Terry Callier

[Fiftyboiledeggs]

Did nothern interest  resurrect his  career?

Who played him first and what venue?

[Tomangoes]

I saw him at Leeds Central a few years before he passed away.

As far as I could tell, the crowd were mainly university students, not into northern, but into his unique poetry in motion soul/jazz style.

Ed

[Fiftyboiledeggs]

I can rememember this getting played, any before this:

 

Edited May 27, 2022 by Fiftyboiledeggs

[Tomangoes]

1 hour ago, Fiftyboiledeggs said:

I can rememember this getting played, any before this:

 

Seriously....where did this come from?

Brilliant.

Ed

[Jamesh]

2 hours ago, Tomangoes said:

Seriously....where did this come from?

Brilliant.

Ed

I first heard thanks to a tape from Robin Salter. Heard it much more at places like Southport. Fantastic record. He played Southport one Sunday afternoon and only about 20 stayed for it. He was brilliant 

[Simon T]

18 minutes ago, Jamesh said:

I first heard thanks to a tape from Robin Salter. Heard it much more at places like Southport. Fantastic record. He played Southport one Sunday afternoon and only about 20 stayed for it. He was brilliant 

"hot gospel"    Mr Salter Stafford 1985.

[Keamus]

Think Acid Jazz rediscovered him. I saw him first at Caister in the early 90s. Amazing and very understated.  Saw him many times again including one of the best gigs I’ve ever been to at the Union Chapel. 

[Amsterdam Russ]

2 hours ago, Keamus said:

Think Acid Jazz rediscovered him. I saw him first at Caister in the early 90s. Amazing and very understated.  Saw him many times again including one of the best gigs I’ve ever been to at the Union Chapel. 

You're pretty much on point with that. The story goes - and it's been well documented elsewhere - is that Eddie Piller had a fixation in finding Callier, to the degree that he - with the aid of the old-fashioned Directory of Enquiries phone service and some access to US telephone books - phoned up every Callier listed or given.

So the story goes - as far as I remember - he called up a number one day and there was a hesitancy in answering the question as to whether this was the right connection for THE Terry Callier. 

Eddie Pillar called several times - again getting a continued rebuttal from the young lady at the other end of the line. Doggedness on his part (what we'd probably call stalking today) eventually led to her - apparently his daughter - saying something like "there's someone who wants to speak with you". It was indeed Terry Callier.

Anyway - and I'm sure many others can better clarify the story - Eddie Piller, after much reassurance to a man who had no desire to either get back into the music business or get involved with someone from the UK he'd never heard of - convinced Callier to come over to the UK on a holiday (I guess Piller must have offered to pay expenses). This, I believe, was all because of the fantastic success of Eddie's licensed release of "I don't want to see myself".

As part of the holiday, Eddie convinced Callier to do a performance at the 100 Club - that was in 1991. 

I was there that legendary night, and have to say, not unlike many other 'forgotten' artists brought over thinking they're playing on the UK equivalent of the US oldies circuit, Callier was absolutely blown away by the response he got from the intensity of a small crowd that knew the words to every song he sang. Little did he know before going on to that small stage how much of a hero he was.

The rest is history. He stayed - he recorded - he found adulation and fame. He was truly respected. He found the musical career he thought had died many years previously - and all because of the determination of someone who probably rang nearly every 'Callier' in America's many regional phone books.

Well, that's my late-night recollection of the story. I'm more than happy to be corrected, put right, etc.

I still have the flyer from the night. And, from a Terry Callier who was clearly impressed by my asking, I got his autograph when he came out of the dressing room, post-performance, which stood right in front of the 100 Club's equally legendary gents' toilets (in which, I might add, I shared some peeing space with Lou Pride before he too was blown away by that club's still legendary crowd.)

The flyer...

Edited May 28, 2022 by Amsterdam Russ

[Amsterdam Russ]

The autograph (alongside the key 45)...

[washlively]

First time I heard anything by Terry Callier was around 78/79 when a guy called Nick Cowan played "Look at me now" at the Carlton Club in Warrington. It had such an impact on me I found one within a couple of months.

Nick was a guest on Terry Lanaines BBC Radio Merseyside's Keep On Trucking show and did a few local clubs back then never heard of him since.

[Soulman58]

15 hours ago, Tomangoes said:

Seriously....where did this come from?

Brilliant.

Ed

Massive in the modern rooms.  Saw him at Caister and the Jazz Cafe, brilliant live.

