Tower of Power - Live at Leverkusener Jazztage 2014

Track List:
1. I Like Your Style
2. Only So Much Oil In The Ground
3. Can't You See (You Don' Me Wrong)
4. (To Say The Least) You’re The Most
5. Time Will Tell
6. Soul Vaccination
7. J.B. Medley
8. So Very Hard To Go
9. What Is Hip?
10. Soul With A Capitol "S"
Ray Greene - vocals, trombone
Adolfo Anthony Acosta - trumpet
Savator William Cracchiolo II - trumpet
Emilio Castillo - tenor sax, vocals
Thomas Edward Politzer - tenor sax
Stephen "Doc" Kupka - baritone sax
Gerald Timothy Cortez - guitar
Donald Raymond McKinley - bass guitar
Roger Ray Smith - keyboards, Hammond B3
John David Garibaldi - drums
Tower of Power - Leverkusener Jazztage 2014
Live at 35. Leverkusener Jazztage, November 15, 2014, Germany
#TowerOfPower is an American #RNB-based horn section and band, originating in Oakland, California, that has been performing since 1968. There have been a number of lead vocalists, the best-known being Lenny Williams, who fronted the band between early 1973 and late 1974, the period of their greatest commercial success. They have had eight songs on the Billboard Hot 100, their highest-charting songs include "You're Still a Young Man", "So Very Hard to Go", "What Is Hip?", and "Don't Change Horses (in the Middle of a Stream)".
In the summer of 1968, tenor saxophonist/vocalist Emilio Castillo met Stephen "Doc" Kupka, who played baritone sax. Castillo had played in several bands, but Castillo's father told his son to "hire that guy" after a home audition. Within months the group, then known as The Motowns, began playing various gigs around Oakland and Berkeley, their soul sound relating to both minority and rebellious listeners.
Castillo wanted to play Bill Graham's Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco, but he realized he would never get in with a name like The Motowns. The band agreed on Tower of Power and the name stuck.
By 1970, the now renamed Tower of Power-now including trumpet/arranger Greg Adams, first trumpet Mic Gillette, first saxophone Skip Mesquite, Francis "Rocco" Prestia on bass, Willie Fulton on guitar, and drummer David Garibaldi-signed a recording contract with Bill Graham's San Francisco Records and released their first album, East Bay Grease. Rufus Miller performed most of the lead vocals on this debut album. The group was first introduced to the San Francisco Bay area by radio station KSAN, which played a variety of artists such as Cold Blood, Eric Mercury, and Marvin Gaye.
Augmented by percussionist/conga/bongo player Brent Byars, Tower of Power was released from their San Francisco label contract and moved to Warner Bros. Records. Rick Stevens replaced Rufus Miller as lead singer on 1972's Bump City, which gave the band their first national exposure.[8] This album included the hit single "You're Still a Young Man", which peaked at #29 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was Stevens' pinnacle vocal performance before leaving the band. Emilio Castillo, who co-wrote the tune with Stephen Kupka, told Songfacts that the song was based on a true story about him and a former girlfriend who was six years his senior.
Tower of Power, released in the spring of 1973, was the third album for the band. It featured soul singer Lenny Williams on lead vocals and Lenny Pickett on lead tenor saxophone. Bruce Conte replaced guitarist Willie Fulton and keyboardist Chester D.Thompson also joined the band during the recording of the album. The album spawned their most-successful single "So Very Hard to Go". Although the single peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100, it landed in the Top 10 on the surveys of many West Coast Top 40 radio stations, hitting #1 on many of them. The album also charted two other singles on the Billboard Hot 100, "This Time It's Real" and "What Is Hip?"
1974's Back to Oakland spawned another hit, "Don't Change Horses (in the Middle of a Stream)", that reached #26 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "Time Will Tell", which charted at #69. The #funk-jazz classic instrumental "Squib Cakes" also came from this album.
On Urban Renewal (1974), the band moved more toward funk than soul; however, they continued recording ballads as well. Williams left the band in late 1974, and was replaced as vocalist by Hubert Tubbs. Though the band remained popular, their days of chart radio airplay declined. During the late 1970s they briefly tried recording disco-sounding material.
On January 12, 2017, long-time drummer David Garibaldi and bassist Marc Van Wageningen were hit by a train as they walked across tracks before a performance in Oakland. They both survived the accident. According to their manager, Jeremy Westby, they were both “responsive and being treated at a local hospital”. They fully recovered and returned to the active lineup later that year.
en.wikipedia.o...

