Solitaire (musician)


Solitaire from Baltimore, Maryland, was a one-man project with pioneering live-electronics created by James L. Callahan; who performed, wrote and recorded solo synth-pop music between 1983 and 1986. James Callahan was the first “truly computerized” artist in the Baltimore area. As Solitaire, Callahan played keyboards and electronic drum machines as a one-man show.

Live electronics overview

Solitaire's performance system was manufactured by Sequential Circuits. It consisted of the Sequential Circuits Six-Trak a six-voice, polyphonic, analogue synthesizer that was among the first MIDI instruments designed to be used with a computer. The computer and software allowed Solitaire to program the Six-Trak sequencer and SCI's Drumtraks to form one of the earliest known MIDI-based performance systems.
In 1984 the system used by Solitaire was said to "create instruments that have never been heard before," at that time "musicians just beginning to tap its potential". However, by modern computer standards the electronic rhythm section used by Solitaire was crude and had several limitations. For example, the SCI Model 64 Sequencer was limited to six voice sequencing. To play back more songs required sequences be saved to disk.

Live performance reaction

From 84–85 Solitaire performed at numerous clubs and colleges in the USA mid-Atlantic region, both as a headliner and as a supporting act for bands such as MCA recording artists The Ravyns.
Many of Solitaire's early club performances were documented by rock journalists from Maryland Musician Magazine. Solitaire was frequently mentioned in Maryland Musician articles such as the Baltimore-centric Red Rocker Report and the Sammie’s Jammin’ column who wrote, ”it all sounded damn good especially since he was the only one on stage along with a monster stack of keyboards and one in hand... bravo." Solitaire's live performances continued to be met positively and in 1986 Solitaire was voted Maryland's "Best keyboard player" in the Maryland Musician Magazine 2nd Annual Readers poll.

Recordings

In 1985 Solitaire released the 7-inch single "System Overload" b/w "Nothing Left to Say". The single enjoyed limited success locally but was later "discovered" by European DJ's and became a highly sought after record. Upon its initial release a regional critic described it as "an ambitious but somewhat compromised mixture of new wave. 'System Overload' is top heavy with beat box and electronic percussions a synth laden metronomic melody". In contrast 'Nothing Left to Say' is a wistful little ballad whose lyrics preen with a clever romanticism". In 1986 Callahan played keyboards and recorded for the new wave rock band Toy Soldier, whose album Forward March was produced by Rob Fahey and recorded at Sheffield Studios, MD. The group released the single "Never my Love" on the Texas-based Yellow Rose Records Label. Unfortunately in late 1986 James’ music career was halted due to ill health after being diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease.

Musical comparisons

Solitaire was often compared to English solo synth-pop artists of the period such as the UK’s Thomas Dolby and Howard Jones. From a performance technology standpoint Solitaire more closely mirrored Jones who during his Human's Lib tour 1983–84 decided to forgo a band and perform solo using only automated accompaniment. Howard Jones notes that during early performances he, “triggered sequencers live on stage whilst playing and singing, something that no one had done before". Although Jones's claim is not disputed, Solitaire may be considered the first American synth-pop act who can claim similar “technological firsts”: playing and singing on stage completely solo, accompanied only by a computer, 5 ¼-inch floppy disks and synthesizers. With health issues looming and without chart support from his debut single, Solitaire’s notoriety never reached that of his UK solo synth counterparts. Despite heavy tour schedules up until 1986 and national promotion in American publications such as Star Hits, Solitaire’s international recognition as a synth-pop pioneer would not come for another twenty years.

Renewed interest

2001 saw the first reappearance of Solitaire’s music. Solitaire attributes the international interest to his longtime friend and collaborator Tony Prescott . Prescott helped Solitaire gain global exposure by introducing his early works to Australian sound engineer Mark Woods. Woods known for his indie label e-pop, and work as sound engineer for 1980s Aussie-based bands such as INXS and Men at Work mastered and released a number of previously unreleased Solitaire tracks on a CD entitled "Solitaire: Selected Tracks” on Woods own e-pop label in Australia. The Solitaire CD released by e-pop renewed international interest in Solitaire. The original 7-inch single "System Overload" was "discovered" by European DJs and became a highly sought after record. Solitaire landed a distribution deal with EraRecords, Netherlands who re-released the original 7" recording.
International attention for Solitaire continued when his 1984 recording "After Darkness" was released on the 2007 Anna Logue Records compilation LP Echoes From Our Past, in Germany. German critics appreciated Solitaire's early dark electronic synth-pop. One European critic wrote, "The American solo project Solitaire is bringing his despair into sound with a catchy dark electropop". In 2002 Solitaire formed Solitaire Music, a studio project, with keyboardist Paul Demme releasing records into the 00s including the Baltimore release entitled "Retrophaze: Digital Folklore” in 2004. In 2008 SolitaireMusic.Net released a 12 song digital LP entitled “Solitaire – Best Of: 83–86” on various MP3 download and streaming media sites. However James Callahan’s ill health once again came into issue and SolitaireMusic.Net closed permanently in 2008 shortly after the “Best of 83–86” MP3 was released.

Discography

System Overload / Nothing Left To Say.

Distribution: ERA Records

Published: MOR-0002 East Coast Sound Lab

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM

Country: US/Netherlands

Released: 1985

Produced: James Callahan

Engineered: Brent Mingle

Tracks: System Overload b/w Nothing Left To Say

Solitaire: Selected Tracks 84–86

Label: E-pop – EPOPSOL1

Format: CD, Re-mastered, Out Of Print

Country: Australia

Released: 2001

Production Credits: Callahan/Czerwinski/Mingle/Woods

Tracks:
1. System Overload
2. Nothing Left To Say
3. Don't Be Afraid Of The Rain
4. Åsa
5. After Darkness
6. Explain Yourself Again
7. Just More Reasons To Cry
8. This Nightmare Don't Ever Sleep

RETROPHAZE: Digital Folklore

Label: SolitaireMusic.Net

Format: CD

Country: USA

Released: 2004

Credits: Callahan/Demme

Tracks:
1. High Fashion Radio
2. When She Moves
3. Control Freak
4. It Don’t Matter
5. Lullaby
6. Feed Me Technology
7. How Many Times?
8. Hey Gabrielle
9. Time to Escape
10. Moon Mobiles
11. Retrophaze
12. Welcome to the New Millennium

VARIOUS ARTISTS "Echoes from our Past"

LP+7” Anna Logue Records ANNA 009.2007/ANNA 009-7.2007

Country: Germany

Track: b4 Solitaire – After Darkness

Solitaire: Best of 83–86

Label: SolitaireMusic.Net

Distribution:Amazon MP3- ASIN B0037J984K, iTunes, TuneCore

Format: MP3

Country: Worldwide

Released: 2008

Production Credits: Callahan/Czerwinski/Mingle/Woods

Tracks:
1. System Overload
2. Nothing Left to Say
3. Don't Be Afraid of the Rain
4. Åsa
5. You Treat Me Like a Silent Movie
6. After Darkness
7. Explain Yourself Again
8. 1940 London
9. All I Can Do
10. Just More Reasons to Cry
11. Dick Loves Jane
12. This Nightmare Don't Ever Sleep