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Please check out a Steve Miller tune called Shabadu Ma Ma Ma Ma from the album The Joker. It is the funkiest thing you'll ever hear. The bassist is a monster. And PLEASE do the studio version.
I’m here for Rocco! He’s my uncle and he passed this morning. One of the greatest to touch a bass and an amazing man. Thanks for reacting to TOP. I love the love!!
Sorry for your loss, Ibreakboxes2. Uncles are the greatest. Especially when they are legendary funk-masters on bass. I'm 3 years younger than your uncle and as a young man, I played my bass to my TOP record collection trying to emulate that impeccable staccato groove that he laid down. What a talent!
My condolences man. Rocco was a bass giant and the reigning King of 16th note funk! Speaking as a bass player; you are moved when you hear him play. Rest in peace our funky brother.
ibreakboxes2 So sorry for your loss. Saw TOP many times when they came to Toronto area. When Rocco was not able to play a few years ago Emilio Castillo still mentioned him during introductions. You could tell Emilio loved the guy.
Just surfing around and came upon this. I'm always interested on how people react to TOP. Rocco played that bass like it was a drum. No one like him. It'll be a long time before another band like this comes around. Maybe never. One in a lifetime.
And the tightest brass too. There are some songs of theirs I compare to a machine. All the intricate instruments moving together, in and out, back and forth weaving their sounds to make one great sound. Like a fine watchs mechanism ticking away.
This gentleman singing isn't Lenny Williams, the lead singer for T.O.P. who made this song famous. Check out the studio version, or better yet, the performance of this on Soul Train.
Yes, absolutely, But Lenny Williams does have a live version where the audience joins in. There is a better version than this out there. One of my all time favorite bands. Sings What Is Hip live.. in this concert. ruclips.net/video/Qy2NssFhs64/видео.html
I met him before a show at Toad's Place in New Haven, Ct. many years ago. I told him he killed it on bass, and cited the songs Monster On A Leash and Funk The Dumb Stuff. He was very cool and had a beer with my brother and I. I didn't know he passed away. Sad. RIP Rocco, and peace to you brother. ✌
My friend Vincent says that when he was a kid, he used to sometimes hang out on San Pablo Avenue in Oakland where Tower of Power's practice space was just to get to hear them play.
"He came out doing the Prince" -You realize that it was probably this performance that Prince saw as a young lad that inspired his moves. ;) Tower of Power was a progressive jazz-rock-pop band with horns much like Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears, War, and Earth Wind & Fire in the late 1960s and 70s.
This 1977 version is not the original band lineup. What is Hip came out in 1973 and the original vocalist (Lenny Williams) left the group in 1975. This is one of those instances where I believe it is better to listen to the original version of a song first BEFORE you listen to a live version, for context. My opinion only is that you need to hear a song how it was originally released first, because it helps you appreciate how great a live version is; and live versions are usually altered to some degree from the original anyway. JMHO, but the single version of this is so much funkier.
As a former DJ, you always knew the best shit came from multiracial bands (Doobie Brothers, Tower Of Power, The Specials, Rage Against The Machine, Sly And The Family Stone etc.)
Saw T of P in 1974 and you're so right Jamel, amazing stage presence! Lenny Williams vocals and moves as well as Lenny Picketts (sax) dancing feet and wild tuxedos. A joy for the ears and eyes.
Jamel, Thanks for this reaction to "What Is Hip" by Tower of Power one of the best funk/jazz bands ever. Glad you enjoyed it. One of my favorite bands. Peace Out from Phil from Massachusetts
RIP Rocco Prestia. So sad the way TOP had to end (small gigs in lousy clubs) an equally as sad is the recent passing of Rocco, one of the GREAT bass players. He DROVE that band!
Thankyou really great watching/hearing this, with your infectious enthusiasm & on the day i learn Rocco has passed away too! You made me smile and feel privileged to have this band's music in my life, absolutely wonderful stuff.
This is an incredibly difficult song to play properly on bass. The bassist, Rocco P. is one of the unsung great bassists around, and this is such a classic bass line.
The composers of this are musical, rythmic geniuses. And this take is so damned FAST!! TIGHT!! The brass arrangement and trumpet solo is out of this world. Superhuman performance all around. No one but Tower of Power can pull this off so perfectly. And to think that they actually performed at this level for decades is truly a gift from the gods.
Loved these concerts! Everyone was dancing and knew all the words to all the songs. Lol Please review T.O.P.’s songs: “Going to the Nightclub” and “You’re Still a Young Man” Always put on a great show!
Jamel, if you've seen the musical director for Saturday Night Live, out in the front of the band, that is the dancing sax player (monster sax player), Lenny Pickett.