[@amerigovillegas8535]

Of all the lead singers that performed with TOP Lenny Williams was my favorite

[@salthedrummer1]

Ray Green is at another level....One of the best

[@minacciosa]

The bass player subbing for Rocco is simply phenomenal. One of the things i respect about TOP is that they have never compromised in the quality of musicians that are incorporated into the band. Quality is first and foremost, always.

[@minacciosa]

+Todd Brittain if he does, it's so slight as to be inconsequential. Besides, who could sit in for a few weeks (or even months) and possibly reproduce what forty years of one's playing with the same people does?

[@erikeklof5293]

Yea he's really good but I too can hear him a bit ahead of the beat...not as deep in the pocket as Rocco. But it's splitting hairs...He's definitely holding his own...nobody is Rocco.

[@bugmongrant1504]

Love that octave disco rift that he fits in !

[@dEadERest]

nobody articulates likes Rocco but think of the cats on the 1st call list

[@roberttaylor6600]

Tower of Power love you guys just keeping the funk in the pocket.

[@MrPatricioG]

Larry Braggs was indeed "pound for pound the baddest cat in the land," but I have to say that this band did not miss a beat adding Ray Greene. Dude brings his own dynamic which is a breath of fresh air. Also, that flugel solo that Adolfo Acosta took on "Time Will Tell" blew my socks off! Wow!

[@toddushiroda2778]

i agree 100% re Ray Greene

[@j.h.lowery7934]

Why have they been snubbed for the Hall of Fame? This band has influenced so many and still kicks ass wherever they play.

[@tptvox]

That is SUCH a good question!!!

[@wtfdelicious]

J,H Lowery Only reason I can think of is that they are simply too funky awesome for the Hall of Fame ;)

[@Oldscule62]

wtfdelicious I think I'll pose that same question when I actually send a letter to the HOF. I'll post my results.

[@j.h.lowery7934]

Oldscule62 It has been 1 month and so far, no answer from RR HOF. Disappointed!

[@michael.schuler]

TOP!!! Every man on this stage could front his own band. What an incredible collection of musical knowledge and soul!

[@chiefpiatti]

I've been an R&B guitarist since the 60s. I saw TOP at the Birchmere in DC two years ago. Jerry (guitar) was relatively new to the band and was average. His guitar is now on fire. Rocco is recovering from a kidney transplant. How they found a talented bass player that fits in so well is amazing, as is the new singer. I'm watching their site to see when they will be back in DC. Can't wait to see them again.

[@timocracy777]

top is still great its is an honor to see david giribaldi on drums

[@bumphead2]

This is the best soul band in the world. I just saw them live this week for the first time in 41 years and they were as tight this week as I remember them being 41 years ago. I had the immense privilege of meeting my musical heroes backstage after the show and they were warm, welcoming and gracious gentlemen. It was a high point in my life.

[@davidimmanuelkaiser9114]

Seit ich T.O.P. kenne, höre ich wirklich nichts anderes mehr… Diese Musik macht irgendwie süchtig!

[@gulfislandradio2924]

Ray is in the Lenny Zone...soundin' clean...and the band is as good or beter than it has been. Lovin' the energy man

[@TheMisterGriswold]

Gulf Island Radio Great lineup! Mimi's some sort of genius.

[@vardlott2047]

Jerry Cortez! Awesome!

[@Nissantrommler]

50 years by now and in this formation still the best in the world - unbelievable !

[@АнтонинаЕвглевская-я1й]

Шикарная музыка !!!!!!!! Музыканты - SUPER !!!!!!!!! Выше всяких похвал !!!!!!! BRAVO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@b.bailey8244]

not only are they all ace musicians and writers/arrangers, but they are really NICE decent people who respect each other and give their all for their audiences. TOP is TOPS!

