Chicago Winds…: The Return of Dave Hollister

December 15, 2024
2 mins read

By Mark Anthony Neal | @NewBlackMan | with thanks to NewBlackMan (in Exile)

Friday, November 14, 2014.

“Jesus picked up the pieces | of my broken heart | He made me a new vessel | he revived my soul again” — “The Broken Vessel” | “The Potter”

For Dave Hollister, the devil at the crossroads was neither myth nor function; the demons were real when Hollister, the former lead singer of Blackstreet and one-time heir to the Chi-Town Soul Throne stepped away from the music that made him a star. He found the Lord; a well worn story for those who dared sing at the altars of flesh and ego with voices ordained by Gods we still don’t really know.

And like Rev. Green and Rev. Simon (who was “Drowning in a Sea of Love”) before him, the rhythms and melodies stayed the same – Warren “Baby Dubb” Campbell provided Hollister with a few them on his Gospel debut The Book of David, Vol. 1: The Transition (2006). Healed—spiritually and physically—Hollister returns to the world with Chicago Winds…The Saga Continues, his first secular recording in a decade.

Chicago Winds… feels like a true reboot—not only moving past Hollister’s two Gospel recordings (and a stint in the Fred Hammond led super group United Tenors) but also Things in the Game Done Changed (2002) and Real Talk (2003). If Hollister’s Chicago ‘85: The Movie found him at his artistic peak—he intended the album to be part of a trilogy—Chicago Winds… is a worthy sequel, perhaps reminding folk that Hollister might just be the most talented Soul Man vocalist to emerge from The Chi in the last generation.

For those who can remember the sinister groove that opens Hollister’s “Baby Mama Drama,” the singer was perfectly suited for boom-bap audiences who liked their R&B singers on the thuggish-side. Like Hollister himself asserted: “back on Blackstreet shit was sweet, so now I’m so-lo(w).” Where Robert Sylvester’s musical persona was more brown sugar than brown liquor and Raheem DeVaughn and Jaheim a little too pretty to be taken seriously as corner boys–and them Hailey boys off-pitch and out-of-control–Hollister gave the clearest indication of how Donny Hathaway or any of the Soul Man titans might have flowed had they competed sonically with the boom-bap.

And it was not simply about Hollister’s sartorial choices (check the cover his solo debut Ghetto Hymns); few of Hollister’s peers have been as attuned to the nuances of string and background vocal arrangements, save Robert Sylvester, Eric Benet and Ms. Ndgeocello. It is attention to those details that mark Chicago Winds… as a classic Dave Hollister recording, starting with the opening track “Spend the Night” which harkens to Hollister’s lead on Blackstreet’s “Before I Let You Go.” (and to bring it full circle, Chicago Winds… features a remix of “Spend the Night” from Teddy Riley)

If there is a theme throughout Chicago Winds…, implicit in Hollister’s return, is that these are the musings of a grown man seeking redemption and perhaps forgiveness. To be sure, whatever Hollister’s sins, they were overshadowed by that other well-known Chicago Soul son, yet Hollister’s music gets at the sacrifices and missed opportunities that only a lived adulthood can measure. Listening to the title track “Chicago Winds,” where Hollister owns his absenteeism as a father—and perhaps as an artist—one finds a man both at peace with his mistakes and confronting the limits of who he is, even with the second sight of age and maturity.

Chicago Winds… might be safe—in the way that the programmers for Tom Joyner and D.L. Hughley might find safe (and in contrast to compelling crossroads narratives from August Alsina)—but it is also honest—both to Hollister’s art and the traditions that have produced him.

Chicago Winds…: The Return of Dave Hollister

196 Comments

  1. I’m now not positive where you’re getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or working out more. Thank you for great information I was searching for this information for my mission.

  2. After I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any method you possibly can take away me from that service? Thanks!

  3. I blog quite often and I really thank you for your content.The article has truly peaked my interest. I will take anote of your blog and keep checking for new information about once per week.I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.

  4. I will right away seize your rss as I can at find your e-mail subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you ave any? Kindly let me know in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.

  5. Only a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw outstanding pattern. “Individuals may form communities, but it is institutions alone that can create a nation.” by Benjamin Disraeli.

  6. Hmm is anyone else encountering problems withthe pictures on this blog loading? I’m trying to find out if its a problem on myend or if it’s the blog. Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.My blog – affordable treatment

  7. It’s actually a nice and useful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you shared this useful information with us.Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

  8. I like the valuable information you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here frequently. I’m quite sure I will learn many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

  9. When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and noweach time a comment is added I get three e-mails with the same comment.Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Cheers!

  10. Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say wonderful blog!

  11. A motivating discussion is worth comment. I think that you need to write moreon this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people do not talk about these topics.To the next! Cheers!!

  12. I blog frequently and I really thank you for your information. The article has really peaked my interest. I am going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new details about once per week. I opted in for your Feed as well.

  13. It’s really a great and helpful piece of info. I’m glad that you simply shared this helpful info with us.Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

  14. What’s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively useful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to contribute & aid other users like its aided me. Good job.

  15. Aw, this was a very good post. Taking the time and actual effort to generate a superb articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I put things off a lot and never manage to get nearly anything done.

  16. I do believe all the ideas you have introduced on your post.They are very convincing and can definitely work.Still, the posts are too brief for newbies. May just you please extend them alittle from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.

  17. I enjoy what you guys are up too. This sortof clever work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys I’ve incorporated youguys to my blogroll.

  18. I’ll immediately seize your rss feed asI can not in finding your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service.Do you’ve any? Please permit me recognise so that I may subscribe.Thanks.

  19. Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blogand wanted to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.After all I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!

  20. 🔥สมัครไม่มีขั้นต่ำ ฝากเท่าไรก็รับยูสได้🔥ฝาก-ถอน ระบบออโต้ ตลอด24 ชม.🔥เว็ปตรง ไม่ผ่านเอเย่น🔥ศูนย์รวม เกมส์ออนไลน์ครบวงจร🔥วงล้อลุ้นรางวัลมากมาย

  21. Joker123Joker123 ApkJoker123 MobileJoker123 TerpercayaSlotSlot OnlineSlotTerpercayaSlot TerbaruJudi OnlineJudi SlotSitus Judi OnlineDaftar SlotLink SlotSitus Judi SlotTogel OnlineAgen BolaBandarBolaPoker OnlineSbobet

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous Story

When Damian Met Nas: Distant Relatives

Next Story

What Bob Marley Meant To Me

Latest from Blog