Customer Reviews

20th Century Masters

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The Great Bedford-Stuy born Richie Havens is sorely under represented here, but what is presented is done well. Unfortunately, there are no entries from one of his best - "Electric Havens". I am sure I am not alone among his fans in offering to give up a tooth or two to hear a prime cut of "Spanish Boots of Spanish Leather" - far too long out of print... Somebody hear me - Richie's fans are loyal, and fortunately in the age group that can afford this Absolutely All-American Icon of the streets, the sixties and the sound

these songs sound wonderful...wish there were more. I've seen Richie Havens in concert over 20 times...he never mellows, and always gives 100%. How about some more music from this great artist?

Richie is one of the greatest artists of all time...now can we please see a real super-duper deluxe box set come out? He deserves it! Great disc, but there are too few songs on this to call it "The Millenium Collection"...GIVE US MORE! LOVE YOU RICHIE!

Three '60s Havens albums were culled from and considering his prolific output, a "Best Of..." collection deserves more. But the two Jerry Merrick ballad compositions "Follow" and "From The Prison" are stunningly beautiful efforts and in themselves transcend any thematic questions. Minimalist and deeply introspective, they represent the best of the *era*. "No Experience Necessary, No Opportunity Needed" is a great uptempo work, a standout track from a standout album - "Something Else Again". In place of the last two entries, "Lady Madonna" and "Strawberry Fields Forever", I would have selected "Minstel From Gault" and "There's A Hole In The Future" from the excellent "Stonehenge" l.p.

The resounding cry from most reviewers here is why is this collection so brief. I'm in total agreement. However, understand this collection on Polydor Records only represents Richie's Verve Forcast output. That's just three albums, "Mixed Bag", "Something Else Again" and "Richard P Havens 1983". If you want to own all three albums, then the two CD collection "High Flyin' Bird-The Verve Forecast Years" is currently available.

But I have no beef with this single disc. Afterall, it does include twelve songs from the three aforementioned albums. And, the selections do provide a representative cross-section of Richie's finest works. As always, there's at least one Bob Dylan song. "Just Like A Woman" has been covered by everyone from Joe Cocker to Joan Baez. And, I don't think anyone has ever captured the plaintive feeling as brilliantly as Richie does here. And what would a Richie Havens album be without at least one Lennon-McCartney composition? Well we're treated to not one but two fine Beatle songs. "Lady Madonna" is reinvented as only Richie could have. His always distintive rhythm guitar and gritty vocals give the song a new and wonderful sound. And "Strawberry Fields Forever" takes on a whole new sense of urgency. Richie's cry of "Let me take you down..." evokes an almost gospel-like feel to it. And there's a fine sampling of orginal compositions, High Flyin' Bird, Handsome Johnny, Indian Rope Man and more.

Yes, I too would dearly welcome a comprehensive anthology of Richie's four decade output. Wouldn't it be great if selections from his own Stormy Forest Records label could find their way into such a collection? I'm sure no one would gripe over including The Bee Gee's classic "I Started A Joke" or Dino Valenti's poignant cry of "What About Me". And I know I'd love to hear Donovan's spiritual anthem "Wear Your Love Like Heaven" and of course George Harrison's prennial "Here Comes The Sun". All of these tremendous compositions have become staples of Richie's fantastic concert performances. Perhaps Rhino Records could secure the rights to the entire Richie Havens catalog. Then maybe we would have a collection worthy of this great and vital artist.

Takes me back to the 60's when we were protesting Vietnam. Where are all the singers protesting the debacle of Iraq?

Richie Havens has a strong and soothing voice. This is best felt here in the 'San Francisco Bay Blues ' track. His rendition of 'Just Like a Woman' I think falls far from that of the original Dylan. Havens sounds well whatever he sings, but it seems to me that there are enough truly outstanding songs on this disk.