Also a professor of jazz saxophone at New York University. No one knows his real height because of the three inches added by both his hair and his platform shoes.
There's yer time travel right there. Perform in the 70's, and you're still getting applause over 40 years later 😁. There were several bands in the late 60's and 70's with great horn sections such as Blood Sweat & Tears, Chicago, and Earth Wind & Fire, among others. But none were better known as a separate entity above and beyond the band that they were part of, than these guys here. The Tower of Power Horn Section, with numerous different musicians participating over the course of decades of performance, even appeared as guests on other artists' albums as well, and were sometimes even credited as such. Your clapping showed that you enjoyed this, so for their next cut I'd suggest "You're Still a Young Man", for some great horn and vocal performances.
Jamel, Please do not stop exploring Tower of Power- you will NEVER be disappointed!! They were and still are the ultimate musician's band. Doesn't matter what era or what lineup, they are always tight and funky!!
Tower of Power Horns used to tour with Huey Lewis and The News in the 80's and they were just as funky!! Speaking of 80's...I HIGHLY suggested you check out The Robert Cray Band....Blues, Blues, and more Blues. 🎧 Smokin Gun 🎧 I Guess I Showed Her 🎧 Right Next Door I promise...you won't be disappointed. Thank you once again for keeping great music alive✌❤🎶
I saw Tower of Power live in 1974 as they opened for Santana in NYC. I saw them again in a smaller club in Greenwich Village called the Bottom Line. Years later at the Roxy on Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. Love, Love, Love, TOP...
Unity! You got that right, brother! The great Tower of Power had white, black, and brown all on the same page speaking that same language of music...and getting the audience into it, too!
Since the first Celtic Woman concert 15 years ago ( and they were only going to do one concert for PBS)they have covered Enya to Celine Dions My heart will go on. ENYA IS AWESOME and paved the way for the Celtic Woman greatness.
@@ValkyrieZiege - He's gotta hear "Low Rider" and "Spill the Wine" with Eric Burdon. And the long version of "Time Has Come Today" by the Chambers Brothers... "my soul has been psychedelicized!" Double back to Lydia Pence and Cold Blood "I Just Wanna Make Love to You" at the Fillmore 1970?
I was working in a parking lot in Oakland, CA installing vinyl decals for AT&T. Everyone was crabby cause it was late and we had been working out A$$'s off all day, when I hear this sound coming from across the parking lot and had never heard it before. I dropped everything and went to find where it was coming from. The man told me who they were and that they were based out of that very place and then gave me the CD! I was so excited to get turned onto something new that was old! Still have it.
Don’t sweat the audio glitches because the energy of this live performance is worth it! Damn! I grew up during these times but this song slipped under my radar - thanks for bringing it back!
TOP has so many great songs. You're Still a Young Man. Down to the Nightclub/Bump City (particularly from the Live and in Living Color album). Soul Vaccination. Squib Cakes. You Ought to be Having Fun. From their 40th anniversary concert, there's a song by one of their former saxophonists called Boys from the Bay that is a fantastic instrumental.
I saw these guys live about 15 yrs ago with Average White Band (pick up the pieces), and holy cow they can rip. Me and my buddies used to play their songs whenever we could (I play the big Sax). Sooooooo good. Also the tenor player with the Afro is Lenny Picket from the Saturday night live band.
So much good stuff on their Bump City album: 'Down to the Nightclub' 'You Got to Funkifize', 'Skating on Thin Ice', 'You're Still a Young Man' and more.
TOP!!!!!! Ya baby’. These guys are so funky badass. I grew up in Fremont CA, about 15 minutes from Oakland where these guys are from. My mother loved them. She would go all around the East Bay to see them live. I got to meet them in Sandpoint ID about ten years ago. Quality people.
This song was utilized by my high school's marching band, the Centerville Jazz Band/CJB in their competition show for 1992, which was entitled "Tower Of Power". "What Is Hip?" was the closer song of their show. Every year they perform at the Bands of America Grand National Championships as a 4A/Open Class competition marching band. In 1992, they were the Grand National Champions. It was a great year for the small suburban town of Centerville, Ohio, and for the CJB.
That's the spirit of music freeing their souls! The love that you send is the love that ye shall receive! Thank you so much for sharing your love. You are a bright, shining beacon of love and music in a very dark time in our history. God Bless You! NAMASTE.
Thank you, miss those days so much and hoping with all my heart that we find our way back again. We are all a lot closer than we realize. Light the flame and let's hang together so that we do not ever hang separately.
Saw these guys in 1990 at the opening of the Portland Convention Center, and they were just as electrifying in 1990 as they were in 1977. Tons of fun. EVERYONE was dancing throughout their entire set - even my parents.
