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Richie Havens - Live at the Cellar Door Audio CD

A fair review of the Richie Havens "Live at the Cellar Door" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Richie Havens reviews here, or go back to the Richie Havens tabs.

Richie Havens Band: Richie Havens
Title: Live at the Cellar Door
Rating:
Release Date: 1995-09-30
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Can't Make It Anymore 2: All Along the Watchtower 3: Helplessly Hoping 4: God Bless the Child 5: Night They Drove Old Dixie Down 6: No More, No More 7: Preparation 8: Here Comes the Sun 9: Fire and Rain 10: Superman 11: Dolphins 12: Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen/My Sweet Lord

Richie Havens - Live at the Cellar Door
The Cellar Door recordings are a great example of that. Since Woodstock, the best way to hear Richie Havens is live. He recorded "Here Comes The Sun" there. That live recording has been a hit ever since, and is one of the ways we know Havens' music. If you want any recording by Richie Havens, this one should be included.


Excellent live CD...
As someone who has seen Richie Havens perform live this CD manages to capture the warmth and gentle spirit that Richie possesses and showcases his frenetic strumming style on the acoustic guitar. This disc had me right from the first song and didn't let up. This CD was culled from two performances, one in 1970 at the Cellar Door in Washington D. C. , and the other from 1972 at the Santa Monica Civic Center in California, and the liner notes explain that the previously released live version of "Here Comes The Sun" became a radio hit but the rest of the performance was shelved and not released until years later. Although the majority of the songs Richie plays on this disc were written by other songwriters (George Harrison, Stephen Stills, Bob Dylan, The Band, Fred Neil, and even one by Billie Holiday) this disc introduced me to Richie's own song "No More, No More", which I hadn't heard before and found to be very moving. There are several moments on this disc that are just too beautiful for words. Although the majority of the songs here are more low key and relaxed as opposed to a "Freedom" type rave up that didn't bother me one bit. The mellow nature of this disc really hits the spot every time I put it on, and as always Richie's voice is nothing short of phenomenal. The tracks where he talks to the audience also really reminded me of when I saw him live; he still does his humorous monologues at shows these days, and they always manage to make you smile while making you think. This CD really captures the strengths of Richie Havens as a performer and I would recommend it if you are a fan or are looking for an introduction to his music.


Always welcome
I also have these cuts on different music mixes I carry on CD and i-Pod and I never tire of the soft, gently explosive sound of this great musician. I have an Internet-only radio station that plays this album.

While I was unable to see Richie "Live at the Cellar Door" in Washingon, DC, I did get to see him twice at the Birchmere in nearby Alexandria, VA. It was the first time in years my oldest son and I got excited about the same music.

Buy it because it sounds great or buy it because it has some wonderful human reflection, or buy it just because it brings on such sweet nostalgia, but buy it. You'll be glad you did.

One other thing, go to Richie Havens dot com and look at some of the wonderful artwork he has done. He also has lots of nice gear there, too.

All best.

-Lee.


HAVENS!
The music, the stories, his voice, his lyrics are special, they are unique, and fun. I love this album, I've listened to it a thousand times. This album led me to see him perfom at the "Bottom Line" in the West Village with Tin Tin, and the performance we saw was nothing short of astounding. Live at the Cellar Door was of course recorded years ago, still the aura that Ritchie Havens gives off on record or in person is that of warmth, respect, love, friendship, and passion, what else is there?.


Avoid
Not to be fulfilled. I was expecting a tour d' force such as Mixed Bag. The songs are slowed down to the pace of dirges. Two tracks are wasted on 60's-esqu banter with the audience--once is enough, but after once, you'd rather have 2 more songs. Get a studio album. They are all great.


You can see a complete list of all Richie Havens discography, or go back to the Richie Havens tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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