Review by Frank Plowright
The title In Search of Gil Scott-Heron indicates this isn’t a conventional biography, and it isn’t, being as much about Thomas Maurceri as it is about the singer, poet and writer. As the subtitle notes, Heron’s compelling conversational method of speaking over musical backing was hugely influential on rap, and he was an erudite communicator, passionate about highlighting the injustices of society. Unfortunately the 21st century wasn’t kind to him as drug addiction and several connected jail terms exacerbated poor health.
Heron died in 2011 on the day Mauceri was due to meet him to discuss a documentary about his career. Introductions were to made via a good friend, and instead Mauceri finds himself accompanying her to Heron’s apartment and calling people with the bad news. From there Mauceri feels a little lost and confused, yet still attends Heron’s funeral, hijacked by Kanye West as presented here (sample art).
As the narrative flows into Mauceri’s life as a film student near Boston in 2000 there are concerns of this drifting into a vanity project, but that never happens. The brief indulgences are glued to the remainder by Seb Piquet’s stylish cartooning, bringing people and their times to life. Because it looks simple it disguises the skill involved in transmitting what people are feeling, such as Heron contemplating in the middle tier of the sample art. Piquet’s not great on likeness, but when the essence of what’s needed transmits so well, that’s not necessary.
Mauceri’s college spell is important for his discovery of Heron’s albums, their relevance during the fiascos of the 2000 US elections all too obvious, and elections become a recurring theme, while Mauceri’s own experiences with aggressive prejudice are also reflected in lyrics. Individual tracks are extrapolated over full page representational montages, with Mauceri explaining their importance and why they still have something to say now. He notes ironies such as income generated by ‘The Bottle’, a track about addiction funding Heron’s addictive life thereafter. Mauceri also feels that before he can approach Heron about a documentary he needs to see for himself what inspires Heron’s lyrics, so visits poorer urban areas and details his experiences.
At times Mauceri can over-dramatise, the scenes preceding Heron’s death an example, and the title notwithstanding, some readers might have preferred less searching and greater biographical detail. Heron was distinctively direct, and a little more of that might have elevated In Search of Gil Scott-Heron still further. What there is, though, is very readable and anyone who loves Heron’s work as much as Mauceri is likely to appreciate his quest and his insight.
This is even more apparent in the bonus material as Mauceri runs through his thoughts on each of Heron’s albums along with references, reminiscences and recollections. Don’t skip it.
