I was a big fan of Gil Scott Heron, I have most of his old LP's and have seen him live several times. I even worked with him once but for some reason I can't include him in weekyleaks as I can't find the tape...His whereabouts drifted out of my consciousness until about three years ago when I deliberately tried to find out what he was up to, I downloaded as many recent articles on him as possible which was pretty dismal reading and inspired by the reading sat down to write him a song, I wasn't happy with the song, I found it too weak for the subject matter so I threw it away. I liked the main theme though which is dedicating a library in his name, I mean all presidents get one, even the illiterate ones. The GSH Library.
I spent some time in NYC in late 2009 and managed to see him in concert along with Kari, I was writing material for my new album and we were both thrilled to find out he was actually performing again. He started the concert at the B.B. King Blues Club ( to quote my old friend the late great Rock Bottom; A Denny's with music) by saying, I bet you folks didn't think I'd show up! He was witty, entertaining and did some great songs but he was most definately just Pieces Of The Man he used to be.
I also got to see him last year at Rockefeller in Oslo and that was my last GSH concert after seeing him several times around Boston in the 80's, I think I saw him at Dinky Dawson's club, The Channel the first time. GSH always asked for The Fender Rhodes Suitcase model when performing. I love these pianos and I found one for my producer Lars Horntveth last year that he bought. Susanne Sundfør who sings on a couple of songs on my upcoming album also uses one, and yes it's all over my new album as well. Anyhow, enough digressions, Gil Scott Heron was at his best brilliant and has always been an inspiration. No one could get a political message across like he could and even the most grim satire could have you in stiches.
A flyer I kept from NYC.
Here's the song I scrapped, I meant well but it just got to mushy...
GSH
They threw a man in jail
For a handshake on the street
A promise he let slide
One he couldn't keep
Observe an older male
Belittled in his tracks
Explosive brilliance
Of political attack
Eloquent and sharp
He held his dagger straight
He'd force us to laugh
At tragedies at hand
They threw a man in jail
Pieces of his mind
Were scattered on the wall
Graffiti from the can
They threw a man in jail
For hiding in the dust
For such a petty crime
We let his genius rust
Every President
Even those who can not read
Receive a library in their name
With a pardon if they're shamed
What kind of abuse
Do we jail a smart ass for?
Substances of choice
Or substances of war?
Hereby I propose
To build a library
In Gil Scott Herons name
A poets sanctuary