Comments on: Genius Burning Brightly: The Unraveling of Gil Scott-Heron http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/ A civil rights blog promoting informed discourse on issues of race, justice, equality and democracy. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:22:34 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Debbie Williams http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-2/#comment-2678 Debbie Williams Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:37:10 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-2678 Mad props to G-SH. I celebrate his music, his struggle, and his life. His new album is up there with Winter in America. I am not writing him off. I don't think he is near death. I don't care if he is HIV positive. He is the most thought-provoking writer, poet and beautiful mind I have ever come across. I saw him at Bimbos in the late 80s and sat front and center. I felt like I had my own private showing. Lilly Scott must have been one hell of a woman. I hope my son feels the same way about me one day; more importantly, I hope he can express his feelings. Our respective journeys are....I hope Gil's includes much more music.... Mad props to G-SH. I celebrate his music, his struggle, and his life. His new album is up there with Winter in America. I am not writing him off. I don’t think he is near death. I don’t care if he is HIV positive. He is the most thought-provoking writer, poet and beautiful mind I have ever come across. I saw him at Bimbos in the late 80s and sat front and center. I felt like I had my own private showing. Lilly Scott must have been one hell of a woman. I hope my son feels the same way about me one day; more importantly, I hope he can express his feelings. Our respective journeys are….I hope Gil’s includes much more music….

]]> By: Leasa Fortune http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-2/#comment-2674 Leasa Fortune Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:22:28 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-2674 TaRessa - Great article. In the early 80s I saw Gil Scott-Heron at the New Morning Jazz Club in Paris's 10th Arrondissement. The club was full of tres' chic African Americans and hyper-cool Parisians, heavy Gauloises cigarette smoke swirled around us mingling with our Kir Royals and rich red wines. We were so on! This was a momentous event with an iconic artist and we all knew it. The air crackled with anticipation. On to the stage he walked to our cheers and crazy applause. Though his drug problem was evident even then, Gil still had his take-no-prisoners swagger and he proceeded to blow our righteous minds with his unrelenting brilliance and artistry. Now I sit listening to the npr interview with him. I can breath now. His voice resonates with the wear and tear of years of abuse but the force of his personality is in tact on new music being released next week. Thanks to Richard Russell, British record producer, who in 2007 ushered Gil from his incarceration directly into the studio (you gotta' love those Brits). Their combined efforts has given birth to "I'm New Here." Raw, gritty, experimental, visionary, forever relevant - Gil Scott-Heron. TaRessa – Great article. In the early 80s I saw Gil Scott-Heron at the New Morning Jazz Club in Paris’s 10th Arrondissement. The club was full of tres’ chic African Americans and hyper-cool Parisians, heavy Gauloises cigarette smoke swirled around us mingling with our Kir Royals and rich red wines. We were so on! This was a momentous event with an iconic artist and we all knew it. The air crackled with anticipation. On to the stage he walked to our cheers and crazy applause. Though his drug problem was evident even then, Gil still had his take-no-prisoners swagger and he proceeded to blow our righteous minds with his unrelenting brilliance and artistry.

Now I sit listening to the npr interview with him. I can breath now. His voice resonates with the wear and tear of years of abuse but the force of his personality is in tact on new music being released next week. Thanks to Richard Russell, British record producer, who in 2007 ushered Gil from his incarceration directly into the studio (you gotta’ love those Brits). Their combined efforts has given birth to “I’m New Here.” Raw, gritty, experimental, visionary, forever relevant – Gil Scott-Heron.

]]> By: Lawre Shropshire http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-2/#comment-2142 Lawre Shropshire Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:38:05 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-2142 Another great musical prophet prepares for his departure.I loved him then I love him now anwe should always love him for now an evermore. Study his previous messages inhis music.If anyone knows an address to contact him please let me know. Another great musical prophet prepares for his departure.I loved him then I love him now anwe should always love him for now an evermore. Study his previous messages inhis music.If anyone knows an address to contact him please let me know.

]]> By: Dianne Proctor http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-2/#comment-1773 Dianne Proctor Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:49:37 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-1773 I still listen to his music, I remember Blues Alley where he played so often. I miss him he is truly a rare soul. I still listen to his music, I remember Blues Alley where he played so often. I miss him he is truly a rare soul.

