This band got a lot of recognition beginning in 1969 and through out the 70's. You're still a young man was the song that introduced them to the American public. The introduction of Lenny Williams was the best choice TOP could have made. TOP has gone through a number of vocalist since Lenny left
It’s so fun to watch somebody get blown away by Tower Of Power for the first time. Words cannot describe it especially if you’re sitting in the front half of the auditorium. This whole concert is a 10. Former members of the band have come back and you owe it to yourself to experience Richard Elliott blasting away on his zebra striped horn from the gods (boys from the bay)!You’re so right that the band seems of a piece and all that funkiness just flows out. The presence of a world class front man is icing on the cake. Thanks so much for your enthusiasm and transparency in this wonderful review.
Larry Braggs is an outstanding vocalist, but he was not the vocalist on the original recording, It was Brent Carter who was great in his own right. He's currently with Average White Band. Larry Braggs went on to do his own thing and became a member of The Temptations for a short time.
@@aljmill growing up in Oakland, the tower of power runs deep in my blood. I still have to say that Lenny Williams is my favorite front man for that band.
Thank you so much for reacting to my suggestion! I don't know how you were able to stay seated for the entire song! I'm sending you another request shortly that I think you'll love ... no other TH-camr has reacted to it. PEEPS - BECOME A PATRON! Support the channel 👍
I think this is their 40th anniversary concert that I had to give my tickets away......but this IS the MOST under appreciated band in the world. You cannot believe how funky this band can get. The whole band are world class musicians !!!!!!
As a fellow bass player and Lifetime TOP fan, my heart was crushed when Rocco passed, He and David are truly the engine and transmission of this band..😢😢😢
Thrilled with repeat of tenor sax solo and comments at end. I can’t sing for toffee, but watch and subscribed here because I play tenor sax and SO much of what is observed and commented on here applies to playing sax and other wind instruments. Great Chanel!
Catching up, finally. Yes, comfortable, chill, nonchalant - that's Larry with a capital L. He sings everything with an ease which immediately puts you at ease. "Larry's here. All is well." Fantastic vocalist. Tower never had a bad (or even mediocre) one. On another note, that's the one and only Mista Herman Matthews on the kit - groove merchant, beautiful cat, and maker of THE finest peanut brittle on the planet (take that one to bank).
I laugh my ass off every time they hire a new singer and Emilio has the gall to say each of them "is the best lead singer we've ever had." Nah, man ... that doesn't hold water AT ALL after LB.
Larry Braggs or simply "LB" among the fans was a great front man and singer for Tower of Power. He was their lead singer for 14 years which is quite remarkable concidering how many people who has come and gone in this band for various reasons. You can never go wrong with these guys and they are still going strong 55 years of Soul! There are plenty of videos/live shows with Tower of Power and Larry Braggs whether you wanna check it out for another reaction or just for fun.
The Tower of Power is LEGENDARY! I had friends who emulated them in the bands they were in, but nothing comes close to these guys. Those horns just make it a fun gig to experience, combined with seemingly effortless rythym, blues and soul. Great choice.
I 1000% agree with your analogy! Sister you are spot on and very detailed in your listening to it all! NICELY DONE! I BOW TO YOU AND Mr Braggs/TOP!!!! Peace & Gratitude to all
Some viewers seeing this might not be aware that the Tower of Power horns were who they heard on Huey Lewis hits including 'Hip to Be Square' and 'The Heart of Rock & Roll', as well as tracks by Little Feat, Heart, Elton John, Toto, Eric Clapton, Journey, Santana, Bonnie Raitt and many, many others.
you got that right matey , i had the immense pleasure of hearing Huey Lewis and the News at Wembley Arena not knowing that the TOP horns would be with them , an unforgettable night !
@@regroberts325 They were also with Little Feat when they played the Rainbow in London in '77. If you don't know the band, the Feat were loved by everyone from Led Zep and Eric Clapton, to Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt...and Huey Lewis. th-cam.com/video/_qQnGfZpIfY/w-d-xo.html
Welcome to the club, Bethany! This band is amazing. They've been my favorite since I first heard them in 1972, more than 50 years ago! I've lost track of how many times I've seen them live.
TOP took Funk to the next level and because they were from Oakland Ca that is in the East San Francisco Bay, some of their style was referred to as East Bay Grease.
