I thought it’d be rather nice if I started to give you a bit of background to some of the artists tunes I play in the podcasts - so here we go kicking off with the tune that introduces show 54.

Terry Callier is a Chicago born soul singer-songwriter and folk guitarist.  Born in 1945, he learned piano throughout his childhood before eventually going on to join doo-wop groups in his teens.  Eventually he would go on to audition for the now legendary Chess Records in 1962 where he then recorded his first single.  Callier went on to perform in clubs abd coffee houses in Chicago, taking with him his influence of the music of the great jazz saxophonist John Coltrane.

His first album, ‘The Folk Sound’ of Terry Callier was eventually released in 1968 after which he continued to write material for the Chess label.  This followed with three further albums: ‘Occasional Rain’, ‘What colour is Love’ and ‘I Just Can’t Help Myself’.

Show 54 of the podcast features ‘You Goin Miss Your Candyman’  taken from the album ‘What Color is Love’ which was originally released in 1972.  The song is a slight departure from the other tunes on the album, taking a more soulful approach to his usual folk sound.  The unnassuming guitar introduction makes the appearance of the huge bass that much more surprising and the song goes on through energetic peaks and troughs of energetic dancefloor friendly fare.

Terry Callier carried on performing until 1983 when he took the decision to retire from music and take classes in - of all things - computer programming and he eventually went on to pursue a degree in sociology.  It was only in the late 1980s that he re-emerged after British DJs rediscovered his old recordings and began playing them in clubs.  In 1991 Callier starting touring again and does to this day where he has since recorded five further albums.

There is good news for Manchester residents as he will be playing at band on the wall in October!

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