Just As I Am/Still Bill
October 20, 2003

Product Description
The extraordinary career of singer/songwriter BILL WITHERS got off to a winning start in 1971 with the release of his Booker T. Jones-produced debut album Just As I Am. It featured a cache of great new songs, including the evocative and spellbinding ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ (US #3). Awarded a Grammy in 1971 for Best R&B Song, it remains a radio staple. Withers’ equally impressive 1972 follow-up Still Bill was even more successful, capturing the essence of his unique style: a remarkably sophisticated yet effortless blending of smoky late-night funk and bluesy Southern soul backed by richly layered arrangements and quality songwriting.

The album went gold, producing three more massive hits: the gospel-tinged anthem ‘Lean on Me’ (US #1, UK #18), ‘Use Me’ (US #2) and ‘Kissing My Love’ (US #12). Raven has now combined these two inspirational albums on the one CD for the first time. With digitally remastered sound and two bonus tracks, this is a fine feast of Withers music: warm, accessible, funky and unique.

— Just As I Am —
1. Harlem
2. Ain’t No Sunshine
3. Grandma’s Hands
4. Sweet Wanomi
5. Everybody’s Talkin’
6. Do It Good
7. Hope She’ll Be Happier
8. Let It Be
9. I’m Her Daddy
10. In My Heart
11. Moanin’ And Groanin’
12. Better Off Dead

— Still Bill —
13. Lonely Town, Lonely Street
14. Let Me In Your Life
15. Who Is He (And What Is He To You)?
16. Use Me
17. Lean On Me
18. Kissin’ My Love
19. I Don’t Know
20. Another Day To Run
21. I Don’t Want You On My Mind
22. Take It All In And Check It All Out

— Bonus Tracks —
23. Better Days
24. It’s All Over Now - With Bobby Womack [1975]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000CG8I0/?tag=imwan-20

+ 'Justments: Expanded Edition
June 1, 2010

Product Description
Raven presents for the first time on CD + ’Justments, the third studio album by legendary, Grammy winning singer/songwriter BILL WITHERS. Best known for his classic 1970s hits ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’, ‘Grandma’s Hands’, ‘Lean On Me’ and ‘Use Me’, Withers combined folk, soul and funky R&B for this string of understated and enduring recordings. His songs have been covered by numerous artists and sampled by a multitude of hip-hop groups. A former Navy mechanic, Wither’s career got off to a winning start when he signed to Sussex Records and issued the albums Just As I Am (1971) and Still Bill (1972) which yielded his biggest hits. These two inspirational albums were previously combined by Raven for the top-value 2-for-1 CD release RVCD-160.

+ ’Justments (1974) furthered his successful career, capturing the essence of his unique style: a remarkably sophisticated yet effortless blending of smoky late-night funk and bluesy Southern soul backed by richly layered arrangements and quality song writing. Full of reflective, poignant, romantic moments, highlights include the Top 20 R&B hits ‘You’, ‘Heartbreak Road’ and ‘The Same Love That Made Me Laugh’ and the compelling ‘Railroad Man’, later covered by Jose Felicano. This expanded edition adds eight bonus tracks from the albums Making Music (including the Top 10 R&B hit ‘Make Love to Your Mind’) and Naked and Warm (also on CD for the first time). With superb quality audio, detailed liner notes and color booklet, this excellent release is a must for fans of sophisticated, soulful pop.

1. You
2. The Same Love That Made Me Laugh
3. Stories
4. Green Grass
5. Ruby Lee
6. Heartbreak Road
7. Can We Pretend
8. Liza
9. Make A Smile For Me
10. Railroad Man

— Bonus Tracks —
11. I Wish You Well
12. The Best You Can
13. Make Love To Your Mind
14. Hello Like Before
15. Close To Me
16. Naked & Warm (Heaven! Oh! Heaven!)
17. Where You Are
18. Dreams

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0039208UI/?tag=imwan-20

Note: since the bonus tracks on Raven's remaster of + 'Justments are taken from other albums rather than previously unreleased, collectors might prefer to opt for Reel Music's domestic remaster instead:

http://www.imwan.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=58611

I'm sure the SOUND of the Reel Music remaster will wipe the floor with the Raven reissue anyway. I started out with the Raven two-fer of "Just As I Am/Still Bill", and then I heard the Legacy remasters of each. Night and day.