An underrated singer's remastered gems. A+ review

Bill Withers had a low key career that lasted only 14 years, in which he released some of the most beautiful music ever to grace this earth.

Although the Amazon.com reviewer incorrectly indicates that Bill only had two huge hits, "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Lean on Me", he/she must have not have done his/her due diligence as "Use Me" and "Lovely Day" also were smashes, but Bill is not about his "hits" but about his amazing ability to sing songs that are sexy, smooth, spiritual and does it in an understated manner that does not come off as generic, but serves as an example of a true original.

Listening to this amazing release (which should be the only one to buy if you are in the market as there are at least 3 out there) you get a feeling of all being well with the world. The remastering is amazing and the songs sound even more effortless than ever yet they stick with you for days.

I am amazed at not having discovered a fuller spectrum of Bill's work until now, as all the non-hits sound at catchy and lovely as the hits. Again, I have to express my surprise at how a seemingly low key performer manages to put together songs that stay with you longer than any of the "anthems" or even better known songs and/or performers.

Buy this at once if you love melody and music that is as relevant today as when it was first released. In my opinion, this greatest hits package should appeal to those who are seeking every "neo-soul" artist that puts something out there but, with some exeptions, nothing is better than the real thing.

There is not a dud in this 18-song collection and I can't remember the last time that I have experienced that.

Bill Withers At His Finest

Bill Withers is and always will be a master storyteller. He can really pour his heart and soul into a song and he has a unique gift for writing songs that echo life's most challenging situations. This collection is a must for any fan of his or if you just love sweet soul music this album is a must have for your collection. All of his classics are here including his #1 smash from 1971 "AIN'T NO SUNSHINE" perhaps one of the greatest and most recognazible songs of the Soul/Pop genre. I love this album and I listen to it almost daily when I first bought it. Every track is a hit and better yet a great lesson in modern songwriting for those who aspire to someday write songs. Get this album and listen to this master singer and songwriter who retired from the music scene way too early. Is too bad that he doesn't record or goes on tour anymore, I would've love to have seen him live. Bill Withers is pure soul and has the keen ability to send a love song directly into your heart. We certainly don't have very many artists of the talent and sensitivity for crafting a good song like Mr.Withers. The only other artist that comes to mind who is still going strong and is as soulful and brilliant as Bill is the great Jose Feliciano. Feliciano and Withers wrote a song together back in 1973 entitled "Compartments" for Jose's album of the same name and the two of them worked magic together. Buy LEAN ON ME The Best of Bill Withers, you will love it and you will play it till your heart's content.

The Gods must be Laughing

Imagine a tale of ancient Greece, wherein the Gods, for their own amusement, gift a mortal with the ability to achieve his every desire. But then, after a short period during which the mortal grows accustom to his newfound omnipotence, the Gods take that ability away. Hilarity ensues, Greek style.



That, in a nutshell, is the chart career of one Bill Withers. For a short and very definable time, 1972 to be exact, this man OWNED the charts.



It started with the immortal "Lean On Me", a gospel-tinged ballad so honest, so human, so melodic that it went straight to #1 on the pop & soul charts. It was, during the time between Vietnam protests and Watergate, a balm for a savagely rent America. You know it from its opening piano chord alone.



Within mere months, Withers had a stunning follow-up track - "Ain't No Sunshine". A deep deep bluesy track that was the antithesis of the upbeat "Lean". It was as un-pop as a song could get -- in one part of the song, Withers seems to go into a trance repeating "I know, I know" some 30-odd times in quick sucession. It went top five.



Still within the same year, "Use Me". If his first two tracks showed Withers mastery of soul and blues, "Use Me" showed the man could funk out with the best of them.



In one album, Withers showed incredible versatility, musicianship and songcraft. There was a limitless future for him.



Then the chart Gods said "Ha!"



Because the hits stopped on a dime.



Sure there were minor success afterwards. An uncredited vocal on Grover Washington's "Just The two Of Us". The dance remake of "Lean On Me" by Club Nouveau, which similar shot to #1. Heck, Withers could probably live off the songwriter royalties to the "Lovely Day" cover included on the "Bodyguard" soundtrack.



But those big hits, those classics, those anthems were gone forever.