Pieces of a Man
Another one of the great ones has gone: Gil Scott-Heron.
I had tickets to see him at the Town & Country Club back in the 80s but the concert was canceled at the last minute because of “illness.” At the time I had no idea that the man who wrote songs like “The Bottle” and “Angel Dust” had addiction problems of his own and shows often didn’t happen as a result. His death is doubly sad because it seemed like he had put his troubles behind him and was making a comeback.
A lot of obits have been referring to him as the “Godfather of Rap” which seems very reductive and not true to the real depth of his talent, to me he was a brilliant songwriter and a really wonderful soul singer with a gorgeous, smoky voice. And judging by this track he was storming live too, pity I’ll never get the chance to see for myself now.
Download: The Bottle (Live) – Gil Scott-Heron (mp3)
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Thanks for memoralizing Gil. I did get to see him several time in the mid-70′s, when he played at my college as “The Gil Scott-Heron Band with Brian Jackson.” He could make a point (and make it memorable) without alienating half his audience. His music and message was a sharp contrast to what the audience usually got filled up with weekends at the local disco in those days, and unlike other stuff from that time still sounds fresh today. RIP Gil, you were a part of us.