Tower of Power: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

[@nprmusic]

Hey Tiny Desk Fans, Check out NPR’s Black Stories, Black Truths - a collection of podcasts hosted by journalists who speak truth to power. Our voices are as varied, nuanced, and dynamic as the Black experience. And stories should never be about us without us. Listen now: www.npr.org/podcasts/510372/black-stories-black-truths

[@lioness-kushlumumba4040]

Absolutely true, no stories about us without us! ❤

[@danacoleman4007]

Where can I find the one about the Hispanic experience?

[@jaygriffin5710]

Cool, a bunch of liberals race baiting. I thought we gave that up in 2022

[@yankeedolphin6286]

Always a racist bringing race into a situation.

[@davidespinosa1910]

I see the credits for the video producers, but I don't see the credits for the musicians. Did I miss something ?

[@dagalpup1278]

Bill lamb was my dad and use to be the lead trumpeter for tower of power back in the day. He died from lung cancer in 2014, it's awesome to see you guys rocking and keeping the soul alive. Rock on forever 🤟

[@EricGordon-j2s]

Man that's so cool good props to your father

[@PaulJackson-q3b]

Saw your Dad a monster player !!

[@teach1nation]

Sorry for the loss, my dad passed too - lung cancer in 2014 😢

[@georgesheffield1580]

Saw them in Denton 2yrs ago , playing to their peers , EXCELLENT👍

[@reneecarter6702]

Bless dad’s heart, sorry for your loss hon ❤

[@maryhales4595]

So proud that my uncle wrote the horn parts for On The Soul Side of Town. Love you, Uncle Dave!

[@patg-money225]

God bless Dave!

[@Sharelleiamhis]

Awesome!!!🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@NikoFrederiko.]

@@Sharelleiamhis Hi

[@Sharelleiamhis]

@@NikoFrederiko. hello there!

[@cole6122]

^ lol

[@merlinmediagroup]

Couldn't find timestamps in the comments, so here they are: 0:00 - On The Soul Side of Town 5:16 - So Very Hard To Go 10:05 - What Is Hip?

[@steveearnshaw2216]

These guys played at my high school prom in 1971! Nothing better than East Bay funk.

[@kimthomas781]

Wow!!!! We had a DJ 😂.

[@jacobaccurso]

All we could afford at Turlock High School (‘72) was a Bay Area band named “Coffee.”

[@NickRatto]

We had ours stk,airport don’t recall what’s the music,wow your class pulled it together for ya all

[@lynneglazer2154]

A prom! Wow. They played at my Sacramento high school in late ‘72 or early ‘73, gotta look that up. Hooked for life.

[@kennethellison9713]

Back when bands played proms. Yep, I played a bunch of 'em in the 70's. I can't imagine TOP playing our prom!

[@chrishenson4450]

In 59 years, I have probably listened to "What Is Hip" more than any other single song that's ever been recorded. It's a brilliant piece of musical onomatopoeia - a song that asks and answers its own question, that plays like a timeless definition and dancing elocution of itself, even saying the song's name is an act of universally funky syncopation. You can't help it. "What Is Hip?" Say it now and listen to yourself, you funky thing you.

[@jeffreytoombs9613]

I think you hit the nail on the head. The song that answers its own question.

[@chriskron2512]

Perfect!!

[@daiiahi3403]

The music even inspired some young ladies in Japan....Go check out the Jazz Avengers version of What is Hip....they do an awesome job with it!

[@gwynnlinn1133]

Magically funkK!

[@bhornannawindeedeigh5007]

I say, what is hip? What is hip, indeed. So HAPPY to say I got to see this magnificent group in 1978 in Albuquerque when I was working for Ticketmaster as I was attending UNM. Front and center tickets! They were AWESOME, naturally. Oh, my Lord, above. I will never forget the power of The Tower of Power. God bless their staying Power! And my goodness, I just love their powerful vocalist. He's INCREDIBLE. 😍 Thank you, NPR. I love y'all! You are my Heroes! 💐🙏🏽💞

[@donschwartzburt5436]

It doesnt get much better then this. I'm blown away. Lead singer is killer. Horns are killer, kb player is killer, rhythm drums and bass killer, guitarist is off the charts. This band's energy flies all the way past the stratosphere

[@TracksWithDax]

Yeah! I feel like they're tempering their sound a *little bit* compared to a huge venue, but they sound freaking awesome! Great mixing on top of that

[@intsccents]

This is real talent not something created on a computer looping and digitaly minipulating sound waves...

