Customer Reviews

Chase

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"It happens all too often with great and special things - they are not fully appreciated until they are gone." Jim Szantor, former editor of Downbeat Magazine

This is a review about, in my humble opinion, one of the greatest if not the greatest trumpet player who ever lived. Unfortunately he did not live long enough. Bill Chase and three band members died in a plane crash about thirty years ago but his music lives on and is still quite popular.

Chase's music was the consummate Rock/Brass/Jazz fusion but with vocals. It was the best I've ever heard. The music was closer to Rock than Jazz and would probably appeal to a wide spectrum of listeners. In fact, off their 1971 debut album the song "Get it On" was a #1 hit.

Chase, his self titled band, made three albums, a S/T album which featured five songs on one side, including "Hello Groceries" and "Handbags and Gladrags" and the #1 hit single, "Get it on". On side two was a another shorter song ("Boys and Girls Together"), and a remarkable blues song about suicide called "Invitation to a River" and it takes up most of side B so it must be about fourteen minutes long.

Another album they made which is every bit as good, though the critics didn't like it as much, is Ennea, Greek for nine (the number of band members). It is about Greek Gods and has titles like "Posidon", "Chronus", "Hades" and "Zeus". This is an amazing album.

There is a third album, Pure Music, which I've never heard but I'm sure it's good. I've seen the second and third albums offered on one CD and that's even doubly hard to get.

We now know that Bill Chase was a great trumpet player, so what could be better? How about two, make that three, no make it four great trumpet players! This nine piece ensemble was a very versatile band with an enormous, almost frantic sound. Besides the exceptional vocals of Terry Richards, Trumpet players, Ted Piercefield and Jerry Van Blair, provided excellent backing vocals as well as guitar player, Angel South and bass player, Dennis Johnson. The only non singing members were Chase himself, Alan Ware, trumpet, Phil Porter, keyboards and Jay Burrid, drums.

Make no mistake, the extra trumpets gave Chase a sound like no other. They would banter back and forth with each other and with other band members like they were communicating and I can't help thinking they were having a ball doing it and Terry Richard's vocals could not have captured the essence of the music better.

The first six tracks were all exceedingly catchy radio friendly and "Handbags and Gladrags" was also a top twenty hit in addition to "Get it On", which by the way forced T Rex to change the name of their version of "Get it On" to "Bang a Gong". This helps explains why the album Chase sold three millions copies. No small feat for a debut of relatively unknowns in 1971. Overall the album finished the year as the twenty-second biggest album for 1971.

"Livin' in Heat", is a medium fast tempo, very busy song with the trumpets mimicking Richards. There's also some nice guitar work here but as always it's the horns.

"Hello Groceries", another medium fast paced number quite similar to track ! but with a different melody and presentation. Lead vocal by Jerry Van Blair on this one.

"Handbags and Gladrags", also recorded by Rod Stewart. (I don't know who covered who) Yes, it was a great recording by Stewart but you haven't heard it with them horns. Fabulous song, the varied tempo is perfect for a horn section and on this one we get to hear Ted Piercefield another absolutely wonderful vocalist. (better than Stewart)!

"Get It On"
This was not a number one hit by accident, this is quite a song and quite a job by Richards. There is of course the ubiquitous horn section mimicking Richards on the chorus's and some excellent keyboards (Hammond). It really all comes together for these guys but I don't think this is any better than any other track, they're all that good.

"Boys and Girls Together", Piercefield on vocals again, B> is a medium paced song and one I like a lot. It has a very accessible catchy melody and could have been a hit if released as a single.

"Invitation to a River", a fourteen masterpiece! This song actually breaks into five parts, a] Two Minds Meet, b] Stay, c] Paint it Sad, d] Reflections, e] River. It contains many tempos and moods.

Sitting here listening to this album, even after thirty some years, I am amazed how fresh and imaginative this album is. This is one of those creations that never gets tiresome, never gets dated.

If Chase sounds like something you might have an interest in, then it is. If it sounds like something that you might like, then you will. I can almost guarantee it!!!

These albums were re-released about five years ago on CD, by One Way Records a company that specializes in re-releasing great music that was never issued on CD form and that's what I've been trying to get. Unfortunately their license expired and they are currently and maybe permanently out of circulation. Still it is possible to purchase them from time to time on Amazon or Ebay.

