Product Details

• Actors: Gil Scott-Heron, Ed Brady, Robert Gordon, Glen 'Astro' Turner, Larry MacDonald
• Directors: Robert Mugge
• Producers: Robert Mugge
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Winstar
• VHS Release Date: December 22, 1998
• Run Time: 79 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 1572524030
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,803 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • #13 in Music > Miscellaneous > Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews > Poetry

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The poet, vocalist, and songwriter Gil Scott-Heron is both the descendant of the African griots and the forefather of rap. In the early '70s, he boldly proclaimed that "the revolution will not be televised," and in the '80s he warned us of the "New World Order" with his prophetic and satirical single, "B Movie." The gifted filmmaker Robert Mugge filmed the controversial artist in performance at the now-defunct Wax Museum in Washington, D.C., in 1982. Mugge alternates between the electrifying soul/jazz/funk grooves of Scott- Heron's Midnight Band and his witty and deep monologues about racial politics with a wax figure of Uncle Sam and his dead-on commentaries on urban life in the nation's capital. Included on this DVD is the bonus selection "Is That Jazz," Heron's swinging shout-out to the jazz legends and a rebuke of those who try to limit it. Nobody tells it like it is like Gil Scott-Heron, and nobody ever will. --Eugene Holley Jr.

From the Back Cover

Captured live at the Wax Museum Nightclub in Washington, D.C., Scott-Heron’s birthday concert is a nonstop barrage of his best-loved performances, backed by his remarkable 10-piece Midnight Band. A true collector’s edition from one of our most outspoken talents.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Classic Gil Scott-Heron, December 21, 2000

By 

Ibochild (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Wax & Is That Jazz [VHS] (VHS Tape)

First of all, let's be honest here. There can be no denying that this documentary is a great tribute to Gil Scott-Heron's words and music, but it is clearly not for everybody. Gil Scott-Heron, while having a legion of loyal fans, has never been a mainstream artist. His first significant national exposure was probably through his appearance as a musical guest on "Saturday Night Live," when Richard Pryor hosted the show during the end of 1975. On that episode, he performed "Johannesburg" (which he also performs in this documentary). However, Gil Scott-Heron could not get arrested on the show today, which now showcases primarily mainstream artists like Ricky Martin. This does not in anyway diminish Scott-Heron's talent or influence as an artist -- if anything it boosts it. This is particularly true in the wake of this documentary's release on homevideo.

Robert Mugge, the Philadelphia-based filmmaker best known for his documentaries on African American music artists, does some of his best work on BLACK WAX. The director wisely chooses to have the film "speak for itself" through the words and music of Gil Scott-Heron, rather than have some "expert" talk about him. This is particularly significant given the politically charged nature of much of Scott-Heron's work (e.g., Whitey on the Moon, "B" Movie) and the fact that Robert Mugge is not African American. Performance footage of Gil Scott-Heron's best known songs are intercut with scenes of him walking through the streets of Washington, DC commenting on the issues of the day. Also included are some amusing segments where Scott-Heron "addresses" wax statues of John Wayne and several U.S. presidents.

Although this film was shot during the beginning of the Reagan presidency, much of what Gil Scott-Heron talks about is still revelant today. One cannot help but sense the irony when Scott-Heron refers to the then vice president as George "Papa Doc" Bush, when his son, George W. (who as governor of Texas, lead the nation in executions), will soon succeed Bill Clinton as president of the United States. Also, Scott-Heron's commentary on Reagan's so called election "mandate" is sure to elicit a response for those who witnsssed the razor-thin election of 2000, which brought George W. to the White House. You can bet this documentary will not be on W.'s required viewing list!

In general, Scott-Heron's unabashedly liberal message will not sit well with middle America. But for those with progressive or liberal leanings, this documentary is like a breath of fresh air. As an added bonus, you get "Is That Jazz?:A Mug-Shot Afterthought," which immediately follows the film. It is essentially a performance film of the title song (which was originally the flip side of the "B" Movie single) with no outside commentary.

For fans of Gil Scott-Heron, this documentary is a must for your video collection. If you lean to the left on the political spectrum, this video is also worthy of serious consideration. Jazz aficionados might also like the music and the band which is first-rate. For everybody else, I would suggest checking out one of Gil Scott-Heron's albums first (particularly from his late 1970's/early 1980's period) before buying this video. In short, Gil Scott-Heron is well represented on this video, but to use the vernacular, you've got to "dig what he's putting down."

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly, April 27, 2004

By 

pete (vancouver) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Wax & Is That Jazz [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The cover blurb on this DVD says something like "No artist was ever better served by a documentary...", and that seems to me about right. I had heard a couple of GSH tunes before I saw this on PBS in about '83, and I was somewhat impressed, but what I'd heard was short radio-friendly stuff, and alas, this was of course in the days after the short exquisite life of Beautiful Radio was ended by brutal corporate murder, so radio-friendly meant short and easily accessible, whereas I was listening for audio with more protein than sugar, so I was only mildly tweaked. Then I saw this doc, and was an instant convert. I was quite buzzed by his articulate intelligence, but about when the long slow meandering spoken introduction to "Angeldust" slyly and seamlessly passed through poetry into song, I realized I was watching genius at work. I have been a fan ever since, and not regretted it an instant. It is wonderful to have this brilliant bit of filmmaking available. Now, if we could only please have the video (preferrably full length) of the performance captured on the double live CD "Tales of Gil Scott Heron and the Amnesia Express", which in CD form is criminally long out of print, while the video is currently only available in europe, and only 62 minutes long.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Poetic Genius, January 18, 2004

By 

powwowhappy "powwowhappy" (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Wax & Is That Jazz [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The editorial review was just about dead on. Gil Scott Heron, in his poetic genius, brought to light stories of the people, stories of the streets, and an honest look at the role politics played with the people. Though "not for everybody" perhaps, his lyrics to "Whitey on the Moon" ring true once again, today. Powerful, powerful stuff from a man in a class all by himself. I only wish there were more videos of his other works.

If you have a love for the written word, for poetry that strikes you, makes you think and has a rhythm to it -- also have a look at Pinero (starring Benjamin Bratt) and Cyrano de Bergerac (starring Jose Ferrer). These 3 videos, though totally different, are each wonderful works.