Bill Withers

A budget-priced 10-song Bill Withers compilation containing, as its name implies, most of his biggest songs. There are no notes, and the repertory jumps from Withers' early 1970's folk repertory ("Lean On Me," "Ain't No Sunshine," "Another Day To Run") to his mid-1980's soul sound ("Watching You Watching Me" and "Better Off Dead"), with heavy synthesizer backings etc. The difference isn't as jarring as one expects, however-Withers' voice was as good as ever on the later repertory, and he is in his element in both settings; what's more, his songwriting, if focused very differently, is still clever and results in some very lively and alluring material. The sound is excellent, utilizing the best mid-1990's remasterings. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide