Terry Callier

Holding On (To Your Love)

Not everything in Chicago was run by Curtis Mayfield but it does look that way especially in the mid-70's and from my posts so far. This time though we are looking at the timeless folk/soul singer Terry Callier. The track chosen Holding On (For Your Love) is from the album Fire Ind Ice and was released in 1978. The other stand-out songs are African Violet and at tribute to Dr. Martin Luther king Jr. with Martin St. Martin. Great line-up of musicians; James Gadson, Phillip Upchurch, Ellie Willis and backing vocals from Minnie Ripperton and recorded in Chicago.
"Walkin' hand-in-hand to the picture show or realing to the sound of your stereo - jus' holdin' on".

Callier, a childhood friend of Curtis Mayfield, began recording in 1963 but never reached stardom despite a series of regional hits in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1983, he gained custody of his 12-year-old daughter Sundiata and decided to retire from music to look for a steadier income. He took classes in computer programming and landed a job at the University of Chicago in 1984.

He reemerged from obscurity when British DJs discovered his old recordings and began to play his songs in clubs in the early 1990s. His Look At Me Now (Chess) reaches £200 with Northern soul DJ's. Acid Jazz Records head Eddie Pillar brought Callier to play clubs in Britain beginning in 1991 and he began to make regular trips to play gigs during his vacation time from work.

In the late 90s Callier began his comeback to recorded music, contributing to Beth Orton's Best Bit EP in 1997 and releasing the album Timepeace in 1998, which won the United Nations' Time For Peace award for outstanding artistic achievement contributing to world peace.
Callier today is continuing his recording career having currently released five albums since Timepeace. He also likes his UK fans and tours regularly to the Jazz Cafe.

Terry Callier Discoraphy (albums)

• The New Folk Sound of Terry Callier (1964)
• Occasional Rain (1972)
• What Color Is Love (1973)
• I Just Can't Help Myself (1974)
• Fire On Ice (1977)
• Turn You To Love (1978)
• TC in DC (recorded live in Washington D.C. 1982) (1996)
• Timepeace (1998) #92 UK Lifetime (1999) #96 UK
• Live at Mother Blues (1964) (2000)
• Alive With Terry Callier (2001)
• Speak Your Peace (2002) #156 UK
• Total Recall (remixes) (2003)
• Lookin' Out (2004)

(Nold/Wickpedia)