]]> By: monique http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-2/#comment-1711 monique Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:54:22 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-1711 it's so nice to know there are many that are concerned about gil. Check out some new stuff gil is doing, good to see, and as Bilal says, long live gil! He is needed. Show your support, contact the label, thank them...... http://imnewhere.net/ it’s so nice to know there are many that are concerned about gil. Check out some new stuff gil is doing, good to see, and as Bilal says, long live gil! He is needed. Show your support, contact the label, thank them…… http://imnewhere.net/

]]> By: Steven Pitts http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-2/#comment-1127 Steven Pitts Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:31:35 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-1127 Thanks for the article and all of these comments. It is sad to hear of GSH's life today. The comments remind me of the joy, love, and power that his songs still inspire in me. Thanks for the article and all of these comments. It is sad to hear of GSH’s life today. The comments remind me of the joy, love, and power that his songs still inspire in me.

]]> By: Brenda Kay Monroe-Moses http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-2/#comment-1056 Brenda Kay Monroe-Moses Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:03:01 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-1056 I am acquainted with "Scotty" because we grew up in our mothers' church. Berean Baptist. I remember him fondly as the little boy who seemed so much younger than the 2 years he is than me and how he had to be shooed away and stopped from banging on the piano at churc. He was so bent on playing it. I too am saddened to learn more of his downward spiral. My understanding is when he was but an infant or of tender age his parents separated and his mother brought him to Jackson to live with his grandmother, Mrs. Lillie Scott. She was a pillar in our church and there is still a church group of mostly widows who belong to "The Lillie Scott Circle." Scotty was lively, but not disorderly because Mrs. Scott was not having that. By 195-60 in spite of the Supreme Court's ruling in the Brown v Board of Education case by our public schools were still segregated. When Scotty was an 8th grader, he became one of 3 black students to desegregated I.B. Tigrett Junior High School. The next year Mrs. Scott died and his mother took him back to New York City. I know how much of a challenge integrating Tigrett was for them because 2 years later that experience became a part of mine at the local white high school as the lone black student. in January 1963. I was living in Philadelphia, PA in the early '70s when after all those years I looked up and saw Scotty on the television reciting some of his poetry. I called the tv station, learned it was a taped show and I gave name and phone number and asked them to have him call me. They tracked him down and two weeks later he came to visit me. He was doing exciting things and i was inspired! He told me he had dropped out of Lincoln University in Chester, PA, but since he had been published, he had returned there as a guest faculty member. He was on his way to a Master's Program at John Hopkins University - without having a Bachelor's degree. I rejoiced with him and it was a great reunion. I left Philly, married a Jamaican straight from the island and moved back to Jackson. I came across an article about "Gil Scott-Heron" in Newsweek which informed me more about his parentage. It stated that his father, Mr. Heron, was a Jamaican professional polo player.. It was an impressive article. I wrote a letter to the editor which much to my surprised was published. In my letter expressed my hope that when we had children there would be the same kind of artistic magic in the mixture of our American-Jamaican bloodlines as his parents. About 8 years ago our paths crossed again when Scotty was brought back to Jackson to headliner African Street Festival by SAACA ( Society for African American Culture Association), a non-profit. The event planners and some of us knew of the problems and issues he was having even then, but that could not dampen our enthusiasm about his return to our hometown. After his performance, Madeleine Walker, also one of the 3 black Tigrett students, and I visited with him. That too was a great reunion! My Jamaican husband and I had two daughters, Felicia and Pamela, and were divorced when they were 5 and 7 in 1982. Many years later a Nashville friend who knew Scotty was a "Jackson,TN Nugget", purchased one of his CDs and sent it to me. Scotty was certainly before their time and I had not talked about him to them - except maybe about that Tigrett thing. Around age 23 my younger daughter became a hip-hop artist and writer and when she spied Scotty's CD as soon as I unwrapped it, before I had to chance to listen to it once, she swooped it up with my permission. At the time she lived across the street from me, but It took several years to get it back. My favorite is "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" followed closely by "Johannesburg." When I listen to it now he, she sounds like a prophet. The same issues he was singing about then are just as or more relevant today. The names of the key players in the political arena are different. Yes a lot of things are different and everything must change. I recently retired as a classroom teacher of history to 8th