"Donny Hathaway" with "John M. Sussewell" on Drums
Though I'm playing on these recordings at Carnegie Hall (Live! 1973 with Donny) , I give respect and honor to Mr. Donny Hathaway who is no longer with us. He died in 1979...only seven years after I got to know and play with him professionally over a two year period back in 1973-74. I regret that the re-release here in the USA does not show my credits. My friends in Europe alerted me to this, for which I thank them. Warner-Alliance is correcting this as of my writing. I hope they follow through, but I'm not holding my breath. If they don't, I know what I did and vividly remember it while they acknowledged their error!
Prior to reading my comments, please listen to this track: 5.2MBs via mp3"
Someday We'll All Be Free"
http://www.johnsussewell.com/Someday-Free.mp3
# # #
Last
Year (2004), Rhino Records (http://www.rhino.com)
, under the license of Atlantic Records in NYC, released “Donny
Hathaway; These Songs For You-Live! At Carnegie Hall, NYC.”
http://www.carnegiehall.org/jsps/intro.jsp
The
re-release embodied songs that I’m not playing on,
but my tracks with Donny Hathaway open up the compilation of the first three (3)
of thirteen tracks (13 tracks)
- plus one (1) incredible audio interview that Donny gave to a music
journalist back in 1973. My
recommendation is that you purchase the entire cd to hear this incredible and
innovative artist, composer, pianist, (Donny Hathaway). I
was privileged to know and work with him over a two-year period between 1973 and
1974
I suggest you sit back and Enjoy (with a fast internet connection – dial ups are slow, DSL is better, but Cable or T-1-3 is the Bomb!!!). Yet before you do, please read the rest of this message so that you are on board with what’s going on with my relationship with Donny Hathaway! He's gone now, so may he rest in peace with the Word of God in mind: John 5... read the whole chapter with this thought in spirit. The read Revelations 21!
Recorded Live! at Carnegie Hall, 1973, New York City (USA): http://www.carnegiehall.org/jsps/intro.jsp
http://www.johnsussewell.com/FlyingEasy.mp3 (Flying Easy)
http://www.johnsussewell.com/Valdez.mp3 (Valdez In The Country)
http://www.johnsussewell.com/Someday-Free.mp3 (Someday We'll All Be Free)
That
is the history, but these are the “entire” tracks that you can play within
Microsoft’s Windows Media (*.mp3)
files. Though I had already
been ‘drilling and drumming’ through the New York City (USA) scene at the
time, Donny Hathaway offered me my definitive door into the mainstream recording
industry back then. Donny was my first
'major' entrée' into the movers & shakers! His bookings
and my relationship with him and the band that you’ll hear, opened the door to
many artists that I subsequently worked with.
I
miss Donny and was distraught at the news of his ‘so called’ suicide back in
’78 or thereabouts! I do not
believe he committed suicide. However,
may he rest in peace with the hope of resurrection according to universal
(“catholic” – but not “Catholicism”) and ‘accurate knowledge’ of
biblical texts. Please forgive my
spiritual digression… it’s just that many read, but few truly understand.
I respectfully recommend study of the divine Scriptures. Namely our
relationships with the true God, and each other, will determine our outcome.
Today I’m drawing upon my relationships, skills and experience to support a great group of local professional musicians here in Atlanta: The Guild of Sound. The Guild of Sound will be recording soon and you guys will be notified when the project is completed. The Guild of Sound is a confluence of Mark Copeland (guitarist, songwriter), Steve Freeman (guitarist, songwriter), Rudy Brannon (woodwinds, songwriter), Don Klayman (bass), David Scott (keyboardist – Man! This guy plays!), Geoff McBride (vocalist & songwriter, formerly with Arista Records), and certainly not last nor least ‘myself:’ John Sussewell (drums and percussion – and spokesperson with industry & ethical disciplines in mind).
I’m
also involved in other recording projects with independent artists, among which
is Nancy Stone out of Savannah, GA/USA.
Nancy is a great songwriter that I’m sure you’ll hear of when that
project is completed. Nancy writes
songs and plays keyboards. I was so
happy to complete my performances within her sessions just last night.
We’re working with a great engineer and personage of Doyan Keaton.
I like Nancy Stone more than I do Nora Jones!
Maybe that’s because I’m playing on the project rather than Brian
Blade (the drummer) for Nora. Brian!
You do a great job! Just kidding! You’re
solid, like me.
Upcoming
projects include the recording of Geoff McBride, the Guild of Sound,
Cary Roberts and others, as long as I can leverage the sticks with the
musical stimulation!!!
An
example also of this is with an artist that I’m working with out of England
– Neil Loughran! Neil is an incredible example of how music can
meld with individual inspiration! These tracks are different than
referenced in my bio. You will hear a signature working of cymbals that I
have been applauded for (it's toward the end). It's a technique that can
be learned, but judicially applied.
http://www.johnsussewell.com/BrazilianHaze-012103.mp3
This
track for me represents the most sensitive drumming accompanying a most
sensitive keyboardist/composer anywhere. This
is a collaboration between Neil and myself for
the friends at the Billy Cobham site. Go Neil!
http://www.johnsussewell.com/SpaceSpin031303D.mp3
This is a short track in mp3 format; admittedly a more aggressive track,
but with the same production values.
Agape’
Love To All!