[@cessaly100]

Yes! I’m just immersing myself in it!

[@danmyers9372]

Tower of Power. 50 years later and still the coolest dudes and band EVER!

[@anthonywelch9605]

Whoever mixed this needs a Grammy or whatever the Tiny Desk equivalent might be. Sounds amazing!

[@scottmumford8295]

That's what I was thinking! Amazing how they got such a clean, well-mixed sound from all that horn power....

[@willcaviness]

Disagree, you can hear the rhythm section and barely hear the horns!@@scottmumford8295

[@tycro]

It’s just a tiny Grammy.

[@maxlake2]

Exactly! The sound mixing in that small space is amazing! 🎼🎶🤟

[@catboyzee]

Respect and RIP to original electric bass player, the legendary and highly influential Francis Rocco Prestia Jr. (March 7, 1951 - September 29, 2020). Prayers and condolences lifted to his immediate family, the TOP musical family, and the entire TOP fan nation. 2020 is reaping a bitter harvest indeed.

[@BRIGGSdylan]

The king of groove

[@SDguitarplayer858]

Amen!!!

[@martinheath5947]

RIP Rocco, you were king of bass a natural funk master and a beautiful soul

[@petethegreekre]

Amen!

[@timothytibbits7942]

I had heard a lot about Rocco's health problems but I hadn't heard that he had passed. I'm very sorry to hear that. I heard that even Jaco Pastorius admitted being influenced by Rocco's 16 note sound. At least I got to meet him one time. He was a man of few words.

[@rayharvest]

Not many people can do justice to Lenny Williams songs but dude over here is hitting every note ✊🏼

[@natesvideos7339]

I saw Tower of Power in 2019 and that was one of the most fun and enjoyable concerts I’ve been to. They’re unfairly underrated and it’s about time they get their dues. True funk icons!

[@sedgieroobets]

I was into soul, philadelphia sound, rare groove etc in the UK in the late 70s and can't believe these guys didn't cross my radar until 2020s!

[@pamelavarilone2614]

They're not under-rated, just lacking that top notoriety industry wide. Their listeners FANS! give them a 5 star platinum thumbs up. Ask me how many times a week I listen to What is Hip 😂.

[@oaklabsoundsystem2305]

@@sedgieroobets Find the live album they recorded at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium called Live and in Living Color (1976). That version of What is Hip will set off your smoke alarms.

[@johnnewell552]

And obscured back there is one of the greatest drummers of all time.

[@v7poistblaznei]

David Garibaldi......Still laying the pocket. Giving the band members a place to do their thing.....Always a joy to hear. We only get a glimpse of Garibaldi, But we can feel his groove.

[@noneyabusiness9262]

Bass player as well.

[@johnnewell552]

@@noneyabusiness9262 He is doing a fantastic job here and a real tribute to Rocco Prestia’s style. RIP, Rocco.

[@carolinej3661]

Oh! I kept counting...looking for 10! Never even thought about the drummer!!!

[@GTomaselli]

The one and only.... Mr. Garibaldi

[@kennethlambert]

shout to the audio engineers in capturing this sound so well!!!

[@jacopopiovesan3882]

i see i'm not the only one who'd like to ask a couple of questions to the tiny desk's audio engineers!

[@Flatliner0452]

Honestly, it probably has a lot more to do with the players knowing how to balance their sound in such a small space, how to play so fiercely while playing quietly. An engineer can only do some much if the band is playing loudly, this is mostly professionals pre-mixing their sound because they had to do it for decades in small clubs. Just listen to the drums, almost everything he is playing is very quiet and controlled and garibaldi is a drummer that cracks the hell out of his snare for his rimshots and plays everything else as a very quiet ghost note, he is playing with so much restraint and control. Not to take away from the engineer, they did a great job, I just wanted to highlight just how much talent is in this band.

[@colincampbell5206]

Oh yes..

