'Just As I Am', Bill Wither's first album, was basically Booker T. and the MGs, minus Steve Cropper, who was busy. Stephen Stills (of Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young fame) was a friend of Booker's, and covered for him.
The spring of 1972 saw the release of Withers' long-awaited follow-up album, 'Still Bill', preceded by the anthemic single 'Lean On Me', which has inspired over 200 cover versions - from Michael Bolton to Garth Brooks.
'Live At Carnegie Hall' included some previously unreleased songs, namely the poignant 'I Can't Write Left-Handed', about a Vietnam veteran; and a churning chunk of cinematic funk called 'World Keeps Going Around'.
'+'Justments' stayed on the U.S. chart for a 34-week stay.
In 1975 Columbia Records bought Withers' Sussex masters and signed the singer to the label. His debut album for the company 'Making Music', whose title was changed in the UK to 'Making Friends', was a big-budget affair that saw the singer/songwriter hooking up with a new producer, LA Express keyboardist Larry Nash, whose other credits included working with Joni Mitchell.
Bill Withers died aged 81 in 2020. With 24 US hit singles to his name, including the chart-topping 'Lean On Me', and three well deserved Grammy Awards, Bill had achieved more in his 15 years as a recording artist than many did during much longer careers.
DISC ONE:
'Just As I Am'
1. Harlem
2. Ain't No Sunshine
3. Grandma's Hands
4. Sweet Wanomi
5. Everybody's Talkin'
6. Do It Good
7. Hope She'll Be Happier
8. Let It Be
9. I'm Her Daddy
10. In My Heart
11. Moanin' And Groanin'
12. Better Off Dead
'Still Bill'
13. Lonely Town, Lonely Street
14. Let Me In Your Life
15. Who Is He (And What Is He To You)?
16. Use Me
17. Lean On Me
18. Kissing My Love
19. I Don't Know
20. Another Day To Run
21. I Don't Want You On My Mind
22. Take It All In And Check It All Out
'+ Justments'
23. You
DISC TWO:
'+ Justments' (Cont)
1. The Same Love That Made Me Laugh
2. Stories
3. Green Grass
4. Ruby Lee
5. Heartbreak Road
6. Can We Pretend
7. Liza
8. Make A Smile For Me
9. Railroad Man
'Making Music'
10. I Wish You Well
11. The Best You Can
12. Make Love To Your Mind
13. I Love You Dawn
14. She's Lonely
15. Sometimes A Song
16. Paint Your Pretty Picture
17. Family Table
18. Don't You Want To Stay?
19. Hello Like Before
DISC THREE:
'Live At Carnegie Hall'
1. Use Me
2. Friend Of Mine
3. Ain't No Sunshine
4. Grandma's Hands (With Rap)
5. World Keeps Going Around
6. Let Me In Your Life (With Rap)
7. Better Off Dead
8. For My Friend
9. I Can't Write Left Handed
10. Lean On Me
11. Lonely Town Lonely Street
12. Hope She'll Be Happier
13. Let Us Love
14. Harlem/Cold Baloney