This is the man who awakened black conciousness through poetry set to music. You publicised the afro-centric struggles under 1960's and 70's apartheid in America R.I.P Gil, when you get to the other side I'm sure he'll say well done.
This is a tune that trancends time and space, from the juice bars in New York City to the clubs in Chicago, Puerto Rico, Miami. Detroit, California, and Phillie
I just realized a shorter version of this is on one of the greatest hits CDs. They fade it out just before the lengthy percussion part. One of my favorite songs of all time!
@Mixxersmix I regard this as the "master version" it is by far and away the best recording of this song. When I think of The Bottle this is the version that runs in my head.
By far the best version you will ever hear of this song, the mix is sound, the delivery is perfect as Gil Scott Heron and his band are at their very best. This combination of factors occur very rarely in musical recordings, enjoy!!
Fantastic effort, and regrettably this is an edited version of the original live recording. The original is 17 minutes and 10 seconds long, i.e. 17:10, this is the so called 13.30 version. If anyone digs this version, which is certainly the version most people hear as its pulled from the 'It's Your World' album, the original is far superior. The intro from memory goes something like this..... Me and the doctor got a rhythm for ya, called Guaguancó, a West African rhythm of fertility, (there ain't gonna be no rhythms of fertility alright), rhythm of fertility, and a rhythm of celebration, and when we get together and wanna celebrate, and the vibrations are good like they've been in hear this evening, we always feel like celebrating, so if you help us out here with Guaguancó, the song is called The Bottle, and the rhythm is celebrate time, ............Brian Jackson on flute for ya give us a little bit of help here, ...............we got brother Danny Bowens 'the bottom' on bass, help us out a little bit 'bottom', and we got brother Victor Brown and brother Bilal Sunni Ali over there supporting the percussion section, Tony Duncanson gonna help us a little bit, got the anchor of The Midnight Band brother Reggie Brisbane on traps as timbales-man fills in some, WHOLE DAMN THING NOW,................. what it is!!! ................got some thing.... See that black boy over there running scared..........-> RIP GIL SCOTT-HERON RIP BARNETT WILLIAMS (The Doctor) RIP TONY DUNCANSON (Timables-man) " brother "T", why they call you timbales-man?" Peace
I did some digging if anyone is wondering that full length version is officially called The Bottle (Special Disco Version) it only came out on 12" promo for Arista in 1976 and has never been reissued. Discogs info notes .. Special Disco Version ℗ 1976 Full length live version of "The Bottle" that is 3 minutes longer (16:30 vs. 13:30) than the version that was eventually released on the Arista 2xLP "It's Your World" (AL 5001), and the B side of the UK Arista 12" of "Hello Sunday! Hello Road!" So there is a label error. The LP version was taken from this promo-only 12", not the other way around. This is not a misprint. If you listen to both versions side-by-side from start-to-finish, you will hear that the 16:30 live version on the promo-only 12" has a noticeably longer intro where Gil Scott-Heron is talking to the audience and introducing his musicians, and during the long "jam session" breakdown. The 3 minutes Arista edited-out were taken from the intro and the long breakdown. All subsequent releases of this live version of The Bottle are the 13:30 edit, NOT the original full length 16:30 version. This original US-only promo-only 12", which was also Arista's first 12" release, appears to be the only way to get the original un-edited 16:30 live version of The Bottle. Arista may not even have the 16:30 live version on tape anymore.
I couldnt have said it better. it is just a fan showing appreciation for an artist of a song when we do remixes. I dont think any person doing a remix is trying to disrespect the song - but some people take it so personally, its all good though - and thanks for listening to the remix- i still find this live version a little long but nice
Two of those is my poison. Add a darker tint then suddenly I AM running a trilogy. People out there MUST KNOW. are you on the same thr33some. It's deadly. X.
I used to play this version at a club called the Octagon in NYC in 1989. Amazing how it was produced to go so far out there with the drum break in the middle...and then he goes back to the song. Just a perfect song to jam to, dance to and be conscious while enjoying yourself. 11
Time to consciously enjoy a slice of Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson, In the Bottle...And .. Its all about the beats, indeed, percussive heaven, with vocals that encourage spontaneous, rhythmic movements...Dance, dance, dance!! Shake your Head, move your feet, stay with the beat! KTF
An amazing version... I used to cycle across town late night after the pubs had closed listening to this. I went at a lung busting ferocious lick, risking life and limb, but this made it a breeze. Fantastic - wow - what energy!!
I just realized a shorter version of this is on a greatest hits CD. They fade it out just before the lengthy percussion part. One of my favorite songs of all time!
used to own this masterpiece, one of the best live sessions ever imo, elements of this recording have been sampled numerous times throughout the years.
