Четверг 19 Апр 2007, 20:05
Where better to see soulful Terry Callier than in the intimate surroundings of his second home, London's Jazz Café, the venue where he recorded his Alive album (Mr. Bongo, 2001)?
For anyone unfamiliar with his work, Terry Callier recorded *one of the very best* soul albums of the 60s, The New Folk Sound of Terry Callier (Prestige, 1968). A groundbreaking blend of folk and jazz, heavily influenced by John Coltrane, it was criminally ignored until his music was picked up on by London's acid jazz movement in the early 90s. So much so that Callier had, in fact, given up music altogether since the late 70s, working as a computer programmer at the University of Chicago in order to support his daughter. Rediscovered by a younger audience, Callier went on to record Timepiece (Talkin' Loud, 1997), his first album of new material for over 20 years, and has regularly sold out an appreciative Jazz Café ever since.
Whether on record or up close in a small venue, Terry Callier's words and phrasing frequently have the capacity to move me, quite literally, to tears. I can't say that about many people still alive. Tonight, although perhaps not one of his stronger performances overall, was no exception. The magical Butterfly was spellbinding; Ordinary Joe and It's About Time were other highlights. As always, his backing band was superb, guitarist Jim Mullen (once of the Average White Band and Morrissey-Mullen), flautist and saxophonist Gary Plumley and keyboard player Chris Kibble weaving intricate patterns on the fabric of a tight rhythm section which more than compensated for any occasional frailties in Callier's voice.
Terry Callier's music is music to make you feel good… that should be worth a few quid of anyone's money.