 | By: Bill Withers Label: Sony Budget Released: 17 Jan 2000 RRP: Average Rating:  |
"Use Me" makes excellent use of Bill's strong vocals, with a catchy rhythm to boot. And then it comes. Track 3 - "Ain't No Sunshine", the breathtaking song covered by Will Young on Pop Idol. To say it is the albums highlight would simply be to the detriment of the rest of the album, so I won't say such a crazy thing. This album has no good songs, no weak songs. You would certainly be forgiven to think that this was not a compilation of songs, as each one flows into the next as if it has only ever been that way.
"Lovely Day" will be familiar to many, although the exact source may be hard to come by. It took my girlfriend to tell me that Tetley Tea used it in one of their commercials. Great song though. Just try & keep up with his voice, if you like to sing along in the shower. It's not easy, believe me.
The next two songs may not be as familiar, but that does not detract from their instant appeal. "I Want To Spend The Night" & "Soul Shadows" go together as is they were both written in the same breath. Having thought this, I was a bit blown over to learn that the latter was not even written by the man himself. He pulls it off effortlessly as if it was his own though. Genius. They are both songs that make you want to dance the night away, as the Mavericks would say. However, the emergence of "Lean On Me" in the album, makes you find a comfy chair, put your feet up & just listen. Listen to the man do his thang, in total awe.
"Grandma's Hands" is another well-loved Bill Withers song. Slightly low-key compared to other songs on the album, but this does not matter. It is still a wee cracker of a song, only 2 mins in length.
Track 9, "Hello Like Before" has too long an intro for my liking, but once the vocals start you soon forger alll about it. A wonderful song, which reminds me of a cross between "The Way we were" & Lionel Richie, but at the same time managing to sound fresh & unique. Not to mention much better. A corker of a song, which has a great orchestral backing.
The final track "Who Is He What Is He To You", has a slightly bluesy feel, with a reggae-like guitar wah-wah twanging throughout the song which would have made Mr Marley proud. It is a suitable closing track for an album which has made me hungry for more Bill Withers.
Don't read this review & dismiss the album as mere music. Don't do such a thing to yourself. Buy the album, sit back & let the songs go to work on your soul. You won't regret it.
Thank you for your time. Here endeth the lesson.
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