"The revolution will not be televised". Strong words from a man who was destined to speak not only to the black community but to lead a movement of awareness to all, through a single microphone. Gil Scott-Heron speaks ugly truths and feeds it to you with soul/r&b/jazz music as almost a form of sugar with your medicine. I wanted to call attention to one of the greatest black voices of the past century during this Black History Month. Gil is not a preacher and far from an angel; he has been incarcerated multiple times due to his drug addiction. He does not beg for your pity but only your attention.Spoken word is very pointed and direct and Gil led the way for many contemporary artists such as: Saul Williams, Sage Francis, and Public Enemy. I will keep this brief because the music speaks quite strongly. The pictures painted by our artist are mostly bleak but the truth is not always pretty. On the first two albums you will walk through Gil's shoes in the early 70's and view the angry young man who is fed up with the government, the media, and the situation he finds the African community in. On his newest effort you will get the beaten, broken-down poet who has nothing but a heavy heart and a baritone growl.
something from Saul Williams, who spreads the consciousness that Gil championed
required listening:
Small Talk at 125th and Lenox '70
Pieces of a Man '71
I'm New Here 2010
Before this week, Gil Scott-Heron was a name I'd heard (most specifically as one of the shout outs to all-time great artists on the LCD Soundsystem song "Losing My Edge"), but one who I'd never gotten around to listening to other than his most famous piece, "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". Spoken Word music had been one of the few genres of music that I hadn't really gotten much in tune with, and if not for this week it might have stayed that way for a while. I can honestly say that after having been introduced to the words of this great American poet, I regret having missed out on this for so long.
ReplyDelete'Small Talk at 125th and Lenox' is Scott-Heron's most angry and direct album. The instrumentation is VERY sparse, consisting of mostly just Gil's voice and some congas. This is the kind of thing that you'd expect to hear at a typical poetry reading, but the fire that comes out of Gil's mouth definitely isn't typical. He was tired of the way America was living it's life....not just white America (although that was still definitely a target), but black America as well. "Brother" is one of the best examples of this, as he chastises his so-called brothers for their putting on a pose of Black-Power, but not doing real concrete things to instigate change in the world. My favorite tracks of the bunch are "Evolution (And Flashback)", with it's narrative of the evolution of everyday life for African-Americans and it's pretty humorous ending, and "Plastic Pattern People" with it's shout-outs to great jazz and soul musicians of the past, and how those musicians can be used as an escape from the hardships of life. This is very uncomfortable music at times, but I think it's important because of this....sometimes the truth is uncomfortable, and Gil Scott-Heron spits his truth like no other. As Justin said, it's quite obvious that Chuck D from Public Enemy was very influenced by this man, and this is the album where this influence is most noticeable.
'Pieces of a Man' sees Gil stepping out of the live reading venue and into the recording studio. At times this can cause his readings to lose a little bit of the bite that they had in a more intimate setting, but that bite is more than recovered with the absolutely phenomenal jazz and funk instrumental backings. I actually prefer the rendition of "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" on this album, as I love the flute sounds on the song...they remind me a lot of Dr. Dre's 'The Chronic'. "Save the Children" introduces Gil's singing voice, which is very strong and smooth, which was a surprise to me after listening to the first album. The biggest surprise on the album, though, was that I had actually heard one of these songs before and could sing along with it word for word. "Home is Where the Hatred Is" was used on Kanye West's album 'Late Registration' as a track which Common rapped over, and was one of my favorites on that record. This song is absolutely amazing in every way, and has vaulted it's way up my personal charts to become one of my favorite songs ever. The guitar playing is incredible, and Gil's performance is just as amazing. This album just continued to surprise and amaze me with each passing song, as it was not what I expected from it in the least. It's just a very smooth, easy listen....and one that I'll be returning to for that easy listen MANY times again in the future.
