Step out with this one, step into beauty
Peppino | 01/25/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The 2nd Elektra release for Terry Callier was the first without Chicago based musicians(Only recently on his 2 90's recordings did he again "branch out", alternating between a new generation of Chicago guys and a fine English aggregation).This release finds him with a fine group of california and ex-Motown affiliated cats, noteably guitarist David T. Walker.The release is a natural progression from the previous "Fire On Ice" session, and continues the floating,breezy jazz/ doowop motif that IS Terry Callier. A particular favorite is "You & Me Will Always Be In Love", a Philly-Soul type ballad, with a fine guitar solo by david T. , done in his trademark hicupp-stuttering, fluttering arpeggiated jazz blues frasing--Harold Melvin could have covered this one!A remake of 2 classics, "Ordinary Joe" is transformed from it's high steppin pop music roots to a swing jazzy stroll, and "Occasional Rain" is given the usual introspective treatment."Mothers' Love" is a real treat, a jazzy tribute to "mamas" everywhere, with a harmonic structure close to some of the Gil Scott Heron /Brian Jackson things recorded in the early 70's.Only two tracks dont fit this mini-masterpiece;
the cover version of Steely Dan's "Do it Again"(unneccesary filler, as even with TC's superior voice, it was Donald Fagen's fragile & ironic voice and Denny Dias' be-bop sitar solo that made this song thouroughly unique--TC did nothing to improve it, which is the general idea i thought?)
Also, the inclusion of Smokey Robinson's VASTLY OVERRATED composition, "Still Waters Run Deep", which goes absolutely nowhere and is the cd's weakest track.Again, the recording is more lushly produced that the Cadet studio recordings, which benefited the quirky arrangements of Charles Stepney and Gene Page but this is NOT a problem, as some have percieved. Just a different fase, that's all. I'm glad to see the musics reissued, as the Terry callier crusade marches on.!Completely listenable, even the 2 tracks i didnt prefer, YOU may like 'em, and that aint all bad!!"
Chicago Soul/Fulk legion
Kyle A. Alsberry | Tucson,AZ | 11/11/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lastnight I played this Lp (Yes as in RECORD)And was taken back to my home town Chicago in the late 70's.The weekend is my "Revist" time on music that I haven't heard in a while.Man what a great voice and even better album.Sign of the times was a big hit, But for pure Chi-town steppin,Play Pyramids of love and people would think that song was a
recent release. Also the Four tops "Still water" Is a wonderful surprise.
All the ballads here are exqusite in taste and pure romance and down right
Blue light in the basement good!! I'm here on Amazon to pick up the CD version to put songs on my Ipod. Get this FAST before it's not available."