The Daily News by Donnie
Donnie is a soul/R&B artist hailing originally from Lexington, KY. Having honed his craft in Atlanta, GA, his Southern gospel influences are as prevalent as his socio-political commentary. His first album, The Colored Section, would go on to receive critical acclaim after an inauspicious debut. He claims Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Donnie Hathaway as his musical influences as he helps keep their legends alive through his music. The Daily News is Donnie’s second LP.
Though I love Donnie’s music, I’ve always felt that I wouldn’t be able to do his art justice in a review format. Therefore, I handed over the reigns to my wife, Shaunta Holmes-Reese for the review below since she was better suited to dissect what Donnie does best on his newest album. His music is as complex as it is enjoyable and I thank my wife for taking her time out to help a brother out. Her review is below.
Once again, people should open their ears and minds to what Donnie has to say on his newest LP The Daily News.. The album starts off strong with two of America’s biggest tragedies; the too soon forgotten 2005 Hurricane Katrina is represented by the song, “Impatient People” and the unforgettable per media events of 9/11 that are deeply embedded in the song titled “911.” Donnie gets his message across to listeners immediately saying, “I’ll trade the World Trade to spend some time with you baby, I’ll trade my racism, my sexism, my homophobia, trade all my funny ways, my financial center, gonna be a cold and lonely winter without you.”
After Donnie releases his emotions about unforeseen events, he let’s loose on the pharmaceutical industry with a full fledged band on “Over the Counter Culture” featuring Phonte of Little Brother. The song blasts the legality of chemicals and drugs used to “fix” the diseases of people, emphasizing that America supplies the drugs and the pharmaceutical companies “don’t never be breaking no laws” as they provide over priced ways to kill people who are already dying financially.
“Classifieds” is a song that encourages people to make a personal contribution to the betterment of the world and society. Some of the openings according to Donnie are a gardener, house cleaner, builder, and keeper. “Suicide” is a flute filled personal testimony in which Donnie acknowledges his thoughts of killing himself, only to hear a voice telling him of his self worth. Ironically, “If I Were You” is an instant flow of the infinite possibilities that can occur if one takes the opportunity to make a change in his or her life. There is no coincidence that the two songs were placed within the other’s reach.
You will find yourself dancing and possibly on the reality show “Singing Bee” as you groove to the beat and struggle to hear the lyrics of “Robot”. This song is strongly influenced by the memories of the glorious synthesized music era, yet it has an immediate feel of your Sunday morning gospel choir.
“Atlanta Child Murders” regenerates the emotions of 29 murders that took place between 1979 and 1981 in
Atlanta, Georgia. Donnie makes a bold statement in saying, “The Atlanta Child Murders conspiracy theory was a modern day lynching like
Tuskegee…. scientific experiment on our kids.” The song inspires one to look deeper into history of hidden facts that have been placed under the carpet by
America’s government.
Donnie does a great job in “For Christ’s Sake” as he persuades the listener to understand that Christ does not discriminate between men or women no matter what the human world thinks. “The Mason – Dixon Line” sounds like it should be featured on any upcoming movie soundtrack based on American slavery. Its harmonica filled chorus makes the listener feel as if the Mason –
Dixon line is still a functioning system. Donnie sings, “I’ll be straight, I’ll be fine once I get across the Mason – Dixon line.”
“China Doll” definitely touches on the delicacy of porcelain, but this porcelain is in reference to a little girl who was sexually abused by a male family friend. While Donnie does not condone the act of child molestation he makes it known that the abuser, “Is passing down just what was done to him.” In this case, like many others the child was abused by someone she was supposed to trust, thus reminding people of the cycle of unfortunate events that sometimes take place from others’ embarrassing childhoods.
The Daily News all comes into place once the album is on its way to completion, which you may prohibit by starting the album over because of its truthfulness. Donnie and the guitars come in reminding listeners of daily events some of which go unnoticed by choice. “A teacher messing around with a student, a little girl just found strangled, five cops kill a man with a taser, soldiers dying in a war on terror….. an idiot trying hard to be a president.” Donnie fills the chorus as he tells people, “You will be singing the news when you hear the daily news.” The album concludes with a radio version of “If I Were You”.
This album covers many facts that your ears want to hear as your heart and mind come to grips with the reality of the past that interestingly still exists today. Donnie is upfront, yet respectful in what he wants his audience to hear and understand. While the live instruments are soulful, some of them overpower his voice making it hard to determine what he is saying in some songs, which means your first listening should be accompanied by headphones to receive the full meaning of each song. Once again Donnie has proved himself to be bold and plentiful in The Daily News and it is my hope that this album gets more air play and recognition.
As great as the album is it still falls just below The Colored Section. I give this album an A- rating.
