Still Bill (Remaster)

シンガー・ソング・ライターの最高峰としてその才能をギル・スコット・ヘロンと二分する存在のビル・ウィザーズ。シンガーとしてもそのスウィートながらも太いヴォーカルに魅了されたことであろう。またこの日本ではTVCMにて“Lovely Day”をはじめ、ウィル・スミスの名曲“Just The Two Of Us”と同名曲の原曲もとても馴染み深い存在だ。このアルバムは彼の72年の作品にて全米No.1を記録した、あのピアノで泣かす“Lean On Me”を収録した傑作品である。五臓六腑に染み渡るゴスペルの真髄を打ち出した名曲中の名曲。

Bill Withers came into his own on his third album, Still Bill. Released in 1972, the record is a remarkable summation of a number of contemporary styles: the smooth soul coming out of Philly, smoky, late-night funk via Bobby Womack, bluesy Southern soul, and '70s singer/songwriterism. It's rich, subtly layered music, but its best attribute is that it comes on easy, never sounding labored or overworked. In fact, it takes several spins of the album to realize just how versatile Withers is on Still Bill, to hear how he makes intricate, funky rhythms sound as effortless and simple as the album's best-known song, the gospel-tinged inspirational anthem "Lean on Me." That's the genius behind Withers' music: it's warm and easily accessible, but it has a depth and complexity that reveals itself over numerous plays -- and, given the sound and feel of the music, from the lush arrangements to his comforting voice, it's easy to want to play this again and again. Then there's the quality of the songwriting, which is as assured on the grooving "Lonely Town, Lonely Street" as it is on the suspicious, paranoid "Who Is He (And What Is He to You)?" or "Use Me," where he happily submits to being used by his object of affection. This high level of songwriting is sustained throughout the record, making this the greatest testament to his considerable gifts. [The 2003 reissue contains two bonus tracks from his Live at Carnegie Hall album.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine