TOP - the most criminally underrated band in music history. Sick grooves, the radioactive horn section, Marcus' incredible lead vocals - truly amazing. One correction. I believe that Rocco's chosen to retire from the road for health reasons. This is Marc van Wageningen on bass - similar technique and playing, but sadly not Rocco. Fascinating video!
Thanks for the shout out for our local talent. From Oakland, California and started around 68-69. They were huge here in NorCal. The Tower of Power horn section has recorded and performed with almost anyone who is anyone since their inception. I saw them when they backed up Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles at the Filmore West in 1970. Tickets were $3.50 at the door. That's the old Carousel Ballroom on Market.
@@joefenech6839 true that my friend. But a lot of people around the world read this and l didn't want to confuse the general public. Smooth as East Bay Grease. Regards.
I might have been there too. I spent most weekends around 1968-1971 going to the Fillmore, Avalon, and Carousel, hitching over from Berkeley where Lenny Pickett and Alan Chinowsky were classmates.
The drummer is David Garibaldi. A true master. He and Rocco (the bass player here) created that TOP groove back in 1970, and here they are, still NAILING it after all these years!
What I LOVE about the 70s was the great variety of music and musicians that came out. I’m a Zep, Rush, Yes, ZZ Top kind of guy but also love TOP, Sly and the Family Stone, Earth Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, and Ohio Players. I miss the depth and breadth of all that music.
Damn Fil. You should put the Tower on your bucket list and go see them sometime. Their tour will swing thru the UK this May. Dont miss them. These guys have been after it for 50 years!
@@wingsofpegasus They will be playing a small restaurant venue 2 hours from my town in April. I will have to go and tease you with a review. I saw them 35 years ago. The Doctor was badass and he is still blowing that baritone!
Yeah, i was soul jammin' in my chair, Tower Of Power, one of the best soul bands to hit the music scene for over 50 years, and apparently still have it! Thanks Fil, for doing a different kind of genre, Soul and rythum and blues we used to Rock out to,that brought about the physcodelic and blues rock! Great analysis, and you were so excited to point out how they all were in perfect sync , i agree that bass player and drummer were on the same page all the way through, just the whole band! Bravo, and might i add, very good dancing music also.... /M\ Rawk!
Great find. I've been seeing TOP for the last 48 years when the opened for CCR in 1972, San Antonio, Texas. About time their solid talent was acknowledged.
I first saw Tower of Power in 1969. Stunning!! I had never saw a band so damn tight!! Rick Stephens was their singer at the time. Later on it was Lennie Williams. The band at the time was a cultural trend setter. Black, Brown & White guys laying down Oakland funk! Bruce Conti from our home town later played guitar for them too. The horn section was/still astounding!! This band is Funk!!
I am from the San Francisco Bay Area and was born in Oakland CA. I found Tower of Power early on (I'm 72 years old) and I am proud to say that they are "Oakland's own!"
So glad you did a video of these guys. I saw ToP at Mississippi Nights in St. Louis in the early 90's. We were 3 rows from the front and it was one of the best shows I've ever seen. You should listen to their album Live and in Living Color from '76. Chester Thompson was on keyboards and Lenny Pickett played saxophone for them. Such a great album.
Yes, quite a few...…"Everybody's Everything" by Santana, "The Bitch is Back" and "You're So Static" by Elton John, "It Ain't Nothing But a Warner Brothers Party"- Graham Central Station...…...
Saw this band in 77 when they opened for the Stones. They flat out stole the show. Back in the day those guys in the horn section danced like crazy. You should watch em do "Oakland Stroke"
I really appreciate your reactions. You bring musical knowledge to this genre that I haven't found in the other "reaction" videos, where folks just listen to a piece and say how blown away they are. I'm not a musician, but I appreciate your knowledge. By the way, this band is just as good live as in studio.
