Resume: The Best of Richie Havens

Resume: The Best of Richie Havens

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Richie Havens in his prime possessed an uncanny knack for inhabiting familiar songs as if they were his hometown. He practically hijacked "Here Comes the Sun" out from under George Harrison, turning his 1971 version of the Abby Road tune into a rhythmic statement all his own and, in the process, charting for the one and only time in his career. That's true to a lesser degree with Lennon-McCartney's "Rocky Raccoon," Bob Dylan's "Just Like a Woman," and Fred Neil's "Dolphins," all of which are found on this 17-track anthology culled from the New York City singer-guitarist's late 1960s and early 1970s records. Havens penned a few songs of his own, notably the antiwar song "Handsome Johnny" (cowritten with actor Lou Gossett), and adapted others in his own inimitable style ("Run Shaker Life," "Freedom," his Woodstock-inspired variation on "Motherless Child"). But he made his mark as an interpreter--one whose work holds up admirably, judging by this focused retrospective. --Steven Stolder

Tracks:

High Flyin' Bird
Drown In My Own Tears
Morning, Morning
Just Like A Woman
The Dolphins
Here Comes The Sun
God Bless The Child
The Klan
Handsome Johnny
Follow
Younger Men Grow Older
Run Shaker Life/Do You Feel Good
What About Me
Minstrel From Gault
Rocky Raccoon
San Francisco Bay Blues
Freedom

Amazon.com

Richie Havens in his prime possessed an uncanny knack for inhabiting familiar songs as if they were his hometown. He practically hijacked "Here Comes the Sun" out from under George Harrison, turning his 1971 version of the Abby Road tune into a rhythmic statement all his own and, in the process, charting for the one and only time in his career. That's true to a lesser degree with Lennon-McCartney's "Rocky Raccoon," Bob Dylan's "Just Like a Woman," and Fred Neil's "Dolphins," all of which are found on this 17-track anthology culled from the New York City singer-guitarist's late 1960s and early 1970s records. Havens penned a few songs of his own, notably the antiwar song "Handsome Johnny" (cowritten with actor Lou Gossett), and adapted others in his own inimitable style ("Run Shaker Life," "Freedom," his Woodstock-inspired variation on "Motherless Child"). But he made his mark as an interpreter--one whose work holds up admirably, judging by this focused retrospective. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews:

Give it a chance.......2006-03-28

I bought this CD a few years ago because I really wanted to get a live recording of Freedom, the opening music from Woodstock. When I first listened to the CD I was struck by Havens' great guitar work, but it took a while for the songs to grow on me.

This is a CD of protest - antiwar (Handsome Johnny), environmental degradation (What About Me), racism (The Klan). These were issues in the 60's, when this music was recorded, and they are still issues today.

Richie Havens is not for fans of heavy metal or dance music. His music and rich voice make you think and, occassionally, get enraged at how little has been done to solve the world's problems. If this sounds interesting to you, get this album, give it a few listens, and enjoy.

nice to listen to.......2005-07-20

Richie Havens was never a huge artist but he was very respectable.His strange voice and his acoustic guitar make him a unique figure in music history.Resume is a pretty good best of album with some really beautiful songs(although almost all are covers).Drown in My Own Tears is probably the greatest track on here,but songs like Dolphins,Here Comes The Sun,and Klan are also of very high quality.

Two other very famous tracks,Handsome Johnny and Freedom,are also very good but miss the allure of the live version on Woodstock.Yes,Freedom was recorded there but it is a shorter version which is a shame.

Still,a very nice album to lay back on and enjoy.

Amazing rhythmic guitar.......2002-03-14

I love this album! The guitar work is phenomenal, especially on "Dolphin" and "The Klan". He demontrates such passion and it's contagious! The song "Freedom" is an American classic. Richie Havens is truly a master musician and a socially conscious one at that! His music is such a gift from the soul. This album shows some of his finest work. Thanks, Richie!

brilliant.......2001-10-26

A collection of truly great songs by a musical giant.

Will someone please re-release one of Richie Havens' older collections: The Great Blind Degree? I've got an old, scratchy LP copy, but this is another fine collection of songs which deserves to find its way onto a CD.

pure energy.......2001-04-21

This is a heck of an investment: 17 songs by one of the most powerful voices in music. Richie Havens has more force in his voice and accompanying guitar than most full bands. He's lightly-backed, if at all - usually just a bass or conga drums, anything more would be pushing it for most of the songs. Plus, that makes it all the better to hear his emotion and raw power. He has the amazing ability to take other's songs and strip them down into works that are undeniably his. Ovewrall, a very well-produced CD - clear sound, good liner notes, and an excellent selection of songs. Check it out!

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Recommended Music:

Popular Music popular_music_69

Shchedrin: Old Russian Circus Music/Symphony No.2

Serenade for Strings Op 22

Magic Clarinet of Bilk Acker [Import]

Rock N Roll Reunion 1964

Soul Ballads

Some Bees

Schumann: Ich grolle nicht Op48/7; Alten bösen Lieder Op48/16

The 25th Anniversary Album

Retro: Sus Exitos

Tangerine Dream [Import]

Raizes Sertanejas [Limited Edition] [Import]

Schranz Total, Vol. 9 [Import]

Practise

Going Blank Again