Gil Scott-Heron died yesterday at the age of 62. And while he was known as the "founding father of rap" and I think rap music is shit, he did leave us The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, which seems as relevant now as it did in 1970. Except of course for the fact that America's grazing sheep, always referred to as "consumers" in the media, won't be rioting in the street anytime soon. (Unless the football season is canceled.) Not only will the revolution not be televised, but Scott-Heron's song will probably be used to sell you some more crap you don't need and can't afford. Perhaps it already has been. So that's our first video. Also try Scott-Heron's Winter In America (1974).
The second clip is Truman Sleeps written and played by Phillip Glass. This song was used in the great 1998 film The Truman Show. I will be doing a post on that movie soon. After that we've got Driving by Everything But The Girl (1990). It is Memorial Day Weekend after all.
We'll finish up with Tom Scott and the LA Express doing Sneaking In The Back (1973) I'll bet you haven't heard this one in a while!
Enjoy.
Sad to learn of Gil Scott-Heron's death. A powerful poet, musician, and performer who gave voice to the frustration and hope of an era. While he rejected the "father of rap" title you can't deny his influence in crafting socially conscious spoken words with music. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised - is after all a compelling street narrative with a repeated hook structure over some beats. Agreed that The Revolution... and Winter in America seem even more relevant today. He eloquently expressed much struggle, injustice and hope in US society and it later seemed to weigh heavily on his own life - yet some recent performances showed the wit and humor of his awareness. His art was strong - may he rest in peace. And yes may his music not be co-opted by marketing to get our attention just long enough to try to sell us some other shit. Sadly that seems to be the basic utility of all music these days.
Posted by: CB | 05/28/2011 at 05:34 PM