Larry Braggs was the best frontman Tower of Power ever had. You've got to hear him sing "You're Still A Young Man". He left ToP to sing with The Temptations.
I saw a TOP when they came out with East Bay Grease in Cleveland Ohio. Been following them for years. Everyone talks about the horns but they have one of the BEST rhythm sections on the planet with David Garibaldi, Rocco, and the rest. Garrison, Las Vegas
Welcome to the club! Arguably their strongest lineup ever and that is difficult to argue. Musicianship is undeniable and even on their worst day hard to replicate. RIP Rocco. LB is their best vocalist and his other projects are equally interesting. It’s like saying LP is their best saxophonist. But TP has been grinding it out for 20 years and more than holds his own. Girl just recognized!
When I first heard Larry Bragg's voice, I nearly fell off my chair. I've never heard a voice so singularly and effortlessly powerful, and with so much soul. He is AMAZING.
I saw tower of power live 9 times six of them in New Haven Connecticut at Toads on the Yale Campus. Connecticut which I live is Tower of power's biggest fanbase, also see them once in Hartford Connecticut ( 50th anniversary) and twice at the Waterbury Palace theater. During the 70's and 80's they were huge in Connecticut because of all the college campuses. I'm sixty-eight years old
The late Rocco Prestia, David Garibaldi, Doc Kukupka, Emilio and the rest of the group. Larry Braggs and Lenny Williams were the best front men they had.
Bethany, I confess that half the joy of following your channel is how absolutely adorable you look when you get into funky music like this! 🙂I've been a ToP fan for decades and they've always found tenors who could cut through that thick sandwich of horns and be heard. Lenny Williams was their lead singer back when they started, and "What Is Hip?" is still their signature song for me.
There were actually two singers who preceded Lenny Williams in ToP. Rufus Miller started the 'East Bay Grease' album, Rick Stevens finished it. Stevens was also onboard for 'Bump City', which contains the classic 'You're Still a Young Man'. Lenny Williams (Bruce Conte and Chester Thompson) were onboard for the band's third album, 'Tower of Power', which contains their breakthrough hit 'So Very Hard to Go'. The band has had many great singers, but Williams remains the metric. Still, no denying that Larry Braggs is arguably the best singer, if not the most iconic voice. As I told Braggs, he was born to be in that band.
The fact they've been performing (and Killing It !!) since the EARLY '70s.... just absorb that date for a second... is absolutely inCREDible !!! I was just a college kid when I first bought their music and I've been retired now for 3+ years!!! This band is one of the main pieces of the Music of My Life!!! Kudos for checking 'em out, kiddo !
I loved watching you enjoying the performance. I've been a fan of the band since the first time I saw them perform. It was at the Santa Clara County Fair about 35 years and I was a member of the Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps based in Twentynine Palms, CA. A few of us decided to catch their show between our gigs. Never having heard of them, I was expecting amateur night . . . boy was I WRONG! 🤯 Getting to see someone hearing them for the first time is awesome. So glad you enjoyed it! ❤
I'm so glad I found your channel. I love your Sensibilities. I just want to say the fact that you have never heard of Tower of Power truly gives away your age. Back in the 70s they were the meaning of the word FUNK. Back to the video.
Watch thier original line-up on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert, 1975 (Available on you tube)...Then you'll really be blown away (No disrepsect to Braggs, But he was no Lenny Williams!!)..It is cool to see 4 original members still with the band 40 years later. My favorite thing about TOP is no matter waht lineup they had. every one in the band could solo his azz off.
Saw TOP in February on tour in Greenville SC. Still bringing it, although Larry Bragg is not singing anymore. My favorite Larry Bragg is on "There is Only So Much Oil."
I’m glad that you got to hear(and appreciate) my friend, LB. After 14 years as lead vocalist with Tower of Power, Larry went on to become the principal vocalist with The Temptations (yes, THOSE Temptations). He’s still out there leading his own band. If you want to hear him on his own compositions, check out his solo album, titled “Places”. Also, TOP did an album titled “The Great American Soul Book”, and although every song on that album is great, the true tour de force is Larry singing “Me and Mrs. Jones”.
