Gil Scott-Heron Studio Albums Poll

Message Bookmarked
Bookmark Removed

http://i.imgur.com/cFQCrMR.png

Poll Results

OptionVotes
Bridges (1977) 5
Pieces of a Man (1971) 4
I'm New Here (2010) 3
Winter in America (1974) 3
Moving Target (1982) 2
The First Minute of a New Day (1975) 1
Spirits (1994) 0
Reflections (1981) 0
Real Eyes (1980) 0
1980 (1980) 0
Secrets (1978) 0
Free Will (1972) 0
It's Your World (1976) 0
From South Africa to South Carolina (1976) 0
Small Talk at 125th and Lenox (1970) 0


marcos, Monday, 6 February 2017 18:42 (eight years ago)

Bridges

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpNUqNe0U5g

who even are those other cats (Eazy), Monday, 6 February 2017 18:51 (eight years ago)

yea i'd probably say bridges too

then first minute or winter in america

marcos, Monday, 6 February 2017 19:05 (eight years ago)

since november he is almost all i've listened to

marcos, Monday, 6 February 2017 19:07 (eight years ago)

Been a while since I went through them, but I remember enjoying The First Minute of a New Day from start to finish

Camaraderie at Arms Length, Monday, 6 February 2017 19:21 (eight years ago)

xpost OMG, yes, I've had Nixon-era music of black anger/sadness/inspiration in constant rotation for months. I've probably listened to Ornette's Skies of America fifteen times since the election.

I haven't gotten past the mid-'70s with Gil Scott-Heron, but this is a good motivation to do so.

Transformed From The Norm By The Nuclear Goop (Old Lunch), Monday, 6 February 2017 19:23 (eight years ago)

i haven't much either tbh, though from what i know there some strong moments. "b-movie" is from reflections is incredible

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSOp507HJMA

marcos, Monday, 6 February 2017 19:48 (eight years ago)

Really difficult choice between Bridges and Winter in America.

Probably Winter in America. But a tough call.

Austin, Monday, 6 February 2017 22:13 (eight years ago)

winter in america

the late great, Monday, 6 February 2017 22:20 (eight years ago)

1980 is totally underrated though!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3IQPfopgJE

the late great, Monday, 6 February 2017 22:21 (eight years ago)

Voted 'Pieces of a Man' because it's got 'Think I'll Call it Morning' on it - one of Gil's most tender songs, w/ that trademark Bernard Purdie shuffle.

Bongo Herbert (Ward Fowler), Tuesday, 7 February 2017 10:17 (eight years ago)

Pieces of a Man also has "Home is Where the Hatred Is"

curmudgeon, Tuesday, 7 February 2017 13:40 (eight years ago)

one month passes...

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

System, Sunday, 26 March 2017 00:01 (eight years ago)

Bridges-"We Almost Lost Detroit" slays me every time

X-Prince Protégé (sonnyboy), Sunday, 26 March 2017 08:11 (eight years ago)

I got a biography of him last month that I've yet to start.
Picked up the early lps when they were reissued in the mid 90s though not the 1st one, not sure why. Then picked up a couple of mid 70s ones some time later. Also got some live sets from around same time, need to check if I still do.
Started reading his novel about events at a black university but never finished it.

Stevolende, Sunday, 26 March 2017 08:26 (eight years ago)

First Minute... all the way.

The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums (Chinaski), Sunday, 26 March 2017 09:11 (eight years ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

System, Monday, 27 March 2017 00:01 (eight years ago)

Kind of an underdog winner. Didn't expect that.

Austin, Monday, 27 March 2017 01:21 (eight years ago)

Hmmm, interesting result

curmudgeon, Monday, 27 March 2017 13:55 (eight years ago)

There is still a 1976 set with brian Jackson up at dime
http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=484762

and a 1983 with the Amnesia Express
http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=207292

Stevolende, Monday, 27 March 2017 14:23 (eight years ago)

three years pass...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc1flR0LgwY

Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Sunday, 31 May 2020 21:20 (five years ago)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JvpNY1QHzs

Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Sunday, 31 May 2020 21:21 (five years ago)

I want him to have actually been Jesus and for the resurrection to be shortly forthcoming.

Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Sunday, 31 May 2020 21:23 (five years ago)

one year passes...

"When I went to see Jaws. . . I was for Jaws! Jaws was the home team!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhqceBPkG7o

I believe it's called "charisma."

the beginning of the end of discourse. (Austin), Tuesday, 2 November 2021 18:29 (four years ago)

Bridges is out of print, right?

curmudgeon, Friday, 5 November 2021 22:06 (four years ago)

Not on Spotify or available as a download from any service

curmudgeon, Friday, 5 November 2021 22:10 (four years ago)

yep. if you're in the uk, there's a decently priced cd copy on discogs presently. otherwise, it is on youtube for now. his estate is unfortunately being fought over by his family. from wikipedia:

Scott-Heron's estate
At the time of Scott-Heron's death, a will could not be found to determine the future of his estate. Additionally, Raquiyah Kelly-Heron filed papers in Manhattan, New York's Surrogate's Court in August 2013, claiming that Rumal Rackley is not Scott-Heron's son and should therefore be omitted from matters concerning the musician's estate. According to the Daily News website, Rackley, Kelly-Heron and two other sisters have been seeking a resolution to the issue of the management of Scott-Heron's estate, as Rackley stated in court papers that Scott-Heron prepared him to be the eventual administrator of the estate. Scott-Heron's 1994 album Spirits was dedicated to "my son Rumal and my daughters Nia and Gia", and in court papers Rackley added that Scott-Heron "introduced me (Rackley) from the stage as his son".

In 2011, Rackley filed a suit against sister Gia Scott-Heron and her mother, Scott-Heron's first wife, Brenda Sykes, as he believed they had unfairly attained US$250,000 of Scott-Heron's money. The case was later settled for an undisclosed sum in early 2013; but the relationship between Rackley and Scott-Heron's two adult daughters already had become strained in the months after Gil's death. In her submission to the Surrogate's Court, Kelly-Heron states that a DNA test completed by Rackley in 2011—using DNA from Scott-Heron's brother—revealed that they "do not share a common male lineage", while Rackley has refused to undertake another DNA test since that time. A hearing to address Kelly-Heron's filing was scheduled for late August 2013, but by March 2016 further information on the matter was not publicly available.[71] Rackley still serves as court-appointed administrator for the estate, and donated material to the Smithsonian's new National Museum of African American History and Culture for Scott-Heron to be included among the exhibits and displays when the museum opened in September 2016. In December 2018, the Surrogate Court ruled that Rumal Rackley and his half sisters are all legal heirs.[citation needed]

According to the Daily News website, Kelly-Heron and two other sisters have been seeking a resolution to the issue of the management of Scott-Heron's estate.[citation needed] The case was decided in December 2018 with a ruling issued in May 2019.[72]

the beginning of the end of discourse. (Austin), Friday, 5 November 2021 22:23 (four years ago)

From 2020 ballot comments:
Gil Scott-Heron/Makaya McCraven, We're New Again: A Reimaging By Makaya McCraven---Still haven't heard the original album, or Jamie xx's reworking, but the unmistakable sound and sensibility of classic Gil come through: sharp, reflective glints in the dark, rough-edged a fluid, lyrical and realist, searching and on point, thematic and grooving---jazzwise, yet "blues is a feeling" the overall. Only thing is, some of the originals are really short, like down to 37 seconds: golden kernals of potential and realization---McCraven is def. not showboating, but I wish he extended these--maybe he was required to stick to the original track times? I'd like a bit more-- Anyway, it's all good, though faves are mostly because they have longer to make an impression: "New York is Killing Me," "I'll Take Care of You," "Me and the Devil"--yes, Scott-Heron and Robert Johnson and Mr. D. ridingF the Greyhoud, seems natural. Speaking voice is worn but clear, singing voice not that different from 1970s.