[@dereklepiesza5022]

Amen

[@gayeadams8052]

Love it, and who is that gorgeous sexy voice 👌

[@dennisdrayna9383]

A bunch of hugely talented old guys who can still lay it down, as tight as ever. Keeping that unique Tower of Power sound going with astonishing new talent blended in. Who says the Bay Area music scene has lost it?

[@cessaly100]

I know! I’m just speechless!

[@Rightupbass]

THIS my friends is Real music.

[@morbidmanmusic]

all music is "real" music.

[@signalsoldier]

Extremely impressed by this young lead vocalist. He brings a ton of energy and range! Hard shoes to follow that preceded him and he nails it.

[@manuelvillalba6168]

Saw him live at the BB King bar in Memphis, TN las month. Awsome!!!

[@huwpritchard81]

Saw Marcus Hall front ToP in London a couple of years ago. Dynamite presence!

[@dthievin]

Yes, he's a great singer. Just too bad he's up on top of a table. Looks lame.

[@sethrichtermusic]

He's perfect for Tower of Power too!

[@joshdavis496]

@@dthievin hard disagree, badass and helps with confidence

[@dalerieger5927]

The band is so tight you couldn't sneak sunlight through them.

[@climbandpunishment]

Water tight

[@aahmonddelite690]

Funkay, funkay , funkaaaay!

[@smitticusmatticus359]

right?

[@pauldevictoria6464]

I love this video. 1973 in 6th grade was over at a friends house, jumping out windows and eating starbursts, his older brother had this album "Tower of Power" playing. I will never forget that day. I went home and begged my mom to take me to the closest record store in Walnut Creek where I bought this album and I probably listened to it a hundred times. I wish I still had it. The horn section is the best, it's the sound I love. Anyway this is a great video NOSTALGIA for me.

[@intsccents]

Same age as you and living in L.A we got to hear all these fantastic bands for hard rock to jazz bluse and funk how can any other generation think they could compare to the exposeure to music we got when we were just kids...

[@pipposgarage7598]

I remember a day in Italy (Bloom in Mezzago), many years ago, when David Garibaldi asked me to play his drumset to check personally the sound by the rear of the venue... When he turned back to the stage, he told me "Really! I never hear a journalist with a "blast" on the snare like your downstroke!" What a great gift from a man, a musician and a drummer like him! And again, in Milano, in the Shocking Club, when they played with Pino Daniele on guitar... what a concert! Torwer of Power... what a band!!! Thank ypu NPR!!!

[@grupoelcomienzo]

RIP Rocco, you were one of the first bassist that opened my ears to the bass. Now I have been a bass player for almost 28 years. Love you man!

[@Larrymh07]

Don't let the guitar players push you around. Bass is beautiful!

[@johngibsonmusic]

Huge credits to the audio engineers for mixing this performance. Amazing sound.

[@garboil]

Tower of Power. One of the truly great Bands in all of ever. Oakland pride!!

[@rhylschermatz5809]

Oackland, near San Francisco? where Jak Vance lived ?

[@williamhornabrook8081]

I played baritone saxophone in my school jazz band. Playing Tower of Power songs was always my favourite for funky soul stuff. It's amazing that they have been around for so long and still sound so utterly amazing.

[@Abor34]

Rest in peace Rocco Prestia One of the GOAT’s

[@marchingforever]

The tightness of this band, especially the horn line is giving me an eargasm! 😍

[@HughCorbyCruick]

Saw this band April 3, 1971 at the Fillmore East, opening for Rahsand Roland Kirk and Santana. Still got it.

[@moreykanner4781]

I was at that show!!! Kirk busting up the wooden chairs??!!!

[@HughCorbyCruick]

@@moreykanner4781 I remember him playing three horns at once. Awesome.

[@simshill295]

My goodness I am still playing my 45 and LP’s from 1972. What a band …what a horn section…great vocals. The best memories never die.

[@duanewilson3941]

Man, that singer has some serious pipes, almost as powerful as the horn section.

[@bplus2932]

co-worker asked me why i'm crying? i told them, because i'm happy that i can hear music, i can hear life! People be happy for the all of it, good, bad, small, or big, ALL of it means we made it here, and some day we'll make it out. So my fellow human, just enjoy the ride when possible, and accept the bumps along the way. Thanks NPR you hit my heart yet again.