Author's Note
I hope you enjoyed my review of this remarkable album and the extraordinary musician, who like so many others, was taken from us in his prime.

Bill Chase stands alone in the pantheon of Jazz trumpet players and arrangers, not only for the amazing power and control his playing demonstrates but also for his melding of Jazz and pop/rock in one genre. The only instrument I don't play is brass (more or less) but even I can appreciate the astonishing ability it takes to play with such power. Truly impressive.

An earlier review states that it is very difficult to obtain the 2nd and 3rd albums, much less together in the conjoined CD. Not so. Follow this link and buy yours today: http://www.great-music.net/chase.htm and listen. With the 3 albums the group did (don't buy "Watch Closely Now" as it is one of the most boring pieces of junk I've ever listened to and was recorded after Bill's death (and shows it)). I threw my CD away, it was so unlistenable. At any rate, the 3 CD's available are masterpieces and form an interesting triad of expression, with power Jazz/Rock on the 1st, ethereal exploration of thematic threads in the 2nd and more tempered and mature ballad work in the third. If you loop the 3 and play them as such, it makes an almost seamless circlage. Beautiful.

The only other time I was as devastated by an artist's death was when Stevie Ray was killed in Wisconsin in the fog. I still remember that day and I still remember the day I heard that Bill Chase was dead as well. He's not gone though. See for yourself.

One of the best pieces of rock ever recorded, one of the worst reissue I ever heard. Do not buy this Japanese import! If you know what this album is suppose to sound like then you will want to cry when you hear Sony's butchering of this reissue. I am not being over critical here, this mix will make you cringe, or maybe we are just getting spoiled by Rhino's superb job? It's a cryin shame

Are you kidding me? This is a terrific horn band, arguably the best ever (yes, beyond Maynard.) More trumpets than comparable horn bands, mostly trumpet tunes, even some very raspy, jazz singing on a few tracks too (most horn bands dare not but Chase pulls it off great - singing on par with Blood Sweat and Tears.) Hot in the era of Maynard's peak, and Chicago's horn emphasis, these guys can make trumpets squeal like none other. Terrific tunes! So why haven't more people heard of them? Sadly, the all died in a plane crash just as they were reaching the stardom. Terrible loss of such a fine group of horn players.

At first, I cringed when I saw the price that most of these Chase CDs were going for. But, I decided to go for it and have been very happy with my decision. "Get it On" is probably worth half of what you pay for the disc alone; it is that good. You just can't beat the sound of the four trumpets playing that descending scale into the chord- it's gorgeous. For those complaining about the sound quality (esp bass): I thought the bass sounded just fine, and love it. If you play a brass instrument (esp trumpet), this is a must-have CD.

For those "horn band fans" of the 70's this is a must have CD. Mainly because it's the only CD!
For some reason it is not available on a domestic label. The sound is awful. There was no EQ done to the transfer which results in a gutless sound. The trumpets still sound great even if the band sounds like their playing from the other room.

No problems with the CD, though the case was broken. This was disappointing as it was a gift for someone.

This CD takes me back to my college days ... the best music era of all time. If you like fast paced jazz rock, this CD is it.

Bill Chase's "Get It On" is a fresh and unique, full of energy, pushing the outer limits, kick you off your seat song. It blends together so well for these guys. It is tough to play, I'll tell you that! Our high school jazz band was playing plenty of Maynard Ferguson at the time time our teacher introduced it to us. We immediately wanted to be Bill Chase. Who didn't want to have all that power. For cascading trumpets, there is no better song.

HAVING A BAND IN THE EARLY 70'S AND PLAYING THE TRUMPET, CHASE WAS ONE OF
MY FAVORITE BANDS (ALONG WITH THE BEATLES & CHICAGO). IF PEOPLE KNEW HOW
HARD IT IS TO PLAY THE TRUMPET LET ALONE THOSE HIGH NOTES THAT ALL OF THE
HORNS IN CHASE PLAYED, MANY MORE PEOPLE WOULD KNOW AND LOVE THIS GREAT
BAND. I OFTEN WONDERED WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN IF THEY WERE ALL STILL WITH
US. WE'LL NEVER KNOW !!!