Thank you soo much for enjoying this Tower of Power suggestion whether from me or other subscribers! I love the funkadellic vibes that band gives out still to this day! Keep the throwbacks going, Brother!
This band is one of my favorites to drive to on a road trip. Chicago did not mess around, friend. So much blues and jazz attached, Chicago style. All. Those. Instruments.
YES!!! This San Francisco band created its own unique sound that others try to duplicate but can't be matched. Drummer David Garibaldi, bassist Rocco Prestia became the legendary drive of TOP. Taking nothing away from this drummer. Sax and horn section are still legends today. 👍💓👍💓👍
East bay grease, baby [Straight outta Oaktowns 'n' whutnot! 😜] T.O.P. were bad-asses and, although, they seemed to disappear for over a decade, during that time they were, still the hottest, most in-demand horn section, maybe in all of music. [In the '80s.]. From 1970-around 1976, though?? they could DO no wrong! 🤘🤘 Founded by Emilio Castillo and Stephen "Doc" Kupka the band were an R&B/Funk/Soul groove powerhouse (and Lenny Williams could sing him some ballads too, Y'uh-huh!!!) They never were as good with any other vocalist, (besides Rick Stevens [the original lead-vocalist] or Lenny Williams) but, even in the latter years, they were pretty monstrous!| The horn section could: bake a loaf of bread, slice it, make you a sandwich and shoot mayo & mustard into it while playing a solo. : "Don't Change Horses (In The Middle Of A Stream)" "Squib Cakes" "You Got To Funkifize" "Down To The Nightclub" "Soul Vaccination" "Knock Yourself Out" "The Price" "Below Us, All The City Lights" "Back On The Streets, Again" "Walkin' Up Hip Street" "It Can Never Be The Same" ...are, I think, all necessary listens. ...Back To Oakland is a LEGENDARY drum album! 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🔥🔥🔥🔥🧡♠ and, I think, Bump City may be the finest album they ever created, other than that. ...but, the first 5 or so albums are, all, the tops! ...Radically good!
Just saw them at North Central College in Naperville last year. Dave Garibaldi was on drums and Rocco (RIP) was there. Been loving these cats for decades!
Hi Jamal-I'm a white boy that grew up listening to XERB on my transistor radio in SoCal mid 1960's. The Wolfman introduced me to James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Etta James and I was hooked. Nagged my parents to buy me a tenor sax so I could play soul music. My friends asked why I liked "colored music" so much. I just smiled and turned up the volume. 5 years later when Tower of Power came on the scene, I spent all night standing on the sidewalk outside Funky Quarters on El Cajon Blvd listening to both of their sets that night. I came unraveled when I heard Soul Vaccination for the first time. Had to stay to hear it one more time.
Aww, you done did it now. You done got all slicked up with "East Bay Grease" and fell into the Tower Of Power rabbit hole. You need a "Soul Vaccination." Once you're feeling better, "You Ought To Be Having Fun." Maybe you could go "Down To The Nightclub," bumpty bumpty bump, and dance the "Oakland Stroke."
Tower of Power still performs and does tours! I've seen them to sold out crowds in Seattle a few times now. They bring the house down every time! I can't wait for Covid to go away so they can come back!
Jamel, if you want some funk try Squib Cakes by these guys. One of the best live shows you'll ever see. Over fifty years on the road. Saw them quite a few times when they came to Toronto area. Best horn section ever assembled.
I have always loved these guys. They been around since the 60s, and have changed out many members over the years bur are still going as far as I know. My favorite song they do is, Don't Change Horses.
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I have my THROWBACKNESS shirt (in grey). Perfect for this song.
Try govt mules version it’s great🇨🇦✌🏻🇨🇦
You want a good one with TOP and Sam Moore for a twofer? Ck this out. ruclips.net/video/flWfhmQVyCE/видео.html
Please check out a Steve Miller tune called Shabadu Ma Ma Ma Ma from the album The Joker. It is the funkiest thing you'll ever hear. The bassist is a monster. And PLEASE do the studio version.
You should try "Soul with a Capital S"
I’m here for Rocco! He’s my uncle and he passed this morning. One of the greatest to touch a bass and an amazing man. Thanks for reacting to TOP. I love the love!!
Sorry for your loss, Ibreakboxes2. Uncles are the greatest. Especially when they are legendary funk-masters on bass. I'm 3 years younger than your uncle and as a young man, I played my bass to my TOP record collection trying to emulate that impeccable staccato groove that he laid down. What a talent!
My condolences man. Rocco was a bass giant and the reigning King of 16th note funk! Speaking as a bass player; you are moved when you hear him play. Rest in peace our funky brother.
