#1961808 - 06/23/08 11:58 AM
For you Tower Of Power fans...
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Dave E
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This tune is called "Stroke 75". It was recorded at the same time as the album "In The Slot", but was only released as the "b" side of the 45 rpm single "You're So Wonderful, So Marvelous". It's a classic Tower groove with solos by Chester Thompson on B3 and Lenny Pickett (Tenor, of course).
http://www.sheffieldgarage.com/top08/weekly/stroke75.mp3
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#1961832 - 06/23/08 12:47 PM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: Dave E]
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retrokeys
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Many thanks. They still do that one during shows even today. Always a winner
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#1961852 - 06/23/08 01:33 PM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: retrokeys]
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The Real MC
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I saw TOP this past April. They are a kick a$$ band.
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#1961861 - 06/23/08 01:53 PM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: The Real MC]
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Dave E
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Emilio mentioned in passing that Roger (Smith - the keyboard player) wasn't going to Europe with the band this summer... Roger had a cancer scare a few years back - I hope it's not something like that. A guy from Dallas was hired to sub the gig, but I don't know who.
Tough shoes to fill.
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#1961873 - 06/23/08 02:16 PM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: Dave E]
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mate_stubb
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Would Chester be available?
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#1961879 - 06/23/08 02:27 PM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: mate_stubb]
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Dave E
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Chester is committed to Santana, but his heart is still with TOP. It's still his favorite stuff to play.
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#1961882 - 06/23/08 02:32 PM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: Dave E]
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Joe Muscara
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Kewl! Thx Dave E.
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#1961902 - 06/23/08 03:11 PM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: Joe Muscara]
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MidLifeCrisis
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Registered: 08/01/03
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Thanks for the post.
TOP and Chester will always be part of my all time favorites
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#1961989 - 06/23/08 06:30 PM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: MidLifeCrisis]
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Dave Bryce
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Just saw them at Sweetwater's Gear Fest a few weeks back. 
dB
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#1962041 - 06/23/08 10:01 PM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: Dave E]
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mate_stubb
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Chester is committed to Santana, but his heart is still with TOP. It's still his favorite stuff to play.
I'm sorry, but Chester's talent is wasted with Santana. There are dozens of cats that could fill the Santana chair, but very few that could hang with TOP.
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#1962054 - 06/23/08 10:29 PM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: mate_stubb]
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MuMajor
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Going to see TOP in July, I cannot wait  First TOP and then Return to Forever on the next day. I am smiling already!
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#1962079 - 06/24/08 02:42 AM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: mate_stubb]
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Dave Pierce
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Chester is committed to Santana, but his heart is still with TOP. It's still his favorite stuff to play. I'm sorry, but Chester's talent is wasted with Santana. There are dozens of cats that could fill the Santana chair, but very few that could hang with TOP.
It's hard to argue with that statement. As a guy who plays in a Santana Tribute Band, I know it's true. It's great music, and people love it, but it's not difficult to play (well, not comparatively anyway).
I've also covered a few TOP tunes in various bands, and it's definitely a different story!
--Dave
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#1962133 - 06/24/08 06:20 AM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: Dave Bryce]
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Dave E
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...if for no other reason than the footwork. I've never seen anyone kick bass pedals like Chester.  dB
Doc told me a story about Rocco and Bruce Conte, who were driving together, getting busted on the way to a gig. The band went on with the remaining three rhythm section members: Brent Byers on congas, Garibaldi, and Chester kicking pedals all night.
I would LOVE to have been there for that one...
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#1962139 - 06/24/08 06:41 AM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: Dave E]
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Dave E
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Here's a little taste of the TOP rhythm section: This tune is on the CD "Oakland Zone", released in '03, I think. This is just the rhythm section basic track, before the vocals and horns were added (I think I like this version better). Personnel is: Rocco, Garibaldi, Roger Smith, and Jeff Tamalier. I cut it down in length, but included all the sections of the tune. Check out the double-handed chromatic thing that Roger does near the end (maybe 30 seconds out)... What the hell is that?
I think Roger is one of THE BADDEST cats around. Enjoy!
DivShare File - Page One excerpt.mp3
Edited by Dave E (06/24/08 06:48 AM)
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#1962181 - 06/24/08 08:21 AM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: ProfD]
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Calumet
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Thanks for the Stroke 75 clip. No one sounds like Chester. Ricky Peterson comes close.
It's apparent that by 1975, Tower had pretty much run out of lyric ideas. Not that it was a big storehouse to begin with. 
