He began recording in 1970 with the LP Small Talk at 125th and Lenox with the assistance of Bob Thiele Flying Dutchman Records, co-writer Brian Jackson, Hubert Laws, Bernard Purdie (who later recorded "Delights of the Garden" with The Last Poets), Charlie Saunders, Eddie Knowles, Ron Carter and Bert Jones, all jazz musicians (see 1970 in music). The album included the aggressive diatribe against white-owned corporate media and middle-class America's ignorance of the problems of inner cities in songs such as Whitey On The Moon.
The 1971 Pieces of a Man used more conventional song structures than the loose, spoken word feel of his first, though he didn't reach the charts until 1975 with "Johannesburg". His biggest hit was 1978's "The Bottle", produced by Heron and longtime partner Brian Jackson, which peaked at #15 on the R&B charts (see 1978 in music).
In 2001, Gil Scott-Heron was sentenced to one to three years' imprisonment in New York State for possession of cocaine. While out of jail in 2002, he appeared on the Blazing Arrow album by Blackalicious. He was released on parole in 2003. On July 5, 2006, Scott-Heron was sentenced to two to four years in a New York State prison for violating a plea deal on a drug-possession charge by leaving a drug rehabilitation center. Scott-Heron's sentence was to run until July 13, 2009. He was paroled on May 23, 2007. The reason given for the violation of his plea was that the clinic refused to supply Scott-Heron with HIV medication. This story led to the presumption that the artist is HIV positive.
After his release, Scott-Heron began performing live again, starting with a show at SOBs in New York on September 13, 2007. On stage, he stated that he and his musicians were working on a new album and that he had resumed writing a book titled The Last Holiday, previously on long-term hiatus, about Stevie Wonder and his successful attempt to have the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. declared a federally recognized holiday in the United States.
He was arrested October 10, 2007, the day before a scheduled (but ultimately cancelled) second SOBs performance, on felony possession of cocaine charges. However, he has continued to make live appearances at various US venues during the course of 2008 and 2009, including further appearances at SOBs in New York. He has also stated in interviews that work is continuing on his new album, which will consist mainly of new versions of some of his classic songs plus some cover versions of other artists' work.
Having originally planned to publish The Last Holiday in 2003, before it was put on hold, Canongate Books now tentatively intend to issue it in January, 2011. The book was due to be previewed via a website set to be launched on April 1, 2009, but this did not appear.
Mark T. Watson, a student of Scott-Heron's work, dedicated a collection of poetry to Gil titled Ordinary Guy that contained a foreword by Jalal Mansur Nuriddin of The Last Poets. The book was published in the UK in 2004 by Fore-Word Press Ltd. Scott-Heron recorded one of the poems in Watson's book Black & Blue due for release in 2008 as part of the album Rhythms of the Diaspora by Malik & the OG's on the record label CPR Recordings.
Gil Scott-Heron released his new album I'm New Here on independent label XL Recordings on February 9, 2010. Produced by XL label owner Richard Russell, 'I'm New Here' is Scott-Heron's first album in thirteen years.The pair started recording the album in 2007, with the majority of the record being recorded over the last twelve months with engineer Lawson White at Clinton Studios in New York. In 2009, a new Gil Scott-Heron website, www.gilscottheron.net , was launched with a brand new track 'Where Did The Night Go' made available as a free download from the site.
In 2011, Scott-Heron released "We're New Here" a remix album which was a collaboration with Jamie xx, a member of the British indie band The xx. Scott-Heron died in New York City on May 27, 2011.
Small Talk At 125th & Lenox
Gil Scott-Heron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
to a conversation being held
by the many people who congregate
on one of the most popular blocks
in the largest area of black America
Did you ever eat cornbread and black eye peas
Or watermelon and mustard greens?
Go to church on Sunday to set things right
Listen
I seen Miss Blake after Willy yesterday
She'd've killed anybody who got in her way
Hey look I got a TV for a pound on the head
And Jimmy Jean got the best Panamanian Red
No I ain't got on no underclothes
But we all got to get through this gypsy rose
I think Clay got his very good points
You say a trade bag with thirteen joints?
Who cares if LBJ is in town?
Up with Stokely and H. Rap Brown
I don't know if the riots is wrong
But whitey's been kickin' my ass for too long
I was s'posed to baby but they held my pay
Did you hear what the number was yesterday?
