saf-one Posted May 28, 2011 Report Share Posted May 28, 2011 Sad day :'( YouTube - Gil Scott-Heron - The Bottle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waltz Posted May 28, 2011 Report Share Posted May 28, 2011 A really, really sad day for music. Brilliant writer and musician. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cynic Posted May 28, 2011 Report Share Posted May 28, 2011 Too young Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Me and Parvati Posted May 28, 2011 Report Share Posted May 28, 2011 Just how I like my heroes - complex, brilliant, flawed, always challenging, but at the same time, I prefer them alive, I'm with Alan on this - too young. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Giles Walker Posted May 30, 2011 Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 He actually played at Lifestyle before i was a resident, apparently he was a really nice guy. He did get a bit peeved at the lights being so bright and hot in the Lemon Tree and repeatedly asked for them to be lowered which was ignored by the lighting guy who was on some sort of work experience or something. Eventually he pointed at him and said "turn the motherfucking lights down mother fucker!" and upset the poor kid.We tried to book him again in 2002 or 2003, but it was when he got arrested in the flophouse with 3 crack pipes and shipped off to jail. I was so glad i finally got to see him last year, i did see him in 2001 in Hackney, but i was spinning out on drugs and a bit freaked still from the Parliament show i had just watched and barely remember it.His albums used to get played on repeat in the Wild Boar when i worked there in '99/00. I really associate his music with what i thought was quite a golden period of Aberdeen clubbing. I remember seeing Gordon Ritchie playing 'Johannesburg' in Glow303 and doing a call response thing with the "What's the word!" "Johannesburg" section of the record. I used to play the 12" mix of "The Bottle" a lot in my disco sets back then, mixing it into the live version sometimes to extend it. I remember i initially found his music insightful and often heartbreaking due in part to just how personal he made the subject sound. Grandma's Hands and Home Is Where The Hatred Is being prime examples of how moving and effecting his words can be when you know he is talking from personal experience. Likewise i always found the Esther Phillips version of Home Is... just as touching knowing that she met a tragic end after years of self destructive drug abuse. Esther Phillips VersionI was very sad to learn of his passing and have been listening to his music a lot over the last few days. Here are a few of his songs for anyone who is not familiar with his work. Pieces Of A ManB Movie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cynic Posted May 30, 2011 Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 I saw him a couple of times at The Venue in the 80s. He seemed pleasant enough then.... maybe the drugs were working better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gypsum_Fantastic Posted May 30, 2011 Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 Did he write Grandma's Hands? I thought it was Bill Withers, just listening to Gill Scott Heron's version now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest droid Posted May 30, 2011 Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 The first time he played in Aberdeen @ the Venue was the one,around 86.It was a roadblock and the band absolutely kicked ass.Last year's show @ the Warehouse was a bit disappointing IMO. RIP Gil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oxbow lake Posted May 30, 2011 Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 touched to hear so many good words said about the man.as we're reminiscing - I've seen him a few times since the 80's but remember the impact he had from sitting on the edge of the stage at the music hall (mid 90's maybe, they all merge into one) unassuming while his band kick off, smiling at the audience before he gets up and cranks off.as was said a flawed but great song writer. Lady day and john coltrane playing at the jazz cafe.all getting heavy play at the mo...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monster Zero Posted June 1, 2011 Report Share Posted June 1, 2011 Despite knowing the name I have never heard any of his music that I am aware of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkaline Posted June 1, 2011 Report Share Posted June 1, 2011 Did he write Grandma's Hands? I thought it was Bill Withers, just listening to Gill Scott Heron's version now.How do you make a duck sing?Put it in the oven 'til it's Bill Withers...(Coat got)RIP Gil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GluteusMaximus Posted June 10, 2011 Report Share Posted June 10, 2011 I caught the show @ The Venue, it was excellent. Made me search out and collect all his albums. A sad loss to real music.I laughed out very loudly at the previous poster's joke and got a right roasting from the boss, joke was quality though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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