Back in the Europe days I was in Avignon, France long enough to take in a movie. The movie was Woodstock. The performance that went the deepest was Richie Havens’ Freedom.
Warner Brothers. License: All Rights Reserved
Years later I was in Oakland hanging out with Fizale and his folks when two events converged.First was an invitation from Fizales’ Mom to watch “10 Years a Slave.” The second was a jam over at Fizale’s friends house. The song Burnt Angel started coming to me. Richie Havens voice in my head and some chords we were playing around with in the room lite the spark.
Who is Richie Havens You Ask?
Photo: Phil Konstantin
Richard Pierce "Richie" Havens (January 21, 1941 – April 22, 2013) was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. His music encompassed elements of folk, soul, and rhythm and blues. He is best known for his intense and rhythmic guitar style (often in open tunings), soulful covers of pop and folk songs, and his opening performance at the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
I would like to share one of his performance below:
"I really sing songs that move me. I'm not in show business. I'm in the communications business. That's what it's for me."
Richie Havens
What's Coming Up
April 3rd
The Atlantis Lounge
8pm - 10pm
3552 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, Oregon
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