Feature Song: “Ain’t No Sunshine”
I started this blog on January 1, 2023, in part because of a “mussing” I did almost a year ago: “Under The Covers: Can You Dig It?” (https://quadzillabynorth.com/2022/09/05/under-the-covers-can-you-dig-it/). In that post, I featured the original song “No Digitty” by Blackstereet, along with several covers, including one by Lettice Rowbotham, pictured above. After posting it, I started to think about all the music that I listen to, especially new artists paying homage to the music of my past, and that led to this blog.. So, I thought it was time to re-visit Ms Rowbotham, as she is an incredibly talented musician. I chose this particular cover because as well as showcasing her prowess on the violin, it introduced me to four amazing musicians from Barbados that accompany her on this instrumental cover of Bill Withers’ 1971 hit, “Ain’t No Sunshine.” Interestingly enough, this is the second cover of this song by her; the other is with fellow “Britain’s Got Talent” contestant, James Smith (they were both finalists in the 2014 competition), playing guitar and providing the vocals, which are pretty fantastic considering that he was only 15 at the time! Okay, you twisted my arm. I will provide that cover too.
William Harrison Withers Jr. (born July 4, 1938 – March 30, 2020) was an American singer and songwriter, He had several hits over his career spanning 18 years, including “Ain’t No Sunshine” (1971), “Use Me” (1972), “Lean On Me” (1972), and “Just The Two Of Us” (1980). The featured song was for his 1971 album, Just As I Am, which was produced by Booker T. Jones. The album featured musicians Donald “Duck” Dunn on bass guitar, Al Jackson Jr. on drums, and Stephen Stills on guitar. Withers was inspired to write the song after watching the 1962 movie The Days Of Wine And Roses, starring Lee Remick and Jack Lemon. For the song’s third verse, he had intended to write more lyrics instead of repeating the phrase “I know” 26 times but decided to follow the advice of other musicians to leave it that way. “Ain’t No Sunshine” was the first of Withers’ three gold records in the U.S.
Lettice Rowbotham first declared her love for the violin at age three when she saw some buskers in the street near her Surrey home. She pleaded for months with her parents for a violin, and they finally agreed and bought her a plastic one, which she promptly rejected, resulting in them buying a real one. It was a smart move. Within hours, she was picking out melodies. Classically trained from the age of four at the Yehudi Menuhin, Purcell & Charterhouse Schools, as well as the Royal College of Music, she sped through the Grade exams, registering the highest Distinction mark at Grade 8 at the age of 13. While a glittering career in classical music beckoned, it was Rowbotham’s penchant for rebellion that took her on a different path. She enjoyed the more social and easy-going side of pop and Jazz music, that centered less around competition and seriousness, but more around the fun of playing music with her friends. The key word here is “fun,” as I have never seen someone playing any instrument and having that much fun, let alone the violin. In an interview she said: “Really, since the age of 17 I’ve hardly read music at all, I’ve just done my own thing. I love improvising, it’s so expressive and I can really be free when I’m playing like that, in touch with my emotions. I get these sounds that are almost vocal. Like Hendrix did on the guitar.” After having listened to many of her performances, I couldn’t agree more with what she said, which is why her instrumental take of Withers’ song works so well. That being said, she also has an amazing voice.
First up, Withers’ original followed by her cover with supporting musicians from Barbados: Xavier Jhon-Clair (guitar), Damien Neblet (bass), Andre Ford (drums), and Trevaughn Cyrus (keys). I have also included two bonus versions: Lettice Rowbotham and James Smith, and just for the hell of it a cover by Sting and B.B. King! Enjoy.
Bill Withers “Ain’t No Sunshine” Album: Just As I Am, 1971
Lettice Rowbotham “Ain’t No Sunshine” Live in Studio FrontHouse Entertainment, Barbados 2015
Lettice Rowbotham and James Smith May 2015
Sting & B.B. King “Ain’t No Sunshine” LIVE 1990 (Reelin’ In The Years Archive)
Los Angeles 2023
You’ve outdone yourself today. She’s incredible!! Never listen to an instrumental of that song. Great stuff.
Thank you. She is a very talented individual!
They are all fabulous. The song never gets old.
It goes without saying that I love Bill Withers’ original, and the two covers with Lettice Rowbotham on violin are sublime. But wow, James Smith blew me away with his powerful vocals, especially given his young age! And the performance by Sting & B.B. King is pretty terrific too. Great post!
I know, his voice is insane! He and Lettice did a few more of those informal sessions. They are all on YT. She even sings in one, Skyfall, I think. I had never seen that Sting and B.B. King version. Pretty amazing. Thanks!