[Geeselad]

IDWTSM, was all over the soul pirate stations at the time as well as getting sounds in West end clubs.  Big club sound in London. 

[Rich Buckley]

23 hours ago, Tomangoes said:

I saw him at Leeds Central a few years before he passed away.

As far as I could tell, the crowd were mainly university students, not into northern, but into his unique poetry in motion soul/jazz style.

Ed

I was there too - fab gig!

Rich

[Nickinstoke]

12 hours ago, washlively said:

First time I heard anything by Terry Callier was around 78/79 when a guy called Nick Cowan played "Look at me now" at the Carlton Club in Warrington. It had such an impact on me I found one within a couple of months.

Nick was a guest on Terry Lanaines BBC Radio Merseyside's Keep On Trucking show and did a few local clubs back then never heard of him since.

Nick was a well-known collector in the Stoke area, I often used to see him late 70s / early 80s. He’d call round my flat with a pile of great records I’d never heard, and I always put a few on my wants list. I remember first hearing the Dynells from Nick, and buying it from Soul Bowl for £1.50 soon after. Those were the days! He moved to Merseyside soon after, and I lost touch, sadly

[Benji]

Watched him live twice at the Atomic Cafe here in Munich. Both gigs are in my All time Top 2 list of live concerts. Such a great artist. And such a humble person.

I highly recommend the albums he recorded after his career was revived on Talkin' Loud and Mr. Bongo, rather jazzy but also oh so soulful.

[Fiftyboiledeggs]

Thanks for the replies  , great reading, I probably heard him in 79

great that Piller picked up on it and  did what he did.

Edited May 29, 2022 by Fiftyboiledeggs

[Guest]

I saw Callier on a number of occasions and he was special.  He mesmerized a crowd at the Shepherds Bush Empire with his beautiful melodies and wonderful voice. His demeanor was always humble and there was a spiritual side to his music which he seemed to really live inside.  I was buzzing with appreciation for days afterwards. 

I also saw him in Brighton, at the old tram shed The Concorde during his last tour . The venue was wrong for him, in that he was competing with a student audience who happily chatted  through parts of his set. It was a bit of a let down but a lesson in how the ambience created by the venue is very important .

I was saddened by his death and was rather surprised at how little comment was made about his contribution. During lockdown I made myself a 'mix-tape' (CDR) of tracks that would energise me and lift the mood. I included this uplifting clarion call by Terry Callier. 

 

[washlively]

On 28/05/2022 at 20:07, Nickinstoke said:

Nick was a well-known collector in the Stoke area, I often used to see him late 70s / early 80s. He’d call round my flat with a pile of great records I’d never heard, and I always put a few on my wants list. I remember first hearing the Dynells from Nick, and buying it from Soul Bowl for £1.50 soon after. Those were the days! He moved to Merseyside soon after, and I lost touch, sadly

Thanks for that I didnt know he was from Stoke. I saw him dj a few times in the north west one club in St Helens where he played frankie and johnny when it was huge and also at the Carlton Warrington. Don't know what happend to him after that. I dont recall seeing him at Saints Club St Helens in the 90's.  I enjoyed chatting to him as he was always after 60's newies to play when the scene really needed it before Stafford came along.

[Robertf]

Had to sign up to thank everyone! Did not realise that Ordinary Joe was originally done by Jerry "chalk it up" Butler - absolute dynamite! 

[Soulman58]

I can never decide if Terry or Bill Withers were the nicest man in music.   Both came across live as totally sincere.  You would love to have had a pint and chat in a pub with them.

[Mike]

On 28/05/2022 at 07:49, washlively said:

First time I heard anything by Terry Callier was around 78/79 when a guy called Nick Cowan played "Look at me now" at the Carlton Club in Warrington. It had such an impact on me I found one within a couple of months.

Nick was a guest on Terry Lanaines BBC Radio Merseyside's Keep On Trucking show and did a few local clubs back then never heard of him since.

Chris, @washlively your post spurred me to dig out a short clip of the show 

 

[Smudger]

Terry Callier wrote some wonderful tunes a few done by the Dells which has to be one of the best combinations there could be,eg.

but one of my favourites by him is this

 

[Soulman58]

On 01/06/2022 at 19:10, Smudger said:

Terry Callier wrote some wonderful tunes a few done by the Dells which has to be one of the best combinations there could be,eg.

but one of my favourites by him is this

 

2 quality tracks

[jennhus]

On 27/05/2022 at 20:48, Amsterdam Russ said:

You're pretty much on point with that. The story goes - and it's been well documented elsewhere - is that Eddie Piller had a fixation in finding Callier, to the degree that he - with the aid of the old-fashioned Directory of Enquiries phone service and some access to US telephone books - phoned up every Callier listed or given.

