Reviews (page 5 of 7)
I really like the sound of the music in this however the sometimes aimless vocals are irritating.
I'm mostly neutral on this album, except for the really interesting spoken word piece ("H2Ogate Blues" - it's like a little time capsule).
(обязательное: не было на спотифае) вроде красивая музыка но голос такой я не люблю ну и реклама каждые сорок секунд тяжело)
This album isn't available on Youtube Music. I did listen to a few tracks of his other stuff, and it is very good jazz.
Wasn’t able to find. But enjoyed some tracks from other album
Annoying one as I had to listen on YouTube. This seems like it was important for race and all that. Music is fine the last track was like poetry reading but maybe early for of rapping. Again it’s fine.
This album gave R&B lounge. The songs had a good flow and were relaxing to listen to. Definitely lots to read between the lines within the lyrics. Favorite Lyrics from H2Ogate: "Mayor of Philadelphia, whose ignorance is surpassed only by those who voted for him" (sounds familiar)
interesting music with a lot of lyrical substance. that said, the beat poetry thing doesn't really work for me and the songs were too long to stay fresh over the entire duration
Generally pleasant listening and I enjoyed the commentary in Watergate Blues, but quite a snoozefest at times
Some solid songs here.
Pretty chill. I’m sure the lyrics were profound but I wasn’t paying bc much attention. Strange vibes for the gym
Decent album and you can certainly see some hip hop inspiration from this but not something I’d go back to anytime soon. 6.5/10
I enjoyed this and am glad I listened. I had heard of Gil's song "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised", but I had not listened. This is very good. But... it's not my thing. I like some R&B and some jazz, and this is a good combination, but I'm not the typical listener. From my viewpoint, I'd give it somewhere from a 6 to an 8 out of 10, depending on my mood. Converting to stars, and rounding down... 3 stars.
Interesting jazz album my wife and kids hated it said it was boring
Ok,
The subjects that this album deals with shows you how little American politics has changed in 50 years. Having said that having a interesting/deep subject matter dosent always make a great album, this had some high spots of real blues, but also a lot of lows which were just a bit dull...it's probably one of those "inspired so many other artists" albums but overall it's just a bit meh....it'll sling a 3 just about
There are albums that achieve classic status, transcending time and retaining a fresh sound even decades later, regardless of any graininess or lack of high quality production. However, Gil Scott-Heron's "Winter in America" is not one of those albums; it is firmly anchored in a specific time period marked by cultural and political turmoil. The album conveys what was then viewed as a provocative message advocating for black empowerment, envisioning a future where "the system" could be dismantled. Scott-Heron's voice is both gentle and rough, while the album itself varies in its arrangement—sometimes sparse and at other times sounding like a rough first draft. The emphasis appears to be more on the message, where parallels can be drawn to Bob Dylan's poetic roots. This is a heavy album, provoking deep thought amidst a backdrop of cultural unrest and frustration. The most poignant aspect of this album is some of what Gil Scott-Heron is raging against is still relevant today. (While the message is a 5, the construction of the album is a 3)
Wow
Miércoles hermosamente frío en San Juan. Toca en el día de hoy artistas y disco por completo desconocidos. Suena chill, con un cantante muy cálido y un piano que nos ayuda a viajar a través del disco. La segunda mitad sube un poco más y por momentos se pone más funky (The Bottle es el mejor ejemplo) y cierra con una intervención poética, el spoken word yankee. Buen disco.
It's a bit laid back jazzy to captivate my ears. Though perfectly nice groove there's also a bit too much jazz flute. Extra mark for The Bottle though.
H2O Gate Blues is good, but not something I want to listen to repeatedly. The rest of it's a bit too free-form/jazzy for me. Can see the talent, but it's not my bag, baby.
Not my thing hate Jazz normally but this was quite liked this it was chilled
I had to listen on YouTube. But it’s a very nice album, which I enjoyed quite a bit
I am pretty sure, without researching it, that I will be a minority voter here. I did not like this that much. It felt contrived and I hate that. I don't want to be preached to through my music and I don't want it to feel like it was produced for the effect of "being something special." I hate when albums seem to try to make something sentimental on purpose and I never shook that feeling here. Aside from that it is not particularly special in jazz or blues or spoken word... A truly great album can't be forced. It happens naturally, often to the surprise of the musicians. This one felt forced, like it was supposed to be a blockbuster. But I didn't buy into it. Again, the three star rating is tough. I won't kill it with a two but it is no more than a two and a half.
Political posturing from a more prosaic time. It's not a bad album, it just feels dated, and unfortunately, the message has become diluted.
Enjoyable listen! GS-H and Brian Jackson really compliement each other, jazzified! Great blend!
++: Rivers of My Fathers, A Very Precious Time, Back Home, The Bottle, Your Daddy Loves You, H2Ogate Blues +: Peace Go with You, Brother (As-Salaam-Alaikum), Peace Go with You Brother (Wa-Alaikum-Salaam) 7,7/10
Loved the message, didn't quite enjoy the music though.
Interesting
themes of social consciousness, family, addiction, politics. most of this album was just ok, but to me the best songs on the album were “the bottle” (that bass line slaps so hard) and watergate blues… and those sound nothing like the rest of the album.
Good but really didn’t stand out
Sadly not on Apple Music so had to listen to a 40 min video on YouTube but it was worth it, good album
Fairly classic 70's spoken jazz.
Not available on Spotify but I've heard this before.
Not available on Spotify, but found a link from another review (thanks!). Nice mellow jazz blues fusion, good vocals. Not sure I really clicked with the political message, perhaps it’s still a relevant message? Need to be in the right mood for this. That said I did enjoy H20 Gate Blues at least.
Albums that aren’t on Spotify can be so difficult to access. It took me nearly six months to return to this one, track down the full album on YouTube, and resume my 1001 project. This experience reminded me how crucial platform accessibility is for music discovery and appreciation. Listening to the album as one continuous video helped me focus on its cohesiveness, but it also made it harder to identify individual tracks since I couldn’t add them to my “liked” songs. Outside of that, I really enjoyed Gil’s voice throughout; the smooth, expressive quality carried much of the listening experience. I did find myself losing interest toward the end tho, as the extended narration began to drag a bit.
