Sometimes when you get to know somebody only through what you see of them on a movie screen or hear them sing, the impression you form of them turns out to be completely erroneous. However, there are those rare people who, when you do actually get the opportunity to meet or talk to them, turn out to be just what you thought they were. Richie Haven is such a man. On the morning of Tuesday August 26th I was fortunate enough to spend just over a half hour on the phone with him and it turns out he's the gentle, intelligent, thoughtful, passionate, and humorous person that I had thought he was from seeing his pictures and listening to his music.
The hardest part about interviewing Mr. Havens was remembering I was interviewing him and not getting so wrapped up in enjoying our conversation that I forgot to take notes. I hope that a little of his gentle spirit is able to shine through "the flat, unraised words" that I've transcribed from our conversation, as once again I find this medium far too inadequate to do my subject justice.
After the initial greetings were over and I verified that we were going to have slightly more than the twenty minutes you're normally allotted for these types of interviews, my query of whether I was going to be first of millions for today was answered with a gentle laugh and an assurance that I was actually second of only a few, we began. It seemed to make sense that we talk a little about his recent release Nobody Left To Crown so that's where we started - but be warned - both of us (maybe it's something to do with being a Richard) turn out to share the same predilection for deviating from the subject under discussion and getting fascinated by something else. Anyway, without further ado -Ladies and gentlemen - Mr. Richie Havens.
When you were putting together Nothing Left To Crown did you have a particular intent in mind about what you wanted to accomplish with the album.
I was trying to actually align it with everything that's going on today in the world, the total surroundings if you would. In some ways, it's a reflection of all the questions that were being asked a long time ago that we still haven't answered. There's also a certain amount of wanting to let others know, those who are just becoming aware and not knowing what the world involves that there are questions that need to be asked. In some ways, it was a catch all type of situation, with bits and pieces of of the whole picture in an attempt to show how it all works.
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