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Roberta Flack|First Take

First Take

Roberta Flack

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Roberta Flack's debut album, titled First Take in true underachiever fashion, introduced a singer who'd assimilated the powerful interpretive talents of Nina Simone and Sarah Vaughan, the earthy power of Aretha Franklin, and the crystal purity and emotional resonance of folksingers like Judy Collins. Indeed, the album often sounded more like vocal jazz or folk than soul, beginning with the credits: a core quartet of Flack on piano, John Pizzarelli on guitar, Ron Carter on bass, and Ray Lucas on drums, as fine a lineup as any pop singer could hope to recruit. With only one exception -- the bluesy, grooving opener "Compared to What," during which Flack proves her chops as a soul belter -- she concentrates on readings of soft, meditative material. A pair of folk covers, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye," are heart-wrenching standouts; the first even became a surprise hit two years later, when its appearance in the Clint Eastwood film Play Misty for Me pushed it to the top of the pop charts and earned Flack her first Grammy award for Record of the Year. Her arrangement of the traditional "I Told Jesus" has a simmering power, while "Ballad of the Sad Young Men" summons a stately sense of melancholy. Flack also included two songs from her college friend and future duet partner, Donny Hathaway, including a tender examination of the classic May-December romance titled "Our Ages or Our Hearts." The string arrangements of William Fischer wisely keep to the background, lending an added emotional weight to all of Flack's pronouncements. No soul artist had ever recorded an album like this, making First Take one of the most fascinating soul debuts of the era.

© John Bush /TiVo

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First Take

Roberta Flack

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1
Compared to What (2020 Remaster)
00:05:16

John Pizzarelli, Guitar - William Fischer, String Arranger, Horns Arranger - Frank Wess, Tenor Saxophone - Joe Newman, Trumpet - Seldon Powell, Baritone Saxophone - Jimmy Nottingham, Trumpet - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Ray Lucas, Drums - Gene McDaniels, Writer - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Bennie Powell, Trombone - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

2
Angelitos Negros (2020 Remaster)
00:06:57

Gene Orloff, Violin - George Ricci, Cello - John Pizzarelli, Guitar - William Fischer, String Arranger, Strings Conductor - Charles McCracken, Cello - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Manuel Alvarez Maciste, Writer - Ray Lucas, Drums - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - Theodore Israel, Viola - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Alfred Brown, Viola - Emanuel Green, Violin - Selwart Clarke, Viola - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

3
Our Ages or Our Hearts (2020 Remaster)
00:06:10

Gene Orloff, Violin - George Ricci, Cello - John Pizzarelli, Guitar - William Fischer, String Arranger, Strings Conductor - Charles McCracken, Cello - Donny Hathaway, Writer - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Ray Lucas, Drums - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - Theodore Israel, Viola - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Robert Ayers, Writer - Alfred Brown, Viola - Emanuel Green, Violin - Selwart Clarke, Viola - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

4
I Told Jesus (2020 Remaster)
00:06:10

Gene Orloff, Violin - George Ricci, Cello - John Pizzarelli, Guitar - William Fischer, String Arranger, Horns Arranger, Strings Conductor, Horns Conductor - Charles McCracken, Cello - Traditional, Writer - Frank Wess, Tenor Saxophone - Joe Newman, Trumpet - Seldon Powell, Baritone Saxophone - Jimmy Nottingham, Trumpet - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Arranger, Piano, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Ray Lucas, Drums - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - Theodore Israel, Viola - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Alfred Brown, Viola - Emanuel Green, Violin - Selwart Clarke, Viola - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Bennie Powell, Trombone - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

5
Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye (2020 Remaster)
00:04:09

Gene Orloff, Violin - George Ricci, Cello - John Pizzarelli, Guitar - William Fischer, String Arranger, Strings Conductor - Charles McCracken, Cello - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Ray Lucas, Drums - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - Theodore Israel, Viola - Leonard Cohen, Writer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Alfred Brown, Viola - Emanuel Green, Violin - Selwart Clarke, Viola - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

6
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (2020 Remaster)
00:05:22

Gene Orloff, Violin - George Ricci, Cello - John Pizzarelli, Guitar - William Fischer, String Arranger, Strings Conductor - Charles McCracken, Cello - Ewan MacColl, Writer - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Ray Lucas, Drums - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - Theodore Israel, Viola - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Alfred Brown, Viola - Emanuel Green, Violin - Selwart Clarke, Viola - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

7
Tryin' Times (2020 Remaster)
00:05:08

John Pizzarelli, Guitar - Donny Hathaway, Writer - Leroy Hutson, Writer - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Ray Lucas, Drums - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

