Summary
Described by those who knew him as a 'Revolutionary Man of Peace' Gil Scott-Heron transformed the musical landscape of the 1970's. In 2021 he was posthumously inaugurated into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, honoured with an Early Influencer Award. Today, Garden Designer Joe Swift - who witnessed Gil's legendary concerts - shares his passion for the artist who 'spoke truth' and educated a generation through his music. Joe is joined by Malik Al Nasir who worked with Gil and became his protégé, developing a life long friendship following a chance encounter at a concert. Malik is author of 'Letters To Gil' a memoir of his own life and the time he spent with Gil Scott-Heron.
Presented by Matthew Parris Produced by Nicola Humphries
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hey, let me ask you, sir, have you heard George's podcast? |
| 0:06.1 | Me and Ben Brick are back with a blast, this time with stories from Africa's past. |
| 0:11.0 | Not too distant, unsolved mysteries, unsung heroes from untold histories, I'm trying |
| 0:16.9 | to make sense of the present day, join me on this journey by pressing play. |
| 0:23.8 | Have you heard George's podcast? |
| 0:25.8 | Chapter four. |
| 0:26.8 | Listen on BBC Sounds. |
| 0:30.8 | BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, Podcasts. |
| 0:34.8 | You know, but when you move somewhere, the first thing that you try to do is get in touch |
| 0:38.5 | with the music. |
| 0:39.5 | You know, find out where the music is, you're going to be grooving also. |
| 0:42.8 | I set the radio up, turned all the way down to the right, you know, over there where |
| 0:46.5 | they keep the black people's music. |
| 0:49.5 | That's just a coincidence. |
| 0:52.5 | Everywhere you go, we'd be over in this corner here. |
| 0:56.5 | Somewhere north of 13, you'll find. |
| 0:59.5 | You know, turned over there. |
| 1:02.5 | And I couldn't find no black music, I could not find the blues. |
| 1:06.5 | I was wondering what the hell was going on. |
| 1:08.5 | I said, you know, I come from Jackson Tennessee and this New York, maybe I need a longer radio. |
| 1:14.5 | So, I went out in the street and I run into one of the brothers on Avenue and I said, |
| 1:18.5 | but look at him, what's happening? |
... |
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