Francis Rocco Prestia

[grobe]

Need suggestions please.

What are his must hear songs?Which ToP albums have his best work? What other albums should I check out?


(maybe he posts here occasionally?)

[Honk'n_down-low]

Really anything he played on - check out the interview with him on bassplayer.tv WEB Site then search here and on Youtube and you'll be able to get a feel.

[birdxofxprey]

the albums i like the most are
TOP
Souled Out
Monster on a Leash
(I actually saw the tours for each of these albums, killer)

Rhythm and Business is pretty good too, as is Drop it in the Slot.

I understand Rocco is to receive a lifetime acheivement award from bassplayer mag somethime soon.

[klyph]

I really like "Back to Oakland", and I think it's one of their best efforts. I can't say whether or not it's his best work, but it's a pretty consistent album song-wise, which for me is more important (and the vocals are awesome!). I think it's the last LP with the original Dave Garibaldi/Chester Thompson/Bruce Conte rhythm section lineup (I could be wrong about this). Keep in mind most TOP stuff in the mid/late seventies thru the early eighties is NOT Rocco. The best thing you can do for yourself is to go see them live- what a show! It'll shake the cobwebs from every joint in your body! Rocco is very friendly and personable- really a beautiful cat! I saw the "Monster" tour too, it is a good album, and the bass is clearer than the 70's stuff FWIW.

[DWBass]

ummmm......everything.............

[BlountEdge]

Tower of Power's first 5 albums feature some his best work and are essential listening for an appreciation of his style and the band in general. These albums were truly groundbreaking in the early 70's:

East Bay Grease - 1970
Bump City - 1972
Tower of Power - 1973
Back to Oakland - 1974
Urban Renewal - 1974

Some key tracks that showcase his style are:

Knock Yourself Out
You've Got To Funkafize
You're Still A Young Man
Soul Vaccination
What Is Hip?
Clever Girl
This Time It's Real
Squib Cakes
Oakland Stroke
Just When We Start Making It
Can't You See (You're Doing Me Wrong)
Only So Much Oil In The Ground
Maybe It'll Rub Off

There's also an early LP called "Lights Out, San Francisco" that features various Bay Area artists, which includes a few ToP tracks that aren't available elsewhere.

After these albums, Rocco left the band for several years, but returned in the mid-late 80's and continued to contribute significantly to their catalog. However, I am less familiar with these albums and can't offer specific track recommendations.

[klyph]

"Oakland Stroke" is a track (and a superb one at that!), "Back to Oakland" is the name of the Lp.

[cripula]

Oh man, the first 3 tracks of Live and in Living Color!

And +1 for those first 5 albums. Get 'em all.

[BlountEdge]

Klyph - You're absolutely right. "Back to Oakland" is the LP's title. That's what I get for trying to list them from memory! Thanks for the correction.

[ryco]

I agree with BlountEdge's list of albums + Drop It In the Slot!
Urban Renewal is prob my personal fave.

"What Is Hip: The ToP Anthology" is a nice collection at a nice price!

[Hamrhed]

I would also recommend the DVD 'Rocco Prestia: live from bass day'... plays tunes w/ David Garibaldi & Lenny Pickett plus answers questions from the audience with a bonus interview at the end...

I find myself putting the DVD on just to hear the band jam... good stuff