Gil Scott-Heron

macrojack · « **on:** 29 Mar 2009, 04:52 pm »

My son just brought a song to my attention. It's called "Work for Peace" and it is amazingly timely considering he recorded it 18 years ago. It can be found on You tube.

Also check out "Message to the Messengers".

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #1 on:** 29 Mar 2009, 05:13 pm »

Tom....

Those tunes are both on this album....

Samples here.......it's a good album.

Mightyburner · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 Mar 2009, 01:20 am »

Gil has been around since the late 60's early 70's. His best work (IMHO) is "Johannesburg to South Carolina". It was a very political record at the time. He appear with Richard Pryor during the first season (1975 - Episode 7) of Saturday Night Live. He never appeared on network TV again. Some (again IMHO) argue that Gil was the first rapper.

Check out this cut. You can no longer find it on CD. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ovKv4-YxYM

There are numerous songs by Gil but most are of a political nature and I think they would be (in spirit) in violation of AC policy.

mjosef · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 Mar 2009, 05:14 am »

The Revolution will not be televised...will not be televised...

macrojack · « **Reply #4 on:** 1 Apr 2009, 03:22 pm »

Happy Birthday! I just heard on the radio that Gil is 60 today.

I'm surprised there isn't more interest here for this guy and his music.

CSI · « **Reply #5 on:** 1 Apr 2009, 03:44 pm »

As a life long jazz fan I have enormous respect for Gil Scott-Heron. His approach to music and, in particular, his very strong political message is not to everyone's taste (including mine) but that doesn't take away from his talent. I congratulate him on his longevity. He is an artist, like Ornette Coleman, who may be too "in your face" for some of us but who, nonetheless, must be applauded for his enormous talent, energy and for blazing his own unique path.

Bill O'Connell · « **Reply #6 on:** 1 Apr 2009, 03:52 pm »

Your bringing me back to my youth, Thank you.
Gill's "Winter In America" Lp was one of my all time favorites, I'll have to see if I can give it a listen later today in honor of his birthday. Just loved the song " Song for Bobbie Smith"

ArthurDent · « **Reply #7 on:** 1 Apr 2009, 05:06 pm »

ditto prior posts. And +1 on the

Mr. Scott-Heron. If you go back far enough, late '60s, you can find he was on the cover of Time magazine with flames coming from his mouth. Interesting article as I remember. Was fortunate enough to see him live in a relatively small venue in the late 80's.

An amazing artist/poet, with a voice that plumbs the depths, and an eye to both the social condition as well as politics.

Don't know if it's still there, but some of years back he had his own website, from which I ordered a number of his cds.

And The Revolution is not all that will not be televised ......

Thanks for the heads up.