Winter in America
Gil Scott-Heron · 1974
74 min · 13 tracks · jazz
A soulful blend of jazz and spoken word that poignantly critiques American society and politics during a turbulent era.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Bottle — This track stands out for its raw depiction of addiction, combining a catchy hook with a sobering narrative about the struggles within urban life.
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H2Ogate Blues — In this track, Scott-Heron cleverly weaves the Watergate scandal into a broader critique of government accountability, showcasing his ability to merge current events with personal reflection.
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Peace Go With You, Brother (As-Salaam-Alaikum) — Opening the album with a message of peace, this song sets the tone for the reflective yet critical atmosphere that permeates the record.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends jazz and spoken word effectively, addressing social issues with a distinctive voice.
What we noticed
- Several tracks employ a call-and-response structure, particularly in the way Scott-Heron interacts with instrumental breaks, enhancing the lyrical themes.
- The pacing varies significantly; tracks like 'The Bottle' maintain a steady groove while others, such as 'H2Ogate Blues', shift between reflective moments and more intense musical passages.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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
- wave-like pacing with reflections
- haunting themes of urban struggle
- thoughtful exploration of personal narratives
- live recordings for intimate connection
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer upbeat party tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1974, Winter in America marked Gil Scott-Heron's fifth studio album, following his acclaimed work on Pieces of a Man. At this point in his career, Scott-Heron was becoming recognized as a significant voice in the Black Arts Movement, using his music to address social issues head-on.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Amiri Baraka· The Last Poets· Abbey Lincoln
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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H2Ogate Blues
The moment shifts from an intimate discussion about personal despair to direct references to political corruption, intertwining personal and national crises.
This pivot illustrates how individual struggles are often reflections of larger societal issues, emphasizing the interconnectedness of personal and political narratives.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Peace Go With You, Brother (As-Salaam-Alaikum) 5:33
- 2 Rivers of My Fathers 8:33
- 3 A Very Precious Time 5:19
- 4 Back Home 2:51
- 5 The Bottle 5:10
- 6 Song for Bobby Smith 4:41
- 7 Your Daddy Loves You 2:56
- 8 H2Ogate Blues 8:13
- 9 Peace Go With You, Brother (Wa-Alaikum-Salaam) 1:11
- 10 Winter in America (live) 8:23
- 11 Song for Bobby Smith (alternate take) 4:43
- 12 Your Daddy Loves You (live) 4:28
- 13 The Bottle / Guan Guanco (live) 11:56
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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