In Memoriam
In Memoriam: Murray Allen
Murray was the kindest, smartest, efficient and free-thinking guy I knew.
When hunched over the board at 1 in the morning listening to trumpet mults
or figuring out that tubular bells recorded at 1/2 speed would create great
harmonics, Murray could think.
We were touring a couple of audio installations around San Francisco last
summer and laughing about the fact that he'd been in the business since
before there was recording tape.Then he got serious and told me the best
thing he'd ever heard in his life was Basie or Goodman playing at Roseland
or a hall of that size playing at full tilt. His eyes glowed with the
wonder of a child when he turned to me and said "it was the way the
air moved in the place when they got going."
He went on to describe to me all of the little nuances and crazy ideas that went into inventing certain recording techniques and how today's mp3 file format is utterly necessary given the parameters of digital playback devices but how utterly sad that audio quality is not being advanced by such developments.
Universal Studios in the early to mid-70's was ground zero for the midwest
audio business. We met and got to see the cream of the talent making recordings
in those days and Murray did quite a bit to make sure that we had a great
experience when we were in town.
He was quite interested in seeing a new invention that a friend of mine
in Colorado Springs devised to advance 'listening" to music with
the entire body, not just the ears.
Murray talked quite a bit about his work on teaching young engineers the
fundamentals of music production and sound. One more than one occasion
Murray said that its great that we can acquire the tools of serious production
but unless you have some experience in the real world, you're productions
will fail in the marketplace. I'd say that he was correct when you see
how much music is available compared to how much of that music really
touches you in some important way.
I've gotta get back to realtime life so I'll add more later.
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AUGUST
1st 2007 BILL CHASE REUNION CONCERT |
| INFO? | St. PAUL, MN - Joe Morrissey produces a concert featuring the former Chase Band members and more |
New Recordings available
BILL CHASE ARCHIVAL RECORDINGS
Your opportunity to hear the Pure Music band as it developed its final 17 months 1973-74
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I'm excited to tell all of our fans about a concert - reunion that will be held in the twin cities August 1st of this year. We have decided that it is time to get back together with our compadres and play some great music together. It should be a great opportunity for those of you who can come out to hear us and widen our community.
Bill Chase was for me, a living affirmation of the power of art and optimism over materialism and banality. Even though little was written about our group, we were proud of the band and our leader.
The final incarnation of the band guitarist John Emma, keyboardist Wally Yohn, drummer (and intense comic spirit) Walter Clark, trumpeter and soul brother Jim Oatts, trumpeter Jay Sollenberger, trumpeter and mystery man Joe Morrissey was basically a group of midwestern guys who were talented but-under sung players. Having the opportunity to play the music of a master musician like Bill was an all-to-seldom opportunity to get paid well for doing something we all dreamed about and worked for most of our lives.
The airplane crash that killed John F. Kennedy Jr. in July (1999) reminded me again of our own vigil, that August afternoon in 1974. Waiting for friends and colleagues who never arrived. That excruciating, slow transition through feelings of expectation, questioning, and concern. Then the fear, shock and then grief is something most of us in Bill's circle of family and close associates have probably still not really come to grips with.
In the wake of losing Bill, Wally, John and Walter, I returned to my native Iowa and finished my degree in Journalism. I worked for the Des Moines Register as a reporter and editor and continued to write and perform. I was ready to transition into a career in journalism but that industry started makingthe changes that have resulted in the chaotic media circus that now pass for "news" in the United States. Rather ironic that 40 years later, a career in rock 'n roll is basically more stable (and virtuous) than a career in American news media. Sad...and amazing.
I would like to sincerely thank all the folks,especially J.J. Martin, Bernie Nelson of Los Angeles and Kevin Seeley of Washington state who have spent much of their own time and effort keeping Bill's memory and legacy alive for new generations of fans to listen to and read about.
When I say our music, I am proud to say that Bill gave me opportunities as a composer. (a project for Gibson guitars and a song on the new album we were working on--but unfortunately never finished!)
So Bill Chase was a special person because he always gravitated toward good ideas--no matter who came up with them. As the only African American member of the three recorded Chase groups, I must mention that he was the most respectful cat in the world. Period. God bless you, all who read this. Now go practice. Craze would have. ;-)
Dartanyan Brown October 28,1999 (updated contact information added November 14, 2005)
Peace
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Contact Dartanyan: dartanyan@dartanyan.com