Let's talk about Bill Withers.

hahaha wtf how could anyone not like that song

no one could not like that song

does she like blackstreet?

And I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know,
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I
know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, hey I'll leave the young thing alone.

nickalicious, is your ex not a fan of grandmas?

OLYMPIA DUKAKIS & BO BEREK
IN
TOO MANY GRANDMAS!

Still Bill, still chill:

Q: Bill Withers, you're having a moment. It seems like wherever you go, one of your songs is playing.

A: I don't know. Marcia deals with all that stuff in the office, so she's probably more aware of that than I am. So I'll take your word for it.

Q: So you have no interest in a comeback?

A: There's a time for everything. And at certain times in your life, when you're young enough for that kind of vanity, you draw attention to yourself. And some people can do that into their eighties. It depends on your personality and how you've been socialized. I wasn't socialized in the entertainment business. I was in the Navy for nine years, I had a life outside of this well into my thirties [Withers worked in the aeronautics industry even after "Ain't No Sunshine" became a hit]. You know, this whole music thing was something that came into my life after I was formed socially. So it was fun, it served its purpose, I still like it, but it's not my main focus. In fact, it hasn't been for a long time. There are other requirements. You're somebody's father, you're somebody's husband, you're somebody's friend. And for me, it was important that I not neglect those other requirements just to satisfy some personal need that I might have for approval or attention from people that I don't even know.

Q: That seems incredibly wise.

A: I don't know how wise it is. I think we protect ourselves, if we're lucky, [from taking] on more than we're naturally equipped to handle. And I don't know if I'm built to be the center of attention all the time. I've been fortunate enough that the music that I've done seems to have its own life without me having to show up everywhere and wave. Then again, we all live according to the options that are provided to us. Maybe if I had to, I'd be grinding it out every night in some joint somewhere.

I mean, seriously, dude's a role model for life.

Also this (referring to the new Still Bill documentary):

Q: In "Still Bill," you're clearly ambivalent about fame, and uncomfortable in the spotlight. Have you watched the movie yet?

A: Some of it. When we got down to the end and they were editing and re-cutting and stuff, I got tired of it. I turned it over to my wife. I was like, "This is wringing me out. I'm done." I said, "I wanna go to Home Depot. If there's anything embarrassing, make them take it out. I'll be over in the aisle with the new flush valves."

it's the Wallace Stevens ethos, and it's marvelous: nothing is worth sweating out as long as you're happy in the present and know you're good enough that you don't need people to see the strain anyway.

if bill withers and dusty springfield got together and had a little too much wine, that would be the perfect thing for this day

"I mean, seriously, dude's a role model for life.'

otm

this is great, thanks for alerting me to it. really looking forward to seeing this doc. "...carnegie hall" is still my fallback album for when i'm feeling down, even the between song banter is enough to bring cheer. it's got me out of a few holes.

awww i wanna hang out at the home depot with bill withers

The films will be shown at the Silverdocs Film Festival on Thursday[June 18] at 9 p.m. and Friday [June 19] at 9:45 p.m., respectively.)

Hmmmmm. Wonder if I can make one of these showings

awww i wanna hang out at the home depot with bill withers

― psychgawsple, Saturday, June 13, 2009 9:35 AM Bookmark

this.

awesome interview, esp. the end

http://www.maximumfun.org/sound-young-america/bill-withers-soul-legend-interview-sound-young-america

omg "Then You Smile at Me"

one of my favourite youtubes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIdIqbv7SPo

james gadson is such a dude.

i just used "i wish you well" as a fill in the blanks exercise for some adult esl students and they all dug it. also recently played the carnegie hall version of grandma's hands for a new grandmother and she got all filled up :)

really love "grandma's hands"

i wish i had discovered this guy earlier

surely Anthony Hamilton is influenced by Bill ?

Uh huh. When he first came out, his press was all "Al Green x Bill Withers".

Anyway, if you haven't heard "Kissing My Love", you need to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmJNrU6wPyM

bill withers is god.

As just received via e-mail:

Still Bill, a project by filmmakers Damani Baker and Alex Vlack, had what seemed like a simple idea: make a film about Bill Withers. Eight years later, on May 11th, the film will be released exclusively through www.stillbillthemovie.com. The full physical DVD and digital download are available through the website, as well as a deluxe package which includes exclusive merchandise. The DVD includes never bonus features, such as live performances from the Bill Withers Tribute Concert and conversations with Graham Nash, Bill Russell, and Jim Brown.

cold baloney!

Really loving 'Justments lately, but every time I get to that song where he talks about the special relationship between a young niece and a wise older uncle I get creeped out, even though I probably shouldn't.

the doc is extraordinary: fascinating and moving. i had tears in my eyes 3 or 4 times.

and you can watch an edited version of it here in english w/ dutch subtitles (maybe it depends on where you are)

http://player.omroep.nl/?aflID=11120054&silverlight=true

i'm bumping this in case anyone missed it. you NEED to watch this.

I just finished torrenting it this morning. Gonna watch tonight.

jed_ never mind on that. It's a fake/scam torrent.

ah ok cool. i wondered what was happening with it.

put yourself in jesus' hands, grandma's hands

because grandma is jesus

finally found a copy of live @ carnegie hall on vinyl :)

:)

watched the edited version of doc that jed links to up thread. my goodness, i had the impression that he was a cool guy, but it's almost ridiculous. he is so genuinely and inspiringly humble. really devastatingly beautiful

(bill withers, i mean. ilxor "jed" can go suck it, obv)

! do we have a beef?

oh right, sorry joeks etc.

i think?

yeah, clumsy joke. if anything i owe you for emphatically recommending the film. i'm probably going to re-watch it again today

ha, sorry i realised it was a joke after i posted. it was just one of those interweb things of me missing the obvious.

it's so great isn't it? when he gets up on stage to sing grandma's hand with his friend - huge lump in throat...

it was packed with moments like that. the part where he visits the school...

damn, the still bill doc is a tear jerker. feel good movie of the year. i want him to be my dad

Loved the documentary.

I still need to see that. But I finally got the live at Carnegie Hall cd

What an unbelievable human being...loved the bit where he's talking to Cornel West about selling out...just fantastic...restores your faith in human kind...If the scientology had a Withers plateau I would join...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmDiTNIm68E

Bought the "Still Bill" DVD online yesterday after reading the reviews here. Looking forward to viewing.

bill withers is the meaning of life.

he's also a depressive... what does that tell you?

Still Bill is on BBC4 tomorrow at 9pm for you UK people.