Menagerie by Bill Withers

Menagerie is the sixth studio album by American R&B singer Bill Withers, released in 1977 on the Columbia label. Reception: Menagerie is overall more uptempo and less introspective in feel than Withers' previous albums. None of the songs tackle intensely personal emotions of the kind which lent a dark edge to earlier Withers tracks such as "Use Me", "Better Off Dead" or "Who Is He (And What Is He to You)?". The arrangements are also generally upbeat and breezy, with "I Want to Spend the Night" and "Tender Things" having a distinct Latin feel, and "Lovely Night for Dancing" and "She Wants To (Get On Down)" showing disco influences. The lead single "Lovely Day" has gone on to become one of Withers' signature songs, particularly in the UK, where it was a top 10 hit both on its original release and again in a remixed version in 1988. Menagerie peaked at #16 on the R&B chart and #39 on the Billboard 200. It was Withers' biggest-selling album in the UK, where it reached #27. Track listing: 1. Lovely Day (Bill Withers, Skip Scarborough) – 4:15 2. I Want to Spend the Night (Withers) – 3:41 3. Lovely Night for Dancing (Withers) – 5:51 4. Then You Smile at Me (Withers, Clarence McDonald) – 4:54 5. She Wants To (Get On Down) (Withers, Larry Nash) – 3:15 6. It Ain't Because of Me Baby (Withers, Michael Jones) – 3:31 7. Tender Things (Withers) – 5:02 8. Wintertime (Cliff Coulter) – 3:17 9. Let Me Be the One You Need (Withers, Scarborough) – 4:44 Personnel: Bill Withers – Lead Vocals, Guitar Clarence McDonald, Cliff Coulter, Dean Grant – Keyboards Ray Parker, Jr. – Guitar Jerry Knight, Keni Burke – Bass Russ Kunkel – Drums, Shaker Ralph McDonald – Percussion Alvin Taylor – Drums Mike Jones – Synthesizer Charles Veal – Concert master Pat Hodges, Denita James, Jessica Smith – Background vocals ℗ 1977 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment