Audio

🎵 The Revolution Begins: The Flying Dutchman Masters by Gil Scott-Heron (BGP, 2012)

Listened to The Revolution Begins: The Flying Dutchman Masters by Gil Scott-Heron from BGP

The three albums that Gil Scott-Heron recorded for Bob Thiele's Flying Dutchman label are among the most important in black music history. They showed a multi-talented artist coming to full fruition with his first efforts on wax. The Revolution Begins contains every piece of music he released for the label from 1970-1971. In recent years Gil has become a lauded as one of the all-time greats. This music is the reason why.

It includes classic performances, including both the spoken word and band versions of The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, Home Is Where The Hatred Is, Lady Day and John Coltrane, Pieces Of A Man, Whitey On The Moon and Free Will.

It’s been ages since I’ve sat and actively listened to music for its own sake rather than simply having it on in the background as “noise”. I’m glad I chose this one tonight. It’s refreshing to sit and just listen to music like this again.

Whitey on the Moon, Who’ll Pay Reparations on My Soul, and No Knock are my new favorite songs. What a stunning collection this is. I’m reminded again how highly relevant The Revolution Will Not Be Televised still is almost 50 years later.

If you’re not familiar with Scott-Heron’s work, then carve out some time in your life.

🎵 I’m New Here by Gil Scott-Heron (XL, 2010)

Listened to I'm New Here by Gil Scott-Heron from XL

I'm New Here is the 13th and final studio album by American vocalist and pianist Gil Scott-Heron. It was released on February 8, 2010, by XL Recordings and was his first release of original music in 16 years, following a period of personal and legal troubles with drug addiction.

The record was produced by XL owner Richard Russell, who was influenced by the 2009 self-titled debut album of English band the xx.[1] I'm New Here is a post-industrial blues album, with spoken word folk songs and trip hop interludes.

I'm New Here received positive reviews from most critics and debuted at number 181 on the US Billboard 200, selling 3,700 copies in its first week. It was promoted with the single "Me and the Devil", an adaptation of blues musician Robert Johnson's "Me and the Devil Blues" (1937). A remix of the album, titled We're New Here, was produced by the xx's Jamie xx and released by XL in 2011.

You can’t spend a chunk of the afternoon reading about Gil Scott-Heron without jumping into his work.

I liked the nod of the Kanye West sampling of Flashing Lights on the song On Coming from a Broken Home as a reverse homage to a generation of hip hop artists and rappers sampling Scott-Heron.

🎵 Feeling Good by Nina Simone (Phillips, 1965)

Listened to Feeling Good by Nina Simone from I Put a Spell on You (Phillips)
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good
My current mood….

https://open.spotify.com/track/1VKsbTJ78G5bnfyoPz46LA

🎧 The Daily: An Unexpected Upset in Florida | New York Times

Listened to The Daily: An Unexpected Upset in Florida from New York Times

After a surprise outcome in the primary, the Florida governor’s race is shaping up to be a litmus test for 2020.

🎧 The Daily: An Execution in Nebraska | New York Times

Listened to The Daily: An Execution in Nebraska by Michael Barbaro from New York Times

State lawmakers repealed the death penalty in 2015. Why didn’t that last?

When I grow up I want to be Ernie Chambers.

🎧 The Daily: The War Inside the Catholic Church | New York Times

Listened to The Daily: The War Inside the Catholic Church by Michael Barbaro from New York Times

Vatican intrigues usually remain behind the walls. But a new accusation levied against Pope Francis has laid bare ideological rifts.

🎧 The Daily: The Paradoxes of John McCain | New York Times

Listened to The Daily: The Paradoxes of John McCain by Michael Barbaro from New York Times

“The Daily” looks at the senator’s complex legacy through his half-century of public life.

🎧 The Daily: Special Episode: The Last ‘Year of the Woman’ | New York Times

Listened to The Daily: Special Episode: The Last ‘Year of the Woman’ by Michael Barbaro from New York Times

We speak to Senator Dianne Feinstein about why 2018 has been called the Year of the Woman, a moniker that comes from the historic elections of 1992.

🎧 The Daily: The Man Who Wrote Mueller’s Rules | New York Times

Listened to The Daily: The Man Who Wrote Mueller’s Rules by Michael Barbaro from New York Times

The regulations for investigating a president were devised with checks and balances in mind. That’s why Congress may have the final say.

🎧 The Daily: Implicating the President | New York Times

Listened to The Daily: Implicating the President by Michael Barbaro from New York Times

One former confidant entered a guilty plea. Another received a guilty verdict. Both events may have significant consequences for President Trump.

🎧 The Daily: ‘Divided,’ Part 2: The Chaos of Reunification | New York Times

Listened to The Daily: ‘Divided,’ Part 2: The Chaos of Reunification by Michael Barbaro from New York Times

The U.S. government denied that it had planned to separate migrant families. It also had no plans to bring them back together.

🎧 The Daily: ‘Divided,’ Part 1: How Family Separations Started | New York Times

Listened to The Daily: ‘Divided,’ Part 1: How Family Separations Started by Michael Barbaro from New York Times

“The Daily” examines the repercussions of a U.S. policy that led to more than 2,000 migrant children being separated from their parents.

🎧 The Daily: Robert Mueller’s Unlikely Witness | New York Times

Listened to The Daily: Robert Mueller’s Unlikely Witness by Michael Barbaro from New York Times

Concerned that he was being set up to take the blame for possible acts of obstruction, the White House counsel started talking to investigators.

🎧 The Daily: Nancy Pelosi’s Dilemma | New York Times

Listened to The Daily: Nancy Pelosi’s Dilemma by Michael Barbaro from New York Times

Under fire from both parties, the longtime House Democratic leader faces an uncertain political future.