Bill Withers RIP

[Bassa Nova]

Just saw that Bill Withers passed away-age 81.

Not a bass player but an amazing artist. One of my favorite singers of all time. His voice conveyed so much emotion.

Honestly, just this weekend I binged on some Bill Withers, a complete coincidence as I did not know that he was ill, and I just marveled at his songwriting and his expressive voice. Not to mention he played with some amazing bass players including Duck Dunn, Melvin Dunlap and Jerry Knight...and the great drummer James Gadson.

If you are not familiar or if you are, please listen to some of his works.

 

[TheDirtyLowDown]

Such a shame. I love his music; our band currently covers three of his songs, and they always get folks to listen up, or get up and dance. Bill was the man. I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know!

 

[FunkHead]

RIP Bill.

 

[StyleOverShow]

RIP. Wrote many good tunes

 

[two fingers]

If you play it without rushing it, this kills every single time. Thank you Bill, for this and many others.

 

[thabassmon]

I love Bill Withers RIP

Great Singer, Songwriter, Groover.
Love his voice, real, emotive, excellent.
I also love the way he wrote songs from a real world perspective, an absolute treasure.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Bill Withers was great because he was unique. As the NYT notes, he did not start recording until his 30's. He was already a veteran and factory worker. He came in strumming an acoustic guitar from West Virginia when popular Black music had become very urban and electric. Dude could write Folk, beautiful ballads, anthems, and he could get funky too. The other thing is that his career was only 14 years, from 1971-1985. That meant Bill Withers left no fluff behind either.

 

[AlvarHanso]

Always one of my favorite singer songwriters. Had a genius for songwriting. Wrote timeless classics with seeming ease. He wrote Lean On Me while learning to play the piano. The simplicity is by default not design, yet, it is one of the best songs ever written, musically and lyrically. An uncompromising artist who retired rather than deal with the hassles of record companies who tried to tell him his songs weren't good enough (after he'd had massive hits of his own songs), or tried to get him to cover Elvis. His songs will live forever.

Thanks so much for posting the documentary!

 

[pdbass]

One of the most popular songs, with a bass line that deserves some checking out AND the unsung dude that laid it down.

 

[ElectroVibe]

I hear the crystal raindrops fall
From the window down the hall...

 

[Lowendchamp]

Hope he enjoyed the ride! One of my favorites for sure. Notice how he went within a year of his bassist? Strange. RIP Bill and thanks.

 

[Lowendchamp]

Guess I should look at the dates. I just don't remember hearing about my man when it happened. All the same, God bless.

 

[JimK]

I have played "Ain't No Sunshine" & "Use Me" in bands.
"Ain't No Sunshine" I have always loved since day 1...all the cover versions out there...love 'em all.
Sting with his Soul Cages band does a terrific cover, IMO.

 

[JimK]

Cool cover of "Use Me"...the band is OK.