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The Passion of Lalah Hathaway
It's been more than 15 years since Lalah Hathaway's luxurious voice graced our presence with the release of her self-titled
debut album. With today's fickle listener, 15 years is a lifetime, especially when you consider she's only released three
albums in that time. A tour favorite, the daughter of the late, great soul legend Donny Hathaway and classically-trained singer
Eulaulah Hathaway was always surrounded by the arts. It's no wonder she embraces a pure dedication to music.
Star - Considering what's going on in the music world these days, you've managed to maintain your integrity and be successful.
Congratulations on that! But is there a downside of this whole music gig?
LH - If you're trying to sell millions of records, that can be a drag. The industry is a drag... 10 percent music and
the rest is the commerce of it. I didn't get into this to be a part of the industry. I did it to be a musician. There are
good points and bad points. It's definitely allowed me to get to a wider base of people, but now the way things are... the
industry needs to break down its existing model and rebuild it to focus on the artist and artist development.
Star - Obviously you have a tremendous heritage via the late R&B legend, aka your dad, Donny Hathaway. But, did you
study music or learn an instrument coming up in school, too?
LH - I learned piano and was taking music lessons. My mom is a singer as well. It wasn't a question when I was coming
up. Music was part of everyday activities. It's a shameful part of our schools today that many of our kids aren't musicians.
The experience of being in band or the orchestra, of learning something music - it builds confidence and cognitive learning
skills.
Star - When did it happen... what made you stand up and say "I wanna sing!"?
LH - It never did. I just always was doing it. I never had a moment... I was always clear on it. Even if I didn't do music,
I was always going to be doing something creative or in entertainment.
Star - Your latest CD, "Outrun the Sly," on Blue Noter, features what is now a classic cover of Luther Vandross'
"Forever, For Always, For Love." Among the last songs you recorded, it was originally produced by Rex Rideout for
the all-star GRP concept project "Forever, For Always, For Luther," a salute to the ailing music giant who has been
sidelined by a stroke at thta timw. How did that song come about?
LH - I'd never met Luther, but I loved his music. My aunt was into the group Change, with whom Luther sang the hit "The
Glow of Love". When I was in the 6th grade, a gang of my
girlfriends' moms allL had Luther's records. When Rex Rideout invited me to be a part of the project, I had another song in
mind, but someone else had recently recorded it. So we went back and forth over the e-mail. When Rex suggested "Forever,
For Always, For Love," I didn't remember it right away. So I bought it off of iTunes, listened, then told him, "I
want to do this as 'Luther' as possible, so let's keep it in his key." After that, I didn't listen to the song again
until the day of the session... on the way over to the session. The basic track was already done and I cut my vocals in three
hours. That's the kind of experience you always want in the studio. Every time I see Rex, he
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remarks about how happy he is with it."
Star - What do you prefer... performing live or recording?
LH - It depends on the venue. It depends on the record. I like the immediacy of playing before a live crowd, but I also
like being in the studio, too. I take it moment to moment.
Star - At times you may have felt like quitting or giving up... what would keep you going?
LH - I never feel like that. I'm a musician.. if I never do another interview, if I never make another record, Ill still
be a musician. That's all secondary.
Star - What's the best advice you can give to others still trying to make their way into the music industry?
LH - I don't know - I'm looking for that info! Seriously, as a musician, become the best musician you can come. Keep your
ears open and learn from the masters. Educate yourself about what you do and others in your field... that will only make you
better.
Star Who do you listen to these days? What's in your CD player (iPod)?
LH - A Kiki Sheard remix record. Jazzanova. I'm into European down-tempo house music right now.
Star - What inspires you as far as your songwriting?
LH - Anything. I haven't been inspired lately, but it could be anything from the weather to a new car I see. It can come
from anywhere and that's cool about music.
Star - What can we expect from Lalah Hathaway in the future?
LH - I am producing a song on a Maurice White tribute. And I'm going to get my mind together to conceptualize my next
record. Watch for me to do more touring and be on the road.
Star - So when Lalah Hathaway has down time, what does she like to do?
LH - She likes to do a lot of X-Boxing. And I'm remodeling my house. I have two dogs that get my attention, too - Calvin
and Boston.
More on Lalah Hathaway ...
She attended Chicago's Performing Arts High School and went on to graduate from the famed Berklee School of Music in Boston.
Hathaway was signed by Virgin Records and released her debut album. The set, which included producers Andre`Fischer, Angela
Winbush and Chuckii Booker, produced four singles, including her No. 3 R&B charting summer smash "Heaven Knows,"
quiet storm covers of Brenda Russell's "It's Somethin'" and Gary Taylor's "I'm Coming Back." Hathaway's
sophomore album, "A Moment," followed four years later in 1994. The now out-of-print collector's item featured the
single "Let Me Love You" and five songs that she wrote, including fan favorite "So They Say."
Throughout her career, Hathaway has worked with some of the finest artists of our time. In 1992, she recorded a single
with the late, great saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. titled "Love Like This" (from his album, "No Exit").
In 1999, she recorded a critically acclaimed album for Verve Records with jazz pianist Joe Sample, "The Song Lives On,"
highlighted by what is now her signature song, "When Your Life Was Low."
Hathaway's credits also include collaborations with Marcus Miller, Me Shell NdegéOcello, Art Porter, David Sanborn, Mary
J. Blige, Take 6, Gerald Albright, the Winans, Pete Escovedo, Wayman Tisdale and Hiram Bullock. She has performed live with
Dizzy Gillespie and Stevie Wonder, and opened shows for Maze, Herbie Hancock and Mint Condition.
For more information, vistit her website at www.lalahhathaway.com
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