Lean On Me / Jose James

Jose James

Lean on me.” Have three words ever held so much power, warmth and heart in one breath? It's a sentiment that rang so true in 1972, when the mighty Bill Withers sang it, that the plain-as-day phrase became not only an anthem of its era and the signature of a true people's songwriter, but a lasting gift to the world. Who doesn't want to hear those words today, as division rules, rhetoric soars higher and wilder, and a simple understanding of human relations feels farther from reach than most can remember? The time for Withers is, as it has ever been, now. Which is why in the year of the man's 80th birthday, singer, songwriter and lifelong fan José James is releasing Lean on Me, a tribute album including 12 of Withers' most undeniable and soulful songs produced by Blue Note president Don Was and recorded in Capitol's legendary Studio B with a dream team band: Pino Palladino (bass), Kris Bowers (keys), Brad Allen Williams (guitar), and Nate Smith (drums).

Price: $18.98