Customer Reviews

Simple Pleasures

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is the disc that brought McFerrin to a deservedly wider audience. As such, it has broader, but to these ears, shallower appeal than a couple of albums that preceded it and his more adventurous work to follow.

I wonder if "A music fan from NY" bothered to listen to the whole album. "Don't Worry, Be Happy" is the first cut and easily disposed of. In the right mood, or to certain listeners, it can hit the spot, but it's easily the least interesting tune on the album (save, perhaps, for "Come to Me"). I suspect McFerrin himself shares "music fan"'s low opinion of the piece: I have seen him live in concert eight times and he has never once sung that song. That's probably why he released it to a rental car company for their TV ads.

There are several fabulous cuts that more than make up for the hit single. "Drive," which is probably just cool on disc, is amazing when McFerrin riffs on it live. Most of the cover tunes are pretty arresting, especially McFerrin's vocal rendition of a screaming lead guitar on "Sunshine Of Your Love," but probably don't wear that well over time. I've always liked Creedence's "Suzie Q," so McFerrin's version, with a spooky bass rhythm/harmony line, still gets me. And yet another Beatles cover (there's one on each of the two preceding albums) done well.

For those of you looking for a great introduction to Bobby McFerrin, SIMPLE PLEASURES is probably one of his best albums, by far. It features one of his most popular songs of all time, "Don't Worry, Be Happy," a reggae-inspired a cappella tune that encourages us to cast aside worry and trouble to embrace joy. We also hear McFerrin's wonderful interpretations of The Beatles "Drive My Car," The Lovin' Spoonfuls "Good Lovin'", Creedance Clearwater's "Susie Q," and Cream's "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," as well as some great original songs composed by McFerrin.

Bobby McFerrin's four octave range, use of vocal percussion (simulating drums, for example, while singing), and the ability to sing three notes simultaneously (a talent he developed after studying Tibetan monks and their common practice of this style of singing) set him apart from other vocalists. What's more, McFerrin has a wonderful sense of humor, makes every song an adventure and a truly entertaining musical journey for all who listen to him. Though, this album is nearly twenty years old, it still stands the test of time and is a great CD to add to your collection.

This first album by Bobby to thrust him into the spot light. A true pioneering musical endevor. His incredible ability to hold melody and rhythm with one voice is unique and endearing. His music inspires powerful nostalgic emotion. The first of many great masterpieces from a musical Edison.

A cacophony of multilayered vocals as bass, clapping, funky beat, chest-tapping, soaring falsetto vocals, those are some adjectives that describe Bobby McFerrin, whose major contributions other than this album was the theme to the Cosby Show for at least one season. The songs on Simple Pleasures are pleasant, and for the cover songs, innovative interpretations. Despite being known as a jazz musician, I'm at a loss as what to file this experimental collection, as it defies classification.

Here's the song that I wrote... I mean, that won the Grammy for Record of the Year in 1988. I heard that McFerrin wasn't too chuffed about Bush Sr. using it on his campaign. Maybe he should've let Dukakis use it. Utilizing a reggae sound and spoken rap and monologue, "Don't Worry Be Happy" advises people to do just that: "in every life we have some trouble/but when you worry you make it double." He predicts that things will get better, so if you "ain't got no cash, ain't got no style, ain't got a gal to make you smile", well... you know what to do.

Some bluesy inflections and doo-wop come in the funk-driven beat-box melody of "All I Want".

In his cover of the Beatles' "Drive My Car", his pulsing noodling vocal bass is prominent, as is his approximation of the falsetto harmonies the Fabs did. A fun interpretation.

Some doo-wop influences come in on the title track, where he does a singsong commentary on a day in his life, such as getting up early in the morning, prepping his kids for school,... and he says that the simple pleasures are the things that make him happy.

His cover of the Rascals' "Good Lovin'" is engaging and comical when he does the falsetto chorus, set to his usual bass and chest tapping.

