Reviews (page 3 of 6)
actually really liked this
Good lyrics. Sad how we're still here 60 years later. And Watergate sounds trivial by comparison to the current corruption.
A nice album!
A really solid mix of jazz and blues
Really liked this. H2Ogate was fantastic.
Such a vibey album. Especially like the use of wind instruments in the album. Favorite track: bottle other picks: peace go until you (kendrick lamar has sampled this song), a very precious time, winter in america, your daddy loves you
Great protest album - solid jazz fusion
god i wish this was on spotify. absolutely excellent
Very of it's time, but loved it
this was actually really nice. I kinda teared up at point. It feels very laidback and genuine, it's nice. they cover watergate which is fun. it was nice :) 9/10
This felt like a journey more than just listening to tracks move by one by one. I gotta say The Bottle was my favorite, I'm a sucker for that jazz flute. Overall a good experience! Funky and introspective.
To quote the top comment on the YouTube link “😢😢😢😢😢 his music brings me to tears because it really shows the struggle of being a Black Man in America shit crazy man” @Omega_Gamer5
I absolutely adore Gil-Scott Heron’s vocals already as I’ve listened to a decent bit of his catalog so far so very excited with this pick. His style of vocal jazz is so smooth and addictive. Really minimalist and accessible jazz and beautiful melodies throughout. Always feels like you’re listening to him live and he’s telling you a personal story.
Not an easy album to find - Odd that it isn't on Apple music. Love how raw all the tracks are. I went into this with very low expectations based on what I read in the wiki (Just a keyboardist and vocalist -- Scott-Heron). The Bottle -- I can understand the rap influence Rivers Of My Fathers -- so raw. Piano solos were vibey Really want to revisit this on a free night with a joint and some good food with a few friends.
Unexpected
A very good album that I probably would not have listened to if it was not for this site
I only recently came across GSH actually through the unlikely source of Australian footballer and St Pauli captain Jackson Irvine, who hosts a wonderful monthly digital radio show and played The Bottle. I find it remarkable and frustrating how the messages in this music are still so relevant today.
First song really tried to break my brain right out of the gate with the stereo manipulation. Recorded in Silver Spring, that's kinda cool. Love the bluntness at the end. No subtlety to his ideals.
Started off a little rough especially with that song where it sounded like he was just banging on the piano with no direction. But picked up nicely into a great soul/blues album. Especially liked The Bottle. That H20gate poem song at the end was hard hitting and very well done.
Poetic, visceral, angry, loving… Gil leaves nothing out, creating poetry straight from his soul. Nobody else was making music liking this. A couple tracks drift, but forgivable because the album as a whole is a testament. Nothing’s changed but the names.
Some great conscious, poetic soul from my favourite soul singer "Gil-Scott Heron". Feels very mellow but definetly has some heavier moments lyrically. "Peace Go With You, Brother", "Rivers of My Fathers" and "H²Ogate Blues" are really good songs 8/10 Favourite: Rivers of My Fathers Least Favourite: Your Daddy Loves You
Bastante bueno, pero no pude escucharlo ni en Apple Music ni Spotify. Tuve que ir a escucharlo a Youtube. Ugh.
Poetry. Grooves. Commentary. Loose and tight. Simple and complex. Gil + Brian are a nice combo. This makes two 'stripped down' albums back to back for me and I'm loving it.
This is a great sound, kind of like jazz small-combo music with soul (or rock) vocals. It's funky, chill, and positive – until you notice the politically-charged lyrics and Scott-Heron's haunting vocal delivery. The bass playing is great. Though overpowered slightly by the vocals and piano, it really shines in tracks like Back Home that have a more dynamic bassline. Same with The Bottle – man, listen to those funky staccatos. It creates such a fun, playful vibe throughout the albums even in the tracks with a lower energy and thinner instrumental texture. The flute is also a huge contributor to Scott-Heron's unique sound, having a particularly heavy impact in the gorgeously ethereal Your Daddy Loves You. There's a subtle Latin feel throughout, helped by the atypical percussion. I first noticed in track 3, A Very Precious Time, that the mixing (at least on the YouTube version) is subpar. Specifically, the vocals are too loud, which leads to both drowning out softer instruments and a messier production sound. I usually prefer the vocals to be used as an instrument working in conjunction with the band rather than a frontpiece, even if the vocals in question are delivering important lyrics. There's also the issue of this record not being on Spotify while other Scott-Heron records are. It suggests that Winter In America isn't a historically significant album – or at least not significant enough for consumers in the present day. My guess is it's another "personal fave" of Dimery's that slipped through the "importance" criteria. Luckily for Dimery, it's a darn good "personal fave". 4/5 Key tracks: Peace Go With You, Back Home, Your Daddy Loves You
Pretty cool! Shame i could only find it on youtube. some pretty famous samples are from here.
This album starts off slow, but eventually culminates in the extremely impressive and thoughtful "Watergate Blues." Gil Scott-Heron is as talented a musician as he is in directly addressing issues of his time and ours. Incredible.
Deep and Soulful. It's amazing what they can put together with just a singer and the absolute minimum of accompaniment. If you like soul, funk, or R&B, definitely give this album a listen. I know I'm going to be seeking out more music by Scott-Heron and Jackson after this introduction.
Beautiful and moving.
A great album. Socially conscious, bold, great lyrics and flow. It just needed a tad bit more variety. Watergate blues was awesome. 4/5
I was a freshman in college when this came out and has a very special place in the book of my life. The bold truth of the poet's words will not be forgotten. RIP
Bit of a slow start but really did get rolling for me. Also goes pretty hard thematically/lyrically.
I'm sorry, the government you have elected is not operative.
Still relevant in 2025.
Really good, keyboard playing was great and Gil was an amazing poet
GSH has an incredible and unique voice, and agree or not, he delivers his message effectively.
I like Gil, solid album of him doing his thing.
An album that proves streaming services are not all that. I hate that I can't listen to it on them but some really beautiful jazz/soul music. An unfortunate missing credit of Brian Jackson who I understand is "instrumental" (sorry bad pun) to the music with gil's melodies/lyrics. Just beautiful and sobering and life affirming all at the same time.
