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Press: Fingerstyle Funk with Francis Rocco Prestia III |
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| Bass
Player Magazine Instructional value: A+ Production value: A+ How many bassists get to bring along their entire band to play their greatest hits live on an instructional video? That's just one of the many pluses on this superb 78-minute tape from Tower of Power legend Francis Rocco Prestia. After briefly discussing his influences and demonstrating his right- and left-hand techniques (utilizing split-screen and over-the-shoulder formats), Rocco takes us into his world by pumping out the line to the funk anthem "What is Hip?" with the aid of a click. (It's also transcribed in the excellent companion booklet.) Magically, the rest of the band fades in, and the visual cuts to a live performance at the Musicians Institute, with lots of closeups of Rocco in action. This amazing approach is used eight more times for such classics as "Only So Much Oil in the Ground," "You Got to Funkifize," "Credit," and "Soul Vaccination." Fantastic. Between the tunes, Rocco addresses muting and ghost notes, cross-string plucking and raking, how to get different feels, how certain bass lines were developed, and other tasty tidbits. The captivating conclusion includes on-camera comments from original TOP drummer David Garibaldi, a band performance of "Believe It" behind the closing credits, and some humorous outtake bloopers that give us a feel for Prestia's personality. In addition to being a invaluable education tool, Fingerstyle Funk is a fine biography of Rocco, exposing the real person behind the potent 16th-note grooves. It's my choice for the best video of the year - if not the best ever. |
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Bass Player Magazine (CJ) (April, 1993) |
| Bass Player
Magazine, 101 Amazing Bargains December, 1995 Nobody grooves harder than Rocco, and this excellent video provides a window into every aspect of his powerful style. The cross-fades from instructional examples to live performance with Tower of Power are amazing. |
| Bass
Frontiers Magazine 1995 (Volume 2 Number 3) Rocco Prestia's Fingerstyle Funk video has been hailed by the critics as the best instructional video on the market, and in just one glance you'll know why. Fingerstyle Funk features a plethora of Rocco's famous grooves taken from some of his favorite Tower of Power songs. In fact, Tower of Power plays a number of tunes throughout the video - and you've got to feel it to believe it! Fingerstyle Funk with Rocco Prestia is perhaps the only complete source for this unique style of bass playing. In it, Rocco shares every aspect of his technique and gives some fantastic exercises that will get you "ghosting" 16th notes in a matter of minutes. The production quality of this video is outstanding. You'll be practicing along with Rocco on "What is Hip," and the next thing you know you're grooving with the whole band. Another unique aspect of the video is the camera shots that allow you to look down at Rocco's left hand positioning by looking over his shoulder. Also, the split-screen allows you to concentrate back and forth on either hand without missing a beat. Aside from the great production, live T.O.P. footage, and high level of educational value, the fact remains that this is a once in a lifetime chance to take a lesson from the man who made the style famous. Fingerstyle Funk is without a doubt "what is hip!" And if you want to get hip to a real groove, get this video. Will Lee says the video is "far and away the best bass video I've seen." |
| - Bass Frontiers Magazine |
| Bassics
Magazine I've been anxiously awaiting this video ever since I heard about it being in the works last year. There isn't a funk player around who isn't familiar with Rocco's playing, and what a thrill to listen and observe his unique style up close. By utilizing tunes like What is Hip, You Got to Funkifize, A Little Knowledge, and How Could This Happen To Me, and by merging close-up "in-studio" demonstrations with live Tower of Power concert footage, one gets a clear idea of Rocco's approach and techniques (and a chance to play along). Some of the other highlights of this tape include a full transcription of You're Still A Young Man and insights to many of his techniques including ghosting, cross-string picking, raking and more. And the out-takes of Rocco's commentary included at the end are hilarious! Video Progressions' flawless production qualities and notational examples result in an excellent dissection of Rocco's funky fingerstyle technique, one that every bassist can profit from (especially if you think you have to slap to be funky). Don't miss it. |
| - Bassics Magazine (RG) |
| "The production
quality is brilliant. The transitions from studio to live shots completely
blew me away. Not only is this a great instructional tape, but it's
also really entertaining to watch... far and away the best bass video
I've seen." |
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Will Lee Studio Musician, The Late Show with David Letterman
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On A Personal Note, Please read this:
Rocco
Prestia underwent major surgery on July 23, receiving a
liver transplant. Now he is in a 2nd battle to pay the
staggering medical bills that far exceed his insurance coverage.
Rocco needs more than $300,000 and he needs it
fast. Please make a donation now!  |