Bill Withers - Greatest Hits

Bill Withers

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1981
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000025LU
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #90,682 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Bill Withers has written two bona fide classics ("Ain't No Sunshine" and "Lean on Me"), recorded a slew of memorable hits, and had songs covered by everyone from Joe Cocker to Isaac Hayes to Kiss. Still, he's underappreciated. His voice is smooth, his singing is subtle, and his songs move along over sinuous, sexy grooves. It's all so effortless that it's easy to overlook how substantial Withers's work really is. Never flashy, his best songs burn with a heat that lingers long after the last note has been played. This slender 10-track collection brings together a few songs from his remarkable early-'70s Sussex albums, including such hits and near hits as "Grandma's Hands," "Who Is He? (And What Is He to You?)," and the seriously funky "Use Me," as well as some gems from the later '70s (including "Lovely Day"). Greatest Hits is a nice, succinct introduction to Withers's work, but fans would be better off with the more complete Lean on Me career overview. --Percy Keegan

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How Could I Not Know the Name Bill Withers?, April 27, 2000

By A Customer

I heard "Ain't no sunshine" on the radio, I had heard it many times before but this time for some reason I had to own it. A little research and I found the artist, Bill Withers; I never heard the name, so I figured ok, a one hit wonder. When I read the tracks, I was astounded. All these songs I loved but never knew who they were by. Two of us, Use Me, Ain't no Sunshine, Lovely day, and Lean on Me, were all songs I loved back in the 70's and Still sound great (honestly great, not just nostalgic) today. Why couldn't I remeber the name of such a supreme talent.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soul Music Done Succintly and Sweetly, December 30, 1999

By	Anthony G Pizza "trivialtony" (FL) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Bill Withers has quietly written and recorded some of the most beloved songs of the last 30 years. He's been covered by everyone from Barbra Streisand ("Grandma's Hands") to Will Smith to Mick Jagger ("Use Me"). He has collaborated with first-class jazz and rock musicians such as Booker T. Jones, the Crusaders, and the late Grover Washington, Jr. His music has been a constant in films and TV commercials, never failing to rouse a romantic, nostalgic mood.

The chilled elegance displayed on the cover (caviar, champagne, even shrimp) tells but part of the warm, subtle musical story within. Withers almost out-Al Greens Al Green on "What Is He," and beautifully expresses a combination of sadness and embarassment on "Hello Like Before." He extends still-remarkable long notes on "Lovely Day," sings around a circular buzzsaw guitar-organ riff in "Use Me" (still can't resist clapping along), and trills "IknowIknowIknow..." in the most memorable part of his most memorable first hit, "Ain't No Sunshine." This excellent, underused singer is well appreciated by music people in the know, and well-represented on this greatest hits album.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tight collection of R&B gems, April 12, 2000

By	John Jones "Musician" (Chicago IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Bill Withers isn't one of the more profilic songwriters around, but you'd never guess it from listening to his "Greatest Hits" compilation, a collection bursting at the seams with classic soul compositions. "Lean on Me" is one of the all-time great pop chestnuts. "Just the Two of Us" is a cut so smooth it still enjoys regular rotation on jazz and adult contemporary radio stations. "Ain't No Sunshine" ranks among the classic ballads of the 70's, and "Lovely Day," recently featured in Gap commercials, is one of the sunniest singles of any decade. Throw in lesser-known but no less-deserving gems (like the bittersweet ballad "Hello Like Before" and the funk workouts "Use Me" and "Who is He and What is He to You") and this low-priced, classics-filled package is a must for anyone's collection.