Top Artists – Bill Withers

Bill Withers – Live at Carnegie Hall

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  • KILLER Triple Plus (A+++) sound or close to it on sides two and three and solid Double Plus (A++) sound on the other two sides
  • These sides are incredibly spacious, clear, rich and chock full of analog Tubey Magic – exactly the right sound for this surprisingly well recorded live album
  • 4 stars: “A wonderful live album that capitalizes on Withers’ trademark melancholy soul sound while expanding the music to fit the room granted by a live show… One of the best live releases from the ’70s.”

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Grover Washington – Winelight

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  • Outstanding Double Plus (A++) sound from beginning to end on this wonderful Elektra pressing – fairly quiet vinyl too
  • Both sides here are incredibly rich, full-bodied and musical with excellent bass — essential for this funky music
  • We’ve called this album a Demo Disc for Bass and any Hot Stamper copy will show you why
  • 4 1/2 stars: “Winelight is one of his finest albums, and not primarily because of the Bill Withers hit “Just the Two of Us.” It is the five instrumentals that find Washington (on soprano, alto, and tenor) really stretching out…”

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Bill Withers – Menagerie

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  • KILLER sound for Menagerie with both sides earning Triple Plus (A+++) grades or close to them – exceptionally QUIET vinyl for this album
  • These sides are smooth, relaxed and full-bodied – practically no other copy in our shootout had this kind of exceptionally natural, analog sound
  • Includes Withers’ signature hit, “Lovely Day” as well as “Lovely Night For Dancing”
  • 4 1/2 stars: “… an assured return to form by one of soul’s greatest singer/songwriters of the ’70s… this is an easy record to like, after all, with a consistent tone and a soothing vibe, plus a good set of songs.”

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Bill Withers – Still Bill – Our Shootout Winner from 2014

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A distinguished member of the Better Records Rock and Pop Hall of Fame.

Incredibly Hot Sound for this amazing soulful album! This killer Sussex pressing has a side one that just can not be beat. It positively massacred the other copies we put up against it with superb presence, top-notch clarity, full-bodied vocals and serios energy. We gave side one an A+++, our top grade, and side two is close behind at A++. I don’t think you could find a better sounding Bill Withers album no matter what you do. I wish there were more ’70s soul albums that sounded like this. (more…)

Bill Withers – Just As I Am – Our Shootout Winner from 2008

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A distinguished member of the Better Records Rock and Pop Hall of Fame.

This Sussex LP has GREAT SOUND. We’ve never heard these songs sound better than they do on this copy. It’s so open and spacious. Many of his best songs are on here, such as ’Ain’t No Sunshine,’ ’Grandma’s Hands’ and ’Harlem’ (more…)

Bill Withers – Just As I Am

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  • Superb sound throughout with each side earning a solid Double Plus (A++)
  • Both sides here are big, open, spacious and super present with a solid bottom end
  • Many of his best songs are on here, such as ’Ain’t No Sunshine,’ ’Grandma’s Hands’ and ’Harlem’. 
  • “In a career laden with highlights and hallmarks in the annals of soul history, Just as I Am gets rather overlooked as one of the best soul debuts ever issued…” – All Music, 4 1/2 Stars

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Bill Withers – Still Bill – Surprisingly Well Recorded Soul

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  • A stunning sounding copy with a Triple Plus (A+++) side two and a solid Double Plus (A++) side one
  • Some of the best soul sound you’ll ever hear — incredibly natural, full-bodied and present
  • Excellent sound for the two hit singles — “Lean On Me” and “Use Me”.
  • Five Stars on Allmusic: “It’s warm and easily accessible, but it has a depth and complexity that reveals itself over numerous plays…”

This killer Sussex pressing was one of the best from our recent shootout. It positively massacred the other copies we put up against it with superb presence, top-notch clarity, full-bodied vocals and driving funky energy. I don’t think you could find a better sounding Bill Withers album no matter what you do. I wish there were more ’70s soul albums that sounded like this. (more…)