Cuts to the Chase | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1994 | |||
Genre | Folk, rock | |||
Label | Forward | |||
Richie Havens chronology | ||||
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Cuts to the Chase is an album by the American musician Richie Havens, released in 1994. [1] [2] It was distributed by Rhino Records. [3]
Havens intended to support the album by playing the Bethel '94 Woodstock reunion. [4] After it was canceled, Havens played shows with, among others, Pete Seeger and Don McLean, in addition to touring the United Kingdom. [5] [6] [7] "Old Love" was a minor radio hit. [8]
Havens added more rock elements to his folk sound. [9] The album contains two parts. [10] The first seven songs are listed under "The Declaration"; the remaining six fall under "Independence". [11] "Old Love" is a cover of the Eric Clapton song. [12] " Comin' Back to Me" is a version of the Jefferson Airplane song; Havens had wanted to record it for decades. [13] " They Dance Alone" was written by Sting. [14] " Darkness, Darkness" was composed by Jesse Colin Young. [15] The only Havens-penned song on the album, "Young Boy", encourages urban young people to advocate for change. [16] Billy Perry played guitar on the album. [17]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Calgary Herald | C [11] |
Chicago Tribune | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
MusicHound Folk: The Essential Album Guide | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Hartford Courant wrote that Havens's "guitar playing is enthusiastic and powerful and his lyric presentation often gives new shades of meanings to familiar songs." [6] The Boston Globe concluded that "this is a fine new album that restores luster to his career and proves his voice is still among the most stately, dignified vehicles in the field." [12] The Calgary Herald opined: "While the occasional song rises above the haze of decades passed ... Havens—even when backed by a band—remains, alas, more of a relic rather than a singer relevant to today." [11]
The Chicago Tribune stated that "Havens' heartfelt, distinctive vocal style and forceful guitar playing serve him well throughout." [11] The St. Petersburg Times deemed the album "a complex, compelling work that breaks away from the traditional, folk-heavy Havens." [9] The Christian Science Monitor called Cuts to the Chase "his best work in years," praising the "deep, sandpaper voice [and] propulsive guitar strumming." [20]
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | " Lives in the Balance" | |
2. | " They Dance Alone" | |
3. | "My Father's Shoes" | |
4. | " Darkness, Darkness" | |
5. | "The Hawk" | |
6. | "Young Boy" | |
7. | " The Times They Are a-Changin'" | |
8. | "Fade to Blue" | |
9. | "Intro/Old Love" | |
10. | "How the Nights Can Fly" | |
11. | " Comin' Back to Me" | |
12. | "Don't Pass It Up" | |
13. | "At a Glance" |