You should react to the same song with brent carter as lead singer! Or even better: "I like your style" from their 1999 live album. People tend to exaggerate on the Internet but this man is without a doubt one of the best singers I have ever heard in my life. Such unbelievably controlled power in his voice, you have to hear it to believe it.
@@markhoerner2354Been a fan since 69 been to a zillion TOP shows. I won't be going to any shows until they get rid of their current lead singer and replaced with someone who has the goods.
can't remember what year I saw Tower of Power live a LONG time ago in SF. Watch "What is Hip?" "Look in my Eyes". It was special watching you as you appreciated, and analyzed Larry and the band. Sprezatura, the art of making something difficult look effortless, these guys are PROS. Look up band "Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns" a group of Vegas show musicians that get together for healing nights, and produce the same type of power and joy. I hit the subscribe button, looking forward to viewing more of your videos. thank you for shining a light on a great group of musicians.
Doc is indeed 77 (two years and one day older than me)! We celebrated our birthdays together backstage at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA on my 60th birthday.
Tower of Power dates back to 1969 with the 1st album East Bay Grease. Their 2nd album Bump City introduced them to the American public with Your Still A Young Man. Their 3rd album featuring Lenny Williams was a smash hit So Very Hard To Go. I was in high school when this group was on American TOP 40 and Soul Train😊
Larry Braggs is something else, the guy has amazing vocals and on top a great dancer! We were with him the last year he was with TOP at their 45th anniversary on a cruise ship, where they were the special guest on the line up. This the first time I saw them and yes they are a Funky/groovy group! So sorry he has left the group!
Emilio “Mimi” Castillo (Leader of TOP, sax player, songwriter, vocalist) and Stephen “Doc” Kupka (Baritone Sax, Oboe, songwriter, backup vocals)…Emilio and Doc were the steady foundation of Tower Power for over 50 years. David Garibaldi (ultimate professional drummer, backup vocalist) and Francis “Rocco” Prestia (funkiest bass player like no other), Rocco and David were a driving rhythm like no other. Chester Thompson (keyboards, synthesizer, backup vocalist, songwriter) etc. All the musicians are very tight. They All have the ability to improvise beyond the norm. Larry Bragg (best lead vocalist ever for Tower of Power! Their performance of Bay Area Funk Sounds, is filled with great syncopation and energy!
I've seen them almost 100 times and next to Lenny Williams, LB was my favorite singer. Wish he was still with them. He hit notes you didn't realize existed. All with finesse.
You may have me topped, but I am close to 100 TOP shows that I have been at beginning in 1972 or ‘73. LB is not only a great vocalist, but also a fantastic friend!
I started going to shows in 73. Being a trumpet player, I was a big Chicago fan but one day a buddy of mine brought the "What is Hip" LP over and dropped it on the turntable and said listen to these guys. As the saying goes, "The rest is history." I saw the band on October 28 at The Providence Performing Arts Center with the RI Philharmonic Orchestra. I'm not too big on the new guy. No stage presence. LB is the polar opposite and you need that to front a band that big. Next time you talk to Larry, tell him he is sorely missed by the ToP fan base.@@dougmael
@alcambrola2834 - I am both a bassist/vocalist and trombone/baritone horn player, and played in both my college jazz ensemble and various drum and bugle corps from the 1960s through 1980s, so I was naturally drawn to Tower of Power and have always loved the band! When he was TOPs lead vocalist, I became friends with LB, and went out with him ( and a couple other band members) following some of their shows in the Philadelphia area and New Jersey, as well as Las Vegas. I have told him how much he is missed by TOP fans around the globe, but Larry’s days with TOP are sadly behind him.
Yeah, he was the longest tenured singer with them. Wow, you have quite the musical resume yourself. You wonder how long the band can go on. Mimi, Doc and DG are all in their 70's. I think Doc is 77. As long as they're healthy and up to it, God bless em. You wouldn't by chance know why they fired Marcus Scott by any chance? I googled why did Marcus Scott no longer in Tower of power and saw an actual court docket. Some kind of falling out happened.@@dougmael
watching you dig on tower for the first time was so enjoyable! im sure by now you've seen a lot more. I hope youve listened to "As surely as I stand here" probably Larry Braggs best vocal with the band from this same concert. As I'm sure you also know Larry left the band many years ago unfortunately. For some reason, lead singers come and go with this band and I'm not quite sold on the newest one. Larry was probably the best in terms of sheer vocal talent. This performance was flawless in terms of phrasing and pitch in my opinion. I'm going to subscribe I really enjoy your analysis.
