Menagerie (album)

Menagerie
Studio album by Bill Withers
Released	October 29, 1977
Recorded	1977
Studio	The Record Plant, Los Angeles, California A&R Recording, New York City, New York
Genre	Soul, R&B, disco
Length	38:26
Label	Columbia
Producer	Bill Withers, Keni Burke, Clarence McDonald, Cliff Coulter
Bill Withers chronology
Naked & Warm (1976) Menagerie (1977) 'Bout Love (1979)

Menagerie is the sixth studio album by American R&B singer Bill Withers, released on October 29, 1977, through the Columbia label.

Background

Menagerie is more uptempo and less introspective in feel than Withers' previous albums. None of the songs tackle intensely personal emotions of the kind which lent a dark edge to earlier Withers tracks such as "Use Me", "Better Off Dead" or "Who Is He (And What Is He to You)". The arrangements are also generally upbeat and breezy, with "I Want to Spend the Night" and "Tender Things" having a distinct Latin feel, and "Lovely Night for Dancing" and "She Wants To (Get On Down)" showing disco influences. The lead single "Lovely Day" has gone on to become one of Withers' signature songs, particularly in the UK, where it was a top 10 hit both on its original release and again in a remixed version in 1988.

Release

Menagerie was released on October 29, 1977. The album peaked at No. 16 on the R&B chart and No. 39 on the Billboard 200, and is tied with his first album, Just as I Am as his second highest charting album. It would later be certifed gold by the RIAA, one of two albums by Withers to be certified gold. Additionally, it was Withers' biggest-selling album in the UK, where it reached No. 27.

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Christgau's Record Guide	C+ [2]

The album received mixed-to-positive reviews upon release. Robert Christgau noted, "'It's a Lovely Day' is his biggest hit since changing labels, and this compromise between the mush of Making Music and the muscle of Naked and Warm his biggest album. The compromise is an honest one, the success earned. I wish I could say they made me happier."

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Lovely Day"	Bill Withers Skip Scarborough	4:15
2.	"I Want to Spend the Night"	Withers	3:41
3.	"Lovely Night for Dancing"	Withers	5:51
4.	"Then You Smile at Me"	Withers Clarence McDonald	4:54
5.	"She Wants To (Get On Down)"	Withers Larry Nash	3:15
6.	"It Ain't Because of Me Baby"	Withers Michael Jones	3:31
7.	"Tender Things"	Withers	5:02
8.	"Wintertime"	Cliff Coulter	3:17
9.	"Let Me Be the One You Need"	Withers Scarborough	4:44

Reissue Bonus Tracks ^{[3] [4]}

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
10.	"Rosie"	Withers	4:11
11.	"Lovely Night for Dancing" (Single Version)	Withers	4:25
12.	"Let Me Be the One You Need" (Instrumental Version)	Scarborough Withers	4:39

Personnel

• Bill Withers – lead vocals (1–9), backing vocals (1–4, 6–9), guitar (2), keyboards (3)
• Ray Parker Jr. – guitar (1, 4–7)
• Clarence McDonald – keyboards (1, 4, 6, 7, 9), string arrangements (1, 6, 8), horn arrangements (6, 8), arrangements (7)
• Dean Gant – keyboards (2)
• Clifford Coulter – keyboards (5, 8), synthesizer solo (8)
• Mike Jones – synthesizers (6)
• Jerry Knight – bass (1, 4, 6)
• Keni Burke – bass (2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9)
• Russ Kunkel – drums (1, 2, 7, 8, 9), shaker (1)
• Alvin Taylor – drums (3–6)
• Ralph MacDonald – percussion (1–4, 6–9)
• Paul Riser – horn arrangements (2–4, 9) string arrangements (2–5, 9)
• Charles Veal – concertmaster (1–4, 6–9)
• Pat Hodges – backing vocals (5)
• Denita James – backing vocals (5)
• Jessica Smith – backing vocals (5)

Production

• Bill Withers – producer (1–9)
• Clarence McDonald – producer (1, 4, 6, 7, 9)
• Keni Burke – producer (2, 3, 5)
• Clifford Coulter – producer (8)
• Bob Merritt – engineer
• Phil Jantaas – assistant engineer
• Roger Carpenter – design
• Lou Beach – illustration
• Elliot Gilbert – photography

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1978) Peak position US Billboard 200 [5] 39 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [6] 16

Year-end charts Chart (1978) Position US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [7] 50

Singles

Year	Single	Chart positions [8]
		Billboard Hot 100	US R&B	US A/C
1977	"Lovely Day"	30	6	25
1978	"Lovely Night for Dancing"	—	75	—

References

1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Bill Withers: Menagerie > Review at AllMusic. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
2. Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: W". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies . Ticknor & Fields. ISBN   089919026X . Retrieved March 22, 2019– via robertchristgau.com.
3. Menagerie at AllMusic. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
4. "Menagerie". Bill Withers. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
5. "Bill Withers Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
6. "Bill Withers Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
7. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1978". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
8. "Bill Withers US singles chart history". allmusic.com. Retrieved August 29, 2011.

External links

• Bill Withers-Menagerie at Discogs