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In traditional Gil Scott fashion, ''Winter in America'' is rooted in [[the blues]] and [[jazz]], which Scott-Heron combined with his [[spoken word soul]] style to set the mood, or "season", for the album. This unique blend of musical styles was referred to by Scott-Heron as "''bluesology, the science of how things feel.''"<ref name=americanvisions>{{cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1546/is_n3_v13/ai_n27536095 |title=Gil Scott-Heron: American Visions - Find Articles at BNET |publisher=CNET Networks, Inc. |accessdate=2008-07-10}}</ref> The sound is present on "Song for Bobby Smith" and the [[Reprise|bookending track]] "Peace Go With You, My Brother", as Scott-Heron's bluesy vocals and Afrocentric lyrics are accompanied by Jackson's tender and soulful piano arrangements.<ref name=CDuniverse/> Another of Jackson's contributions were his flute harmonies on "Your Daddy Loves You" and the album's only [[Single (music)|single]], "The Bottle", a commentary on [[alcohol abuse]] with a [[Music of the Caribbean|Caribbean]] beat. The title track, which was not featured on the original LP, was recorded after the album's release at the suggestion of Peggy Harris, the artist who designed the ''Winter'' [[collage]] for the inner sleeve of the album.<ref name=linernotes/> The original name of the album was intended to be ''Supernatural Corner'', after the album cover, but was later changed by Scott-Heron to ''Winter in America''.<ref name=linernotes/> He referred to the title as the "''overall atmosphere of the album''" and further explained the social concept of [[winter]], as it relates to the period in which he was living, in the LP's liner notes:
In traditional Gil Scott fashion, ''Winter in America'' is rooted in [[the blues]] and [[jazz]], which Scott-Heron combined with his [[spoken word soul]] style to set the mood, or "season", for the album. This unique blend of musical styles was referred to by Scott-Heron as "''bluesology, the science of how things feel.''"<ref name=americanvisions>{{cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1546/is_n3_v13/ai_n27536095 |title=Gil Scott-Heron: American Visions - Find Articles at BNET |publisher=CNET Networks, Inc. |accessdate=2008-07-10}}</ref> The sound is present on "Song for Bobby Smith" and the [[Reprise|bookending track]] "Peace Go With You, My Brother", as Scott-Heron's bluesy vocals and Afrocentric lyrics are accompanied by Jackson's tender and soulful piano arrangements.<ref name=CDuniverse/> Another of Jackson's contributions were his flute harmonies on "Your Daddy Loves You" and the album's only [[Single (music)|single]], "The Bottle", a commentary on [[alcohol abuse]] with a [[Music of the Caribbean|Caribbean]] beat. The title track, which was not featured on the original LP, was recorded after the album's release at the suggestion of Peggy Harris, the artist who designed the ''Winter'' [[collage]] for the inner sleeve of the album.<ref name=linernotes/> The original name of the album was intended to be ''Supernatural Corner'', after the album cover, but was later changed by Scott-Heron to ''Winter in America''.<ref name=linernotes/> He referred to the title as the "''overall atmosphere of the album''" and further explained the social concept of [[winter]], as it relates to the period in which he was living, in the LP's liner notes:


<br />
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
{{cquote|''At the end of 360 degrees, Winter is a metaphor: a term not only used to describe the season of ice, but the period of our lives through which we are travelling. In our hearts we feel that spring is just around the corner: a spring of brotherhood and united spirits among people of color. Everyone is moving, searching. There is a restlessness within our souls that keeps us questioning, discovering and struggling against a system that will not allow us space and time for fresh expression. Western iceman have attempted to distort time. Extra months on the calendar and daylight saved what was Eastern Standard. We approach winter the most depressing period in the history of this industrial empire, with threats of oil shortages and energy crises. But we, as Black people, have been a source of endless energy, endless beauty and endless determination. I have many things to tell you about tomorrow’s love and light. We will see you in Spring.'' <ref name=linernotes/>|Gil Scott-Heron|color=blue|size=15%}}
{{cquote|''At the end of 360 degrees, Winter is a metaphor: a term not only used to describe the season of ice, but the period of our lives through which we are travelling. In our hearts we feel that spring is just around the corner: a spring of brotherhood and united spirits among people of color. Everyone is moving, searching. There is a restlessness within our souls that keeps us questioning, discovering and struggling against a system that will not allow us space and time for fresh expression. Western iceman have attempted to distort time. Extra months on the calendar and daylight saved what was Eastern Standard. We approach winter the most depressing period in the history of this industrial empire, with threats of oil shortages and energy crises. But we, as Black people, have been a source of endless energy, endless beauty and endless determination. I have many things to tell you about tomorrow’s love and light. We will see you in Spring.'' <ref name=linernotes/>|Gil Scott-Heron|color=blue|size=15%}}
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br />


