Gil Scott Heron “Winter In America” (1974) HIGH QUALITY
Gil Scott-Heron (born April 1, 1949 — May 27, 2011) was an American poet, musician, and author known primarily for his late 1960s and early 1970s work as a spoken word soul performer and his collaborative work with musician Brian Jackson. His collaborative efforts with Jackson featured a musical fusion of jazz, blues and soul music, as well as lyrical content concerning social and political issues of the time, delivered in both rapping and melismatic vocal styles by Scott-Heron. The music of these albums, most notably Pieces of a Man and Winter in America in the early 1970s, influenced and helped engender later African-American music genres such as hip hop and neo soul. Scott-Heron’s recording work is often associated with black militant activism and has received much critical acclaim for one of his most well-known compositions “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”. On his influence, a music writer later noted that “Scott-Heron’s unique proto-rap style influenced a generation of hip-hop artists”.
Winter in America is a studio album by American soul musician and poet Gil Scott-Heron and musician Brian Jackson, released in May 1974 on Strata-East Records. Recording sessions for the album took place on three recording dates in September and October of 1973 at D&B Sound Studio in Silver Springs, Maryland. The album served as the third collaboration effort by Scott-Heron and Jackson following the latter’s contributions on Pieces of a Man and Free Will. As the first record produced by the two musicians, it was also the first of their work together to have Jackson receive co-billing for a release. The album features introspective and socially-conscious lyrical content by Scott-Heron and mellow instrumentation and soundscape stylistically rooted in jazz and the blues, which produced a fusion of bluesy jazz-based vocals and Jackson’s free jazz arrangements. The album is also one of the earliest known studio releases to contain proto-rap elements such as a stripped-down production style and spoken word-vocalization.
Heron’s father Gil Heron (1922 – 27 November, 2008) was a Jamaican footballer/soccer player. He was the first black player to play for Scottish club Celtic FC after being invited on a trial in 1951. Heron went on to score on his debut, on August 18, 1951 in a League Cup tie against Morton that Celtic won 2-0.
The title and subject of this song is so hauntingly true and shocking. America is in her winter stage of life. Sad to see the poor quality of life that is ever present for so many Americans. I know the generations of giants that stood before us would be sad to see the extent to which she has degenerated. What a shame. Gil Scott Heron hit the nail on the head when he said "All you can do is save your own soul." Listening to this on a cold winter night over a fire and good herb. Love anyone who read this.
Gil Scott is truly one of the forgotten greatest artists, very underrated. There should be a movie made about his life struggles and success. Rest In Power!
Who is here at the dawning of 2024 because it really is Winter in America, AGAIN, amazed that people ARE fighting, people do know what to say…and it may not make a difference?
Still late Autumn, Thanksgiving Day to be specific. Yet Gil figured the reality of a pathway to "success" for the vast majority of American Citizenry so many years ago. So Prophetic, RIP Gil!
Did anyone know that Gil's father was the first black soccer player in Scotland in the 1950's. He played for Celtic and the fans called him.."The black arrow"….
I remember back when I was in high school, listening to WBCN in Boston and being introduced to Gil's music, especially this song. Sadly, "BCN" is gone.
I’m a 65 year-old white, Irish guy, grew up in Birmingham,England and I’ve lived in northern Spain for the last 30 years. I only mention this to highlight the reach that Gil has. I’ve been listening to this man for 50 years and his intelligence,poetry,melody,politics have had an immense impact on my life. Thank you Gil, thank you Brian
Been listening ta this song since grade skol….an good music, one of a kind back then…Sweet…..
The title and subject of this song is so hauntingly true and shocking. America is in her winter stage of life. Sad to see the poor quality of life that is ever present for so many Americans. I know the generations of giants that stood before us would be sad to see the extent to which she has degenerated. What a shame. Gil Scott Heron hit the nail on the head when he said "All you can do is save your own soul." Listening to this on a cold winter night over a fire and good herb. Love anyone who read this.
1974-2024 and this song still holds up today
Geshem Israel Geshem Israel elehenu Adonai Hashem
F is for Family, anyone?
so incredible in all aspects – Wish someone would kick out a tribute or kick up a new version – certainly relevant for these dark daze!
He was way ahead of his time.
The definitive version. From the album the First Minute of a New Day.
Bringing in 2024 to this
I got to hear Gil Scott-Heron a few times, what a voice and how profetic his lyrics. Still relevant today! Que Viva Gil. You are missed Brother.❤
Gil Scott is truly one of the forgotten greatest artists, very underrated. There should be a movie made about his life struggles and success. Rest In Power!
I feel like someone sampled this song i just can't find it
Profoundly poignant!
Who is here at the dawning of 2024 because it really is Winter in America, AGAIN, amazed that people ARE fighting, people do know what to say…and it may not make a difference?
Still late Autumn, Thanksgiving Day to be specific. Yet Gil figured the reality of a pathway to "success" for the vast majority of American Citizenry so many years ago. So Prophetic, RIP Gil!
