Episode 654 is BILL WITHERS. Even if he recorded only “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lean on Me,” “Lovely Day” and “Just the Two of Us,” that would be sufficient to secure Bill Withers’ fame. But these came on several quality albums in the 1970s that applied his smooth yet textured baritone voice to a relaxed style of soul that contrasts to the chrome and flash of contemporaries. Also a great songwriter. He got a late start to his recording career, and (thankfully) declined to allow himself to be fully dragged into 80s synth R&B, so his nine albums (all but one in the 70s) stand as a consistent solid career set.
Favorite album: Still Bill
Favorite song: Ain’t No Sunshine
Compared to expectations: ↑
Recommendation: The first two albums (Just As I Am, Still Bill) are the best, but all are decent.
Opus Project 