Paul, believe it or not I too found out about Terry Callier through Beth Orton's "Best Bits" EP. I was simply blown away by their duets, Dolphins which is a cover by Fred Neil and "Lean on me" a Callier original. As much as I liked the rest of the EP I was constantly drawn back to the duets and in particular to Callier's voice. So, much like Ms Orton, I went out and bought a Callier album and then found myself buying another and another and another.
He's as the Brits would say; "Differnet class".

What still staggers me is that not only is he a brilliant interpretive singer - check out his cover of Duke Ellington's "Satin Doll" on "I can't help myself", the way in which his voice seductively lingers over the lyrics slowing things down so that he's almost half a beat off only to slide back into step with the melody demonstrates fantastic skill - but he's also a wonderful guitarist with a truly immense gift when it comes to writing his own original compositions. There is a spiritual profundity about his songs and I guess the man himself.

To steal your quote;
"I was lucky someone lent me an album by Terry Callier. I listened to him and not much else almost constantly for a year. His voice became my anchor."
I love the last sentence. I think that just about sums up his impact on me. There are few artists that have the ability to genuinely move me. Terry Callier is one of them.
As for Beth Orton I guess I'd characterize her music as New Folk. BTW her new album is very good.

Warmest Regards,
J.

cfcjb March 04, 2007 01:00

Greg, when I first got that album I found myself playing the title track over and over again. The refrain;
"May trouble neglect you
and sunlight reflect you
may heaven protect you
and turn you to love"
sung by THAT voice. Well, you know.
I also tend to prefer the arrangement of "Occasional Rain" on this album over the original.
Anyway, it's all good. He's just an amazing artist and once you're turned on to him it's like being allowed into some fantastic secret club.

Regards,
J.

cfcjb March 02, 2007 22:40

The 80s for the most part were a musical wasteland. Especially when it came to pop and rock. Motorhead really peaked in the late 70s and topped it off with their live opus "No sleep till Hammersmith".

Funny you should mention 'senior' insomnia because the band's name is a slang term for speedfreak(as in the drug).
I wonder what they meant by no sleep till they played Hammersmith Odeon?.....;-)

On a serious note, I have one other recommendation for you. I have been heavily into a guy called Terry Callier for the past couple of years. He's from the Chicago area and put out quite a few albums in the early 70s to substantial critical acclaim, but sadly that didn't parlay into any substantial commercial success. So he quit the music business in the late 70s and took up a job as a computer programmer so that he could bring up his daughter. Fast forward to the mid 90s and one of his old songs is remixed in England and becomes a massive underground hit. He decides to play a few club dates there, they are a huge success and he finds out that there are quite a few British musicians that are big fans of his.

Anyway, enough with the biog. Terry's style is a mixture of folk/jazz with a hint of soul. He has the voice of an angle and some very, very serious song writing chops, not to mention the ability to write some truly poetic and profound lyrics.
Could I humbly recommend that you search out anyone of these
albums?

From the early 70s;

"Occasional Rain"
"What color is love?"
"I just can't help myself"

and of the more recent releases;

"Timepeace"
"Alive" - guess what? A live album! ;-)
"Looking out"

I know that's quite a list but if you were to pick any one of those albums I believe you could hardly go wrong. The man is, in my opinion, an under recognized genius.

Now I'll shut up about the software and let others talk about your system.

Kind regards,

J.

cfcjb March 02, 2007 01:12

"actually, i am not familiar with Motorhead; sorry. next time i'm at the 'record' store i'll try to find that."

Mike,
"No sleep..." is THE quintessential live speed metal album. I'm pretty sure that there isn't an audiophile grade album out there simply because I'm sure fidelity wasn't much of a concern when your concerts are clocking in at 120DB ;-)
This album was released in 1981, so yes, post 1980 (even though Motorhead had been around since the mid 70s and were frequently confused for a punk band, much like AC/DC were in their early days).
Still, it's a great album and really worth a listen if you're in the mood for some down and very dirty rock and roll. That being said, I don't think you need rush to the 'record' store anytime soon. It was just the thought of the juxtaposition of playing "No sleep..." on your system that tickled me. But on the off hand that you do think of purchasing it there is a remastered CD available.

"I know it's only rock and roll but I like it, like it, yes I do"

R,
J.

cfcjb March 01, 2007 23:28

Lovely looking room, nice system but my question to you is of a software nature.
Have you got an audiophile copy of Motorhead's "No sleep till Hammersmith"?
I can just see you bellowing at your MM3s as you flail away in your seat ;-)

"You know I'm born to lose,
and gambling's for fools,
But that's the way I like it baby,
I don't wanna live for ever"

R,
J.

cfcjb March 01, 2007 05:24