Gil, your prolific prose & poetry with your SATIN-LIKE delivery has set the bar for ALL SOCIAL COMMENTARY!! Your leadership in this GENRE is like an EMBLAZONED TORCH leading current SUPERLATIVE rappers like Nasir "NAS" Jones to seek out, UNMASK & SPIT the truth because it is still "WINTER IN AMERICA" & we see NO THAW in temperatures no time soon!!! (R.I.P. GIL), we all still love you & respect you!!!!!
Kewan Bonhardt Well said Brother Kewan! Rather than mourn the current musicians missing the mark yet Jungle Brothers, Tribe Called Quest (RIP Phiphe Dawg) and Kendrick Lamar+ others continue to speak truth!
Oh my God, love GSH, always hits the nail on the head. What a poet... My life is hell because of the demon booze, but how can you tell them? So I listen to the sweet sounds instead. 👌🏼
interesting version of the classic , sounds live but with club elements added its not quite as danceable as it could be more tropical or jungle, but the beat is missing for too long. I could see an african dance troup using this.
I totally agree with you - but I am a dj that does create original music as well. but I play for standard crowds, when I unretire. for example - if I was to play a set for people that remember jazz, a 70s parties or an r and b / or a live style set , even a soul sock hop - this could be played in all those venues and more - for a techno set or a hard dance set or even a hair or fashion show, the beat would have to be intensified and thumpier but it still could work - with minor additions.
thats the kind of dj i am - i mix to fit the crowd that I spin for - and being a pop dj most of my posts from from songs that people recognize ( other djs do the same thing ) what to me makes a good dj is having a version of a song thats exclusive to you - as far as the actual post - its a song I would use in an exercise class as is( zunba ) or just to listen and marvel too. i never have any disrespect for music.
maybe you have a point - i forget this is a live version and from that standpoint its a wonderful ethereal mix - I think I judged it from a remix standpoint - after checking out the length- as concert mix it probably had the crowd in a frenzy - it was the first time I heard this after just remixing it myself ( its on my page) so I might have been too harsh - as far as my dj name - its Destruction as I tend to tear apart a song and turn it into frankenstien giving it a new life
He simply offered up his impression of the song and he has more skills than a lot of perople to express exactly what he is experiencing, I don't think there is any good evidence of him over analyzing, being a pseudo intellectual or not experiencing it, I would be more worried about your statement being dismissive of and aggressive towards a comment that is more than just approval or disapproval, as far as I'm concerned youtube needs more comments like mixxermax's one
Mixxersmix - u have the name that suggests u experiment with music, but your comment suggests u have no ear for it. "The beat is missing for too long" ??!??!** WTF? All the musicians + this listener can hear it all the way through. WOT U LISTENING TO? Lose yourself in this beautiful ocean of rythm + just dance your socks off man. U don't need to be african.
Once again, pseudo intellects, like mixxermax, over analyze classics. FOOLS! EVERY GREAT WORK HAS FLAWS!! Yet, its beauty, its impact its contribution to life is not diminished. Remember, the Mona Lisa was rejected by the patron who commissioned it! Today, no amount of money in the world can buy it!! mixxermax would do well to expirence art, instead of analyzing it.
THANKS FOR THE BLESSING THAT YOU GAVE US ALL I THINK THAT YOU CAME AND DID WHAT YO WERE SUPPOSED TO DO YOU GAVE US PLENTY OF MESSEAGES .YOU HAVE DONE WELL OTHER GENERATION WILL LISTEN WHO WILL SURVIVE IN AMERICA. ITS IN THE MUSIC HE TAUGHT US WHAT TO THINK ABOUT YOUR SELF ON A HUMANITY ASPECT. I WAS 10 AND HERD THE BOTTLE AND NEVER FOR GOT IT.
actually no - my belief is that by using remixes to re envision a song for new people to get exposed to it actually helps the song stay fresh and alive for years to come. I never claim the song just the mix of the song - I am a big fan myself so there is no need for the mean response. I came here to hear another versioin I never heard . so even this is a different version I feel you are aiming your wrath at the wrong person - i like the song so much i love to hear different versions.
Independence Day weekend, 1976 July 2-4 in Boston at Paul's Mall recorded for mixed studio/live album It's Your World, but not specified which particular date as they presumably recorded all 3 shows, then 6 live songs put on the album with 4 studio cuts.
I probably don't need to tell you this, but don't mind the shit you get from mixing brotha! I have found so many great artists and songs by digging to find a sample. I admit, I probably am in the minority just as people who fact check books' bibliographies are but for the rest it familiarizes and freshens up old vibes. I look at most mixing as a testamant and compliment to the original artist more than anything!
