This rousing rendition of the Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway hit single “Where is the Love” is found on the 1972 Capitol album “I Am Woman”. This song starts out with a mesmerizing piano intro followed by Helen singing a soft and soothing beginning verse that crescendos into Helen’s powerful vocal that gives this tune a different feel from the original by Flack and Hathaway. Flack and Hathaway took this single into the top 5 on the Hot 100 in the summer of 1972. On top of that, the song hit Number 1 on the R&B chart and also on the Adult Contemporary Chart–the chart that Helen would consistently be found on throughout the 1970s. Flack and Hathaway were former classmates prior to their successful collaborations. Finally, on a somber note, Donny Hathaway was found dead outside his apartment in New York City on January 13, 1979, the victim of an apparent suicide. He was only 33 years old. Hathaway’s biggest hit was also another collaboration with Flack–the song “The Closer I Get to You” went all the way to Number 2 on the Hot 100 and stayed there for 2 weeks, went to Number 1 on the R&B Charts and also stayed there for 2 weeks. Donny Hathaway’s singing and keyboard prowess will be sorely missed. I hope all of you Flack and Hathaway fans can appreciate Helen Reddy’s amazing take on this Flack/Hathaway tune!
