Saturday, May 28, 2011

Gil Scott-Heron (1st April 1949 - 27th May 2011)


I have made a cup of tea and put on the computer and heard the news.

He was just 62 and, what makes it even sadder, had reached a new creative peak after spending most of the new century in and out of jail.

He was a towering figure in African-American music and it's impossible to overestimate his influence.

I'm New Here is a terrific record, a fine epitaph.

Peace Go With You Brother.

Gil Scott-Heron - 'On Coming From A Broken Home (Pt.1)' (2010)
Gil Scott-Heron - 'On Coming From A Broken Home (Pt.2)' (2010)

4 comments:

  1. Announced on Radio 5Live this morning on account of his father being the first black footballer to play for Celtic.

    Indeed very sad, especially as you had re-introduced him to me at the end of last year with some wonderful new sounds...

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  2. Listening to his 'Best Of' album right now trying to think of a tune to post on me blog, but there's too many good ones.

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  3. Very sad news. I'm New Here was easily one of the best records of 2010. A true originator who was sadly overlooked by the mainstream. R.I.P. Gil.

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  4. Sad sad news and just as he was back on track. Did the same as you on Saturday and proceeded to spend a very extended breakfast listening to some Gil on the Tube. It reminded me that I don't have enough of his work.

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