Great analysis again Fil. herd these guys a lot in the 1970s one of the best Rhythm and Blues Band from Oakland, California part of the bay area. love the vast ray of artist and bands you feature on your channel. your analysis videos are both informative and addicting thanks Fil.
Interesting that this would show up for me the week we lost Rocco. Rest in peace Francis Rocco Prestia. I got to see ToP at an outdoor performance in Columbus OH about 4 years ago, and later shared an elevator after the show with Emilio & the Funky Doctor. They were as nice to talk to as you would hope they would be.
I was so excited to hear you talk in such glowing terms about my all time favorite Band. Soul and Funk are great forms and more so when Tower of Power does it! I actually drove to Western Ohio from northeastern Pennsylvania to see them work in Suburban Dayton Ohio. Over 50 years together and they still are spot on with superior performances! Thank you thank you thank you. Ps the demographics of thier Audience was astonishing. Both age and ethnicity as well!🎉
Thanks, Fil for playing TOP, and commenting on their musical magic. I've been following the band since 1970, when I got hooked on their music and long list of great songs. They have the best rhythm section and horns I have ever heard. Every note is processed through the band to achieve perfection. I call it the "Science of Soul," I've seen them in person five times, and I can safely say, if you are impressed by the music, wait until you see the show!
Really Love it, the bass and tight sound of the drums really cool jazzy guitar solo with a classic rock tone.. They have there own sound and groove that everyone can get in to..
Larry Braggs was a hard act to follow, but Marcus stepped up and then some. He's an amazing performer and talent. Cool cat, too. Rocco and David are the funkiest rhythm section ever. TOP: 51 years and still going. The last time I saw them in northern Illinois, I was about 20 feet in front of the horns. Great place to be.
I have to come back and thank you again for this video. Watched it back in 2019 when first released and have since seen TOP live and had a great time going thru the discography. THANK YOU FIL
Wow....it's so cool when everyone is doing their own thing and nailing it as it all comes together as a complete performance that is spot on ! Thank you Fil for my nightly music fix 😎🎸🎷🎺🎹🎙🎼🎺🎷🎸 That's a round about way of saying they were " IN THE POCKET " Was trying to think of that phrase the whole time till you brought it up near the end. I'm not a musician but love all kinds of music and I know that every night I can come here and you will deliver something cool.... thank you again Fil ,
These guys played at my high school - Alameda CA - in 1971. Last saw them at the Birchmere in Alexandria VA April 2017. Absolutely fantastic. Excellent review.
There's a live concert by Little Feat from the Rainbow Theatre in London, back in august 1977, and the TOP horn section was backing them - an outstanding a show it was! Also, Lowell George, the Feat slide player, had as a guest artist on several songs, Mick Taylor (you should recognize that name)! Check it out!!!
Did some sessions playing bass with the Tower of Power brass section at Amy Bell Studios in New York. Great players, great sight-readers; one take, two at most for these dudes. Not one of their best tunes, though. Excellent analysis, as usual, Fil.
@@iffler2542 I bet it was the hardest desicion Mimi ever had to make but when you have run a business/band you must look to the bigger picture. Unfortunately Rocco had been struggling with health issues for the last 15 years or so. He had a kidney transplantation as well as a lung one. May he rest in peace 😢🙏
Thank you Fil. TOP stands the test of time, as one of the Bay Area's finest. Emilio Castillo, Doc Krupa, and Dave Garabaldi and the 50 or so musicians who have been in this band. James Brown was always the standard of funkiness, musicianship and tightness.From the get go, TOP showed their very high standards, throughout the band. . In the late 60's, we had the Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service and other psychedelic bands, but we also had " horn" based funk bands, like Sly and the Family Stone,The Sons of Champlin, and Cold Blood. And then TOP came on the scene with their East Bay grease. Got to see them a few months back. Average White Band opened.
All day Fil,another great vid fam.Good to see you mix it up as always.You a true music head 4 real.LOVE Tower of Power.Cali stand up lolz.Peace/Bless...and as you would say.ROCK!
