Review of Bill Withers - Live at Carnegie Hall
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(This may not be actual album art)
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It was a chance meeting with the legendary Booker T Jones (of the sixties Booker T and the MG's) thatd the door for Bill Withers into the world of pop success. At the time of their meeting, Wither was working in a factory that made toilet seats for jet airplanes. Jones, impressed by Withers' demos, helped secure a deal with Sussex Records. Jones then produced Withers' recording debut, Just As I Am. It was a smash.
In quick succession, "Lean On Me," "Ain't No Sunshine," and "Who Is He (And What Is He To You)" followed, and all topped the Top 40 charts.
With this success came the inevitable 70's ritual, the live album. Recorded on October 6, 1972 in New York City, Withers takes the listener through a fine selection of his tunes played with a funky looseness not found in their studio counterparts. The lead track "Use Me" is stretched out into a nine minute sing along with full audience participation, while tunes such as "Better Off Dead" and "World Keeps Going Around" resonate with a quiet desperation that is truly haunting. There are also a few unreleased tunes like "I Can't Write Left-Handed" and "For My Friend" both of which had never been previously available.
Not many live albums reflect the spontaneity and vitality of a truly gifted artist at the peak of his powers. This one does, and it is well worth owning.
Released Date: 1997
Sony
Netherlands
Tracks:
Use Me
Friend Of Mine
Ain't No Sunshine
Grandma's Hands
World Keeps Going Around
Let Me In Your Life
Better Off Dead
For My Friend
I Can't Write Left-Handed
Lean On Me
Lonely Town, Lonely Street
Hope She'll Be Happier
Let Us Love
Harlem/Cold Baloney
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