Terri Walker
Terri Walker | |
---|---|
Birth name | Chanelle Gstettenbauer |
Born | 14 April 1979 |
Origin | Wimbledon, London, England |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
|
Years active | 2000–present |
Labels | Dekkor (2005–2007) BluRoc (2009) Truth and Soul Records (2012–2013) |
Website | terriwalker.com |
Terri Walker (born Chanelle Gstettenbauer,[1] 14 April 1979) is an English R&B and soul singer-songwriter. Walker has released four albums in the United Kingdom, Untitled, L.O.V.E, I Am and Entitled. She also provided the majority of the vocals for Shanks & Bigfoot's debut album Swings and Roundabouts.
Biography
Early life and career
Walker was born in the
Walker began working on music independently providing vocals for
During this time, she was introduced to producers James Yarde, Sammy Jay and Amber Rene of Xosa Entertainment. Walker travelled to
Debut album Untitled (2003–04)
Walker released her debut album
Walker's debut single and the first single from Untitled was "Guess You Didn't Love Me", a collaboration with
Despite critical acclaim, the album was not a commercial success when it was released on 3 March 2003, peaking at number 118 on the UK Albums Chart, leading Walker's record label to push her into a more commercial direction for second album L.O.V.E.[12][13]
Walker was also the guest vocalist on the single version of Jaimeson's "Common Ground", the fourth single taken from his album Think on Your Feet. It was released on 24 May 2004.[14] Walker also provided vocals on Lemon Jelly's single "Make Things Right", which peaked at number 33 on the UK Singles Chart.[15][16]
Second album L.O.V.E (2005)
Following the critical success of her debut album, Walker released her second studio album L.O.V.E (an acronym for "Love Overcomes Virtually Everything")[17] two years after the release of Untitled on 28 March 2005.[18] During the promotion of Untitled, Walker spoke on her second album, stating "I'm gonna be doing my new album soon. The next one will be a bit more serious. I've grown up since writing some of my original material and I've seen a lot of things that I would like to write and sing about."[5] Upon the release of the album, Walker explained the more commercial direction by stating, "A lot of people didn't really know where to put me, I was 23 but everybody thought I was about 90 the way they were going on!". Producers that worked with Walker on the album included Soulpower and Copenhaniacs.[19]
Reviews for L.O.V.E were also positive with the Daily Mirror stating that "The opening track confidently predicts that This Is My Time and, with a voice that knocks competitors into the underachieving box and songs a cut above her substandard debut, Ms T is in the ascendant. Pop soul sweetness." Contactmusic.com gave the album 4/5 stars, explaining that "Terri's second album, picks up from where her debut album left off, but there is a different a huge step up in the quality of production... The lyrics, production and vocal performance are all jaw dropping. If you are 29 or younger view this as the female Lemar if you are over 30 be prepared to be shocked and have your breath taken away cause this album is something special, very special."[20][21]
The first single from the album was "Whoopsie Daisy", produced by Remee and
Third album I Am and hiatus from music (2006)
Walker released her third studio album in 2006, only one year after leaving her major label home. It was released via independent label Dekkor Records. Walker stated that "Dekkor gives creative control and freedom of expression, much better than being on a major label where you have to watch what you say." and that it's a "progression from the last two albums. Live instruments, songs about life, love and friendships, with the neo-soul vibe still in tact".[sic][17] Walker co-wrote eight of the ten tracks on the album and also co-produced the album track "I Don't Care". The album predominantly featured production by Sammy Jay and James Yarde (who had featured on Walker's debut album Untitled).
The album received positive reviews for Walker's return to her neo-soul roots. Matilda Egere-Cooper of the BBC stated that "Its just as well that Terri Walker has returned to good form with her third LP, as the faux pas that was her second album didn't do much for her cause... This is one heck of an album, putting Terri firmly back in the premier league of UK singers.".[23] Matt Snow of The Guardian gave the album three stars but stated that I Am "sounds good at an intimate, low volume but increasingly thin and flat the louder you hear it. Walker sings beautifully throughout; she may yet make a classic."[24]
Two singles were released from I Am but neither song received a music video. The first and only commercially released single from the album was "Alright with Me", produced by Sammy Jay and Sly. The song was released on 24 April 2006 and contained an unreleased song "If That Was You" as the b-side.[25] The title-track, "I Am" served as the second promotional-only single with an impact date of 14 August 2006. "Alright with Me" and I Am did not chart in the UK, leading to Walker's partnership with the label ending.
Walker toured the album across the UK in September and October 2006 playing in Bristol, Norwich, Rotterdam, Cardiff, Liverpool, Manchester, London and Brighton. Walker subsequently took a break from the music business after the I Am tour was completed.
