Search - Bill Withers :: Lean on Me: Best of

An underrated singer's remastered gems. A+ review

guillermoj | Washington, DC United States | 08/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bill Withers had a low key career that lasted only 14 years, in which he released some of the most beautiful music ever to grace this earth. Although the Amazon.com reviewer incorrectly indicates that Bill only had two huge hits, "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Lean on Me", he/she must have not have done his/her due diligence as "Use Me" and "Lovely Day" also were smashes, but Bill is not about his "hits" but about his amazing ability to sing songs that are sexy, smooth, spiritual and does it in an understated manner that does not come off as generic, but serves as an example of a true original.Listening to this amazing release (which should be the only one to buy if you are in the market as there are at least 3 out there) you get a feeling of all being well with the world. The remastering is amazing and the songs sound even more effortless than ever yet they stick with you for days. I am amazed at not having discovered a fuller spectrum of Bill's work until now, as all the non-hits sound at catchy and lovely as the hits. Again, I have to express my surprise at how a seemingly low key performer manages to put together songs that stay with you longer than any of the "anthems" or even better known songs and/or performers.Buy this at once if you love melody and music that is as relevant today as when it was first released. In my opinion, this greatest hits package should appeal to those who are seeking every "neo-soul" artist that puts something out there but, with some exeptions, nothing is better than the real thing.There is not a dud in this 18-song collection and I can't remember the last time that I have experienced that."

The most underrated R & B artist of all time.

Captain Opinionated | Los Angeles, CA USA | 10/28/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bill Withers? You probably already love a lot of his songs and don't even know it yet. The funk classic "Use Me," heard in the film "American Beauty?" Bill Withers. The pretty "Lovely Day" from the Gap Soul commercial? Our man, Bill. "Lean On Me," which you've undoubtedly heard and loved countless times? Thank, Mr. Withers. "Just the Two of Us," which is so popular, Mike Myers did a take off on it in "Austin Powers: the Spy Who Shagged Me?" Courtesy, Bill W. Why more people don't realize all these great songs - as well as such lesser-known gold nuggets like "Grandma's Hands," "When I'm Kissin' My Love," and "Ain't No Sunshine" - are the work of one enormously talented R & B singer/songwriter is beyond me. If you like classic soul/R & B, you gotta add this CD to your collection."

Best Compilation Out There and Remastered for a Great Sound!

Frederick Baptist | Singapore | 08/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This has to be the best compilation of Bill Withers' life's work that's out there. Not only has the sound been very well remastered for a great sounding cd but the choice of tracks are also very good. "Lovely Day" is what made me want to know more about the artist and "Just the Two of Us" and "Lean On Me" among many others have made me a great fan.



BW's voice is really good and how he sustains that looong note at the end of "Lovely Day" I'll never know. Just great music and great heartfelt soul from a curiously relatively unknown musician. A worthy addition to any cd collection and a lasting classic. If you are into great soul singing and well-written tracks, then this is the cd to get."