Pieces of a Man
Gil Scott-Heron · 1971
48 min · 11 tracks · jazz
A poignant fusion of jazz, soul, and spoken word that captures the struggles of urban life and social consciousness.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Revolution Will Not Be Televised — This track serves as a rallying cry against complacency, utilizing sharp spoken word delivery to critique media narratives surrounding civil rights.
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Home Is Where the Hatred Is — Through its raw emotion and vivid storytelling, this song explores themes of addiction and alienation, reflecting broader societal issues.
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Lady Day and John Coltrane — A tribute to musical legends, this track marries lush instrumentation with reflective lyrics about love and loss, capturing the essence of personal struggle.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's fusion of jazz and spoken word creates a unique sound that emphasizes social commentary.
What we noticed
- Tracks like 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised' incorporate rhythmic spoken verses that contrast with melodic choruses, creating dynamic shifts in delivery.
- Several tracks utilize a minimalist arrangement, allowing the lyrical content to take precedence over complex instrumentation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady reflective listening sessions
- poignant emotional introspection
- thought-provoking lyrical narratives
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1971, Pieces of a Man was Gil Scott-Heron's second studio album, following his debut, Small Talk at 125th and Lenox. At this point in his career, Scott-Heron was establishing himself as a seminal voice in the Black Arts Movement, blending poetry with music to address social issues.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Amiri Baraka· The Last Poets· Abbey Lincoln
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Revolution Will Not Be Televised 3:09
- 2 Save the Children 4:27
- 3 Lady Day and John Coltrane 3:37
- 4 Home Is Where the Hatred Is 3:22
- 5 When You Are Who You Are 3:23
- 6 I Think I’ll Call It Morning 3:31
- 7 Pieces of a Man 4:54
- 8 A Sign of the Ages 4:03
- 9 Or Down You Fall 3:14
- 10 The Needle’s Eye 4:51
- 11 The Prisoner 9:25
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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