As a drummer you might want to check out "Squib Cakes" or "Oakland Stroke" from their "Back to Oakland" album. Tight and funky as one can imagine. Although not as good, I also liked their 1st album "East Bay Grease" in terms of grit. Songs like "Social Lubrication" "Knock Yourself Out". As a former horn player it was a good time to be alive back then with horn groups like Tower of Power, Chicago, Blood Sweat and Tears.
True story. They played my 7th grade dance! They we handing out their first album for free. East Bay Grease. My first slow dance was to You’re Still A Young Man that night with them playing live! We didn’t know how lucky we were.
David Garibaldi (drums) and Rocco Prestia (bass) - a powerhouse rhythm section if there ever was one! Rocco with his hyperactive bass lines that somehow stayed dead-center of the pocket, and David keeping a foundation you could build a skyscraper on - and that's just what they did - built a Tower! Anyone who can stay still while listening to this - - - the folks around them should get the AED! Similar bands would include Chicago; Earth, Wind, and Fire; Blood, Sweat, and Tears; and straying a bit, but with some definite similarities, Supertramp ...
Yeah I couldn't control myself in this video lol it was too good not to move LOL gotta love it. I can't wait to hear more. And you are right, powerhouse of a rhythm section for sure.
The eternal question, asked by the local East Bay band of my adolescence. Saw them at least a couple dozen times and yes, TOP put the fun in funk. They're still playing 50+ years later, though David Garibaldi just retired, but I'm still loving them. If you enjoyed it too, then go get your Soul Vaccination
David Garibaldi just announced his retirement from touring with the band. I saw them about this time last year in Greenville, SC. One of the great bands of all time!
David Gartbaldi just announced his retirement from TOP. Joined at age of 22 in 1970 and retired in 2024. Rocco Prestia died a couple of years ago. Lenny Pickett left long ago and became the leader of the SNL show band.. Live performance of 50th anniversary......everyone came back on stage for the performance. This whole group was backup and recording for everybody. You would be surprised. This is who us older musicians learned from.
TOP is a deep rabbit hole, been around for 50 years and still touring! David Garibaldi is a legend who has numerous lesson vids on you tube. Dig deeper! Thanks!
I loved playing in a funk band. Best gigs ever. The band, the crowd, everyone was into it. The energy was so high. Some of the best times of my drumming career!!!!!
so many good songs by these guys "At The Nightclub," was the first Tower of Power song I ever heard, way back in 1972 as a freshman in High School. Great Band.
Nice. Another band that originated in the San Francisco bay area.They have at least 3 or 4 big hits, maybe more. I've seen many concerts in the bay area that featured the horn section of TofP as guest musicians. In fact, WIKI says: "Tower's horn section appeared on a number of other artists' recordings, including Otis Redding, Aaron Neville, Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, David Sanborn, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Labelle, Huey Lewis, Little Feat, Heart, Michelle Shocked, Paula Abdul, Santana and Stevie Nicks. The horn section also recorded with bassist Larry Graham's Graham Central Station, Grateful Dead, Carlos Santana, Journey, Elkie Brooks, Cat Stevens (on his Foreigner Suite), Luis Miguel, Linda Lewis, R.A.D. (Rose Ann Dimalanta), Jermaine Jackson, John Lee Hooker, Helen Reddy, Rufus, Rod Stewart, Jefferson Starship, Mickey Hart, Heart, Damn Yankees, Frankie Valli, Spyro Gyra, KMFDM, Lyle Lovett, Poison, Phish (two songs on their album Hoist ), Toto, Pharoahe Monch, Ned Doheny, Brothers Johnson, and Sam The, among many other acts."
From my old stomping grounds, the East Bay (Oakland/Berkeley). Two other TOP songs you must hear are: "Sparkling in the Sand" and "You're Still a Young Man."
The Tower of Power horn section toured with Little Feat in 1977. That tour produced a live album called Waiting for Columbus. Arguably one of the best live albums ever. Little Feat was funky enough by themselves. Adding the horns stepped it up a notch. Richie Hayward on drums kept it all tight. I think you would really appreciate the sound. Try Spanish Moon from that live album. ✌️
Saw TOP 1974 - Toronto - and they were amazing! The sound was incredible and the icing on the TOP cake was watching Lenny Pickett dance around the stage! LEE: Life is an adventure.....do what feeds your soul, just remember that we don't make mistakes ~ we just change our minds. Cheers from a 70 year old ex-opioid addict
Some drum-oriented suggestions if you want to start exploring the funk rabbit hole : Cameo - I just want to be, Prince - Sexy dancer (extended version), Jara Harris - Funky mutt medley, Parliament - Get up for the down stroke, Tom Browne - Funkin' for Jamaica.