ReplyDeleteI've read many comparisons between Gil's latest album 'I'm New Here' and the American Recordings albums released by Johnny Cash and Rick Rubin in the latter years of Cash's life. Those comparisons to me are right on, as they both take artists in the twilight of their lives whose voices have been grizzled by hardship and hard living, and re-introduce them to new listeners with amazing results. The bookending tracks on the album "On Coming From a Broken Home" return the favor to Kanye West, using his song "Flashing Lights" in the background. The opening section of the piece shows quickly that Gil Scott-Heron has shifted from talking about the troubles of the world at large to the troubles of the man himself. This to me is a very welcome change, as this is a man who has very obviously lived a very hard, and troubled life who seems to have very much to say. Like Cash's records, this one is pretty cover-heavy, and the most amazing of these covers is the album's second track, "Me and The Devil", which was originally penned by the legendary blues guitarist Robert Johnson. Set to a industrial sounding electro beat, this song is just brimming full of emotional darkness. To me it seems to be an allegory to his troubles with drug use in his past, and is one of the greatest uses of someone else's words I've ever heard. "New York Is Killing Me" is another fantastic track, speaking of how New York can just take a man in and just spit him back out with all of the dangerous ways of life a person can get into in the city. Once again, like Cash's American Recordings, I think this could signal a career re-birth for Gil Scott-Heron.....one that sees him re-instating his rightful place in the American music consciousness. If this is the beginning point of that, it's an amazing start to what could be another amazing run in Gil's life.
In all, this has easily been my favorite week of Music Togetherness. As I said, Gil Scott-Heron may have been an artist that I might have gone my whole life without listening to....but now that I have, he'll be one that I return to many times for the rest of my life. The music we heard this week was sheer greatness.
Because this week is in spirit of Black History Month, I wanted to bring up a few thoughts I had around the concept of Black History Month. I realize this is a potentially dangerous write-up, but please know that I in full favor of equality. That being said, if we are truly striving for equality between black and white Americans, then why have we decided to segregate our months? If I was black and heard that only one month was going to be dedicated to my culture’s history and that it was going to be the shortest month, I would be furious. Why not have 4 black history months, 4 white history months, and 4 hispanic history months? Why not alternate days? What I feel that we should do is find a reason to celebrate every day for accomplishments we have made as human beings and not as individual races. Some of them can focus on the breaking of the racial barrier, but don’t label it to a specific race. As long as we keep dividing things or taking sides, we will never truly see the end of racism or any other prejudice.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of things that hurt and not solve the problem, I managed to give Small Talk at 125th and Lenox ’70 a listen. This was by far the most entertaining album, and I tried to listen to it from Gil’s point of view. This would have most certainly got me fired up to take the steps that black America needed to take during this era. Gil has some very real opinions and does not sugar coat any of those thoughts. Most of these issues were probably considered forbidden concepts during those times and I admire the stones it took to put this album together. The spoken word is very effective and allows you to soak in the message that is being sent and not any form of instrumentation. Throughout the album, I am picturing another scene in ‘The Breaks’ where they enter a poetry contest and ‘rap’ about some very silly shit in this same format. The Revolution will not be Televised sets the tone of the entire album addressing the fact that any accomplishment by the black race no matter how significant or insignificant will never be whispered or advertised for ‘whitey’ to notice. I try not to be insulted by this album, but the term ‘whitey’ really makes me wonder how it can be so freely used, yet ‘blackey’ is absolutely off limits. There is a double-standard here that I may never understand. ‘Whitey on the Moon’ and ‘Enough’ are the two tracks in particular that provoked my introduction of this album. ‘Enough’ in particular is not asking blacks and whites to get along, it is saying, enough is enough, fight back! It is difficult to fully appreciate this album as a white-man in the 22nd century, but I think that I do as much as is possible given that fact
In Pieces of a Man, Gil decides that he is a singer, and I think this took away everything I appreciated about the first effort. This is probably similar to David’s opinion of Rise Against in that the monotonous sound drowns out any message that is trying to be delivered. To be blunt, his voice was painful to listen to and I was not able to fully take in his stories. The remake of ‘The Revolution Will Not be Televised’ allows us to directly compare the two styles. If I had only heard the remake, I definitely would not have taken him seriously. Home is Where the Hatred is about the only track that I felt a connection with. He is kind of like Dexter Holland of The Offspring in that he has one note that he knows he hits well and then caters every single song to feature that note. The reviews I read say that this is the best disc of his career, but I have to disagree.