You were lucky to have him for the time that starfire was here on this planet. Thank you for sharing. Bless
ibreakboxes2 So sorry for your loss. Saw TOP many times when they came to Toronto area. When Rocco was not able to play a few years ago Emilio Castillo still mentioned him during introductions. You could tell Emilio loved the guy.
Just surfing around and came upon this. I'm always interested on how people react to TOP. Rocco played that bass like it was a drum. No one like him. It'll be a long time before another band like this comes around. Maybe never. One in a lifetime.
With all respect to Chicago and Earth, Wind and Fire, this is the baddest horn section on the face of God's green earth!! 👍🏻✌🏼💯
Could give that .... Chicago wasn't (or shouldn't be considered) a horn band first --- it was Kath's guitar and the drums that drove Chicago musically
And the tightest brass too. There are some songs of theirs I compare to a machine. All the intricate instruments moving together, in and out, back and forth weaving their sounds to make one great sound. Like a fine watchs mechanism ticking away.
Seawind Horns way up there to, if your hip to Seawind
Yes indeed it is.
...I think you mean:
"God's luscious, flat-green Earth!"
💯📀
This gentleman singing isn't Lenny Williams, the lead singer for T.O.P. who made this song famous. Check out the studio version, or better yet, the performance of this on Soul Train.
Lenny Williams was phenomenal.
I agree. I like Lenny Williams so much better just as the lead singer...
Peter O I believe Lenny is still alive.
@@yyyysguy Yep...aged 75...but Lenny is still kicking as of today.
Yes, absolutely, But Lenny Williams does have a live version where the audience joins in. There is a better version than this out there. One of my all time favorite bands. Sings What Is Hip live.. in this concert. ruclips.net/video/Qy2NssFhs64/видео.html
If you look up "badass" in the dictionary, there is a picture of a Tower of Power album cover to illustrate it. Peace and Love always!
" He's doing the Prince".... Actually Prince was doing the.. Tower Of Power!
Prince doing Lenny Williams!
the James Brown?
BUST that MOVE! It's the "TOWER OF POWER" baby.... this ain't R&B Jr. it's all O.G. Jamz yes!!
R.I.P. Rocco. His contribution will be remembered Forever.
I met him before a show at Toad's Place in New Haven, Ct. many years ago. I told him he killed it on bass, and cited the songs Monster On A Leash and Funk The Dumb Stuff. He was very cool and had a beer with my brother and I. I didn't know he passed away. Sad. RIP Rocco, and peace to you brother. ✌
My friend Vincent says that when he was a kid, he used to sometimes hang out on San Pablo Avenue in Oakland where Tower of Power's practice space was just to get to hear them play.
Throw your hands in the air and wave 'em like ya just don't care. Somebody say oh yeah...oh yeah. Love it 💃🏻🕺🏾
OH YEAAAAAHHH!!!!!!
They've been blowing the doors off for 50 yrs! They've always been cool. They're all classically trained musicians and they just plain rock!!
Any one paying attention to how impossibly fast Rocco Prestia is playing this bass line, fingerstyle?
It's playing at 2x speed at least.
And a groove so tight.
The baddest funk bassist to have played the instrument in my opinion. RIP Rocco 😢
@@21Danieltbs Agreed 👍.
The lead singer later went on to join a NYC street gang called The Warriors.
They liked his vest and they just let him in.
...But can they come out to play?
😂😂😂😂😂🌮🌯🇲🇽
Warriors are cool.
Can you dig it?
But then he got attacked by the Jets and the Sharks.
"He came out doing the Prince" -You realize that it was probably this performance that Prince saw as a young lad that inspired his moves. ;) Tower of Power was a progressive jazz-rock-pop band with horns much like Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears, War, and Earth Wind & Fire in the late 1960s and 70s.
was? they still Are! they are hotter than ever, yo!
that all came from james brown.
They still are, not was.
This 1977 version is not the original band lineup. What is Hip came out in 1973 and the original vocalist (Lenny Williams) left the group in 1975. This is one of those instances where I believe it is better to listen to the original version of a song first BEFORE you listen to a live version, for context. My opinion only is that you need to hear a song how it was originally released first, because it helps you appreciate how great a live version is; and live versions are usually altered to some degree from the original anyway.
JMHO, but the single version of this is so much funkier.
Yes, should’ve done the original
Right on! The original is fantastic!
Gotta agree. Was bummed for J cause I feel like this doesn’t represent the song as well as it could
I agree the original had more funk. This one is faster and peppy like a party but the original has more stank. Lmao
Amen! This one is also missing David Garibaldi, one of the funkiest drummers ever. Not the best version to introduce Tower of Power
As a former DJ, you always knew the best shit came from multiracial bands (Doobie Brothers, Tower Of Power, The Specials, Rage Against The Machine, Sly And The Family Stone etc.)