[@downhill240]

Damn Bro, you just explained everything! I'm seriously impressed. You got the answer for sure.

[@judiriva1]

A thought I often have when wrapped up in great music!

[@carolyndarley1045]

Blessings brother.

[@alexbougiemusic]

Glad I’m not the only one who’s lettin’ it flow. Bless.

[@bambafall382]

😁👌 preach!!

[@rayharvest]

Honestly the name Tower of Power is not just a name for these legends 🙏🏼they live up to it✊🏼

[@josealmodovar9313]

Okay but can we appreciate the Bari Sax player? Cause good God, the sound coming out of it is breath taking.

[@spootnewton7121]

The one and only Funky Doctor - Stephen Kupka

[@mariovega2099]

Doc is the man!

[@anthonylargeanus9401]

That’s the one and only Doc

[@danmyers9372]

Welcome to the Tower of Power sound. Intoxicating isn’t it?

[@joesantamaria5874]

The funky doctor.

[@shaunkelly9860]

It's so great to see a young singer with SOUL. That guy is great, he's also the luckiest man in the world to sing with this band.

[@ritak8715]

Lucky is far fetched. They compliment each other.

[@keithrandall1492]

Shaun Kelly : Marcus Scott's album is out in the New Year. See Back 2 Da Soul here on YT.

[@tahira1]

@@keithrandall1492 He sounds a little like Bernard Fowler of the Peach Boy's..particularly on his runs..

[@JrBrazilianDrummer]

@@tahira1 he reminds me Ceelo Green also

[@carsondrum]

They fired him :(

[@SamAxeman]

Back in the late 60's early 70's when I was in high school Dave Garibaldi's dad was the head of the bus barn and somehow we got a free concert from T.O.P. every time they were going on tour. Dave was the inspiration for me becoming a drummer shortly after graduation and I've been drumming ever since, along with guitar, keyboards and other instruments.

[@jivetalkin2126]

Everyone sounds Amazing!!!!!! Lead singer's voice is perfection ❤

[@JM-oy2kt]

Every couple months, I come back to this video and get a refill of funk to make my day a little brighter. Thank you for sharing it

[@carlosiniguez5200]

Rocco Prestia & David Garabaldi will always be one of the greatest rhythm sections in any genre of music. There was no faking that groove, soul and feel.

[@NickRatto]

R.I.P. Rocco all in the bass players owe the world of funk line to yourself n the Power

[@mulliniks51]

There's no smoke and mirrors . These guys know what the song is asking for and they could do this on any street corner . Tremendous musicianship .

[@funwithguitar4756]

I found a Tower Of Power record in my dad's drawer 25 years ago in high school. The cover art was a man holding a drumstick to the sky. I think the album was Bump City. I got funkified and hooked instantly. Thank you NPR Tiny Desk.

[@chriswarwin7117]

Are you still digging' on James Brown?

[@funwithguitar4756]

@@chriswarwin7117 Of course! Every time I see sparkle in the sand I ask myself, “What is hip?” The answer is James Brown and Tower of Power.

[@seangreen4044]

EAST BAY GREASE BABY!!!! They have been doing it since 1968 and I have been a fan for 54 years! Whenever they come to your town you need to get out there to see and hear them play! If you think they sound good at the Tiny Desk wait until you hear them live. Great show! Now I'm all funked up!

[@reinhard1944]

### all over Germany you will never find so talented musicians.......I am so sorry......thank you tower of power.....thank you NPR music ! ### If you young or old let the good times roll ###

[@GAB-vm3yc]

My very first concert ever was a “Tower of Power” concert at the Wachovia center in Philly. I believe in 2007. I absolutely love how true they are to their original sound. I love this singer.

[@RochesterRJ]

What a band! What a singer! What a guitar guy! What a keyboard's groove! Thx NPR! Hit me in my Soul"

[@antonioblocker3292]

One of the greatest horn sections ever assembled this guys still sound great

[@filmandcomposition]

My mans in the back is taking that bass for a walk deep into the pocket. Rhythm section is on!