The themes of social disillusionment and the human condition featured on the album were also depicted on the ''Winter'' collage, represented by the dark images of poverty, urban decay and death. The studio version of "Winter in America" was released on Scott-Heron's next album, ''The First Minute of a New Day'', while a live 1982 version of the song that was recorded at the Black Wax Club in [[Washington, D.C.]], would later be used for ''Winter in America'''s reissue.<ref name=CDuniverse/> During the October 15th session, drummer Adams and bassist Bowens contributed to "Peace Go With You", "Rivers of My Fathers", "Back Home" and "The Bottle".<ref name=linernotes/> Adams, however, was disappointed that "H2O Gate Blues", an opening monologue concerning the [[Watergate Scandal|Watergate incident]] used by Scott-Heron at his concerts, was not intended to be used for the album.<ref name=linernotes/> Scott-Heron revisited the experience in the 1998 reissue liner notes:
The themes of social disillusionment and the human condition featured on the album were also depicted on the ''Winter'' collage, represented by the dark images of poverty, urban decay and death. The studio version of "Winter in America" was released on Scott-Heron's next album, ''The First Minute of a New Day'', while a live 1982 version of the song that was recorded at the Black Wax Club in [[Washington, D.C.]], would later be used for ''Winter in America'''s reissue.<ref name=CDuniverse/> During the October 15th session, drummer Adams and bassist Bowens contributed to "Peace Go With You", "Rivers of My Fathers", "Back Home" and "The Bottle".<ref name=linernotes/> Adams, however, was disappointed that "H2O Gate Blues", an opening monologue concerning the [[Watergate Scandal|Watergate incident]] used by Scott-Heron at his concerts, was not intended to be used for the album.<ref name=linernotes/> Scott-Heron revisited the experience in the 1998 reissue liner notes:

Revision as of 23:15, 17 July 2008

Untitled

Winter in America is an album by soul poet/musician Gil Scott-Heron and keyboardist Brian Jackson, released in June of 1974 on Strata-East Records.[2][3] Recording sessions for the album took place on September 4, 5 and October 15, 1974 at D&B Sound in Silver Springs, Maryland.[4] The album was the third collaboration effort between Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson following Pieces of a Man and Free Will.[5] It was also the first of these collaboration albums to have Jackson receive co-billing following his contributions on previous Scott-Heron LP's.[6]

Winter in America served as Gil Scott-Heron's debut for the Strata-East label following a dispute with his former label, Flying Dutchman Records.[7] It was Scott-Heron's only record for the New York-based label.[8] Upon its original release, the album had limited distribution in the United States and was considered by many to be the great "lost" Gil Scott-Heron album during the time before its subsequent U.S. re-release.[6] Despite this, Winter in America became one of Scott-Heron's most commercially successful albums[3] and also proved to be one of his most critically acclaimed albums, often viewed, along with Pieces of a Man, as his greatest work.[5][9] The album was reissued in the United States on compact disc on April 7, 1998 by Scott-Heron's Rumal-Gia Records label.[10][6]

Recording sessions

File:Scott-Heron and Jackson in the studio.jpg
Scott-Heron (side) and Jackson (center) in studio.

After leaving his former label Flying Dutchman Records and before joining Arista Records, Gil Scott-Heron signed with the New York-based Strata-East label in 1973 and went to work on his fourth studio LP, Winter in America.[7] The songs from the original album were recorded in September and October at D&B Sound Studios in Silver Springs, Maryland.[4] Jackson suggested the location of the recording sessions and the small recording studio there.[11] According to Gil Scott-Heron, the studio's main room was so small that when the two musicians recorded, Jackson was forced out next to the cooler, playing flute in the studio's hallway while Scott-Heron sang in the main room. On the other hand, Scott-Heron also noted that he felt comfortable in the small recording studio.[11] He was also comfortable with Jose Williams as the recording engineer. Williams assisted the production team Perpis-Fall Music, Inc. and engineered the recordings for the album.[11] This was also the first production credit for Jose Williams.[12]

