music.wikisort.org - Composition

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]

Simple Things
Studio album by Richie Havens
Released	1987
Genre	Folk
Label	RBI Records[1]
Richie Havens chronology
Common Ground (1984) Simple Things (1987) Richie Havens Sings the Beatles and Dylan (1987)

The album peaked at No. 173 on the Billboard 200.[5]

Production

Rather than relying on just his acoustic guitar, Havens employed electronic drums, horns, choirs, and synthesizers.[6][7] The album includes covers of songs written by Paul McCartney, John Martyn, and Vince Willis, among others.[8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[9]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[10]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide	[11]
The Philadelphia Inquirer	[12]

The Washington Post wrote that "the songs, while hardly exceptional, are certainly tuneful, and Havens delivers them with typical feeling and conviction."[6] 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."[13]

The Ottawa Citizen thought that "it is ... disconcerting to hear the slick uptown grooves on the opening track, 'Drivin' '."[14] The Gazette noted the "very commercial '80s sound," but acknowledged that "Havens's voice is still an affecting instrument."[15]

Track listing

References

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