Unavailable on Apple Music
This is a different kind of record. I like it.
I really liked the first (and last) track. Serious headphone jam with the vibrato emulating channel panning on the keys. I really enjoy this musically, especially the more upbeat jams. But too often it slows down, and there I find the vocals a little over the top. The blues tune goes hard though, loved that track.
not really my thing i'm sorry.
Hh
Feel good tones, but there's just too much lyrics for me to really catch.
(Denne er ikke på Spotify, men finnes på youtube). Røykfylt-bule politisk pratejazz som får lytteren til å føle seg smart.
It’s unique but too slow moving for me I get it’s inclusion 100% but I can’t say I love it 3/5
it was nice background music, but not something I am going to remember or want to listen to again
I like his voice, but I don't really like this type of music. Although, the album was pretty upbeat and fun. Not terrible
Winter In America is a nice chill yet thought-provoking listen, incredibly smooth vocals from GSH, the piano flits between stuff I like and stuff that puts me off, and that's really the biggest weakness of an otherwise fine album. The Bottle was a welcome bump in tempo and energy. A good Sunday morning 3.
Did Gil Scott-Heron have the coolest speaking voice ever? Definitely up there. This was an interesting listen, to be honest I'd probably not be that unhappy hearing him read the Yellow Pages, but there's some decent stuff in there. The music is smooth, pretty easy listening, but the lyrics and the clarity of the vocals pack a bit of a punch. It's not as good as Pieces of a Man (which I don't think is on this list?), but it's a high 3/5.
-well this was a lovely listen for a cold November night. Also this is officially the first album I’ve gotten on here that I couldn’t find on Spotify -maybe not the most thrilling work I’ve ever listened to but it had a lot of nice and cool moments. The spoken word America diss track was a unique touch -Favorites are Peace Go With You, Brother, and Rivers Of My Fathers
Halfway through track 1, I decided that I would not like this album, I thought this is just Jazz and not for me like many other jazz albums on this challenge. I was wrong. as the album went on it grew and I grew to enjoy it. This album has far more to it than just jazz. it is funky and groovy with some great instrumentals and meaningful lyrics and songs. In summary the album is not one that I would run to put on again, but I enjoyed it none the less. Favourite song: Least favourite: Album artwork: Good cover
There is some great stuff here and some things that just kind of meandered along. Nice album with something for a variety of tastes.
Album Review: Winter in America by Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson Winter in America, released in 1974, is one of Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson’s most essential and moving works, blending socially charged poetry with soulful, jazz-inspired sounds. This album stands out in Scott-Heron’s discography for its powerful lyrics and atmospheric instrumentals, which capture the mood of a country in turmoil. Strengths: One of the album’s greatest strengths lies in its bold social commentary. Scott-Heron’s lyrics address political disillusionment, racism, and urban decay, offering listeners an honest and sometimes bleak look at life in America. Songs like “The Bottle,” with its infectious rhythm and searing critique of addiction and poverty, became an underground hit and an anthem of protest for many listeners. Meanwhile, tracks like “Peace Go With You, Brother” and “Your Daddy Loves You” show a more introspective, compassionate side, balancing the album with warmth and hope. The collaboration between Scott-Heron and Jackson is seamless, and the album’s production values reflect their shared vision. Jackson’s soulful flute and piano complement Scott-Heron’s rich, resonant voice, creating a hauntingly beautiful soundscape that underscores the themes of social hardship and resilience. The fusion of jazz, blues, and spoken word makes this album unique and immersive, drawing listeners into a world that feels simultaneously timeless and urgent. Limitations: However, Winter in America might not appeal to everyone. Its emphasis on social issues and the sometimes dark, introspective nature of the lyrics might feel heavy for listeners seeking lighter themes. Additionally, some might find the production slightly dated, as it carries the lo-fi quality characteristic of 1970s independent records. Final Verdict: Winter in America is a landmark album that encapsulates Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson’s musical and social legacy. It’s a must-listen for fans of socially conscious music and those interested in the roots of hip-hop, as Scott-Heron’s work laid the foundation for later generations of politically-minded artists. The album remains relevant today, resonating with ongoing struggles and triumphs in society. Winter in America is not just a listening experience but a statement, asking listeners to reflect on the state of the world while celebrating resilience, community, and hope. Today I’ve been playing with the new Apple AI intelligence whilst listening to this album. Can you tell? 3/5 14/11/24
Totally new to me, good jazzy/funky sound
Kinda messy. The opening track was great, but the second half goes completely off the rails with some really, really long spoken word sections that I, a European, have literally no connection to. Uh huh, J. Edgar Hoover, Patrick Gray, Frank Rizzo. Who are three people who have never been in my kitchen. Watergate.
Overall really liked this. Got a little slow at some parts, but great album for this list
Not available on Spotify now
Enjoyed some of the more melodic stuff, but the spoken world wasn’t my favorite.
first three songs felt very strong, then it continued into simply good
Good instrumentals, not a big fan of the singer unfortunately
This has a nice vibe and it's way more musical than what I had heard from Gil prior to that, but I can't say that it's something that really interest me.
Smooth jazz-funk soul album, but it feels more like background music rather than a groundbreaking album.
The overall vibe and sound are really nice and appealing. Unfortunately, I found no stand-out tracks or something I would listen to again. Great and charming album, tho.
I generally enjoyed this, but I doubt I would listen to the entire album again. Some tracks stood out, but others seemed to be filler. Also, there was nothing about the revolution being televised, so I'm docking a point, giving this 3 stars.
Good but not my cup o tea
joo varmaan väärää albumia tuli ottoon mutt herra ainak8n ilmestyi yhteen biisiin...aikaa muuttaa mieltä KUUNTELIN OIKEIN. trust the spotify hakutoiminto... idgaf rn.. fr bro idgaf rn... voisi rotan peppuakaan välittää tästä asiasta tällä hetkellä. kuunneltu tavara oli kovaa settiä... varaston uumenista kaivattu esille aarteita.. varsinaisia joulupukinjättämiä lahjoja.. ei kakkapökäleitä vaan säkistä.. säkistä uutettu ulos makeata.. namipäivä on namipäivä on... winter in america
The best are the spoken word protesty ones, which I guess he was getting away from at this time, the sung stuff is not sung all that well and kinda corny but the instrumentation and heart are alright.