Between Scott-Heron's Flying Dutchman recordings and his Arista material, the Winter in America sessions lacked the other recordings' polished production and the supporting cast.[6] The sessions for the album featured a small supporting line-up consisting of drummer Bob Adams and bass player Danny Bowens. While they contributed on a few cuts, it was Scott-Heron and Jackson who were responsible for the majority of vocals, songwriting and instrumentation.[6][11] The September 4 and 5 sessions featured only Jackson and Scott-Heron playing and recording. Adams and Bowens, who studied with Scott-Heron, later arrived from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania on the last day of recording on October 15.[13][11] The limited personnel, however, allowed the two musicians to rely mostly on traditional African and R&B sounds and influences.[6] As the third collaboration between the two musicians, the sessions featured more of Jackson's input than his previous work with Scott-Heron had. Jackson later revisited his musical experience with Scott-Heron in an interview for All About Jazz:

He had this way with words and I thought to myself, "People have to hear this stuff." What I had to offer was the music and I figured if we can take his words and make this tribal knowledge rhythmic and musical, we can draw people to hear it.[14]

Along with the other circumstances that surrounded the recordings, such as personnel and setting, Brian Jackson's input greatly affected his role in the album's development. More than half of the album's material was co-written by Jackson.[3] Jackson's creative input also affected his partnership with Scott-Heron, as it would lead to six more studio albums together.[2]

Songs and music

Much like 1971's Pieces of a Man, Winter in America featured Gil Scott-Heron exercising his vocal abilities, in contrast to the spoken-word poetry of his debut album Small Talk and the rapping on his previous album Free Will. However, the album featured more social commentary and Afrocentrism than Pieces of a Man and highlighted Brian Jackson's contributions more than the previous two albums had. Winter in America also featured a more stripped-down production and melancholy mood along with songs that exceeded four minutes, as opposed to Free Will, which was criticized for its brevity.[15]

In traditional Gil Scott fashion, Winter in America is rooted in the blues and jazz, which Scott-Heron combined with his spoken word soul style to set the mood, or "season", for the album. This unique blend of musical styles was referred to by Scott-Heron as "bluesology, the science of how things feel."[16] The sound is present on "Song for Bobby Smith" and the bookending track "Peace Go With You, My Brother", as Scott-Heron's bluesy vocals and Afrocentric lyrics are accompanied by Jackson's tender and soulful piano arrangements.[10] Another of Jackson's contributions were his flute harmonies on "Your Daddy Loves You" and the album's only single, "The Bottle", a commentary on alcohol abuse with a Caribbean beat. The title track, which was not featured on the original LP, was recorded after the album's release at the suggestion of Peggy Harris, the artist who designed the Winter collage for the inner sleeve of the album.[11] The original name of the album was intended to be Supernatural Corner, after the album cover, but was later changed by Scott-Heron to Winter in America.[11] He referred to the title as the "overall atmosphere of the album" and further explained the social concept of winter, as it relates to the period in which he was living, in the LP's liner notes:

At the end of 360 degrees, Winter is a metaphor: a term not only used to describe the season of ice, but the period of our lives through which we are travelling. In our hearts we feel that spring is just around the corner: a spring of brotherhood and united spirits among people of color. Everyone is moving, searching. There is a restlessness within our souls that keeps us questioning, discovering and struggling against a system that will not allow us space and time for fresh expression. Western iceman have attempted to distort time. Extra months on the calendar and daylight saved what was Eastern Standard. We approach winter the most depressing period in the history of this industrial empire, with threats of oil shortages and energy crises. But we, as Black people, have been a source of endless energy, endless beauty and endless determination. I have many things to tell you about tomorrow’s love and light. We will see you in Spring. [11]

The themes of social disillusionment and the human condition featured on the album were also depicted on the Winter collage, represented by the dark images of poverty, urban decay and death. The studio version of "Winter in America" was released on Scott-Heron's next album, The First Minute of a New Day, while a live 1982 version of the song that was recorded at the Black Wax Club in Washington, D.C., would later be used for Winter in America's reissue.[10] During the October 15th session, drummer Adams and bassist Bowens contributed to "Peace Go With You", "Rivers of My Fathers", "Back Home" and "The Bottle".[11] Adams, however, was disappointed that "H2O Gate Blues", an opening monologue concerning the Watergate incident used by Scott-Heron at his concerts, was not intended to be used for the album.[11] Scott-Heron revisited the experience in the 1998 reissue liner notes:

I told him I left it off because nobody outside of Washington seemed to know what the hell I was talking about. His reply was (more or less) that even if people didn’t understand the politics it’s still funny as hell. So we sat up to do one take, a "live ad-lib" to a blues backing.... and the poem was done with a few index cards with notes to be sure I got the references straight without stumbling. (I still stumbled anyway.) After we got through it we listened to it play back with an open studio mike and became the audience. (There are some great comments in the back, particularly during the intro.) The poem worked well. It felt like what the album had been missing. Not just the political aspect, but as Bob has said, for the laughs. The Watergate incident itself was not funny and neither were its broader implications, but as a release, a relief of tension of Winter in America it provided a perfect landing.[11]

