CityLife

Gil Scott-Heron

Gil Scott-Heron

Gil Scott-Heron
Opera House
April 25, 2010

Even during a time of critical and commercial renaissance, if there is one thing you can rely on from Gil Scott-Heron, it is unpredictability.

Ever since his hitherto unique blend of black political activism, poetry and jazz-induced soul made him one of the 1970’s most iconic and important musical figures, Scott-Heron’s life has been a tumultuous one. 

Now in his 60’s, the ‘Godfather of Hip-Hop’ has endured a difficult last decade or so, his life blighted by a concession of cancelled shows, ill health, drug problems and prison stints that make Pete Doherty look like a latter day Sir Cliff Richard. 

Yet just when hope had been all but extinguished, this year Scott-Heron returned from the wilderness with a stunning new album, his first for 13 years, I’m New Here, his capacity to surprise undiminished.

And so it proves tonight. Not only is I’m New Here inexplicably and disappointingly ignored completely, but when Scott-Heron appears, rake-thin in a flat cap, he starts the show with a twenty minute (admittedly very funny) stand-up routine,  and a semi-serious rail against journalists: ‘if you want to learn things about yourself you didn’t know, release a record. I found out I disappeared!’

His reluctance to begin singing was slightly disquieting, but we needn’t have worried. Instantly upon taking to the piano, the sense you’re in the company of a true genius is overwhelming, principally the realisation that the social and political message coursing through his material is as relevant as it ever was.

The voice may wear the scars of a troubled existence, but it wears them well, a deeper baritone adding a poignant sense of reflection and wisdom to the beautiful Winter in America.

His small band joins him halfway through, but, perhaps given Scott-Heron’s introspective nature, the slower songs resonate greater, Pieces of a Man particularly affecting.   

A stunning rendition of The Bottle closed a show that was life-affirming just to see Scott-Heron in such fine form and, more pertinently, apparent rude health. How long his resurgence lasts is another question, but it is to be cherished while it does; his like will never be seen again.