graders at I.B. Tigrett Middle School after 13 years of service. The school is now majority African-Ameerican as private schools, "Christian" schools and home schooling, have proliferated in our county as well as across America. Scotty is only about 60,61 now and recovery from some things for him is still possible. I pray Scotty has embraced our mother's faith and belief in Jesus Christ as his personal savior. At the end of our lives, that's all that really matters. We have alI missed some of the blessings stored up for us because of our proclivities and poor decision-making. I join others who are asking God to restored to him all that God wants him to have in this life because the best is yet to come! I wish he would come back home to Jackson. I am acquainted with “Scotty” because we grew up in our mothers’ church. Berean Baptist. I remember him fondly as the little boy who seemed so much younger than the 2 years he is than me and how he had to be shooed away and stopped from banging on the piano at churc. He was so bent on playing it. I too am saddened to learn more of his downward spiral.
My understanding is when he was but an infant or of tender age his parents separated and his mother brought him to Jackson to live with his grandmother, Mrs. Lillie Scott. She was a pillar in our church and there is still a church group of mostly widows who belong to “The Lillie Scott Circle.” Scotty was lively, but not disorderly because Mrs. Scott was not having that.
By 195-60 in spite of the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Brown v Board of Education case by our public schools were still segregated. When Scotty was an 8th grader, he became one of 3 black students to desegregated I.B. Tigrett Junior High School. The next year Mrs. Scott died and his mother took him back to New York City. I know how much of a challenge integrating Tigrett was for them because 2 years later that experience became a part of mine at the local white high school as the lone black student.
in January 1963.
I was living in Philadelphia, PA in the early ’70s when after all those years I looked up and saw Scotty
on the television reciting some of his poetry. I called the tv station, learned it was a taped show and I gave name and phone number and asked them to have him call me. They tracked him down and two weeks later he came to visit me. He was doing exciting things and i was inspired! He told me he had dropped out of Lincoln University in Chester, PA, but since he had been published, he had returned there as a guest faculty member. He was on his way to a Master’s Program at John Hopkins University – without having a Bachelor’s degree. I rejoiced with him and it was a great reunion.
I left Philly, married a Jamaican straight from the island and moved back to Jackson. I came across an article about “Gil Scott-Heron” in Newsweek which informed me more about his parentage. It stated that his father, Mr. Heron, was a Jamaican professional polo player.. It was an impressive article. I wrote a letter to the editor which much to my surprised was published. In my letter expressed my hope that when we had children there would be the same kind of artistic magic in the mixture of our American-Jamaican bloodlines as his parents.
About 8 years ago our paths crossed again when Scotty was brought back to Jackson to headliner African Street Festival by SAACA ( Society for African American Culture Association), a non-profit. The event planners and some of us knew of the problems and issues he was having even then, but that could not dampen our enthusiasm about his return to our hometown. After his performance, Madeleine Walker, also one of the 3 black Tigrett students, and I visited with him. That too was a great reunion!
My Jamaican husband and I had two daughters, Felicia and Pamela, and were divorced when they were 5 and 7 in 1982. Many years later a Nashville friend who knew Scotty was a “Jackson,TN Nugget”, purchased one of his CDs and sent it to me. Scotty was certainly before their time and I had not talked about him to them – except maybe about that Tigrett thing. Around age 23 my younger daughter became a hip-hop artist and writer and when she spied Scotty’s CD as soon as I unwrapped it, before I had to chance to listen to it once, she swooped it up with my permission. At the time she lived across the street from me, but It took several years to get it back. My favorite is “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” followed closely by “Johannesburg.”
When I listen to it now he, she sounds like a prophet. The same issues he was singing about then are just as or more relevant today. The names of the key players in the political arena are different. Yes a lot of things are different and everything must change. I recently retired as a classroom teacher of history to 8th graders at I.B. Tigrett Middle School after 13 years of service. The school is now majority African-Ameerican as private schools, “Christian” schools and home schooling, have proliferated in our county as well as across America.
Scotty is only about 60,61 now and recovery from some things for him is still possible. I pray Scotty has embraced our mother’s faith and belief in Jesus Christ as his personal savior. At the end of our lives, that’s all that really matters. We have alI missed some of the blessings stored up for us because of our proclivities and poor decision-making. I join others who are asking God to restored to him all that God wants him to have in this life because the best is yet to come! I wish he would come back home to Jackson.

