RICHIE HAVENS'
CONNECTIONS LP
on
ELEKTRA (1980)
By Harry Young
27 January 2000
RICHIE HAVENS
CONNECTIONS
Wounded Bird CD WOU 242 (42:49)
Released 30 April 2002
RICHIE HAVENS
CONNECTIONS
CD LINER NOTES
WITH ORIGINAL LP / 45
RELEASE INFORMATION AND
TRADE MAGAZINE REVIEWS
CONNECTIONS LP
dPub 28 Jan 80
dReg 3 Mar 80
Produced by Charles Calello for Calello / Lang Productions
Rhythm tracks produced by Denny Randell & Charles Calello
Executive Producer: Michael Lang
01. Mama We're Gonna Dance
~ Jae Mason
02. Every Night
~ Paul McCartney
03. We've Got Tonight
~ Bob Seger
04. You Send Me
~ Sam Cooke
05. Ol '55
~ Tom Waits
06. Going Back To My Roots
~ Lamont Dozier
07. Dreams
~ Stevie Nicks
08. She Touched My Heart
~ Jae Mason
Fire Down Below
~ Bob Seger
Here's A Song
~ Richie Havens-Denny Randell
Backing vocals on
Mama We're Gonna Dance,
Going Back To My Roots,
DREAMS and
Here's A Song:
LOU CHRISTIE,
Ann Lang,
Gail Wynters and
Clydie King
Guitar: Jeffrey Baxter, Elliott Randell, Rick Derringer, David Spinoza, Richie Havens
Bass: Bob Babbitt, Chuck Rainey
Drums: Andy Newmark, Steve Gadd, Allan Schwartzberg
Keyboards: Richard Tee, Jack Waldman, David Leboit
Acountic piano: Richard Tee
Electric piano: David Leboit
Synthesizer: Doug Katsaros
Tenor sax: David Woodford
Harp: Gloria Agostini
Record World
9 February 1980
CONNECTIONS
Richie Havens
Elektra 6E-242 (7.98)
Havens has been a recording staple for a decade and yet continues to grow with each LP release. This new one features tunes by Bob Seeger, Tom Waits, Jae Mason and Stevie Nicks, done up in the inimitable Havens style. Could be his biggest in some time.
Billboard
16 February 1980
RICHIE HAVENS--
Connections
Elektra 6E242
Produced by Charles Calello, Denny Randell
Havens is about due for one of his periodic hits built on an interpretation of a song someone else succeeded with, and he repeats that trick here with a memorable reworking Bob Seger's "We've Got Tonight." Calello has toned down Havens' sometimes overpowering rhythm guitar and staffed this album with a fine assortment of musicians. Best cuts: "We've Got Tonight," "She Touched My Heart," "Mama, We're Gonna Dance," "Going Back To My Roots."
Billboard
16 February 1980
Talent Talk
Though Richie Havens' "Connections" is his first LP in nearly two years, the famed singer/guitarist has not been idle. Besides making frequent concert appearances, Havens has taken on the role of a carpet factory dispatcher in the forthcoming film, "The Boss' Son."
Cash Box
23 February 1980
CONNECTIONS -- Richie Havens
Elektra 6E-242
Producers: Charles Calello & Denny Randell
List: 7.98
"Connections" just might be Havens' best work since the Woodstock days. Havens has always been a great cover artist, but the song selection on this album is just right for his raspy, world-weary voice. His versions of Tom Waits' "Ol '55" and Bob Seger's "Fire Down Below" are handled with true rock spirit. Guitar fans will revel in the fact that Elliott Randell and Jeff Baxter play together on almost every cut on this LP. Suited to AOR playlists.
Elektra E-46619
Every Night /
Here's A Song
dReg 9 Jun 80
Record World
22 March 1980
RICHIE HAVENS-- Elektra 46619
Every Night
(prod. by Calello)
(writer: McCartney)
(Maclen, BMI) (4:24)
Havens covers this McCartney gem as if it was written for him. Enticing guitar/keyboard/percussion interplay provides an interesting backdrop for Havens' raw vocal talent. Havens gives a straight-forward reading with some flash on the high end. A loveable tune that's well-treated and a refreshing add for pop-A/C.
Non-LP single
Elektra E-46657
Girl, Gold Watch & Everything /
Two Hearts In Perfect Time
45 E-46657
dPub 9 Jun 80
dReg 30 Jun 80
also dated to June 1980 by
Elektra E-46656
Eddie Rabbitt
Record World review
21 June 1980
Richie Havens
Variety
30 July 1980
299:1
