Songs like “Let Me into Your Life” illustrate how he could write love songs beyond the usual “ooh baby please” cliché; “I wasn’t even there when he hurt you,” Withers gently pleads, “so why should I have to pay? I want to share your tomorrows.” Accompanied by piano and bass, he demonstrates that the best ballads can be straightforward, realistic, and not hitting audiences over the head with graphic sexuality.
His material, however, addresses more than just love affairs. “Better Off Dead,” a shocking narrative from a suicidal man’s point of view, chronicles a man’s pain from ruined love, drinking, and poverty. With this song, Withers pays tribute to traditional blues-style singing, but manages to address the inner-city frustration of the 70s (reminiscent of Stevie Wonder’s “Village Ghetto Land”).
Typical of his narrative songwriting style, the anti-war song “I Can’t Write Left-Handed” tells the story of a young man returning from Vietnam, one arm blown off. From this man’s perspective, Withers describes his isolation from the “real world.” “Boot camp we had classes / You know we talked about fighting, fighting every day / And looking through rosy, rosy colored glasses / I must admit it seemed exciting in a way.” His naiveté wears off after returning home, stating that “I ain’t gonna live to get much older.”
The final song, “Harlem/Cold Baloney,” paints a musical picture of a typical Saturday in Harlem, juxtaposing people going out to parties with others going to church. By the end Williams engages the audience in a spirited sing-along, transforming the concert into a revival meeting. But Withers’ vivid narration grips the listener and never lets go.
Bill Withers: Live at Carnegie Hall is not only a pleasurable listening experience, but also functions as a master class in performing and songwriting. Pick up the 2008 reissue and experience a criminally underrated classic. For more information, visit Bill Withers’ official site.
Article comments
1 - Pico
Well done, Kit. You are right on, this is a criminally underrated album by a criminally underrated artist. Withers is the best folk-soul singer-songwriter ever, IMHO.
2 - Donald Gibson
When he begins "Lean On Me," the initial reaction (mine, at least, when I first heard this version) is to almost let it play in the background, because it's such a familiar song. But when he lays into that first chorus, his voice so deep and urgent, you hear the audience swooning in a primal reaction, and suddenly this familiar gem is polished with fresh perspective. Brilliant.
3 - Kit O'Toole
Thank you both for your comments-yes, Pico, I agree that this album deserves more attention (as does Withers), and Donald, Withers does indeed lend all his songs an entire new perspective during this performance. It's a rare artist who can do that.