ReplyDeleteI’m New Here is a remarkable album from someone whom you can tell has really experienced some shit. Me and the Devil along with I’m New Here are very up close and personal. The spoken word and the monotone chorus’ just suck you in and grab your full attention. I also really liked the perspective he took on sinning in Your Soul and Mine. I once again did not like the tracks where he sings again and also did not like the interludes or how short the album was in general. I have to think that between his drug abuse, the Bush administration, and jail time, that he had many more stories to place on a comeback album.
This was a very cool week for me to really soak in one of the founding fathers of rap. I really found myself approaching these messages from several different perspectives. We listened to ‘Small Talk’ on the ride home and had 5 hours to really think it through. It is quite amazing to hear 3 completely different sounds with one message. I’m curious which style Justin prefers of the three. He received my respect with the first one and upon reading what he went through, I was very intrigued with every lyric on I’m New Here. Thank you for the introduction.
I always thought Gil would be great for our blog but he never had a diverse enough catalog for me to pick him, that is until I'm New Here came out. This album was musically so contemporary, and Gil's words take a different tone and shape with it. It is a powerful album for me and I am mesmerized by Gil's voice.
ReplyDeleteThomas raises very legitimate points of the African-American community and how a Black History Month does seem very belittling of their culture and heritage in that it is only nationally observed on the shortest month of the year. Working with the Boys and Girls Club after-school program, we did many workshops with the children involving BHM including projects about Harriet Tubman and watching a movie about slavery in the south. The early African-American history in this country is an ugly one, but we cannot forget the hard times brought upon the Irish and Asian immigrants who were treated poorly in the early stages of our country. There have been innovators and artists from so many different walks of life that have impacted the way we live today that also get lost in the footnotes of history. We should embrace the importance all races and make it a point to celebrate all of their contributions throughout the year instead of designating months and days to specific events and people.
Answering Thomas' question about which album or style I liked the most, I would have to say all of them equally. Each one hits a different nerve with me. I never pick an artist wanting everyone to like them; I just want to give everybody exposure to said artist. Regardless of your views of race, this music is meant to spark thought and discussion and Gil is the perfect vessel for it.
Let me first off say that this week was highly interesting for me, as I have never really listened to any kind of spoken word music. When I first started listening to the first album I quickly got the sense that this is not “riding in the car” type music. My first impression of Gil Scott-Heron early on is, that he hates whitey and feels the black man is suppressed. He is very blunt about what he is trying to get across and does not care who he may offend in the process. I like the fact that he only uses the bongos as backdrop, as it makes the words come across much stronger than if there were to be much more orchestration involved. I really liked the track “Evolution (And Flashback)” since it talks about how even though there have been empowering leaders like Martin and Malcolm, the Black community has still not come together or figured out a solution to their problems. This album is angry, yet speaks the truth and I am sure it was a very powerful message for many Black Americans back in the seventies and even today.
ReplyDelete“Pieces of a Man” is Gil actually singing and using his pipes. I most definitely find it more enjoyable actually hearing music and singing, however there is something lost with Gil not speaking his words to the simplicity of the bongos. This is so apparent in the remake of “The Revolution will not be televised.” In the first album with Gil speaking the song with just the bongos, his point comes across stronger. With the music playing in the background it takes away from the ferocity of Gil’s thoughts. I love “Save the Children” and think it is something that everyone should listen to. So much about how we are brought up affects how we will be when we get older. Be a good example and teach your children right from wrong so that there may be a brighter future for us all. “Home is where the hatred is” has a great message as well. While most people see “Home” as a place of love and happiness, for some it is their downfall where nothing good comes about. I also love the musical orchestration on this one. Overall I really liked this album, and think Gil still knows how to really speak his mind.
This is the second time I am writing these because the damn browser refreshed itself and I lost my content. I also want to apologize for posting late, yet again.
