By poplular request and with permission from Dennis Chambers and Tower of Power. Dennis subbed for his very good friend David Garibaldi. Drumstories was there to catch all of the action.
The last time I checked, Dennis grew up in Baltimore, not Detroit, which is where Motown was. Also, there's a group called the Funk Brothers that was the musicians on a vast majority of the Motown hits. I know he grew up listening to Motown and other early funk music, but playing on those early albums? I don't think he was on any Motown. He was with Sugar Hill Label, and then got the gig with Parliament/Funkadelic, and then from then he went to play with others like Scofield, etc. etc. etc. etc.
They're both great! Dave = like a tap dancer, skipping around, going up, down, over and around the beat, and always landing on his feet. Dennis = more deeply rooted, earthy; just as many tricks but full of "if you act up in church I'll backhand you into the back wall" soul.
It's hard to substitute for David Gaibaldi. It is even harder to to play all those fills and accents in perfect timing while remaining "killer groove in the pocket". Dennis Chambers does it! I love his playing. Sure he doesn't sound like Garibaldi, he sounds like Dennis Chambers. That's the whole idea :-) Awesome job!
Christian Schonberger And he doesn't come in going "I'm better than this." He comes in knowing the groove of the tune, respecting it, and just TCB. He adds his own stamp to it, but always respecting it for the original tune that it is. This is an example of a someone who, quite simply, just GETS IT. World class player, world class person!
@@jonp4846 I totally agree. He doesn't try to play like David Garibaldi but as you say he puts his own unique stamp on it. He's always in the pocket with that Groove and then putting in some linear playing but always going back to the beat... never never losing it. DC is awesome.
Both Dave Garibaldi and Dennis Chambers are that world class type of drummer. I've seen Garibaldi twice, so effortless and smooth, he makes it look easy.
I'm a big Garibaldi fan and like to think of him as the king of the linear funk groove. Dennis certainly has a different technique than David. He lays down a heavier groove. There is less finesse in Chambers' playing but a heavier groove -- especially to me in the James Brown bit they do. That said, there are very few drummers on the planet that could do this well sitting in for Garibaldi and damned if Chambers isn't at the top of the list.
I'm a skinny white boy from Cali. And when I hear Dennis Chambers I get this huge smile on my face and remember why I fell in love with the drums. Thank you Mr. Chambers, I call you Uncle.
What you're not getting from this is how solid Dennis Chambers is. You can't appreciate it from the back you need to hear it out front. He's an implosive player and has a dead balls groove. One of the best. Just saw him with Santana. DG is one of my favorites of all time and you can't compare these two. Its apples and oranges.
I read your comment first and was watching for that moment. When it happened, I literally yelled "WHAT!?!" (which probably woke my roommate in his room across the house). I knew Chambers was one of the best, but those doubles on the kick floored me!
I don't if Garibaldi actually did the hiring. he probably gave his approval, but Emilio runs the show. Remember, there were extended periods where David wasn't playing with ToP. Dennis and the band are definitely on good speaking terms, so why the F not hire Dennis.. He's definitely a big enough name in the industry, he can do a sub gig. They all probably had a lot of fun. Of course he's not going to sound like Garibaldi, they both have completely different playing styles/technique.
I remember when Dennis played with P-Funk back in the mid to late 70's. He did like a 5-10 min. solo it was incredible. He is a "drummer's"drummer. Another is "Robin Russell" of the 70's group The New Birth!
For those of you who are unhappy with Dennis playing for David on this set, I'm sure ToP could have gotten just about anyone to sit in that chair. They chose Dennis. He's a fine choice. To the detractors: I invite you to get ahold of Emilio, and sit in for a few sets with this band. Then maybe you'll have something to back up your words.
So typical of drummers to hate on someone filling in. Look the horn section or Rocco or all of ToP wouldn't be dancing around if Dennis wasn't grooving. It's clear they felt what Dennis was sharing with them and that's all that matters.
TOP changes casts from time to time for their live gigs. TOP is a big group, and sometimes some members need to take leave (sick leave, family leave, visa issues, etc., just like working in a company). When that happens TOP needs to find substitutes. As the description suggests, Dennis subbed in for David for this show. They may need to fly Dennis in in a hurry, maybe one rehearsal, then straight to the stage. Please go easy on Dennis on his ability to play like Dave; what you are seeing here is just business. Don't underestimate the difficulty managing a large group that plays over 200 shows a year worldwide.
