JUST AS I AM

Description

Bill Withers was a humble, gentle, yet immense musical figure, responsible for some of the greatest and most universally known soul hits ever written. It is therefore no surprise that "Just the Two of Us" and "Ain't No Sunshine" earned him two Grammy Awards and undoubtedly played a pivotal role in his induction into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. "Just As I Am," Withers' debut album, is by all accounts a brilliant first work. The record includes twelve tracks, mostly original compositions by Bill, each reflecting his unique introspective and folk-infused vision of soul music. The album's most famous track is undoubtedly the global hit "Ain't No Sunshine," initially released as the B-side to the single "Harlem" in 1971. This song propelled Withers to international soul icon status, earning him a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1972. Knowing that the album's other single is "Grandma's Hands," it's easy to understand why "Just As I Am" ranks 304th on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. This edition includes a booklet featuring an essay on Bill Withers, written by Grammy-nominated poet, journalist, and humanitarian Kevin Powell.