ReplyDeleteThis week was hard for me to wrap my mind around, because going in, I was told repeatedly I wasn't going to like what I was about to hear.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I didn't mind "Small Talk," but I am steadfast in my opinion that the album should not be considered music. I know there are some who will disagree with me, obviously, but it just isn't. The guy is beyond talented, and his message is important in the American history landscape, but you can't just take a speech, add bongos, and call it music. You just can't. I don't think that takes away from what the guy has done, I think it's just labeled strangely, that's all. I mean, "Paint it Black" doesn't even have any beats. It's just talking. Someday I'm going to have to take a closer listen to this recorded history lesson. I do not regret the decision to let Justin switch his weeks out, because I see the importance in studying this artist during Black History Month. Helps you put things into perspective.
"Pieces of a Man" is music, therefore I enjoyed it more. I don't think guy has a bad voice and although he's no Marvin Gaye, I can see similarities in their style at times. I agree with Beth though, listening to "Revolution" I was glad to see a new take, but I think something in the message was lost in the clutter of instruments. Maybe one shouldn't compare the two albums. After all, they are vastly different as far as I can tell.
ReplyDelete"I'm New Here" was a little creepy for me. "Your Soul and Mine" actually scared me a little with its dark tone. Scott-Heron's voice seems to have gotten deeper with age and the tunes have become a little more ominous. I kind of liked the direction he took here though. It was kind of the bridge between the first two albums in that some of the tracks were all talk (interludes mostly), and some incorporated singing as well.
ReplyDeleteI think the whole concept of Black History Month can be confusing. On its surface, it does look like a month specifically designed to celebrate black people, possibly as a way to pay them back for the fact that many of their ancestors here in America were treated badly and kept as slaves. With that in mind, yes, Irish Americans and Japanese Americans and other Americans with foreign ancestry went through hardships here as well, and I see why some think it should be an even plane and that we should study their histories as well. I've even heard from others the argument that if black and white people truly are equal, that there shouldn't be a black history month, or that there should also be a white history month. Personally, I think all that is absurd.
ReplyDeleteFirst, in a perfect world, everyone would be equal, yes. But in the United States of America, where a huge chunk of the people that voted for McCain in '08 did so because Barack Obama is a black man, we have obviously not gotten where we need to be yet. Technically, we are all humans and we are in many ways the same, but however superficial the differences may be, they are there, which scares closed-minded people and those raised to believe differences are bad.
I think that's what Black History Month is really about. Education. It's not about praising black people because we owe them anything, it's about showing people that differences we see on the surface don't make the person. It's the person who makes the person. If the stereotype is that black people are scary gangsters, which is the case in some parts of the U.S., it does a world of good to teach and learn about a loving, strong soul like Harriet Tubman, whose black skin made it harder for her to do what she did to make America a better place, not because it made her less of a person but because it presented more obstacles for her.
She happened to be a black woman, but I don't think February is really just about black people. I think the "black" in Black History Month is representative of all the "different" Americans who have struggled against adversity because they look different or have a different background. We focus on Black History and Women's History to put faces, stories and names to these people.
Yes, as redundant as it sounds, we should strive for equality where it matters while celebrating the differences that make us special, not better or worse than anyone else. And I wish Americans would get it, because black or white, many of them don't.
“I’m New Here” sounds just what I would expect it to sound like. Gil has evolved his sounds with what is “popular” at this time. The first track, “On Coming from a Broken Home” stands out as I can hear Kanye’s “Flashing Lights” playing in the background. I also like how Gil tells of how he was brought up being raised by his grandma since his parents could never get their act together, and the pain of her passing away. Gil is definitely showing signs of aging on this album, his voice is much deeper and at times it is somewhat hard to hear what he is saying. For the most part this album has a very dark tone to it, maybe this is how Gil reflects back on his life. Seeing as how the past few years of his life have been spent in and out of jail, the tone only seems fitting. My favorite track on the album is, “I’ll take care of you.” It reminds me most of the last album, and has a bluesy sort of tone to it. It’s unique how the beginning and end of the album use the same music, it goes along well in the telling of his story.
ReplyDeleteVery unique choice by Justin, for this music is definitely something out of most of our realms. It is also very important to hear other people’s views on things. While we all have our own opinions and beliefs about races, lifestyles, religions, etc. It is important to know the other side of the story before we pass judgment on one another. Gil is very good about getting his point across, and for that I appreciate his efforts.