Gil Scott-Heron
I'm New Here

I admit it. I confess. 

I don’t know Gil Scott-Heron. Never heard of him. At least until a few hours ago. But I listened to him. I listened to “I’m New Here”. And it was like a car crashing at 180 km/h into a shop window (quote). And that window is me.

I did my research (Wikipedia). I discovered that Gil isn’t just anyone. No. He has an impressive career. A charismatic figure. Poet. Writer. He fell apart between the 90s and 00s. I read about heroin. Jail. Bad stories. A poet (doomed). But I’m not too interested in his story. That’s not what struck me.

The first thing that strikes you about the album is the contrast between Gil’s warm, worn-out voice and the beat/electro bases that sometimes seem to come out of some Bristol club (trip-hop era). This combination, which at first may seem somewhat daring, has its own reason. It creates a dark atmosphere. Softened and smoky. It supports Gil’s tired voice. It accompanies him throughout the album.

Then there’s the length of the album which, stripped of the interludes, barely lasts 30 minutes. A punch to the stomach. Gil tells you what there is to say. Without beating around the bush or dragging it out. And it leaves you there. Dazed. Ready to ask for more (punches to the stomach). Ready to restart Gil’s voice telling you his stories. His fears. The road that led him here.

There are some stunning pieces. Like “Me and The Devil”. Like the touching and romantic “I’ll Take Care Of You”.

“You won’t ever have to worry / You won’t ever have to cry / for I’ll be there beside you / to dry your weeping eyes” (I’ll Take Care Of You)

Real gems. To listen to over and over. To experience. Waiting for Gil to have time and strength to tell us new ones. Stories. Poems. Hoping the dark period is over for him and, finally, the moment arrives to turn back on his steps. No matter how far you’ve gone in the wrong direction, until now.

“No matter how far wrong you’ve gone You can always turnaround” (I’m New Here)