Customer Reviews

Just As I Am & Still Bill

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

*About the music*
These are two classic 1971 and 1972 albums by one of the unsung heros. On "Just As I Am" Bill backed by one of the best bands of the day, the same folks who laid down the sound for Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, et. al. While some folks choose "Best Of's" to get all the hits, I personally love getting the original albums and all those diamonds in the rough that don't make the 'Best Of' cut. It gives me a good sense of what the artist was putting forth at that time. If you enjoy 1970's soul and r&b, do yourself a favor, add this one to your collection. These two albums have stood the test of time and I feel will continue to endure.

*About the sound*
I was a bit skeptical at first not being familiar w/ the Australian "Raven" label, but no more. This is a top-notch re-release in terms of its digitaly remastered sonic quality. Nice job.

Although Legacy reissued 1972's Still Bill in 2003, they never got around to Withers first album from 1971. This Australian label does an excellent job of giving you 2 for the price of 1. The liner notes are excellent and the sound is top-notch. If you're new to Withers and want something other than his Best of's, then this is the next best thing. Also, try Live at Carnegie Hall which is also an essential addition.

It doesn't get much better than Bill Withers when it comes to pure earthy soul. He keeps everything simple and to the point. His voice doesn't flow with perfect pitch and control, but lays it all out on the table with pure emotion much like Otis Redding. Everyone has heard his songs, but barely anyone knows his name. Get to know Bill Withers and you will be glad you did.

Lean on Me, Use Me, Ain't No Sunshine, Harlem and Grandma's Hands are all songs I was fairly familiar with just never knew who did them. Come to find out this guy named Bill Withers wrote em all. I bought this double album and am glad I did because theres some really great songs that probably aren't on the best of. I pretty much bought the album for Ain't No Sunshine and Use Me, but I've come to love Moanin' and Groanin', I'm Her Daddy, Lonely Street, Better Off Dead, Sweet Wanomi and honestly most of the songs on the two albums.

You can tell Withers is having fun and thats a big selling point for me. He's not pretentious or showy at all. He just gets his message across with a smooth, warm and sometimes extremely funky style that I've become addicted to. One of the biggest sleepers in my collection. The remastering was done extremely well. All the tracks are crisp and mixed perfectly. I think if everyone in the world was a Bill Withers fan the world would be a better place.

Can't add more to all the good stuff other customers have written. Raven records has done an outstanding job, included a few nice bonus cuts and delivers a full-to-the-brim CD that sounds fabulous. Releases like this make you wonder why Bill's own record company only released 'one album on one CD' pressings, 'cause Raven shows what real value means by just putting the two albums on one CD, giving you a playing time of nearly 80 minutes! Anyway, a must have for Bill Withers aficionados!

I love Bill Withers. If you love him, too, you will love this great double album. Great quality recording, too. I could have done without the cover of the Beatles' "Let it Be", though, and "It's all over now" (too "Rock and Roll-ish").

"i wasn't there when he hurt you,
so why should i have to pay?"

name your genre, if you choose. high quality blues funk folk r and b, sounds like a good name.

play Let Me In Your Life, if you dont already know what this is about. then, if you wanna rock, turn the volume up to 11 and play I Don't Want You On My Mind All the Time.

if you still dont get it, then its just been pearls before swine. move on, there's nothing for you here.

Lean on me, and Ain't no sunshine are wonderful. The rest of the selections are not what I care for. Withers has talent, sensitivity, and a beautiful voice but he does music which is not something that I enjoy. Simply stating my own preference.