GIL SCOTT-HERON

GIL SCOTT-HERON
GHETTO STYLE (1990)
320 KBPS

In these slothful and flatulent times, the polemical art of Gil Scott-Heron can be galvanising. His most famous track, 'The Revolution will not be televised' (this compilation's opener) is characteristic: over spare percussion and restless flute, Scott-Heron raps a pulverising critique of contemporary culture, the mind-numbing effects of televison, the endemic racism of White America. Scott-Heron's concentrated delivery, his terse rhetoric and awesome self-confidence are so bracing, it's only later you notice the song is about everything the Revolution will NOT be.
this compilation is taken from Scott-Heron's first two albums, when he moved from performance poet to musician. that first song is such a bruiser, that it's quite a shock to find it followed by some very pleasant, sunny, coffee-table jazz. The lyrics remain angry and confrontational, but somehow seem neutered in such sweet musical context.
The closing 6 tracks, taken from a 1972 live performance, suggest what may have been lost. Introducing his 'associates', the set is sparse, stern, funny, fearsome, incendiary (although the version of 'Revolution' is endearingly halting): more like performance poetry or a political meeting than 'music'.

1. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
2. Or Down You Fall
3. The Needle'seye
4. I Think I'll Call It Morning
5. When You Are Who You Are
6. Save The Children
7. Did You Hear What They Said?
8. Free Will
9. Speed Kills
10. Middle Of Your Day
11. Pieces Of The Ages
12. A Sign Of The Ages
13. The Get Out Of The Ghetto Blues
14. Lady Day And John Contrane
15. Home Is Where The Hatred Is
16. No Knock
17. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
18. Sex Education : Ghetto Style
19. Small Talk At 125 Th And Lenox
20. King Alfred Plan
21. Billy Green Is Dead

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