Winter in America

] Scott-Heron's high tempo lyricism shows similarity to later hip hop music and also uses alcohol, or "the bottle", as a metaphor for trife life and its social effects:

See that black boy over there, runnin' scared his ol' man's in a bottle. He done quit his 9 to 5, he drink full time so now he's livin' in the bottle. See that black boy over there, runnin' scared his ol' man got a problem, and it's a bad one He done pawned off damn near everything, his ol'woman's weddin' ring for a bottle. And don't you think it's a crime when time after time after time, people in the bottle.

During the October 15 session, drummer Bob Adams and bassist Danny Bowens contributed to "Peace Go With You", "Rivers of My Fathers", "Back Home" and "The Bottle". Adams, however, was disappointed that "H2O Gate Blues" was to be left off the album. The song is an opening monologue concerning the Watergate incident used by Scott-Heron at his concerts. The song featured proto-rap and talking blues elements, in which rhythmic speech or near-speech is accompanied by a free melody and strict rhythm. The studio version of the song, which was recorded during the "Winter" sessions, was not intended to be used for the album prior to Adams' objection, as Scott-Heron said that "nobody outside of Washington seemed to know what the hell I was talking about." Scott-Heron revisited the experience in the 1998 reissue liner notes, explaining Adams' view on the matter and the song's conception:

The longest cut on "Winter" is the eight-and-a-half minute long "Rivers of My Father", which features drummer Bob Adams' swing-style drum rim shots and pianist Jackson’s wide, blocky chords, as the two musicians play in a style that embraces blues influences. Following the first two minutes of the song's intstrumentation, the lyrical theme of the song is introduced. Scott-Heron uses the water motif, a common metaphor in African-American culture which evokes feelings of home and freedom, to represent faith amid the frustrations of a modern black man. [http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2005/09/18/gil-scott-heron-brian-jackison-%E2%80%9Crivers-of-my-fathers%E2%80%9D/ breath of life » GIL SCOTT-HERON & BRIAN JACKSON / “Rivers Of My Fathers] . WordPress. Retrieved on 2008-10-03.] As the opening verse and chorus suggest, "Looking for a way out of this confusion/I'm looking for a sign, carry me home/Let me lay down by a stream and let me be miles from everything/Rivers of my fathers, could you carry me home." The narrator pleads to the "river" to take him home, which is revealed at the last seconds of the song as Scott-Heron silently says "Africa". "Rivers of My Fathers" has been compared to the 1977 novel "Song of Solomon", as their themes both relate to the significance of ancestry and culture. Music critic Mtume ya Salaam has also made this comparison, as he later wrote in an article for Kalamu.com:

The title track, which was not featured on the original LP, was recorded following the album's release at the suggestion of Peggy Harris, the artist who designed the "Winter" collage for the inner sleeve of the LP album. Lyrically, "Winter in America" features Scott-Heron's poetry-style references to describe the state of an environment. The song describes an America where "democracy is rag-time on the corner", "the forest is buried beneath the highway", "robins are perched in barren treetops" and, in closing, "no one is fighting because no one knows what to say." [ [http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2006/05/07/gil-scott-heron-%E2%80%9Cpieces-of-a-man%E2%80%9D/ breath of life » GIL SCOTT-HERON / “Pieces Of A Man”] . WordPress. Retrieved on 2008-10-03.] The studio version of "Winter in America" was released on Scott-Heron's following album, "The First Minute of a New Day", while a live version of the song, which was recorded at the Black Wax Club in Washington, D.C. in 1982, was later issued on "Winter in America"'s reissue in 1998. The melancholy and nostalgic "A Very Precious Time" was recorded by Scott-Heron and Jackson in September. While Scott-Heron's lyrics depicted a requiem to innocence, the song's message explored the concept of nostalgia as a means to remain in the present, despite the loss of hope or faith that can be brought on by the struggle of the present, in contrast to the past.