]]> By: Joanne Williams http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-2/#comment-754 Joanne Williams Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:39:08 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-754 I am awe-struck by the comments. Reading each one I dipped deeper and deeper into my soul....bringing back memories, ambitions, experiences, acquaintances, friends and the spirit of the time when Gil Scott-Heron was the trumpeter of hope...and yes, the rage of current circumstance. DC in the 70s was a real mixed bag for those of us living in the "bowel of the beast." We witnessed and were part of the counter-culture, the "no knock" laws...anti-war demonstrations...feminist uprisings...and of course, personal revolutions that would never be televised. And in the middle of all this?? Gil....always Gil...as the prophet of all that we wanted to happen in our lifetimes....and the soothsayer of all of our dispair and frustration. Now, that I've shed my "bricks&board" environment and upgraded to real furniture...now don the acceptable wardrobe for my corporate clients.....sip a higher priced wine....I still carry in my soul and spirit the haunting melodies and messages meant to shake our people out of our doldrums to understand the world in which we live....thank you Gil and Brian...thank you Nina...thank you Trane...thank you Byrd....and the many others that who keep me grounded and observant. And for those of you I know and who have been mentioned in this "Comment" trail....so glad to know that life, thought, and deep reflection are still alive and well. I am awe-struck by the comments. Reading each one I dipped deeper and deeper into my soul….bringing back memories, ambitions, experiences, acquaintances, friends and the spirit of the time when Gil Scott-Heron was the trumpeter of hope…and yes, the rage of current circumstance. DC in the 70s was a real mixed bag for those of us living in the “bowel of the beast.” We witnessed and were part of the counter-culture, the “no knock” laws…anti-war demonstrations…feminist uprisings…and of course, personal revolutions that would never be televised. And in the middle of all this?? Gil….always Gil…as the prophet of all that we wanted to happen in our lifetimes….and the soothsayer of all of our dispair and frustration.

Now, that I’ve shed my “bricks&board” environment and upgraded to real furniture…now don the acceptable wardrobe for my corporate clients…..sip a higher priced wine….I still carry in my soul and spirit the haunting melodies and messages meant to shake our people out of our doldrums to understand the world in which we live….thank you Gil and Brian…thank you Nina…thank you Trane…thank you Byrd….and the many others that who keep me grounded and observant. And for those of you I know and who have been mentioned in this “Comment” trail….so glad to know that life, thought, and deep reflection are still alive and well.

]]> By: Alex Garrison. http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-2/#comment-744 Alex Garrison. Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:53:51 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-744 Reading this article and comments made me reflect on my shared years with Gil at Lincoln U. Two memorable experiences with Gil, known as Spiderman on campus, was playing endless games of Pinochle in the Student Union Building where I "rubbed his head" often, and his on campus protest leadership efforts in 1970 following the Jackson State massacre which led to the premature school closing due to KKK threats. My remembrance of Gil is as a friend and social inspirer during my formidable years despite life trials and tribulations. Love is in the heart not sight which lives forever!. Reading this article and comments made me reflect on my shared years with Gil at Lincoln U. Two memorable experiences with Gil, known as Spiderman on campus, was playing endless games of Pinochle in the Student Union Building where I “rubbed his head” often, and his on campus protest leadership efforts in 1970 following the Jackson State massacre which led to the premature school closing due to KKK threats. My remembrance of Gil is as a friend and social inspirer during my formidable years despite life trials and tribulations. Love is in the heart not sight which lives forever!.

]]> By: Shirley Moulton http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-1/#comment-742 Shirley Moulton Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:47:05 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-742 I met Gil Scott Heron at Linclon University, he used to visit our dorm room periodically, and I attended all his concerts at Lincoln with Brian Jackson. At the time I did not realize that I was in the presence of a genius. I recently saw him perform with Mos Def at Carnegie Hall. Mos Def was amazingly graceful and cried when he introduced him. Like most of the great ones, Gil is a troubled soul ...and expressed his pain through his work/art. As his partner of many years echoed in her above comments, Gil has childhood pains that must be "cleaned up" and reconciled before he can get to personal self-mastery and "light". Through his pain and personal sacrifice we continue to enjoy his inspirational and evolutionary words....I pray for his to recognize, celebrate and shine his light" in this life or the next. I met Gil Scott Heron at Linclon University, he used to visit our dorm room periodically, and I attended all his concerts at Lincoln with Brian Jackson. At the time I did not realize that I was in the presence of a genius. I recently saw him perform with Mos Def at Carnegie Hall. Mos Def was amazingly graceful and cried when he introduced him. Like most of the great ones, Gil is a troubled soul …and expressed his pain through his work/art. As his partner of many years echoed in her above comments, Gil has childhood pains that must be “cleaned up” and reconciled before he can get to personal self-mastery and “light”. Through his pain and personal sacrifice we continue to enjoy his inspirational and evolutionary words….I pray for his to recognize, celebrate and shine his light” in this life or the next.