[@throwyourassout]

Ray Greene had some big shoes to fill when he took over for Larry Braggs but he has really stepped up and made the gig his own now. Ray McKinley is throwing down some killer licks on the bass while Rocco's on the mend.

[@woerge]

0:36 I Like Your Style 4:13 Only So Much Oil In The Ground 9:03 Can't You See (You Don' Me Wrong) 13:59 (To Say The Least) You’re The Most 22:04 Time Will Tell 27:09 Soul Vaccination 31:49 J.B. Medley 41:15 So Very Hard To Go 45:17 What Is Hip? 54:01 Soul With A Capitol "S"

[@lukas.steinberg.musikwerke]

You are a hero! Thank you so much 👍🙏

[@giuseppeclaudio1553]

David Garibaldi un batterista con uno stile personalissimo grande e dire poco.

[@Snare1965_official]

This guys are the best since 47 years....

[@gustavofring2436]

13 thumbs down!? That's kooky talk.... you're crazy. This is perfection.

[@ricardogarza3826]

Buenísimo, me encantan todos! Grandes músicos, gran cantante!😊

[@megu-hog]

LB is a great singer one of the best and I love TOP performance featuring him. However as much as that, I love this live performance with RG! Ray drives the band harder, even if the guys are 8 years younger than today.

[@DRvideohere]

Heard TOP in Tarrytown, NY on Dec. 30th, and they were burning. Ray Greene's singing was phenomenal, and he really worked the crowd, getting everyone up dancing and singing along. Best wishes to Rocco for a speedy recovery. Long live TOP!

[@chrisose]

I just saw TOP in Orlando in February with Herman Matthews on drums and Ray Greene was back on vocals. Despite missing DG it was an amazing show.

[@woerge]

the bass is phenomenal!

[@lorrainemadero4945]

So So So Good 😊❤️

[@angelsoto7435]

Este cantante y trombonista fue un buen elemento en tower of power, me hubiera gustado que continuará con la agrupacion, gracias por su aportación a esta hermosa musica

[@Joseph-Tapper]

That flugel solo in Time Will Tell. Wow. As a flugel and trumpet player myself, that is total goals right there. TOP and funk charts have a special place in my heart.

[@QuantumOfSolace1]

TVPPS -Acosta -still blowing sweet!!!

[@fortheloveofgodandcountry]

I have been a TOP{ fan for decades and it seems like there music so intense sometimes just freezes people. But boy when you get movin that music rips. Love these guys.

[@tubelono]

I really think this is where Ray Greene came of age and took ownership in the band. He absolutely OWNED the stage here!

[@harrybooker9352]

Mark Mohr

[@buddysinger]

I agree Mark, I have performed with Ray...he is the real deal...

[@sp4gsus]

Yes too bad he left he is amazing. Sounds great on the new cd.

[@joeortiz1935]

I have been following tower of power since 1970,Emilio Castillo knows what's cracking when it goes to performing in his bad ass band,change is sometimes good when it comes the lead singer.rocco I wish you a speedy recovery,you guy's keep up the excellent work and get to Phoenix soon.

[@willardmosely7323]

I think everyone knows by now that Rocco is no longer with us; he's up there jammin' with Mic and Skip! LB is now singing with the Temptations. All that said, the band is STILL cookin'!

[@stevenmartin5002]

WHAT??? Gotta listen to the ToP from the beginning to the end. That means all singers and instrumentalists since 1968. That may help you decide what singer, or, what 'GIT DOWN FUNKY' musician you personally like. There are only three originals here. If you like funk. . . . , then you'll can't help but loving these East Side Oakland Boys. :)

[@stevesinger9694]

Gotta love the boys from Oakland....and the great lead singer currently from Boston... Ray Greene...

[@dominiquelouis1011]

Génial !!! Rien à dire de plus ...

[@moulosify]

Can't You See if my favourite tower song, great performance guys!

[@BusMaster007X]

Mr. Ray is gettin' his groove on, for sure. Well done, Sir!

[@tombailey74]

TOP is so awesome, they need to be promoted way more !!

