Richie Havens

[David R. Modny]

Kind of off-topic, I suppose, but I had the pleasure of seeing him live today at the annual Kent State May 4th ceremony, and all I can say is that this guy still has the goods! Vocally and instrumentally, if you closed your eyes you wouldn't have thought that he aged a day in 30 years. Still has those cool thumbed, alternate tunings (and, yes, he still spends as much time tuning up as he does playing...lol!). Closed with a stunning acapella version of Pink Floyd's "On The Turning Away"!

Highly recommended if he comes to your town!

:)

[Andy]

It was a musical performance? Nothing of topic about that.

[David R. Modny]

Kent State University
5/4/02

[Michael]

I loved Richie at the Original Woodstock!

[Richard Feirstein]

I helped produce Richie's first concert at Hartwick College in 1964, (part of an ad hoc troup of folk friends including my college roommate Jerry Merick who wrote Follow). Just found my reel to reel and borrowed a working player. Can't wait to hear this again once I get it setup. His first intended record was going to be called Dylan and I but no record company had any interest. He is the best! I have not played this in over 35 years.

[David R. Modny]

Originally posted by Richard Feirstein

Can't wait to hear this again once I get it setup. His first intended record was going to be called Dylan and me but no record company had any interest. He is the best! I have not played this in over 35 years.


I love stories like this one! Yesterday, he opened with "Maggie's Farm". Remember when he sang "Just Like A Woman" at the Dylan tribute a few years back?. That was one of the show's highlights for me! He also, along with his second guitarist, had a local band back him up yesterday with percussion and congas on "Freedom (Motherless Child)". Very cool!

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by David R. Modny
Kind of off-topic, I suppose, but I had the pleasure of seeing him live today at the annual Kent State May 4th ceremony, and all I can say is that this guy still has the goods! Vocally and instrumentally, if you closed your eyes you wouldn't have thought that he aged a day in 30 years. Still has those cool thumbed, alternate tunings (and, yes, he still spends as much time tuning up as he does playing...lol!). Closed with a stunning acapella version of Pink Floyd's "On The Turning Away"!

Highly recommended if he comes to your town!

:)

Dave,

There is no mistaking that unique Havens voice--a once in a lifetime voice. He also had his own unique style of vocal phrasing.

Bob

[David R. Modny]

I've never owned the original 1967 "Mixed Bag" LP. Yet I'm glancing over at CDNow at this moment and the CD appears to be "vintage" Mercury product mastered by Dennis Drake. This certainly has me psyched. Also, the stereo/mono designation over there states MONO. Is this correct? Was this album originally released (or recorded) strictly and entirely in mono?

[Angel]

"Here Comes The Sun" by Richie is in mono on Steve's great Razor & Tie two-CD set called "Changin' Times".

By the way, "Changin' Times" is an amazing sounding compilation which I don't see listed in Steve's discography. It's R&T: A2-25055.

[JohnG]

Richie also sings a great song on Steve Hackett's album Please Don't Touch called "How Can I?". Man, I love that song, just incredible. Always wondered if he ever sang that one in public.

JohnG

[Richard Feirstein]

Mixed bag was released in stereo. I would have to pull it out to see if any of the tracks are in mono; I just don't remember. Richie's guitar playing is unique and it was a crime that his early albums often failed to bring this aspect of his art up front without extranious sounds. In his case, often simpler is better. I spent one evening in 64 trying to teach Richie how to finger pick Don't Think Twice, and then when I listened to his approach in an open tuning we both decided to leave well enough alone. Dylan has said that he loves Richies "Just Like a Woman" above all others; a high complement indeed. Very nice guy, but due note that some of his stories about the good old days are more for fun than for historic accuracy.

[David R. Modny]

Originally posted by Richard Feirstein
Very nice guy, but due note that some of his stories about the good old days are more for fun than for historic accuracy.

LOL...I guess that's why they call it "show-biz"! It's funny you should mention this though. This was my first time at seeing him in a regular concert setting. Mind you, this occasion had a very specific agenda to which most dialogue was tailored. Yet, I still got a kick out of his LONNNGGG introductions and stories before each song, always followed by a LONNNGGG tuning session! He apologized for the tuning, saying that his two ears were always in a constant state of "fight" with each other!

In terms of his unique guitar style. I've always liked it. Maybe not a classic technician...but still very listenable to me. I like rhythmic sounding acoustic players to begin with (e.g. Pete Townshend) and, with Richie, the guitar almost becomes a percussive instrument. He even has ALL of his thumbed tunings up on his website! His raspy voice is just plain awesome...so many rich colors in it!

My only regret was that he didn't play "Handsome Johnny", the tune he wrote with Lou Gossett Jr. I've always loved that one!

[Richard Feirstein]

Did you make note of the size of this hands? His unique guitar playing and his huge hands ..... well, you get the picture.