Taking A Chance On Chances (Chancey) 1977

Taking a Chance on Chances
Saturn LP 772 (1977)


By Request - Thanks for asking, nikos!  Thanks all for your encouraging remarks.  I had this planned for another time but I'm happy to bump this to the front.  Again, we have Paul W. to thank for sharing his rare Saturn LPs with us.

All known copies of this LP have a defective pressing on Side A. According to Glenn Jones, Rounder records (then distributing Saturn) received only 100-150 of their order of 200 from Danny Thompson, along with apologies for the defect. Another run to correct the defect was promised but no more copies were ever delivered.
According to Vincent Chancey, the first title... was supposed to be "Taking a Chance on Chancey," which makes eminent sense: the piece is an improvised Ra/Chancey duet.
Ra (p, org, declamation); Michael Ray (tp, voc); Ahmed Abdullah (tp, voc); Vincent Chancey (Fr hn); Marshall Allen (as, ob, fl, perc); Danny Davis (as, fl, perc); John Gilmore  (ts, cl, timb, voc); Danny Ray Thompson (bs, fl, perc); Eloe Omoe (bcl, fl, perc); James Jacson (fl, bsn, Inf-d, voc); Richard "Radu" Williams (b); Thomas Hunter (d); Luqman Ali [Edward Skinner] (d); Atakatune (cga, perc); Eddie Thomas [Thomas Thaddeus] (perc, voc); June Tyson (voc).
Jazz Showcase, Chicago, November 1977
[Location and date courtesy Ahmed Abdullah. I've taken the personnel from Unity but deleted Ebah on trumpet, the two trombonists, and Emmett McDonald on bass horn because none of them are audible -- rlc]
Trumpet solo on What's New? is by Michael Ray. Solo on A Train is by Ahmed Abdullah. [Abdullah]
If this material is from the Jazz Showcase gig in Chicago (mid to late November 1977), that might explain why Alton Abraham released it instead of the folks in Philadelphia. This is the last Chicago Saturn release. [rlc]
All known copies of this LP have a defective pressing on Side A. According to Glenn Jones, Rounder records (then distributing Saturn) received only 100-150 of their order of 200 from Danny Thompson, along with apologies for the defect. Another run to correct the defect was promised but no more copies were ever delivered.
According to Vincent Chancey, the first title... was supposed to be "Taking a Chance on Chancey," which makes eminent sense: the piece is an improvised Ra/Chancey duet.
Notes from The Earthly Recordings of Sun Ra 2nd ed. Campbell/Trent

Vincent Chancey earned a respected place for himself in the world of jazz music with his remarkable ability on the French horn. He learned his polished skills while studying under Julius Watkins, but Chancey's talent and style are both inherent gifts.

During his long career, which began in the '70s, Chancey has performed with the famous Sun Ra Arkestra, Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy, the David Murray Big Band, the Carla Bley Big Band, the Beaver Harris French Horn Connection, and the Richard Abrams Orchestra. Altogether, Chancey has appeared on somewhere over 70 recordings and toured with bands in the United States, Africa, and Europe.   
Charlotte Dillon (AMG)


More about Vincent Chancey on his website:  h!!p://www.vincentchancey.com/

Taking A Chance on Chances

LP Side A
1. Taking a chance on chances (should be Chancey)  (Ra)  6:03
2. Lady Bird  (Dameron)  8:56
3. Over the rainbow (Harburg-Arlen)   5:53
LP Side B
4. St. Louis blues  (Handy)  5:25
5. What's new  (Burke-Haggart)  10:09
6. Take the A train  (Strayhorn)  9:53

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