7/10 - when he wasn’t talking/singing it was really good. The poems were sort of interesting but I didn’t like them musically. Some of the panning was wild. Overall I liked it though
Great voice & message. I'd like to revisit this one. 3.5 stars.
it's pretty hard to deny the impact that Gil Scott-Heron had on Black American music of all stripes. his spoken-word poetry is widely viewed as an early ancestor of what we now call rapping, and it's rife with social commentary that's possibly even more relevant now than it was at the time. his influence on hip hop can also be felt deeply through the albums he made with Brian Jackson, including Winter in America. admittedly, it's not my favorite of Scott-Heron's works. I find it a little bit samey; his preference for singing over spoken word for most of the material (save for the electrifying H2Ogate Blues) leaves me a little underwhelmed. that being said, I can't deny that the music is extremely forward-thinking. Winter in America's legacy is well-preserved through its frequent use as a source for samples in hip hop production, a testament to its evergreen sound, typified by spacey electric pianos and flutes. decent 7/10.
Poetic jazz. The revolution will not be televised.
Was ein geiles Album :D Mega chillig, genau der smoothe Sound den man braucht. Das Ende mit dem Gesabbel hat leider einen Stern gekostet
Pretty good. Too bad it seems challenging to find online.
Aside from being annoyed I couldn’t find this anywhere but YouTube, I liked this. There were occasions when I wished the songs were instrumental, but mostly I thought this was very good.
Whelp. H2Ogate Blues hit pretty hard. Isn’t it disheartening that it’s 50 years later and we’re in the exact. same. thing? I listened to this at some point last year. I like it then, but liked it more now.
Record picks up after first couple tracks and is a really good soul/blues/jazz fusion. "A Very Precious Time" slower love song. "H2O Gate Blues" witty lyrics. Standout is "The Bottle".
Great album, 2 legends of the game.
Very listenable. Not on Spotify.
I can see how this album has become buried over time. It absolutely defies categorization when we seek to categorize everything. Still, despite being hard to find (look on YouTube) it is worth the search. Especially the last track, H2OGate Blues, early hop-hop?
I don’t particularly care for the beatnik-type jazz poetry, but I do like his lyrics. The “Watergate Blues” are an oddly chilling yet comforting reminder that nothing changes.
Piano jazz is not my cuppa, but this is quite peaceful and pleasant. The two best songs are “Bottle” and “H2O Gate Blues” which make this album worth listening to. Gil Scott-Heron, where are you when we need a song about this admin?
Very nice.
It is very enjoyable and still worryingly relevant.
low 4, some good songs but also some bad ones
What a gem!
This album was taken off Spotify, listened to Johannesburg instead. Best jazz so far
good, but i couldnt find the whole thing
This is so chill.
Wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did
previously sent
All I can say is Fantastic
There is some really cool stuff on here. These are the seeds of neo soul and rap. Not exactly something I would listen to on a regular basis, but I really dig pieces of it.
Goede vibes
It's a pleasant listen. Gil's voice is just honey. If we're all being honest the Bottle is doing a lot of the heavy lifting. But it's a great album for putting on in the background, just being seductively lulled by the Heron.
I enjoyed this album. I'd heard The Bottle before, really evocative of real life for many. Like the slow sound of Back Home and and Bobby Smith before the barn-storming H2Ogate.
Day 0010/1001 of One Album a Day Unfortunately not on Spotify so will assume what I listened to on youtube was not optimal streaming quality. Even still, very groovy and enjoyable album. Fav tracks: Back home / The Bottle Least fav tracks: n/a
Great surprise for today! I was not expecting another hidden gem after more than 1000 albums, but I am happy I was wrong about it.
The deep husky voice of Gil Scott-Heron soothes me and also riles me up - he represents a certain militancy of righteousness that is missing in modern art - and in a world were it's either centrist materialism, lightweight left politics and the loudest emptiest vessel of right wing militancy, both idiotic and terrifying - Gil Scott-Heron's type of tone of voice to bring some balance in the mix is missing - nothing to keep the Overton window to rocket to fascism. Sounding more like a poetry album than a pop record, as Scott-Heron's records tend to sound, there are some good r&b numbers, but it shines in his telling of the Watergate Scandal - chillingly prescient and reverberated in the politics of today. As music? It was rather enjoyable and interesting - but after listening to all these records so far - clear-eyed political views are actually rare, so this is a gem, specifically for that.
The Bottle
Wow. This is so good and worth seeking out. I don't think I've listened to a full Gil Scott-Heron album before (I've heard individual tracks) but it was absolutely amazing. "The Bottle" is the best track by far, but they're all good in their own way. Scott-Heron is so talented, and there's a reason he's considered so groundbreaking. Totally understand why this album is on the list.
This album is not on most streaming services, but H2Ogate blues is a masterpiece that makes the search worth it.
This is gold. Never heard of Gil before, neither read his name. I was missing a lot. So much feeling, musicianship, control, and beautiful lyrics. I would give a 5, this could be 4.75/5. I just wanna save that 5th star for what really blows my mind (if any) Annoying that the album is not on Spotify, at least for me…
Great vibe album, shame it isn't on Spotify
Very 70s but also really quite funky. It also felt relevant in these times, in particular H20gate. Rating: 4
Amazing guy. Some top joints on here.
Fantastic groove and a ton of soul in here. Really similar to Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin On" in the sense that it touches on some important political points at the time of its recording. Had to listen on youtube so I don't have favorite tracks, but it was a good vibe.
The only thing from Gil Scott-Heron I had listened to prior to this is Pieces Of A Man which is a fantastic record that I hope shows up later. His voice is really great. The piano and bass work here are both great. Major credit to Brian Jackson. His political lyrics are really hard hitting and are still relevant today especially on H2Ogate Blues. My favorite songs were Rivers Of My Fathers, Back Home, The Bottle, and Your Daddy Loves You.
Trevligt litet live set
Great music, just wouldn’t listen to it regularly
Good. It’s interesting that the second to last song is more of an 8-minute speech than a song, and I didn’t like that this wasn’t on streaming (not that I docked it any points for that), especially considering that a majority of Gil Scott-Heron’s work was.
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This album is a vibe. The music is so stripped back and it has such a delicious sound. Meanwhile the lyrics tell a different story. The struggles of the African American community through the 60s and early 70s are brought to life through the incredible voice of GSH. Fantastic album.
