VIDEO THREAD - POST ALL VIDEO's/CLIPS HERE!!!!!

[CongaTick]

Thanks you so much Abakua for a touchingly beautiful link. Makes me proud.

[KING CONGA]

This is an awesome group "EL CHICANO" based out of Southern California.I recomend you see them live if you ever have get the oportunity, their conguero is great and does a neat solo at 3:41 into the video. Check them out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eptA0JmG ... annel_page

[maSSivdrums]

Aloha King Conga,

The Conguero is my main man Marcos Reyes, the percussionist for the group War!! Marcos is a fabulous Conguero and a great bruddah with plenty of Aloha in his heart!!

Keep on Poundin'.... Aloha, maSSivdrums

[ABAKUA]

At the risk of getting flamed, and I mean no malice in my opinion, but I found the conguero sloppy overall. Poor technique, sloppy timing in his solo also. Based on my first encounter with his form, I would say he is at a mid intermediate player level.

[CongaTick]

Abakua,

I don't have the man's chops (and would therefore consider myself a lower-than-basement-level player), however I was somehwat pleased to comprehend your critique and agree that the timing does seem a bit off (behind) and there were some sloppy moments. Unlike you, I really do not have the skill/experience to offer valid commentary, and can only be a passenger in appreciating your good eye and ear (and being a thorough chicken--would therfore never post any of my tracks on here

[ABAKUA]

A good ear and interest in music is all thats needed for an informed opinion.
I dont claim to be a master or anything of the sort, was just merely my observation and opinion based on what I saw/heard on the video. No offence or malice intended.

[umannyt]

Marcos Reyes

From: http://www.wartheband.com/bio/marcos.html

Marcos J. Reyes, has been the Latin percussionist for the legendary band WAR since November of 1998. He came to the attention of Lonnie Jordan through drummer Sal Rodriguez who witnessed Marcos work with Latin Rock band Malo. Following in the footsteps of original percussionist Papa Dee Allen, Marcos created his own unique style of playing by fusing Afro-Cuban and Brazilian rhythms and adapting them to WAR's Rock, Jazz, Latin, R&B grooves.

Marcos was born in Bakersfield, CA. on November 18, 1960 to parents from Chihuahua, Mexico. At the age of severteen Marcos was turned on to the music of WAR, Santana, El Chicano, MALO, Latin Jazz and Salsa by his brother Isaac. Practicing on his brother's congas, he taught himself by imitating what he heard on albums. Becoming more passionate about percussion, he was determined to expand his knowledge in the art of Afro-Cuban drumming by studying with the National Folidoric group of Cuba and Los Angeles percussionist, Luis Conte.

Over the past 25 years, Marcos has fulfilled his dream by performing, touring and recording with Latin Rock legends, El Chicano, Malo and Tierra as well as sharing the stage with Latin Jazz greats, Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, Poncho Sanchez and Pete Escovedo.

When WAR is not touring the world, Marcos is an in demand session musician, recording in studios for film and television including working on music for Showtime, HBO and PBS. Outside of studio work, he teaches percussion privately, conducts percussion clinics for schools and music stores, leads his own band Salsiology, and owns and operates a hair salon.

Marcos is currently endorsed by; Remo, Toca, Gibralter, Cappela Sticks, Zildjian Cymbals, Contemporanea and EMAC Metropad.

WAR Concert Schedule/Tour Dates

Date City Venue Tickets
Thu 07/16/09 Sylvania, OH Centennial Terrace

Appearing with George Clinton
Fri 07/17/09 Detroit, MI Chene Park

Sat 07/18/09 Country Club Hills, IL Country Club Hills Theatre

Sun 07/19/09 Chicago, IL Private Function

Wed 07/22/09 Atlanta, GA Chastain Park Amphitheatre

Appearing at "Merced County Fair"
Thu 07/23/09 Merced, CA Merced County Fairgrounds

Appearing at "Solano County Fair"
Fri 07/24/09 Vallejo, CA Solano County Fair

Sat 07/25/09 Winter Park, FL Hideaway Park

Fri 07/31/09 El Paso, TX The Plaza Theatre

Sat 08/01/09 Hobbs, NM Main Street

Appearing at "Summer Sonic"
Fri 08/07/09 Osaka, Japan Festival Grounds

Sun 08/09/09 Tokyo, Japan Chiba Marine Stadium

Sat 08/15/09 Robinsonville, MS Harrah's Event Center At Harrah's Casino Tunica

Appearing at "San Mateo County Fair"
Tue 08/18/09 San Mateo, CA San Mateo County Fair