Some of the recordings featured on the album, along with other Scott-Heron/Jackson songs, would later be sampled by several hip hop artists.[17] This contributed to the impact made by Gil Scott-Heron on early rap and further expanded his legacy as one of the progenitors of hip hop music.[18]

Reception

Unlike many of Gil Scott-Heron's albums, Winter in America enjoyed some commercial success, despite its limited distribution.[6] It charted on the Top Jazz Albums chart and peaked at #6.[19] The album entered the chart on June 29, 1974 and remained there for 40 weeks, until March 29, 1975.[3] The album's only single, "The Bottle", was an underground and cult hit upon its release.[20] However, "The Bottle" became one of Scott-Heron's most successful singles, as it reached the #15 spot on the R&B Singles Chart.[21] The single's success helped lead to Jackson's and Scott-Heron's next recording contract with Arista Records, where they would enjoy more commercial success.[16]

While it did not receive as much favorable criticism as Pieces of a Man had, Winter in America still earned general praise from critics and became known as one of Gil Scott-Heron's finest albums.[10] Ron Wynn of Allmusic.com wrote of Scott-Heron's performance, in that he was "at his most righteous and provocative on this album", while acknowledging Brian Jackson's contribution as well.[22] In a March 17, 1975 article for the Village Voice, critic Robert Christgau called the album "....an evocation of our despondency that is as flawless as it is ambitious...."[23] Christgau, however, would later demote his favor of the album to a C+ rating.[24] The "street poetry" and political overtones of the album proved to win over critics. Music critic Barney Hoskyns praised the album in a July 2005 article for UNCUT magazine, as he wrote of the album:

A masterwork of ghetto melancholia and stark political gravitas, Winter in America showcases Scott-Heron and Jackson at their most witheringly unsentimental but also their most tender. Heart-melting minor chords on Fender Rhodes pianos underpin gruff baritone-delivered poetics and proto-rap secular sermons. Fusion booze classic "The Bottle" stands out but hardly dwarfs the jazzy dreaminess of "Peace Go With You, Brother", the sublime Afrocentrism of "Rivers of My Fathers" and the trenchant Nixon-basher "H2Ogate Blues". Majestic and haunting.[25]

Music critic Piero Scaruffi cited Winter in America as Gil Scott-Heron's first "musical" statement.[26] In 2006, the album was listed in the music reference book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[27] "The Bottle" was later ranked #92 on NME's list of the Top 150 Singles of All-Time and was included in Q magazine's 1010 Songs You Must Own! publication.[28]

Track listing

All songs written by Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson, except where noted.[29]

Side one

  1. "Peace Go With You, My Brother (As-Salaam-Alaikum)" – 5:30
  2. "Rivers of My Fathers" – 8:29
  3. "A Very Precious Time" – 5:13
  4. "Back Home" – 2:50

Side two

  1. "The Bottle" (Scott-Heron) – 5:14
  2. "Song for Bobby Smith" (Scott-Heron) – 4:42
  3. "Your Daddy Loves You" (Scott-Heron) – 2:57
  4. "H2O Gate Blues" (Scott-Heron) – 8:23
  5. "Peace Go With You Brother (Wa-Alaikum-Salaam)" – 1:11

Reissue bonus tracks

  1. "Winter in America (Live at the Wax Museum/Black Wax Club)" (Scott-Heron) – 8:23
  2. "Song for Bobby Smith (Alternate Take)" (Scott-Heron) – 4:46
  3. "Your Daddy Loves You (Live at Blues Alley)" (Scott-Heron) – 4:25
  4. "The Bottle / Guan Guanco (Live at Blues Alley)" (Scott-Heron) – 11:56
  • Live tracks were recorded in Washington D.C. in 1981, except "Winter in America" which was recorded in 1982.
    Alternate take was recorded in 1978. All bonus cuts were managed and produced by Malcolm Cecil.    [10]

Charts

Billboard Music Charts (North America) – Winter in America

  • 1974: Top Jazz Albums – #6 (40 weeks) [19]

Billboard Music Charts (North America) – The Bottle

  • 1974: Top R&B Singles – #15 [21]

Personnel

Musicians

Additional personnel

Release history

Winter in America was originally released as a 12" vinyl record, in stereo format.[30] Released in 1974 under a limited supply, the record remained out of print for nearly 25 years in the United States until 1998, when Scott-Heron acquired ownership of his recordings, with the exception of his material for the Flying Dutchman label.[6] He then initiated a reissue project on his own Rumal-Gia label, which was distributed by TVT Records.[6] The CD reissue contained bonus tracks, including the live version of the title track, and new liner notes written by the Scott-Heron, himself.[6] A previous German release of Winter in America was issued in 1992 as was a remastered LP in 1996. However, they did not include these features.[2] Other remasters were also released in Europe, as listed below.[2][31]