Reminiscent of Lou Rawls
Very enjoyable, lyrics scarily still relevant. Song for Bobby Smith has something special to it, is like an ear orgasm
Note: Not available on Spotify or Amazon Music -- had to go to YouTube for this one. Jazzy and real. The message is the groove. Lovely.
Production that is full of life and a political message that is still relevant. Great album.
An excellent blend of Blues, Jazz, and Soul.
very nice, h20 gate blues highlight
a bit too long i think but very good groovy + psychedelic
Wished this was on Spotify. From what I'm hearing on yt, sounds like something to vibe to
Nice find
Solid 4, loved H20 Gate Blues
Day260 - music is the best way to get your message to the people so why is this not on apple music?
Not bad for a lazy Saturday morning. I enjoyed it and loved the H2ogate blues.
Staat niet op Spotify Wel raten omdat die anders niet in de lijst komt Ff op youtube geluisterd, klinkt echt nice
Very soulful, very genuine stuff. Scott-Heron’s voice is so smooth and easy listen to. I thought the arrangements were lovely as well; funky, jazzy and full of great grooves. Such a tight band. The first three tracks, while slow, are still interesting enough to hold the attention of the listener, but when it picks up with “Back Home,” that’s when I really started to vibe. This was great. My only gripe is that for some reason, this is hard to find. No Spotify, no Apple Music. Found it on YouTube like others must have. Bummer it can’t be included in my running playlist. Four stars. Standout Tracks: Back Home, The Bottle, H2O Blues
Just powerful stuff.
Ratings: 5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background I enjoyed this. It's unfortunate it isn't easy to find on streaming services (at least on Tidal). Wish I had more time to sit down and listen carefully, but on to the next album.
Despite lacking anything as iconic as “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” or “Whitey on the Moon” this record is far more musical and even given Heron’s obvious vocal limitations, this is just oozing soul.
THIS is how you do spoken word. Talk about meaningful topics. No one wants to hear your singer-songwriter self loathing and relationship issues.
This surprised me as I'm used to the spoken-word recordings of Scott-Heron. Poetry is still great & I really got into his singing voice, raw as it is at times.
I had not heard it before, was very good.
Gil has such a capticating voice, and Brian's keyboard work always matches the tone of the songs perfectly, whether that's being light and jazzy or more upbeat. Soulful and smooth, really enjoyed giving this one a listen.
Not on any music feed but a reviewer kindly posted a link to a YouTube version. This was a great mix of music and poetry and brought me back to those dark days of Watergate. Others have said this is not his best work so I will explore further.
I just had “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” a few days ago; up until the second to last track on this album, the spoken-word “H2OGate Blues,” I hadn’t made the connection that Gil Scott-Heron was the artist featured on “Who Will Survive In America.” I was pretty delighted when I realized that - I had never heard of him before. H2OGate was the highlight, and I wish there had been more spoken-word style pieces here, but the whole thing was great. Definitely an artist to explore more in-depth.
So glad I got to hear this today—too bad it's so hard to find. It deserves better. Jazz for sure, but also much more here and definitely a good snapshot of the early 70s in America.
A Gill of Scottish Heron please.
Enjoyable but spent most of the time wondering why it wasn't Pieces of Man, I think there's some history to dig into here.
Only available on youtube Song 1 Song 6 Song 8
I really enjoyed it.
The first third was a bit rough. I didn’t like his singing and wished it was instrumental. It really picked up in the middle and I can see some real solid talent. The poetry near the end was FIRE and notched it up a star!
Gutted this isn't on Spotify... Really enjoyed that and would love to listen more but YouTube is a massive pain. By far the best non-spotify album that's popped up, great lyrics and great tunes.
Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson’s piano and rhodes work prove what a great team they are and warrants their continued collaboration for the multiple albums after. The pairs vocals sound so raw and exposed and really fits the narrative of the lyrical/poetic output. The Bottle is a stand out for me. 3.75
Virkelig fede arrangementer og Gil Scott-Heron lyder altid vildt godt. Watergate nummeret var en banger
Jeg kender i virkeligheden mest Gil Scott-Heron for spoken word ting, men han synger jo pisse godt. Super fed plade, "beatsene" lyder meget forud for sin tid og sangene er rigtig gode!
The album was only available, though I found the title single. I’m now a fan.
Wouldn't usually be my type of thing but I really enjoyed it. Nice and relaxing then watergate blues appears and it’s just as relevant as ever.
50 years later the same issues are largely unaddressed in America, it’s a great album even if I’m not going re listen.
It was already pretty clear to me which genres I pay attention to their lyrics and which ones I don't, but it stands out more on this album than others because it has both cases. Like, when it's doing its soul jazz thing—and it's primarily it's soul jazz thing—the lyrics kind of pass by entirely in favor of the melodies and instrumentation. This is where I hafta give all the shout-outs in the world to Brian Jackson. Fantastic stuff; amazing stuff, all around. It's a sound I can really go for. But then when it's on its proto-rap thing on "H20gate Blues", and Gil Scott-Heron sounds like the guy who asked who will survive in America and stated that the revolution won't be televised—damn. The rhymes! The delivery! I don't wanna just say "Wow, it's enjoyable," 'cuz I feel like that kind of ignores what he has to say poltically, but seriously—it's really damn enjoyable to listen to. This guy, with this voice—I really like hearin' 'em go off. So, hey, that sounds like a pretty good 4 to me. If only I coulda listened to this album on Spotify, though. Thankfuly there's YouTube uploads, but I can't imagine why it's not on Spotify. Oh, and if my group could've gotten this album in winter, too, ans not the first day of June, that woulda been really appropriate. But then I'd still be in Canada, so y'know, ultimately, whatever.
Jazz with a (at the time) current message, which also happens to have some great instrumentals.
As always powerful words from Gil. Never really heard him sing which was really nice. Tackling important topics and expressing the importance of love
Nice. Revisit in the future, especially if it makes its way onto Spotify
Always GsH
A very pleasant listen, that's three in a pretty short timeframe that would fit very nicely into the movie soundtrack category
hermoso! 8/10
Nice!
The album is not offered by my streaming service. I have listened to a few tracks that have been released on other albums by the musician. Scott Heron has a good voice. I liked some tracks, others less. Overall, however, this is very exciting. I'll certainly listen to it again. 4/5
This feels like the earliest stages of Kanye.
