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Message |
 
Kev-Lo (7273747576)
5-Doyen
Username: 7273747576
Post Number: 222
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 4.236.219.202
| | Posted on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 6:56 pm: �� |   ��� |
Hi this is Kev-Lo you know there were so many great songs in our time that was done by an artist and became a hit and was later re recorded by other artists.Well the song IN THE BOTTLE was one of the funkiest songs in the 70's.It had you jumping and bumping to the funky beat and was a big hit on the soul charts.Both Gil Scott Heron's and Brother To Brother's versions was funky and unique.Personally I like Brother To Brother's version over Gil Scott Heron's version. I thought Brother To Brother's version was a bit more soulful and up beat and Gil Scott Heron's version had a nice twang to it and was jazzy.So tell me SD's,who's version did you like better between the two. |
Juicefree20 (juicefree20)
6-Zenith
Username: juicefree20
Post Number: 2108
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 24.46.184.162
| | Posted on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 7:06 pm: �� | ��� |
Far and away, Gil Scott-Heron. Though I did like Brother To Brothers' version, Gils' world weary voice gave the song more poignancy to my ear. Whereas Brother To Brothers' version sounded like a nice dance tune, Gil & Brian Jacksons' arrangement, instrumentation, with Gils' reading, elevated the song into something that lived & breathed. When Gil sang that song, I could see those lyrics, they came to life. It was like a collage of those ghetto slums & people that I knew of in those 70s.
Brother To Brothers' version just didn't have the same impact on me. Their version basically turned a song of serious social commentary, into a mere dance cut. You were simply too busy dancing to it, to pay attention to the words & the songs impact was somewhat muted in the process.
That's my take on it.
(Message edited by juicefree20 on August 30, 2004) |
Erik T (erik_t)
3-Pundit
Username: erik_t
Post Number: 53
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 64.228.114.175
| | Posted on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 7:06 pm: �� | ��� |
I haven't heard Brother to Brother's version of this classic, but I really dig Joe Bataan's intrumental version from 1974 which I have on a Salsoul 7"... |
Juicefree20 (juicefree20)
6-Zenith
Username: juicefree20
Post Number: 2110
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 24.46.184.162
| | Posted on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 7:10 pm: �� | ��� |
AHHHH! Erik. That was definitely a excellent version! Instrumental & boy, did it move!
La Botella was muy bueno!!! |
Tony B. (tony_b)
2-Debutant
Username: tony_b
Post Number: 24
Registered: 5-2004
Posted From: 212.56.114.168
| | Posted on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 7:13 pm: �� | ��� |
Uno ... dos ... uno, dos, tres, cuatro
Got to be the Brother To Brother! 
Seriously, neither version is any less good than the other.
Look around on any corner
If you see some brother lookin' like a goner
It's gonna be me |
Manny (manny)
6-Zenith
Username: manny
Post Number: 422
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 217.124.52.57
| | Posted on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 8:04 pm: �� | ��� |
Hello Submarine to all!
Hi, Kev-lo, what's up brother? You're talkin about poetry and about a POET as Gil!
I likes the three versions. Every one got his uniqueness.
One is the bass voice typical of Gil as a "underground" Lou Rawls. The other is the most extended flute intro and the beats. The one by Joe Bataan got a good sax by David Sanborn...
Also, i got the Gil & Brian Jackson live version in their 2 x LP "It's Your World".
As many other times with another live performances in my country, Gil Scott-Heron performed live in Santa Coloma de Gramanet (next to Barcelona) in the mid 90's and... i can't come on!
Peace & Soul Food! |
Kev-Lo (7273747576)
5-Doyen
Username: 7273747576
Post Number: 223
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 4.231.243.209
| | Posted on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 9:15 pm: �� | ��� |
Hi this is Kev-Lo Hi manny,Juice,Toney B.,Erik T. I like all of you guys opinions on this tread.And Erik yes Joe Bataan's Version was great to. I have all three versions |
Eli (phillysoulman)
6-Zenith
Username: phillysoulman
Post Number: 1476
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.236.25.141
| | Posted on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 9:26 pm: �� | ��� |
I believe that La Botella was THE very first release on Salsoul.
There was also a version by Eric Red on BMG. |
Don (don)
6-Zenith
Username: don
Post Number: 726
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.75.190.16
| | Posted on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 10:10 pm: �� | ��� |
Kevlo, I think it's just a matter of taste. I like Gil Scott's song and Brother To Brother version of "In The Bottle". I don't know how to explain it? I think BTB's version is a bit more jazzy and leaves alot of room musically for improvsation. You know the song is so real in it's depiction..I like both versions, which one is hard to pick. I'll admit I never had the lp's cause the lp's sold out by the boxes too quick.