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#1962235 - 06/24/08 10:32 AM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: Calumet]
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New&Improv
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Registered: 02/27/07
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Thanks for the Stroke 75 clip. No one sounds like Chester. Ricky Peterson comes close. It's apparent that by 1975, Tower had pretty much run out of lyric ideas. Not that it was a big storehouse to begin with.
Like you listen to TOP for the lyrics? Just like when I listen to Yes, I learned to ignore the lyrics and listen to the amazing musicianship. Learning to ignore bad lyrics is the best skill I have developed for enjoying pop music!
_________________________
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Hop, flop, squawk
It's a keeper
-Captain Beefheart, Ice Cream for Crow
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#1962237 - 06/24/08 10:35 AM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: New&Improv]
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Gismo Recording
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Just like when I listen to Yes, I learned to ignore the lyrics
What you mean you don't think
In and around the lake
Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there
is a great lyric?
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Ken Denny It's drunk in the morning and I am 2AM - Slingshot Cash Gismo Recording myspace
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#1962254 - 06/24/08 11:14 AM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: Dave E]
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Bobadohshe
Gold Member
Registered: 12/25/06
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Loc: Los Angeles
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Here's a little taste of the TOP rhythm section: This tune is on the CD "Oakland Zone", released in '03, I think. This is just the rhythm section basic track, before the vocals and horns were added (I think I like this version better). Personnel is: Rocco, Garibaldi, Roger Smith, and Jeff Tamalier. I cut it down in length, but included all the sections of the tune. Check out the double-handed chromatic thing that Roger does near the end (maybe 30 seconds out)... What the hell is that? I think Roger is one of THE BADDEST cats around. Enjoy! DivShare File - Page One excerpt.mp3
That IS a sick lick! Thanks for sharing!
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#1962257 - 06/24/08 11:26 AM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: Bobadohshe]
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retrokeys
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I believe the finished tune is called "Page One" and is on the Oakland Zone CD. It is kind of a shame that the organ got mixed so deep on the final track.
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#1962276 - 06/24/08 12:13 PM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: retrokeys]
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Dave E
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It is kind of a shame that the organ got mixed so deep on the final track.
I feel that way about the whole CD. Roger developed great parts for every tune - I wish he'd been mixed as far forward as they used to put CT.
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#1962298 - 06/24/08 01:16 PM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: Dave E]
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BluesKeys
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Registered: 05/26/04
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Dave E, Hey man those are great clips. I always get off on the stuff Chester does but OMG Roger that is TWO FISTED love on a Hammond.
Thanks mayne I dig it.
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#1962564 - 06/25/08 07:40 AM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: BluesKeys]
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Calumet
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Roger is great and I really like that clip...but Chester just has a certain "thing" in his playing that is like no one else.
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#1962658 - 06/25/08 11:02 AM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: Calumet]
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Dave E
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'Chester just has a certain "thing" in his playing that is like no one else.'
Agreed - there's only one CT. This is one of my favorite bootlegs: Chester's solo on a TOP gig in 1976. Ron Beck-Drums, Bruce Conte-Guitar.
DivShare File - CT - Squib Cakes solo.mp3
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#1962740 - 06/25/08 01:31 PM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: Dave E]
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The Real MC
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Registered: 05/17/05
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Roger Smith's hammond style is so in the pocket with TOP. I loved his playing.
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#1962820 - 06/25/08 04:49 PM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: Dave E]
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suraci
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'Chester just has a certain "thing" in his playing that is like no one else.' Agreed - there's only one CT. This is one of my favorite bootlegs: Chester's solo on a TOP gig in 1976. Ron Beck-Drums, Bruce Conte-Guitar. DivShare File - CT - Squib Cakes solo.mp3
Wow- that CT smokes, and his band is tight as it gets.
If I may
Chester plays more rhythmically- he is amazing. More rhythmically- at least based on comparing the two sides presented here ( with Roger on the other ).
Edited by suraci (06/25/08 05:00 PM)
_________________________
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#1963072 - 06/26/08 08:56 AM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: Dave E]
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Calumet
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Registered: 09/26/02
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Dave E,
Man...awesome! Thanks for posting that. Got any more??
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#1963141 - 06/26/08 10:40 AM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: Calumet]
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mate_stubb
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Required viewing for the CT experience:
his How To Play videos on keyboardmag.tv
He shows up close and slowed down how he plays some of those awesome Squib Cakes riffs.
http://www.keyboardmag.tv --> Lessons --> How to Play
watch all the "CT" videos.
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#1963142 - 06/26/08 10:41 AM
Re: For you Tower Of Power fans...
[Re: Calumet]
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Dave E
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Registered: 03/12/07
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Man...awesome! Thanks for posting that. Got any more??
Sure... which kind of stuff?
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