What a blessing that Hal Willner is on the Celebrate Brooklyn team because every so often Brooklynites are treated to one of his great tribute concerts at the bandshell in Prospect Park.

And last night’s celebration of Bill Withers was no exception. A breathtaking multi-artist concert of the now 70-year-old artist’s oeuvre of hit songs, as well as songs you’ve never heard of, it was a great ending to the 30th anniversary season of the series.

Withers was there with his daughter Corey and it was a thrill to see the silver haired hit-master hug every musician on-stage during the “Lean on Me” finale.

Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone, Lovely Day, Lean On Me, and Grandma’s Hands: those are just a few of the memorable songs created by this one-man hit machine. There are other treasures in his songbook that may not have been hits but are well worth a second listen.

Especially when performed by a list of top-notch performers like Angelique Kidjo, Nona Hendryx, The Swell Season, Corey Glover, James “Blood Ulmer, Sandra St. Victor, The Persuasions, Eric Mingus, Jim James, Howard Tate and Henry Grimes with a great band featuring Lenny Pickett, Steven Bernstein, and Cornell Dupree, who brought the crowd to their feet many times during the long, but ultimately rewarding show.

There were many great moments—and a few slow spots. But overall the 4-hour show, which was filmed for a documentary called Still Bill, was a crowd pleaser. The weather was grand and the diverse Brooklyn crowd seemed to enjoy the cool R&B vibe of the night.

Highpoints included Bill Withers, of course, singing the beautiful Grandma’s Hands; The Swell Season (Glen Hansard and the Czech singer Markéta Irglovám, who won an academy award for the songs from the Irish indie movie Once); the passionate and virtuosic Eric Mingus, who’s wildman scatting is a presence at these tribute shows; Nona Hendryx and the Persuasions, an inspired choice for the much-awaited “Lean on Me.”

Thw acapella and propulsive version of Grandma’s Hands by this legendary five-man group was also a
showstopper.

Wither’s daughter Corey, who has obviously inherited the family’s vocal talents, was a sweet presence during this tribute to her dad, which she called an honor for her family. She thanked the Celebrate Brooklyn crowd for being such a great audience and seemed genuinely moved.

Her dad, who only sang one song, proudly encouraged his daughter to sing perhaps his biggest AM radio hit, “Just the Two of Us.” In her voice, it was a lilting and beautiful love song that came across as a daughter’s heartfelt tribute to her dad.

She was joined by thousands of Brooklynites when Withers asked the audience to sing him home “so he wouldn’t have to take his medication tonight.”