Lalah Hathaway: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

July 25, 2018 | Felix Contreras -- Lalah Hathaway comes from royalty: Her late father Donny Hathaway's voice was crucial for my generation, setting the bar for inspired, old-school soul singing. But living in that kind of shadow can also be a burden, robbing the offspring of an identity apart from that of the famous parent.

The younger Hathaway's appearance behind the Tiny Desk pulls back the curtain a bit for a close-up encounter with her powerfully expressive voice. The lower registers always draw me in, and in "Change Ya Life," Hathaway's dusky contralto paints an exciting portrait of blissful cohabitation — but on her terms. "I'm going to teach you how to treat me like I deserve," she sings, adding, "I'll give you the world." She draws on a tradition of romance and sensuality in the best soul music, but with a feminist twist that eschews old-school, male-centric lyrics and attitudes.

Lyrics alone do not convey that kind of spirit. It's in Hathaway's delivery — self-assured yet vulnerable. "Boston," her ode to her second home (she's from Chicago), is a meditation on self-discovery and longing. The band — electric piano, bass, drums — perfectly straddles slow-jam R&B and a jazz-ballad sensibility.

So much of the most powerful music from the Civil Rights Era wasn't about literal accounting of injustices; many of those songs enshrouded morality plays in the guise of romantic longing. Hathaway introduces the set-closing title track of her new album Honestly as an explicit reflection "of my country at this time." If you heard it for the first time without the introduction, it comes across as a lover's lament. But Hathaway's soaring vocals infuse it with the passion of resistance to bring her set to a close on a hopeful, joyous note.

Set List
"Change Ya Life"
"Boston"
"Honestly"

Musicians
Lalah Hathaway (vocals); Lynnette Williams (keys); Eric Smith (bass); Varo Johnson (drums).

Credits
Producers: Abby O'Neill, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Khun Minn Ohn, Kara Frame; Production Assistant: Catherine Zhang; Photo: Eslah Attar/NPR.

[dionnet]

Her voice is LIKE MAPLE SYRUP-Thick and Sweet. Her low register is everything.

[kkmcswain]

Lalah is literally a gift to us from Donny. Its like he just left his tone and voice in a sweeter and more complex form. Its so beautiful to think about. This woman is everything. #KOSIGN

[Kalamira]

Whoever does the artists selection needs a raise asap!!! Thank you!!

[victormendes]

It HURTS me so bad to see that this masterpiece has only 173k views.
What its wrong with people?

This woman is a She deserve the world.

I would die if tiny desk brings Jazmine Sullivan or Fantasia too.

[KMO]

One of the most oddly-underrated neo-soul artists of the last 15 years. Even without the last name, she has some amazing cuts.

[cakredi]

Her voice isn't just pleasing to hear.
*It heals.*

[lithjunkie]

can't believe she's 50.. doesnt look a day over 30!

[JonMarM]

Lalah's voice feel like thermal insulated, wool-blend earmuffs to my ears on a frigid winter's day.

[ebonywhite]

Lalah should've had an hour. What a beautiful voice, just like her Pops.

[IrieAllDay]

She needs to come back with a much longer Tiny Desk. I just found this and this is the shortest one I have seen so far.

[nerdbamarich]

Lalah has the spirit of her father mr. Donny Hathaway deep down in her soul.. it's such a beautiful thing to behold and I'm glad a part of him is still on this earth..peace and blessings to everyone here...

[Humandex]

I was all sold ever since I saw her with Snarky puppy doing the polyphonic thing with her voice... that was some crazy

[robleethal]

She’s the first artist who’s voice seemed like it was much bigger than that room (my opinion). She’s an entirely different vibe. I’ll always be a true fan❤

[Angbwillinspireu]

Those Hathaway genetics are undeniable. Her voice is as smooth as silk-beautiful and calming.

[latoyabanks]

Mr.Donny Hathaway sent us angel, Thank You, 👑🎶🔥💯

[sstevenson]

I'm gonna need that jacket and that hair. She's so gorg

[purelyceeparis]

Saw her in Dallas last night. She was late, but she came out swinging. Her voice is rich and buttery. She was definitely worth wait. ♥

[sharonbrasil]

She is hands down one of the most iconic artists of our time. When she sings you can feel Donny but at the same time she us uniquely Lalah. She has incredible agility and can scat like no one else but she isn’t a show off. She uses her incredible voice as a fine tuned instrument. So many times she has blown me away by her mastery!

[keffrabey]

Donny Hathaway is loved and he's one of the greatest vocalist/ composor's of all times.
He gave us a daughter with a voice of an ANGEL !

[TahariBlue]

Lalah is almost too good!!, she is so very perfect. Her voice is like laying in a bed made of clouds.