Menagerie

by Bill Withers

Overview

Following the twin peaks of Still Bill and Live at Carnegie Hall in the early '70s, Bill Withers had a little trouble sustaining his peak of creativity, along with his chart positions. He still made good music and had hits, but had trouble delivering a consistent album that brought him back to the heights of his Sussex work. Finally, in 1977, he delivered Menagerie, an assured return to form by one of soul's greatest singer/songwriters of the '70s. If Menagerie doesn't have the earthiness or consistent brilliance of Still Bill, it nevertheless has a solid set of songs and an easy, relaxed charm that is thoroughly winning. Where his Sussex material was slyly eclectic, touching on a number of different styles, this album is more cohesive, a smooth album that points the way toward quiet storm while retaining a warm soulfulness, largely due to Withers' wonderful voice. Even when the tempo gets sprightly, as on "Lovely Night for Dancing," there's a relaxed vibe and a nice sheen to the production that keeps things even-handed and easy. As such, those listeners who preferred the darker undercurrents that ran through such songs as "Use Me" and "Who Is He (And What Is He to You)?" may find this a little too amiable, but that's just a matter of taste -- this is an easy record to like, after all, with a consistent tone and a soothing vibe, plus a good set of songs. If it's not as distinctive as his Sussex records, it's nevertheless an undeniable high point in his catalog. [The 2003 reissue contains three bonus tracks: a previously unreleased demo of "Rosie," a single version of "Lovely Night for Dancing," and an instrumental of "Let Me Be the One You Need."] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	08/05/2016
Label:	Imports
UPC:	4547366264333
Rank:	109182

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bill Withers   Primary Artist,Guitar,Keyboards
Keni Burke   Guest Artist,Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Ralph McDonald   Guest Artist,Percussion
Ray Parker, Jr.   Guest Artist,Guitar
Clarence McDonald   Keyboards
Russ Kunkel   Drums,Congas,Shaker
Jerry Knight   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Mike Jones   Synthesizer
Ralph MacDonald   Percussion
Alvin Taylor   Drums
Clifford Coulter   Soloist,Keyboards,Synthesizer
Hodges, James & Smith   Vocals (Background)
Dean Grant   Keyboards

Technical Credits

Andreas Meyer   Mixing
Tim Morse   Design
Steven Berkowitz   A&R
Bob Merritt   Engineer
Bill Withers   Composer,Producer
Larry Nash   Composer
Clarence McDonald   Arranger,Composer,Producer,String Arrangements
Leo Sacks   Producer,Reissue Producer
Joseph M. Palmaccio   Mastering
Darren Salmieri   Artist Coordination
Paul Riser   Horn Arrangements,String Arrangements
Keni Burke   Producer
David Ritz   Liner Notes
Maurice Joshua   Product Manager
Clifford Coulter   Composer,Producer
Elliot Gilbert   Photography
Harry Goodwin   Photography
Howard Fritzson   Art Direction
Lisa Buckler   Product Manager
Fong Y. Lee   Packaging Manager
Lou Beach   Illustrations
Skip Scarborough   Composer