8
Ballad of the Sad Young Men (2020 Remaster)
00:07:06

Frances Landesman, Writer - Gene Orloff, Violin - George Ricci, Cello - John Pizzarelli, Guitar - William Fischer, String Arranger, Strings Conductor - Charles McCracken, Cello - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Ray Lucas, Drums - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - Theodore Israel, Viola - Tommy Wolf, Writer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Alfred Brown, Viola - Emanuel Green, Violin - Selwart Clarke, Viola - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

9
Compared to What (Single Edit; 2020 Remaster)
00:04:40

John Pizzarelli, Guitar - William Fischer, String Arranger, Horns Arranger - Frank Wess, Tenor Saxophone - Joe Newman, Trumpet - Seldon Powell, Baritone Saxophone - Jimmy Nottingham, Trumpet - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Ray Lucas, Drums - Gene McDaniels, Writer - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Bennie Powell, Trombone - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

10
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Single Edit) (2020 Remaster)
00:04:19

Gene Orloff, Violin - George Ricci, Cello - John Pizzarelli, Guitar - William Fischer, String Arranger, Strings Conductor - Charles McCracken, Cello - Ewan MacColl, Writer - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Ray Lucas, Drums - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - Theodore Israel, Viola - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Alfred Brown, Viola - Emanuel Green, Violin - Selwart Clarke, Viola - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

11
Trade Winds (2020 Remaster)
00:05:42

William Salter, Writer - Ralph MacDonald, Writer - William Eaton, String Arranger, VocalArranger - Gene Orloff, Violin - George Ricci, Cello - John Pizzarelli, Guitar - William Fischer, String Arranger, Strings Conductor - Charles McCracken, Cello - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Arranger, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Ray Lucas, Drums, Percussion - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - Theodore Israel, Viola - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Alfred Brown, Viola - Emanuel Green, Violin - Selwart Clarke, Viola - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

DISC 2

1
All the Way (Live; 2020 Remaster)
00:08:39

Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Sammy Cahn, Writer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Les Mccann, RecordingEngineer - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - Jimmy Van Heusen, Writer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Mike Smith, Bass - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer - Louis Powers, Drums

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

2
This Could Be the Start of Something
00:01:20

Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - Steve Allen, Writer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

3
Groove Me
00:04:18

Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

4
Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out
00:06:22

Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Jimmy Cox, Writer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

5
Hush-A-Bye
00:05:31

Traditional, Writer - Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Arranger, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

6
Afro Blue
00:09:13

Oscar Brown Jr., Writer - Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Mongo Santamaria, Writer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

7
It's Way Past Suppertime
00:03:55

Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Les Mccann, Writer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Vicki Arnold, Writer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

8
Frankie and Johnny
00:07:14

Traditional, Writer - Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Arranger, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

9
On the Street Where You Live
00:02:44

Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Frederick Loewe, Writer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Al Lerner, Writer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

10
The House Song
00:05:51

Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Paul Stookey, Writer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Robert Bannard, Writer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

11
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
00:03:24

Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - NICKOLAS ASHFORD, Writer - Valerie Simpson, Writer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

12
The Song Is Love
00:05:20

Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Paul Stookey, Writer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - Peter Yarrow, Writer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - David Dixon, Writer - MARY TRAVERS, Writer - Richard Kniss, Writer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

13
To Sir With Love
00:08:24

Mark London, Writer - Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - Don Black, Writer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer

Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

Album review

Roberta Flack's debut album, titled First Take in true underachiever fashion, introduced a singer who'd assimilated the powerful interpretive talents of Nina Simone and Sarah Vaughan, the earthy power of Aretha Franklin, and the crystal purity and emotional resonance of folksingers like Judy Collins. Indeed, the album often sounded more like vocal jazz or folk than soul, beginning with the credits: a core quartet of Flack on piano, John Pizzarelli on guitar, Ron Carter on bass, and Ray Lucas on drums, as fine a lineup as any pop singer could hope to recruit. With only one exception -- the bluesy, grooving opener "Compared to What," during which Flack proves her chops as a soul belter -- she concentrates on readings of soft, meditative material. A pair of folk covers, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye," are heart-wrenching standouts; the first even became a surprise hit two years later, when its appearance in the Clint Eastwood film Play Misty for Me pushed it to the top of the pop charts and earned Flack her first Grammy award for Record of the Year. Her arrangement of the traditional "I Told Jesus" has a simmering power, while "Ballad of the Sad Young Men" summons a stately sense of melancholy. Flack also included two songs from her college friend and future duet partner, Donny Hathaway, including a tender examination of the classic May-December romance titled "Our Ages or Our Hearts." The string arrangements of William Fischer wisely keep to the background, lending an added emotional weight to all of Flack's pronouncements. No soul artist had ever recorded an album like this, making First Take one of the most fascinating soul debuts of the era.

© John Bush /TiVo

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