SANTANA
Half of those bands are from the Bay Area, including Santana. Truly a melting pot
Yeeee
Don't leave out War
LITTLE FEAT
Fusion music works. Mixing those backgrounds and introducing new angles to old music styles...love it.
Thightest band ever. These guys put on one hell of a concert!
I saw these guy in 2015 in Winterpark, Colorado. New singer, but the same band; all grey/ bald heads and perfect musicianship. Not so much dancing.
Amen
This is the first time I’ve ever heard Tower of Power... wow! I’m now a fan. Awesome horn section!
Oh, sugar. You have no idea. Get some East Bay Grease on ya! It won't hurt'cha. Feels so good.
So wright, they are something else, 52 years in business and still funkin it up!!
I got to celebrate be part of their 40th anniversary, just amazing!
@@joeday4293 Bump City, Oakland California!
Welcome!
East Bay Grease, Back to Oakland, Urban Renewal ... lots of funk awaits you! Enjoy!
Saw T of P in 1974 and you're so right Jamel, amazing stage presence! Lenny Williams vocals and moves as well as Lenny Picketts (sax) dancing feet and wild tuxedos. A joy for the ears and eyes.
So many other artists used their horn section. They had some great ballads too: So Very Hard to Go, and You're Still a Young Man.
Santana picked up ToP's organist Chester Thompson
Two different singer for those 2' songs...
You should hear them with LITTLE FEAT on the Waiting for Columbus album. Song: Spanish Moon
My FAVE
I've been talking about LIttle Feat here for a few months now. He needs to get to Little Feat!
Actually, I like the version on the Join The Band CD a little better. The groove and improvisations are much stronger.
@@GrowingUpJersey Feats don't fail me now. great album.
yes
Jamel, Thanks for this reaction to "What Is Hip" by Tower of Power one of the best funk/jazz bands ever. Glad you enjoyed it. One of my favorite bands. Peace Out from Phil from Massachusetts
I saw T.O.P. back in 1976 - at the Paramount Theater in Portland. Nod to Tammy - my date that night - back when I was Still a Young Man.
Saw them In Nov. 2019. Still tight and funky.
I forgot how great these guys were. The tightest band ever.
RIP (and groove) Rocco Prestia 🙏
RIP Rocco Prestia. So sad the way TOP had to end (small gigs in lousy clubs) an equally as sad is the recent passing of Rocco, one of the GREAT bass players. He DROVE that band!
Thankyou really great watching/hearing this, with your infectious enthusiasm & on the day i learn Rocco has passed away too! You made me smile and feel privileged to have this band's music in my life, absolutely wonderful stuff.
RIP Francis "Rocco" Prestia. A great loss :(
This is an incredibly difficult song to play properly on bass. The bassist, Rocco P. is one of the unsung great bassists around, and this is such a classic bass line.
Rocco Prestia, the bass player just passed away yesterday. May he rest in peace ❤️❤️
The composers of this are musical, rythmic geniuses. And this take is so damned FAST!! TIGHT!! The brass arrangement and trumpet solo is out of this world. Superhuman performance all around. No one but Tower of Power can pull this off so perfectly. And to think that they actually performed at this level for decades is truly a gift from the gods.
Saw them live at a Free Yes, Free concert back in Connecticut! They jammed for two hours and tore the place down man!! What a show
Loved these concerts! Everyone was dancing and knew all the words to all the songs. Lol
Please review T.O.P.’s songs: “Going to the Nightclub” and “You’re Still a Young Man”
Always put on a great show!
I think you mean "Down to the Nightclub' and yea, that's a banger for sure!
Down to the nightclub is the best!! I played it with my college buddies. Soooooo fun
Squib Cakes, is a Instrumental to go down in the Library of Congress Archives.
Tower of Power- Soul with a Capitol 'S' from Soul Vacation- Great music!
Vaccinate,get ready for the injection,cut down on the infection,soon you got Soul Perfection,Roll up your sleeves.
On Sly and the Family Stone; EVERY DAY PEOPLE.
Keep it on the bay area groove!
😍
@@linnymaemullins3319 My first song on them. Was always one of the first songs as I was getting ready for school.
The Tower of Power horn section played on many albums for various artists that horn section was highly sought-after
And Joan Jett's version too!
Jamel, if you've seen the musical director for Saturday Night Live, out in the front of the band, that is the dancing sax player (monster sax player), Lenny Pickett.
Also a professor of jazz saxophone at New York University. No one knows his real height because of the three inches added by both his hair and his platform shoes.