Oh man Fil you sure know how to pick them. R&B at it's best with one of the best bands from that era. Love the way you explain ever part of this great video.
I saw them at the Tivoli in Brisbane Qld pre-Covid, more or less by accident, and was very, very impressed. My previous funk experience was The Average White band at Coventry Technical College around 1974.
The great R&B sound of the 70s was unmatched! Tower of power was at the top of the game from beginning to present time. They have a sound like no other, great reaction to a top notch R&B group!
One of the greatest tours we ever did was when we were with ToP.. Depending on the city, we traded opening for each other. BTW, Emilio played flute on our "Message From A Drum"...
@@wingsofpegasus Look up a show they did in Oakland . A small club . Sometime in late 90's - early 2000. Will not be disappointed . Might be about their 40th anniversary .
Thank you for helping really appreciate everything thats going on here. Tower of power song so very hard to go with lenny williams songs the lead is one of favorite soul song. This has been a great band for a long time. Thats gor the reaction i felt i was in music class and learned alot as always u rock
You got it all right! You can’t be a musician and not see and hear this is masterclass level playing and singing. No matter what genre you like. They are all masters but I think the bass player is out of this world!
Sir Fil, So grateful for your wonderful analysis of TOP-just a true powerhouse of talent. As you stated, every player is TOP quality-best vocals and horns ever. I will also have to listen to ‘What Is Hip’ and ‘So Very Hard to Go’ again. God bless, Marianne aka Celtic Gal ❤🤘 6:56
Fantastic analysis Fil. A Tower of Power song can be analyzed for days. Starting with the rhythm section, you can analyze each individual instrument because each instrument is playing their parts as part of the rhythm track. Songs like What Is Hip,Soul Vaccination,and Oakland Stroke are all masterpieces that can be studied for ever mainly because they are so mechanically perfect, but retain a a greasy loseness,emotion and soul. Thank you Fil. Cheers.
Great seeing Tower Of Power here!! West bay cat but did buy East Bay Grease back in '71. Like Maggot Brain (!) i traded sometimes for keeps. Diamond In The Sand for this then What Is Hip (GREAT guitar playing) then You're Still A Young Man. Horns, Vocals??? unreal. Tower Of Power Horns on things like Santana III, Huey Lewis and more. Read about a serious train crossing accident a few years back with TOP members. Maybe mentioned here. Hope they've recovered.
Oh, I forgot. I wanted to suggest an R&B funk horn band that was associated with Tower of Power back in the '70s: Cold Blood with Lydia Pense. Check out the video "Last Days at the Fillmore - Full Documentary (Official)" ... Cold Blood's "You Got Me Hummin'" and "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to be Free" begin at 13:26. Lydia Pense is glorious in this 1971 performance, absolutely at the peak of her singing power. Cold Blood is still recording and performing; Lydia, now 71, continues to be a dynamic singer.
Want to hear a current band writing and playing this kind of music? Here Comes the Mummies is your band. I seen them live a couple of times and had the biggest smile on my face for the entire shows.
Great analysis, Fil! I've loved R&B since Ray Charles, and my Dad's "listen to this" commentary during Benny Goodman concert footage, really make me appreciate the tasteful mix of this 10 piece band. It's the "swelling in of horns," bass lines, and drum fills that I did just listening to records with my music loving family, that you do so well in explaining every night! Thanks for doing what you do!
Rolling Stones in Cleveland 1975 Ronnie Wood's first tour). Billy Preston on keys, Buddy Miles drumming beside Charlie, Tower of Power horns (there are none better) with Clarence Clemens on featured sax. And we wonder why they are what they are.