Or am I confused with Joe's version with Brother To Brother's? "FREE GIL SCOTT HERON!".
Don |
Juicefree20 (juicefree20)
6-Zenith
Username: juicefree20
Post Number: 2123
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 24.46.184.162
| | Posted on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 10:15 pm: �� | ��� |
Hi Don,
The Bottle was first released on the album "Winter In America" by Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson. That LP is almost like poetry set to music.
It's even more poignant when one considers the problems that Gil later ran into.
Thanks KevLo
(Message edited by juicefree20 on August 30, 2004) |
Kdubya (paladin)
5-Doyen
Username: paladin
Post Number: 249
Registered: 5-2004
Posted From: 206.185.64.23
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 8:55 am: �� | ��� |
Gil Scott Heron. There was a time in my life when I was asleep. Gil woke me up. His voice and delivery was real, commanding... and as Juice said poignant. His later recordings of Angel Dust and one of my favorites "B movie" certainly made me sad, but they made me think as well......America is waiting for John Wayne ?
Starnge thing though...whenerever I hear Gil, I also want to hear "Compared to What" by Les MacCann from the Swiss movement Lp.....great poetry of my youth.....
Kdubya |
Gary (gary)
4-Laureate
Username: gary
Post Number: 153
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 66.73.238.5
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 9:24 am: �� | ��� |
When I was a young, wannabe radical student in the early 70s, people like Gil Scott Heron, Nina Simone, Curtis Mayfield, and ESPECIALLY The Last Poets had a profound influence on me. Their music had relevance and impact, yet at the same time, it was very "listenable". In other words, the message didn't get lost in the music.
To this day, I listen to what they were saying back then and I realize how important their message was, and still is.
I don't want to come off sounding like some preachy old middle-aged fart who automatically assumes the worst about the content of today's "music"(?). But I think the work of artists like Gil, Nina, and Curits(R.I.P.) should be much more recognized and appreciated by the 30-and-under crowd than it is. Things haven't changed that much since the 70s and, like it or not, a lot of folks in this country need to recognize that reality. |
DyvaNaye (westside314)
6-Zenith
Username: westside314
Post Number: 835
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 209.212.74.198
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 2:43 pm: �� | ��� |
Gil Scott Heron will be at S.O.B's this week, I dig his version best. He does a great live version of it. |
Funkyone D.J. Dollar Bil (funkyone)
4-Laureate
Username: funkyone
Post Number: 83
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 216.221.81.99
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 3:27 pm: �� | ��� |
Anyone know how Gil is doing these days?Has he started listening to his own lyrics again or is he still lost?
A cultural icon and hero who has never been fully recognized by the masses. |
Erik T (erik_t)
3-Pundit
Username: erik_t
Post Number: 54
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 64.228.108.1
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 12:01 am: �� | ��� |
Glad to read Gil's performing again, I doubt he'll make it up to Canada any time soon but one can hope... |
DavidS91 (davids91)
1-Arriviste
Username: davids91
Post Number: 8
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 149.174.164.24
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 3:41 am: �� | ��� |
I saw Gil Scott Heron at McCabes guitar shop in Santa Monica about 10 or 12 years ago and it was a mixed experience. I'd looked forward to seeing him for years, but it seemed like he might have been on something during the performance as he seemed a bit out of it at times.
However, while he sang very little that night (most of the time he just talked), when he did sing (probably only three or four songs the entire evening) he was just incredible. It's hard to describe how this man who seemed only semi-there during his talks, could become this amazingly captivating singer when he sat down at the piano. It really was an incredible transformation. If he did have some "troubles" like have been hinted at on previous posts, I hope he's straightened them out.
I can only imagine how incredible his live performing is when he's into the concert and really focused. Cause even as frustrating as I remember that night being a decade ago, I just remember how when he sat down at the piano and sang, it was gold! |
Juicefree20 (juicefree20)
6-Zenith
Username: juicefree20
Post Number: 2162
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 24.46.184.162
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 4:46 am: �� | ��� |
I'm glad to hear that Gil's performing again. I was saddened & totally shocked at his arrest & 3 year jail sentence in 2001 for cocaine possession. I was totally floored to learn that he was battling drug addiction. It was just unfathomable to think that a man who wrote of the evils of drugs in songs like "Angel Dust", could ever be bedeviled by drugs.
I hope that all is well with Gil & that his problems are far behind him. He was the voice & conscience for a generation! |