Richie Havens

Subject: Richie Havens
From: Jayto
Date: 06 May 09 - 12:32 PM

I am sitting here listening to Richie Havens pay Freedom at Woodstock. Just had to put on here Richie kicks ass. Just digging it and had to post it.
cya
JT

Subject: RE: Richie Havens
From: pdq
Date: 06 May 09 - 12:41 PM

I have heard that Richie Havens went out to warm up the crowd at Woodstock but kept playing for 6 or 7 hours because the roads were packed with people and the other players could not get through. He sang every song he knew including "Handsome Johnny" by his friend Lou Gosset, Jr. He was relieved by some folks who arrived by helicopter.

Subject: RE: Richie Havens
From: Jayto
Date: 06 May 09 - 12:47 PM

I have to work up a version of Freedom. I love the version he did at Woodstock. I am watching it (or really listening to it) on youtube. He nailed it hard on that version. I didn't know Lou Gosset Jr wrote Handsome Johnny that is cool. I love those stories if you have anymore plz share.
cya
JT

Subject: RE: Richie Havens
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 06 May 09 - 12:55 PM

It wasn't 5 or 6 - it was almost 3 hours at Woodstock.   He did "Freedom/Motherless Child" at the Pete Seeger concert on Sunday and was amazing. He received a standing ovation.   It amazes me that each time he plays that piece he manages to make it sound brand new - as if it were the first time being played.

Subject: RE: Richie Havens
From: Wesley S
Date: 06 May 09 - 12:56 PM

I can't remember the name of the book even though I have it at home - but Havens has released his autobiography. You might want to check it out.

Subject: RE: Richie Havens
From: Jayto
Date: 06 May 09 - 12:57 PM

He was on Woodsongs Tv show on KET (kentucky educational television) last week and man did he kick. I loved it and hope my dvd works right where I can burn it down to DVD. I recorded (or actually my fiance recorded it for me) on tivo now I have to see if I can burn it down to dvd. It has been acting up so I am not sure if i can get it to burn or not. Guess I will find out.

Subject: RE: Richie Havens
From: Peace
Date: 06 May 09 - 03:49 PM

IMO, Richie is one of the greatest live performers on Earth.

Subject: RE: Richie Havens
From: bobad
Date: 06 May 09 - 04:02 PM

Richie Havens performing Freedom at Woodstock

YouTube link

Subject: RE: Richie Havens
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 06 May 09 - 04:33 PM

Yup and he seems to have his own style of playing too.
I did find a web site at one point and there are downloads and technique guides to download.
Always try to think my way back to the day he played that.
Would he have been allowed in the same hotels as the other artistes?
I was only a kid then but I was ashamed most of my teens because of the support we Brits gave the fascist apartheid regime in SA.
Guess got plenty more to be ashamed of if I did but know it.

Subject: RE: Richie Havens
From: Jayto
Date: 06 May 09 - 10:42 PM

Richie was and is pure conviction and emotion. The purest of musical talent man. Just raw conviction and emotion I love that.

Subject: RE: Richie Havens
From: pdq
Date: 06 May 09 - 11:12 PM

I was in the first row at a Richie Havens concert years ago.

He tunes the guitar to a cord and drops a big thumb down across all the strings. Strums (or did) with a big triangular pick, if I recall correctly. Perfect backing for his singing.

Only other person I reacall using a similar cord-tuned guitar was Tim Buckley. He died too young.