Terry Callier – You Goin’ Miss Your Candyman
Terry Callier
Greetings all.
The beginning of a new week is here.
No ordinary week, mind you.
This is the week where my wife goes into the hospital for her stem cell transplant.
As you might imagine this is very heavy stuff for her and for our entire family, immediate and extended.
This entire week, and likely most of the next few weeks will be written and prepared in advance of this all, so if things seem somehow less than timely, be forewarned of its “canned” nature.
This will also mark the commencement of a slightly abbreviated posting schedule (2x weekly), at least until things settle down a bit.
Look at the next few weeks at Funky16Corners as a trip into the root cellar of funk and soul, during which I will ask you kindly to please keep your fingers crossed that all goes well in our corner of the world.
Really.
That said, I thought that I would whip something a little heavy on you to start the week(s), so here we go.
Soul aficianodos may very well be hip to the sounds of Mr Terry Callier.
Callier, Chicago born and bred is one of those musicians for whom the phrase “hard to pin down” was invented.
Starting in the early 60s, when he was working the folk music side of things, and then on to his Cadet-era recordings when he mixed those sounds with jazz, soul and funk, Callier made some remarkably deep music.
Between 1972 and 1974, working with the visionary producer/arranger Charles Stepney (as well as using the arranging talents Cadet’s other genius Richard Evans) he created three incredible albums, ‘Occasional Rain’, ‘The Color of Love’ and ‘I Just Can’t Help Myself’.
Today’s selection, ‘You Goin’ Miss Your Candyman’ hails from the second of those albums and is a great example of the kinds of threads that Callier was weaving together.
Opening with plain, fingerpicked acoustic guitar, a funky bass, and congas soon fall in, followed by the drums, and finally Callier himself.
The lyrics, borrowing from (but transcending) folk sources are delivered in Callier’s powerful baritone, and before you know it the folky has gone all funky and then Stepney opens up the floodgates and you’re getting strings and horns as well and things get kicked up to another level entirely.
Over the course of more than seven minutes (it doesn’t end up seeming anywhere near that long) you get drawn into the groove, digging what a fantastic singer Callier is, but then wanting to double back to savor the arrangement.
It is potent stuff indeed.
Though he was dropped by Cadet in the mid-70s, Callier continued to record for a variety of labels, and composed new material. he even hit the R&B charts in 1979 with ‘Sign of the Times’ on Elektra.
By the time he had been discovered by a new generation in the 90s, he had been embraced by acid jazzers and triphoppers alike.
Most of his catalogue is available in reissue.
I hope you dig the tune.
Keep the faith
Larry
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Themocracy
Definitely fingers crossed for you and yours.
Sending thoughts of strength, grace & laughter to all of you. Hugs to the brave wee ones – please tell them their dad has friends all over the world who care about your family very much. If you have a map, stick a pin in North Carolina to represent me! 😉
Larry
Be assured that all the goodwill and good spirits that we can muster are directed to support you and yours now. Go well!
All best wishes from The Commissioner and the Cruising Crew
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Stay strong.
Wishing you and your family much luck and hope you all get through this well. At times like this, I always listen to B.B. King’s Gambler’s Blues (Blues Is King). It helps me get through hard times and I recommend it to you.