Playing sax and secondary keys from the mid 70's through mid 90's, I enjoy watching the reactions from the kids who can't explain what they are hearing, just get overwhelmed. Then I watch your analysis afterwards. You know exactly what you're hearing and I enjoy this side as well. You explain as well as they play. Do you have perfect pitch? Playing during those years, we didn't think of which horn band was better. TOP horns play as a rhythmic section with the Bari sometimes playing counterpoint to the section. Chicago, EWF and BST horns are more melodic. Enjoy your take. Now who is going to be first to check out the band "Chase" from this time period?
Incredible that in all the incarnations of Tower Of Power, they have always been one of the tightest bands ever. Still grooving after 50 or so years
The most underrated Funk Band of ALL time, hard to understand why they're not inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame.
TOP - the most criminally underrated band in music history. Sick grooves, the radioactive horn section, Marcus' incredible lead vocals - truly amazing. One correction. I believe that Rocco's chosen to retire from the road for health reasons. This is Marc van Wageningen on bass - similar technique and playing, but sadly not Rocco. Fascinating video!
Yeah I heard about Rocco after I did the video, it's a shame but health is more important!
Thanks for the shout out for our local talent. From Oakland, California and started around 68-69. They were huge here in NorCal. The Tower of Power horn section has recorded and performed with almost anyone who is anyone since their inception. I saw them when they backed up Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles at the Filmore West in 1970. Tickets were $3.50 at the door. That's the old Carousel Ballroom on Market.
Robert Oak Town 👍
@@joefenech6839 true that my friend. But a lot of people around the world read this and l didn't want to confuse the general public. Smooth as East Bay Grease. Regards.
Cool!
Man that had to be a hell of a show
I might have been there too. I spent most weekends around 1968-1971 going to the Fillmore, Avalon, and Carousel, hitching over from Berkeley where Lenny Pickett and Alan Chinowsky were classmates.
well done british guitarist, Tower of Power looms higher and higher as years go by. Oakland California in the 70s and that whole grooviest era
How did I forget about them for so many years? They still put the power out.
The drummer is David Garibaldi. A true master. He and Rocco (the bass player here) created that TOP groove back in 1970, and here they are, still NAILING it after all these years!
The bass player here is Marc van Wageningen, who was subbing for Rocco due to Rocco's health issues. But still, the rhythm section is killer.
@@schm4704 I remember Marc, and his brother Paul, the drummer. The Dutch brothers rhythm monsters!
Love funk. Love Motown. This was going on as progressive rock was blooming. What a great time in music history and creativity.
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That funky groove is so amazing, just that bass is unbelievable, the rest of the band is phenomenal.
Their song "What is Hip" was a huge hit back in the day
And a song that inspired Mark King of Level 42 to up his bass game!
1973 Classic Hit.
@Kyle Douglas You are too obvious. We know you are one person and we know you are spamming
Rocco has retired from touring, Marc van Wageningen is the bass player on this video.
Fil, seeing expression of approval on your face is absolutely priceless. Also your incredible knowledge of music is amazing.
Oakland California y’all!! Groove for days. It’s in the water over here!
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I saw Power of Tower open for Peter Frampton in 1976 in Salt Lake City Utah and it was killer!
Listen to the super tight funk, the syncopation, the lines, the vocals, this is fine musicianship. Right on Fil, thanks for featuring this.
No problem!
What I LOVE about the 70s was the great variety of music and musicians that came out. I’m a Zep, Rush, Yes, ZZ Top kind of guy but also love TOP, Sly and the Family Stone, Earth Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, and Ohio Players. I miss the depth and breadth of all that music.
I loved it all, from Bee Gees to TOP, and Hendrix, to CSN&Y..Joni Mitchell, Beatles, ...don't get me started!
T of P has been an amazing band for a long time.
This bass is amazing. Love that funky sound.
Great analysis Fil. Love the horns! Next please...the incredible Sly and the Family Stone! Larry Graham on bass😃
Great band from Oakland! 50 + years doing it! Funk at it's best! Your enthusiasm is infectious! Love it!
