Gil Scott-Heron/Brain Jackson – Winter in America

Thanks! Share it with your friends!

Close

Winter in America is a studio album by American vocalist Gil Scott-Heron and keyboardist Brian Jackson. It was recorded in September to October 1973 at D&B Sound Studio in Silver Spring, Maryland and released in May 1974 by Strata-East Records. Scott-Heron and Jackson produced the album in a stripped-down fashion, relying on traditional African and R&B sounds, while Jackson’s piano-based arrangements were rooted in jazz and the blues. The subject matter on Winter in America deals with the African-American community and inner city in the 1970s (Wikipedia).

The Allmusic review by Ron Wynn awarded the album 5 stars and stated: “Gil Scott-Heron was at his most righteous and provocative on this album. The title cut was a moving, angry summation of the social injustices Scott-Heron felt had led the nation to a particularly dangerous period, while “The Bottle” was a great treatise on the dangers of alcohol abuse. He also offered his thoughts on Nixon’s legacy with “The H2O Gate Blues,” a classic oral narrative. Brian Jackson’s capable keyboard, acoustic piano and arranging talents helped make this a first-rate release, one of several the duo issued during the 1970s.

Track listing:
Side one
1. “Peace Go with You, Brother (As-Salaam-Alaikum)” Gil Scott-Heron, Brian Jackson 5:27
2. “Rivers of My Fathers” Scott-Heron, Jackson 8:19
3. “A Very Precious Time” Scott-Heron, Jackson 5:17
4. “Back Home” Scott-Heron, Jackson 2:51
Side two
1. “The Bottle” Scott-Heron 5:14
2. “Song for Bobby Smith” Scott-Heron 4:38
3. “Your Daddy Loves You” Scott-Heron 3:25
4. “H2Ogate Blues” Scott-Heron 8:08

Personnel:
Gil Scott-Heron – vocals, electric piano
Brian Jackson – electric piano, acoustic piano, flute, vocals
Danny Bowens – fender bass
Bob Adams – drums (traps)

___________________

Released: May 1974
Recorded:
September 4–5, 1973October 15, 1973
Studio: D&B Sound (Silver Spring, Maryland)
Label: Strata-East
Producer:
Gil Scott-HeronBrian Jackson