]]> By: Paris D http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-1/#comment-677 Paris D Thu, 28 May 2009 05:38:23 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-677 Brian Jackson info... http://www.brianjackson.net/ Brian Jackson info…
http://www.brianjackson.net/

]]> By: Karla Henderson http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-1/#comment-587 Karla Henderson Wed, 13 May 2009 01:37:28 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-587 I once had the unique privilege of appearing before Gil on stage, doing my own poetry. He was and is one of a kind and a great inspiration. He once dedicated a song, I don't remember which one, to my mother at the Roxy and the look on her face was drop dead pleasure. I once had the unique privilege of appearing before Gil on stage, doing my own poetry. He was and is one of a kind and a great inspiration. He once dedicated a song, I don’t remember which one, to my mother at the Roxy and the look on her face was drop dead pleasure.

]]> By: cee-dubb from Denver http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-1/#comment-584 cee-dubb from Denver Tue, 12 May 2009 17:18:34 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-584 I had the chance to see Gil in Denver a couple of weeks ago, he looked better that expected and his voice and strength appeared to be very good. I have known Gil for close to 40years and have been concerned about his well being, as we all have. Needless to say iIwas very surprised at how well he looked and sounded. We spoke briefly but I didn't get a chance to have a long conversation with him. He also did two other shows in the Denver area that weekend. I had the chance to see Gil in Denver a couple of weeks ago, he looked better that expected and his voice and strength appeared to be very good. I have known Gil for close to 40years and have been concerned about his well being, as we all have. Needless to say iIwas very surprised at how well he looked and sounded. We spoke briefly but I didn’t get a chance to have a long conversation with him. He also did two other shows in the Denver area that weekend.

]]> By: Mtume ya Salaam http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-1/#comment-583 Mtume ya Salaam Tue, 12 May 2009 17:05:43 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-583 This is incredible. The comments are as deep as the article. Brian Jackson actually wrote in. (!!) Hey, man, it's all been said but I can't help adding my own two cents. With the possible exception of the great Nina Simone, I think of Gil Scott-Heron as black music's preeminent musical communicator of the last forty years. Not a coincidence that both he and Nina had their issues with trying to get out of their own heads. How'd you like to be that caring, that knowledgeable, that conscious and then also gifted enough to accurately share all of that caring, knowledge and consciousness? And then - and this is probably the part that has them reaching for the pipe, the bottle or the needle - you can't do a fucking thing about it except sing? As much as I'd love to be able to turn a melodic phrase or play a few notes on a piano as brilliantly as Nina or Gil (even once! JUST ONCE!!), I wouldn't switch places with them even for a weekend, a day or an hour. The price for all of that truth and beauty is far, far too much to bear. Gil is one of my musical heroes. Hell, forget music. He's one of my heroes, period. And no matter what other crazy shit he does, says or ingests before he passes on, he will always be a hero to me. I do hope he gets better but I also understand he probably won't. The only thing any of us can hope for him is peace. And like someone else said, the thing we have to realize is he's nothing but a man. No more, no less than the rest of us. Just a man.... Peace be with you, brother. You're loved by many. - Mtume. This is incredible. The comments are as deep as the article.

Brian Jackson actually wrote in. (!!)

Hey, man, it’s all been said but I can’t help adding my own two cents. With the possible exception of the great Nina Simone, I think of Gil Scott-Heron as black music’s preeminent musical communicator of the last forty years. Not a coincidence that both he and Nina had their issues with trying to get out of their own heads.

How’d you like to be that caring, that knowledgeable, that conscious and then also gifted enough to accurately share all of that caring, knowledge and consciousness? And then – and this is probably the part that has them reaching for the pipe, the bottle or the needle – you can’t do a fucking thing about it except sing?

As much as I’d love to be able to turn a melodic phrase or play a few notes on a piano as brilliantly as Nina or Gil (even once! JUST ONCE!!), I wouldn’t switch places with them even for a weekend, a day or an hour. The price for all of that truth and beauty is far, far too much to bear.

Gil is one of my musical heroes. Hell, forget music. He’s one of my heroes, period. And no matter what other crazy shit he does, says or ingests before he passes on, he will always be a hero to me.