"Me and the Devil"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrqjpnpkKJY

dow, Saturday, 6 November 2021 01:45 (four years ago)

My local sports talk station's afternoon drive time host has used Gil Scott Heron as bumper music coming back from break on two different days

Blues Guitar Solo Heatmap (Free Download) (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Saturday, 6 November 2021 01:48 (four years ago)

"Winter In America" is the one my local jazz station plays the most--pretty much year-round during Trump term. xpostYeesh, sorry for typos!

dow, Saturday, 6 November 2021 01:51 (four years ago)

i keep hoping every time i go into cvs that i'll hear "johannesburg" or maybe "the bottle" — alas no, just aztec camera `oblivious` yet again (no, seriously!).

the beginning of the end of discourse. (Austin), Saturday, 6 November 2021 02:07 (four years ago)

Their theme song--oblivious to Gil, for inst.

dow, Saturday, 6 November 2021 02:35 (four years ago)

xxp isn't Bridges is still around? I got a new copy of it on CD a year or so ago, on the UK imprint Soul Brother Records.

henry s, Saturday, 6 November 2021 13:17 (four years ago)

"Your Soul and Mine" and Revolution are in the Sopranos movie... but don't bother!

maf you one two (maffew12), Saturday, 6 November 2021 13:21 (four years ago)

Just wanna rep for ‘Real Eyes’ much underrated

X-Prince Protégé (sonnyboy), Sunday, 7 November 2021 00:13 (four years ago)

I'm a firm believer that all of his albums up to and including Moving Target are at least four stars. Hard to really single out any from such a consistent run, but Real Eyes has some definitive highlights for sure.

the beginning of the end of discourse. (Austin), Sunday, 7 November 2021 04:24 (four years ago)

xxp, and it IS on Spotify, too

fetter, Sunday, 7 November 2021 10:54 (four years ago)

everything with Brian Jackson is sheer brilliance, don’t know much of anything after

no comment on “I’m new here” or whatever it is

brimstead, Sunday, 7 November 2021 17:05 (four years ago)

six months pass...

thanks for posting. he seems like a chill person these days and that jazz is dead thing is definitely cool and worth checking out.

Let's disco dance, Hammurabi! (Austin), Sunday, 15 May 2022 21:48 (three years ago)

checking this out now. first song sounds like vintage midnight band.

Let's disco dance, Hammurabi! (Austin), Saturday, 28 May 2022 15:26 (three years ago)

Oh cool!

brimstead, Saturday, 28 May 2022 15:28 (three years ago)

so the rest of the album is really good! nothing surprising or groundbreaking happens, but it's a foregone conclusion that if you like classic midnight band, you'll like this too. maybe a bit preachy in spots — again: very reminiscent of vintage material. still lots of good vibes and solid grooves. last track was the highlight for me.

Let's disco dance, Hammurabi! (Austin), Saturday, 28 May 2022 16:09 (three years ago)

I was a bit underwhelmed by the Brian Jackson effort. Some was funky & jazzy like old-school Midnight Band but some was too derivative, a little too fusiony, and the vocals aren't Scott-Heron of course.

curmudgeon, Thursday, 2 June 2022 03:15 (three years ago)

i dug the album. i really like his playing and the groove on "mami wata" in particular

in places all over the world, real stuff be happening (voodoo chili), Monday, 6 June 2022 22:45 (three years ago)

one year passes...

getting back into gil's reggae attempts. you know i'm a sucker for music that's about how awesome music is-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVY2Dp1u1Z8
"storm music" (1981)

this is more of his usual 'paranoia in pop song' form, but with a roots-y backing. i love it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9efhvkcz_AM
"no exit" (1982)

anyway, nothing else really to say. he only did a few of these, but these two are alltimers back where i come from. he never got back into the style after the early 80s.

"another slice of death, please." (Austin), Tuesday, 7 November 2023 21:41 (two years ago)

Interesting re those reggae attempts. Genre was crossing over more then too

speaking of early 80s
on November 16 - Black Wax (Robert Mugge 1983 directed film about Gil-Scott Heron) is showing @ AFI Silver near Washington DC as part of a short Robert Mugge film fest

curmudgeon, Wednesday, 8 November 2023 18:49 (two years ago)

highly recommend watching black wax however you can. that was his tightest band.