Album not available on spotify.
A solid album combining poetry and jazz. Lyrics are eloquent and expressive. Production is minimalist, which helps to deliver the main message against political corruption without any distraction.
Pretty cool
Amazing song.
not my kind of jazz but amazing nonetheless
Very lovely '70s soul and jazz feel to the music. Slow and intimate. The lyrics of course stand out. They tell stories, it's easy to see how Scott-Heron is regarded as a major influence on hip-hop.
Favorite Tracks: Peace Go With You Brother
- All of the slowest, most brooding tracks are solid 5s. This includes "Peace Go With You, Brother," "Rivers of My Fathers," and "Song for Bobby Smith." Each is engaging, melodic, and haunting. - Some of the other tracks felt like more generic soul. - "H2Ogate Blues" is fantastic and sadly just as relevant now as it was in 1974. - Gil-Heron's voice is unique, even for soul. Smooth, but with enough of a rasp to give it some weight. Usually 100% with it, but some of the more prolonged notes start to feel pressed and approach being out-of-tune.
Fantastic album this late winter morning. Here sipping my coffee, this album was a joyful, sardonic and bitter delight.
he's good in every thing he did
I liked it very much. Most of the tracks are fun to listen to and i loved the use of the jazz flute on various songs. Best tracks: "Peace Go with You, Brother (As-Salaam-Alaikum)", "The Bottle"
A fantastic gem popular at time but mostly forgotten since then. His spoken word tracks, such as the famous "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" inspired a wave of advancements that led to the emergence of hip hop. He still has that at here. Obviously the closer "H20 Gate Blues", but his smooth voice and lyrics are the forefront all throughout. We do see a shift toward long ambient jazz instrumentals. They're immensely beautiful, creative, and most importantly, lively. It feels improvisational. And with how minimalist most compositions are, the tracks are pleasant to leave in the background. I was satisfied with the lengths of all the tracks. It started off reminding me of Stevie Wonder's prog soul. It picks up with 2 incredible lush funk tracks. The next 2 tracks were pretty forgettable, especially as a followup, but still pleasant. "H20 Gate Blues" was a powerful closer but maybe could have been cut a bit shorter. Enjoyed the reprise that circled back to the beginning track. Favorites: Rivers of My Fathers, Back Home, The Bottle
Fantastic. This wasn't made recently??
Onhan tämä hieno artisti. Mulle ennalta vieras levy tosin. Tykkäsin. 4/5
Todella kova. Tunsin GSH:n hienon debyytin, mutta tää oli uusi. Pitää kuunnella vielä uusiksi, nyt 4+/5
Erinomainen levy! Kiinnostavia tekstejä ja hienoa leikittelyä musiikkielementeillä ja tyyleillä. 4/5
This was a really cool album, never heard of it before. It was jazzy, funky, bluesy, everything you'd expect from a 70s funk album. The political bent of some of the songs show how things stay the same, some of the things he said are still true today. Overall a good album
Beautiful 4/5
There was a little bit where I was like 'hmm maybe Gil Scott-Heron has a consistent vibe and you only need to hear the best few', and then I changed my mind shortly after. I think I didn't fully grasp this but I'll be coming back to it. music: appreciated. (⌐■_■)
Pretty radical stuff I’m surprised The Man let this guy live as long as he did. Maybe he didn’t get enough mainstream exposure or something. I knew Scott-Heron as a poet and of course knew the big one, but listening to this got me pretty interested in his collaborator here. Cool and creative musically.
I'll listen again
Lot of really deep, soulful, poetry in this one.
Very interesting release. Great vocals, kinda carrying the album. I was blown away by his voice the first time he started singing. Started slowly with the first 3 songs, then some unexpected high-tempo songs flipped the album right on its head. I liked the chill segments and the faster songs as well, got a good mixture as a result. Also made for a good story of the album. The absolute highlight of this is 'H2Ogate Blues' though, bro was spitting bars in such a unique and captivating way. Overall a very enjoyable yet hard to rate piece, but I like the unique elements of this one too much, so I'm giving it a benevolent 4. (Shame it's not on Spotify, I'd love to revisit this in an easier way than YT)
Amazing album. Great discovery, thanks to this list. The sound is so full, rich. 4/5
This album blew me away loved the mix of soul, jazz and great lyrics
It's time for another album that isn't on my streaming service! Fortunately, there's only been three of them, so that's good. Honestly, this is by far the best one I've had so far. My one major problem off the top of my head is that some songs drag a bit. Everything else is great. I like the singing. It's very soulful. The sound is pleasant to listen to. None of the songs are particularly bad. It's kind of interesting to hear a sort of prototype of rap in some of these songs. The writing is also quite good. Songs like The Bottle are able to tell great emotional stories, while songs like H2Ogate Blues provide political commentary that remains relevant to this day. Despite being made in 1974, this album honestly reminds me of some of the poetry and music that came out of the Harlem Renaissance all the way in the 1920s. It's cool to know that the stylings of such an important cultural movement were able to remain in art 50 years later. Overall, this is a great album and I wish it was available on the streaming service. Light 4/5.
When you listen to the lyrics nothing has really changed since the 1970s. I enjoyed listening to this again, he doesn't get the recognition that he deserves.
I couldn't find this album anywhere, so I listened to a few tracks from it and some other songs. I like the retro jazzy vibe of it.
4.0
Oh god, am I whitey???
No lo pude escuchar en Spotify, pero lo que escuche en youtube me gusto. Son canciones de ritmo lentito y buena voz. Un 4.
Beautiful music and message. I loved this album but just not sure where it fits in my rotation.
Pretty enjoyable, but ultimately not something I'd listen to without prompting. I enjoyed the "H2Ogate Blues" track which was full of charisma. Also liked "The Bottle". Feeling a 3.5, rounded up to 4.
An amazingly laid-back jazz LP that dabbles in both relaxed, easy-going grooves and sharp social commentary. I'm normally an uptempo guy, but the stellar instrumentation around Scott-Heron's soothing baritone was a joy to listen to all the way down to 60 bpm. This album is undeniably a complete artistic statement with vision, chops, and a message to share, and it was such a breath of fresh air to listen to after the hundreds of bloated, commercial LPs that mostly fill this list.
