Like most of the people around me, it was hard to sit down, although I did to enjoy their take on the old Billy Paul soul classic from the 70s, “Me and Mrs. They obviously love what they do.Īnd so does the crowds they attract. The fact that these guys play and tour for upwards of 200 shows a year is testament to their character. Their distinctive jazz-funk sound has been heard on hundreds of recordings by a variety of artists. Consisting of Castillo, Kupka, tenor saxophonist Tom Politzer, trumpeter Adolpho Acosta, as well as the return of longtime trumpet player Lee Thornburg, this is what the band is all about. The Tower of Power horn section is something of an American icon.
Speaking of moves, during the 1973 hit, “So Very Hard To Go,” the entire horn section emphasized the early verses with their signature hand moves to accompany it before breaking in with their instruments. His dancing gave each song the energy it needed to take it over the top. Not only that, but the brotha can “bust a move” as well. Lead singer Larry Braggs is, as far as I’m concerned, the Tower of Power vocalist (and there have been many) with the most range. The band tore into their extensive catalogue of songs, including 1976’s “You Ought To Be Having Fun” and the very appropriate-for-these-times, ‘Only So Much Oil In The Ground” from 1974’s Urban Renewal. That says a lot for a band that has been together since 1968, and has been through many members throughout that time.ĭriving the band is the most incredible rhythm section of bassist Francis “Rocco” Prestia and drummer David Garibaldi, whose tight accents and funky chops really give the band their energy. I’ve seen them many times and have never been disappointed. Opening with a medley of “Soul Vaccination” and “Oakland Strokem” the band was as tight as ever. Led by the core of band founders - tenor saxophonist Emilio Castillo and baritone saxophonist Stephen “Doc” Kupka - the band laid down the funk from the get-go. He told a few jokes and then introduced the band that the crowd had been anxiously waiting for: Tower of Power! Tierra got things started with a short set combining Latino and funky sounds that seemed to get the crowds attention, with a few toe-tappers and ballads like the 1980s hit song “Together.”Īt around 7:20 PM, out stepped onstage Radio DJ legend Rick Dees, who for the last few months has been the morning DJ on Los Angeles station KHHT “Hot 92.3” - the sponsors of the show. The cool night was a great setting for the sweaty sounds that were soon to follow. It was part of a triple bill featuring TOP, Los Angeles Latino-style horn band Tierra, and LA’s own fusion band War. The show was at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on a perfect evening. The announcer likes to say at the beginning of their shows, “Ladies and Gentlemen, from Oakland California - Tower of Power!” And yes, the funk was brought on once again by this 10-piece band that had this writer (and many others), “gittin funky” in the aisles. Recently, I attended a show by a band that has laid claim to be the funkiest of the funky for over 40 years. Not just dance, but “Git Funky,” work your body till it gets all sweaty and nasty, in the state that I described. It has become known for awhile now, and popularized by the late great James Brown and his band, that a “Funk Band” playing “Funky Music” is the type of band with the bass and drum centered, playing beat-heavy music that is irresistible to people who want to get up and dance. This is EXACTLY the feeling you get from seeing and listening and dancing to a good funk band. Your clothes are sticking to your body, your armpits are stained with sweat, your hair is messed up, and your feet and hips hurt. You know, the way you feel after a good bout of dancing or performing under some hot lights in a crowded space. Loosely translated, it can be described as the sweaty, stinky, state of the human body after a good workout.
A word that is familiar to most of us, but not necessarily defined correctly.
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