Hey, man. Next time you're feeling a bit down or blue, or have a day with dark moments, Look up a fellow named Louis Armstrong, and listen to his song called What a Wonderful World. Studio or live are both great, but live gives the added benefit of watching Louis smile his angelic smile while he's singing. It's only about two minutes and twenty seconds long, but I guarantee that by the time it's done you'll at the very least feel a little warmer and more closely connected to life, and it might even remind you that the day can still get better.
This is a total left turn for you, Lee, but in a good way. These guys were part of the wave of 70's bands that featured brass sections, with obvious comparisons to EW&F and Sly & the Family Stone (also a SF Bay Area band.) These guys are still out there touring, although the lineup has gone through numerous changes over the years.
Tower of Power......A Very Jazzy Mix with Groove.......You gota check out "Brick"by Dazz 1976.......a one hit wonder......but oohhh! what a hit. Dazz: a Mix of Jazz and Disco. Great for the Ladies.....If you know what I mean.
Man, you are covering the best music of the best musical era. Makes me think of Gil Scott Heron. Check out Gun. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised and Winter in America. Not that he’s funk, but he tends to be forgotten and he did make a splash. He had something to say.
Watch the smoking hot vid where TOP backs up Little Feat...live, doing "Spanish Moon", with the irreplaceable Lowell George. Little Feat is...well... ....if you know, you know.
When I saw them, I knew nothing about them. Nothing. The whole time, I'm thinking "who is this drummer? What in the actual f is happening right now!" 🤯🤯😂🤣🤯🤯
Nxt try Still digging on James brown, or back to Oakland or pretty much any song they plat... a number of different lineups greatest horn section in the business... and an awesome rythem sec......enjoy it....
Great that you are starting your journey of great drummers from David Garibaldi (with "Rocco" on bass) to Nearl Peart (ruclips.net/video/zKoZeCH-TAk/видео.html). Maybe you will like Squib Cakes (ruclips.net/video/zKoZeCH-TAk/видео.html)
As a drummer you might want to check out "Squib Cakes" or "Oakland Stroke" from their "Back to Oakland" album. Tight and funky as one can imagine. Although not as good, I also liked their 1st album "East Bay Grease" in terms of grit. Songs like "Social Lubrication" "Knock Yourself Out". As a former horn player it was a good time to be alive back then with horn groups like Tower of Power, Chicago, Blood Sweat and Tears.
"On the Serious Side" is probably the grooviest, yet perplexing soul/funk track they put out. Absolutely killer stuff.
I'd add Soul Vaccination to that list. I spent so much time woodshedding to that track when I was a kid.
Squib Cakes, absolutely. They kill it!
True story. They played my 7th grade dance! They we handing out their first album for free. East Bay Grease. My first slow dance was to You’re Still A Young Man that night with them playing live! We didn’t know how lucky we were.
Don’t Change Horses in the Middle of the Stream is a killer track by them.
David Garibaldi (drums) and Rocco Prestia (bass) - a powerhouse rhythm section if there ever was one! Rocco with his hyperactive bass lines that somehow stayed dead-center of the pocket, and David keeping a foundation you could build a skyscraper on - and that's just what they did - built a Tower!
Anyone who can stay still while listening to this - - - the folks around them should get the AED!
Similar bands would include Chicago; Earth, Wind, and Fire; Blood, Sweat, and Tears; and straying a bit, but with some definite similarities, Supertramp ...
Yeah I couldn't control myself in this video lol it was too good not to move LOL gotta love it. I can't wait to hear more. And you are right, powerhouse of a rhythm section for sure.
Sly and the Family Stone.
THAT WHOLE ALBUM IS FANTASTIC !!!
Huey Lewis exhorts "It's hip to be square!" 😅
The eternal question, asked by the local East Bay band of my adolescence. Saw them at least a couple dozen times and yes, TOP put the fun in funk. They're still playing 50+ years later, though David Garibaldi just retired, but I'm still loving them. If you enjoyed it too, then go get your Soul Vaccination
TOP horn section was the best in the business for a long time! Saw them in Medford OR in ‘76 , opening for J Geil’s band. Awesome show!
They blew J Gils out of the stadium! Great tour!!!
Excellent music from TOP, a very underrated band in the history of music.
I grew up in the 70 s music like this was everywhere great time to grow up musically
David Garibaldi just announced his retirement from touring with the band. I saw them about this time last year in Greenville, SC. One of the great bands of all time!
This was played on the rock stations in Dallas when it came out. ☮️❤️😎 it is HIP!!
Hittin the good stuff!