Nice, but not really what I felt like listening to right now.
Best Song: The Bottle. A song with one of those rhythms that feels unbreakable and somehow inevitable. Groovy. Worst Song: Peace Go With You, Brother. Took a little too long for the album to get off the ground. Overall: Groovy, soulful, political. Lots to like, although it has enough meandering moments that it doesn't leave as strong an impact as I wish it would.
6.5/10 A lot of this was jazz with blues & soul influences, good but not great, but really rescued by the vocals and electric piano in particular H2ogate was alarmingly relevant nowadays too Best: H2ogate
Someone on youtube said '50 years later it's still winter in America' and i thought that was pretty heavy
★★★½
Soul jazz fusion. Ni fu ni fa.
Jazz.
Eh this is fine.
Chill, not chill. The kind of thing I usually enjoy but at least today it felt like slogging through a boggy marsh. Undeniably pretty, though.
Extremely important voice, but this is also a bit of a snooze fest musically. I said what I said.
First listen. Decent.
I adore "I'm new here", Scott-Heron's late masterpiece. I also enjoy some of his earlier songs. But this, at album-length... It's not bad, but doesn't engage me at all, I'm afraid.
Very random compilation?
3.5 but Im rounding down. There wasn’t anything too memorable and I could on find this album on a Youtube Video.
Very relaxed music and great singing with political messages, but still nothing I‘d listen to often.
Couple of good songs, The Bottle & H20 Gate Blues, but overall a bit too plinky plonky jazz
This one is complex. The music is solid, and seems like a good background groove album, but the lyrics seem to demand focus. It seems to be doing what it's doing well, but I'd prefer something on either edge of what it's going for. H2OGate Blues specifically stands out as a track that lyrically wants me to pay attention, but the music was given a different prompt.
The album is not available in Germany. Individual songs were pleasant to listen to
Like a melding of blues, jazz, and soul. Interesting to listen to, as Gil is a poet, but also one of those genres that you really have to be in the right mindset to enjoy fully. Let's just say it didn't catch me on one of those days. I really hate flute music, and it was featured heavily here, along with really strange song structure (as is the norm with jazz), and not great vocals. Overall kinda boring. Favourite songs: The Bottle, Winter in America, Back Home Least favourite songs: Song for Bobby Smith 3/5
A great and groovy album! Worth the listen!
Jazzy R&B. A kind of Bar Blues.
I can't say I listened closely, but this was all pretty great. A solid 3 and maybe more than that once I listen again.
Raw emotion and political messages. Last track feels like an electric shock after the smoothness of the tracks leading up to it.
A little too laid back.
springtime in paris
Jazz with an ethereal/spacey lean
Spotify didn't have this one. I had to go to the Youtubes. This is mellow grooves. At some points, it sounds like Mr. Roger's. I love The Bottle, that bass. Groovy as shit. I'm getting funked up on it.
interesting piano-based jazz/blues, with a political cracker in H2Oblues
Faktisk fed nok! Rimelig politisk! Skod regering de har sig, der i USA.. Også i 1974.
The piano and bass players put on a master class in this album. The spoken word isn’t really my cup of tea, but I can appreciate the cultural impact made with this album. H20 Gate blues was pretty prophetic given recent circumstances revolving around the American government. Can see how Gil is considered by some to be the godfather of rap. High 3 rating from me based off of personal enjoyment, but can see where someone has this as a 4 or even a 5.
Phantastic electric piano, but a liitle bit too 'fusion' for me.
Smooth, chill blues-y soul/jazz album from the mid-1970s with messages that are still relevant after 50 years. It was a pleasant listen overall and the production of the album is really great. I liked the spoken word elements less so, so I'll give it a 3 instead of a 4.
I used to be into Jazz funk and this admittedly is quite early- 1974. Some fine musicianship. Doesn't really do anything for me know.
Listened to it on youtube. No thoughts really.
Not bad... a little repetitive.
I wanted to be annoyed because I had to listen to this on YouTube but these guys were just too groovy
Jazz and poetry. Enjoyed.
Couldn’t find the entire album and could only listen to the title track & bottle. Smooth Cat with a conscious.
Jazz.
Political and poetic. The voice grabs me but musically I find it a bit flat. Sorry.
‘Bridges’ by these two is a 5* for me! I unfortunately only had time for a few songs from this so anything other than a 3 would be unfair.. i really like their aura
I would have enjoyed more tracks like H2Ogate Blues
Listened on YouTube because the album isn’t available to stream. It was ok, but I’m still not ready to rate it. 3/5 for now and will relisten another day.
Jazzy and soulful with an excellent voice and beautiful piano! There's not much I can say negatively about this album, but I just don't see myself going back to listen to it in its entirety again. 3.5/5
Generally not a big jazz fan, but he has a big voice without screaming. It's engaging.
Beat poetry over jazz just isn't for me. The words and music often didn't mesh and that made for an uncomfortable listening experience.
2.5
Kendrick sample in the wild (from probably my favorite Kendrick song) on the first track went hard. The watergate song was pretty troll. Overall I really enjoyed it but gotta -1 for not being on spotify
This was good. Funky & groovy. Wasn't expecting some troll slam poetry lol.
I love soul-jazz fusion. I love the vibe of this record. But there are hundreds of albums from the genre that deliver better music than this one. Brian Jackson is competent; but not extraordinary when compared with his peers. Gil Scott Heron isn't a musician as much as a lyricist who dabbles in singing as a means of delivering his lyrics (ala Dylan). The inescapable fact is that music critics are, and always have been, writers of words. Writers of words love lyrics and lyricists. Gil Scott Heron may have been a tremendous lyricist (I'll leave that discussion to those who listen to lyrics). But as a songsmith, and a vocalist? He's pretty mediocre, because that was never his priority.
It's cool. A nice groove for me while ad lib cooking a dinner. Subtle overtones of R&B, soul and a serano pepper. Nice.