[@brendacarlosaranda2718]

I just saw them last night they were Amazing!!!

[@pastorjohn57]

What a band! Great grooves, good arrangements, exceleent musicians. David Garabaldi is amazing. Tight, tight rhythm section. It is every horn players dream to be in a band like TOP. I know it would be mine. God bless their gifts to us all.

[@haroldrevette6305]

Thank for all the good music may you continue to be blessed.

[@wvkoi5675]

Adolfo on amazing flugelhorn… wow!

[@Complexsax]

The MC got it just right. „The Tower of Power“ 👌

[@bassistdc]

Emilio is the man! TOP rules!!

[@mickim1953]

Damn I love these guys! I believe they will be in KC soon,I am front row ready!

[@flylooper]

Still cookin' after all these years! Great stuff.

[@RaptorGN07]

Amazing! always have been through the years.

[@salthedrummer1]

Brent Carter is one of my favorites too...

[@RAHILY1]

Обожаю !!!! Белиссимо ! Любимая группа !

[@RobertVee]

The Best! Tower of Power!

[@tetsujikita4924]

Ray Green is an awesome talent! He fits right in. T.O.P. is the greatest funk band ever. Oakland Bump City Funk!

[@rosafranpper1480]

Tower of power. Black Music on Top. Love Us. Amazing

[@ericwilhelm2941]

Ray is killin' it.

[@SMBDTC]

The new singer is good, really good. But Larry Braggs.... he was the best lead vocalist the band ever had. I miss him.

[@whipsaw]

Agreed.

[@GordonKeys]

pound for pound, the baddest cat in the land.....LB

[@harpye312]

stimmt, aber alle sänger waren spize

[@tptvox]

I think they are both great. Ray is wonderful. Larry was great too. Ray had only a few months before this video. Larry had been in for 15 years but wanted to go solo.

[@helioseismology]

Lenny Williams.

[@tomloya7366]

Damn... I wish I could play trumpet like, well, like any trumpet player that TOP has ever had.

[@jamiemanning]

Ray Greene...awesome 🙂

[@narvul]

Extended Class 1 bass player....!!!

[@larrylubkert7769]

On the serious side

[@biggijohn]

THATS MY Band 👍😎🎶

[@vintagesoul1]

Great album! noticed new faces.

[@Mavis308]

That’s going to happen in the music business, it’s in the nature of the beast. Tower of Power, being around for over 50 years, band members come and go. Only Emilio Castillo and Stephen “Doc” Kupka are the original members and founders, I could be wrong.

[@danielamusizza4173]

Grande band 💖💖💖 👏👏👏

[@thewordkeeper]

Tower of Power has always been awesome and outstanding but where's my favorite? You're Still a Young Young Man?

[@billytheweasel]

Nice mix! Gawd it's good to see and hear real video and audio. These guys deserve it. Only So Much Oil sounded great and EVERYONE in the audience dances when they play it. They're much more locked-in for this show than on the PBS video. Get well soon DG. What is hip ..replacement?

[@TheMisterGriswold]

billytheweasel Still could do a bit better on maintaining the groove. A bit frenetic in spots.

[@billytheweasel]

+Mike Griswold I do believe you've just committed *soul-blasphemy*! lol

[@toddushiroda2778]

with all respects to all of the past lead singers and marcus, i think ray greene was the best vocalist, imho. good luck and all the best to ray.

[@toddushiroda2778]

agree. can't blame him for joining santana. gotta chase the big bucks.

[@kwillmcwill]

Love Tom Politzer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@yazhamidi726]

Que du bonheur !

[@thomasreubold3573]

so much, only

[@llortllort1]

Missed David Garibaldi when they played here in Stockholm a couple of years ago...

[@mozdickson]

first time I've heard Ray Greene up front - deserves the gig...he is singing over the music at times, to be fair. MUST relax and get in the groove more... a la 9:51

[@williamparker5222]

+adventuresinbelieving I disagree with you to the max!! LB was way better! But Lenny Williams topped them all!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mozdickson]

what do you disagree with William? Your comment I completely agree with, Larry got pipes but Lenny will always be King of the ToP Vocals

[@alexs8924]

SUPER !!!

