Havens performs at Moorpark venue
By Lori Porter
Porter@theacorn.com

Although some residents may have thought they felt an earthquake, it really was just Richie Havens performing at The Theater on High Street in Moorpark Saturday night that shook things up.

Havens, just one of many performers highlighted at Woodstock in 1969, another earth-moving event, seems too big to visit Moorpark. But Havens doesn’t seem to know how great he is. Maybe that’s because he’s just having fun when performing.

This passionate performer is 63 years old with a heart of a child. For the past 30 years, Havens has been on the music scene, writing and performing songs that have a message about brotherhood and freedom. To date he’s released 20 albums and tours regularly—going from city to city every weekend, sometimes Thursdays through Sundays.

Haven grew up in Brooklyn and was the oldest of nine children in a musical family. At 16, he began organizing "doo-wop" bands on street corners in his neighborhood. At 20, he left Brooklyn for Greenwich Village. "I saw the Village as a place you could escape to and express yourself. I first went there to perform poetry in the late ’50s during the beatnik days . . . I’d stay up all night, listening to folk music in the clubs, but it took awhile before I thought of picking up a guitar."

Havens played his guitar for at least 90 minutes on Saturday, which was long enough to reveal his skill and one-of-a-kind style—but not long enough to satisfy every audience member.

His unique renditions of other famous artist’s songs such as "Here Comes the Sun" (written by Beatles member George Harrison) and Bob Dylan’s "Just Like a Woman" were among many great songs he performed.

No one plays guitar quite like Havens. He uses his left thumb to bar chords, something rarely done by other guitarists. His long hands are perfect for playing this way. What’s not simple, though, is the way Havens strums his guitar. His rhythms resemble flamenco guitar infused with jazz. Drums and bass aren’t necessary because Havens does it all with his right hand, left leg and foot. The singer/songwriter dances with his guitar, putting all his passion into each and every song he performs. Havens’ earthy and soulful voice is just as strong today as it was in his recordings of 30 years ago.

What was really special about his performance was Havens’ ability to communicate with the audience. His smile could clear depression from any room. And Havens shared many of life’s little secrets. Before he performed "Just Like a Woman," Havens revealed that he finally learned why men and women don’t get along. "It’s because they are each a different species." He followed that up with an encouraging remark: "I know men and women can get along, though, because a man can get along with a dog for a lifetime."

When asked the difference between kids from the ’60s and kids today, he replied. "It’s easier today. It’s all in the DNA at this point." Havens believes that children have always had the answers because they can discern the difference between truth and lies. "When we were kids, we had to protect ourselves because we were to be seen and not heard. We had to respect our parents regardless." Havens believes that when he and others during the ‘60s revolution went out singing and protesting, they pulled knowledge from inside themselves. "Kids today have that knowledge and the reason it is easier is because young people are naturally innocent to all the baggage and the lies."

He might be onto something because many of today’s young people are listening to and loving the music of the ’60s. The messages seem to be timeless. The range in age at the Moorpark concert seemed to be 20 to 60. Havens thinks it’s sad that people already know what we need to do to make our world and ourselves better, but it just doesn’t seem to happen.

Havens has a Website with everything for his admirers (from lessons on his unique playing style to CDs and concert information). For more information, visit www.richiehavens.com