Reception

Commercial

Unlike Gil Scott-Heron's previous albums, "Winter in America" experienced some commercial success, with the help of promotional resources in the form of underground music deejays and club promoters, despite the album's limited distribution.Scott-Heron (1998), p. 4] Despite not making the Pop Albums chart, the album charted on the "Billboard" Top Jazz Albums chart and peaked at the #6 position of the chart.cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gxfrxql5ld0e~T3 |title=allmusic { Winter in America > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums } |publisher=All Media Guide, LLC. |accessdate=2008-07-08] "Winter in America" entered the chart on June 29, 1974 and remained there for 40 weeks, until March 29, 1975 when it was bumped off the chart. "Winter in America"'s only single release "The Bottle" soon became an underground and cult hit following its issue. [cite web |url=http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=7597 |title=Gil Scott-Heron at All About Jazz |publisher=All About Jazz |accessdate=2008-07-10] Despite its underground reputation, the song became one of Scott-Heron's most successful singles, as it reached the #15 spot on the R&B Singles Chart.

The success of "The Bottle" helped lead to Jackson's and Scott-Heron's following recording contract with Arista Records, the label at which they would enjoy further success and a larger amount of commercial notice. Upon signing them, music industry executive Clive Davis of Arista said of Scott-Heron in an interview with "Rolling Stone", "Not only is he an excellent poet, musician and performer—three qualities I look for that are rarely combined—but he's a leader of social thought." In addition to gaining favorable opinions from record executives at Arista, the underground music scene, in which Scott-Heron earned the majority of his fan base, embraced "Winter in America" favorably and further expanded Scott-Heron's legacy as a socially-aware artist.

Critical

While it did not receive as much critical recognition as "Pieces of a Man" had, "Winter in America" still earned general praise from critics and became known as one of Scott-Heron's finest albums. Ron Wynn of Allmusic wrote of Scott-Heron's performance, in that he was "at his most righteous and provocative on this album", while acknowledging Jackson's contributions as well. [cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gxfrxql5ld0e~T1 |title=allmusic { Winter in America > Review } |publisher=All Media Guide, LLC. |accessdate=2008-07-08] 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." [cite web |url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv3-75.php |title=Robert Christgau: Consumer Guide: Mar. 17, 1975 |publisher=Village Voice |accessdate=2008-07-13] Christgau, however, later demoted his favor of the album to a C+ rating. [cite web |url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Gil+Scott-Heron%2FBrian+Jackson |title=Robert Christgau: CG: Gil Scott-Heron/Brian Jackson |publisher=Village Voice |accessdate=2008-07-13] An aspect of the album that was received negatively by some critics, initially and following reissue, was the quality of production. Paul J. MacArthur of the "Houston Press" cited "Winter in America" as the "most dated" of the Scott-Heron CD reissues. The "street poetry" and social overtones of the album, however, proved to win over critics and earn general praise from them. In a July 2005 article for "Uncut" magazine, music writer Barney Hoskyns praised "Winter in America", calling it an "introspective seasonal offering from black poet-singer and collaborating pianist." Hoskyns went on to write of the album:

The British newspaper "The Observer" called "Winter in America" a "jazz fusion pillar stone, with a social conscience to boot." Renowned Italian-American music historian Piero Scaruffi cited the album as Gil Scott-Heron's "first musical statement." [cite web |url=http://www.scaruffi.com/vol3/scotther.html |title=Piero Scaruffi - The History of Rock Music. Gil Scott-Heron |publisher=Piero Scaruffi |accessdate=2008-07-08] Following initial critical response to the album, "Winter in America" has been regarded by many music writers and critics as Gil Scott-Heron's most cohesive and artistic work, while also a highlight of Brian Jackson's recording career as well.Johnstone (1999), p. 169.] [Koransky (2000), p. 162-163.]

