Tower of Power!

[FlyLow]

I pulled out an old Tower of Power CD, "Bump City". Oh MAN, I had forgotten how tight that band was! Lots of nice bass work by Rocco Prestia.

The really cool stuff to me is the connection between the bass and baritone sax lines in a lot of their funk sound. That was an awesome band that was never appropriately recognized in their time. The stuff that got air time was really not their best work in my opinion. But I guess that is the way of things... Seems like I hear Tower of Power roots in a lot of Average White Band stuff...

[chuck3]

Tower of Power is awesome. I am trying to interest my band in "Social Lubrication," a great song in many dimensions. Good luck ... a lot people don't get it.

[Jazzdogg]

I just received my 40th anniversary CD & DVD; Tower of Power is tighter than ever!

[Marty Forrer]

I played support for them a few years ago, man they kicked! Rocco was a super cool guy.

[electracoyote]

Love Rocco and those 16th note staccato funk jackhammer lines.

I'm still a little baffled by one phrase in "What Is Hip." I'm about 90% there, not giving up.

[tutumiley]

Originally Posted by FlyLow

I pulled out an old Tower of Power CD, "Bump City". Oh MAN, I had forgotten how tight that band was! Lots of nice bass work by Rocco Prestia.

The really cool stuff to me is the connection between the bass and baritone sax lines in a lot of their funk sound. That was an awesome band that was never appropriately recognized in their time. The stuff that got air time was really not their best work in my opinion. But I guess that is the way of things... Seems like I hear Tower of Power roots in a lot of Average White Band stuff...

WERE tight?? They are still smokin' tight. I have seen them many times throughout the yrs.,but most memorable to me was yrs. ago at Minn. Zoo Amphitheater with the Average White Band. Brent Carter with TOP on vocals. Sometimes-TOP drummer Herman Matthews sed if it weren't for Rocco,they would just be another horn band. I dunno if I'd go that far tho - Tightest horn section in the world,& they're still Diggin' On James Brown....

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

This is a terrrific live version of "What Is Hip?"

[FlyLow]

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

...This is a terrrific live version of "What Is Hip?"...

That was an awesome clip, thanks for posting the link!

I liked your youtube clips as well!

[scowboy]

Saw them a week ago Sunday at Yoshi's in Oakland (both shows) and they were totally switched on that night. Probably tighter than I've ever heard them. Chatted a few minutes with Rocco but he was very quiet and seemed tired. David Garibaldi was totally engaging though!

[Stick_Player]

I'm still a little baffled by one phrase in "What Is Hip." I'm about 90% there, not giving up

Here's a transcription that might help.

[MrLenny1]

I have caught them live 5 years in a row. Incredible horn section & rythm section.
No one compares, AWB is lame. Even when Rocco was out the band sounded good.
I have seen several singers and drummers, Garibaldi most recently and the band always
cooks.

[Thor]

There has been a rumor that Rocco has had some health
issues, usually the word has been that he is very cool.

Just got asked to sub in with a horn band for a show in April, TOP and AWB are part of the repertoire. I am looking forward to it but I have some serious
woodshedding to do.

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by Stick_Player

Here's a transcription that might help.

Excellent! Thank you!

[dave64o]

Good to hear they're as tight as ever. I'm going to see them with AWB in April with my son (a 13 year old trumpet player). He's heard me playing their CDs and he's really looking forward to it too.

Can't wait!

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Stick_Player

Here's a transcription that might help.

Just reading that sheet music cramped my hand.