STILL BILL (Damani Baker, Alex Vlack) Rating: NNN
If you’ve been wondering whatever happened to 70s soul sensation Bill Withers, singer/songwriter of standards like Ain’t No Sunshine and Lean On Me, Still Bill shows you how he’s spending his time.
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It turns out Withers, now pushing 70, is enjoying a peaceful retirement in Los Angeles – spending time with his family, noodling in his home studio and taking the occasional trip to New York for a benefit appearance or a tribute concert.
What he doesn’t do, ever, is discuss his reasons for leaving the music business three decades ago. As Damani Baker and Alex Vlack’s documentary progresses, it becomes clear that Withers won’t even allow that issue to be raised. At one point, he alludes to some unpleasantness about a record label collapsing beneath him, but won’t go into detail.
Withers is a charming, avuncular guy, and it’s pleasant enough simply to watch him live his life, but given his place in the soul-music pantheon, and the abruptness of his exit, Still Bill feels like a missed opportunity.
Screening Friday (October 23) at the Bloor Cinema.
