Richie Havens, "Paradise" on State of the Arts (1999)

Richie Havens appeared on "State of the Arts" in May 1999, where he performed his song "Paradise." Havens talked about his historic appearance as the opening act at Woodstock, his love of performing, and his memoir, "They Can't Hide Us Anymore," with host Amber Edwards. Richie Havens died on Earth Day, April 22, 2013, in Jersey City, New Jersey.

[@stevedavidowitz6132]

I was most privileged to co author Richie's autobiography in 1999, "They Can't Hide Us Anymore," in it, he shared how he self -taught himself virtually everything, shared it so others might push forward with their own dreams. . .Richie was a wonderful friend, a truly great performer. And, beyond so many great recordings, 'Paradise' is my personal favorite. It expresses a lot about whom he was & who we are- -our hopes, dreams, myths & what we are all searching for. I loved him. Steve Davidowitz

[@JazzCatzs]

Steve Davidowitz just finished reading it ! I had no idea how talented he was in other non musical areas of his life, sketching, sculpting, acting, producing, the environment, world peace ambassador...I feel like I’ve known him even though never had the privilege of meeting him.

[@angliase]

Thankyou Steve

[@angliase]

Thankyou Steve..

[@zacharyaldridge5487]

Thank you, Steve. May you light many more candles with the light you have and the light Richie shared with you 🙏🏻♥️ peace god

[@DonMescall]

hey Steve , really enjoyed the book :) v best don

[@petercremin742]

Man do I miss Richie.

[@JohnMiller-hg7ty]

What a gentle soul, a sensitive spirit...his music still comforts me and gives me hope...

[@LateNotes]

one of a kind. what a gift to the planet.

[@206007889]

Thank you, Don Mescall, for the song.🎼 Amber Edwards, what a bright interview! 🔆 Rip @Stevedavidowitz. Your comments below elevate the conversation. 👆 We recently lost our friend Skip, an artist and musician who loved Richie Havens. Paradise is indeed worth searching for. May we all practice opening our hearts until we are as One. 💖

[@DonMescall]

I really feel so blessed to have known this man, and as a songwriter I have been so fortunate over the years to have so many artists cover songs that i have written, but when i listen to Richie singing Paradise i am reminded again and again that nothing will ever feel the same to me as having my dear friend and my musical inspiration bring so much of his own heart to this song . it will always be my proudest moment. Miss you Richie

[@kingmdot15]

+Don Mescall Love this piece so much!! been jammin to it forever!!! Just uploaded a personal interpretation of it to my channel! It would be great to see if you dig it !! Let me know good brotha!!

[@swamptronica]

Amen Brother. I hope you are well. You created a timeless gift to us all. WP

[@jodybeskinirutherfordcoanimal]

Such a beautiful song you wrote for him to sing! With a soul as sweet as his, he must be in the ever after !! The heavens must rejoice to hear this, because the mortals sure do!

[@206007889]

Thank you, Don Mescal, for writing the song. Amber Edwards, what a bright interview! Rip @Stevedavidowitz. You elevate the conversation. We recently lost our friend Skip, an artist and musician who loved Richie Havens. Paradise is indeed worth searching for. May we all practice opening our hearts until we are as One.

[@joesheetstheragman7737]

Richie didn’t play that D-40, he painted it. He paints music. One of a kind in history.

[@wilsonwebbward]

Thank you Richie for a lifetime of music and for sharing your beautiful gift with the world. Rest in Peace. You will be greatly missed.

[@kcred251]

An all time hero in my life

[@angliase]

Saw you sing this live just after 9/11 - so so powerful. Thankyou,~ we miss you Richie. 💋💋💜💜

[@robbdavies7749]

Beautiful soul❤

[@ReverendSoupbone]

Love the man.

[@DanQ2]

This is by far the most introspective, deep, and relatable lyrics ever written I’ve ever heard. “But me myself I’m easy, I don’t really have to know. Just as long as I’m still breathing and I’ve got somewhere to go”

[@DonMescall]

hey Daniel , thanks so much for your kind comments about Paradise ,, its funny i guess that i wrote Paradise at a particularly difficult time in my life , the song was literally days old when i got a call to open for Richie in a venue called the "mean Fiddler" it really was the moment that everything changed for me as a songwriter , meeting Richie and sharing this song with him in the dressing room , he liked to warm up musically with his musicians before a show and asked me to perhaps play a song for him to be part of it , i played Paradise and he asked me if he could cover it on his new forthcoming album ,,, My world changed .......... dreams come true , they really do ......

