole song, not chopped up. But ok.

👍📺👀

Despite donnie hathaway who owns the song. Ms Whitney Houston imo has the 2nd best version or best live version. Especially when u look back on it after seeing her life play out so to speak. Its stellar.

Dude stop skipping through

Cant watch this guy he stops it every second

This guy needs to shut up and let the music play