[@YTJamTracks]

Right in the pocket. Tight

[@Mister006]

Best Comment!

[@SMBDTC]

To me, he is the only musician able to put on Rocco's shoes. Great rhythm section indeed.

[@lloydbrown5248]

Garibaldi on drums didn't even get a peep at a camera... LOCKED IN!!!!!

[@SMBDTC]

Well, that's sad in a way. But his playing is so unique that you know he was there grooving with his partners in crime.

[@silasrobertshaw8122]

Still my favorite Tiny Desk concert. I keep coming back to it.

[@Sovereign_Citizen_LEO]

Easily. Nothing touches it.

[@rwilliamsb007]

Me too. lol

[@CharismaH-ms1vn]

Yes, at least once every 3,4 months!!!

[@jonathansmith2710]

Kudos to the crew who engineered and wired up the sound. Wish more studio albums were recorded live with musicians playing off each other's energy in close quarters. So good!

[@iamatis20]

I was thinking the same thing. This sounded great!

[@fridaymusicquestion1187]

I think that is one of the greatest things about these Tiny Desk Concerts. It separates the true musicians from the hacks. They put it together and deliver it live...behind a tiny desk. That's genuine stuff. Check out the Superorganism Tiny Desk Concert. It's 1 guitar, 1 little keyboard, a guy banging on a trunk, and anything they could put their hands on for instruments and it sounds amazing. And you're right about the engineering, it's spot on every time.

[@superrantam]

The engineering and mixing of Tiny desk's are top notch. Even in a multi musician recording like this one, with this predominant brass section, you can listen just every instrument and voice. Kudos to the tech and mixing team!! Ps. The Tower of Power show is KILLER, by the way. And I love their latest singer :)

[@Wiley_Coyote]

That NPR office basically is packed with audio engineers.

[@loritrembley7400]

I saw these guys rocking the house in '87. They STILL GOT IT ... BIG

[@christophbutler2601]

I’m an old geezer too, so this is written with much Love....ain’t it nice to see these guys remembering all the notes, all the moves, all the harmonies, all the soul, all the grooves and all the fun

[@dm-mx2we]

From one old geezer to another : you got it Chris. TOP is too cool to even describe !!!!!

[@cd5340]

@@dm-mx2we .....if this is geezer music, I'm ALL IN!

[@emotarist7862]

i sure do love a good soul!

[@markc7175]

Proudly joining the ToP Old Geezer's Union 😎👍....

[@paulevans240]

it is nice to see true musicians display their expertise.

[@Whatsamattau2]

50 years ago I attended my fist concert; it was to see Santana and Tower of Power - who I’d never heard of before - was their warm up act. The next day, having heard those horns and “Knock Yourself Out” we hightailed it to Karma records (which is long gone) and bought Tower’s first album….been a fan ever since. GREAT TINY DESK CONCERT! Thx very much. Funk & Soul Power!

[@ning-ningshalom3266]

The Background I have goosebumps.... the Horns.... the Keys.... the Lead ...the Guitar... the Drums... Ya'll Jamming... tears of Joy

[@danielirvine7468]

Man that’s tight !!!! This is freaking live !!! Ain’t no pro tools fixing going on there . Sweet lord this is fire how can you possibly sit still listening to this

[@Mr2231314]

I’m 60 years old and I can remember my older brothers kicking this in the basement loved those day’s much to NPR for giving them there props 🤜🏿

[@rbsprods3200]

Tower of Power is always powerful, funky, and soulful. Take me back.......

[@MrOlaf1972]

This is the amazing quality of music that is highly unexpected in a small office setting!

[@trixw895]

TOP is a little before my time but I remember my dad playing them in the car (8 tracks), brings back great memories riding in the car during the summer in upstate New York ❤❤❤

[@trixw895]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@oaklabsoundsystem2305]

@@trixw895 If you were listening on 8 track, I'd say they weren't before your time. Unless your Dad was still listening to 8 tracks in the 80s.

[@pyrodoll2422]

The absolute coolest bunch of guys. If you passed them in the street you'd probably not even notice them then this, I can hardly put it into words.

