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The Essential Bill Withers

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The Essential Bill Withers
Compilation album by
ReleasedAugust 20, 2013
GenreR&B
Length2:15:36
LabelColumbia Records, Legacy Records
ProducerBooker T. Jones, Benorce Blackmon, Bill Withers, James Gadson, Melvin Dunlap, Ray Jackson, James Gadson, Larry Nash, Keni Burke, Clarence McDonald, Cliff Coulter, Paul Smith, Stix Hooper, Joe Sample, Wilton Felder
Bill Withers chronology
Playlist: The Very Best of Bill Withers
(2009)
The Essential Bill Withers
(2013)

The Essential Bill Withers is a 34-track anthology of American recording artist Bill Withers. First released on August 20, 2013, it features all of Withers' notable singles, along with other highlights from the singer's albums for the Sussex and Columbia labels, from his debut Just as I Am (1971) through his final album Watching You, Watching Me (1985), and including "Ain't No Sunshine", "Lean on Me", "Use Me", "Lovely Day", and "The Same Love That Made Me Laugh".

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
  • Jack Goodstein from Blogcritics says: "His songs are sometimes highly personal, whether he seems to be looking back on his West Virginia boyhood in 'Grandma’s Hands,' or looking for love in the lyrical 'Let Me in Your Life'. He can create a persona to voice his concerns with greater social issues as he does with the alcoholic speaker in the grimly tragic 'Better Off Dead', or the disabled veteran in 'I Can't Write Left-Handed'. But of course it is love in all its forms (especially unrequited, the theme of all the great soulful blues) that is his most common theme."[2]
  • Soul Tracks Reviewer Howard Dukes says that: "So hearing the tune on the compilation The Essential Bill Withers brought back some memories. Hearing that song also got me thinking about Withers as a songwriter. Withers is a great lyricist, so it's not surprising that other artists cover his songs. Some of those covers come instantly to mind – the Club Nouveau cover of 'Lean on Me' or Meshell Ndegeocello's cover of 'Who Is He and What Is He to You'. Jon Lucien and Nancy Wilson remade 'Hello Like Before',” and several artists have covered 'Grandma's Hands', including Gil-Scot Heron."[3]

Track listing

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Disc 1

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All tracks are written by Bill Withers, except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Originally fromLength
1."Better Days (Theme from Man and Boy)"Bill Withers, J.J. JohnsonMan and Boy (1971)3:28
2."Ain't No Sunshine" Just as I Am (1971)2:06
3."Harlem" Just as I Am (1971)3:23
4."Grandma's Hands" Just as I Am (1971)2:02
5."Hope She'll Be Happier" Just as I Am (1971)3:50
6."Better Off Dead" Just as I Am (1971)2:16
7."Lonely Town, Lonely Street" Still Bill (1972)3:41
8."Let Me in Your Life" Still Bill (1972)2:42
9."Who Is He (And What Is He to You)?"Withers, Stanley McKennyStill Bill (1972)3:14
10."Use Me" Still Bill (1972)3:43
11."Friend of Mine" (live) Live at Carnegie Hall (1973)4:29
12."I Can't Write Left Handed" (live)Withers, Ray JacksonLive at Carnegie Hall (1973)6:46
13."Lean on Me" Still Bill (1972)4:18
14."Make a Smile for Me" +'Justments (1974)3:16
15."The Same Love That Made Me Laugh" +'Justments (1974)3:25
16."Heartbreak Road" +'Justments (1974)3:10
17."Railroad Man"Withers, Melvin Dunlap+'Justments (1974)6:28

Disc 2

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No.TitleWriter(s)Originally fromLength
1."In the Name of Love" (featuring Ralph MacDonald)Withers, MacDonald, SalterUniversal Rhythm (1984)5:01
2."The Best You Can"Withers, Benorce BlackmonMaking Music (1975)2:24
3."Hello like Before"Withers, John CollinsMaking Music (1975)5:30
4."I Wish You Well" Making Music (1975)3:58
5."Don't You Want to Stay?"Withers, Dunlap, JacksonMaking Music (1975)3:50
6."I'll Be with You" Naked & Warm (1976)3:11
7."My Imagination" Naked & Warm (1976)4:53
8."Lovely Day"Withers, Skip ScarboroughMenagerie (1977)4:16
9."I Want to Spend the Night" Menagerie (1977)3:42
10."Tender Things" Menagerie (1977)5:01
11."Let Me Be the One You Need"Withers, ScarboroughMenagerie (1977)4:45
12."Memories Are That Way" 'Bout Love (1978)5:04
13."Soul Shadows" (featuring The Crusaders)Joe Sample, Will JenningsRhapsody and Blues (1980)6:24
14."Just the Two of Us" (featuring Grover Washington Jr.)Withers, Ralph MacDonald, William SalterWinelight (1980)3:58
15."Family Table"Withers, Diane GonneauMaking Music (1975)3:13
16."We Could Be Sweet Lovers" Watching You Watching Me (1985)3:28
17."Something That Turns You On" Watching You Watching Me (1985)4:26

Personnel

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  • Mark Larson - Art Direction
  • Leo Sacks, Marcia Withers - Compilation Producer
  • Compiled By – Leo Sacks, Marcia Withers
  • Directed By [Project] – Mike Cimicata
  • Mastered By – Mark Wilder

Charts

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Chart (2020) Position
Official New Zealand Music Chart[4] 24

References

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  1. ^ Kellman, Andy. "Bill Withers – The Essential Bill Withers". AllMusic.
  2. ^ Music Review: Bill Withers - The Essential Bill Withers at Blogcritics
  3. ^ Bill Withers - The Essential Bill Withers at Soul Tracks
  4. ^ New Zealand Charts - Bill Withers - The Essential Bill Withers