Audio CD review:
Richie Havens - Live at the Cellar Door

Richie Havens - Live at the Cellar Door

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 - Richie Havens, Santos, Larry 2: All Along the Watchtower - Richie Havens, Dylan, Bob 3: Helplessly Hoping - Richie Havens, Stills, Stephen 4: God Bless the Child - Richie Havens, Herzog, Arthur Jr. 5: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down - Richie Havens, Robertson, Robbie 6: No More, No More - Richie Havens, Havens, Richie 7: Preparation - Richie Havens, 8: Here Comes the Sun - Richie Havens, Harrison, George [1 9: Fire and Rain - Richie Havens, Taylor, James [1] 10: Superman - Richie Havens, 11: Dolphins - Richie Havens, Neil, Fred 12: Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen/My Sweet Lord - Richie Havens, Harrison, George [1

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. In search of a classic Richie Havens live show However, I found his live releases to be pleasant, but infuriatingly unsatisfying. I love Richie Havens as a perfomer. Havens performed at lot of classic shows in the late 60s, early 70s such as Woodstock(1969), Isle of Wight Festivals(69 & 70), Atlanta Pop Festival(1970), any Fillmore East show, etc. His classic strumming and poignant vocal power captured the spirit of the late sixties hippie rock generation. Unfortunately, Havens seemed to pass up the chance for the public to hear the showstoppers. This live album and ON STAGE (1972, currently not available on CD) is made up of mainly slow/moderate tempo tunes that really do not epitomize what Havens made famous. A lot of them are covers. Many are good versions, but they are not from classic shows. I really want a live release that is a complete show from a classic concert or venue. One radio interviewer a few years back asked Havens if he ever planned to release his Woodstck set in its entirety, but he avoided the question and changed the subject. Strange. CELLAR DOOR does have its moments, and is from 1970, a classic year, but the entire show should have been released to make it completely worthwhile. You can see a complete list of all Richie Havens discography, or go back to the Richie Havens tabs