RICHIE HAVENS Mixed Bag / Something Else Again (2010 Australian exclusive 21-track 2-CD album set - Raven presents a splendid set by renowned New York folk-rock singer/song writer Richie Havens, combining his first and second albums recorded for MGM's folk label Verve Forecast, originally released in 1967 and '68 respectively. Born in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, NY, Havens moved to Greenwich Village in 1961 just as the folk boom began to explode, with his contemporaries including the likes of Fred Neil, Bob Dylan and Dave Van Ronk. Prior to his crowd-stirring performance at the Woodstock festival in 1969, these recordings saw Havens establishing his reputation as one of the most distinctive performers of the era. With his unusual open-E guitar tuning, unmistakable thumb-chorded strumming and distinctive smoky voice, much of the music features an organic and melancholy vibe. With superb quality audio, color booklet and detailed liner notes, this is a must for fans of earthy and literate folk-rock).