Solitaire

Solitaire was an American one-man project with pioneering live-electronics created by James L. Callahan (born 1965) from Baltimore, Maryland, United States; who performed, wrote and recorded solo synth-pop music between 1983 and 1986.

James Callahan (aka Solitaire) was the first “truly computerized” artist in the Baltimore area.

As Solitaire, Callahan played keyboards and electronic drum machines as a one-man show.

Solitaire's performance system was manufactured by Sequential Circuits (SCI).

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 [live] performance systems.

Solitaire attributes the international interest to his longtime friend and collaborator Tony Prescott (keyboardist for Liverpool 1980s synth-pop band Cook da Books).

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.

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.

In 1984 the system used by Solitaire was said to "create instruments that have never been heard before," at that time "musicians [were] 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 (loading of disk sequences had to be done live, on stage, during the performance).

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 [Solitaire] was the only one on stage along with a monster stack of keyboards and one in hand.

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 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 [with] a synth laden metronomic melody".

Released: 1985

Produced: James Callahan

Engineered: Brent Mingle

Tracks: System Overload b/w Nothing Left To Say

. . bravo."'' Solitaire's live performances continued to be met positively and in 1986 Solitaire [James Callahan] was voted Maryland's "Best keyboard player" in the Maryland Musician Magazine 2nd Annual Readers poll.

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 (Ravyns) and recorded at Sheffield Studios, MD. The group released the single "Never my Love" on the Texas-based Yellow Rose Records Label. In late 1986 his music career was halted due to ill health, after being diagnosed with Crohn's Disease.

Solitaire was often compared to English solo synth-pop artists of the period such as the UK’s Thomas Dolby and Howard Jones.

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.

2001 saw the first reappearance of Solitaire’s music.

In 2002, Solitaire formed Solitaire Music, a studio project, with keyboardist Paul Demme releasing records into the 2000s, 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.

System Overload / Nothing Left To Say.

Distribution: ERA Records

Published: MOR-0002 East Coast Sound Lab

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM

Country: US/Netherlands