I don’t know what it says about me, but most of the music I like comes to me after the fact, long after it was recorded. Sure, I like new stuff as much as the next MOG, but I’m rarely blown away by new records. And I’m no luddite, claiming they don’t make ‘em like they used to . I’m sure it is a aural defect that I have, but I have to live with it, ‘cause it is what it is! I like old records. There are exceptions..I came into music buyinghood during the dawn of the hip hop era, when The Ramones roamed Manhattan, and when Joy Division really broke on through to the other side. After these originals hit my ears, though, my default tendency has always been to listen to something “new” and relate it back to something older. I guess it was the DJ-centric nature of hip-hop that brought the crate digger trait out in me. Very early on in my understanding of hip hop, I was fascinated by how Dj’s and producers used old records to make new ones. After getting all the hip hop records that I liked, I started looking for the samples that launched all those records. As it turns out, they were almost all a little bit before my time, but it was fun to follow the progression back, and see how hip hop really wasn’t all that new, but more of an extension of the American (and by association Cuban and African) music experience. On the lyrical side, I had my early brush with seminal poetry and beats from The Last Poets and they led me to Gil Scott-Heron. I was 10 or so years old during Gil’s heyday and I did not have my finger anywhere near the pulse in those days (or for that matter these days), so by the time I got around to hearing him, he had been passed over by most critics and listeners (mid 80’s). I can only imagine the kind of impact he made on folks who heard him as a new voice on the scene. His ten year old records made a bigger impression on me than the majority of “new” stuff I was hearing :Strong words, funky, jazzy ,spiritual music, and a political point of view that fit right in with hip hop’s most rebellious voices. If KRS-One is a teacher, he’s 8th grade history, to Gil’s Harvard professor. There’s nothing quite like the buzz you get hearing something you never heard before for the first time and I suppose that’s why so many Moggers buy so many records, with the hope they’ll get that buzz again. His music wasn’t new to the world when I first heard Gil Scott- Heron, but it was new to me, and despite the topical nature of some of his songs, they resonate (and continue to be relevant) to this day. Most folks are familiar with his early work like The Revolution Will Not be Televised or The Bottle, but Gil continues to make great music to this day. I’m posting from his ’78 record w/Brian Jackson,Secrets and you’ll see something from Reflections (’80) in comments. Also check out a post from wassonii on Gil’s album Bridges .Peace.
Posted on 06/19/2007
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a groove for sure cody!!!
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These are awesome tracks.
I came to Gil Scott-Heron by way of Public Enemy. "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" and have been a rabid fan ever since. I really dig the way he is able to communicate really poignant political veiws all with a backdrop of funk. Kinda like a one-two punch for your ass.
I got “Lady Day and John Coltrane” if you want it in comments. Gimme a shout.
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For the people Iam go right ahead, much obliged. The first thing I heard from Gil was Reron, kinda of b-movie part2, and then, well, I got just about everything, the book, the video, and every piece of music I could get my hands on. I don't have Bridges,though, but I will get it. Cheers
Steve-Thanks man..and those avatars you rock,freakycool!
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God damn, do I love this track.
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And now we have all kinds o'Gil up in here. Thank you, Mr.Iam
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I love "Angel Dust" it's a class track i remember from my days as a kid.
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Thank you for sharing! Funny thing about all of this is that my Mom told me that Gil Scott-Heron has a serious drug problem. I never thought that but she said that is what allowed his creativity. I honestly did not get into Gil Scott-Heron until recently although I saw some of his records HIDDEN in my Moms record collection. Sorry Pops, he was not that deep! I always wondered what those records were about but I never was too curious to listen until the past couple of years.
I wish I had his albums when I was living in the Midwest. That was the worst time of my life and I think if I listened to Gil Scott-Heron I could have coped with the constant craziness I had to endure.
By the way, I listen to a lot of old records and basically anything I can get my hands on. TV never really appealed to me after the Cosby Show went under!
I want to read Gil Scott-Heron's poetry too. I ordered one of his books, and I look forward to reading it.
Thanks for the post!!
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Think I'll just hang here the rest of the day and bask in the glorious vibes! Loving these beats.
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reflection is a tight album, the man is a genius. loved the tracks iam brought here too. there is no need for me to say keep them coming bcos they will come anyway, but it is cool to know every week you post good classics, man.
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Thanks Code. Gil Scott is most definitely the man... Pieces of a Man is one of my favorite pieces of songcraft:
Jagged jigsaw pieces Tossed about the room. I saw my grandma sweeping With her old straw broom. She didn’t know what she was doing She could hardly understand That she was really sweeping up Pieces of a man.
I saw my Daddy meet the Mailman And I heard the Mailman say "Now don't you take this letter too hard now, Jimmy, coz they've laid off nine others today." But he didn't know what he was saying He could hardly understand That he was only talking to Pieces of a Man
I saw the thunder and heard the lightening And felt the burden of his hand And for some unknown reason He never turned my way
Pieces of that letter Were tossed around the room And now I hear the sound of sirens Come knifing through the gloom But they don't know what they are doing They could hardly understand That they're only arresting Pieces of a Man.
I saw him go to pieces I saw him go to pieces He was always such a good man He was always such a strong, strong man Ya I saw him go to pieces I saw him go to pieces
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word indeed,mullytron, thanks for that.
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Aw yeah... I'm diggin' it.
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great stuff Cody... really great - vocally reminds me of Donny Hathaway... but the lyrics are just as you say... relevant to the times... political. I'd give KRS at least highschool though ;)
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Sho' you right LGE, hyperbole might've got the best o' me there. KRS is truly post-grad compared to some of these knuckleheads out here!
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So true... can't wait to check out some more of his music - again THANKS Cody !!!
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I just saw Gil-Scott in your list-oh goodness. I saw him in the east bay in a small club, can't remember the name,about 7 yrs ago,he and a piano, a sweet night. I still listen to The Bottle, and his version of Bill Withers' Grandma's Hands. 23 years ago I can remember having a lively discussion with a friend about a song that he thought made the 'best use' of Gil-Scott's voice. Goodness. It was a romantic ballad, though lovely, it was not the best use of...but hey that's my opinion. Thanks for these pieces herein.
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Thanks for checking in DahlyaRose! My notifications are broken, so I'm glad I looked back.