"another slice of death, please." (Austin), Thursday, 9 November 2023 00:59 (two years ago)

(and they play "storm music" in it too)

"another slice of death, please." (Austin), Thursday, 9 November 2023 01:11 (two years ago)

nice, it’s on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtFNSxM9704

brimstead, Thursday, 9 November 2023 03:44 (two years ago)

Never understood why Pieces of a Man doesn't appear in all those best album ever lists in NME, Mojo etc. Seems exactly the kind of record that appeals to that sort of thing.

fetter, Thursday, 9 November 2023 10:48 (two years ago)

ooooo
givin you the reggae, "Ready or Not" (also on Moving Target)

maf you one two (maffew12), Thursday, 9 November 2023 15:24 (two years ago)

one year passes...

I had my first real listen to Spirits this weekend and I'd happily vote for it — it's kind of amazing that it got made at all and has some beautiful tracks. The title track is a modal beast with Malcolm Cecil coming on like McCoy Tyner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1zf4dCeYzs

I would prefer not to. (Chinaski), Sunday, 26 January 2025 19:27 (eleven months ago)

'Give Her A Call' too. He can be so naked.

My life is one of movement
I been traveling as fast as I can
And I've inherited trial and error directly from my old man
But I'm committed to the consequences
Whether I stand or fall

And when I get back to my life
I think I'm gonna give her a call
I think I'm gonna give her a call

I would prefer not to. (Chinaski), Sunday, 26 January 2025 19:28 (eleven months ago)

one month passes...

and still we are victims of word games
semantics is always a bitch
places once referred to as "underdeveloped"
are now called "mineral rich"

budo jeru, Friday, 14 March 2025 17:14 (nine months ago)

Kinda odd there hasn't been a proper box set.

Cow_Art, Friday, 14 March 2025 19:01 (nine months ago)

Could be licensing issues given that he was on four different labels throughout his career.

henry s, Friday, 14 March 2025 19:18 (nine months ago)

i know there's way too much conflicting interests with brian jackson and gil's estate. also keep in mind: gil was righteous, but he burned a lot of bridges, especially among industry folks.

Constance Mischievous (Austin), Saturday, 15 March 2025 03:29 (nine months ago)

also chinaski otm. spirits is rad. i think about "message to the messengers" often. "work for peace" is a sort of sequel to "the revolution will not be televised" if you think about. also has an ali shaheed muhammad cameo on the title track. it's one of his best imo, but i rate everything he did as at least worthwhile so i'm quite biased.

Constance Mischievous (Austin), Saturday, 15 March 2025 03:34 (nine months ago)

Black Wax (Robert Mugge 1983 directed film about Gil-Scott Heron)

this was so awesome

budo jeru, Sunday, 16 March 2025 16:33 (nine months ago)

totally changed my view of him. i didn't realize he was so fucking funny!

budo jeru, Sunday, 16 March 2025 16:36 (nine months ago)

one of my alltime favorite concert films.

Constance Mischievous (Austin), Sunday, 16 March 2025 18:02 (nine months ago)

two months pass...

"it's a year of hysterical importance."

"Don't ask me, I just work here." (Austin), Friday, 30 May 2025 00:43 (seven months ago)

*historical

"Don't ask me, I just work here." (Austin), Friday, 30 May 2025 00:48 (seven months ago)

xpost that's a good line, though

TheNuNuNu, Friday, 30 May 2025 01:01 (seven months ago)

from plymouth rock to acid rock, skip to 3.18 for context:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beqC_m2pU1U
"bicentennial blues" (1976)

the deadpan delivery. (chef's kiss)

"Don't ask me, I just work here." (Austin), Friday, 30 May 2025 01:26 (seven months ago)

sorry, just thinking about past greatness or whatever. gsh was indeed a very funny guy.

"Don't ask me, I just work here." (Austin), Friday, 30 May 2025 01:29 (seven months ago)

have been revisiting Secrets a lot recently, definitely one of my favorites by him

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhqqF7oNxGg

brains, washed (The Brainwasher), Friday, 30 May 2025 03:37 (seven months ago)

six months pass...

this groove. undeniable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y6wcR3fcSk
"explanations" (1982)

austinato (Austin), Wednesday, 3 December 2025 17:44 (one month ago)


You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.