CD Review

The Best of Bill Withers: Lean On Me

Bill Withers

[Legacy/Columbia Records]

By Kevin Jackson

Between 1971 and 1981, Bill Withers achieved 6 major Billboard Top 40 pop hits. During that time, he racked up consecutive Billboard R&B hits. Songs like "Aint No Sunshine" (his first Top 10 pop hit), "Lean On Me" (his only #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart), "Use Me," "Kissing My Love," "Lovely Day" (later updated in 1991 by the SOUL SYSTEM Featuring Michelle Visage), and "Just the Two of Us" (reworked in 1998 by Will Smith), were among the numerous hits that this talented singer/songwriter/guitarist, scored during his hit-producing years.

Now, Legacy Recordings/Columbia Records has released an 18-track compilation titled "The Best of Bill Withers: Lean On Me." The compilation spans the artiste’s career and captures his well-known and most popular hits.

The songs were culled from albums including "Menagerie," "Making Music," "Just As I Am," "Justments," "Still Bill," "Naked and Warm" and "Watching You, Watching Me."

The compilation is a must have for any avid Bill Withers fan. It is enough proof that good old rhythm and soul has longevity and enough shelf life to last years after the songs have been released.

Other notable cuts on this enigmatic release include "I Want to Spend the Night," "Let Me Be the One You Need," "Tender Things," "I Wish You Well," "Grandma’s Hands," "The Same Love That Made Me Laugh," "Who is He (and What is He to You)," "My Imagination" and "You Try to Find a Love."

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Kevin Jackson is an entertainment writer and publicist from Kingston, Jamaica. He is a freelance writer for the Jamaica Observer and Excess publications.