Lalah Hathaway’s enthralling performance
By Funeka Bambalele
Five-time Grammy award-winning singer, Lalah Hathaway is a great singer period.
I observed this as the award-winning singer/songwriter and producer entertained music lovers at Teatro in Monte Casino, Johannesburg. The singer is in South Africa as part of The Intimate Evening Series, a collaboration between Liberty and leading local promoter Showtime Management. She kicked off her four-legged concert tour on Friday. She had another performance on Saturday before heading to Cape Town for a performance on Sunday.
The music diva ends the tour on January 27 at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town. Lalah, the daughter of American soul legend Donny Hathaway, is not performing in South Africa for the first time. She said it herself during the performance, “It’s good to be back in South Africa.”
Her music is known for transcending genres – from R&B ballads to pop standards and soulful jazz. In the 34years in the music industry she has collaborated top hitmakers, including Pharrell Williams, Kendrick Lamar, Dr Dre, Robert Glasper, Rapsody, Snoop Dogg and Esperanza Spalding among others.
Over the weekend she entertained Jozi’s music lovers with a mix of her old popular songs and recently released music to the local crowd’s delight.
People who attended both her concerts had fun soaking deep to music. The singer felt at home from the minute she walked to that stage. She took off her shoes. What followed after that was a great vocality exhibition, followed by powerful songs and amazing backing vocals. Lalah does not need dancers to enhance her performance. She has stage presence.
Lalah who also shared the stage with music legends, from Prince to Stevie Wonder to Herbie Hancock, and recently was honoured with an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music.
Lalah who works with a superstar band called Legally Blynd gave the music group an opportunity to showcase what they are made off. The band left SA music lovers asking for more. They are not only talented as instrumentalists, but they also exhibit incredible vocal skills.
Lalah’s show was opened by South Africa’s singing sensation Langa Mavuso who definitely warmed up the arena. Just before Lalah got on stage for her performance, about 16 people got on stage getting the stage ready for the music diva. Judging by several people involved in the exercise, you could tell that a mega star who has contributed to the world musically was coming on stage.