Simple Things is an album by the American folk musician Richie Havens, released in 1987.[2][3] The album, along with Richie Havens Sings the Beatles and Dylan, from the same year, marked a recording comeback for Havens.[4] Havens supported the album with a North American tour.[5]
| Simple Things | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1987 | |||
| Genre | Folk | |||
| Label | RBI[1] | |||
| Richie Havens chronology | ||||
| ||||
The album peaked at No. 173 on the Billboard 200.[6] The title track and "Drivin'" were released as singles.[7]
Production edit
Rather than relying on just his acoustic guitar, Havens employed electronic drums, horns, choirs, and synthesizers.[8][9] The album includes covers of songs written by Paul McCartney, John Martyn, and Vince Willis, among others.[10]
Critical reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [11] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [12] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide |  [13] |
| New Musical Express | 1/10[14] |
| The Philadelphia Inquirer | [15] |
The Washington Post wrote that "the songs, while hardly exceptional, are certainly tuneful, and Havens delivers them with typical feeling and conviction."[8] The Sun Sentinel wrote: "Opening with an up-tempo ska number, Haven's rich, throaty vocal line reaches out of the tight studio mix to grab your attention."[16]
The Ottawa Citizen thought that "it is ... disconcerting to hear the slick uptown grooves on the opening track, 'Drivin''."[17] The Gazette noted the "very commercial '80s sound," but acknowledged that "Havens's voice is still an affecting instrument."[18]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Drivin'" | 4:17 |
| 2. | "Simple Things" | 4:07 |
| 3. | "Songwriter" | 4:00 |
| 4. | "Passin' By" | 4:22 |
| 5. | "Wake Up and Dream" | 3:50 |
| 6. | "I Don't Wanna Know" | 4:23 |
| 7. | "Shouldn't We All Be Having a Good Time" | 5:23 |
| 8. | "Arrow Through Me" | 4:23 |
| 9. | "Runner in the Night" | 5:35 |
References edit
- ^ Popoff, Martin (September 8, 2009). Goldmine Record Album Price Guide. Penguin – via Google Books.
- ^ "Richie Havens | Biography & History". AllMusic.
- ^ "You Say It's Your Birthday: Richie Havens". MTV News.
- ^ Gray, Chris (April 22, 2013). "RIP Richie Havens: Bearded Folksinger Icon Dies Suddenly at 72". Houston Press.
- ^ Troup, Stuart (18 Jul 1987). "Richie Havens, Seeking His Place in the '80s". Part II. Newsday. p. 12.
- ^ "Richie Havens". Billboard.
- ^ Randall, Neil (3 Sep 1987). "Still Relevant". Waterloo Region Record. p. C11.
- ^ a b Joyce, Mike (22 Jan 1988). "Richie Havens: 2 Winners and a Slipped Disc". The Washington Post. p. N11.
- ^ Brower, W.A. (Jan 28, 1988). "Stay Tuned". The Washington Informer. No. 15. p. 21.
- ^ Quill, Greg (4 Sep 1987). "Shortcuts". Toronto Star. p. D12.
- ^ "Simple Things - Richie Havens | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 4. MUZE. p. 178.
- ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 531.
- ^ O'Neill, Jack (9 January 1988). "Richie Havens: Simple Things". New Musical Express. p. 24.
- ^ Tucker, Ken (30 Aug 1987). "Richie Havens Simple Things". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. F3.
- ^ Gomez, Alex (30 Aug 1987). "Greater Than Sum of Parts". Sun Sentinel. p. 3F.
- ^ Erskine, Evelyn (4 Sep 1987). "Rock". Ottawa Citizen. p. D5.
- ^ Lepage, Mark (26 Nov 1987). "Richie Havens – Simple Things (RBI)". The Gazette. p. H3.