Gil Scott-Heron "Winter In America" (1974)

Gil Scott-Heron (born April 1, 1949 -- May 27, 2011) was an American poet, musician, and author known primarily for his late 1960s and early 1970s work as a spoken word soul performer and his collaborative work with musician Brian Jackson. His collaborative efforts with Jackson featured a musical fusion of jazz, blues and soul music, as well as lyrical content concerning social and political issues of the time, delivered in both rapping and melismatic vocal styles by Scott-Heron. The music of these albums, most notably Pieces of a Man and Winter in America in the early 1970s, influenced and helped engender later African-American music genres such as hip hop and neo soul. Scott-Heron's recording work is often associated with black militant activism and has received much critical acclaim for one of his most well-known compositions "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". On his influence, a music writer later noted that "Scott-Heron's unique proto-rap style influenced a generation of hip-hop artists".

Winter in America is a studio album by American soul musician and poet Gil Scott-Heron and musician Brian Jackson, released in May 1974 on Strata-East Records. Recording sessions for the album took place on three recording dates in September and October of 1973 at D&B Sound Studio in Silver Springs, Maryland. The album served as the third collaboration effort by Scott-Heron and Jackson following the latter's contributions on Pieces of a Man and Free Will. As the first record produced by the two musicians, it was also the first of their work together to have Jackson receive co-billing for a release. The album features introspective and socially-conscious lyrical content by Scott-Heron and mellow instrumentation and soundscape stylistically rooted in jazz and the blues, which produced a fusion of bluesy jazz-based vocals and Jackson's free jazz arrangements. The album is also one of the earliest known studio releases to contain proto-rap elements such as a stripped-down production style and spoken word-vocalization.

Heron's father Gil Heron (1922 - 27 November, 2008) was a Jamaican footballer/soccer player. He was the first black player to play for Scottish club Celtic FC after being invited on a trial in 1951. Heron went on to score on his debut, on August 18, 1951 in a League Cup tie against Morton that Celtic won 2-0.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Gil
• Scott
• Heron
• Winter In America
• Soul
• R&B
• Jazz
• Fusion

[roseomshanti5]

in my humble opinion it is still WINTER IN AMERICA!...i was a teen when this great man performed his greatest works for the people He stood for the underdog, the down trodden and the oppressed ...he was a positive force of the area of his time..he was a prophet like bob marley ..i was fortunate to have seen him LIVE at berkley school of music in boston along with my husband~ thrilled to be in his presence and experience greatness! a concert i shall never forget

[roburrage]

Gil was a man of vision and a revolutionary! I can't believe some of these post? This music he set out to make we as Black people want to change our lives for the better to move forward. He did fall to the ways of wickedness in America, but that does not take away his mind and conscious effort to bring truth to us all! He impacted millions and that should never be forgotten. In term of this type of message in the music now, it is being blocked and we the people have to demand it for our youth!

[RonSafreed]

Wow!!!! this white boy here really likes this, why I did,nt hear him back in the seventies? This guy was underated&not given more attention&respect as other black artist.

[roburrage]

@11918239 I'm sorry but being in the industry there is a lot of music and artist that have been (more so then now) and are still being blocked. If you don't believe that I am sorry, but I know it first hand. I am not looking to get into long debates or arguments going now where, but whom ever you are I don't believe you are in the industry. Yes there are several means net, web, but they too are monitored and if you are current it is clear evidence as it soon may not be open or free.

[11918239]

@statewithinastateuk are you kiding?

[11918239]

@H1wyStr excellent taste in music...there is room in all of our ipods ofr multiple genres and you are evidence that diversity in music brings us all closer...thanks!

[11918239]

@roburrage I disagree, no music in america is being blocled and it would be difficult to do so. With so many social media, blogs, free music offerings and other ways to make a message public, the Internet ensures NOTHING is being blocked.

I do agree that Gil Scott was a visionary and a pioneer. If he were in his productive years today he would be a superstar!

And the detractors here do so out of ignorance...nothing else - and so deserve our pity - not our scorn.

[sgs1564]

@AmazingGigi111 It can't stop. It is all a form of information and letting people know what is happening. The song is almost 40 years old and a lot of what it is saying, sadly still refers to some of today's issues. John Lennon did not get the chance to carry out his entire message. He had so very much more to say than what we know. We were all cheated out of what might have been had he lived. Thankful for what we did get, but cheated out of so much more. You know he had more, too!!

[sgs1564]

@redskull2006 It has been two years since you posted this, bro. The President's hands are seemingly tied with red tape!!

[sgs1564]

@statelybird3 Yes, but they are trying oh so hard not to let him do anything!! Imagine if President Obama had the freedom to do what former President Bush had to do!!!!

[analoglady]

this song makes me miss brotha Gil sooo much!

[deeva56]

@jceja87

less than that a mongrel in the white house ....married to an alien ferrangi beast