Really enjoyed it. His lyrics are so good and match the jazz/blues feel perfectly. Agree with another commenter that Pieces of a Man should be on here to. It was awesome and not sure which I like more. Rating: 4.4
Interesting song.
Jazzy, blues, funk. I liked that the songs were about a variety of things.
A pleasure to listen to. 50 years old and still just as relevant.
adding to the repertoire
Politically charged lyrics that feel deep and meaningful where so many others just feel cringey. The music has a nice free flowing feel.
Beautifully written and well composed songs. Lyrically the whole album speaks truth to some of the experiences of the time. Sad this is not easily available on streaming, but well worth the trip to YouTube. Would absolutely love to own a physical copy of this album.
The staccato production did my nut in. The drifting from left to right in the mix gave me a headache. Once it settles down, then the vocals takeover. It sounds freeform, rather than a selection of songs that have been written. Decent jazz noodlings as well. An extra star for the use of the flute. Your Daddy Loves You is a tear jerker.
R.I.P. Gil Scott-Heron. An amazing voice whose lyrics speak to the same disenfranchisement that exists today. The union with Brian Jackson's keyboards works great. I just wish this was still on Spotify.
groovy af
Oh hey, second day of a no-show in Spotify stream. It is probably not a coincidence, however, that this is also my second CHARLY label album in a row as well. It's a shame that this record isn't streamable because I would definitely give it multiple spins if I could. As a whole it's a very solid entry in the Gil Scott-Heron canon. It also has some stand-out tracks as well. I love the range here from the downbeat and affecting Rivers of My Fathers to the uptempo work on The Bottle — propulsive bass and adventurous flute paired with socially conscious lyrics to let you know you are in some 1970s funk. I'll be keeping my eye out for this one to pick up in a listenable format in the future.
Winter in america biisin huilu soolo vitun kova Kansa western sunrise piano soolo, WHAT??? ei ihan nykymusiikissa oo Oltsi äijällä väärä albumi 🤣. Ihan jees lopulta tuli kyl aika tiukkaa political stanssii Oli kyl svengaavaa kamaa, vois sanoo että kohtuu poppin. Tykkäsin. Jenkkilän G checkkaamiselle 👍🏻🤣
This was cooler than i expected. Loved H2O Gate blues! Prescient until today.
The best kind of jazz. deep, rich.
Great jazz and spoken word album.
Surprisingly good
Great jazz album. I can hear a lot of influence here into modern day rap, hip-hop, and more. Gil's lyricism is really on point here, and the political issues he sings about are sadly still prevalent today.
At times thoughtful. At times mournful. At times scornful. Overall it's a great record but sadly, still too relevant considering the subject matter. I do want to explore Scott-Heron's discography further. Everything I've heard from him so far, I've really liked.
Jazzy, good. Not much spoken word. Sounds odd to the contemporary ear. 3.8
Really dug this. Good mash up of Soul, classic R&B with improvisational piano/organ jazz. The politics of the lyrics are completely applicable today which makes it ageless, but tragic.
Legend. Saw him live not long before he passed away and it was great
This has funk, soul and blues. Infact a possibilty of 500 types of the blues!
Gil's voice is very interesting and powerful. I really really really liked the poetry at the end.
I love Gil Scott-Heron, especially the records he made with Brian Jackson, who was the secret weapon in the collabs they did together and composed most of the music that he and Scott-Heron performed and recorded throughout the 70s. ‘Winter In America’ is one of their best even if many of the songs are a bit on the slower side. ‘The Bottle’ is a jazz funk classic and Scott-Heron’s signature tune. Other highlights include ‘Your Daddy Loves You’ a beautiful song to his daughter, ‘Back Home’, a song about going back to ones roots and a simpler, more authentic way of life away from the city, and ‘H2Ogate Blues', a song that’s as relevant today, if not more, than back in ’74 with its commentary on war (specifically the Vietnam War), the Watergate scandal, mistrust of the government and general discontentment and disillusion in and of society in general.
HL: "H20 Gate Blues", "The Bottle", "Rivers of My Fathers" Misled myself a little, because I was expecting more funky times & it’s actually mostly slow-moving & meditative stuff. My bad. For that reason, hearing these tracks first thing in the morning was kind of a bummer, but revisiting them this evening is a much better experience. Heron’s voice, while not technically the greatest, is rich & sonorous, and Jackson’s keys/fluting is the perfect backdrop. “The Bottle”’s addictive groove belies its stark and sad portrayal of addiction September 20, 2023
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Your daddy loves you, Winter in America
Tosi siisti blues ja fuusiojazzmainen levy, missä kuulee kanssa vähän hiphopin juuria. Tosi rentoa taustamusiikkia
Amazing bass, and great energy from the performance. Was weird that the signature crowd part was a failure but kept in.
I had no idea who Gil was before this. But I think I needed this. I've been on a very aggressive kick as of recently. It has nothing to do with anything in my personal life. I've just been enjoying much heavier music recently. So to have a jazz album generated on my thing this morning was an interesting break from my usual. And it honestly lined up perfectly with my day. The weather was slightly cold and gray, and it matched the mood of this super well. The majority of this album is like a mix of spoken word and singing over very simple and sparse instrumentals. But the album benefits from the instrumentals being so, because it allows for Gil to absolutely glide over them with his beautiful voice. His vocal chords must be made of silk, because how else could he sound so good? And for the spare few songs that do amp up the energy like "Back Home" and "The Bottle", they are just as glorious. There is also definitely some lyrical content here, which I didn't look into, although I should have. Especially "H²Ogate Blues", which speaks directly on the Watergate scandal that was going on at the time. This album just feels good to listen to. It's easy on the ears and when you put it on, you know you're in for a treat.
A intricate and complex album, both musically and thematically. The spoken word portions don’t feel forced, like they sometimes do. It feels intelligent, authentic, and exciting. The songs draw from familiar genres like jazz and the blues, but combine to create an original and unique style that I would enjoy listening to more often if this album wasn’t so hard to find. 4/5
I do not think one listen is enough to fully process a Gil Scott-Heron project. Really dug the music though.
Fun listen! Watergate Blues was pretty funny
Couldn’t find the full album but I really enjoyed the tracks available in Canada.
The Bottles is one great track. Got to love Gil and his poetry AND mellifluous voice
Very jazzy but enjoyed for the most part, not going to listen to other albums but would put this on again
Couldn’t find on Spotify. Listened to an alternate one of his instead. Found it. Liked it.
