Richard P. Havens 2013

Richard P. Havens 2013
Antonio G. Pereira © 2013 Antonio G. Pereira
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Richie Havens http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-media/2013/04/richie-havens-political-passion-late-folk-singer-dies-72 was quite a remarkable musician. From his first albums on Douglas Records, Richie Havens Record and Electric Richie Havens (both beautiful albums covering traditional Folk Songs and Bob Dylan - a deeply moving version of 'Nora's Dove' in the former, and a powerful version of 'Oxford Town' in the latter) through his albums on Verve Forcast, Mixed Bag (which contained his gorgeous Jazz arrangement of Jesse Fuller's 'San Francisco Bay Blues, and the Anti-Nuclear/Civil Rights Anthem 'Handsome Johnny' {the song he co-composed with Academy Award winning actor Lou Gossett}), Something Else Again (with the beautiful exploratory title piece with Richie on Sitar and Jeremy Steig on Flute, and the pretty, laid-back Jazzy 'Sugarplums' with Eddie Gomez on Acoustic Bass {as well as playing the hell out of a set of Congas on fellow stablemate, the very talented Janis Ian's song 'Look To The Rain', on her album, The Secret Life Of J. Eddy Fink}), to the records on his Stormy Forest label that finally broke him worldwide; Alarm Clock (with his re-arrangement of George Harrison's 'Here Comes The Sun'), The Great Blind Degree (interpreting Graham Nash, Cat Stevens, Dino Valente aka Chet Powers, Pete Townsend and James Taylor), the masterful live in concert set, Richie Havens On Stage {also performing with the Folk and Gospel group Fresh Flavor - a performance of 'Hear Zeus' Anger Roar' from Don Kirshner's Rock Concert is included among the videos at the end of this article}, Portfolio (another great album with covers of 'It Was A Very Good Year' and 'What's Going On' {also containing his artwork}), and Mixed Bag II (with the breathtakingly beautiful Native American homage to this land we call America 'The Indian Prayer' {This song brings to mind the songs of the late Native American musician Eugene Beyale, and his strikingly beautiful and powerful albums, Morning Star and Eagle Chanter (both LPs released on Eagle Chanter Music Inc.); in particular his gorgeous duets with Patricia Klause on the songs 'Great Spirit Father' and 'Children', on his second album Eagle Chanter.}, which has Richie backed by Fresh Flavor, and also on this album the best re-arrangement of Dylan's 'Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands' I ever heard.) Discovering his work will be an historical treasure for many generations to come.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PriMAXKwDJo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq_LCBNivJg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KjRnh-TBno