Influence

Some of the recordings featured on the album, along with other Scott-Heron/Jackson songs, would later be sampled by several rappers and hip hop groups, including "The Bottle" on The Jungle Brothers' "Black Is Black". [cite web |url=http://www.the-breaks.com/search.php?term=Gil+Scott-Heron&type=0 |title=Rap Sample FAQ Search: Gil Scott-Heron |work=The Breaks.com |accessdate=2008-07-09] This contributed to the impact made by Gil Scott-Heron on early rap, who is often cited by critics as the "grandfather of rap", and further expanded his legacy as one of the progenitors and architects of hip hop music. [cite web |url=http://www.thisisrealmusic.com/legends/gilscottheron.php |title=THIS IS REAL MUSIC.COM - LEGENDS: GIL SCOTT-HERON |publisher=Rock The Boat Media Inc. |accessdate=2008-07-17] The diverse sound and mellow style of instrumentation featured on "Winter in America", previously referred to by Scott-Heron as "bluesology", later served as an inspirational tool for neo-soul artists in the 1990s and helped solidify Scott-Heron's and Jackson's legacy in the genre.cite web |url=http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=1774 |title=Brian Jackson at All About Jazz |publisher=All About Jazz |accessdate=2008-07-17] Journalist Pierre Jean-Critin of the French music magazine "Vibrations" later wrote of Scott-Heron's impact and the album:

"Winter in America" was later ranked #67 on "New Nation"'s June 2004 list of "The Top 100 Black Albums". [cite web |url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/mobo.htm |title=The Top 100 Black Albums list |publisher=Rocklist.net |accessdate=2008-07-20] In 2006, the album was listed in the music reference book "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die". [cite web |url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/1001albums.htm |title=Outline Page - 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die |publisher=Rocklist.net |accessdate=2008-07-15] "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. [cite web |url=http://www.acclaimedmusic.net/Current/S1780.htm |title=Acclaimed Music - The Bottle |publisher=Acclaimed Music |accessdate=2008-07-08] "Winter in America" was re-released with previously unreleased bonus material, including a live take of the title track, by Scott-Heron's Rumal-Gia label in 1998, following a reissue project headed by Scott-Heron after he had received ownership of his 1970s recordings.

Track listing

Original LP

"All songs written by Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson, except where noted." [cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/discography/index.jsp?pid=102601&aid=34929 |title=Billboard.com - Discography - Gil Scott-Heron/Brian Jackson - Winter in America |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |accessdate=2008-07-10]

ide one

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

ide two

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

CD reissue

"All bonus cuts for the 1998 compact disc reissue managed and produced by Malcolm Cecil."
#"Peace Go With You, Brother (As-Salaam-Alaikum)" – 5:27
#"Rivers of My Fathers" – 8:19
#"A Very Precious Time" – 5:17
#"Back Home" – 2:51
#"The Bottle" – 5:14
#"Song for Bobby Smith" – 4:38
#"Your Daddy Loves You" – 3:25
#"H2O Gate Blues" – 8:08
#"Peace Go With You Brother (Wa-Alaikum-Salaam)" – 1:10
Bonus tracks
#"Winter in America (Live at The Wax Museum 1982)" – 8:23
#"Song for Bobby Smith (Alternate Take 1978)" – 4:46
#"Your Daddy Loves You (Live at Blues Alley 1981)" – 4:25
#"The Bottle / Guan Guanco (Live at Blues Alley 1981)" – 11:56

Chart history

Billboard Music Charts (North America) – "Winter in America"
*1974: Top Jazz Albums – #6 (40 weeks)

Billboard Music Charts (North America) – "The Bottle"
*1974: Top R&B Singles – #15

Personnel

Musicians

*Gil Scott-Heron – vocals, electric piano
*Brian Jackson – electric piano, acoustic piano, flute, vocals
*Danny Bowens – fender bass
*Bob Adams – traps

