Commodores - Easy (Like Sunday Morning)

We had a fan this week ask us via our Admiral Velor Facebook page -- https://www.facebook.com/admiralvelour/ -- if Easy by The Commodores was Yacht.


It's a beautiful song.  Quite smooth.

But, it lacks a beat.  And, as you know The Admiral must insist that Yacht does have some sort of beat.  It has to have a groove.  A smooth, smooth groove.

Sniff 'N' The Tears -- Driver's Seat

Wow!  Here is a forgotten gem!  Sniff 'n' the Tears (what a horrible band name).  Driver's Seat.

Great song from 1979, though.


Is is Yacht Rock?

Beat is propulsive.  If a touch faster than usual for Yacht Rock.

Lyrics have some appropriate greasiness to them.  Check.

And, the chords have a nice "hang" to them.

Verdict?  Yes!  Another Yacht Rock classic!

Definition of Yacht Rock

The Admiral has been working on a Grand Unifying Theory of Yacht Rock -- in which the center was The Doobie Brother's What A Fool Believes.

However, The Admiral has now been corrupted by Andy Gold ...

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Andrew Gold -- Loneley Boy Is this yacht? Probably. Smooth? Yes Keyboard based? Yes Chest hair? Yes

Starbuck's Moonlight, Feel's Right

Wow!  Just stumbled across this golden gem:  Starbuck's Moonlight, Feels Right.

Love it:

• smooth groove
• lots of keyboards
• berets
• marimba solo <-- greatest solo EVER!
• slightly sleezy lyrics about midnight connections and cruising under the moon
• uptempo beat w/out being overbearing
• facial hair

This is right in the HEART of Yacht Rock sweet zone!  #winner #bullseye

Seals & Crofts -- Summer Breeze

While they were certainly part of the SoCal scene that birthed many of the greatest Yacht Rock songs, Summer Breeze (despite it subject) is -- in the final analysis -- too wimpy to be considered Yacht.

It suffers from same affliction as Christopher Cross's Sailing -- flaccid beat.

Marty Balkin's Hearts

Today I came across Marty Balin's Hearts (1981) and it caught my ear because of the smooth sounds.

But, it is yacht or blue-eyed soul? It does throb along with a definitive beat in the right sweet spot of mid-tempo. But, the production seems far too slick for yacht rock -- which does require a bit of "grit" and some human touch.

Verdict? Close -- even VERY close -- but, no.