Bill Withers Live At Carnegie Hall 180g Import Vinyl 2LP
The profound honesty and sensitivity found in his timeless music has made Bill Withers one of America's premier singer/songwriters. Combining soulful warmth, a genuine and folksy feel with his immediately recognizable voice, Withers has sung his way into the hearts of millions worldwide. His ability to say what so many feel is uncanny.
There is no other like him. Bill Withers is mentioned in the same breath as the greats - Stevie, Marvin, Donny - yet none sing with the directness, write with the frankness, nor compare in articulating the truth with such sparseness. He is a singer and songwriter who has topped pop charts and received awards, been covered by Barbra Streisand and looped by Dr. Dre, and continues to influence an entire generation of artists.
Bill Withers' 'Live At Carnegie Hall' was recorded almost 40 years ago on a Friday evening, but it is still regarded as one of the best live performances in the history of Soul music. Captured on a rainy night in 1972, Bill Withers Live At Carnegie Hall is everything a tremendous live document aspires to - intimate yet bold, seductive and entertaining, a frozen piece of time that retains a part of the evening's spark. Most artists are already at a significant disadvantage going up against Bill Withers in the early '70s, where his mingling of acoustic guitar, funk flavors, tough pop instincts and populist anthems was Paul Simon lethal.
With beautiful renditions of his classics 'Ain't No Sunshine', 'Use Me', 'Grandma's Hands' and of course his biggest hit 'Lean On Me', this shouldn't come as a surprise.
Withers' brand of melancholy Soul plucks at your heartstrings and creates a wistful yearning, but it is still one of the most uplifting pieces of music you will ever find.
Music On Vinyl is re-issuing this classic on vinyl for the first time since 1975!
"A wonderful live album that capitalizes on Withers' trademark melancholy soul sound while expanding the music to fit the room granted by a live show. Lovely versions of 'Grandma's Hands' and 'Lean on Me' are balanced by heartfelt downbeat numbers like 'Better Off Dead' and 'I Can't Write Left-Handed,' the latter being an anti-war song with a chilling message. The set finishes off with the lengthy 'Harlem/Cold Baloney,' with lots of audience-pleased call-and-response going on. One of the best live releases from the '70s." - Steven McDonald, allmusic.com
Bill Withers Live at Carnegie Hall Track Listing:
1. Use Me
2. Friend of Mine
3. Ain’t No Sunshine
4. Grandma’s Hands
5. World Keeps Going Around
6. Let Me In Your Life
7. Better Off Dead
8. For My Friend
9. I Can’t Write Left Handed
10. Lean on Me
11. Lonely Town, Lonely Street
12. Hope She’ll Be Happier
13. Let Us Love
14. Harlem/Cold Baloney
