Gil Scott-Heron, RIP
Posted at 9:56 PM on May 27, 2011
by Brett Baldwin
(2 Comments)
A number of news outlets are reporting the death of poet, musician and author Gil Scott-Heron.
He was known for his political songs like "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" and was often seen as one of the progenitors of modern rap music. Scott-Heron's career spanned nearly 4 decades, with jazz, soul, and rap collaborations throughout.
The news of his death was confirmed by his book publisher.
"Me and the Devil" from his ironically titled recent record I'm New Here.
"Whitey on the Moon" from his debut LP Small Talk at 125th and Lenox
Comments (2)
I have loved Gil Scott-Heron since I was handed his 1st album Pieces Of A Man in 1970., I have went to as many of his concerts that I could attend. I have met him, taken pictures with him, had personal conversations with him about issues that face African-Americans, and I also recite his poetry. I have kept up with all his progress and I will give him a wonderful tribute today by playing as much of his music as I can on my radio show, Sunday Soul Classics with Mama C that will be seen on ustreamtv.com under All Daze today Sunday starting at 4 to 7pm.
Rest In Peace, Gil, and thank you for leaving us such an extensive legacy.....
Gil Scott-Heron
The following is an excerpt that focuses on Gil, from the book "Music's Golden Frontier" by Smitty Herron
Chapter 22
Don’t You Think It’s A Crime
Speaking of vibes, how ‘bout that Vic Montana. ooops.......gettin’ too far ahead of myself...... let me just back up a bit.
As we enter 1974, it just seems like that wintery, gloomy, humid, overcast attitude was prevailing throughout this great nation. Just kind of.... ........... ho hum.......Nixon’s in more trouble?........ .......ok..............yawn........... another mild recession?.........ok..........sigh.........yawn.......
If you look up the phrase “calm before the storm”......you might get a description of late January, 1974. On the pop charts, you had songs like, maybe, Laughter In The Rain (wow...how appropriate is that?) by Neil Sedaka, who was making his comeback. That is a great song. In fact, another one of my own personal all-time favorites. However, in situations like those we were about to encounter, the real charts are in the people’s hearts.
Now, I’ll try not to spend too much time on this, because it should be drilled in your head by now. Gil Scott-Heron’s release of The Bottle in early February of ‘74 immediately became the most requested song in these newfangled dance clubs, usually located below street level in the larger cities like New York City, Paris, and London. They had begun to call some of them discoteches around this time, but no one yet was using the term “disco”, or “disco music”. But I, Smitty, declare this the official start of the attitude, lifestyle, music of the disco era. Remember, that the beginning, or roots, were a few years ago, but this is the official start.
Folks, this is the only song that I have witnessed a person actually passing out while they were dancing to it. Another guy at the party threw some cold water on her immediately, and, thank god, she responded, sorta crawled her way back up to her feet, to stumble toward the couch.....and I swear, she was still kinda movin’ to the beat, even then. This particular song release could not have better timing. And the opening lyrics, to anyone who would be hearing it for the first time (that’s what the disco is all about), ........those lyrics seemed kind of forbidden. The initial lines use the phrase... “you see that black boy over there”....... Now, just picture someone in France, maybe a Paris native, who understands English a little, but not too much, hearing this, when she goes to some new nightclub.
And the reason she loves to go to this club is because they are constantly playing new, good dance music. Thinks nothin’ of it. Then all of sudden she hears an awesome beat, then someone singin’...”you see that black boy over there...” That would no doubt get her attention. She’ll think to herself..... a black what?...that’s not right, is it? ....... but I guess it’s ok.......sure is a good song to dance to...... I have no doubt in my mind that this was a primary ingredient that made this the most requested song in these new clubs that had begun sprouting up, especially internationally. I still wonder, to this day, if Gil knew exactly what he was doing with that. And if he expected that kind of response to it. Another amazing landmark composition.
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