Watching this 2 years later, love this song and Tower of Power. Would love a Throwbackness shirt and some Good Human slides but cannot afford.
There's yer time travel right there. Perform in the 70's, and you're still getting applause over 40 years later 😁. There were several bands in the late 60's and 70's with great horn sections such as Blood Sweat & Tears, Chicago, and Earth Wind & Fire, among others. But none were better known as a separate entity above and beyond the band that they were part of, than these guys here. The Tower of Power Horn Section, with numerous different musicians participating over the course of decades of performance, even appeared as guests on other artists' albums as well, and were sometimes even credited as such. Your clapping showed that you enjoyed this, so for their next cut I'd suggest "You're Still a Young Man", for some great horn and vocal performances.
Cold Blood,too.
Jamel, Please do not stop exploring Tower of Power- you will NEVER be disappointed!! They were and still are the ultimate musician's band. Doesn't matter what era or what lineup, they are always tight and funky!!
Tower of Power Horns used to tour with Huey Lewis and The News in the 80's and they were just as funky!!
Speaking of 80's...I HIGHLY suggested you check out The Robert Cray Band....Blues, Blues, and more Blues.
🎧 Smokin Gun
🎧 I Guess I Showed Her
🎧 Right Next Door
I promise...you won't be disappointed.
Thank you once again for keeping great music alive✌❤🎶
Oh Hell to the Yeah on Robert Cray, and don't forget Robert Randolph and the Family Band!
I saw Tower of Power live in 1974 as they opened for Santana in NYC. I saw them again in a smaller club in Greenwich Village called the Bottom Line. Years later at the Roxy on Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. Love, Love, Love, TOP...
“So very hard to go” My favorite Tower of Power song ! And “ You’re still a young Man!❤️
Unity! You got that right, brother! The great Tower of Power had white, black, and brown all on the same page speaking that same language of music...and getting the audience into it, too!
What is hip? Well, according to Huey Lewis it’s hip to be square (another great band/artist that would be fun to see reaction to).
Darryl Carden funny they were buddies with Huey! Played on Small World.
T of P supported Huey Lewis when I saw them at Wembley in the UK back in late 80s. They were so good
Paulonbass75 oh hell yes he is. Fantastic harp player.
Since the first Celtic Woman concert 15 years ago ( and they were only going to do one concert for PBS)they have covered Enya to Celine Dions My heart will go on. ENYA IS AWESOME and paved the way for the Celtic Woman greatness.
You finally tried good soul-funk music, I hope one day you will react to "The World is a Ghetto'" by WAR.
A must, love WAR, still sounds good all these years later !
@@ValkyrieZiege - He's gotta hear "Low Rider" and "Spill the Wine" with Eric Burdon. And the long version of "Time Has Come Today" by the Chambers Brothers... "my soul has been psychedelicized!" Double back to Lydia Pence and Cold Blood "I Just Wanna Make Love to You" at the Fillmore 1970?
I was working in a parking lot in Oakland, CA installing vinyl decals for AT&T. Everyone was crabby cause it was late and we had been working out A$$'s off all day, when I hear this sound coming from across the parking lot and had never heard it before. I dropped everything and went to find where it was coming from. The man told me who they were and that they were based out of that very place and then gave me the CD! I was so excited to get turned onto something new that was old! Still have it.
This song is banging. This is the music that I like best.
Don’t sweat the audio glitches because the energy of this live performance is worth it! Damn! I grew up during these times but this song slipped under my radar - thanks for bringing it back!
Francis "Rocco" Prestia. Bass. Ain't nothing more funk/greasier than Rocco!
J Russo RIP Rocco.
RIP Rocco
RIP ....
Rocco and Garibaldi!!! RIP Rocco 😢
I love Tower of Power a big influence on my music taste in high school in 1974. Please do more of this group just a fantastic sound
YEEEEEESS! Did not know how much I needed this!
TOP has so many great songs. You're Still a Young Man. Down to the Nightclub/Bump City (particularly from the Live and in Living Color album). Soul Vaccination. Squib Cakes. You Ought to be Having Fun. From their 40th anniversary concert, there's a song by one of their former saxophonists called Boys from the Bay that is a fantastic instrumental.
I saw them 2 years ago and they still got it.
So did I,Super !
These guys are some of the most talented musicians, and are some of the tightest musicians you will ever hear. Just unbelievable!
Legendary T.O.P. bassist Rocco Prestia just passed on 9/30/2020🙏🏽
I saw these guys live about 15 yrs ago with Average White Band (pick up the pieces), and holy cow they can rip. Me and my buddies used to play their songs whenever we could (I play the big Sax). Sooooooo good. Also the tenor player with the Afro is Lenny Picket from the Saturday night live band.
