Simple Things (Richie Havens album)

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Simple Things
Studio album by
Richie Havens
Released1987
GenreFolk
LabelRBI[1]
Richie Havens chronology
Common Ground
(1984) 		Simple Things
(1987) 		Richie Havens Sings the Beatles and Dylan
(1987)

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]

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]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[11]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[12]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide[13]
New Musical Express1/10[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.TitleLength
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]

  1. ^ Popoff, Martin (September 8, 2009). Goldmine Record Album Price Guide. Penguin – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "Richie Havens | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  3. ^ "You Say It's Your Birthday: Richie Havens". MTV News.
  4. ^ Gray, Chris (April 22, 2013). "RIP Richie Havens: Bearded Folksinger Icon Dies Suddenly at 72". Houston Press.
  5. ^ Troup, Stuart (18 Jul 1987). "Richie Havens, Seeking His Place in the '80s". Part II. Newsday. p. 12.
  6. ^ "Richie Havens". Billboard.
  7. ^ Randall, Neil (3 Sep 1987). "Still Relevant". Waterloo Region Record. p. C11.
  8. ^ a b Joyce, Mike (22 Jan 1988). "Richie Havens: 2 Winners and a Slipped Disc". The Washington Post. p. N11.
  9. ^ Brower, W.A. (Jan 28, 1988). "Stay Tuned". The Washington Informer. No. 15. p. 21.
  10. ^ Quill, Greg (4 Sep 1987). "Shortcuts". Toronto Star. p. D12.
  11. ^ "Simple Things - Richie Havens | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  12. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 4. MUZE. p. 178.
  13. ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 531.
  14. ^ O'Neill, Jack (9 January 1988). "Richie Havens: Simple Things". New Musical Express. p. 24.
  15. ^ Tucker, Ken (30 Aug 1987). "Richie Havens Simple Things". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. F3.
  16. ^ Gomez, Alex (30 Aug 1987). "Greater Than Sum of Parts". Sun Sentinel. p. 3F.
  17. ^ Erskine, Evelyn (4 Sep 1987). "Rock". Ottawa Citizen. p. D5.
  18. ^ Lepage, Mark (26 Nov 1987). "Richie Havens – Simple Things (RBI)". The Gazette. p. H3.
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