We are all searching for the Truth! Damn the corporate sponsor$$$ and all the chatter!
1998 I’m here and love it ❤️
Is Jill Scott related to him
Ask Hanna what she thinks 😉
nearly the best
How was this released? It doesn't appear on the 1974 album, that I can tell.
Did anyone know that Gil's father was the first black soccer player in Scotland in the 1950's. He played for Celtic and the fans called him.."The black arrow"….
Pure bliss….
Gil's intro to song then the lyrics:
INTRO:
In case you haven't been there lately
We have, and the season is back
I mean, it was, it was holiday weather for a minute
Or when I was just on vacation
I'll tell you a story
There used to be an agreement between the seasons
I mean, after a while they decided to sit down and work it out
And they agreed that they were gonna just come and stay
About three months each
And then they would go to wherever seasons go
When they're not where you are
And this would be a cycle and it would go on all the time
And then one year in America, one of the seasons got mad
And decided it was going to stay
Decided that the way things were done there made it feel at home
He would not, he wouldn't go when he was supposed to
I mean it wasn't the people
The people runnin' this stuff, you know what I'm sayin'
It was something, there was some kind of vibe there
Made it feel like it weren't leaving, it was just not, just not gonna go
It wasn't in terms of the temperature, it was in terms of the philosophy
The politics, the psychology, the way things were going in other directions
And so for a long time, where we come from there's no spring
And no summer and no fall
We have been taken over by the season of ice
Very few people recognise it for what it is
Although they feel uncomfortable
Very few people recognise the fact that somehow the seasons don't change
I mean, you can acclimate it, you can politically acclimate it
You can philosophically acclimate it
You start to, you start to relate everything to the season of ice
And so your dreams become frozen, and your ideas become frozen
Your promises become frozen in this
Frozen days, and frozen nights
Frozen aspirations and frozen inspiration
There's something wrong, I mean, there's something wrong
I mean, there's something wrong, I mean
There's something wrong, I mean
We'd like to talk to you about a season that is taking over America
The season is winter
This song is called, "Winter in America"
LYRICS
From the Indians who welcomed the pilgrims
And to the buffalo who once ruled the plains
Like the vultures
Circling beneath the dark clouds
Looking for the rain
Hey, they've been looking for the rain
Just like the cities staggered on the coastline
Livin' in a nation that just can't take much more
Like the forest they buried beneath the highway
Never had a chance to grow
Well, they never had a chance to grow
And now it's winter
Come on, sing if you know the words
Seemed like winter in America
A time when all of the healers done been killed
Or been betrayed, say
People know that something's wrong
Everybody oughta know winter
Seemed like winter in America
The truth is there ain't nobody fighting
Because, well nobody knows what to save
Brother, save your soul
Lord knows it's winter in America
The Constitution, a noble piece of paper
With free society
Well, they struggled but they died in vain
And now democracy is ragtime on the corners
On the cord, hoping it'd rain
Yes, he's been a-hopin' for some rain
But it just don't look like rain
And I see the robins, yeah, perched in barren tree tops
Watching last-ditch racists marching across the floor
And like the peace sign that filtered in our dreams
That never had a chance to grow
Yeah, they never had a chance to grow
Somebody want to go tell them it's winter
It's cold, it's like winter in America
Time when all the healers, people who have done been killed
Or been betrayed, say
But the people know there's something wrong
Hey, it's winter
It seems like winter in America
The truth is there ain't nobody fighting
'Cause, well nobody knows what to save
Aw, sister save your babies
Yes, winter in America
I said hey, hey, hey
It's winter
It's cold, it's like winter in America
Time when all the healers, brothers who have done been killed
And put them in jail, say
People know there's something wrong
Something wrong with winter
It feels like winter in America
The truth is there ain't nobody fighting because
Well nobody knows what to save
Yes and the truth is
There's nobody fighting, nobody fighting
Nobody knows, nobody knows what to do, what to do
The truth is there ain't nobody fighting because
Nobody knows what to save
Winter is coming frfr! 2024~ is gonna make the 60s look like a dispute over a card game.
X doubt
Welcome to your Nation, again, People.
Therefore, try to make this World a better one.
All Our People.
I remember back when I was in high school, listening to WBCN in Boston and being introduced to Gil's music, especially this song. Sadly, "BCN" is gone.
This song should replace the current
national anthem.
I’m a 65 year-old white, Irish guy, grew up in Birmingham,England and I’ve lived in northern Spain for the last 30 years. I only mention this to highlight the reach that Gil has. I’ve been listening to this man for 50 years and his intelligence,poetry,melody,politics have had an immense impact on my life. Thank you Gil, thank you Brian
Quem veio pela transmissão do Ed Motta ?
Thanks for that historical information about Gil's father. I was born in Tennessee not far from where he was born.
Timeless beauty