Artist: Bill Withers Album: +'Justments

Year: 1974
Duration: 37:56

An In-Depth Look at Bill Withers' Album: +'Justments

Bill Withers was an immensely talented musician who attained great success in the '70s with songs such as Lean on Me, Ain't No Sunshine and Lovely Day. However, his 1974 album, +'Justments, tends to fly under the radar despite being one of his most critically acclaimed works. In this post, we will examine the album in detail, including its history, the music genre, the best songs, and the most innovative parts of the music. We will also provide a of the album to provide a comprehensive outlook on the music produced by the legendary Bill Withers.
Born on July 4, 1938, in Slab Fork, West Virginia, Bill Withers was raised by his grandmother as his father passed away while he was still a child. He started learning guitar at age 12 and began writing songs in his teenage years. It wasn't until Withers was in his thirties that he released his debut album, Just As I Am, in 1971. Withers was a singer/songwriter who fused soul, R&B, blues, and folk music to create his unique sound that later became his signature style on '+'Justments.
+'Justments, released in 1974, was Bill Withers' fourth album, and it represented a departure from his previous musical formula. The album fused jazz elements with his traditional soul and blues approach. Withers drew from his personal experiences to craft a wide range of emotive songs that discuss various topics such as leading a fulfilling life, failed relationships, and societal issues - using his inimitable storytelling approach to deliver the message in a way that resonated with the audience.
It Ain't Because of Me Baby is one of the best songs of the album. It is a poignant piece that showcases Withers' command of the blues genre. The song begins with a simple acoustic guitar riff that explodes into a fully-fledged blues track. The lyrics are a combination of Withers' personal struggles and societal issues, such as racism and classism. Another exceptional song is The Same Love That Made Me Laugh, a track that typifies Withers' ability to blend comedy and tragedy to give the audience a unique insight into human emotions.
The most innovative component of '+'Justments has to be the instrumentals, particularly the use of jazz elements in tracks such as Heartbreak Road. Withers also showcased his prowess on the harmonica on Can We Pretend, a fantastic song that stands out due to its Memphis-inspired guitar riffs and Withers' soulful voice. The atmospheric Stories employs a brass section to set a melancholic tone that speaks to the artist's artistic & personal struggles at the time.
While '+'Justments was a critical success, it did not sell as well as Bill Withers' previous albums. The main criticism leveled against the album was that it was too introspective and weighed down by its blues elements. However, I feel that this album showcases Withers' message best, and that might have contributed to its relative commercial underperformance.
In conclusion, the album '+'Justments by the music artist Bill Withers was a snapshot of his artistic genius as he explored personal and societal issues through his excellent songwriting and outstanding musicality. Withers fused blues, soul, R&B, and jazz to create this masterpiece that remains underrated to date. I hope you enjoyed this of the album and discover some more fantastic music to add to your playlist.