Used vintage LP GIL SCOTT-HERON Reflections. Arista Recs. Very Good/Near Mint

$

30

GIL SCOTT-HERON Reflections. Used vintage LP (not RE) in Very Good/Near Mint condition. Arista Records Catalog # AL 9566; 1981

Condition: Vinyl has some scuffs, radial streaks, has some noisy stretches. Labels in pristine condition. My very honest grading keeps me from calling it VG+. Jacket has a couple of fingernail scratches on back, 5/6 of the way down. Otherwise in excellent shape.

Behind the Music: I just finished listing an album with Amiri Baraka reciting his own poems to musical accompaniment [see Amiri Baraka New Music-New Poetry on India Navigation] and remarked that it has been difficult for this kind of project to be truly successful. The late Gil Scott-Heron went far beyond that on his many albums. This man had a wonderful, baritone singing voice, fortunately for us, and was certainly no slouch at recitation either. Like Baraka, Gil pulled no punches in criticizing American racism and other unseemly aspects of our society. As a young man, according to his memoir The Last Holiday, he wangled admission to an elite prep school by presenting his prose and poetry as a calling card. Legendary record mogul Clive Davis was willing to sign Scott-Heron to his fledgling Arista Records label. (Gil had previously recorded material for Flying Dutchman.) I first saw Gil in live performance at a NYC showcase for Arista artists (the Brecker Brothers Band was also there at The Town Hall that evening). A few years later, at a gathering of leftist social activists in Detroit, I was drafted to help bring Gil’s equipment onto the stage. In gratitude, the man autographed for me a poster for that night’s show. I will never put that up for sale! Sadly, in later years Gil Scott-Heron struggled with substance abuse issues which shortened his life. But he lives on in our hearts, and man, would he have some scintillating things to say about American politics today! Original inner sleeve with lyrics included. The selections: Storm Music; Grandma’s Hands; Is That Jazz?; Morning Thoughts; Inner City Blues; Gun; ‘B’ Movie. [Related: see also my listing for Arista compilation album The Mind of Gil Scott-Heron.]

• About the seller: I am downsizing my personal belongings, and you can benefit. Unless otherwise indicated, all my records have been owned by me alone and treated with loving care. No scratches or gouges. I have been a Jazz radio broadcaster for 30+ years, but my musical tastes are wide-ranging. You will see this as my listed offerings grow. New items added weekly, check back often!

PLEASE NOTE: I will not sell anything for less than $9.99, as it’s not worth packaging the item up and taking it to the Post Office. Sure, you can buy an LP for 50 cents or less at a yard sale, but will it have been cared for like mine? Not likely.

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