Terry Callier At Lowman's Westside Club

Popular Chicago singer-songwriter-guitarist Terry Callier and his trio plowed through the snow the day after Christmas to open what may well turn into a month-long engagement at Lowman's Westside Club, where the Columbia recording artist made a great many Motor City fans and friends during his last appearance a couple months back.

Openings with his well-known "Down Here On The Ground." Terry and associates Eric Hochberg, bass; and Ben McGee, congas and other hand percussion - worked their way through a ninety-minute set which grew in strength, cohesion, and expressiveness as the three young players gradually warmed up from the long ride over from the Windy City. "What Color Is Love" and "Another Day in the Life of a Fool" preceded a long, exciting workout on Terry's tribute to John Coltrane, "Can't Catch the Trane," which brought the entire trio together for the first time to propel the acoustic guitarist-vocalist-leader into some moving vocal flights based in the ideas and emotions of the music of John Coltrane. The tribute included direct quotes from "Out Of This World" and "Mr. P.C." on the long vamp going out of the tune, and the overall effect was beautifully precise and true to the message of the great Afro-American saxophonist.

Callier & Co. offered their "Golden Circle of Your Love" and "Highway Blues" before delivering a ten-minute tour-de-force performance on "Dancing Girl," a lovely piece which made lyrical reference to Charlie Parker while shifting through a progression of mood and, tempo changes and ended with Callier's Leon Thomas-inspired jazz yodeling. "Ghetto Butterfly" and a very hip "Mrs. Beasley" brought the regular set to a close, but it wasn't going to be that easy for the trio to get off the stage and the crowd wasn't satisfied until Terry had added his "What Does It Take To Change Your Mind," "Your Name Will Never Be Forgotten" - an incredible musical testimonial to Dr. Martin Luther King and the irrepressible "I'd Rather Be With You," alter which one could hardly be justified in demanding more.

Terry Callier is a warm, inventive, socially-aware, beautifully sincere popular artist whose low-key show seems perfectly suited to the Lounge at Lowman's Westside, and he'll be there for at least a few more days this time around. Catch him if you can - he'll be well worth your time.

- John Sinclair