Bill Withers – Still Bill (1972/2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Bill Withers – Still Bill (1972/2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 36:42 minutes | 753 MB | Genre: R&B, Soul
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Columbia – Legacy

Still Bill is American soul singer-songwriter Bill Withers’ second studio album originally released in 1972. The album features hit singles “Lean on Me” which made it to the number one spot on Billboard’s Pop and R&B charts, and “Use Me” which was number two on the Pop and R&B charts. Still Bill was number one on the U.S. Billboard Soul Albums chart in 1972 and the same year made it to number 4 on the Pop Albums chart.

Bill Withers came into his own on his third album, Still Bill. Released in 1972, the record is a remarkable summation of a number of contemporary styles: the smooth soul coming out of Philly, smoky, late-night funk via Bobby Womack, bluesy Southern soul, and ’70s singer/songwriterism. It’s rich, subtly layered music, but its best attribute is that it comes on easy, never sounding labored or overworked. In fact, it takes several spins of the album to realize just how versatile Withers is on Still Bill, to hear how he makes intricate, funky rhythms sound as effortless and simple as the album’s best-known song, the gospel-tinged inspirational anthem “Lean on Me.” That’s the genius behind Withers’ music: it’s warm and easily accessible, but it has a depth and complexity that reveals itself over numerous plays — and, given the sound and feel of the music, from the lush arrangements to his comforting voice, it’s easy to want to play this again and again. Then there’s the quality of the songwriting, which is as assured on the grooving “Lonely Town, Lonely Street” as it is on the suspicious, paranoid “Who Is He (And What Is He to You)?” or “Use Me,” where he happily submits to being used by his object of affection. This high level of songwriting is sustained throughout the record, making this the greatest testament to his considerable gifts. –AllMusic Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Tracklist:

01. Bill Withers – Lonely Town, Lonely Street (03:45)
02. Bill Withers – Let Me in Your Life (02:42)
03. Bill Withers – Who Is He (And What Is He to You)? (03:14)
04. Bill Withers – Use Me (03:48)
05. Bill Withers – Lean on Me (04:18)
06. Bill Withers – Kissing My Love (03:51)
07. Bill Withers – I Don’t Know (03:06)
08. Bill Withers – Another Day to Run (04:39)
09. Bill Withers – I Don’t Want You on My Mind (04:37)
10. Bill Withers – Take It All In and Check It All Out (02:38)

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