With the falsettos of "Come To Me", this sounds like something Prince could've done in his Controversy or self-titled era, provided he added instruments to it.

Next cover is "Suzie Q", which Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Rolling Stones covered. His vocal interpretations of the opening bluesy guitar is amusing.

"Drive" is an exercise in early rock fused with trad. blues.

He does a really funky and wailing rendition of Buddy Miles' "Them Changes" and Cream's "Sunshine Of Your Love", where his vocals resemble Stevie Wonder and his interpretation of Clapton's heavy droning guitar is innovative to say the least.

One of the most unique and interesting albums to come out of the 80's.

I love this album to death... it's one of those albums that brings a smile on my face, picks you up when you're feeling down and engages your senses! How many albums could do that? Bobby is absolutely fantastic and it's just so amazing that all this was done with only the voice - what a joyful and wonderful instrument! This is a fantastic album that you should definitely own. get it and be blown away! I have the vinyl version (I prefer records) and it sounds excellent on my turntable rig at home! An excellent recording.

Here's the guy that's best known for his song "Don't Worry Be Happy" which was put out in 1988 is knockin' it down. I enjoyed this since I bought it and own it cassette. Sooner or later I'll pick it up on CD. There's nothing much I had to say 'bout this album 'cuz it's full of alot of remakes I luv from "Good Lovin" from the Rascals, "Drive My Car" from the Beatles, etc. incl. songs written by Bobby McFerrin himself. He's the baddest man no matter he's a singer, scat singer or whatever, he does it all from instruments, humming, singing, doin beats, all of the above you name it. Hope this could be recommended to everybody who's loves the taste of this album or have been a fan to Bobby McFerrin be4.

This is such a sweet album! Each track has a polished sound with incredible Bobby McFerrin style. Tracks like "Drive" show a certain darkness with deep melodic depth. In contrast to "Don't worry be happy" this album is dynamic. Bobby's bass-lines are a meal in themselves; next to the album's gospel tints the overall experience is refreshing. Incredible gift--and "top-shelf" vocal and overall production quality for your own collection. A must have.

Regardless of your opinion of the song "Don't Worry, Be Happy," this album is worth considering for anyone trying to get into Mcferrin's music.

I bought this CD for the song "Drive", which I heard on Saturday Night Live and is the best live performance I have ever seen. (How many people do you know that can sing two notes at once? And in harmony, no less!) While it sounds great on the CD, it's absolutely nothing compared to the live version. Mcferrin uses multiple dubs on this CD, so I don't think it really shows how talented he is. Much better is an album like "The Voice," which is live and has no dubs.

Still, there are some songs on this CD that stand up to multiple listenings, such as the great Beatles cover "Drive My Car," "Simple Pleasures," the aforementioned "Drive," and "All I Want." Others are worth listening to once or twice but are rather forgettable.

"Simple Pleasures" is singer Bobby McFerrin's popular 1988 album that made him a superstar. Although the album is best known for its Number One singalong hit "Don't Worry, be Happy", there are plenty of other enjoyable songs on this album including the funky "All I Want" and "Come To Me", the jolly doo-wop of the title track and the aggressive "Drive". In addition to these McFerrin originals, Bobby offers amazing cover versions of CCR's "Suzie Q", The Beatles "Drive My Car" and The Rascals "Good Lovin'". The two best covers are saved for last as the album closes with an excellent rendition of The Band of Gypsies classic "Them Changes" and a mouthdropping version of Cream's "Sunshine Of Your Love" (a big highlight in my opinion).
This is an excellent album from beginning to end and showcases Bobby McFerrin's talents at their finest. Did I mention that all of the above music was performed with vocals only? This makes listening to "Simple Pleasures" all the more intriguing.
Great stuff!!!

Disappointing. With such a huge talent, it seems that he is trying always for something new, and sometimes it's better to stick with proven success. Perhaps he is better in person than on CD. His charisma was on display when I saw him several years ago at Dartmouth. I was mesmerized by his showmanship and talent. Maybe my expectations were just too high for this album.