Jesus people going on about Dennis isn't grooving like Dave.. Guys and Girls.. He got the gig, not you.. So stfu! Man he is grooving in this imo.. the main groove in the verses is a really nice contrast to what is usually being played! Serious playing!
some seriously stupid comments here. That being said what i loved about the studio recording on this tune is the multi layering effect that dg brings to funk. Something that was truly his own. I dont think thats dennis thing. Dennis is a more deep in the pocket backbeat player. I dont think anyone in the world can play this like dg.
I refuse to get into whether or not Dennis sounds like Dave.... etc, etc --- NFW. Dennis is amazing. So is Dave. There's room in this kind of music for different types of sounds. Chambers is FUNKY AS FUCK. Deal with it. --- Now STFU, and go back, listen to how effing disciplined this dude is. Consider how, in drumming, less is so often ** more ** , then notice how Dennis doesn't play over top of the TOP, you know? Perfect drum sub. Amazing drummer, just enjoy it people.
Ya see kiddies, Buddy is dead, however, guys like Dennis take over. I have been a drummer for 65 years, and this guy plays great. It's NOT JUST Speed that makes one great. What I like about Dennis is he is not overwhelming when the other guys play solos. Not only does he have taste but control. I've always liked his playing. he is always in control and thats that. Great going Dennis!
That's quite the astute observation based on a lot of experience. One of the greatest jazz guitarists plays a nicely muted manner just like this: Pat Martino. A titan if there ever was one yet mellow as a pancake.
Dennis is such a phenomenal player, this particular tune really doesn't show what he's capable of. Go search RU-vid for the brecker Brothers skunk funk and see Dennis really playing
Strictly professional. Shows that Dennis can lay down the groove without getting in the way. Pretty slick if you ask me, he don't need to play the licks from the Buddy Rich memorial gig.
Another great drummer that should be at the top of the list is Lee Finkelstein, who filled in for David about 6 years ago. for a couple of weeks, when David was away from the band. He is also and incredible drummer and friend. He also plays a little heavier than David but drives the message across!
this is definitely cool if you just want to hear dennis mostly isolated from the band. Dennis is always amazing. I'm psyched I've gotten to witness him live multiple times in multiple projects: Pfunk, Steely Dan, Santana, Mclaughlin to name just a few. bummed i missed him with victor wooten recently.
why soooo much disrespectful comments about Dennis!!! Please while we all are watching this video, who got hired for the gig (JOB)...Very few ppl get called on this Tower Of Power Gig.... Jesus Christ go sit down with all the hating plz!!!!
Denis is killing that groove laying it down! An to the person who said that denis is to hard on this song.....you don't know much about sound it clear an plain that who is ever taping this they are not in the main mix, an they are getting this from a camera with a mic from the side an the loudest thing is the drums! Dennis an david by far are my favorite drummers! They are my funk hero's! !!
Absolutely. One of the many things I love about Dennis's playing is that he listens to the band. I love it how he's right there accenting with the brass section every time and then goes right back to his Groove.
@@russellupsumgrub9633 they only thing that makes him different is he plays more drums and cymbals for a different sound. Gadd, Chambers, Vinnie, Omar, Steve Smith, plays traditinal sets and can play with artist that the Weckl sound don't fit. Weckl is one of the best. By far not the best. He has no pocket or funk. He is a busy player from Buddy Rich. If he played a gig with the aforementioned drummers kit, he would sound horrible. Because the Weckl sound is created by the drums not him. If he set behind Cobham set, you would not know that was Weckl.
@@russellupsumgrub9633 pick someone better than Chad Smith...You know the drummers I mentioned...Stop it. When someone says Weckl is the best, yes I speak out against because he is one of the best. But he has no pocket, no funk feel...Could you see he trying to play Squib Cakes...Heard him trying to play Superstition by Stevie Wonder in a group...Sounded horrible...Sounded Weckl, no pocket, no feel. Gadd, Chambers, Vinnie, Omar, Steve Smith eats that up alive.
I had not realized it until I heard Dennis strike the snare, but David G has a really distinctive snare attack. Since I have been listening to David for the past hour, I was more keenly aware of that. Not saying that to take away from Dennis. He is an excellent drummer.
Sits much stronger during Soul Power. Still, who are we to question the great Dennis Chambers! A master at work, best dep you could ever wish for surely?
@TheJazzdr sound is from onstage mix, and lets not forget the purpose of the drummer is to keep time so being heard is a little important for the musicians. crowd mix is no doubt more blended.
Wtf are you on didnt you see rocco, mike and mark grooving during the solo's. He added a different beat to the song which totally worked. But of course you know best. Lmao
Now that David is getting off the bus, it will now be a matter of which drummer can match not just Garibaldi's Oakland Stroke, but also deal with the grueling tour and rehearsal schedule.