Region Year Label Format Catalog
United States June 1974 Strata-East Records stereo vinyl LP SES-19742
Germany 1992 Bellaphon Records CD 660-51-015
United Kingdom 1996 Snapper Music, Charly Records digipack CD SNAP103CD
United States April 7, 1998 Rumal-Gia Records, TVT Records CD TVT-4320-2
United States 1998 TVT Records remastered LP TVT-4320
Italy 2001 Get Back Records CD GET-8004
Italy 2004 Get Back Records remastered LP GET-98004

References

  • Vladimir Bogdanov, John Bush, Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Chris Woodstra (2003). All Music Guide to Hip-Hop: The Definitive Guide to Rap & Hip-Hop. Backbeat Books, Berkeley, CA. ISBN 0879307595.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Winter in America album liner notes by Gil Scott-Heron. Ruma-Gia Ltd./TVT Records, 23 E. 4th Street, New York, NY 10003. 1998.

Notes

  1. ^ "Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - The Bottle". Discogs. Retrieved 2008-07-09.
  2. ^ a b c d "Discogs.com - Scott-Heron & Jackson discography". Discogs. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
  3. ^ a b c d "Billboard Music Charts - Search Results - Winter In America". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  4. ^ a b "Tower.com: Winter In America (CD)". TOWER.COM INC. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
  5. ^ a b "allmusic {{{ Gil Scott-Heron > Discography > Main Albums }}}". All Media Guide, LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-09.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Catching Up with Gil - Music - Houston Press". Village Voice Media. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  7. ^ a b "B&N biography - Gil Scott-Heron". Barnesandnoble.com llc. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
  8. ^ "Gil Scott-Heron And Brian Jackson - Winter In America - Review - Uncut.co.uk". IPC MEDIA. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
  9. ^ Weisbard, Eric (1995-10-10). Spin Alternative Record Guide (Ratings 1-10) (HTML) (1st edi. ed.). New York, NY: Vintage Books. pp. pgs. 267-268. ISBN 0679755748. OCLC 32508105. Retrieved 2008-07-17. his finest work {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ a b c d e "CDuniverse.com - Gil Scott-Heron Winter In America CD". Muze Inc. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Winter in America liner notes". Inwinter. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
  12. ^ "Discogs.com - Jose Williams credits". Discogs. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  13. ^ "DigStation.com > Jazz > Artists: Danny Bowens". DigStation. Retrieved 2008-07-16.
  14. ^ "Brian Jackson at All About Jazz". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  15. ^ "Gil Scott-Heron: Free Will - PopMatters Music Review". PopMatters.com. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  16. ^ a b "Gil Scott-Heron: American Visions - Find Articles at BNET". CNET Networks, Inc. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  17. ^ "Rap Sample FAQ Search: Gil Scott-Heron". The Breaks.com. Retrieved 2008-07-09.
  18. ^ "THIS IS REAL MUSIC.COM". Rock The Boat Media Inc. Retrieved 2008-07-17. {{cite web}}: Text "LEGENDS: GIL SCOTT HERON" ignored (help)
  19. ^ a b "allmusic {{{ Winter in America > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums }}}". All Media Guide, LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
  20. ^ "Gil Scott-Heron at All About Jazz". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  21. ^ a b "SoulWalking - Gil Scott-Heron Page". Soulwalking. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
  22. ^ "allmusic {{{ Winter in America > Review }}}". All Media Guide, LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
  23. ^ "Robert Christgau: Consumer Guide: Mar. 17, 1975". Village Voice. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
  24. ^ "Robert Christgau: CG: Gil Scott-Heron/Brian Jackson". Village Voice. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
  25. ^ "Gil Scott-Heron/Brian Jackson: Winter in America Rocksbackpages". Rock's Backpages. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
  26. ^ "Piero Scaruffi - The History of Rock Music. Gil Scott-Heron". Piero Scaruffi. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
  27. ^ "Outline Page - 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die". Rocklist.net. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
  28. ^ "Acclaimed Music - The Bottle". Acclaimed Music. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
  29. ^ "Billboard.com - Discography - Gil Scott-Heron/Brian Jackson - Winter in America". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  30. ^ "Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - Winter in America". Discogs. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  31. ^ "Charity Records Online - Winter In America". Eonic Ltd. Retrieved 2008-07-13.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Winter_in_America&oldid=226343101"