Bill Withers was an American soul legend, three-time Grammy winner, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and creator of some of the best songs to come out of America in the last century. When Withers was in his 20s and working as a milkman in California, he walked into a club to discover the musician, Lou Rawls, running late. The manager, frantic, complained that he was “paying Lou $2000 a week and he can’t even show up on time.” Withers immediately went out and bought a guitar. Over the next two decades, he captured the essence of what it means to be alive, song by song, until he decided he’d said all he needed to say.
Just As I Am, Withers’ first album, was released in 1971. The album begins with Harlem, a track that plants us squarely in New York City in the seventies. Not the glossy, sexy, disco New York City, but the real city, with the difficulty and ecstasy of it coming in and out of focus. Next is a familiar track, Ain’t No Sunshine, with it’s easy melody tinged with melancholy. The album feels firmly American, like a snapshot in time. It’s not particularly happy, but it has that catharsis that you need when you’re living through all of this.
Enjoy.
Bill Withers - Just As I Am:
Pair this album with:
Salad Days Pet Nat. You don’t need a salad when you can have Salad Days. This pet-nat is perfectly simple. The bubbles are refreshing — perfect for sharing on a summer day. Pair with some spicy food and relax.
Chicken Wings. It’s a holiday weekend, so… wings. This recipe hails from a chef based out of Harlem. It’s all about deep frying and Cholula hot sauce. The perfect combo. Make some jalapeno ranch for dipping.
Thank you. Have a great, great weekend.