The Essential Bill Withers

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The Essential Bill Withers
Bill Withers - The Essential Bill Withers.jpg
Compilation album by
ReleasedAugust 20, 2013
Genre R&B
Length2:15:36
Label Columbia Records, Legacy Records
Producer Booker 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".

Contents

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]

Track listing

Disc 1

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

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 Scarborough Menagerie (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 Jennings Rhapsody and Blues (1980)6:24
14."Just the Two of Us" (featuring Grover Washington Jr.)Withers, Ralph MacDonald, William Salter Winelight (1980)3:58
15."Family Table"Withers, Diane Gonneau Making 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

Charts

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

References

  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