[@lunastrat]

What is Hip...holy shit!!!!

[@dpetchmode]

Believe it or not. They're also know as East Bay Grease who I saw at Big Arts in Berkeley in 1976

[@thenel2162]

The band can make any tempo groove! However the tempos on the recordings alot of the time were perfect!

[@brucek1448]

Watching 50th anniversary show and deeply missing lead singer Ray Greene, who went on to better things with Santana. Current lead singer is a mere shadow by comparison.

[@brucek1448]

ouldn't bring myself to watch that show he was so bad.

[@LD_CONTENT]

He's really good . . . very tough to raise the bar after Larry Braggs, but give him time.

[@robquonset]

Strangest thing. The introduction audio was playing backward. Could not understand a word he said...then, when the guy started singing all was good.

[@douggys2]

WoW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@stevenmartin5002]

BTW. I'm from Illinois, USA

[@pavelguitar1]

Guitar solo)))cool

[@ВладимирМуханов-г6п]

очень хорошо спасибо музыкантам россия тамбов

[@sosmooth7]

Donald Raymond McKinley is really holding down the bass slot so very well. he seems to drive the band a little harder. Ray Green sound incredibly close to Lenny Williams. Good job Emilio in choosing replacements. The TOP is one of my all time favorite bands. I have seen them several times.I have also followed their career since there's been a Tower of Power. Great Band!!!

[@SMBDTC]

Rare concert from the TOP as they almost never play I like you style...

[@prtonello]

...theyve been playing it a lot recently...

[@ralphhale5711]

Ray Greene is the closest TOP has come to Lenny Williams in many years. Timbre and range. A monster vocalist. A Berklee boy as well! Awesome stuff.

[@ronzaffino5004]

Didn't miss a lick by bringing in Ray.

[@eeaammui]

Trumpets !!

[@KKMmusic]

great performance, but i wish there weren't so many extreme closeups with the camera work. i don't need a face or hand filling up the screen every 10 seconds haha.

[@LNClubsTheaters]

So many losses this week, RIP Mic Gillette.

[@Virgolino57]

What happened do Rocco, the bass player. Did he quit? I cannot imagine the Tower of Power without him...

[@KingTabor]

+Virgolino Luis maybe he was under health treatment, but I read that in 2015 he got healthy and rejoined.

[@SpocksBabeSonyaSB]

+Marcus Vinnas .. Yes, at the time, Rocco was awaiting kidney surgery. The bassist in this video was a sub and Rocco has been back for about one year now. :))

[@woerge]

ray is playing a different style as rocco...but definetily not bader

[@artnatalisamkanashvili9762]

👍👍👍

[@anitalenor1]

wonder where the live from Germany one is..?! I just watched it recently, & saved it=only 1 song saved...?

[@JobeStroud]

Once James Brown was called. He was done. WTF is he doing? What is hip!? Overall.. This is okay.. Also wish it was shown as the concert was done. The last song in this video wasn't at the end of the concert. The last 30 minutes of his "James Brown" was the end.

[@UnknownNamekiki]

i never forget. just the spirits won't allow mass destructions' not ever again' ha'

[@akypar]

where is rocco??

[@QuantumOfSolace1]

Missing Larry Braggs!!

[@keyplayr61greenhousehydrop14]

I think David Garibaldi needs to ease up on those energy drinks. By the time the songs end, their at double speed LOL!!!

[@PhilippFuerstenau]

Absolutely no.

[@kelvarnson01]

So true. It's hard for me to watch, and I am a huge fan of Garibaldi and the band. At this level, how does this even happen?

[@anthonyh7286]

What are you talking about. BAD ASS DRUMMER !!!!!

[@briansrensen8204]

I noticed that too..he looked so tense. Maybe his monitor sound was horrible.

[@sp4gsus]

Only so much oil is off the charts way too fast and gets even faster.

[@timmyeee405]

Are they speeding up?

[@helioseismology]

What happened to Larry Bargg???

[@mozdickson]

+THSmusicNC Larry's hip

[@eptgen]

hi herobrian