I do hope he gets better but I also understand he probably won’t. The only thing any of us can hope for him is peace. And like someone else said, the thing we have to realize is he’s nothing but a man. No more, no less than the rest of us. Just a man….

Peace be with you, brother. You’re loved by many.

- Mtume.

]]> By: CHUCK LEWIS http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-1/#comment-578 CHUCK LEWIS Mon, 11 May 2009 23:43:32 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-578 NOBODY KNOWS HIS TROUBLES BUT HIM. NOBODY KNOWS HIS SORROWS. NOBODY KNOWS HIS TROUBLES BUT HIM. NOBODY KNOWS HIS SORROWS.

]]> By: Fikisha Cumbo http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-1/#comment-566 Fikisha Cumbo Sun, 10 May 2009 20:03:24 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-566 TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS REQUIRED. TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS REQUIRED.

]]> By: A. Taminiau http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-1/#comment-565 A. Taminiau Sun, 10 May 2009 09:33:42 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-565 Dear all, I saw GSH in February in NYC (sobs) and he is not barely alive, but alive. He did recent performances in Denver (beginning of May), did an interview with BBC radio and is working on a new album, nothing barely about that. A. Taminiau (Amsterdam) Dear all,

I saw GSH in February in NYC (sobs) and he is not barely alive, but alive. He did recent performances in Denver (beginning of May), did an interview with BBC radio and is working on a new album, nothing barely about that.

A. Taminiau
(Amsterdam)

]]> By: B K Ray http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-1/#comment-561 B K Ray Sat, 09 May 2009 02:17:46 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-561 Quit your bitching and love the Gil you get. Quit your bitching and love the Gil you get.

]]> By: The unraveling of Gil Scott-Heron http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-1/#comment-553 The unraveling of Gil Scott-Heron Fri, 08 May 2009 08:41:47 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-553 [...] Read the full article and watch video from the SOB show. [...] [...] Read the full article and watch video from the SOB show. [...]

]]> By: Marion McClinton http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-1/#comment-552 Marion McClinton Fri, 08 May 2009 06:40:19 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-552 Sometimes owning your own bill of sale comes at a price way to high to pay but the alternative is slavery. Multi-million dollar slavery sometimes but when somebody else owns your spit you gotta watch what comes out of your mouth. It better not be beauty, rage, vision, the songs from your mother's apron pockets or the blood sweated out of your daddy. You can only sing that spit free. And nine times out of ten, it ain't ole massa work his hardest to bring you crashing---it's slaves buried in jewelry and fear of standing off of their knees that will cause the most harm. It don't pay to be a black genius ahead of their time. No future in it, homes. Folkses like to see the money, don't care about the bill of sale long as the paper long and green. This doesn't absolve responsibility. You responsible for your own actions. But used to be a sometime when the community was a church and a church shepherd and a good shepherd doesn't feel right losing even one ram become a lamb that has lost their way. Used to call that soul. WAKE UP AND BRACE UP PEOPLES!!! If we don't reach our hand to those who reached their soul to us they ain't gonna even have to get bills of sale on us any more because we will have sold the man more than he could even buy. We got a black President in the White House. No more sad songs. Not when we can change the key. Sometimes owning your own bill of sale comes at a price way to high to pay but the alternative is slavery. Multi-million dollar slavery sometimes but when somebody else owns your spit you gotta watch what comes out of your mouth. It better not be beauty, rage, vision, the songs from your mother’s apron pockets or the blood sweated out of your daddy. You can only sing that spit free. And nine times out of ten, it ain’t ole massa work his hardest to bring you crashing—it’s slaves buried in jewelry and fear of standing off of their knees that will cause the most harm. It don’t pay to be a black genius ahead of their time. No future in it, homes. Folkses like to see the money, don’t care about the bill of sale long as the paper long and green. This doesn’t absolve responsibility. You responsible for your own actions. But used to be a sometime when the community was a church and a church shepherd and a good shepherd doesn’t feel right losing even one ram become a lamb that has lost their way. Used to call that soul. WAKE UP AND BRACE UP PEOPLES!!! If we don’t reach our hand to those who reached their soul to us they ain’t gonna even have to get bills of sale on us any more because we will have sold the man more than he could even buy. We got a black President in the White House. No more sad songs. Not when we can change the key.