A pleasant enough album, clearly made with a lot of love and care but talented musicians. Not something I'm really going to be coming back to but I'm glad I heard it.
Funky, Jazzy, nice live/improv situation. Enjoyable, but not incredible.
WHO WILL SURVIVE IN AMERICA
Not on Spotify
Never really like him, but compared to new stuff, he is tolerable
Lidt et søsygt lydbillede hvor både højre og vestre sterio udgang flakker fra side til side. - Det var ret fint. Ærligt lidt i tvivl om hvordan albummets numre er delt op da jeg kun kunne finde den i en video monkey udgave, som ikke var opdelt.
Definitely lives up to its title as an album with a very wintery feel. It didn't hit me with any particular standouts but it's a pleasant listen overall.
Couldn’t find
I enjoy some of GSH's stuff and some of these songs were great. But this one felt a bit too coffee-house, open mic jazz night. 2.5 rounded up
Great piano shit. No real standout tracks though except maybe H20gate Blues lmao
A very slam poetry jazz/soul album. Often a little much, but lots of good piano and organ.
I really liked this - soul, jazzy, bluesy, fun time rock - great vocals, nice keys.
ok
Not available on spotify
Mixed feelings about it, a lot of it was chill jazz and I liked that but near the end it got more preachy and like slam poetry and it wasn't something I enjoyed anymore. Too overtly political
Jazz album from 1974. Nice morning vibes again, although almost sending me to sleep after an insomnia night…
I was pleasantly surprised by this, all my other experiences with this genre have been baaically "background music". Highlight has gotta be that Watergate song at the end.
I think this is a great demonstration of Brian Jackson's talents as a keyboardist/pianist and Gil Scott-Heron's talents as a singer/someone who would've posted way too much on Twitter if he had been alive at the right time.
Mostly blissed-out rhodes piano, occasional accompaniment and Gil-Scott Heron's distinctive vocals. It's very soulful, very intimate, gets pretty fonky at times, but I would say it's mostly just great background music. "H2O Gate Blues" is the clear standout.
In Gil Scott-Heron's Winter in America, his smooth vocal tone and captivating tales often take a backseat, as the music becomes a distraction. The album's upbeat tracks offer a break, but finding the right balance proves challenging. Adding an unexpected layer, the flute's provides a Ron Burgundy vibe adding unwanted a touch of amusement. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 2 STAND OUT TRACK - Back Home
Blues and poetry
didn't mind any of this, very much enjoyed the vocals and the instrumentation
I vibed to this, and I really appreciated the keyboard playing. The second to last track with the spoken words was too long, but the rest of the album was pretty good. I just don't love jazz, but I liked this better than I like most jazz. 3.5 stars
I'm very convinced I listened to this, but apparently I never rated it, so I'm going to give it a 2.5 rounded up. It clearly did not leave a strong impression.
moody, geile Orgel und cool für nebenbei laufen lassen. Schade, dass Spotify nicht geht.
A little soul, a little R&B, a little jazz, this was a nice listen though I'm not especially drawn to the socio-political stuff. Favorite track - Back Home
The first half was a little too slow and I was getting ready to not like this at all, but it picked up the tempo at Back Home for a few songs that I quite enjoyed. His voice is exceptional but I think the music is a little too barebones for me. Highlights: Back Home, The Bottle H2O Gate Blues is an interesting one. Musically, it's basically not a song, but lyrically and atmospherically it was captivating. The inclusion of an \"audience\" gave it a very lifelike feeling. It was like I was transported to a bar in the 1970's, and it was a great time capsule of how people felt about the state of the country at the time (and some of it is unfortunately way too relevant still). The answering machine bit actually made me laugh out loud.
Good vibes but a little slow. Makes for good background music at work.
Very chill jazzish album.
2,5
Low energy jazzy
This is pretty close to a 2 for me because I really don’t care for this style. I’m not giving it that because it caught my interest a few times and I know this is more message-heavy and not super focused on the music or hooks or anything like that (not that there’s nothing musical in it).
Didn't really resonate with me but extra points for powerful lyrics and intricate sounds
Had to listen on YouTube for some reason. Love the electric piano.
Smooth grooves
Incredible musicianship and interesting juxtaposition of GSH's poetry in the jazz improv context. Different from anything else I've heard recently. A bit "of its time" while still being relevant. A lot of music about Black culture is acclaimed, but did we not get the point? It doesn't seem like the world has changed at all in the 50 or so years since this.
Fascinating listening. Jazz and blues mixed with political poetry. Not my jam but eminently listenable with a ton of depth.
Jazz.
1. 3/5 2. 2/5 3. 1.5/5 4. 3.5/5 5. 4/5 6. 3/5 7. 3/5 8. 4/5 9. 3/5 = 3/5
It's quite a chill time. He's got a great voice. It's just a bit slow.
Une très fine analyse du second mandat d'Emmanuel Macron.
All the albums that are not available on Spotify raise my expectations for some reason. Evidently the album is not as good as I expected it to be. Maybe the harder an album is to be found the lower my expectations should be...
This was a pretty nice sounding album, aside from Gil's voice at points. Somewhat astonishing to listen to this nearly 4 decades later and see how similar the political environment was. Smooth, chill music, but probably a one-and-done for me.
Chaleureux
5.5/10 Highlights: The Bottle H2O Blues
Winter In America is an okay album and it definitely has its good moments and i like how one of the songs felt like an improvised comedy section. The music for the most part worked well but could be a bit annoying at times. I think that this album is pretty decent and is definitely worth listening to Best Song: The Bottle Worst Song: Peace Go With You, Brother (As-Salaam-Alaikum)
cool vibe - a bit preachy, but mellow-er than other Gil Scott-Heron I've heard before (like The Revolution Will Not Be Televised). The artsy instrumentalism on this is really great, and I love the vocal style - a bit similar to Jimi Hendrix's accent/vocal style. Back Home was a good one. So was Rivers Of My Father.
Good jazz piano, quite stripped back and low key. Wonderfully soulful vocals and spoken word political commentary. Besides the evergreen The Bottle, only the opener is a faster track.