I remember playing this in pep band during basketball games.
Yes! My sophomore year marching band show was all TOP. This song, so very hard to go, and attitude dance :) so much fun! I was a flag line gal
We did Hawaii Five-O theme.
Tower of Power is still doing it! Celebrated 50 years in 2019 (with a tour)
Started in 2018 since they formed in '68... and I wasn't able to go. Did go to the 40th though at Filmore East in Oakland in 2008.
I love their songs, You're Still Young Man and So very Hard.to Go
The National Anthems it is,along with Sparkling In The Sand.
And after all these years, Doc on baritone sax and Emilio are still funking it up on tour and they are still one of the greatest live acts around
So much good stuff on their Bump City album: 'Down to the Nightclub' 'You Got to Funkifize', 'Skating on Thin Ice', 'You're Still a Young Man' and more.
What Happened To The World & Of The Earth,too.
TOP!!!!!! Ya baby’. These guys are so funky badass. I grew up in Fremont CA, about 15 minutes from Oakland where these guys are from. My mother loved them. She would go all around the East Bay to see them live. I got to meet them in Sandpoint ID about ten years ago. Quality people.
RIP Rocco Prestia, absolute master of funk
Playing bass on this song is an aerobic workout.
Throwback to 1972 for “Radar Love” by Golden Earring!
This song was utilized by my high school's marching band, the Centerville Jazz Band/CJB in their competition show for 1992, which was entitled "Tower Of Power". "What Is Hip?" was the closer song of their show. Every year they perform at the Bands of America Grand National Championships as a 4A/Open Class competition marching band. In 1992, they were the Grand National Champions. It was a great year for the small suburban town of Centerville, Ohio, and for the CJB.
Have you heard, friends? Iconic bassist Rocco Prestia died today.
Oh no...
That's the spirit of music freeing their souls! The love that you send is the love that ye shall receive! Thank you so much for sharing your love. You are a bright, shining beacon of love and music in a very dark time in our history. God Bless You! NAMASTE.
Look at the good things that can happen when Black and White come together.
It's a Gray thing.
Thank you, miss those days so much and hoping with all my heart that we find our way back again.
We are all a lot closer than we realize. Light the flame and let's hang together so that we do not ever hang separately.
@@deepfreezevideo - nice touch, brother.
Saw these guys in 1990 at the opening of the Portland Convention Center, and they were just as electrifying in 1990 as they were in 1977. Tons of fun. EVERYONE was dancing throughout their entire set - even my parents.
What is hip? We may never know. Great song and band.
@Bill McKay Well that's news to me.
It is the eternal question after all.
@@ryokinor6223 the opposite of being square... is to be "hip". Are you hip to the scene etc. But you knew that, didn't you
It ain't hip to be hep any more.
Smoking not only the best weed,but dropping Pep pills,too,etc.
Saw these guys at a jazz festival in DC about 11 years ago, and they did this. Seeing them live was awesome! I don't remember them from the 70s.
I saw this band at least four times and they were on a double bill with The average White band what a hell of a show funky is all hell
antartic orb I saw that double Bill too!
@@BenNawrath I think I saw you there haha just joking but yet I might have!
Haha I saw them in Hartford CT.
Yup..AWB, TOP and Cold Blood
Thank you soo much for enjoying this Tower of Power suggestion whether from me or other subscribers! I love the funkadellic vibes that band gives out still to this day! Keep the throwbacks going, Brother!
Do their tune “There is only so much oil in the ground”. FANTASTIC.
ruclips.net/video/vGVrh-obV4M/видео.html
This band is one of my favorites to drive to on a road trip. Chicago did not mess around, friend. So much blues and jazz attached, Chicago style. All. Those. Instruments.
YES!!! This San Francisco band created its own unique sound that others try to duplicate but can't be matched.
Drummer David Garibaldi, bassist Rocco Prestia became the legendary drive of TOP. Taking nothing away from this drummer. Sax and horn section are still legends today. 👍💓👍💓👍
Not SF. East Bay all the way.
@@lbrod Thanks for the correction. I mess that up sometimes.
back to oakland
East bay grease, baby [Straight outta Oaktowns 'n' whutnot! 😜]
T.O.P. were bad-asses and, although, they seemed to disappear for over a decade, during that time they were, still the hottest, most in-demand horn section, maybe in all of music. [In the '80s.]. From 1970-around 1976, though?? they could DO no wrong! 🤘🤘
Founded by Emilio Castillo and Stephen "Doc" Kupka the band were an R&B/Funk/Soul groove powerhouse (and Lenny Williams could sing him some ballads too, Y'uh-huh!!!)