Junkies is all right when they ain't broke
They leaves you alone when they high on dope
Damn, but I wish I could get up and move
Shut up. Hell you know that ain't true
In the opening lines of Gil Scott-Heron's song "Small Talk at 125th and Lenox," the listener is presented with an image of a bustling block in the heart of Harlem. It becomes clear that the singer is eavesdropping on a conversation between various individuals in the area. The lyrics offer a glimpse into the daily lives of the people who inhabit this predominantly black neighborhood. Amidst the chatter, various colloquial phrases and aphorisms are spoken, reflecting the cultural milieu of the community. In this setting, social and political issues take center stage. The singer alludes to President Lyndon B. Johnson's visit to the area and contrasts it with the revolutionary message of activists like Stokely Carmichael and H. Rap Brown. The lyrics suggest a level of disillusionment with the political establishment, as well as a sense of violence and unrest that permeates the area.
The second stanza of the song is a reflection on black culture and traditions. The singer asks if the listener has ever eaten cornbread and black-eyed peas, or other traditional southern foods. They describe getting high on a Saturday night and then having to "set things right" by attending church on Sunday. This stanza highlights the singer's pride in black culture and the importance of tradition in the community.
Overall, "Small Talk at 125th and Lenox" is a snapshot of a particular moment in time, in a particular place, and among particular people. The song offers insight into the daily struggles and triumphs of a community that is grappling with issues of race, poverty, and systemic oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
This is just like listening
The experience of hearing this song is comparable to eavesdropping on a conversation.
to a conversation being held
The lyrics of this song recreate a particular type of casual talk heard in a specific location.
by the many people who congregate
The talk one hears is from a diverse group of individuals who come together at this spot.
on one of the most popular blocks
125th and Lenox is a busy place in central Harlem.
in the largest area of black America
This location is within a predominantly African American community, and therefore the conversations reflect the experiences of its residents.
Did you ever eat cornbread and black eye peas
Have you ever had this traditional southern dish?
Or watermelon and mustard greens?
Have you tried another classic combination of soul food?
Get high as you can on Saturday night
Enjoy some recreational drugs on the weekend.
Go to church on Sunday to set things right
Attend religious services the next day to atone for sins or seek guidance.
Listen
Pay attention to the ensuing anecdotes and observations.
I seen Miss Blake after Willy yesterday
I ran into Miss Blake after seeing Willy recently.
She'd've killed anybody who got in her way
Miss Blake was in a foul mood and might have been violent if provoked further.
Hey look I got a TV for a pound on the head
I recently acquired a television set at a very low price.
And Jimmy Jean got the best Panamanian Red
Jimmy Jean obtained some high-quality marijuana from Panama.
No I ain't got on no underclothes
I'm not currently wearing any underwear.
But we all got to get through this gypsy rose
We must all persevere through hardship and suffering.
I think Clay got his very good points
I believe that Clay has made some valid arguments or observations.
You say a trade bag with thirteen joints?
Did you mention a small pouch containing thirteen marijuana cigarettes?
Who cares if LBJ is in town?
The visit of former President Lyndon B. Johnson is not particularly relevant to our daily struggles.
Up with Stokely and H. Rap Brown
We support civil rights activists like Stokely Carmichael and H. Rap Brown.
I don't know if the riots is wrong
I can't say for sure whether violent protests are justified or acceptable.
But whitey's been kickin' my ass for too long
But I have felt oppressed and mistreated by white people for too many years.
I was s'posed to baby but they held my pay
I expected to receive compensation for a particular job, but have not yet been paid.
Did you hear what the number was yesterday?
Did you find out what was the winning lottery number from the most recent draw?
Junkies is all right when they ain't broke
Drug addicts are tolerable when they have enough money for their habit and don't resort to crime.
They leaves you alone when they high on dope
They will not cause problems for others if they are able to obtain drugs and use them.
Damn, but I wish I could get up and move
I feel stuck and frustrated by my current circumstances and wish for a change.
Shut up. Hell you know that ain't true
Stop complaining or making unrealistic suggestions; those thoughts or desires will not materialize.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Maurice
Absolutely brilliant.
Tecla Thug
Obrigado man!!!
Rapid Eye Movement
o prazer é meu
lawton browning
american hero
francesco nicolini
grazie per questa bella musica amico !!!!
Rapid Eye Movement
Pensavo mi avevano bloccato questo video..
crushsatan
they should never have put this man in jail. He probably should have moved to Europe like a lot of other black artists did.
VASIL
Thx