This is such a fascinating album on multiple levels. Musically it's nuanced, with jazzy and soulful elements. The lyrics both elegantly and pointedly speak to both the political and the personal in ways that are quite moving. Many of these songs are still really relevant today. Even "H2Ogate Blues" can be framed in terms of our current political culture, even though Scott-Heron is speaking specifically about Richard Nixon. Fave Songs: The Bottle, Your Daddy Loves You, Peace Go with You Brother (Wa-Alaikum-Salaam), Back Home, Rivers of My Fathers
Excelente. No tenía esta faceta de Gil Scott-Heron. Van 4 estrellas porque el paneo de los primeros segundos envejeció muy mal
Very interesting sound! Quite versatile in combining ballads, humor and standard songs. The electric piano gives a very distinct and warm tonality.
extremely good album. stand out bass and piano playing. really cool use of the flute as well. truly a shame it’s not on spotify because i would definitely revisit some tracks
I’ll be honest, when I saw that I had been generated a jazz album today I had a bit of a grumble. I haven’t heard of this artist before, but let’s try to keep an open mind and see how the music sounds. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: A Very Precious Time, The Bottle I forgot how nice some jazz albums can be. For every John Coltrane that doesn’t click for me, there is a Miles Davis that I love. This album made me feel like I was in a smoky bar sipping a cocktail with an olive in it, wearing a long dress with a cheeky slit up the side. The tight curls of my hair bounce as I look to the stage and see the band play. The bar staff know me by name and know what I like - I can tell them I was a drink I’ve never tried before and they’ll always get it right. I think that picture paints this album well.
Jesus, this shit is fire. Love the Rhodes.
Terrific jazzy, soulful album! All the songs are great. I think H2Ogate Blues is probably my least favorite because it takes away from the flow of the rest of the album. All and all it is such a pleasure to listen to! 4/5
I've always been a big fan of Gil Scott-Heron since in a lot of ways he influenced hip-hop, which is probably my favorite genre of music overall. Smooth keys and Gil flowing over the top. Crazy to listen to H20 Gate Blues and we have the same issues in the US :(
This was a really cool one. That pulsing sound on the first song holds up really well, I can see why Kendrick sampled it. The bottle is a cool change of pace, the bass goes nuts on that song. Song for Bobby smith drags a little. I’m sure H20gate was cool at the time and it’s cool to see how that was a precursor to rap music and all but I think Hamilton, even though I never saw it, had ruined all political spoken word for me. Overall this was a really cool listen and I’m glad to have heard it. Cover art: 8/10 👍: Peace Go With You, Brother, The Bottle 👎: Song for Bobby Smith, H20gate
Wasn’t very hyped when I was it was a spoken word album and at first the vocals seemed produced oddly but the album grew on me after a couple songs. All of the instrumentals were vibing and were played perfectly. The lyrics were also some of the best off any album we’ve heard so far. Highlights for me would be the bridge of a very precious time and how it changes the meaning of the questions he’s asking and the sentiment of the whole song in general. The watergate blues was funny and still relevant in a lot of ways. The bottle was a jam and was definitely a huge lyrical influence for Kendrick on swimming pools. 👍: the bottle, precious time, h20gate blue’s
does Gil Scot-Heron give anyone else Andre 3000 vibes? Watergate blues is so dope. This album had a couple slow/disjointed moments but I think it adds to the charm and experience this album was made to create. I am grateful for this one. They talking some REAL SHIT on this album!
This was dope listened when I woke up and was absolutely vibing to start the day. For the most part I just had this playing in the background but if you listen these songs have some deep and politically charged lyricism. Makes sense knowing that he’s a poet. Seems to be pretty influential, being sampled by a multitude of rappers. Due to its accessibility issues, I will probably never listen again. However, I will say with certainty that it was worth the listen. Heard before: none Favorites: Idk the songs I just let it all run together
Inspiring, deep, meaningful,
Gil Scott-Heron is one of the greatest to ever do it. His words are unlike anyone else, so radical and tender at the same time. Indeed, this album is a treat. I am swept away in seemingly-effortless piano compositions and vivid imagery. There are, however, some weak songs on here that don't do much for the rest of the album, but I feel the stronger songs cement the album's excellence. I also appreciate Scott-Heron's more focused poetry on H²Ogate Blues.
Yep. Favorite track: The Bottle
"Winter in America" is a studio album by American vocalist Gil Scott-Heron and keyboardist Brian Jackson. This album was recorded in a stripped-down fashion relying on traditional African and R&B sounds with Jackson's piano-based arrangements rooted in jazz and blues. Yep. Scott-Heron's subject matter is mostly the African-American community in the 1970's inner city. Scott-Heron signed with record label Strata-East which gave artists and him authority and responsibility over recorded material. This album has had major influences on neo soul and hip hop and was eventually successful debuting at #6 on the Billboard Jazz Album Charts and selling over 300,000 copies. Scott-Heron utilizes both spoken word and bluesy, jazzy singing in "Peace Go With You, Brother (As-Salaam-Alaikum)." Jackson adds soulful piano and there is a dreamy feel. He's criticizing members of his own community. Jackson continues the bluesy piano on "The Rivers of My Fathers." Scott-Heron uses a water theme for feelings of home, freedom, faith and frustration. The second side begins with one of his most well-known songs in "The Bottle." A carribbean beat. Flute harmonies. A killer infectious groove. It's about alcohol abuse. A song that nearly didn't make the album is "H₂Ogate Blues." After hearing that the song was going to be omitted on the album, drummer Bob Adams objected and thankfully we have both a humorous and serious spoken-word song where Scott-Heron criticizes Richard Nixon, Spiro Agnew, Watergate and compares Chicago mayor Richard Daley to Al Kapone. Jazzy piano, flute and drums. The album comes full circle ending with a reprisal of the opening song in "Peace Go With You, Brother (Wa-Alaikum-Salaam)." Making his selfish brother think more about the world instead of his own little bubble. This is more of a laid back album than I was expecting. To me, it sounds to have more of an influence in neo soul. Scott-Heron vocals are great reminding me of Bill Withers. Always a good thing there. The lyrics are not quite as angry as his earlier work. A great album for all music fans especially ones of jazz, soul and blues.
