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Gil Scott-Heron: 1949 – 2011 May 28, 2011

Posted by WorldbyStorm in Culture, The Left.
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Obvious, perhaps, but appropriate.

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1. Brian Hanley - May 28, 2011

Another obvious one, but a good one all the same same

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2. Brian Hanley - May 28, 2011

He wrote this, but I think Esther Philip’s version is worth a listen

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3. que - May 28, 2011

Heron discusses the song

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4. Vladimir Lenihan - May 28, 2011

A true legend; asides from his wonderful music, lyrics and poetry, he also wrote some great prose. For those who haven’t read it, check out his novel ‘The Nigger Factory’.

RIP

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5. ejh - May 28, 2011

Oddly, I was thinking about him a couple of days ago and I was under the impression he was already dead. I wonder why?

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6. Vladimir Lenihan - May 28, 2011

Lady day and John Coltrane

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7. Vladimir Lenihan - May 28, 2011

Sarah Jones’ take on Scott-Heron’s ‘The revolution will not be televised’

Your revolution will not happen between these thighs

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WorldbyStorm - May 28, 2011

Good finds Vladimir. Kudos.

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Shane - May 30, 2011

Banned by the FCC at the time, which was more ironic considering what wasn’t banned and what was happening to hip hop then.
When Sarah Jones played here about eight/nine years ago she proudly proclaimed from the stage (in Dublin) that her ancestors were from Cork. Cue pretty muted response.
She is full time acting now with a one woman show on Broadway.

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8. John O'Farrell - May 29, 2011

I was at the Wexford Inn around 1990 when his band was there and ready to roll when news came through that Gil had been busted at Heathrow with an ounce of Charlie. His cocaine habit destroyed his career and landed him in the slammer for much of his last decade.
The whole ‘Godfather of Rap’ schtick underestimated his art and his bravery. Below is my personal list of his best stuff from the 70s and 80s, some of which ought to be on YouTube if if it is not already:

1/ Western Sunrise
2/ Peace Go With you Brother
3/ The Bottle
4/ Angel Dust
5/ Whitey on the Moon
6/ Third World Revolution
7/ Gun
8/ H20Gate Blues
9/ Pardon our Analysis
10 B-Movie

The last three were epic poems about the politics at the time – the fall of Nixon, the pardon of the First Criminal made by Gerry Ford and the rise of Ronald Reagan. Each is about 10 minutes long and they are literate and ‘political’ in a manner which owed more to stand-up acts like Dick Gregory than to the Islamic fury of the Last Poets, and are as far from most rap as one can manage, except for the range of subject matter. When forced to describe what he did, he called himself a ‘blusician’, which sounded pretty cool.

Eventually, he made it to a stage in Dublin, the Olympia, around 1993, and played a great set with some terrific jazz musicians. That night will be my abiding memory of him. Let us be grateful for his music, his mind and his humanity.

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9. Seán Ó Tuama - May 30, 2011

I was somewhat surprised to hear that his father had played for Celtic and have been told that he was personally a supporter.

Does anybody know if he had political views on Ireland?

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