Vocalist, poet, author and activist Gil Scott-Heron returns to the Blue Note for two nights only from March 2 - 3 upon the release of his first recording in 16 years, the highly anticipated I'm New Here (XL, 2010). With songs like "On Coming From A Broken Home (Pts. 1 & 2)" and "Where Did The Night Go," I'm New Here is a refreshingly honest, raw display of emotion from a man who has experienced numerous personal ups and downs over the last few decades. I'm New Here, available for free streaming here, has received tremendous critical praise already, with the UK Guardian predicting it will be "regarded as one of the year's best albums." Though I'm New Here focuses primarily on events of the past, Gil Scott-Heron told the Village Voice that he's looking towards the future: "It makes you think, and that may turn out to be dangerous, but this ain't Inherit the Wind. To hell with sponges! This is the 21st century - let's keep on movin'." Tickets to his rare, intimate CD-Release shows at the Blue Note on March 2 and 3 can be purchased here.
WHEN: Tuesday, March 2 - Wednesday, March 3, 2010; Sets @ 8:00pm & 10:30pmWITH: Gil Scott-Heron, spoken word/vocals/keyboards; Kim Jordan, vocals/piano/keys; Glenn Turner, harmonica/keys; Tony Duncanson, percussionCOST: $35 @ table / $20 @ barShow is held at the Blue Note; 131 W 3rd. St, New York, NY 10012. Doors open at 6pm. Set times are 8pm and 10:30pm nightly.Poet, musician, activist, author, bluesologist. These are all terms that have been used to describe the great Gil Scott-Heron, who more humbly refers to himself simply as a "piano player from Tennessee". Most famous for his era-defining 1970's poem, "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised," Gil Scott-Heron's politically charged material made him a stalwart figure in the 1970's civil rights movement. His lyrical content covered topics like the superficiality of television and mass consumerism, the hypocrisy of some would-be Black revolutionaries, white middle-class ignorance of the difficulties faced by inner-city residents, and fear of homosexuals.Videos