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Terry Callier live at Cosmopolite in Oslo

Terry Callier

The visionary singer-songwriter and original folk-soul hero Terry Callier plays live at Cosmopolite Concert Hall in Oslo. The concert takes place on Friday 7th March. Callier, who’s recent live and studio work with Massive Attack has been one of the Summer’s highlights, remains a truly inspiring artist and this collection unearths some new undiscovered recordings that enthral and move with every repeat listen.

Callier’s career path has remained true to his output – a story of triumph against firmly stacked odds. Born in Chicago 1945, Callier grew up singing doo-wop alongside fellow Chicago legends Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler. In 1962-63, he signed his first contract recording with Chess and released the single ‘Look At Me Now’ which was followed up his debut album ‘The New Folk Sound’ recorded in ’65 but not released until ’69 because the producer went AWOl.

Three brilliant, but low selling albums on Cadet followed, and Terry ended the decade with two for the Elektra label – ‘Fire On Ice’ from 1978 featuring one of his truly greatest compositions ‘African Violet’ – and ‘79’s ‘Turned You To Love’. Callier had also penned one of the ‘70s finest soul cuts The Dells’ ‘The Love We Had Stays On My Mind’ and yet despite possessing such formidable talent, found himself in 1980 without money, or a record deal or a future in music. Having won custody of his only daughter, Callier decided to quit the music business in favour of earn a living as a computer programmer for the University Of Chicago.

Callier fans will be happy to discover the inclusion of three demos recorded in ’69 that include an incredible version of ‘Alley Wind Song’, plus the club classic‘I Don’t Want To See Myself (Without You)’ the full length masterpiece of ‘Dancing Girl’, the quiet rage of ‘Darker Than A Shadow’ from 2002, the majestic ‘Look At Me Now’ & ‘If I Could Make You (Change Your Mind’), a hauntingly beautiful live version of ‘What Colour Is Love’ and timeless highlights ‘Lazarus Man’ and ‘Ordinary Joe’ here in it’s stunning original demo form.

The soul and jazz scenes of the late 80s/early 90s saw a new generation of both musicians and fans discovering Terry’s music, their demand summoned him from retirement. A legendary appearance at the 100 Club reaffirmed the man’s craft, it was the reawakening of Terry Callier. This reawakening was never better documented than when in 1998 Terry released his album ‘Timepiece’. He’d recorded it whilst still working at Chicago University unbeknown to his colleagues. They only found out when Terry attended a ceremony in New York where he was presented with the United Nations Time for Peace award for outstanding artist achievement contributing to world peace. Amazingly his employers welcomed him back to the University with the order to clear his desk!

A blessing in disguise for Callier returned to his native music and since then, has continued to record as both solo artist and guest including collaborations with Paul Weller, Beth Orton, Zero 7, David Crosby and 4 Hero. Callier is currently writing a new album with Massive Attack and is undertaking a number of productions.

‘Life Stories’ is a 24 track compilation that shows why the music and voice of Terry Callier is held in such high esteem. To be recognised alongside Marvin Gaye, Fred Neil, Richie Havens, Curtis Mayfield and Tim Hardin.

http://www.cosmopolite.no/program/cosmopolite/2008/mars/terry_callier