| Simple Things | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Richie Havens |
| Cover: | Simple Things (Richie Havens album).jpg |
| Released: | 1987 |
| Genre: | Folk |
| Label: | RBI[1] |
| Prev Title: | Common Ground |
| Prev Year: | 1984 |
| Next Title: | Richie Havens Sings the Beatles and Dylan |
| Next Year: | 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]
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]
The Washington Post wrote that "the songs, while hardly exceptional, are certainly tuneful, and Havens delivers them with typical feeling and conviction." 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."[11]
The Ottawa Citizen thought that "it is ... disconcerting to hear the slick uptown grooves on the opening track, 'Drivin'."[12] The Gazette noted the "very commercial '80s sound," but acknowledged that "Havens's voice is still an affecting instrument."[13]