[en] | ‘Bout Love

For the Plasticines album, see About Love (album).

‘Bout Love is the seventh studio album by the American musician Bill Withers, released in 1979 on the Columbia label.[1] Withers collaborated with Paul Smith, who co-wrote all the tracks but “Memories Are That Way” with Withers.

‘Bout Love
Studio album by

Bill Withers
Released12 March 1979
RecordedAugust–December 1978
StudioRecord Plant (Los Angeles, California) and A&R Recording (New York City, New York).
GenreSoul
Length39:03
LabelColumbia
ProducerPaul Smith
Bill Withers chronology
Menagerie
(1977)		‘Bout Love
(1979)		Watching You, Watching Me
(1985)

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Christgau’s Record GuideC[3]
The Virgin Encyclopedia of R&B and Soul[1]

‘Bout Love features Withers’ usual mellowness and introspective lyrics, however its lead single, “Don’t It Make It Better” is up-tempo, and its follow-up single, “You Got the Stuff” is a funk song. “Don’t It Make It Better” peaked at No. 30 on Billboard R&B Singles, but “You Got the Stuff” reached only No. 85 on the chart.[4]

‘Bout Love peaked at #50 on the R&B chart and No. 134 on the Billboard 200.

Track listing

  1. “All Because Of You” (Bill Withers, Paul Smith) – 3:50
  2. “Dedicated To You My Love” (Withers, Smith) – 4:47
  3. “Don’t It Make It Better” (Withers, Smith) – 4:12
  4. “You Got The Stuff” (Withers, Smith, Keith Hatchell) – 7:14
  5. “Look To Each Other For Love” (Withers, Smith) – 4:23
  6. “Love” (Withers, Smith) – 4:57
  7. “Love Is” (Withers, Smith) – 4:21
  8. “Memories Are That Way” (Withers) – 5:06

Personnel

  • Bill Withers – vocals, acoustic guitar (1), bass (1), whistle (2), guitar (3, 4, 7, 8), horn and string arrangements (3), acoustic piano (4), drums (8)
  • Wah Wah Watson – electric guitar (1)
  • Paul Smith – keyboards (1–7), synthesizer (1–4)
  • Geoffrey Leib – keyboards (8)
  • Clifford Coulter – synthesizer (8)
  • Keni Burke – additional bass lIcks (1, 2), bass (3, 6, 7)
  • Bryan Garofalo – bass (2, 5, 8)
  • Jerry Knight – bass (3)
  • Keith Hatchell – bass (4)
  • Russ Kunkel – drums (1, 2, 3, 5–8), additional cymbal (8)
  • Harvey Mason – drums (4)
  • Ralph MacDonald – percussion (1, 5–8)
  • Buddy Collette – flute solo (2)
  • Bill Eaton – horn and string arrangements (1, 8), additional string arrangements (5, 6)
  • Jeff Ervin – additional horn arrangements (1, 3)
  • Jean Hintermann – additional horn arrangements (1, 3)
  • Wade Marcus – horn arrangements (4–7), string arrangements (5, 6, 7)

Production

  • Paul Smith – producer
  • Bill Eaton – production consultant
  • Gerry Griffith – production consultant
  • Ralph MacDonald – production consultant
  • Wade Marcus – production consultant
  • Bob Merritt – recording, mixing
  • Phil Jantaas – assistant engineer
  • Ollie Cotton – assistant engineer
  • Ed Rakowicz – assistant engineer
  • Andy Engel – design
  • Fred Anderson – photography

Charts

Chart (1979)Peak
position
Billboard Pop Albums[5]134
Billboard Top Soul Albums[5]50

Singles

YearSingleChart positions[6]
US
R&B
1979“Don’t It Make It Better ”30
“You Got The Stuff ”85

References

  1. ^ a b Larkin, Colin (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of R&B and Soul. Virgin. p. 366.
  2. ^ Hogan, Ed. Bill Withers: ‘Bout Love – Review at AllMusic. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  3. ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). “Consumer Guide ’70s: W”. Christgau’s Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 22, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  4. ^ ““‘Bout Love” Charts & Awards”. Allmusic. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
  5. ^ a b “Bill Withers US albums chart history”. allmusic.com. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  6. ^ “Bill Withers US singles chart history”. allmusic.com. Retrieved August 29, 2011.

Source: en.wikipedia.org