Bill Withers 2

02/13/09 • 6 min

The music of Bill Withers can definitely speak for itself as a timeless collection of songs, perfect for 1971 with it’s mix of gritty southern R&B, introspective and politically charged lyrics, and even a touch of Woodstock hippie vibes. But his debut album, “Just as I Am” has a very underrated role in the history of landmark albums by DIY artists who circumvented the major label system. Bill discusses how he was put off by the LA star machine and wound up landing at Clarence Avant’s startup indie label, Sussex Records.

Producer: Joyride Media

Reccomended: Bill Withers catalog

Producer: Joyride Media

Reccomended: Bill Withers catalog

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Fats Waller 2

Strangely enough, two things happened to Fats after he died: he essentially disappeared from our culture’s memory for over 30 years, and when he was talked about, it centered around his clowning and humor, which was sorely misunderstood. Despite his untimely death, Fats Waller spent nearly every day of his short life making the music he loved. In that time, he created a rich, prolific legacy that today is justly revered.

Producer: Joyride Media

Reccomended: Fats Waller: If You Gotta Ask