JUST AS I AM is an intimate, warm, album that makes the best of his smooth and easy soul voice. Largely forgotten in favour of endless repackaged “Greatest Hits” it’s worth checking out for some brilliant album cuts. It does also feature the anthem, ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’, so you really have no excuse not to give it a try.
As debut albums go, it has some pedigree. It’s produced, arranged and features the legendary Stax musician Booker T. Jones. It also features two of Booker T’s MG bandmates, one of the Flying Burrito Brothers and if that wasn’t enough, Stephen Stills.
Songs featured includes the autobiographical ‘Grandma’s Hands’ (sampled by Blackstreet for ‘No Diggity’) and a couple of great covers that have been rearranged and treated as if they’re Withers’ own – The Beatles ‘Let It Be’ and Fred Neil’s ‘Everybody’s Talkin’’. Other than these popular songs, their are some fantastic lesser known Withers compositions.
‘Harlem’ is a stomper which kickstarts proceedings in upbeat fashion. Bill gets his groove on lauding the best of the Black NYC neighbourhood: “You can really swing, and shake your pretty thing, the parties are out of site”
But it’s the last three tracks of the album that showcase Withers at his soulful best. With less production his raw talent comes through. ‘In My Heart’ see’s Withers stripped of all production just his soaring voice and his folksy acoustic guitar playing. ‘Moanin’ and Groanin’’ is as raw as they come, again stripped back to basic instrumentation. The album ends on the loose ‘Better Off Dead’ where Bill sings the funky blues: “she’s better off without me, and I’m better of dead, now that she’s gone”. I won't ruin the ending for you, but it's a bit of a shocker!
HARLEM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpn4D5L67QI
GRANDMA'S HANDS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv5pagal-ls
MOANIN’ AND GROANIN’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fby5139tAmo
BETTER OFF DEAD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZHuxdGJ5aE
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