Anybody Seen Gil Scott-Heron Recently?
drewnice
5,465 Posts
I tripped over a flyer on the sidewalk today saying he'll be performing here at World Cafe Live next Sunday.Has anybody had a chance to see him in the last however long?My initial thought is that I'll regret not going while he's still with us, at any cost...
Comments
I've told this story on the Strut before, but it bears repeating. The one time I saw him was ten years ago, and already he was starting to coast. No more scintillating stage raps like on that PBS special (issued on video and/or DVD as Black Wax). The band was taking long, long solos while Gil went off into the wings to take a nap. I'm not trying to signify, but he was obviously sidetracked by something.
Not one of the better shows, but for the reason you mentioned: , I'd check him out anyway. Hopefully you'll get a better show that what I saw!
still. glad to support (i wont ask what)
Live performance from january.... talk about butching a classic
while his vocal range has shrunken and become grittier, he can still deliver on the tunes and the dude has still got a great sense of humour.
you shouldn't let 35 dollars deter you
I would go if it's a smaller venue (I have seen him twice before at Blues Alley in DC-spendy but VERY intimate venue, maybe seats like 150-200 people), and that was out of 3 times I had tickets, the last time he was a no-show, and his band was there waiting for him.
I have shared this here before, but he is still engaging, even with dental problems impairing his singing (first time I saw him, this was not yet a problem), and his bands are pretty great. And if Brian Jackson is with him(they were together on the first show I saw-what a contrast), then GO. Brian is still vibrant and together, and a real unsung musical talent, the very definition of 'underrated'. Gil is in DC next week at the 9:30 club, and it's a bit too large for me to see him being very effectual in anymore, but I do hope I am wrong. I just found out about it last week.
Any DC ticketholders?
damn...sounds like the band is doing "the bottle"
and GIL is doing "lady day & john coltrane" (plus something else better left unsaid)
and they're trying in vain to meet each other in the middle - WTF?
I really wish I could go but I'm DJing that night. Unhappy face.