Aquarium Drunkard Presents: GIL SCOTT-HERON / Twenty
Gil Scott-Heron saw something of a rebirth toward the end of his life. 2010's I’m New Here proved to be his swan song. It was a reminder that he was there. One that served to bring him, once again, to the fore. Save one popular song, his enormity had been felt most in other people’s work, and almost anonymously for the casual listener. It’s not a matter of the quality of his own work. His catalog is packed with spoken word, jazz and blues epics. Every song feels like it should be playing over a Super 8 montage, cut between him howling on a dark, smoky stage, and depictions of the life he’s singing about. This was the Scott-Heron that existed before and was discovered after that 2010 LP for a number of listener’s. For others, it inspired them to dust of his catalog that maybe only showed up when they clicked “shuffle,” or for a rare week-long hankering here or there, but far between.
ABOUT AQUARIUM DRUNKARD
Based in Los Angeles, Justin Gage is the founder of the long-running, eclectic music blog Aquarium Drunkard. In addition to the blog you can catch his weekly radio show, Fridays, on SIRIUS XMU satellite radio -- noon-2pm EST.
Gage is also the founder of Autumn Tone Records and works as a music consultant and supervisor.