Stephen Fortner Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 I was delighted to discover this morning that someone had posted this on YouTube. This is the video I helped make in 2006 when Chester Thompson showed us his techniques on Tower of Power's "Squib Cakes." I am still looking for a cut and/or raw footage in my archives, and thought this one was lost to posterity. This doesn't have the header or intro on it, but it's still a pretty complete version. I have also found all my raw footage of my 2013 visit to George Duke's studio, and will be making a new edit and posting soon. Enjoy! [video:youtube] Quote Stephen Fortner Principal, Fortner Media Former Editor in Chief, Keyboard Magazine Digital Piano Consultant, Piano Buyer Magazine Industry affiliations: Antares, Arturia, Giles Communications, MS Media, Polyverse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 Most excellent find. Chester's Oakland Chop sounds fabulous in all its punchy, key clickin' glory! Quote Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
16251 Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 He's a long time hero of mine. Being older, one of my all time best memories was seeing the original TOP at the Paul's Mall in Boston. Chester is creating so much music by himself yet everyone in band found their own space. Will have to blast TOP today. I'm sure Chester fans know of this but in case you don't check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFe9LrNVFQg Steve, thanks for posting! Quote AvantGrand N2 | ES520 | Gallien-Krueger MK & MP | https://soundcloud.com/pete36251 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bryce Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 I was working at Bananas at Large in San Rafael (Marin County, CA) in the early 90s. I was sitting and noodling around on a keyboard when a gentleman walked up next to me and started asking me questions about it, which I absent-mindedly answered, not really looking up - I was pretty caught up in what I was doing. At one point, I asked his name, and he replied, "Chester Thompson". Suffice it to say I stopped playing. dB Quote ==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <== Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAJUSCULE Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 Well that's a nice shot in the arm after the Little Richard news. Quote Eric Website Gear page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doerfler Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 I was delighted to discover this morning that someone had posted this on YouTube. word I have also found all my raw footage of my 2013 visit to George Duke's studio, and will be making a new edit and posting soon. loved that video. Looking forward to seeing it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goodbyee Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 I can honestly say it was him and Squib Cakes with TOP that got me hooked on the whole funky thing! I reckon you could make a few bob having bets with people that they won"t be able to watch and listen to him play and not tap at least one foot - I almost sent my ipad to the floor whilst watching this. Love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zukskywalker Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 A treasure! Thanks for this! We were playing/attempting pre-Chester TOP covers (East Bay Grease) waaay back in the day and I was dying trying to work out with the horns. Then came Chester. What a divine match made in heaven! (Church...who woulda thunk?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamuelBLupowitz Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 I can't believe what he is doing with his foot, my god. Quote Samuel B. Lupowitz Musician. Songwriter. Food Enthusiast. Bad Pun Aficionado. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted May 11, 2020 Share Posted May 11, 2020 I was delighted to discover this morning that someone had posted this on YouTube. This is the video I helped make in 2006 when Chester Thompson showed us his techniques on Tower of Power's "Squib Cakes." I am still looking for a cut and/or raw footage in my archives, and thought this one was lost to posterity. This doesn't have the header or intro on it, but it's still a pretty complete version. May I recommend that you download yourself a copy of this for your own archives, if you haven't already? There are a few web sites that can do it, and some apps, I think. Quote "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzmammal Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 Absolutely awesome! What a find. I heard Squib Cakes in a record store and bought the album, went home and wore it out listening to this. Simply amazing stuff. As for downloading it just use EZYouTube Downloader in Firefox. Bob Quote Hammond SK1, Mojo 61, Kurzweil PC3, Korg Pa3x, Roland FA06, Band in a Box, Real Band, Studio One, too much stuff... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adan Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 This is a rip-your-head-off video if ever there was. I'm at once inspired and terrified. Could I ever play like that? If I tried incorporating pedal, then not even close, because I currently don't play pedal at all. But the finger work is something to aspire to. I don't think I realized until watching this just how busy his playing is, and yet listening to TOP everything sounds so clean and synchronized. Amazing. It's easy to play busy and produce a collective slop. This is something completely different. My other takeaway is that the Hammond clone isn't all that impressive when hearing the real thing before and after. Man, I'd love to have a real Hammond again, there's nothing like it. Quote Gigging: Crumar Mojo 61, Hammond SKPro Home: Vintage Vibe 64 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outkaster Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 This is why gospel organ is on another level. He hadn't played Amazing Grace in a long time but it still was awesome. There isn't many styles Chester can't play. Quote "Danny, ci manchi a tutti. La E-Street Band non e' la stessa senza di te. Riposa in pace, fratello" noblevibes.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Real MC Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 TOP is one of those bands where the comps contribute much more to the songs than the solos. Not to imply that Chester is any slouch at playing. Love their stuff. My Hammond style is more comps than solo. I cannot for the life of me remember where I learned to comp, I guess I have a good ear. I'm a drawbar artist and learned many registrations other than 88800000 to fit between the instruments and still be heard. A lot of it comes from my experience as a piano accompanist for the high school choir, that was an education. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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