Superb! Love my late 60's early 70's soul. This band nails it in 2018.
Damn Fil. You should put the Tower on your bucket list and go see them sometime. Their tour will swing thru the UK this May. Dont miss them. These guys have been after it for 50 years!
Yeah!
Second this. They're old , they still have it, but they might not for long. One of the best shows I've ever been to. @@wingsofpegasus
@@wingsofpegasus They will be playing a small restaurant venue 2 hours from my town in April. I will have to go and tease you with a review. I saw them 35 years ago. The Doctor was badass and he is still blowing that baritone!
Yeah, i was soul jammin' in my chair, Tower Of Power, one of the best soul bands to hit the music scene for over 50 years, and apparently still have it! Thanks Fil, for doing a different kind of genre, Soul and rythum and blues we used to Rock out to,that brought about the physcodelic and blues rock! Great analysis, and you were so excited to point out how they all were in perfect sync , i agree that bass player and drummer were on the same page all the way through, just the whole band! Bravo, and might i add, very good dancing music also.... /M\ Rawk!
🤘
The best band I have ever seen in 50 years of watching bands.
Great find. I've been seeing TOP for the last 48 years when the opened for CCR in 1972, San Antonio, Texas. About time their solid talent was acknowledged.
I first saw Tower of Power in 1969. Stunning!! I had never saw a band so damn tight!! Rick Stephens was their singer at the time. Later on it was Lennie Williams. The band at the time was a cultural trend setter. Black, Brown & White guys laying down Oakland funk! Bruce Conti from our home town later played guitar for them too. The horn section was/still astounding!! This band is Funk!!
I am from the San Francisco Bay Area and was born in Oakland CA. I found Tower of Power early on (I'm 72 years old) and I am proud to say that they are "Oakland's own!"
So glad you did a video of these guys. I saw ToP at Mississippi Nights in St. Louis in the early 90's. We were 3 rows from the front and it was one of the best shows I've ever seen. You should listen to their album Live and in Living Color from '76. Chester Thompson was on keyboards and Lenny Pickett played saxophone for them. Such a great album.
Cool!
Love this. The horn sections from this band and Earth. Wind, and Fire were used on many records by other artists in the 70s and 80s.
Yes, quite a few...…"Everybody's Everything" by Santana, "The Bitch is Back" and "You're So Static" by Elton John, "It Ain't Nothing But a Warner Brothers Party"- Graham Central Station...…...
Little Feat + Tower of Power is the pinnacle
Yay, Tower of Power from my hometown. East Bay Grease is my favorite album of theirs.
Saw this band in 77 when they opened for the Stones. They flat out stole the show. Back in the day those guys in the horn section danced like crazy. You should watch em do "Oakland Stroke"
Cool!
I really appreciate your reactions. You bring musical knowledge to this genre that I haven't found in the other "reaction" videos, where folks just listen to a piece and say how blown away they are. I'm not a musician, but I appreciate your knowledge. By the way, this band is just as good live as in studio.
Great analysis again Fil. herd these guys a lot in the 1970s one of the best Rhythm and Blues Band from Oakland, California part of the bay area. love the vast ray of artist and bands you feature on your channel. your analysis videos are both informative and addicting thanks Fil.
Thanks Drew!
Interesting that this would show up for me the week we lost Rocco. Rest in peace Francis Rocco Prestia. I got to see ToP at an outdoor performance in Columbus OH about 4 years ago, and later shared an elevator after the show with Emilio & the Funky Doctor. They were as nice to talk to as you would hope they would be.
I absolutely love this band. I saw them live 7 yrs ago. What a gig. You inspire me with your breakdown, Fil!
