At S.O.B.'s, NYC - 1/16/00
I arrived at
9:20pm as the Amnesia Express Band started playing a long intro version of
"B Movie". Ten minutes later, the philosophical/socio-political poet,
Gil Scott-Heron, got onstage and performed the vocals to "B Movie". The rhythm was funky and tight, and the percussion was
good! Brian Jackson performed outstanding keyboard chords during the
song "Peace" (I think it's called that!). Gil
Scott-Heron stated, "Peace is not the absence of war.....it's the absence
of the rumor of war, the threat of war, and the preparation of war."
Gil dedicated a song to the folks that were involved in the civil rights
movement (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, etc.) called
"95 South (All The Way to the Gulf of Mexico)". "What has four I's (eyes) and will never "C"
(see)?........Mississippi", stated Gil. The next song was a
bass-driven tune with a great keyboard solo by Gil. "Other
Side of Town" was a fantastic uptempo song with an infectious Latin funk
groove, not unlike Mandrill's "Cohelo"!!! Brian shined
with some irresistible keyboard playing and a kick-ass flute solo! The
percussion was, at least, impeccable! "Winter in America" was as good
as the album version with a fiery guitar solo! The
last song, a medley called "Celebrate/The Bottle" (the funkiest
ending to this show, with a Brian Jackson spicy jazz flute solo) was terrific!
About seven minutes into the song, the drummer and percussionist (on congas) performed
kick-ass solos for about five minutes!! After the extraordinary performances,
the band continued with the song "The Bottle". The show ended
at 11:05pm.
One
of the best things about Gil Scott-Heron is hearing his political/comical
ramblings. For example, when Gil first came out, he said that the weather was
so cold that the wind chill factor was not available!!
Submit suggestions or comments to david.brooks@brookenstein.com