Right before I left Germany for New York again, my dad gave me his copy of the new record by “legendary godfather of rap” Gil Scott-Heron: “I’m New Here”. My dad may actually have taken a cue from the liner notes that advise:
[…]
Play your CD.
LISTEN all the way through.
Think about what you got.
Think about who would appreciate the investment.
Decide if there is someone to share this with.
[…]
Although I do think this amazing album (full of poetry, beats, soul, the old, the new, urban atmosphere and a late night drink) is best enjoyed in the recommended setting and in its entirety, here are a few songs I especially like.
The awesome, atmospheric video for the Robert Johnson cover (reinvention? reviving?) “Me and The Devil”:
The beautiful and real “Where Did The Night Go?”, which is still available as a free download from the Gil Scott-Heron website:
Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be a video yet for my favorite from the album (a song which may have some personal resonance as I’m preparing to move from New York to Berlin – although without quite that desperation): “New York Is Killing Me”:
And for good measure here is the original recording of the Gil Scott-Heron classic “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” illustrated with a recent video collage: