How to Buy....Gil Scott-Heron

[The Grand Wazoo]

Recommendations please folks.
The best three Gil Scott-Heron albums as a present for someone who has none of them.

Thanks in advance.

[Welder]

That’s not an easy pick Chris.
It depends on which aspect of Gil one likes; the jazz or the rap.
Can’t go far wrong with these imo.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Here-Gil-Scott-Heron/dp/B002ZBT84G/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1323529896&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Storm-Music-Best-Gil-Scott-Heron/dp/B00316QY8C/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1323529896&sr=1-1

I’m rather fond of this but it may be a bit hardcore for some.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Revolution-Will-Not-Be-Televised/dp/B0000257B8/ref=sr_1_15?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1323530108&sr=1-15

[Beechwoods]

I started with the 'Glory' compilation, which is fab.

I would definitely do the following, in terms of 'proper' albums.

- Pieces Of A Man. Absolute classic early Gil.
- Reflections. Very early 80's - Has Gil's extraordinary 'B' Movie on it.
- Winter In America - Genius album; contains his most successful track 'The Bottle'

I'm not fan of 'I'm New Here' - his early stuff really is far more worthy of introduction IMO.

One thing I'd say is Gil live was a very special experience. 'Minister Of Information' and 'Save The Children' are fab. Gil's live versions of 'Winter In America' are extraordinary works of poetry and music.

[The Grand Wazoo]

I was thinking Winter in America would have to be one of the three that the lucky recipient would receive - as for the other two, well......?!

[Welder]

Just a thought Chris. What about some Dr John? I think there are a lot of similarities.

City That Care Forgot, is a good album. :)

[WOStantonCS100]

Pieces of A Man ...musically pleasing with the classic 'Lady Day and John Coltrane'
Free Will ...a good split between the music and poetry (rap)
Winter In America ...'The Bottle'

There's a lot more good stuff, obviously, (that got more airplay ie. 'Johannesburg') but, I see these as "classic Gil Scott-Heron". That's my vote, FWIW. There's always time later on for digging deep into "Small Talk at 125th and Lenox" or moving on to the Scott-Heron/Jackson branded albums.

[Beechwoods]

That's 2 votes for 'Pieces Of A Man' and 'Winter In America', Chris!

[The Grand Wazoo]

Nice thought John, but it really has to be Gil.

I could've sworn I'd already posted here a while back to say that! And also to say thanks guys for the suggestions & that I'd do a little research to try to decide what would suit best.




Anyway time has moved on since I didn't post that(!) & I made some choices & I've decided to settle on these ones:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51NdNO3HJLL._SL500_AA300_.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Ul61o4AfL._SL500_AA300_.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51wEmu7ETnL._SL500_AA300_.jpg


So thanks a lot guys.

[Jonboy]

One of my first tastes of a half decent system was listening to Winter in America on Vinyl, ah those were the days stoned out of my tiny mind :peace:

[WOStantonCS100]

"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" is a good comp. I used to have it (car CD). It covers the classic stuff very well; so, all's well that ends well. :)

[Beechwoods]

'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised' is an excellent compilation of the best of Gil's years on 'Flying Dutchman' - his first 3 or 4 albums distilled, basically. A good choice, Chris.

< Lol! Like Biff says! >

Glad you went for 'Reflections' too - it's a lovely upbeat album with Gil doing his best work melding the positive music with very pointed polemic. I hope you'll listen to these albums as well as just wrap them for the recipient!

[The Grand Wazoo]

I wanted to go for 'Pieces of a Man' but couldn't find a copy, so I went for 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised'

[The Grand Wazoo]

I hope you'll listen to these albums as well as just wrap them for the recipient!

They will be staying in the house matey - they're for Mrs Wazzles!

[WOStantonCS100]

Chris,

Will you be my friend, too. I luvs me friends who give music as gifts!! :lol:

[Beechwoods]

They did 'Gatefold Repro Sleeve' editions of the 'Flying Dutchman' releases a while back, £5 a go at Fopp. Really nice. I have multiples of some of Gil's albums for this reason... And a year or two back they finally got round to releasing 'Bridges' and 'Secrets' on CD. They were like hens teeth for years.

'Spirits' was Gil's last good studio album IMO, but he continued to be an excellent live performer right to the end. And his live output is pretty well served on budget releases. 'Live At The Town & Country Club' is good - though 50% chat versus music, good if you like him for his chat; shame about the slap-bass he chose for his arrangements during the late 80's / early 90's!