Nothing But Love :: golf blogger

Richie Havens

Richie Havens.

He began with a story of Greenwich Village back in the day when he played 12, 14 sets a night and when musicians shared their works freely -- for free -- "Can you write that out for me?" "Sure."

So, he heard something he liked and asked the artist to write it down. The guy said, "Sure." The next day, Richie Havens asked the fellow if he had done it. "I'll get to it." On day three, the guy approached on the street, but before Richie Havens could say a word, the guy handed him a demo tape, "Here it is." "Thanks."

All Along the Watchtower. He ended the evening with You Are So Beautiful as an encore a capella. And in between was a combination of cuts from his new album, the old classics, and his interpretation of others' songs. It took a few moments for the audience to recognize CSNY's Woodstock, the 3 Days of Love & Music he opened with Handsome Johnny, which he didn't perform last night, and Motherless Child, which he did perform, sounding as vital and fresh as he did almost 40 years ago in the rain.

When I bought the tickets, I didn't realize that the concert was part of a benefit -- or that I was a V.I.P. -- I just wanted the front row seats for Jackal and me; we had V.I.P. tickets. Cool.

Jackal and I arrived at the theater early and discovered the standard dress for the charitable event, at least the "Meet & Greet" we were attending, was not the blue jeans and button-down collar, rolled-up-sleeves-showing-various-tattoos shirt we each wore. Who knew? Stuffed shirts, stiff upper lips, and all were present, eating finger foods and imbibing cocktails -- my, my, my. "You're outta your element, Donnie," Jackal whispered. Since when is laughing a big event? Apparently, here it was. Later, the cop on duty told me that someone asked if we were there to fix the plumbing upstairs.

Richie Havens was escorted into the Allen Theater rotunda from the hall that lead to the State Theater, where he'd be performing. Hell, nobody was talking to him; so, I waved -- more of a salute at belt level than a wave, and he saluted back; so, we sauntered over, introduced ourselves; and I chatted with him about how short a time we'd both been on the planet, music, his music, children as the planet's salvation, and he said that "These next few months -- it's going to be a much better country, a much better world." I wish I could be as certain, and I told him that, "We can't continue on this course."

"It will be better, Bill." We grasped hands and held on for a few moments, much longer than strangers do; he knowing and I hoping. Jackal said a few quiet words to him, to which I was not privy -- musicians' bond, perhaps. His host whisked Richie to the other side of the room to meet some suits and designer apparel, the donors that needed stroking.

Jackal wanted a smoke; I needed some fresh air. The cop came with us, "Too stiff in there," he said, light rain falling; but before we left, Jack said, "Wait," walked to where the receiving line had formed, put a hand on Richie Havens' shoulder, said "Excuse me" to the gentleman posing for a picture, and said, "Good luck, tonight. Thanks for coming back to Cleveland. I'm very happy to have met you."

And Richie said, smiling, "Thank you, Jackson."

Posted by Bill at September 6, 2008 09:46 PM