I was so excited to hear you talk in such glowing terms about my all time favorite Band. Soul and Funk are great forms and more so when Tower of Power does it! I actually drove to Western Ohio from northeastern Pennsylvania to see them work in Suburban Dayton Ohio. Over 50 years together and they still are spot on with superior performances! Thank you thank you thank you. Ps the demographics of thier Audience was astonishing. Both age and ethnicity as well!🎉
Thanks, Fil for playing TOP, and commenting on their musical magic. I've been following the band since 1970, when I got hooked on their music and long list of great songs. They have the best rhythm section and horns I have ever heard. Every note is processed through the band to achieve perfection. I call it the "Science of Soul," I've seen them in person five times, and I can safely say, if you are impressed by the music, wait until you see the show!
Cool!
The drummer, David Garabaldi, is a fucking beast. No one in this band has to worry about a thing musically.
Really Love it, the bass and tight sound of the drums really cool jazzy guitar solo with a classic rock tone.. They have there own sound and groove that everyone can get in to..
Love this funk groove Fil!!!.. and I love to watch you get into it! Yes this is Soulful R&B music not Rap!...🎤😎🎸🎷🎺🎹✌❤🤘
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Larry Braggs was a hard act to follow, but Marcus stepped up and then some. He's an amazing performer and talent. Cool cat, too. Rocco and David are the funkiest rhythm section ever. TOP: 51 years and still going. The last time I saw them in northern Illinois, I was about 20 feet in front of the horns. Great place to be.
I would love to play with a horn section like that just once before I die
I have to come back and thank you again for this video. Watched it back in 2019 when first released and have since seen TOP live and had a great time going thru the discography. THANK YOU FIL
Wow....it's so cool when everyone is doing their own thing and nailing it as it all comes together as a complete performance that is spot on ! Thank you Fil for my nightly music fix 😎🎸🎷🎺🎹🎙🎼🎺🎷🎸 That's a round about way of saying they were " IN THE POCKET " Was trying to think of that phrase the whole time till you brought it up near the end. I'm not a musician but love all kinds of music and I know that every night I can come here and you will deliver something cool.... thank you again Fil ,
AMEN...
☺🤘
The musicians of Tower of Power are legendary.
These guys played at my high school - Alameda CA - in 1971. Last saw them at the Birchmere in Alexandria VA April 2017. Absolutely fantastic. Excellent review.
There's a live concert by Little Feat from the Rainbow Theatre in London, back in august 1977, and the TOP horn section was backing them - an outstanding a show it was! Also, Lowell George, the Feat slide player, had as a guest artist on several songs, Mick Taylor (you should recognize that name)! Check it out!!!
Love this one Fil...
Thanks for posting!
Did some sessions playing bass with the Tower of Power brass section at Amy Bell Studios in New York. Great players, great sight-readers; one take, two at most for these dudes. Not one of their best tunes, though. Excellent analysis, as usual, Fil.
You must be a good bass player,Jim
Thanks Mel!
I am glad your reacting to one of my favorite bands of the 70s thanks pleas keep doing it.
I saw Rocco Prestia demonstrate his bass part for What Is Hip on UA-cam. It made my head spin.
Sorry Fil, 2nd response, your enthusiasm for the music is infectious. Good job.
😂🤘
My hometown boys! TOP really are in a league of their own. Saw them about 10 years ago. No one was seated once they got going!
Been around a long time. They played the horns on Elton John's Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me plus many others.
The Tower of Power horn section that is.
@@sacluvsBM They also did a live album with Little Feat.
Yeah they've played horns for pretty much everyone!
I think that's actually Marc van Wageningen on bass. The guy who got hit by the train with David Garibaldi.
Yeah, They sacked Rocco unfortunately (for both him and them)
@@iffler2542 I bet it was the hardest desicion Mimi ever had to make but when you have run a business/band you must look to the bigger picture. Unfortunately Rocco had been struggling with health issues for the last 15 years or so. He had a kidney transplantation as well as a lung one. May he rest in peace 😢🙏
See, you can teach an old dog new tricks😊
I went back and listened again, and it brought an extra smile into my evening❣️🇨🇦
Cool!
