Tery Callier

Subject: Terry Callier
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 25 Aug 99 - 08:50 AM

You are (mostly) tolerant of my ignorance of things folkie (I'm a jazz /blues man whose folk interest is more of the Lonnie Donegan, skiffle,jug end of the spectrum) so I hope you'll treat me gently). I saw a review of something by Terry Callier who, it said, worked in Chicago in the '60s. It sounded as if he went through an "experimental" phase for a time but the reviewer was enthusiastic about his early and current work. I'd never heard of him so would be grateful for any information,opinions, recommendations of recordings, might I like him? Art? Rick? Anyone? Roger (white boy lost in the blues)

Subject: RE: Tery Callier
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 06:06 AM

refresh. Described as a fusion of jazz & folk.

Subject: RE: Tery Callier
From: Art Thieme
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 05:10 PM

Terry was a hypnotic and intense musician back in the 60s in Chicago. Used jazzy soul-filled chords and strumming of his accoustic guitar. In some ways his style might be compared to Nina Simone back then. Indeed, they both did mellow and beautiful versions of "COTTON EYED JOE". His old LP for Prestige Records was a great one I've always thought. Wish I still had it.

But one must take care of the family and business, so in recent years Terry has been playing computers nine to five to pay the bills. But VERY RECENTLY he has been "found" or "rediscovered" in Europe and that has ignighted an interest in his current musical work, which IS as you described it---a mixture of his older folk style and jazz (with electricity & some amplification). I can't imagine Terry Collier not being mellow in his own and very memorable way. I loved to listen to him and sip scotch. It's been over 30 years since I heard him last at one of the endless benefits we used to do on the folk scene. That one was at SECOND CITY; I remember 'cause I took a photo/slide of Terry then and I just dug it out. Thanks for reminding me of this fine musician.

Art

Subject: RE: Tery Callier
From: Duckboots
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 05:49 PM

Rog, there's an interesting phenomenon starting to happen these days. I'm noticing it more and more. I suspect you see it as well Art. Not only are retired business people (mostly guys) re-living those college folk-singing days by purchasing super expensive acoustics (Gibson, Martin, Collings and Taylor are drooling) which they can now easily afford, and starting to pick again, but actual performing folkies (60s vintage) who were forced into day jobs to pay the rent, are also now retiring from their jobs. Some are starting to hit the road again, but with fewer stars in their eyes. (the pay still sucks). Perhaps life does begin at 60! If Terry performs or records again, I think he'll find an audience.

Rick

Subject: RE: Tery Callier
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 05:52 PM

Whoops, I doubt if Duckboots would ever have heard of him. She'd have been about 2 years old at the time. Forgot to re-set the cookie.

real Rick

Subject: RE: Tery Callier
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 01 Sep 99 - 03:50 AM

Art & Rick, I knew you'd come up trumps, thanks for the info.
Roger

Subject: RE: Tery Callier
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 07 Sep 99 - 06:25 AM

From today's London TIMES: Jazz Albums TERRY CALLIER Lifetime (Talkin' Loud 543 054-2) HARD on the heels of Callier's exemplary comeback album TimePeace, released last year, comes another fine collection of mainly new songs from the softly spoken Chicagoan singer-songwriter.

These are the tunes with which he's been tantalising concertgoers at recent gigs. As before, bright, chorused guitar lines mesh with mellow basslines and balanced drumming to provide platforms for Callier's lyrics: laments for lost loves, roars of protest at social injustice, pledges of religious devotion, shared out among touching little lovesongs (including an unmissable duet, Love Can Do, with folkie Beth Orton). There's even a magnificent reworking of his old anthem I Don't Want To See Myself Without You. TC: top cat.

Subject: RE: Tery Callier
From: Art Thieme
Date: 07 Sep 99 - 12:21 PM

Ironically, Ruth Kellam (Joe Hickerson's friend--mine too---and a folkie for years in Chicago) has been working with Terry and nobody in that place of business knew he was a musician & singer. They knew him as a computer guy.

Art