3/5
It was okay
Stylistically good album with a great story / lyrics but overall didn’t enjoy the overall sound and flow. Not sure I’d go back for another listen.
Not really for me, but clearly deserving of a position on the list. The jazz influence is a bit too minimalist and I've never been much of a fan of poetry and spoken word stuff in albums. 15/10/23
A bit of a spoken word with a light jazz, actually quite enjoyable record, although I wouldn't label it as an "Album That I Like". The beauty lays in the lyrics, but if those are put forward in an unattractive wrap, then it's too hard to connect. But I can understand people that think very highly of Gi Scott-Heron and this album.
Cool groove
Fairly disappointing. Pieces of a Man should be on this list. Much better album
No se encuentra disponible este disco en Spotify
Onhan tämä jotenkin tosi suloinen. Kiva huilu taas. Vaan vähän ärsyttää, vaan vähän liikaa jazzia ja höpöttelyä.
Wasn’t on Spotify so had to listen through YouTube music, with adverts which really ruins the experience. Liked the vibe of this album, on I’ll comeback to if it ever appears on Spotify
3 Another album that’s not available on Spotify, but thankfully YouTube randomly decided to give me a free two-week trial of Premium, so I didn’t have to suffer through any ads during my listen. Unfortunately for my dad, he had to suffer through a lot of flute on this album - never realized he had a personal vendetta against the instrument until we started this list. Anyway, I’m not normally much of a jazz fan, but as I was listening to this while making dinner, I couldn’t help but feel like I was in a black and white movie and that a trench coat and fedora-wearing detective was about to knock on my door, delivering an important message while smoking a cigarette that would ultimately send me down the rabbit hole of a film noir-esque mystery. I’m not exactly sure if I would call that a positive per se, but I can’t say that about any of the other albums we’ve listened to so far, so do with that what you will. What really escalated this album for me though is vocalist Gil Scott-Heron - the guy has a great, iconic voice, and overall, a strong sense of lyricism, which makes sense given he has a background in spoken word. That being said, despite reading that this is supposed to be a pretty sociopolitically charged album, that didn’t really come through to me on most songs. It’s possible there are some metaphors and references that I’m missing, but for the most part, I feel like I just heard him talk a lot about family, brotherhood, and the centre for the 1986 Montreal Canadiens (joke for my dad). The exception here of course being H2Ogate Blues, which is an absolutely awesome impassioned track that made me want to snap my fingers and yell things like “Go off!” and “Preach!” for most of its duration. It’s sad so many of Scott-Heron’s criticisms towards Nixon’s America are still applicable today… if only he saw what was to come. Regardless, from start to finish, the whole song was fantastic, and I even dug the opening where he talks about shades of the blues. Pleasant vibes throughout, but ultimately, H2Ogates Blues is really the only song I would say stuck out to me and that I would confidently say I enjoyed. Its inclusion alone helps teeter this one just above average for me.
This was really nice! Not too long, really interesting and clever lyrics, some catchy messages coming through among the jazz. Quite different to anything I've heard before and I think inspired a bit of a deeper dive into Scott-Heron's work.
Well I thought this was a very interesting listen. I felt like certain songs were repetitive of just classic jazz songs and the sung melodies weren't particularly inventive so it was losing my attention. But the last song about America was brilliant! Such clever rhymes and the message was so clear. Would give a 3.5 if I could
This was pretty nice. Not tooooo jazzy for me, nice vocals.
Really impressive song writing, but this kind of jazz is pretty low on my list of favorite genres. I will give an extra half star for the line "Nah nah nah, $1.09 get a bottle a wine"
Some nice soul, although none of it really stuck with me.
Musically, I loved this album. It was a nice mix of blues, R&B, and soul. Vocally, it wasn't so great and the lyrics were to heavy-handed for me to consider them impassioned or powerful. "Song for Bobby Smith" was the only track that really hit on all fronts for me. It was a very soulful, bluesy song.
The revolution will not be streamed 70/100
pretty cool, however the heavy piano and pain-filled voice doesn't translate to a great listen. still can appreciate it.
I honestly wish I liked this more than I did... It's good, but doesn't really do much for me.
Music is 4-5 star. Singing is 1-2 star (I do not recall this so much from Pieces of a Man, the only GSH album I knew). Overall: 3 stars.
Beautifully soulful music, especially Brian Jackson's piano work is excellent, but I was not entirely convinced by Scott-Heron's singing on this album. It's somewhere between 3 and 4 stars for me; I'll round it down to 3.
Not something I would put up again but this was quite acceptable overall.
Funky and so important to the hip hop world. Visionary in 1974, for sure.
ikke noe sykt men bra musikk 3.5
A sadly still quite relevant piece of jazz and blues. Gil is in full voice and the talent at every instrument is prevalent. While not really my cup of tea it is undeniably a fantastic piece expertly produced.
Like the talent, music not my vibe.
Album 75 of 1001 Gil Scott-Heron / Brian Jackson - Winter in America Rating : 3/5 Favorite Track : H²Ogate Blues Dove into some serious subjects, for the time...some for this time. Interesting album. Not something I'd sit down to when in a mood for some good tunes, but might put it back on if I am in a pondering state of mind.
Pretty chill, very political. In my wheelhouse, but not something I’d listen to often.
it’s good. a bit melodramatic but it’s pretty enough to fall asleep to.
The layers 😳 Headphones might actually do this album a disservice, at least on some of the beginning tracks - need some Hi-Fi speakers and a bean bag :-) Really liked the "H2O Blues". I wish Genius had better annotations for this song. Good album, but I don't see myself listening to it a lot (if at all) in the future. 3/5
Very Jazzy. Not a single song on here that I recognized. I think this is the guy who did "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." I'm sure I missed a lot of the references that were ripped from the headlines in 1974. "H2Ogate Blues" was my favorite, almost a proto-rap.
He's cool, inspired but also real. Influential but way outside of the mainstream.
Killing it on the jazz flute. Can definitely see Chuck D's influences in songs like H20gate Blues.
Not my kind of music, but it’s ok; lyrics wise, it sounds like it’s still very much relevant.
