A Video Tribute to Oscar Brown, Jr.
Oscar Brown, Jr. (1926 – 2005)
This piece was originally intended as a birthday tribute to Oscar Brown, Jr. I couldn’t move fast enough to get it out last month, but the tracks were too good to languish in the draft file, so here it is a month later.
Many know Mr. Brown for “But I Was Cool”, one of his lighter pieces, which achieved some fame when a deodorant company used it (with Brown’s vocals) to advertise their product.
Oscar Brown was the natural predecessor to Gil Scott-Heron and other spoken word music poets. He composed over 1,000 songs, at least a dozen plays and recorded 12 albums, including the classic “Sin and Soul”; during his lifetime. He was also a political activist, who ran for the Illinois State Legislature and Congress.
I usually keep the text to a minimum during these video tribute posts and this one will be no exception, so here now are some great performances by a legendary griot.
Let’s start with this terrific overview:
Here he adds a heartfelt touch to Bobby Timmons’ “Dat Dere”
“The Snake” – with that irresistible refrain
And one of his best, IMHO, “Mr. Kicks”
December 7, 2014 at 3:32 pm
Thanks for your piece. My older sister gave me Heaven and Hell when I was 12 thinking I’d like Hazels Hips (Idid), it became a life manual for me. His music should be taght in schools. I def see a line to Gil Scott-Heron. another favorite of mine. Hell Winter in America ought be topin the charts today! A long, cold one Anyway, Thanks
Peace, Bobby D.