]]> By: brotherman01 http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-1/#comment-551 brotherman01 Fri, 08 May 2009 05:01:33 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-551 So, my wife and I caught GSH bout 10-15 years ago on a double bill with Tracey Chapman. Back then we speculated about his health and his chemical use. I must have about half of the albums he produced. He is so prophetic and inspirational. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. That song is a graduate triste on rap. B-Movie got me through the torture of the Regan era. His ability to synthysize(sp) historical events into music is unparalled. Glad to know that he is Alive, pray that he GETS BETTER. So, my wife and I caught GSH bout 10-15 years ago on a double bill with Tracey Chapman. Back then we speculated about his health and his chemical use. I must have about half of the albums he produced. He is so prophetic and inspirational. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. That song is a graduate triste on rap. B-Movie got me through the torture of the Regan era. His ability to synthysize(sp) historical events into music is unparalled.

Glad to know that he is Alive, pray that he GETS BETTER.

]]> By: NaJean http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-1/#comment-550 NaJean Fri, 08 May 2009 03:54:09 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-550 Thank you Bilal Sunni-Ali for sharing your experience with GSH. It has helped to shift my image of him today from one that is less the self-imploding character painted in the article to one that shows a man who perhaps suffers the consequences of his choices but also remains true to his spirit and nature when he finds the strength to walk tall. I admire his ability to lay bear to the world with such intimacy his love, humor, beliefs, politics, mistakes, and pain. I see that as courage far beyond the average person. Thank you Bilal Sunni-Ali for sharing your experience with GSH. It has helped to shift my image of him today from one that is less the self-imploding character painted in the article to one that shows a man who perhaps suffers the consequences of his choices but also remains true to his spirit and nature when he finds the strength to walk tall. I admire his ability to lay bear to the world with such intimacy his love, humor, beliefs, politics, mistakes, and pain. I see that as courage far beyond the average person.

]]> By: BILAL SUNNI-ALI http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-1/#comment-549 BILAL SUNNI-ALI Fri, 08 May 2009 01:45:08 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-549 LONG LIVE GIL SCOTT-HERON from the SPIRIT LONG LIVE GIL SCOTT-HERON from the SPIRIT

]]> By: BILAL SUNNI-ALI http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-1/#comment-548 BILAL SUNNI-ALI Fri, 08 May 2009 01:42:39 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-548 PEACE EVERYONE...Did youall read the good news that GIL SCOTT-HERON IS ALIVE...GIL IS SO ALIVE that whenever i e-mail, chat-mail, telephone...i don't get the run around i get GIL. If its dollars i need he favorably responds. We talk regularly for two people who've known each other since childhood or at least teenagehood..i performed with him when he came through Atlanta last summer. I am sad to see photos and live scenes of him in an unflattering way but when i think he needs help i offer it to him..and PRAY for him whether he accepts the help or not. He is ALIVE and enjoying the benefits of his work which had been held under contract for twenty five years while ARISTA records and other corportate entitiies predicted and longed for his death PEACE EVERYONE…Did youall read the good news that GIL SCOTT-HERON IS ALIVE…GIL IS SO ALIVE that whenever i e-mail, chat-mail, telephone…i don’t get the run around i get GIL. If its dollars i need he favorably responds. We talk regularly for two people who’ve known each other since childhood or at least teenagehood..i performed with him when he came through Atlanta last summer. I am sad to see photos and live scenes of him in an unflattering way but when i think he needs help i offer it to him..and PRAY for him whether he accepts the help or not. He is ALIVE and enjoying the benefits of his work which had been held under contract for twenty five years while ARISTA records and other corportate entitiies predicted and longed for his death

]]> By: BrindaFaye http://www.thedefendersonline.com/2009/03/06/genius-burning-brightly-the-unraveling-of-gil-scott-heron/comment-page-1/#comment-547 BrindaFaye Fri, 08 May 2009 00:50:42 +0000 http://thedefendersonline.org/?p=4295#comment-547 Lotta luv in the article and comments for Gil Scott-Heron! I too loved him and thought he was not t gifted and talented, "so fine!" WOW! back in the day...., I loved Brown Eyed Girl and In The Bottle most of all. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us, and truly God is more than able to "restore even the years that the locusts have eaten away"! I will remember Mr. Gil Scott-Heron in my prayers! Lotta luv in the article and comments for Gil Scott-Heron! I too loved him and thought he was not t gifted and talented, “so fine!” WOW! back in the day…., I loved Brown Eyed Girl and In The Bottle most of all. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us, and truly God is more than able to “restore even the years that the locusts have eaten away”! I will remember Mr. Gil Scott-Heron in my prayers!

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