[@joshgooding7842]

Tiny desk is amazing. It doesn't matter who is on. The feel of a gig like that is impossible to beat for intermittency. Tower boss it mind.

[@dannygbass]

Intimacy* But yes totally agree

[@thebigmantha1137]

the drummer here (Dave Garibaldi) gave me my drum set back in 2018 when my friends drum shop opened up, Dubs Drum Basement

[@damiancamarena7083]

Notice, you rarely see someone cover a Tower of Power tube. I’m not sure too many bands have it in them to play like that anymore. These fellas are so funky and so tight at the same time.

[@diggdeep1685]

Markus Scott is the shit!!!! ... The best vocalist I've heard in years!!!!! ... It's a crime if he's not signed.

[@henryrollins9177]

He is too tall..!

[@esitoris]

:D

[@guisteh11]

Im shock I Never heard him before. He‘s great!!

[@xandertreffers]

Tough to step in the shoes of the original vocalist and keys (my hero Chester Thompson). But Markus Scott and Roger Smith do this so well!

[@randolphreid266]

Saw them live in Durham NC. He is the best they have ever had!

[@jeffbenson6102]

Rocco Prestia, David Giribaldi and Doc Krupka defined the bottom of theTOP! Nothing like it on this planet! Best band ever!

[@wessparkmon2395]

Thank you audio engineer for turning Doc up even louder so us Bari Sax players can appreciate the brilliance of the GOAT

[@jazzmusictheorist]

The bari is just so beefy and thick

[@loilt5091]

Bari-good!

[@SaintrioMike]

This is so well done. It's crisp and defined. Nice job Tiny Desk. Best horn section in the biz. Killer vocalist. Rock solid rythym section and everybody looks like they are having fun.

[@blascarrasco768]

Love seeing the grin on Emilio Castillo's face. He's just having a great time. Love it.

[@evanvarns4785]

I'd grin like that too if I got to play with a band THIS awesome every night!

[@rwilliamsb007]

I love him. He is a legend!!

[@mvarenin]

Set List: "On the Soul Side of Town" (0:00) - album: "Soul Side of Town" (2018) "So Very Hard to Go" (5:14) - album "Tower of Power" (1973) "What Is Hip?" (9:37) - album "Tower of Power" (1973) "Super Bad/Soul Power" (J. Brown) medley (13:26)

[@callmejay05]

Marin Varenina you forgot the Super Bad/Soul Power (J. Brown) medley at 13:26

[@greatmindsthinkalike1378]

Thank you 👍

[@amandafeliciano542]

All i can think is u would never know these old guys are such a bunch of badasses if u saw them around a table at a Denny's lmfaooo

[@FiddlerSteve]

"Hipness is what it is..."

[@deanjordan6045]

bahahaha so true!

[@AlkebulanLion67]

So true.

[@missnyrap]

I know right. This is the coolest group of Paw-Paws I've ever seen.

[@dianefiol4306]

what is old?

[@leschab]

Recently learned that Tower of Power is revered by Japanese "Groove" musicians. Tokyo Groove Jyoshi especially love to play "What is Hip" and refer to it as T.O.P.'s masterpiece. Mostly female, session musicians play it with all the respect it deserves.and man, can they play. Give a listen. No regrets. Guaranteed.

[@TheSubstantialicious]

Tiny Desk Concerts are an excellent medium for exploring new genres. I’ve been stuck exclusively in hip hop/rap for far too long, and this helps me expand my curiosity. Keep it going, NPR!

[@MemoGrafix]

*_Caramel Drop -_* I love Me Lots of HipHop, I saw it being birthed in the *_"Boogie Down Bronx"_* in the late 70's. However, I also, grew up with My Family who Embraced legendary singers/musicians like of course: Aretha, Earth Wind & Fire, Sarah Vaughn, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Prince, The Jackson Family, John Coltrane, P-Funk, Barry White, Count Basie, Minnie Riperton, Cab Calloway, Nat King Cole, Miles Davis, Barbra Streisand, Etc. One of My GrandMothers would tell Us to appreciate more than one kind of Music, and that always stuck with Me. As a *_hobbyist_* musician, I listen to most (not all) kinds of music from all over the world for inspiration & enjoyment. Soul, Blues, Bongos, Gospel, Calypso/Salsa, Trap, Japanese Drums, Iceland's Bjork, FUNK, Sitar's of India, Afrikan Spiritual Drums. Rock (Classic 70's/Alternative/Grunge/Metal/Etc.). So keep *_Lovin' Dat HipHop that Rox the Soul_* and be willing to Broaden Your Horizons with other Genres of Music.