And they've only been doing it for 50+ years.
BTW Rap ain't R&B. TOP is a Soul band playing Soul Music.
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Amen!
50 years? This is the first time I’ve heard them.
All the way from 1968 up until today 52 years this year 😉
This is my favorite band of all time !
Never saw them live, but I definitely remember TOP back in the day. Fil, Thanks for your analysis i always learn something new.
Saw them 1st in 1971.....instantly a fan. Gotta love The Funky Doctor!
No problem!
Thank you Fil. TOP stands the test of time, as one of the Bay Area's finest. Emilio Castillo, Doc Krupa, and Dave Garabaldi and the 50 or so musicians who have been in this band. James Brown was always the standard of funkiness, musicianship and tightness.From the get go, TOP showed their very high standards, throughout the band. . In the late 60's, we had the Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service and other psychedelic bands, but we also had " horn" based funk bands, like Sly and the Family Stone,The Sons of Champlin, and Cold Blood. And then TOP came on the scene with their East Bay grease. Got to see them a few months back. Average White Band opened.
Saw/heard them last year at the Denton Jazz Festival . Wow !
All day Fil,another great vid fam.Good to see you mix it up as always.You a true music head 4 real.LOVE Tower of Power.Cali stand up lolz.Peace/Bless...and as you would say.ROCK!
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Oh man Fil you sure know how to pick them. R&B at it's best with one of the best bands from that era. Love the way you explain ever part of this great video.
Thanks Frank!
I saw them at the Tivoli in Brisbane Qld pre-Covid, more or less by accident, and was very, very impressed. My previous funk experience was The Average White band at Coventry Technical College around 1974.
The great R&B sound of the 70s was unmatched! Tower of power was at the top of the game from beginning to present time. They have a sound like no other, great reaction to a top notch R&B group!
So good! Haven’t seen Tower of Power in a long time!
Fil, love your commentary and obvious appreciation for a wide range of music from the last 60 years😎
Tower of Power was one of the tightest bands that I ever saw!!
My sister Kathy used to see them a lot. She said there was no better music at the time.
Cool!
One of the greatest tours we ever did was when we were with ToP.. Depending on the city, we traded opening for each other. BTW, Emilio played flute on our "Message From A Drum"...
Hey Fil great evaluation. Something we in the ToP fan clubs have known all along.. I totally enjoyed your commentary...
Thanks Tim!
Tower of Power one of the funkiest bands ever.... so funky you could smell it
A LONG TIME FAN OF TOP ! Thanks for giving them their due respect .
No problem!
@@wingsofpegasus Look up a show they did in Oakland . A small club . Sometime in late 90's - early 2000. Will not be disappointed . Might be about their 40th anniversary .
Love TOP since my youth. These newer members are terrific.
Thank you for helping really appreciate everything thats going on here. Tower of power song so very hard to go with lenny williams songs the lead is one of favorite soul song. This has been a great band for a long time. Thats gor the reaction i felt i was in music class and learned alot as always u rock
You got it all right! You can’t be a musician and not see and hear this is masterclass level playing and singing. No matter what genre you like. They are all masters but I think the bass player is out of this world!
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Thanks for this one. As primarily a trumpet player, my band covered a lot of ToP back in the day. How about some Blood Sweat and Tears next! :)
What goes up, must come down, spinnin' wheel, got to go 'round....
The first 45 I ever bought!!
Sir Fil, So grateful for your wonderful analysis of TOP-just a true powerhouse of talent. As you stated, every player is TOP quality-best vocals and horns ever. I will also have to listen to ‘What Is Hip’ and ‘So Very Hard to Go’ again. God bless, Marianne aka Celtic Gal ❤🤘 6:56
The absolute best!! 🧡
What is Hip? One of the essential questions. PERIOD. The apex of the ToP sound Fil. You will not be disappointed.
I really miss this music and really glad we have the internet these days.
