Just As I Am is the debut studio album by American soul musician Bill Withers, released on May 1, 1971, by Sussex Records. The album features the hit single "Ain't No Sunshine", which was ranked at number 280 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The album is also known for featuring the single "Grandma's Hands," which reached number 18 on the Best Selling Soul Singles chart and 42 on the Billboard Hot 100. Booker T. Jones produced, arranged, and played keyboards and guitar on Just As I Am. The album was later reissued as a dual disc with the DVD side featuring all the tracks in 5.1 Surround Sound.
In 2020, Rolling Stone ranked the album at number 304 in their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Cover The album sleeve features a photograph of Withers next to a brick building, supposedly the factory that he was working in at the time the album was recorded, where he installed airplane toilets. He wears a yellow T-shirt and jeans and holds a lunchbox. It was taken by Norbert Jobst.
Critical reception
Reviewing in Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981), Robert Christgau wrote:
Track listing
Chart history Chart (1971)PeakpositionU.S. Billboard Black Albums5U.S. Billboard Pop Albums39Canadian RPM 100 Albums37
Certifications
Personnel Bill Withers – vocals, guitar Stephen Stills – guitar Booker T. Jones – guitar, keyboards, arrangements Donald Dunn, Chris Ethridge – bass guitar Al Jackson Jr., Jim Keltner – drums Bobbye Hall – percussion
Production Booker T. Jones – producer Bill Halverson – engineer Bill Lazerus – engineer Jim Golden – remixing Sam Feldman – mastering at Bell Sound Studios (New York City, New York). Norbert Jobst – design, photography Bill Withers – sleeve notes
References
External links