[@DanQ2]

@@DonMescall This is truly a masterpiece of lyricism Don! I can see why you thought Richie could carry the legacy of its meaning. As well, it illustrates who Havens was by knowing how he connected with the song. I heard this song about 9 years ago, whereby the lyrics and Havens’ interpretation left an impression on me. In fact, the quoted portion of my original comment is practically a mantra to which I live by. So thank you for piecing together these words that match a feeling I’ve held for a long time! I greatly appreciate you replying and sharing more history of your song!

[@maxinegrant5808]

Beautiful man. RIP Richie. Never knew of you before but what a pleasure to now know you.

[@nickwood4222]

Best song ever

[@amalthea6218]

Love you Richie!!!

[@RaySaunders]

Love the song, but it was written by Don Mescall, not Richie, although I don't know how anyone could sing it better. Knew Richie for 50 years and will always miss him. God Bless the child.

[@plusone8015]

Who's got their own. My earliest memory is listening 🎶 to Handsome Johnny on the headphones 🎧 in 72 before my 5 year old ass took it's siesta. Love Her Madly by The Doors was also etched in my 5 year old memorized nap ritual. To me his voice was the only soothing and sincere voice I ever heard in 1970s NYC..... It was indeed a hard place.... 🪨 🎸 🤘 🥌 ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ love you RH

[@bunnyjack]

I love Richie and always will!

[@nedsterz]

So wonderful.

[@joedefilippo8908]

Richie-Thank you for enriching our lives thru your music

[@baliscotsurf]

without a doubt ..heavy metal ..power chords.. Alot of weight in the right hand..silver n stones..deep as any ocean bass comin from His Guild...yet sweet as thick molasses and that signature strum..when I think of Richie I think of power.

[@reeceburton7864]

Heavy plectrum too

[@bombinofono1171]

OPEN D TUNING

[@malcolmjosephmilliner705]

RICHIE HEAVENS...SHARING GODS TREASURES OF SOUND, LIGHT, AND GOD INSPIRED INTELLIGENCE...THANKS FOR THE HANDSHAKE AND DIVINE INSPIRATION...THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE YOU CAN EVER GIVE ANYONE IS SOUL EXISTS BECAUSE OF GODS LOVE FOR IT...LOVE YA SOUL BROTHER/SOUND DOCTOR...PEACE

[@ricconstituantabrogatoirei4999]

je viens d'apprendre Richie que tu étais parti voir à quoi ressemble l'autre monde, nul doute que tu t'y trouves au Paradis...je t'ai découvert sur One shot Not, il y a quelques années, c'est pas vieux...mais là je dois dire que j'ai le coeur lourd...j'arrive à un âge où l'on commence à voir partir ceux qui comptent...pas dis que tu nous reviennes, tu avais compris. Prie pour nous.

[@angliase]

He dressed like a god - graceful tunics & chunky jewellery looked perfect on him..

[@ronsando2205]

MY MENTOR!

[@davidwatermeyer5421]

Indeed. If I think of enlightenment I think of him. He was surely there. Yet totally and utterly humble to the tee.

[@aubreyowakefield5994]

amazing

[@MrTonyMaserati]

this is amazing

[@angliase]

Thanks for this whole thing - amazing song & moments with Richie showing how incredible he is/ was..

[@StateoftheArtsNJ]

Not at this taping, but let us know if you find it. We were happy to find this in our archives and to be able to share it with the world.

[@GhostVanguard]

Thanks so much for putting this up. I found out about him via his collaboration with groove armada and this song is so beautiful.

[@rmethot8]

rip....Richie havens

[@Muji4u2b]

M'Ali Muji showing love from Houston

[@teago4046]

I am looking for a Version of Richie doing Just Like A Woman. I remember seeing it on TV just about the time this was taped in 1999 or 2000. I thought it might be Jersey's Talking, but this might be it! Did he do Just Like A Woman at this taping?

[@barbaraw1831]

❤ can anyone explain how his guitar is tuned to begin with? (is it open D or another open chord or something else?)

[@jackiep3302]

😉😀😀😀😀

[@GGBundy]

Cool song. I never cared for that "Freedom" song. It was to repetitive for me.

[@lindlhubbard2513]

You probably don’t know Richie was composing the song as he sang it. He didn’t know enough songs to keep singing until the rain stopped. He was the only acoustic guitar group. Lol

[@PNNYRFACE]

Cool story bro. Never really cared too much for the things you have to say. Too repetitive