[@JustD1zz]

These guys are Good! Definitely worthy of being placed on Some playlist!

[@alcambrola2834]

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame gots to come a callin!

[@davecollins5534]

Tower of Power has been playing for 50 years. Yes, 50 years!!!

[@dahalofreeek]

Hip-hop is quite good at sampling a pretty wide array of stuff. It's important to listen to heaps of live instrument music though.

[@ElizabethMillerTX]

I expected TOP to be tight, but damn boys. Mercy. And the NPR TD audio crew brings perfection every time. Money.

[@gogoincognito]

My family in SF were all big fans and they spread that love to me. Thank you for this great performance!!

[@OmarGreeneotraPedroVerde]

I was 16 in 1968. When I first heard T.O.P., I was blown away. The horns and the funk are what got me jammin' like never before. Thanks for the rush! (and my love of the drums.)

[@matthewford6176]

So crazy to see such a large, powerful band in such a confined space. Almost like they're in your living room.

[@francescocastro2035]

Drummer and bass player are like the engine in a car, you can't see them but they are there making things move.

[@Sovereign_Citizen_LEO]

The "Soul" in TOP begins with them.

[@ericyount3858]

It’s the heartbeat

[@BassForever44]

Amen! Laying the road where all the other musical brothers and sisters race!

[@evelynap9728]

@@BassForever44

[@Crankerny58]

You Got That Right!

[@PlymouthVT]

Jerry has the best sounding Les Paul I have ever heard. What a sound dude! Rockin' ass band for sure.

[@TheNamesDitto]

So this is aging gracefully....

[@lukevaughan7706]

Amen !

[@dunnbarbarnes]

Absolutely. As time passes they get tighter love em.

[@daniellightfoot4464]

My dad played bass to these guys’ records all the time when I was a little kid. One of the tightest bands ever rhythmically. Tasteful improvisations too. RIP to their bass player Rocco Prestia.

[@leelee2632]

Just plain ole funk that makes u have a funky good time! Refreshing breath of air to see people crossing color lines and just enjoying good music.

[@timothyrixner]

David Garibaldi still sounds amazingly crisp and funky even with quiet rods. This is amazing. Thank you!

[@davidanania5618]

Garibaldi is in my top 5 influences as a drummer. His fluidity combined with his linear, pseudo-Latin funk approach is just so damn tasty.

[@Concatenate]

He almost got on camera once as well. :-P

[@kevinhorton8617]

my hero, love dave

[@analyticalprocess3622]

@@davidanania5618 same

[@climbfaster]

DG invented his style. Unmistakable.

[@thecarmadspot]

Thank you, Rocco! Without a doubt the hippest, funkiest flavor without even slapping a string! A master of bass has left us and a legend of music has been born! 😟🙏

[@Powerhuru]

Much LOVE to The lead vocalist Markus Scott he is an AWESOME Talent !!!World get ready 4 greatness.

[@geof900]

Saw them last night and Scott has the goods - chops and presence.

[@kcwizard72]

This Tiny Desk is the envy of the music world!! What a treasured space it is!! Thank you, NPR!! You NEVER disappoint!!

[@charlesdavis8935]

Rocco was truly a revolutionary bass player. May God continue to strengthen his family and his musical family as well. Thankfully they still have Rocco's rhythm partner in crime and also a revolutionary drummer Mr David Garibaldi. They still sound amazing.!!

[@hoodsplicer]

You’re hearing years & years of experience....These cats have been doing their thing for decades, and it bleeds all over this performance👍🏾

[@bumphead2]

I have always been a fan of these guys - 50 years and still killin' it!

[@danyellaochoa7392]

My dad played TOP songs with his band while I was growing up. These songs remind me of my childhood, listening to them never gets old. So timeless reminds me so much of my dad who passed away years back.

