Great pick, Michael. I've had Gil on my shortlist for a live performance of "Johannesburg" that he did in London during the '80s at an anti-Apartheid concert. I thought Harri would like that. Maybe even have some childhood memories of it. Gil lead a troubled life that included addiction and prison time but he was an incredible artist. So far ahead of his time.
@@John_Chu Hi John, Thank you, I get the Richie Havens (fellow Brooklynite) comparison and I agree. I had the great fortune of meeting Richie after a performance of mine with my first band. We had just finished an opening set at The Lone Star Cafe in Greenwich Village (corner of West 13th Street & Fifth Avenue), opening for Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks. Mr. Havens approached me to shake my hand and graciously tell me that we sounded great and how much he enjoyed it. It was a moment that I will always treasure! Take care - Brooklyn Mike
@@pamelawatson2366 Hi Pamela, I'm glad that you enjoyed hearing it. Gil is one on my all time favorite artists whom I never had the good fortune of seeing in person. It really saddens me that he's gone... it's hard to believe really. - Brooklyn Mike
Harri, GSH wrote the lyrics to some of the most thought-provoking songs and poems of his time. His partner Brian Jackson composed the music and added the layers that allowed the message a viable medium. I would suggest you also review his songs Pieces of a Man, The Bottle and Angel Dust. He was a man who painted with words.
Wow, I've never seen a reactor listen to Gil-Scott before! He was brilliant! Pairing socially conscious lyrics and spoken word with mostly jazz was thought-provoking and beautiful.
This probably my favorite GSH song above The Bottle or even the Revolution. It was beautiful delivery and a kind of prophetic or exhortation kind of thing. Hard message, beautifully and unforgettably delivered
Hi Cynthia, I'm glad that you appreciated this song. You got me thinking though... even though subject matter varies quite a bit, his vocal tonality is similar to Bill Withers'. 'Not sure if that's who you were thinking of, but I never would have thought of it if you hadn't raised the question. Stay well! - Brooklyn Mike
@@michaelplotino7046 it could be. But it’s a great song. I love it especially the flute it’s beautiful, but I think there’s somebody else too. It may come to me the more I listen to it.
@Cynthia I hear Bill Withers as well but I also hear Richie Havens. It's the baritone range of his vocals but also the New York City accent (Gil grew up in The Bronx, went to Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, and spent his 20s in the DC area). Richie, of course, was a Brooklynite. I'm sure there's a bit of Nina Simone in there too (the jazz influence).
Michael - I haven't heard from Heron in way too long. This one is a reminder of his talent and originality. Excellent submission and review. Thanks Michael and Harri!
Even though I'm in my mid 60's, for whatever reason I never knew of GSH until a fall October day in 2016. On that day NPR was doing a story about 50th anniversary of the near accident at the Fermi 1 nuclear reactor. The background intro music playing as the report began was his song. "Almost Lost Detroit." I became a fan that day.
"Aint No Such Thing as a Superman" was one of my favorites, .....then "Madison Avenue,"...."Three Miles Down"...."Show Bizness,"...."The Bottle,"....and on and on, .....The Ronald Reagan re-election song "B-Movie" was awesome but not something likely to be allowed up on screw tube...Gil found out near the end of his life what and who this crazy world is run by, begins with an "S" and then a "B." He couldn't stop saying it in his final decade.
Admittedly, Gil Scott-Heron was not the finest singer. He was someone who told a truth no one was willing to admit existed. We have no one like him today. Very sad.
Hari, now listen to different song but same title, by Australian singer, Doug Ashdown. Beautiful..it also goes by the title, Leave Well Enough Alone.. thanks if u do