That's what we do here! 😄👍
The man discovers FUNK ... enjoyed watching your discovery
Rocco driving!
There horn section was world renown and played on many other albums in the day!
David Gartbaldi just announced his retirement from TOP. Joined at age of 22 in 1970 and retired in 2024. Rocco Prestia died a couple of years ago. Lenny Pickett left long ago and became the leader of the SNL show band.. Live performance of 50th anniversary......everyone came back on stage for the performance. This whole group was backup and recording for everybody. You would be surprised. This is who us older musicians learned from.
One of my desert island albums. Every song is an absolute gem!
TOP is a deep rabbit hole, been around for 50 years and still touring! David Garibaldi is a legend who has numerous lesson vids on you tube. Dig deeper! Thanks!
The horn section played on lots of other bands songs like Santana and Little Feat plus they also sing backup.
I have loved this band for over 50yrs, especially being a former trumpet player. 😆
David Garibaldi created the most finer form of funk drumming. He's got amazing chops!
Oh yeah! TOP - “Soul with a Capital S” next up
Sweet I'll add it to the list. I really liked these guys.
Many more TOP bangers to choose from.
I'm with it! These guys are dope. Love the funk already haha
I loved playing in a funk band. Best gigs ever. The band, the crowd, everyone was into it. The energy was so high. Some of the best times of my drumming career!!!!!
My favorite TOP song is Drop It In the Slot. It's funky as hell! Music should always be fun!!!
so many good songs by these guys "At The Nightclub," was the first Tower of Power song I ever heard, way back in 1972 as a freshman in High School. Great Band.
The young people's parents probably heard it on Radio Stations in the early 70's.
so many tasty under-the-radar tunes getting reactions here that other reactors don't even touch...
Nice. Another band that originated in the San Francisco bay area.They have at least 3 or 4 big hits, maybe more.
I've seen many concerts in the bay area that featured the horn section of TofP as guest musicians. In fact, WIKI says:
"Tower's horn section appeared on a number of other artists' recordings, including Otis Redding, Aaron Neville, Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, David Sanborn, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Labelle, Huey Lewis, Little Feat, Heart, Michelle Shocked, Paula Abdul, Santana and Stevie Nicks.
The horn section also recorded with bassist Larry Graham's Graham Central Station, Grateful Dead, Carlos Santana, Journey, Elkie Brooks, Cat Stevens (on his Foreigner Suite), Luis Miguel, Linda Lewis, R.A.D. (Rose Ann Dimalanta), Jermaine Jackson, John Lee Hooker, Helen Reddy, Rufus, Rod Stewart, Jefferson Starship, Mickey Hart, Heart, Damn Yankees, Frankie Valli, Spyro Gyra, KMFDM, Lyle Lovett, Poison, Phish (two songs on their album Hoist ), Toto, Pharoahe Monch, Ned Doheny, Brothers Johnson, and Sam The, among many other acts."
Some former members do call it The Tower of Power. Dave Garibaldi announced just the other day his retirement from the band.
Classic funk track.
From my old stomping grounds, the East Bay (Oakland/Berkeley). Two other TOP songs you must hear are: "Sparkling in the Sand" and "You're Still a Young Man."
The Tower of Power horn section toured with Little Feat in 1977. That tour produced a live album called Waiting for Columbus. Arguably one of the best live albums ever. Little Feat was funky enough by themselves. Adding the horns stepped it up a notch. Richie Hayward on drums kept it all tight. I think you would really appreciate the sound. Try Spanish Moon from that live album. ✌️
Saw TOP 1974 - Toronto - and they were amazing! The sound was incredible and the icing on the TOP cake was watching Lenny Pickett dance around the stage!
LEE: Life is an adventure.....do what feeds your soul, just remember that we don't make mistakes ~ we just change our minds.
Cheers from a 70 year old ex-opioid addict
What is hip ? (cover ) - TOKYO GROOVE JYOSHI🔥🔥🔥
Other TofP songs, Down to the Nightclub, Just Enough and Too Much, So Wonderful So Marvelous and Drop it in the Slot
Great to see you having so much fun listening to this !!!!! I think you'd like "funk" ~ I also got to see the "Dancer" in you! 😊
Greatest overall
So, Lenny Pickett (sax player) played on SNL supporting Taylor Swift’s song, “False God”. Stellar performance all around. Available on YT.
'Hip is what it is' !!!!....
I created the poster advertising their appearance at my college in 1973 or 74. I did not go to the show. I should have gone!
Check out their 'Tiny Desk Concert '
What can I say , the Guys were older with a younger Vocalist, but Groovy Funk hardly begins to describe it!!...
As a drummer you may want to check out Garibaldi on the drum Showcase .
cool suggestion!!
