Gil Scott-Heron - Small Talk at 125th and Lenox (USA 1970)

An Uncle Roddus Album Review

Gil Scott-Heron R.I.P

01/04/1949 - 27/05/2011

1.The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (3:21)

2.Omen (1:45)

3.Brother (2:35)

4.Comment No. 1 (4:26)

5.Small Talk at 125th and Lenox (1:21)

6.The Subject Was Faggots (3:11)

7.Evolution (And Flashback) (3:21)

8.Plastic Pattern People (2:53)

9.Whitey on the Moon (1:59)

10.The Vultures (4:31)

11.Enough (4:15)

12.Paint It Black (0:34)

13.Who'll Pay Reparations on My Soul? (5:15)

14.Everyday (4:29)

In light of the recent passing of Gil Scott-Heron, I interrupt African music month for a quick review of  His Debut album from 1970. 

A live recording of Gil's Black reactionary poetry, set to congas and on a couple of tracks, piano, recorded in front of an audience of what sounds like about 6 people, no doubt taped at the address mentioned in the title. The original version of Gil's best known song "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" opens this set in its stripped back version before it was set to a more funky tune in a future release. Full of humor, violence, hate, truth and intelligence, these poems are a diatribe of Gil's justified contempt for white America and how his ancestors and contemporaries have been treated by the White man. Gil has a great voice when reading and boy he can sing too. Highlights for me include The above mentioned opening track, "Evolution...", "Enough" "The Vultures" and best of all, the excellent "Who'll Pay Reparations On My Soul".

A fantastic album  and rated 5/5.