Bill Withers - A Living God ?

Soul Stretcher

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3hBYTkI-sE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIdIqbv7SPo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9dCl4FJIuw&feature=related


Hi All

New to this Forum. Just bowled over, knocked for six and overall in awe of this Artist - and have been for some time now.

Awe-inspiring talent - who walked away from the Business decades ago when he didn't like what he seen in it - instead of milking it for the millions more he undoubtedly could have earned.

Married to the same woman for the last 34 years. Didn't fall (to the best of my knowledge) to Drink or Drug or Sex Addiction - like so many "Artists" seem to do these days.

Is this man a living God ? (or am I going overboard ? )

ricero

yea lovely day has to be the happiest song ever written one of my favorite songs ever and he had a class afro

Dan Dare

Lovely Day and Ain't No Sunshine are great songs and he is a great singer- I know nothing about the man and only learned that he is black from seeing an Old Grey Whistle Test DVD which featured him and a rather good backing band.

Soul Stretcher

I've seen short interviews on the Internet - he doesn't seem to court much publicity.

However there was a documentary made about him called "Still Bill" a year or two ago which I'm eager to see. I'm grateful it was made as he is a good age now - nearly 72.

He's just so talented, straight and genuine. A breath of fresh air.

pinksoir

Yeah, he's a winner. Pretty sure those first two vids are from the Old Grey Whistle Test session. The drummer is brilliant - the sweet perma-smile...

I love Use Me. Such a great riff. He definitely surrounded himself with tasty musicians.

How do you turn a duck into a legendary soul singer?

Kold

Soul Stretcher wrote: »

Married to the same woman for the last 34 years. Didn't fall (to the best of my knowledge) to Drink or Drug or Sex Addiction - like so many "Artists" seem to do these days.

Whut? Why is artists in quotation marks?

Makaveli

Lovely Day is great song until it gets to the last minute.

a lovely daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay
a lovely daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay
a lovely daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

hate that part so much

stovelid

Not sure if I'd rate him as highly as the OP, but he's a fantastic singer: one of the warmest soul voices. I love the story of him being discovered singing in work as an aircraft worker, but it's possibly apocryphal? )

My favourite tune of his:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpn4D5L67QI

Soul Stretcher

Thanks for posting that. I've never heard that tune before and I like it ! (surprise surprise ).

The man just has it - whatever "it" is.

Dudess

I only know his better known stuff and I think it's all wonderful. Ain't No Sunshine is my favourite.

MistyCheese

He's one of those alright. You know what I mean, right? That word begining with "L" and ending in "end" that these days is usually used to describe certain flashes-in-the-pan who will be soon readily forgotton?

I can't imagine discussing Black Eyed Peas or Ditzee Rascal in 3 years, let alone in 30+

hatful

Yep, Bill Withers, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Gil Scott Heron, Issac Hayes are all fantastic!