Production

*Perpis-Fall Music, Inc. – producer
*Jose Williams – engineer, production assistance
*Malcolm Cecil – remastering
*Vera Savcic, Adam Shore – reissue exec. producer

Additional personnel

*Dan Henderson – manager
*Eugene Coles – cover painting
*Peggy Harris – liner collage
*Monique de la Tour/Rumal-Gia, David Lau – reissue art direction
*Scott Townsend – reissue design
*Tony Cerrante, Gary Price – liner photos

Release history

"Winter in America" was originally released as a 12" vinyl record, in stereo format only. [cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/release/638101 |title=Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - Winter in America |publisher=Discogs |accessdate=2008-07-11] 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. He then initiated a reissue project on his own Rumal-Gia label, which was distributed by TVT Records. The CD reissue contained bonus tracks, including the live version of the title track, and new liner notes written by the Scott-Heron, himself. 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. Other remasters were also released in Europe, as listed below. [cite web |url=http://www.charly.co.uk/New+Releases/item11169?startPos= |title=Charity Records Online - Winter In America |publisher=Eonic Ltd. |accessdate=2008-07-13]

ample use

The information regarding sampling of songs from "Winter in America" is adapted from TheBreaks.com [cite web |url=http://www.the-breaks.com/search.php?term=Winter+in+America&type=1 |title=Rap Sample FAQ Search: Winter in America |work=The Breaks.com |accessdate=2008-09-25]
*"The Bottle"
**De la Soul – "Area"
**Jungle Brothers – "Black is Black"
**Kenny Dope – "Hittin the Bottle"
**Stop the Violence Movement – "Self-Destruction"
*"Peace Go with You, Brother"
**Lords of the Underground – "Lord Jazz Hit Me One Time"
**Milkbone – "Keep it Real"
*"H2O Gate Blues"
**Abstract Tribe Unique – "The Scandal"
**Boogie Down Productions – "Why is That?"
**KMD – "Bananapeel Blues"

Notes

References

*cite book| author = Vladimir Bogdanov, John Bush, Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Chris Woodstra|title = All Music Guide to Hip-Hop: The Definitive Guide to Rap & Hip-Hop|others = |year = 2003|publisher = Backbeat Books, Berkeley, CA|isbn=0879307595
*cite book| author = Jason Koransky|title = Down Beat: Jazz, Blues and Beyond|others = Vol. 1-3|year = 2000|publisher = Maher Publications, Elmhurst, IL|isbn=
*cite book| author = Nick Johnstone|title = Melody Maker History of 20th Century Popular Music|others = |year = 1999|publisher = Bloomsbury, London, UK|isbn=0747541906
*cite book| author = Gary Graff, Josh Freedom du Lac, Jim McFarlin|title = Musichound R&B: The Essential Album Guide|others = forward by Huey Lewis, Kurtis Blow|year = 1998|publisher = Omnibus Press, London, UK|isbn=0825672554
*cite book| author = Eric Weisbard, Craig Marks|title = Spin Alternative Record Guide|others = 1st edi. (Ratings 1-10)|year = 2003|publisher = Vintage Books, New York, NY|isbn=0679755748
*cite book| author = Gil Scott-Heron, Brian Jackson|title = Winter in America (Rumal-Gia) CD reissue booklet|others = liner notes|year = 1998|publisher = Ruma-Gia Ltd./TVT Records, 23 E. 4th Street, New York, NY 10003
*cite book| author = Gil Scott-Heron, Pierre Jean-Critin|title = Winter in America (Charly) CD reissue booklet|others = liner notes|year = 2001|publisher = Charly Licensing Aps/Artistry Music Ltd./Snapper Music Plc., London, UK

External links

* [http://lyricwiki.org/Gil_Scott-Heron#Winter_In_America_.281974.29 "Winter in America" album lyrics at LyricWiki]
* [http://lyricwiki.org/Gil_Scott-Heron:Winter_In_America Winter in America song lyrics]