Richie Havens Top Ten

OK, so this is where I start getting really opinionated. For a start, I really don’t like Freedom. Yes, it's wonderfully atmospheric in a concert setting, but as an album track it leaves me cold. Yet, naturally, it’s on Richie’s two Best Of albums. Presumably this is because casual interest demands its presence there. But do real fans of his music want this? In fact, do real fans actually agree with much of what is on the compilation albums? Here’s one that doesn’t, so with that in mind, I’ve compiled my favourite ten tracks. They are listed below. What I now want is for other fans to e-mail me their ten favourites. I’ll try to put them on this site and compile a complete list of the tracks people most like. Perhaps a record company will actually take notice someday J . Please note that the list is not in order of preference, but simply chronological order. You’ll also note that some albums get no mention – notably Mixed Bag - but how can you sum up an entire career in ten songs?

Shadow Town (Electric Havens) An early example of the Havens’ voice used to full effect. The opening line, "It’s so cold in Shadow Town", is as chilling as its lyrics demand. Interestingly, Tim Hardin claims this song as his own, though he calls it Shiloh Town. You'll note that already I've passed by Richie's first album, thus omitting the wonderful That's the Bag I'm In. A Top Ten just isn't enough!

Sugarplums (Somethin’ Else Again) I once heard this played on the radio as a jazz instrumental. Clearly there are other people who agree with me that it’s a marvellous tune, but it’s brought beautifully to life by the gentle lyrics and Richie’s singing. Written by producer John Court, his song just has the edge over New City, with its barely restrained vocal power.

Cautiously (1983) My wife will argue that For Haven’s Sake, with its closing fade winding from one channel to the other, is the best track on the album and I know that many fans really like The Parable of Ramon or the magnificent From The Prison, but the track with the grooves worn away on my copy has to be Cautiously, with its unconventional style, magnificent drumming from Skip Prokop and Richie’s mellow voice.

Lady Madonna (1983) The best of the Beatles/Dylan interpretations that were most talked-about on this album. Interesting that the tv comedy series Grace Under Fire used exactly the same approach to this song when used as its theme tune in its first season. Strange that there isn't a version of this on the Beatles/Dylan album.

There’s a Hole in the Future (Stonehenge) At last a track that is on the compilation albums. It may only run for less than two minutes, but it has all the qualities of a great piece of music. And it was written by Richie – thus proving beyond doubt that he is an able writer as well as an interpreter of other people's songs.

Girls Don’t Run Away (Alarm Clock) Being young and being misunderstood – or failing to understand through poor communication – remains the underlying theme of many of Richie’s songs. Add to this a percussive beat and some outstanding guitar from Paul Williams and you have a great song, sung in an almost world-weary voice. Patient Lady runs it a close second for best song on the album.

Minstrel From Gault (On Stage) Yes, the live version is the better one, with Paul Williams at his best. He was great in a concert performance, with guitar playing that superbly complemented Richie’s percussive style. The anti-war theme of the song matched the mood of the time and is still worth repeating today.

23 Days in September (Portfolio) This song sent me off to buy writer David Blue’s album. Shame, that, because it wasn’t as good as Richie’s interpretation of his song. Other tracks on the album, such as Leon Russell’s Tightrope and Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On are splendid examples of Richie personalising a song, but the David Blue number is just a little special.

The Hawk (Cuts to the Chase) Brilliant use of minor chords and that wonderful resonant, mellow voice make this Kris Kristofferson song ideal proof of the fact that Richie hasn’t gone away. He’s as strong as ever. Bob Lind's How The Nights Fly and Jackson Browne's Lives in the Balance run a close second on this excellent album. But then, for the JB song, you really need to hear Richie perform it live!

On The Turning Away (Wishing Well) In a sense I have a real difficulty with this Pink Floyd song. It's brilliantly performed, and is stunning when sung at the end of Richie's concerts, but the lyrics instil a mixture of guilt and cynical disbelief. Every time I now walk past someone begging in the street, the song comes to mind. Another song on the album, Handouts in the Rain, has a similar theme and is equally strong.

Well, there you go. Oh, and all those brilliant tracks (and complete albums) I've omitted, including the one I'm most into at the moment, Now and the one that Richie enthuses about most in his book, Common Ground. If I had to name a further ten tracks... Well, maybe next time I update the website.