"Winter in America", Gil Scott-Heron's 1974 collaboration with keyboardist Brian Jackson, sees his music achieve zero-gravity weightlessness and his lyrics become more grounded than ever. If "The Revolution Will Not be Televised" reveals the seeds of Public Enemy's hip-hop, perhaps "Winter in America" is where we find the genesis of A Tribe Called Quest or neo-soul: scathing commentary, pathos and humour are all intertwined and slowly exhaled through dark and moody jazz. Of the songs here, "H20 Gate Blues" is one of my favourites: a fascinating spoken-word track which begins with a genius deconstruction of the blues as a form of music and Black expression, before evolving into a searing takedown of Nixon's administration and the US in 1974. Despite its fairly stripped back, free-flowing arrangement, it's alive with energy and intelligence, and sparkles without having aged a day. Then there's the sheer force of "The Bottle", one of the funkiest tracks ever to utilise a flute, and one of Scott-Heron's most commercially successful (and check out the incredible bassline). It's wonderful, but both it and "H20 Gate Blues" are outliers here: I feel that in praising them as the highlights, I'm missing the point of the rest of the album. Most of "Winter in America" is very subdued, either softly soul-searching, eerily despairing or quietly content with itself. "Peace Go With You Brother" is slow and mellow but remains a hypnotic opener, getting a welcome reprise to bookend the album. But then as much as I like "Rivers of My Fathers", "Song for Bobby Smith" and especially "A Very Precious Time", the sole accompaniment of electric piano feels a little oversimplistic: these songs become demos, skeletons, ghosts. They drift by pleasantly, but I found they lacked much character or distinction. The full-bodied arrangements of "Back Home", "The Bottle" and "H20 Gate Blues" serve as welcome breaks to anchor the music again. This has subtle charms and most likely demands repeated listens. Its association with free jazz hasn't helped me warm to it instantly, but I'm sure there are rewards to be had in "Winter in America" if one puts the time in.
Couldn’t be played on Spotify.
Wow. It's wild how many of the issues brought forth during H2O Gate Blues still hold true in today's political climate. Not only are they still a thing, they've gotten worse.
Lovely performances and enjoyable songs. The Bottle felt like the first chapter of a trilogy including 1 Million Bottle Bags (Public Enemy) and Swimming Pools (Kendrick Lamar).
I kind of enjoyed this, but I was also kind of passively listening while doing other work. I liked the jazz backup, and the lyrics that I tuned into. Not sure I’d turn to it again, but it was ok. I struggled to understand the influence in hip-hop or anything else though.
Could only listen to the tune, but some nice modern blues and vocals.
Easy listening
Quite mild, which always surprises me.
Kinda groovy and funky, with a cool laid-back sound. Not a bad listen on a sunny afternoon looking out at the melting snow in the yard. I guess this is what defines easy listening music.
last song was really good, the rest was pretty okay
Songs were long but easygoing Yes, I liked the song that is the name of the album Sababa
Interesting but not something I would listen to on a regular basis
Interesting, jazzy. but doesn't capture me that much. Has some nice moments, the bootle is good and H20gate blues is a nice spoken word kinda thing.
I appreciate the lo-fi-ness of this.
Not on Spotify. Didn't listen gave what current rating is
This didn't quite do it for me, but it's better than some stuff I rated a 2.
Easy listening lounge jazz
I've got the album with 'The revolution will not be televised' and I reckon it's a better one that this, and probably also more 'meaningful' from a 1001 albums to hear before you die pov. Still, this was a good listen, especially on the faster tracks with the bass dancing all over the place.
Jazz and poetry blend to speak the ageless message of human struggle. His voice was pitchy pretty often but his calm style and the musical performances, especially the flute kept me listening.
It was just easy listening until I got a little way in then it started to get more funky. 3*
Liked this. Although again I couldn't listen to it easily whilst working/concentrating. It demanded my attention.
Lots of smooth bossa on this and the MCing makes you feel like your in the room. The ryhme scheme and figurative language were my favorite things from this album; delivery is so good its hard not to pay attention to what he's saying. I would say the first half was on the weaker side. I'm sure a lot of influence was taken from this; from the samples to the ryhmes.
Sounded like a very groovy soul album. His voice and the music were chill. Not available on Spotify so had to listen through YouTube.
Spoken word better than the singing
Good album, I have a hard time differentiating it from other music if this genre. Not sure what makes it stand out. Favorite track is the bottle
Was some nice renaissance jazz!
This album was one of the harder ones to find but I think I got it. Honestly, I really liked it! The fact that it was harder to get to kind of made it worth it more in a way?
El tema inicial és soul jazz en tota la seva intensitat. Després entra 'Rivers of My Father', un tema de més de 8 minuts que segueix l'estil incorporant la veu i les lletres característiques de l'autor. El tema més conegut és 'The Bottle', que juntament amb 'Back Home' són els més animats del disc, com a mínim pels seus ritmes, que no per les seves lletres. Un disc que s'aprecia més pel valor líric d'Scott-Heron i per la seva expressió vocal, amb uns acompanyaments de primera classe, sobretot en aquest cas el treball a les tecles de Brian Jackson
I really enjoy this record, but it's SO contemplative. I can't just have it on. It demands attention and thought and that's not always where I am. Thus, my listening enjoyment and analysis of this record changes depending on where, when, and how I'm listening. In some way, I feel like that's the quintessential nature of great jazz records. To say that I "enjoy" this record is not quite right. To say that I "appreciate" this record is a massive understatement.
I had not heard of the artists or heard their music. Smooth and soulful, and the lyrics are a powerful reflection of (or response to) what was happening at the time. Musically, I like the way quite a few of the songs leave space for things to sink in or simmer. They want to say what's important to them and it's not rushed at all. Hard to do because I think a lot of bands or musicians who want to say something they believe is important can sometimes push too hard, which dilutes what they seem to want to get across. When they groove, they really groove superbly. I can hear the jazz and blues influences on their soul style, and it's really good. Solid album, and I also think it's important to keep the history alive. The struggle is real and still around today, unfortunately. We can do better. I honestly believe that, painful as the past and present are. We can do better. We have to.