Very nice discovery. Didnt like it at first, thought i did land in church somehow, but i got into it after some songs. Most of it is Soul, but the spoken word parts give him the right to call him a founder of rap. Liked h2ogate blues a lot, is smart thinking lyrics. Daddy loves you is beautiful and tells how im feeling now. I did always know the songs, coz i could t see it always on my phone. Will probably be better the most time i listen to it.
Was so engrossed I didnt take notes. Love GSH - weird that this album isn't on Spotify anymore. Did Kendrick sample one of these tracks?
A pretty slow start but fine, and then H2O Gate Blues gets this to a 4. It’s fun once you accept that it’s more spoken word than music.
Really enjoyed parts of it. Bottle is a classic
"I hate avant-garde music" I say and yet.... I kind of liked it. Gil Scott-Heron has a complex and compelling voice which is somehow complimented by the keyboard. At once soft and chaotic, this is losing yourself on the New York Subway, middle of the night music. "H20 Gate Blues" still feels too relevant.
Yeah, this is ace. Just smooth sounding as hell, but with real clout and poetry from Gil Scott-Heron that keeps giving politics and philosophy and sensitivity. It feels like a night that you'd love to be at. H20Gate Blues is A1.
Good Album
An utterly forgotten classic. This should be much easier to find today, at which time it seems more relevant than ever.
I was expecting much more spoken word pieces, and they are present, but was pleasantly surprised to find a lot more going on, as well.
Gorgeous
We can all agree that "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" should be represented on this list somehow, right? Still, it's hard to quibble with this one being the Gil Scott-Heron album included since it's an overall joy. My only gripe is that Spotify doesn't even acknowledge the existence of this album. You know how they'll still show a Joni Mitchell or Neil Young album, but it's all shaded out? Not the case with "Winter In America". You get an error message, that suggests "This album is no longer valid". Seems harsh. It's also a lie. This album is most definitely valid. And what a voice!
A really cool jazz-centric entry from Scott-Heron, but no where near the genius of his spoken word stuff. Still good, though.
Recorded fifty years ago and still resonant. A brilliant record.
Really nice album. Perfectly combines jazz/funk/blues with political themes. Gil's lyrics and delivery are passionate yet poignant, leaving a sense of tragicness over the record, giving it more emotion. 7/10
Cozy album. Sparkling keyboard and piano work. The vocals were soulful (but occasionally were a bit imperfect) Very enjoyable on the whole.
muy copado
Wasn’t available on Spotify so listened to Revolution Will Not Be Televised instead. Was very thought provoking.
I have no objections at all to giving this album four stars. It is very difficult to find, which is a shame. I guess some mild licensing issues?
Great
ok stuff 2 damn really good, sadly not on spotify :'( 4
Winter in America can be the most wholesome thing you can have on your toast in the morning. I don't understand what happens when you endlessly milk a camel for pleasure and go home no happier than you arrived. A restless whisper drifts into my conscious and reminds me to file for divorce next Wednesday. A selfless act on an otherwise bland evening spent ironing the creases out of my face, but you can never get back that youthful vigour, no matter how hard you run a mower across your brow. A lost life wasted, an angel of mercy and a charmless clown walk into a bar. The barman tells them to go fuck themselves and they gladly do. The end of a miserable chapter.
Beautiful album. Just beautiful. Love jazz. Favorite track: The Bottle
Hard to find. Incredible slice of history, and unfortunately still applicable. Great messages and great music.
Pretty good listen. It was hot and cold for me as I’m admittedly not and R&B fan but they definitely shifted into funk and blues enough to keep things interesting. It grew on me as the album carried on and won me over with the excellent delivery and clean production. 4 stars
I liked that
- this album was weirdly hard to find on streaming (aka spotify doesn't have it, found on youtube) - yesss jazz piano overall impressions, i really enjoyed this.
A fun and "ear enjoyable" listen. Loved being dropped in to the the 1970's political environment (and hating nothings changed in that regard)
This is an interesting album in their lyrics and the music a little bit too, it isn't a unique genre musically speaking but it is a "songwriter" album. It's relaxing in the music and the voice, however that doesn't means that it talks about something trivial.
Great one!
Rilassante, caldo. Tra il 3 e il 4, troppi discorsi sul watergate
Sounds like something cool you listen to in a jazz bar
I mostly knew GSH as a spoken word artist and it was a delight to get to know him as a vocalist. What a beautiful voice. I'm glad the production was a little spare to showcase it. That being said, my favourite track was H2O Gate Blues.
A great, barebone musing on the state of the land circa 1973. Scott-Heron truly had a way with words and rhythm, as is extremely well showcased on the culminating track 'H20gate Blues' - transporting the listener back to the political landscape of the 70's. But what really makes the record shine is in the collaboration with jazz and soul musician Brian Jackson. On the groovy 'The Bottle' the worlds of spoken word and soul collide and merge to create a strong social commentary.
I doubt you’ll find a more accessible and groovy look into life in the inner cities, the African-American communities and political injustice in the 1970’s than this album. The partnership of Scott-Heron and Jackson as as if blessed by a higher power. What a unique and fresh approach to the whole genre. Scott-Heron proves his mastery of the spoken word on the entertaining “H2Ogate Blues” while I am truly moved by “Your Daddy Loves You”.
Solid jazz album.
The lack of lyrical focus, as in sharpness, is great. It gives the record a driftiness which fits the music just right. The LP form ends up constraining the songs a little bit: I find myself wanting a double album with a musical left turn or a same-length project with fewer jammier songs. Gil Scott-Heron is as musical as I've heard him in these cuts, sometimes personal, sometimes political, but mostly relaxed. Winter In America didn't ask much of me, but it does beckon me back.
Nothing new under the sun.
Not available to listen to so rated on knowledge of GSH's work.
4/5. This is an important album for the Black Experience but there are definitely some misses on the album. I don’t think Gil is a very good singer so extended periods of him just singing is not working for me.
If there were ever an album that we, listening in 2022, can't fully appreciate in regard to its immediacy, honesty, and courageousness, this would be it. I just can't imagine what people thought of this when it landed in 1974. That said, this is a musical form that requires a lot of the listener. It's provocative, and "H20 Gate Blues" is particularly captivating, but after a couple of poem/songs, I found my concentration lagging and found myself missing what Scott-Heron was communicating. Is that on me for not being focused enough? On the performers for not being engaging enough? Is it a challenge of this format? Hell, I don't know. I am familiar with some of Scott-Heron (and Jackson's) material, though I cannot remember the last time I sought it out to listen to. For that reason, I'm glad this is on the list.
