Bill Withers - Lean on Me: The Best of Bill Withers

Eighteen tracks, from the early '70s to the mid-'80s, including his early Top Ten singles, but also minor hits like "Grandma's Hands," "Kissing My Love," and "Lovely Day." Those who admire songs like "Lean on Me" and "Ain't No Sunshine" are advised to approach this best-of with caution; from the mid-'70s onward, Bill Withers forsook his folky singer/songwriter soul for more anonymous, slick MOR soul and urban contemporary. His early sound was far more distinctive, and his early-'70s Sussex albums are recommended alternatives to this compilation. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide

Name Credits Adam Block Project Director Al Jackson, Jr. Drums Bill Eaton Arranger, Conductor Bill Halverson Engineer Bill Lazerus Engineer Bill Withers Vocals, Piano, Compilation Producer, Producer, Guitar, Clavinet Bob Merritt Engineer Booker T. Jones Producer, Arranger, Percussion Charles Veal Concert Master Chris Ethridge Bass Clarence McDonald Producer, Keyboards, Arranger David Nathan Liner Notes David Ritz Liner Notes David T. Walker Guitar (Electric) Dennis Budimir Guitar (Acoustic) Denny Diante Producer Don Freeman Voices, Vibraphone, Strings, DX-7 Donald "Duck" Dunn Bass Dorothy Ashby Producer, Harp Ed Cherney Engineer Edie Lehmann Vocals (Background) Eric Gale Guitar Ernie Watts Sax (Soprano), Soloist Grover Washington, Jr. Saxophone, Producer Harvey Mason, Sr. Drums Howard Fritzson Art Direction James Gadson Producer, Drums Jerry Knight Bass Jim Keltner Drums John Myles String Arrangements John Snyder Compilation Producer Joseph M. Palmaccio Mastering Joy Gilbert Manfried Project Director Kate Markowitz Vocals (Background) Keith Seppanen Engineer Keni Burke Bass, Producer Larry Nash Keyboards, Producer, Rhythm Arrangements Leo Sacks Compilation Producer Louis Johnson Bass M.B. Gordy Simmons Drums, Tom-Tom, Tambourine, Hi Hat Marcus Miller Bass Melvin "Wah Wah" Ragin Guitar (Electric) Melvin Dunlap Producer, Bass Michael Ochs Photography Michel Colombier Producer Mick Guzauski Engineer Patti Matheny A&R Paul Riser Horn Arrangements, String Arrangements Paulinho Da Costa Percussion Phil (Boogie) Schier Engineer Ralph MacDonald Percussion, Conga, Producer Raymond Jackson Clarinet, String Arrangements, Piano (Electric), Piano, Producer Richard Alderson Engineer Robbie Buchanan Synthesizer Strings Russ Kunkel Drums, Conga, Percussion Stephen Stills Guitar Steve Gadd Drums Steven Berkowitz A&R Tony Sellari Art Direction Vic Anesini Digital Mastering