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Prince was a huge fan he would very often name drop them cause of their tightness of a band etc
That was awesome.
Fantastic analysis Fil. A Tower of Power song can be analyzed for days. Starting with the rhythm section, you can analyze each individual instrument because each instrument is playing their parts as part of the rhythm track. Songs like What Is Hip,Soul Vaccination,and Oakland Stroke are all masterpieces that can be studied for ever mainly because they are so mechanically perfect, but retain a a greasy loseness,emotion and soul. Thank you Fil. Cheers.
No problem!
Really good video. Great analysis, as usual, Fil! That bass was awesome! And so tight for 10 pieces, good grief!
Great seeing Tower Of Power here!! West bay cat but did buy East Bay Grease back in '71. Like Maggot Brain (!) i traded sometimes for keeps.
Diamond In The Sand for this then What Is Hip (GREAT guitar playing) then You're Still A Young Man. Horns, Vocals??? unreal. Tower Of Power Horns on things like Santana III, Huey Lewis and more.
Read about a serious train crossing accident a few years back with TOP members. Maybe mentioned here. Hope they've recovered.
I have seen them twice. Amazing both times !!!!!!
Cool!
Good reaction video. I had heard of Tower of Power yet not actually heard Tower of Power. Nice analysis. Thanks for pulling this out.
Oh, I forgot. I wanted to suggest an R&B funk horn band that was associated with Tower of Power back in the '70s: Cold Blood with Lydia Pense. Check out the video "Last Days at the Fillmore - Full Documentary (Official)" ... Cold Blood's "You Got Me Hummin'" and "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to be Free" begin at 13:26. Lydia Pense is glorious in this 1971 performance, absolutely at the peak of her singing power. Cold Blood is still recording and performing; Lydia, now 71, continues to be a dynamic singer.
The guy on bass is Mark VW ....NOT Rocco who sadly passed away last week.
Hi Fil! Saw this band twice in the 70's at a small club. They kicked azz
Cool!
Love Em, channel & Fil!
Want to hear a current band writing and playing this kind of music? Here Comes the Mummies is your band. I seen them live a couple of times and had the biggest smile on my face for the entire shows.
Jeepers. They're from Oakland. And used to play Y dances in Oregon in the the late sixties. And we loved them!
Great analysis, Fil! I've loved R&B since Ray Charles, and my Dad's "listen to this" commentary during Benny Goodman concert footage, really make me appreciate the tasteful mix of this 10 piece band. It's the "swelling in of horns," bass lines, and drum fills that I did just listening to records with my music loving family, that you do so well in explaining every night! Thanks for doing what you do!
No problem!
Rolling Stones in Cleveland 1975 Ronnie Wood's first tour). Billy Preston on keys, Buddy Miles drumming beside Charlie, Tower of Power horns (there are none better) with Clarence Clemens on featured sax. And we wonder why they are what they are.
Playing sax and secondary keys from the mid 70's through mid 90's, I enjoy watching the reactions from the kids who can't explain what they are hearing, just get overwhelmed. Then I watch your analysis afterwards. You know exactly what you're hearing and I enjoy this side as well. You explain as well as they play. Do you have perfect pitch? Playing during those years, we didn't think of which horn band was better. TOP horns play as a rhythmic section with the Bari sometimes playing counterpoint to the section. Chicago, EWF and BST horns are more melodic. Enjoy your take. Now who is going to be first to check out the band "Chase" from this time period?
I've seen them 3 times! They're awesome!
HI FIL YOU DO A GREAT JOB .THE BAND WAS GOOD .YOUR VIDEOS ARE GREAT.THANKS. YOU ARE THE BEST. STAY COOL. STAY SAFE OUT THERE PEACE AND LOVE
Tower of Power are a true legend in R&B and the song is perfectly performed.
I also want to point out how your analysis is so detailed and precise.
Thanks David!
Rocco always kills it on Bass, one the best.