[@musicismyonlydrug855]

OMG what a brilliant singer!

[@wakajumba]

and THAT, Ladies & Gentlemen, is how IT is done!

[@nickgorski7586]

I whole heartedly concur.

[@tonyaudet6575]

I have watched / listened to this so many times ! It is amazing and the sound quality is just incredible. Happy music. RIP Rocco !!!!!!!!!!

[@GingerDrums]

David Garibaldi rocking it as he always has! I remember studying his drumming books fifteen years ago when he already had attained legendary status amongst us drummers. So good to see them in the pocket. Also, second all the shouts to the audio engineers who have a great recording concept for this platform!

[@926cassandra]

I was 17 yrs old when I first heard these guys. My Uncle was station in Augusta Georgia and he would play Al this great music. I'm so happy that I saw this on tiny desk, I thought the name was a mistake 😂. By the way I'm a 65 yr old female, absolutely love this band.

[@donnieguedry3242]

Very influential band. The band that have the world educated funk. One of a kind. The arrangements of Greg Adams' horn section defines horn sections to this day. Garibaldi and Rocco and Chester made one hell of a rhythm section. This group has made a significant impact on music. Such uniqueness while still being appealing is a feat... a feat they accomplished. Great music with great feel. Thanks, TOP.

[@cedriclasry9151]

I used to play trumpet in my school jazz band. I always looked forward to playing what is hip at the end of practice. Tower of Power helped me find the joy in playing music and laying it down with the horns. You will be missed Rocco, one of the funkiest bassists I've ever known.

[@ajala8639]

Tower of Power? On Tiny Desk? Doing "So Very Hard to Go"? *sheeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiiiiittttttt*

[@Simon-fo7ni]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKOTcmqKpMuirac

[@carolyndarley1045]

Lawd yesss, I used to slowdrag to that sucker..got a boyfriend from those moves! Haha! And I saw them at the infamous HUMAN KINDNESS day on the Washington monument grounds. SOUL is a feeling , not a color! We loan it to our bros and sisters of any color that can FEEL IT!

[@grizz22604]

Keeps me coming back everyday since its dropped. Soooo good!!

[@alamooji3716]

Ammmeennn!!!

[@babacruze]

An you know dat!

[@arthurazoubel5344]

I can't help thinking that putting Marcus on a higher level was not only due to lack of space, but actually for recording purposes, and that was f* brilliant and well thought. All these loud metal instruments closer to the singer's mic would definitely take over and muddy the vocal track for sure

[@wolfganggeisler3378]

Will be one of my favourite video in future. Never heard such an impressing singer. What a pity you can't see rythm section good enough.

[@danielreily2701]

And that is how it's done . That guy could sing the phone book and it would sound funky. Love it.

[@timhall5256]

It’s so nice to see musicians having a good time doing what they love. These guys are a prime example. I first heard TOP in ‘74 when I was a junior at the University of Kentucky, the other band that night was the Average White Band. Wow, what a night of great music! I’ve seen them 3-4 times through the years. Even though some of the members were different, that beautiful TOP sound was always there. Long Live TOP! Keep up the great work Emilio!!

[@dimitri.l.clark.6109]

Tower of Power!!!!!!!! The realest musicians to groove to. Oakland in the house. Oh my, Those horns!!!!! They serenade you, groove you, lead you, threaten you, stab you, or motivate you to a higher level all in one song.

[@gautamdevgun333]

Such a heartwarming thing to see so many people giving this much love to these guys. This restores my faith that people crave good music and nothing beats the old school primitive nature of a song. Let's keep this community alive by exposing others to this music but very organically so that things don't feel forced like today's music. Love to one of the greatest American bands ever who has not just stood the test of time but has maintained its prowess to the TEE.

[@MV-in8xs]

Listen to this with a good set of headphones and you hear such awesome playing and engineering

[@trac3y160]

these cats are really diggin what they do✌... in the last month of 2019, they sound as tight & as fresh as they did the first time their sound hit my ears 50+ yrs ago 💥💖.

[@CarlstenProductions]

This is my absolute favorite Tiny Desk concert!! Just saw Tower of Power live in Gothenburg this week and they're still killin' it!!!!!!