May 2, 2008

Old School Friday: Gil Scott-Heron

The theme this week is 'Singers I Want To Be Like'. There are a lot of ways to go with this theme, however, at the end of the day it was simple for me. One of my favorite artists is a brother that many folks nowadays simply don't remember ... Gil Scott-Heron. At some point of my evolution as a blogger I hope to hit as hard with my blog posts as Gil Scot-Heron hits with his lyrics. Here are two examples of Gil Scott-Heron from back in the day...








25 comments:

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

what u know about Gil scott folk. They say my music remind folk of him

Hagar's Daughter said...

I love this and still quote this all the time - The Revolution will not be televised! - so many people will miss it because they will be parked in front of the tube.

I can dig it brotha. Happy OSF!

Old School Fridays said...

I've heard this so many times, and never knew who the originator was. Great choice. It's nice to put a face to the voice.

Marvalus said...

Brilliant!

Happy OSF!

iriegal said...

Gil Scot Heron is a wonderful artist. Great OSF CHOICE!

Durward Discussion said...

He is a wonderful artist that I've never heard before. I depend on you to find these for me. In doing an article about firsts for American women, I came across this lady: Shawna Kimbrell. If you haven't profiled her before, you might like to take a look.

Ticia said...

Hey! I may need to check out that book on the sidebar

Quick said...

"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised"...i was just listening to this about 1 month ago!

Don said...

gil scott heron is a great choice. i have read his lyrics more than i've heard them. a very deep brother.

That Girl Boo said...

I've never heard him before but I think he's one of my favorites now, that's one cool brotha

SjP said...

Well Villager! You've done it again...taken me way back! Gil has always been on my A-list... There is no wonder that is daughter is following right in his footsteps! SjP

Unknown said...

All-Mi-T - You mentioned your book in earlier post. What is the title of the book? Anyhow, if your music reminds folks of GSH .. that is a dayum good thing!

Hagar's Daughter, IrieGal and Marvalus Asante sana!

Mrs. Grapevine - GSH has a number of strong songs from back in the day. I'm glad to put face to sound for you today...

Unknown said...

Jamie - I had not heard of Shawna Kimbrell before your message. She is our Village Hero in the sidebar of this blog. Thank you for the tip!

Ticia - When you do a search on Amazon.com for "African American" ... that book is #1 ... and has been for many weeks...

Quick, Boo and Don - GSH is truly Old School. He does a riff on Black History Month that is also quite remarkable...

Sojourner - I didn't realize that his daughter is in the game. What is her name?

Unknown said...

Hi Villager!
sorry to jump in the game so late today (internet issues off & on all day...) anyway fabulous choice! I had to shed a tear or two because every time I hear GSH I think of his song "In The Bottle" and think of the millions of men who came home from Vietnam damaged (my father included)...
But still a fabulous choice, he was valid in the 60's and is still valid today.
Peace & Love!

Unknown said...

Regina - In the Bottle is a deeeep song on many levels. GSH is a brotha that brought it with every song he wrote and performed...

SjP said...

Villager! Jill Scott is his daughter...showing your age:>)! They are- or at least - were estranged - but not the bloodline or the talent. SjP

Unknown said...

@SJP - I had no clue that Jill Scott was Gill's daughter! I knew he had one but never put those two together, WOW. But it makes perfect sense from a talent stand point and also from the level of emotion and intensity they both have when singing!

Unknown said...

Sojourner - I enjoy OSF meme because it reflects my generation (smile). I didn't have a clue that Jill Scott was the daughter of Gil Scott-Heron. I'm sorry to hear that they are estranged...

SjP said...

:>) OSF reflects my generation, too! aka...Old Folks Music. Love it! Can't wait till next week! SjP

Shelia said...

Now you know you came wit' it Villager -- most excellent!

msladyDeborah said...

I still listen to GSH! At least once or twice during the month for inspiration!

My favorite song is Winter In America

Did you know that he has admitted that he is HIV positive? :-(

Unknown said...

Lady D - I didn't know that he was HIV-positive. I imagine that it is from needle use. I learned from the thread that his daughter was Jill Scott. I didn't know that piece of information until today...

Rae728 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rae728 said...

sjp & villager, Jill Scott is NOT the daughter of Gil Scott-Heron. GSH does have a daughter who appeared on his album cover, Real Eyes in about 1980, when she was a baby. I think her name is Gia.

Unknown said...

Rae - Yikes ... I hate when there are two points of view on a subject and I can't find a reliable source to verify the truth. Ah well... we all must learn to live with chaos in our lives...