Mostly aimless jazz noodling, not great apart from The Bottle and some Watergate ranting later on. On Amazon Music if you're looking for it
While not currently available on spotify, it is found on youtube. This was an interesting album to listen to with unexpected flute
Had one play through and it's seems pretty good, I wish it was a bit more accessible
its alright i guess
I've never heard of Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson, and Winter in America was all new music for me. I don't know if I liked the album, but I know I didn't dislike the album. Mostly I tried to listen, and waited for the album to finish. It was music.
Rivers of My Fathers
Chill and definitely gets you thinking
groovy
The music is a bit too mellow for my listening taste, but it was nice. The best for me was the Watergate Blues, I like his spoken word poetry.
I’ve previously known Gil Scott-Heron to be more of a spoken word poet but he has a very nice, expressive singing voice here. And he’s accompanied by some terrific jazz piano/keyboard. The album has a calming, soothing sound. (“The Bottle” is a jam though!) Ooh “H2Ogate Blues” is great — this is the Gil Scott-Heron I’m more familiar with. I love how loose the performance is. So funny (sad, really) how much of this still rings true today. I don’t know every Watergate reference he drops here but it reminds me of the scandals within scandals that I used to follow so closely when Trump was in office.
I've heard some of Gil Scott-Heron's stuff over the years but never got too deep into it. Some of his spoken word lyrics I've found to be a little bland actually and I have heard a lot of praise for him so maybe I've just missed some of the better stuff by chance? Or maybe it just never moved me. Sometimes when I look at poetry I wonder if it's normal for people to be as divided on poetry as I tend to be. I find myself reading something that doesn't really do anything for me and I quickly forget about it, or I find something that connects with me on many levels and I will read it every day for a week. And I don't really find myself coming across poetry/spoken word that is in the middle, where I think "hey this is neat", it's usually on one end of the love/hate spectrum. Regardless of that, this album was pretty nice. I liked the music behind the vocals and it seemed like there were plenty of parts where the lyrics were sung on this record instead of strictly in a spoken-word delivery. It might warrant another listen to really dig into everything because this album flew by for me.
nothing to saY
A little boring but very soulful and relaxing!
this just made me think of the fast show. nice.
Better than The 1975
Fijn ook dat Leo R. zeker wilde stellen dat ik het laatste nummer zou horen....Verder is het soms wat zeikerig, soms zeer ok. Het wordt een beetje uitmiddelen. Kom ik op een 2,5. Ik moet voor deze lijst wellicht wat schappelijker zijn / mijn verwachtingen bijstellen. Ik rond het af naar een voldoende.
Nešta sam pohvatao po youtubetu. Uglavnom, solidan album, nažalost nisam se previše uveo u album.
not a big fan of this style, but I could get why people like it
Good album
A little too heavy on the flute
If you like beat poetry, then this album is up your alley. If you are not a fan of beat poetry, this is definitely not your thing. I had heard the iconic "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" so I knew more what to expect. The music part takes more of a backseat to a lot of the lyrics. Gil-Scott Heron is a pretty good singer, I'd like him to be more expressive and emotive. I would also have liked to have heard more of the band. But the lyrics and the poetry was obviously more important, so... I liked it for what it was, but since I am not a beatnik or a hippie I do not think I will be coming back to this one any time soon.
Torn here. There's a solid jazz foundation on every track, but the lyrical themes don't always elevate it to the next level. I want more H2O Gate (or The Revolution Will not Be Televised from his prior album) and less Your Daddy Loves You. The latter is sweet and all, but there's not much to it. Jackson's soft piano adds a biting contrast when placed together with Scott-Heron's incredible lyrics in the former. And that's who Scott-Heron is, a brilliant lyricist with much to say and much for us to pay attention to. The Bottle was also fantastic; edgier sound and brilliant lyrics. The opening and closing Peace Go With You, Brother tracks didn't have quite the same bite (though the opener shows potential for where the album could go). Ditto for Rivers of My Fathers (it wanders a bit). I couldn't figure out whether he was trying to do something more profound with A Very Precious Time than singing about first love. Feels like a 3.5, but I think I shrugged more than I perked up.
Jazzy bluzzy groovy saddening reminder that as much as we change we still stay the same
Ik las dat hij een dichter was en dat kon ik terug horen. Ik vond het mooie, maar ook moeilijke muziek.
This is pretty cool, I really dig the sound. Kinda scary to hear the political messages since nothing has changed in 50 years... Still lots of beauty in this album, doubt I visit it again fully but some songs I'll give more of a listen and the message will stick.
Could only find 1 song of his, it was fine.
When you turn on up-beat jazz like this, you know the bass, drums, keys, and sax have come to PLAY. That is the case with this album. Most of the tracks just get you dancing and grooving. Vocals were the only sore spot for me, not very meaningful. There was also a lot of talking between tracks, not fun to listen to, would have been an easy 4 without that.
I dig this overall thing these guys are doing on this record. The band is great, especially the bassist. But I find myself both attracted and repulsed by this guy's voice. On some songs the music backs him up perfectly. On the ballads, though, less so. Scott-Heron doesn't have the most subtle approach to singing; he comes in hot on every song. Anyway, this is a good album and I'll definitely listen to some of the songs on here. I checked out his earlier album, Pieces of a Man, and I liked that a lot more.
This album was not available on Spotify and I almost did not check out. But Jen sent me a YouTube link and I'm so glad to have a listen! I don't know if Gil is classified as smooth jazz but I think he's smooth and jazzy and cool.
Couldn't find this album anywhere to listen to
This was a delightfully refreshing, honest, and hopeful album. 3.5.
Other than the first track that almost gave me a migraine by bouncing the sound back and forth between channels, i thought this was a very pleasing album and a refreshing change of pace.
My first exposure to Gil Scott-Heron was on the documentary about Weather Underground, as Winter in America soundtracked the downfall of the movement and its ideals as the 70s progressed. And while the song isn't featured on the album, the titular project isn't lacking in interesting soundscapes. As much of it is Gil's album, the backbone of it is Brian Jackson, who serves as the integral piece of the Scott-Heron puzzle and whose absence from the eventual later records becomes too pronounced. But here the duo are operating at the peak of their powers and it is a pretty solid album to dive into. Favorites: Rivers of My Fathers, Back Home, The Bottle, Your Daddy Loves You, H20 Gate Blues.
