Donny Hathaway : NPR

Can You Dig It? 25 Golden Jams From A 1969 Vintage

I can dig it / He can dig it / She can dig it / We can dig it / They can dig it / You can dig it / Oh, let's dig it / Can you dig it, baby? Emily Bogle/NPR hide caption

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Emily Bogle/NPR

All Songs Considered

Can You Dig It? 25 Golden Jams From A 1969 Vintage

July 24, 2019 • A sweet mélange of soul, proto-funk, jazz, rock and Latin music that makes for an old-school roséwave soundtrack.

Guest DJ: Matty Healy Of The 1975 On Making Music From Now On

The 1975 is, from left to right, George Daniel, Ross MacDonald, Matty Healy and Adam Hann. Courtesy of the artist. hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist.

All Songs Considered

Guest DJ: Matty Healy Of The 1975 On Making Music From Now On

November 14, 2016 • The frontman for The 1975 says today's political climate has him thinking more seriously about writing songs that mean something.

Guest DJ: Matty Healy Of The 1975 On Making Music From Now On

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5 Donny Hathaway Covers By Jazz Musicians

Donny Hathaway remains widely admired in jazz, but much of his repertoire has yet to be tapped by improvisers. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

A Blog Supreme

5 Donny Hathaway Covers By Jazz Musicians

January 17, 2014 • The singer-songwriter remains influential in jazz, but improvisers have yet to fully mine his repertoire. Here are a few of the attempts so far, from musicians such as Kenny Garrett, Carmen Lundy and George Benson.

When Donny Hathaway, Thelonious Monk And Neil Young Hit A Turning Point

Live at the Cellar Door, the new album from Neil Young, was recorded in 1970. Gary Burden/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Gary Burden/Courtesy of the artist

Review

Music Reviews

When Donny Hathaway, Thelonious Monk And Neil Young Hit A Turning Point

December 13, 2013 • NPR's Melissa Block talks with music critic Tom Moon about three recently released live recordings, all from around 1970, that each capture an artist at a distinct point of change in his career.

When Donny Hathaway, Thelonious Monk And Neil Young Hit A Turning Point

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Shadow Classics

A Soul Legend Emerges, Fully Formed

August 9, 2006 • Even if you've never sought out the music of Donny Hathaway, you've probably felt his presence: His low-key, insistent way of interpreting a song has been emulated by virtually every contemporary soul and R&B singer. But still his records remain under-appreciated.

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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

50 Great Voices

Donny Hathaway: Neglected Heart Of Soul

June 21, 2010 • The writer-producer-arranger had a voice that was clear and powerful, and his piano-playing is remarkable in its own right. Although Hathaway is perhaps best known for his duets with singer Roberta Flack, the body of work he left behind when he died 30 years ago is part of the bedrock of American soul music.

Donny Hathaway: Neglected Heart Of Soul

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Opinion

Steven Ivory: Breaking It All Down

November 10, 2004 • If a problem is insurmountable, many would argue, the best way to attack it is to divide the problem into its smallest components. That advice -- to "break it down" -- rings especially true for commentator Steven Ivory. He recalls an incident in high school that taught him one meaning of "breakdown," and another transcendent moment when R&B master Donny Hathaway taught the whole world a very different definition of the word.

Steven Ivory: Breaking It All Down

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