Appearing at "Antelope Valley Fair"
Sat 08/22/09 Lancaster, CA Antelope Valley Fairgrounds

Sat 09/12/09 Deming, WA Nooksack River Casino

Appearing at "L.A. County Fair"
Fri 09/18/09 Pomona, CA Los Angeles County Fairgrounds

Sun 10/11/09 Charlotte, NC Neighborhood Theatre

Fri 10/16/09 Uncasville, CT Wolf Den

Sat 10/17/09 Atlantic City, NJ Atlantic City Hilton

Sat 11/07/09 Carmel, CA Sunset Cultural Center

[ABAKUA]

Impressive bio. As have many working established percussionists.
The brother still plays sloppy in that video and has questionable timing. My honest observation.

A classic example is a local guy here who has been around forever, with over 45 yrs playing experience, has endorsement deal with LP (as have I) anyway, he plays all the major acts, major TV shows, etc mulitple endorsements, but has some of the sloppiest technique Ive ever seen, and generally not of a very advanced level player, yet is at teh relative top of the game.

Credentials, endorsements etc dont mean anything. The proof is in the playing. There are guys who have been playing for far less and never even studied with some of the greats which would wipe the floor with him.
There is always someone better, faster, stronger. Unless of course you are Giovanni

[umannyt]

The YouTube video did say that the band was "just" rehearsing and not playing at a live gig. So, it's possible that the percussionist wasn't on his toes and was just taking it easy, perhaps too easy.

The main reason I posted Marcos Reyes' bio was to share more background information about him in order for us (including myself) to get to know him better and, perhaps, be able to make a more fair judgment of his percussion skills.

Endorsements may not be everything, but I believe that they should count for something, particularly for Marcos--at least more than a rather strict "mid intermediate player level" rating.

[congamyk]

That video was a waste of time - but it was like a train-wreck - I couldn't look away.
Old farts playing latin-ee music that's been rehashed a million times -meh.
That video has more chins than a Chinese phone book.

The conguero - average at best. His timing failed all over the place and he played the same thing for the whole video.
He played what I call a typical white-boy-shuffle-conga-rock-thing that every drummer wannabe learns.
I heard nothing Cuban or Brazilian in any of it.
I think his hair must have got him all those high-profile "county fair" gigs.

[ABAKUA]

LMAO
congamyk, as always ever so diplomatic in expression and holding back ... I feel you should tell us how you really feel, it can only help you develop and grow you inner spirit and come closer to being a truly balanced soul.

[CongaTick]

Hey Congamyk,

There's a lot of us "typical white-boy-shuffle-conga-rock-thing...drummer wannabes" around . You're, right. It ain't Cuban/Brazilian/folkloric/traditional rumba, but we do the best we can.... I do love your way of classifying us. No, I mean it.

[bongosnotbombs]

I think his hair must have got him all those high-profile "county fair" gigs.

So that's what I must be doing wrong, forget practicing rudiments, I'm growing a mullet!

[JohnnyConga]

I had to chime in on this....there are a LOT of "unknown" players, some good some bad that have made a good career in the music business...for example a former student of mine (which "Marcos" was one of my first students over 25 years ago in L.A.) he had like 2 or 3 lessons i think...and i havent seen him since..but anyway...my former student's name is Bob Conti(Google)... he has been the percussionist for 25 years with Jose Feliciano.. He has 12 Platinum albums and is totally unknown...and he is a 'decent" player no Gio by any means...doesnt need to be, to play to Jose's music..he is also a producer of a Las Vegas show...and is 'well connected"in the biz...look cause u may not like the music el Chicano is doing so be it , just remember ur gonna be that age some day and playing what u like and someone YOUNGER is gonna come along and call ur music "old fashioned' or "dated".. so give the brother some slack...at least he's gigging what major band have u been in lately and doing 150 dates a year, like he is...???? just my 3 congas..."JC" Johnny Conga ps...envy, jealousy,or indifference does not 'serve' anyone....

[umannyt]

...has endorsement deal with LP (as have I)...

Abakua,

Are you endorsed by LP or do you endorse LP? Or, are you endorsed by an LP dealer in Sydney?

I happen to check LP's Players Rosters on their website and I apparently didn't find your name. Perhaps, it's under a different name. Please correct me if I'm mistaken.

Just curious,