Bill Withers – Just As I Am

In a career laden with highlights and hallmarks in the annals of soul history, Just As I Am is rather overlooked as one of the best soul debuts ever issued. Beautifully remastered, Just As I Am is presented to a new generation of listeners who may have missed out the first time.

With this remastering comes an intimacy, warmth, and immediacy to the recordings that was only hinted at with previous versions; it’s almost as if Withers is in a living room singing to a small group of people, rather than making a record.

Of course, the instantly recognizable anthem “Ain’t No Sunshine” gets all of the acclaim it so richly deserves, but also in tracks like “Harlem”, “Grandma’s Hands” and “Better Off Dead” you can hear the intensity and maturity of Bill’s performances. Even when he’s doing covers, Withers makes them sound as if they are his own compositions.

Tracklist

1. Harlem
2. Aint No Sunshine
3. Grandmas Hands
4. Sweet Wanomi
5. Everybodys Talkin
6. Do It Good
7. Hope Shell Be Happier
8. Let It Be
9. Im Her Daddy
10. In My Heart
11. Moanin and Groanin
12. Better off Dead