Funky! I loved it. So glad he picked this!
Saw them at The Whiskey YEARS ago. Still love them cuz they always be hip! ❤😊
Very tight funk band. Listen to 'don't change horses in the middle of the stream ' from the Back to Oakland album. (And many others)
Some drum-oriented suggestions if you want to start exploring the funk rabbit hole : Cameo - I just want to be, Prince - Sexy dancer (extended version), Jara Harris - Funky mutt medley, Parliament - Get up for the down stroke, Tom Browne - Funkin' for Jamaica.
Awesome song. May I suggest the Dixie Dregs - Take It Off The Top
Southern Prog at its finest.
Along with the songs mention here try their ballads which were big hits, "You're Still A Young Man", and "So Very Hard To Go".
Hey, man. Next time you're feeling a bit down or blue, or have a day with dark moments, Look up a fellow named Louis Armstrong, and listen to his song called What a Wonderful World. Studio or live are both great, but live gives the added benefit of watching Louis smile his angelic smile while he's singing. It's only about two minutes and twenty seconds long, but I guarantee that by the time it's done you'll at the very least feel a little warmer and more closely connected to life, and it might even remind you that the day can still get better.
This is a total left turn for you, Lee, but in a good way. These guys were part of the wave of 70's bands that featured brass sections, with obvious comparisons to EW&F and Sly & the Family Stone (also a SF Bay Area band.) These guys are still out there touring, although the lineup has gone through numerous changes over the years.
Fantastic!!! Okay … now you have to watch the Tokyo Groove Jyoshi RUclips cover of this with Juna Serita on bass and a shamisen lead…👍
EW&F NEW WORLD SYMPHONY, or SUN GODDESS, or AFRICANO MEDLEY, all off the legendary album GRATITUDE, and LIVE.
Tower of Power......A Very Jazzy Mix with Groove.......You gota check out "Brick"by Dazz 1976.......a one hit wonder......but oohhh! what a hit.
Dazz: a Mix of Jazz and Disco.
Great for the Ladies.....If you know what I mean.
Man, you are covering the best music of the best musical era. Makes me think of Gil Scott Heron. Check out Gun. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised and Winter in America.
Not that he’s funk, but he tends to be forgotten and he did make a splash. He had something to say.
Joan Osborne with the Funk Brothers
WHAT BECOMES OF THE BROKEN HEARTED...ITS A GREAT GIG check it out when you can
Check out 14-year-old Yoyoka's drum cover of this song. She's fantastic!
I'd like to here Yoyoka cover Squib Cakes (Instrumental) from the 1974 Warner's Brothers album,Back To Oakland.
Check out tower of power's So Very Hard To Go on the same album 1973
Once you get soul vaccinated from these guys , you got the bug. Your hooked !
Watch the smoking hot vid where TOP backs up Little Feat...live, doing "Spanish Moon", with the irreplaceable Lowell George.
Little Feat is...well...
....if you know, you know.
When I saw them, I knew nothing about them. Nothing. The whole time, I'm thinking "who is this drummer? What in the actual f is happening right now!" 🤯🤯😂🤣🤯🤯
Still digging on James,Brown , your still a young man , so very hard to go, Squib cakes, etc,etc,etc.....
Check out Graham Central Station - Hair or Pow
Nxt try Still digging on James brown, or back to Oakland or pretty much any song they plat... a number of different lineups greatest horn section in the business... and an awesome rythem sec......enjoy it....
Rocco passed and Garibaldi retired. Mic Gillette passed. Doc & Mimi, the Co- Founders are going strong. Touring after 56 yrs in the business
Tower of Power had a sax player from their 2nd album Bump City who passed also
Don't forget Skip Mesquite alto sax player from the album Bump City. He passed a fee yrs ago
You love percussion, bass why not react to Weather Report with Jaco Pastorious. Try “Black Market” or “Teen Town”
Try Squib cakes by Tower of Power
Nobody sits at a T.O.P show everybody moves. A live clip would have been better
I'll have to do a live one for the next video of theirs. This was hot! I really dug it
when are you going to finnish the Yes drama album? Tempest fugit.
Sorry Tempus Fugit. Time Flies
@@diverdown631 probably this Saturday unless a request supersedes it.
Great that you are starting your journey of great drummers from David Garibaldi (with "Rocco" on bass) to Nearl Peart (ruclips.net/video/zKoZeCH-TAk/видео.html). Maybe you will like Squib Cakes (ruclips.net/video/zKoZeCH-TAk/видео.html)
Do you know what hippness is? Tell me
Tower of Power had a drug ignited discord for a time, any addict should check the story out - they all got clean!! Inspiring!!