Return to music and fourth album Walk with Me (2008)
Prior to the announcement of her fourth album, Walker had been working with producer
In May 2010, four years after her third album I Am, Walker announced that she was working on her fourth studio album. She confirmed to Soul Culture that she had been working with producer Ski Beatz, that it would be released on Damon Dash's BluRoc imprint and distributed via Roc-A-Fella Records. Speaking on the album Walker stated, "I have no release date confirmed yet but I can tell you the theme: seeing as I am working with Hip Hop legends, I have decided to have a Hip Hop theme on this album. I want to have a lot of up and coming features on this album – US and UK – and whoever fits what I’m doing. So far it has all fit into place. I’m going to be distributed through Roc-A-Fella which means more freedom for me." The interview also unveiled a clip of the first new material from the album and the original first single choice "Understanding".[26] It was then previewed in full on 7 June 2010.[27] On 6 December, Walker announced on her Twitter page that the album's first single would be titled "So Hard" and that she had seen the first draft of the song's video, her first video since "This Is My Time" in 2005.[28]
On 5 January 2011, Walker posted a fourteen-minute video on YouTube of her talking about the album and introducing album snippets.
Lady and debut album Lady (2012-13)
In 2012, Walker teamed up with fellow soulstress Nicole Wray to form retro-soul duo Lady. They were signed to Truth and Soul Records and their self-titled debut album was released on 5 March 2013. The album yielded two singles, "Money" and "Get Ready". Several months after the album's release, Walker left the duo to return to her solo career, while Wray continued to perform and tour under the Lady moniker. A third single, "Good Lovin'" was released from the album after Walker had left the band.[citation needed]
Untitled to Entitled (2014-15)
In 2014, Walker released a collaboration EP with Joe Buhdah, called Untitled to Entitled as a nod to her debut album and upcoming fourth studio album. One single was released in promotion of the EP, "Feel Right". On 1 December 2014, it was announced that Walker's fourth solo album, her first in nine years, Entitled, would be released on 9 March 2015 and the first single would be "Bad Boy" (featuring Frisco).
Discography
Studio albums
Year | Album details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
UK[13] | ||
2003 | Untitled
|
118 |
2005 | L.O.V.E
|
142 |
2006 | I Am
|
— |
2015 | Entitled
|
— |
2023 | My Love Story
|
— |
Unreleased albums
Year | Album details |
---|---|
2011 | Walk with Me
|
EPs
Year | Album details |
---|---|
2014 | Joe Buhdha Presents Terri Walker: Untitled to Entitled
|
2019 | Joe Buhdha Presents Terri Walker: Breakout
|
Mixtapes
- 2011: Terri in Wonderland (released on 10 June 2011)
Singles
Year | Single | Chart positions | Album |
---|---|---|---|
UK[13]
| |||
2003 | "Guess You Didn't Love Me" (featuring Mos Def )
|
60 | Untitled |
"Ching Ching (Lovin' You Still)" | 38 | ||
"Drawing Board" | — | ||
2005 | "Whoopsie Daisy" | 41 | L.O.V.E |
"This Is My Time" | — | ||
2006 | "Alright with Me" | — | I Am |
"I Am" | — | ||
2011 | "So Hard" | — | Non-album singles |
2013 | "He Loves Me" | — | |
2014 | "Feel Right" (Joe Buhdha Presents Terri Walker) | — | Joe Buhdha Presents Terri Walker: Untitled to Entitled EP |
2015 | "Bad Boy" (featuring Frisco) | — | Entitled |
"Already Told Ya" | — | ||
"Open Your Mind" | — | ||
2016 | "Feel It In the Water" | — | |
"Lose Twice" (solo or featuring The Floacist) | — | ||
2018 | "Breakout" (solo or featuring Rodney P) | — | Joe Buhdha Presents Terri Walker: Breakout |
2019 | "OK" (solo or featuring Ty) | — | |
"Can't Tell Me Anything" (solo or featuring Children of Zeus) | — | ||
2022 | "No Good Man" | — | Celebrating Nina: A Reggae Tribute to Nina Simone |
"Sugarcane & Lime" (with Melonyx & Zed Bias featuring Rampage Sound) |
— | Non-album single | |
2023 | "Finally Over You" | — | My Love Story |
"I'm Not The One" | — |
Single appearances
Year | Single | Chart positions | Album |
---|---|---|---|
UK[36]
| |||
2000 | "Sing-A-Long" (Shanks & Bigfoot featuring Terri Walker) | 12 | Swings & Roundabouts |
2004 | "Common Ground" (Jaimeson featuring Terri Walker) | 191 | Think on Your Feet |
"Make Things Right" (Lemon Jelly featuring Terri Walker) | 33 | '64–'95 | |
2006 | "Flirtin'" (Emmanuel featuring Terri Walker and Rodney P) | — | D'Illusions of Grandeur |
2008 | "Love at First Sight" (Diamond featuring Terri Walker) | — | TBR |
2010 | "Be My Baby" (Haggstrom featuring Terri Walker) | — | Be My Baby EP |
"Heartbeat" (T.Williams featuring Terri Walker) | — | Heartbeat EP | |
"Last Call" (Belle Vue featuring Terri Walker) | — | Last Call (single) | |
2011 | "When Angels Sing" (Donae'o featuring Terri Walker) | — | When Angels Sing EP |
"Twilight" (Jozif featuring Terri Walker) | — | Twilight EP | |
2012 | "Fanti Love Song (Remix)" (M3nsa featuring Terri Walker) | — | No. 1 Mango Street |
"Light In The Dark" (SpectraSoul featuring Terri Walker) | — | Delay No More | |
"Here with You" (The Layabouts featuring Terri Walker) | — | Here with You (single) | |
"Feels Good" (Greenmoney featuring Terri Walker) | — | Feels Good EP | |
2013 | "Missing You" (Artful & Ridney featuring Terri Walker) | — | Missing You EP |
"Cold" (Roni Size Remix) (Swindle featuring Terri Walker) | — | Non-album single | |
2014 | "Tension" (Mike Delinquent Project featuring Terri Walker) | — | Tension EP |
2021 | "Find A Way, Never Again" (Rodney P featuring Terri Walker) | — | Non-album single |
References
- ^ "Culture: Move over Tina and Whitney, this is a soul diva with real oomph". The Sunday Times. 28 September 2003. Retrieved 3 April 2007.
- ^ Interview: TERRI WALKER, SoulCulture.com
- ^ "Terri Walker - MTV UK". Archived from the original on 17 October 2012.
- ^ "SHANKS & BIGFOOT - the Official Charts Company". Archived from the original on 17 February 2011. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
- ^ a b c "Terri Walker interview". Archived from the original on 11 September 2010.
- ^ Boyd, Denise. "BBC - Music - Review of Terri Walker - Untitled".
- ^ "Terri Walker - guardian.co.uk Arts". Arts.guardian.co.uk.
- ^ "BBC NEWS - Entertainment - Mobo Awards 2003: The nominees". News.bbc.co.uk. September 2003.
- ^ Guess You Didn't Love Me: Terri Walker: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads.
- ^ a b "TERRI WALKER - the Official Charts Company". Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
- ^ Later... with Jools Holland, Series 21, Episode 5. BBC Two Programmes.
- ^ "Untitled". 3 March 2003 – via Amazon.
- ^ a b c d "Chart Log UK: 1994–2008". Zobbel.de. Retrieved 4 February 2009.
- ^ "I Like Music". Ilikemusic.com.
- ^ "Radio X". Xfm.co.uk. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
- ^ "MAKE THINGS RIGHT : Lemon Jelly | Official Charts". Official Charts. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
- ^ a b "The Situation featuring Terri Walker". Archived from the original on 16 April 2011.
- ^ "Love". 28 March 2005 – via Amazon.
- ^ "I Like Music". Ilikemusic.com.
- ^ "TV & film news: gossip, pictures & video - Mirror Online". Mirror.co.uk.
- ^ "Terri Walker - L-O-V-E - Def Jam - Album Review". 17 March 2005.
- ^ a b c "Terri Walker: "If this is the last album, I want it to be one I can feel proud of." – Catch a Vibe". Archived from the original on 22 December 2010.
- ^ Egere-Cooper, Matilda. "BBC - Music - Review of Terri Walker - I am".
- ^ Snow, Mat (4 May 2006). "Terri Walker, I Am". The Guardian.
- ^ "Alright with Me". 26 February 2007 – via Amazon.
- ^ NEWS: Terri Walker Inks Deal With Roc-A-Fella & Unveils New Single: "Understanding", SoulCulture.co.uk
- ^ "Terri Walker – "Understanding" (prod by Ski Beatz) - New Music". Soulculture.co.uk. 7 June 2010.
- ^ "Terri Walker on Twitter". Twitter.com. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
- ^ "YouTube". Youtube.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014.
- ^ "Terri Walker previews songs from her Ski Beatz produced new album ‘Mz Walker’" (Video). Soulculture.co.uk
- ^ "Terry Walker comes in, RnB with Ronnie Herel - BBC Radio 1Xtra". BBC.
- ^ "Terri Walker Hits Industry Hard With New Song". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011.
- ^ "So Hard - Single by Terri Walker". Music.apple.com. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
- ^ "TERRI WALKER MUSIC: NEW SINGLE: "SO HARD" AVAILABLE ON I-TUNES TOMORROW 5TH APRIL 2011". Terriwalker.blogspot.com. 4 April 2011.
- ^ "Terri Walker on Twitter". Twitter.com. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
- ^ "Chart Log UK: 1994–2006 Artist Index". Zobbel.de. Retrieved 4 February 2009.