After decades of influencing everyone from jazz musicians to hip-hop stars, Pieces of a Man set a standard for vocal artistry and political awareness that few musicians will ever match. Scott-Heron's unique proto-ap style influenced a generation of hip-hop artists, and nowhere is his style more powerful than on the classic "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." Even though the media -- the very entity attacked in this song -- has used, reused, and recontextualized the song and its title so many times, its message is so strong that it has become almost impossible to co-opt. Musically, the track created a formula that modern hip-hop would follow for years to come: bare-bones arrangements featuring pounding basslines and stripped-down drumbeats. Although the song features plenty of outdated references to everything from Spiro Agnew and Jim Webb to The Beverly Hillbillies, the force of Scott-Heron's well-directed anger makes the song timeless. More than just a spoken word poet, Scott-Heron was also a uniquely gifted vocalist. On tracks like the reflective "I Think I'll Call It Morning" and the title track, Scott-Heron's voice is complemented perfectly by the soulful keyboards of Brian Jackson. On "Lady Day and John Coltrane," he not only celebrates jazz legends of the past in his words but in his vocal performance, one that is filled with enough soul and innovation to make Coltrane and Billie Holiday nod their heads in approval. More than three decades after its release, Pieces of a Man is just as -- if not more -- powerful and influential today as it was the day it was released.
My earlier call for New Year's resolutions elicited some interesting responses, but there are a few more days left until 2007.Gil Scott-Heron wanted us to change the world for the better. Not a bad idea. What about the rest of you? Are you gonna change the world? Are you gonna change your socks? Is there a band or musician or type of music that you're curious about or that you've previously avo...
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My earlier call for New Year's resolutions elicited some interesting responses, but there are a few more days left until 2007.Gil Scott-Heron wanted us to change the world for the better. Not a bad idea. What about the rest of you? Are you gonna change the world? Are you gonna change your socks? Is there a band or musician or type of music that you're curious about or that you've previously avo...
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*I am* here:I am recycling this track. And in light of the posts made today, I feel moved to share with you.I may go off on to a far out tangent here, but stick with me. Hopefully everything will work out in the end .... hopefully.I saw Chris (Jesus, It is always weird saying that, for a few reasons, only more so now.) as a puzzle. When I would put together a jigsaw puzzle, one of the most trie...
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One of the greatest soul/jazz singers around. Kind of off the radar lately. A bit of trouble with the law. Man, his voice was so good...I wish he could resurrect his musical career...Totally a conscious artist.
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Gil Scott-Heron is a lyrical and musical genius.My dad was playing some of his stuff in the car a few years back and when I heard 'The Revoulution Will Not be Televised' Mr Scott-Heron had got my attention. This was one of the first times that I was actually interested in the jazz that played in the car and at home on occasions. Pieces of A Man is his only album I've heard and it is a fine albu...
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 "Pieces of a Man")