They never were as good with any other vocalist, (besides Rick Stevens [the original lead-vocalist] or Lenny Williams) but, even in the latter years, they were pretty monstrous!|
The horn section could: bake a loaf of bread, slice it, make you a sandwich and shoot mayo & mustard into it while playing a solo.
:
"Don't Change Horses (In The Middle Of A Stream)"
"Squib Cakes"
"You Got To Funkifize"
"Down To The Nightclub"
"Soul Vaccination"
"Knock Yourself Out"
"The Price"
"Below Us, All The City Lights"
"Back On The Streets, Again"
"Walkin' Up Hip Street"
"It Can Never Be The Same"
...are, I think, all necessary listens.
...Back To Oakland is a LEGENDARY drum album! 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🔥🔥🔥🔥🧡♠
and, I think, Bump City may be the finest album they ever created, other than that. ...but, the first 5 or so albums are, all, the tops! ...Radically good!
This Band.... is still performing!!! So AWEsome !!
How's about a little of Sly and the Family Stone? SHOUT OUT!!
Just saw them at North Central College in Naperville last year. Dave Garibaldi was on drums and Rocco (RIP) was there. Been loving these cats for decades!
This version was a horrible idea. Check the original recording
I agree...listen to the original!
Yeah, this version is way too fast and the lead singer sounds like comedian Chris Tucker.
1973 Studio Version Style The late great Ed McGee was sure something Onstage way back in the day.
I have to agree, too much cocaine here maybe and it's too fast
@@NeutronDance was about to say the exact same thing
He loves it!! Who wouldn't? Love TOP-for years!!!
Check out the Chambers Brother's, Time has come today.
If you love that song the you should love... Its Time for Me to Love You by Eric Mercury his other album The Electric Black man is out of this world.
funk , jazz and soul all wrapped in one killer package. saw these guys in '77 in springfield mass. nobody could sit still for the whole thing
Pressin' like during the intro.
Hi Jamal-I'm a white boy that grew up listening to XERB on my transistor radio in SoCal mid 1960's. The Wolfman introduced me to James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Etta James and I was hooked. Nagged my parents to buy me a tenor sax so I could play soul music. My friends asked why I liked "colored music" so much. I just smiled and turned up the volume. 5 years later when Tower of Power came on the scene, I spent all night standing on the sidewalk outside Funky Quarters on El Cajon Blvd listening to both of their sets that night. I came unraveled when I heard Soul Vaccination for the first time. Had to stay to hear it one more time.
Aww, you done did it now. You done got all slicked up with "East Bay Grease" and fell into the Tower Of Power rabbit hole. You need a "Soul Vaccination." Once you're feeling better, "You Ought To Be Having Fun." Maybe you could go "Down To The Nightclub," bumpty bumpty bump, and dance the "Oakland Stroke."
Squib Cakes, baby!
"You ought to be, You ought to be . . . You ought to be, You ought to be!"
@@sibkiss2009 Available at the snack bar. LOL
So very hard to go!!
Yep DOWN TO THE NIGHT CLUB please Jamal
I had the honor of getting to play music with William McGee (the singer) before he passed away. Great man!
If you haven't played it yet you should give, "Down to the Nightclub" a listen.
YES
Tower of Power still performs and does tours! I've seen them to sold out crowds in Seattle a few times now. They bring the house down every time! I can't wait for Covid to go away so they can come back!
You're still a young man and Willing To Learn are two other good ones by them.
And Jamal is still a young man and willing to learn. Good choices.
Jamel, if you want some funk try Squib Cakes by these guys. One of the best live shows you'll ever see. Over fifty years on the road. Saw them quite a few times when they came to Toronto area. Best horn section ever assembled.
Studio version is great also! Seems a little up tempo for my taste. These guys are still touring!
I saw them live at Toad’s Place in New Haven, Connecticut in the late 80’s and they kicked ass! Great musicians and a lot of energy.
"I can take about an hour on the Tower of Power as long as I gets a little golden shower..."
Bobby Brown, is that you???
@@Margar02 Yep, and I'm a handsome son of a bitch!
@John Wescott, Ooh God, wait till Jamel discovers Frank!
@@B30pt87 I hope he starts with Trouble Every Day
@@Margar02 Classic, and still true today. Sadly.
EVERYTHING Tower of Power does is FIRE! My favorite soul band ever!
The tempo is a little fast and the groove doesn't have time to breathe. But TOP is without equal when you're talking funky horn music.
I have always loved these guys. They been around since the 60s, and have changed out many members over the years bur are still going as far as I know. My favorite song they do is, Don't Change Horses.