We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago……
How does a guy with a stutter, from Slab Fork, West Virginia become a best-selling singer-songwriter? Grit, determination and a great voice. Bill Withers knew he wanted to write songs and sing them too. He left the Navy in 1965 and headed for LA where he worked in a number of factories while recording demos and playing the clubs at night. He was so sure that the music business was going to break his heart, that he refused to give up his job in an airplane factory even after he wrote “Ain’t No Sunshine” . That song was the centerpiece of his debut LP “Just The Way I Am” released in 1971.
And even if he had doubts about success, his record label believed in him. They set up recording time with the legendary Booker T. Jones on keyboards, arrangements and producing. They brought in top flight talent to play on the record including Stephen Stills who’s guitar fills are really tasty (listen to Grandma’s Hands). Others on the LP include Duck Dunn, Chris Ethridge, Jim Keltner & Al Jackson….solid pros all.
The songs range from the soulful to the strident. There are a couple of covers including Freddie Neil’s “Everyboy’s Talking” which alot of artists were recording at the time. And a gospel take on the Beatles “Let It Be”.
But the originals are what made Bill Withers a star. I particularly like a funky little tune called “Do It Good”. His writing can be cutting too in songs like “I’m Her Daddy” and especially ” Better Off Dead”. I wasn’t expecting that kind of cold lyric and ending from the same guy who did Grandma’s Hands.
Ain’t No Sunshine was the hit and won Withers a Grammy for R&B Song Of The Year. It sold a million copies by September and led to a bunch of artists covering it over the years
Michael Jackson…
Black Label Society who are going to be playing Northstar Casino in the near future…
Ladysmith Black Mambazo & Des’ree
And a straight-forward reading by one of my faves…Joan Osborne…
But this LP isalot more than it’s hit. It may surprise you.
The music is good, the singing is good, the album is good. An excellent start for the kid from Slab Fork West Virginia who escaped the mines and made good in LA. And yeah, he finally did give up his factory gig! Enjoy.
Comments