3/5
Spotify couldn't find this album. I blame Joe Rogan and Neil Young. In light of this, I've listed to Johannesburg which is a live album by GSH featuring the song "Winter In America". This reminded me of some live poetry performance on stage in some bowery bar and getting stoned in the alley before going in for a beer. Super lounge-y, relaxing and all around mellow. The rest of the album he comes off like a true a performer, working the room with lots of positivity and good energy. I really liked his interaction with the audience and introductions between tracks.
This album is OK. I went back and forth between preferring to not listen and intrigued. The spoken word poetry is nice. The Bottle was my favorite track. The jazz background is not improvisational, so that was welcome. Overall a pleasant album that I could listen to again, but will not.
Chilled jazz, counter culture political lyrics. Very cool, but not enough hooks to get me coming back.
This wasn't on Spotify. I listened to a few other Gil Scott-Heron tracks instead.
Thoughtful, jazzy, a pleasant interlude to accompany dinner.
The bottle 👌
I liked Watergate Blues. Rest was ok.
3.8 - Wait, this one doesn't have "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised"?? "H2O Blues Gate" serves as a compelling stand-in. Some terrific piano and electric piano work on here, and I love the flute on "The Bottle."
Not really to my taste, though I did enjoyed the bluesy jazz style of some of the album.
Mostly not a fan of the slower stuff although the musicality is to be commended. The uptempo tracks such as the Bottle and Back Home did it for me more. Somewhat depressing lyrical content. Especially in current times.
This one started out fantastic with five strong songs and on track for 4 or even 5 stars. Then thing completely broke down for the second half with three 2 or even 1 star tracks that were a huge drag to get through before the final minute was nice again. A real shame.
Swag in amerikkka
Lyssnade tyvärr inte så noga... ber om ursäkt
A nice listen
I'm not a big jazz guy, so I wasn't expecting to like this. However, I found it to be a bit more of a fusion between jazz, R&B, blues, and soul, which I think worked pretty well. Some songs I liked better than others. I liked Rivers of My Fathers a lot. The piano playing and the chord progressions were beautiful. But I didn't care at all for A Very Precious Time. It sort of made me want to puke. Overall not great, but not bad. 3 stars.
Ohhhh... The bottle
This was alright. Nice jazzy funk sound but not really for me. 6/10.
solid jazz piano sound.
Soul, R & B
Fine.
Pierwszy Heron na liscie, a obecnosc nie dziwi, bo jeden z najbardziej cytowanych tworcow swojej epoki, choc w samym czasie tworzenia nie zyskal popularnosci pozwalajacej mowic o komercyjnym sukcesie, ale tak rewolucyjnych wartosci jakie sprzedawal w swoich materialach ciezko o poklask, ktory swoim mocno osobistym, a jednoczesnie odnoszacym sie do calej spolecznosci soulem przetarl szlaki dla politycznego hip hopowania, winter in america byl nagrywany w duecie z Brianem Jacksonem, ktorego mozna uslyszec glownie na pianinie i elktrykowych klawiszach oraz flecie, do pana Gil naleza natomiast praktycznie cale wokale tego 44 minutowego nagrania oraz niektore partie klawiszowe, dodatowymi artystami bioracymi udzial w nagraniach byli Danny Bowens na basie i Bob Adams od drumow, tak jak juz przyzwyczail w swoich poprzednich albumach zongluje wokalnie w okolicach barytonowego tenoru, ktory przeplata momentami proto rapu, wiec elementami recytacji, spotifaj jakas dziwna wersje serwuje, bo plyta niby z 74 z 9 utworami i 44 minutami, a reedycja z 75 ma juz dodatkowe dwa traki, ktore i tak sie nie pokrywaja z tym co jest na spoti, wiec troche misz masz, ale i tak tematycznie nadal w klimatach amerykanskiej zimy, dobry pick na ich lipcowe swieto, chociaz nie jestem pewny jak odnosil sie w stosunku do tej sprawy pan Scott, w kazdym badz razie jest to mocno czarny album, co wyczerpuje calkowicie jego podsumowanie liryczne
Je n'ai qu'un vague souvenir de cet album (plus de trois semaines séparent mon écoute de cette critique). La seule chose qui me revient est que j'ai lancé son écoute en plein atelier de réflexion lors de mon séminaire de fin d'année. Ce jour-là, les animateurs expliquaient sereinement le programme qui nous attendaient pendant la matinée lorsque l'un d'eux s'interrompit: « - Quelqu'un a vu robcachetière ? - Non, son siège est inoccupé depuis une trentaine de secondes. » Je me trouvais en effet caché derrière d'énormes baffles de la marque BOSE (les mêmes qu'à la piscine). Je les fis soudain gronder l'intro de Winter In America, laissant mes collègues dans un état de stupéfaction extrême.
Eh bien j'ai envie de vous dire pourquoi pas.
It is not on Spotify.
The Bottle is a standout, the rest is fine.
Found myself bobbing along to a lot of this. 3.5 rounded down
Chill sounds, nice to listen to.
Jazzier than I expected from GSH, and mostly not for the better. It was enjoyable, but slow and same-y. A few highlights (The Bottle), but otherwise a bit too downbeat for me.
Not bad, enjoyed it as easy listening in the background while working. Then the talking part came and I had to focus on that, which was interesting but generally not what I listen to music for.
Nope 👎
The beginning of the first song was a bit disorienting in my headphones. The noise went from one ear to the other. I liked the rest of the song. The second song was just ok. I love the h20 gate poem. Easily my favorite song on here.
Soul jazz fusion. Ni fu ni fa.
Good start and end. It lost me a bit in the middle. The last track was great and clearly influenced Kendrick Lamar
Great. 7/10
bit jazzy, but i lap him up and would be better if i was stoned.
Most of the album was mildly annoying jazzy improv. The last track was more beat poetry and was great - unfortunately still highly relevant today.