{"id":529,"date":"2012-03-03T19:00:04","date_gmt":"2012-03-03T19:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thetalentshow.co.uk\/theukcorner\/?p=529"},"modified":"2012-03-04T19:08:36","modified_gmt":"2012-03-04T19:08:36","slug":"the-uk-corner-book-review-the-last-holiday-a-memoir-by-gill-scott-heron","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thetalentshow.co.uk\/theukcorner\/2012\/03\/03\/the-uk-corner-book-review-the-last-holiday-a-memoir-by-gill-scott-heron\/","title":{"rendered":"The Last Holiday A Memoir by Gil Scott Heron"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/strong>The power of the late great Gil Scott Heron\u2019s way with words is hard to ignore. His poetic ability makes this much anticipated book a joy to read. It not only engages, but it also educates. If it were just a biography tracing Heron\u2019s 1950\u2019s Southern roots, it would satisfy. But, it goes beyond a personal history to trace a national history in the story of Stevie Wonder\u2019s successful campaign to have slain Civil Rights leader Dr Martin Luther King’s birthday declared a National Holiday.<\/p>\n

From candid tales of his well-respected grandparents and parents, with their flair for sports, advocacy for academia or quiet personalities, to his relationships with his own children, we get a great insight into Heron\u2019s influences. Aside from familial role models, iconic musicians such as Wonder made a huge impact on Heron\u2019s world. It is fascinating to read about Heron\u2019s longstanding friendship with Wonder or his brief encounters with a young Bob Marley and Michael Jackson while on tour.<\/p>\n

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There are many exciting tales from the road once Heron, who was awarded a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award this year, had made it big as a performance poet\/musician signed to Arista records, and as an author of The Vulture<\/em>.\u00a0 But, his early years at university are equally noteworthy demonstrating musical prowess, a social conscience, and his defiant rallying voice in student politics at Pennslyvania’s Lincoln University.<\/p>\n

Much lauded, cool and laidback, Heron\u2019s determination and conviction to follow his dream of becoming a writer is inspiring. A few beautiful pictures add extra character to this already charismatic book. A world of jazz, race, and activism, it details how dreams became reality.<\/p>\n

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The Last Holiday \u00ad\u2013 A Memoir<\/em> by Gil Scott Heron, priced \u00a320 is out now published by Canongate Books.<\/p>\n

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http:\/\/www.canongate.tv\/the-last-holiday.html<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n