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There are several Bill Withers compilations around. This one looks as good as any, and a great price for a new release. A double like this is justified to cover a lot of less known album tracks, as well as the hits.

Bill sings tenderly and with real emotion, but keeps it very masculine somehow. In my opinion, he was ahead of the game in doing so.

Many younger people may only know 'Lovely Day', done to death on the radio whenever the sun comes out (not too often then), but don't let that put you off. Bill is a gifted songwriter, and a very good singer.

The music varies in soul styles, often with driven Southern rhythms. Check out the growing funky paranoia of 'Who Is He And What Is He To You'

Well worth a few quid of any true soul fan's money.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Bill Withers was a different type of Soul Man, his reflective singer songwriter style a counterpoint to the traditional "Sock It To Me" Soul shouters. His first album was an instant hit, yielding the giant "Ain't No Sunshine" as well as a variety of covers and originals in Withers' unique style. His second album was no less well received, again with a major hit singles, and Bill had become a major star.

He went on to a career which would last into the '80's, however this set focuses in on the '70's and the 2 first albums in particular. In fact the first 3 tracks of this are the first 3 from "Just As I Am" albeit in a different order - and what a start it is, with "Aint No Sunshine" sandwiched between the wonderful stomper "Harlem", and the beautiful Grandma's Hands (catch the live version from the Carnegie Hall album for the best version though). Other stand out tracks include the singles, "Use Me", and "Lean on Me" and "Lovely Day", as well as the album tracks you may not be so familiar with. Bill Withers' approach to songwriting saw him focus on some very original topics and I would pick out "Better Off Dead", "I Can't Write Left Handed" and "Hope She'll Be Happier" as examples of Withers' superb talent. Throughout the set though, you will encounter a huge variety of styles, from the Blues of "Don't Want You On My Mind" to the (almost) Funk of "Kissing My Love".

If you are a fan of the man, you may well welcome this as a chance to get those album tracks, as the albums are in short supply. This set should also appeal to those who have encountered Bill as a singles artist, because they are all here. I hope, though, that the sheer quality of the less familiar material will be a pleasant surprise. Give it a chance.

Rating: 4 out of 5

IMHO there are better Withers collections around than this. How can you have such a collection without (just for one example) "Oh Yeah"?. Some nice stuff on here, but also quite a lot of second tier Withers stuff - Also the version of "Lovely Day" on here seems to be the full version - which just goes on and on and on.... - it made a snappy single, but the cut down version doesn't outstay its welcome - this version sure does!

Rating: 4 out of 5