A fascinating album, very much describing the times but with relevance for today (how little has changed). Scott-Heron and Jackson craft some brilliant jazz/poetry pieces and the tracks are intriguing and compelling. There are a few sleepy stretches but The Bottle brings back the energy.
The title track still resonates today.
Really cool, as a pianist I really appreciated this album.
Loved it, the voice, the music, the variety.
Lot's of Fender Rhodes is always a win
A nice album, culturally and topically important. I find the music a little elusive on this one, though, even with "The Bottle" in the tracklisting. And I agree with a few reviewers in the comments saying that *Pieces Of A Man* should have had priority on this list, because this other Gil Scott-Heron album was as impressive cuturally speaking as it was music-wise. Number of albums left to review or just listen to: 792 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory: 109 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 51 (including this one) Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): 48
Best served with a big spliff and a comfy chair. H2O gate blues is still relevant after almost 50 years
no disponible en mi pais pero gil scott heron esta goated
Personal and political soul music Is soul just blues + jazz + heart? Big vibe Lotta jazz poetry on this one Warm sound to the music "GIL SCOTT-HERON" -LCD Soundsystem (Losing My Edge) H20 Gate Blues was a favorite of mine "Richard Daley: imperial, Napoleonic Mayor of Chicago / Who took over from Al Capone and / Continues to implement the same tactics"
Very enjoyable listen
Great album. Kendrick Lamar might have listen to this album.
I recently got into Gil Scott-Heron's 2010 album "I'm New Here" and it's fantastic. I'm excited to dive deeper into the catalog. UPDATE: This was fantastic! And it was recorded near where I live! H20 Gate Blues was definitely a standout track.
I can now see why folks appreciate Gil Scott-Heron so much. The lyricism is incredible!
Released by strata-east!love the indie jazz,neo soul vibes
Quite a transition from Smashing Pumpkins yesterday.. this one was really interesting! I've always been interested in Gil Scott-Heron, since hearing I'm New Here it was clear he had quite a history with music, and that title becomes more tongue-in-cheek as I listened to Winter In America. It's hard to pick a favorite here from first listen, H2Ogate blues definitely is prophetic in both it's political message and musical style, there are through lines that can be drawn to today's underground rap, the title track is so groovy with that incredible flute solo.. I love the stripped down production, relying on equal parts jazz, Gil Scott-Heron's songwriting, and importantly on negative space Will definitely be revisiting
Very soulful, definitely recognizing some things here that have been sampled and I never knew where they came from until now. That electric piano is really doing it for me.
More familiar with "Pieces of a Man" but I think I enjoy this more, for both the musical arrangements and the singing.
Soulfully chill and a good match for a heavy snow day (seriously there's a winter advisory out there right now). Obviously Winter in America is speaking more to civil rights issues around the time of the album, and thematically it's very strong. Love the Rhodes piano across the album as well. Some vocal points I wasn't into, but overall very good. I can see why some would rate highly.
I really enjoyed this. The slam poetry was the only mark against it, although that was enjoyable in its own way. Best track: The Bottle
Loud and Proud
Stripped-down funk based on Jackson’s jazzy keys and Heron’s social poetry. Very solid!
This was a nice smooth, laid-back kind of light-jazz album. I'm not sure if it's because I could only listen to it on YT but the voice didn't do it for me. I enjoyed more the piano and background music than the lyrics/voice.
wow! So I had skipped this one for months since it's not available on Apple Music. Finally played through it on YouTube today, and was very impressed. So smooth, and so impacting. An amazing glimpse into the soul of the 1979s black man.
Love the stripped back instrumentation. Adds just enough body, but still leaves the focus on Gil's poetry. Think it all works really well together. Favorite tracks: "H2O Gate Blues", "Your Daddy Loves You", "The Bottle"
Hard to get a grasp of this after only one listen. Powerful and smooth at the same time. I need to listen to more of Hill Scott-Heron's work
Having lived thru the timeframe of this album, amazed at the cultural references. Great light jazz, non preachy lyrics. Great for rainy morning drive
Could not find the album on Spotify! Still listened to some of the songs though
This is a nice album. It's a pity that it's not available on streaming services. The voice did become a bit difficult for me to listen to at some point, but overall it's simply a pleasure to listen to. I wish I would've been able to pay more attention to it. But my mind tends to wander with pieces like this. Highlights: The Bottle
7/10. Nice stuff, and always fun to hear a song commenting on what is now a historical event.
Unable to listen to the album as not on Spotify.
One smooth, laid-back album, full of groove and soul. Nice
A forgotten and underrated genius. This is soulful, sprawling and serious. Godfather of hip-hop indeed. Was a pleasure to go deeper with an artist I knew only tangentially.
Chill AF
Really interesting combination of jazz/soul and social commentary. It's not always what I'll look for in a music album but it definitely deserves another listen to fully absorb
Wasn’t any good until the last song.
Very cool, jazzy, bluesy, spoken word, history lesson. Fave: H20gate Blues
“So, there are six cardinal colors: yellow, red, orange, green, blue, and purple. And there are 3,000 shades. And if you take these 3,000 shades and divide them by 6, you will come up with 500 — meaning there are at least 500 shades of the blues.” H2O Gate Blues
Muito bom.
Very interesting use of spoken word and jazz. I really enjoyed it.
Disco en vivo movido y de gran calidad. Mucho diálogo con la gente, que corea las canciones varias veces y le agrega a la experiencia. Buenos arreglos y en general gran groove. 3.5 que suben.
Loved H2Ogate Blues.
Funky
J’adore la sensibilité de Gil Scott-Heron. Cet album est une sorte de chaînon manquant entre plein de choses, dont certaines sont encore à venir. 4/5 à cause d’une certaine redondance dans les styles musicaux.
Who will survive. Gil Scott-Heron met de grote woorden der waarheid over den USA. Prachtig
4.25
Finally got around to listening to this one - absolutely great stuff. The mix of proto-rap with the ethereal flute-heavy free jazz creates a great soundscape