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Interview: David K Mathews - Santana, Etta James, ToP


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I just finished the episode and it was great. Looking forward to the next bit!

"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

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  • 8 months later...

Been catching up on all of these. I loved when he talked about being in TOP and not yet being a jazz guy, and how he had to work his ass off to keep up but kept the gig. Gives me hope :D

 

Also, apologies if this has been mentioned before, but I find it very hard to listen to some episodes due to the balance of voices. Often you guys interviewing are super quiet, and the guys being interviewed are loud. I'm often turning up to hear the questions and then turning down after getting blasted by the reply. I'm not caught up on recent episodes yet, so am unaware if someone else has mentioned it (and sorry if it has!), but might be worth looking at in post?

Hammond SKX

Mainstage 3

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Been catching up on all of these. I loved when he talked about being in TOP and not yet being a jazz guy, and how he had to work his ass off to keep up but kept the gig. Gives me hope :D

 

Also, apologies if this has been mentioned before, but I find it very hard to listen to some episodes due to the balance of voices. Often you guys interviewing are super quiet, and the guys being interviewed are loud. I'm often turning up to hear the questions and then turning down after getting blasted by the reply. I'm not caught up on recent episodes yet, so am unaware if someone else has mentioned it (and sorry if it has!), but might be worth looking at in post?

 

Thanks heaps that is excellent feedback. I try to balance levels but will take a closer look, thanks again!

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Just listened to this on the morning hike. Great stuff!

 

Why thank you sir and so glad you enjoyed it - this is what makes it all worthwhile (aside from getting to talk to some great players :) )

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  • 11 months later...
  • 2 months later...

Holy cow, this is great.  Dave performed with TOP for their iconic recording "Live at the Maintenance Shop" on Hammond organ, Rhodes, and synthesizer.   I was there just in front of Greg Adams. His parts were really showcased well.  Tight Tight Tight!

 

 

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J  a  z  z  P i a n o 8 8

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Yamaha C7D

Montage M8x | CP300 | CP4 | SK1-73 | OB6 | Seven

K8.2 | 3300 | CPSv.3

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On 11/15/2022 at 6:28 PM, JazzPiano88 said:

Holy cow, this is great.  Dave performed with TOP for their iconic recording "Live at the Maintenance Shop" on Hammond organ, Rhodes, and synthesizer.   I was there just in front of Greg Adams. His parts were really showcased well.  Tight Tight Tight!

 

 

 

Part 1 from the interview 25:00 and beyond is really interesting to hear Dave's perspectives of playing with TOP (which is my main area of interest).   Some points:

 

- He had already played a lot of TOP tunes before sharing gigs with TOP members.

- He learned a lot of the CT B3 parts and played them during his tenure.

- Didn't consider himself a Jazz player like CT but tried to rise to it.   CT and Conti were the Jazz improvisers of the group.

- Most of the band had drug problems.  (That was my observation from being at the above video)  And this would not have fit his lifestyle after having children.

- Eventually got cut by reducing expenses as Emelio and TOP didn't have a contract.  They thought Ellis could cover keys with his Casio and get by  (Uh no, not really :) )

 

It's really fascinating after the fact that David has risen to the Top with Santana, while TOP kind of toiled in the doldrums after 1995, playing state fairs and casinos with a rotating host of horns, keys and rhythm players.  No disrespect for TOP, but am so Glad David is prospering as the consummate musician that he is.

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J  a  z  z  P i a n o 8 8

--

Yamaha C7D

Montage M8x | CP300 | CP4 | SK1-73 | OB6 | Seven

K8.2 | 3300 | CPSv.3

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