If you're of a certain age, you may not realize that Nicole Richie's Dad had quite a career in the music business. Granted, most of it was sentimental drivel, but Lionel Richie certainly had his share of hit records. And if you're of a certain age once again, you may not realize that Richie's career began in a band called the Commodores whose work at one time was a hell of a lot cooler (well, some of it anyway) than Lionel Richie's solo work ever was.
At any rate, in 1977 the Commodores released a single called "Easy" (on their rather cleverly titled album The Commodores) and for me it was love at first listen. Written by Richie, the song is one of only two to three million pop numbers to deal with a relationship's end, though "Easy" should be noted for the breakup's overarching relief in comparison to the usual abject sorrow. Needless to say, it's a ballad, and it features heartfelt vocals from Richie, wonderful background "aahhing" from the rest of the Commodores, and, of all things from a funk/soul band, a dandy little guitar solo that can best be described as "whoop" guitar (that's the noise I make when I try to imitate it). The song reached #4 on Billboard's Hot 100--and despite that fact, it still sounds as good today as it did back when I still had a full head of hair and washboard (well for a scrawny kid anyway) abs.
And who wouldn't want to be "...easy like Sunday morning"?
Enjoy:
Peace,
emaycee
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