So the story goes - as far as I remember - he called up a number one day and there was a hesitancy in answering the question as to whether this was the right connection for THE Terry Callier. 

Eddie Pillar called several times - again getting a continued rebuttal from the young lady at the other end of the line. Doggedness on his part (what we'd probably call stalking today) eventually led to her - apparently his daughter - saying something like "there's someone who wants to speak with you". It was indeed Terry Callier.

Anyway - and I'm sure many others can better clarify the story - Eddie Piller, after much reassurance to a man who had no desire to either get back into the music business or get involved with someone from the UK he'd never heard of - convinced Callier to come over to the UK on a holiday (I guess Piller must have offered to pay expenses). This, I believe, was all because of the fantastic success of Eddie's licensed release of "I don't want to see myself".

As part of the holiday, Eddie convinced Callier to do a performance at the 100 Club - that was in 1991. 

I was there that legendary night, and have to say, not unlike many other 'forgotten' artists brought over thinking they're playing on the UK equivalent of the US oldies circuit, Callier was absolutely blown away by the response he got from the intensity of a small crowd that knew the words to every song he sang. Little did he know before going on to that small stage how much of a hero he was.

The rest is history. He stayed - he recorded - he found adulation and fame. He was truly respected. He found the musical career he thought had died many years previously - and all because of the determination of someone who probably rang nearly every 'Callier' in America's many regional phone books.

Well, that's my late-night recollection of the story. I'm more than happy to be corrected, put right, etc.

I still have the flyer from the night. And, from a Terry Callier who was clearly impressed by my asking, I got his autograph when he came out of the dressing room, post-performance, which stood right in front of the 100 Club's equally legendary gents' toilets (in which, I might add, I shared some peeing space with Lou Pride before he too was blown away by that club's still legendary crowd.)

The flyer...

Hi Russ - your account of how this came to be is true, I spoke to Ady recently and he remembered you.  I'm working on project about Terry and would love to get in touch.  Please shoot me a message here if you can (I am too new to be able to directly message you apparently!).  Thanks!

[Thinksmart]

I have the utmost admiration and enjoyment of Terry Caller's music, his albums and singles are in constant rotation. Beyond his Northern & Modern Soul spins his albums take him into the same realms as Gil Scott-Heron, Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway, Bill Withers etc. I didn't connect to the later UK made albums at the time, but will go back and try them.

Edited October 13 by Thinksmart

[Mal C]

He had a good collaboration with singer Beth Orton, more for the folk side to his music. 

[Peter99]

On 27/05/2022 at 19:51, Fiftyboiledeggs said:

Did nothern interest  resurrect his  career?

Who played him first and what venue?

The first Terry Callier record I heard played out was Ordinary Joe; I guess the same goes for lots of others. Early 80's, played by quite a few people. Lots of versions I think.

I think that was the question you were asking, rather than about his live performances, which I think came much later. 

Peter

[Roburt]

One of Radio One's soul DJ's used to play Terry Callier tracks all the time around the late 70's, guess it was Robbie Vincent (but I could be wrong). After that, his music faded from view for a while & then was picked up on by the British guys mentioned above.

I saw him at the Jazz Cafe and he was just brilliant. Lots of those present had copies of his records that we wanted signing. So after the show we asked one of his entourage if Terry would come out to chat & do some signing. Nothing happened for quite a while... and then Terry came running out ... "I've only just been told you lot were waiting on me" he said ... "I'M SO VERY SORRY TO HAVE KEPT YOU WAITING" ... 

what a complete gentleman he truly was. HUGE TALENT coupled with COMLETE HUMILITY ... a unique combination.    

Edited October 13 by Roburt

[Jim Elliott]

I saw him several times over the years and each time it was a mesmerising experience. The last time was early 2009, promoting the 'Hidden conversations' LP at the Lowry in Manchester. Lovely guy.

RIP TC

 

 

[Candiman]

Yes, I think it was Robbie Vincent who turned me on to Terry Callier. I certainly bought Fire On Ice when it was released in 1978. Unfortunately never saw him live.

Straddled Soul and Folk. His early 70s albums are beautiful.