You never heard Tower Of Power prior to this?!....that's sacrilege! 😆 I bet you have heard one or more of their songs in the past and didn't know it was them. Their biggest hits were What Is Hip, You're Still A Young Man and So Very Hard To Go. All 3 of those songs are definitely worth checking out, along with the very funky Soul Vaccination and Diggin' On James Brown. They had one of the best rhythm sections in music, with David Garibaldi on drums ( the one with the glasses) and the legendary bassist, Rocco Prestia (RIP), who was innovative and influential in soul/R&B bass playing technique (listen for his sixteenth note bass parts that really give a signature groove to some of their songs).
Larry is the best vocalist TOP has had. And they've all been pretty bloody good! 'A Little Knowledge' track on the same concert sung by Larry is absolutely epic.
Larry Braggs is the BEAST of all beasts! Unfortunately he’s no longer with TOP, I believe he’s singing with The Temptations. But he was my favorite TOP singer. I think his best vocal performances came from “You’re Still a Young Man” and “Me & Mrs. Jones”. TOP has birthed so many great musicians/artists. To have them on your resume as a musician is as good as it gets. Lenny Pickett - the sax player from Saturday Night Live playing all those crazy high notes - came from TOP.
Bethany, always enjoy your reactions , especially to Angelina. She has just dropped her new single Love Don't Let Me Go. It is pure Angelina, I think you will enjoy it.
Great choice to pick Larry Braggs. the thing that you notice what Larry adds after specific words come from the Tradition of Gospel ,Blues, old school R&B and off course Jazz. i hear this as an emphasis of the previous phrase and statement. it has also so much to do with Rhythm. cause these extra sounds are ALWAYS in Rhythm. And in this genre with ToP , it is the 16th note Rhythm that is been used to make this Motha GROOOVE . I experienced that type of technique in the early 90's the first time in Real Time on Stage when was playing drums behind Norma Jean Bell. Norma did that extensively!!!. A R&B/Jazz Artist from Detroit. To my ears it is the spice on that particular Music. I have to add here that Larry is one of the 4 best singers that ToP ever had or will have. All of them starting with Williams, Carter and Greene are so beautiful powerful in their own ways, but Larry just stands out in a unique way.
You should go to their concert, only he is no longer with them doing his solo career. TOP is right now touring and celebrating their 55th anniversary, check it out if they might be in your area!
THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY GREAT SINGERS IN TOP OVER THE 55 YEARS. THE TWO BEST WERE LENNY WILLIAMS (ABOUT 2 YRS) AND LARRY BRAGG (ABOUT 10 YRS) NOW LARRY IS NO LONGER WITH TOP, AND WE MISS HIM. BETHANY, LISTEN TO ALL THE LP'S WITH BOTH OF THESE LEAD SINGERS. YOU WILL CERTAINLY ENJOY EM!
This is so silky smoov, love the vibe. Super excited about upcoming soul stuff, can't wait to see what you have in store. Suggestion: Vulfpeck - 1612, live at Madison Square Garden (th-cam.com/video/rv4wf7bzfFE/w-d-xo.html), another one that starts in the middle of the show. I've rarely seen people having this much fun performing. Cheers!
Please do more Ren. Hi Ren got over 200k views. He is also an incredible singer. I recommend How To Be Me (LIVE) With Chinchilla. Or his band The Big Push's live version of the Sting song Englishman In New York. He is an incredible talent, and as an independent artist can use any new eyes on his work. You will NOT be disappointed. :)
This band does not get the recognition they so deserve!!! Grew up on TOP 😎🎶💖💯
*Down to the nightclub!!* 🕺 💃
Who denies their recognition? Everyone I know loves and respects them for decades.
This band got a lot of recognition beginning in 1969 and through out the 70's. You're still a young man was the song that introduced them to the American public. The introduction of Lenny Williams was the best choice TOP could have made. TOP has gone through a number of vocalist since Lenny left
If you were in high school in the 70's, TOP was there 😊
Been a TOP fan for 50 years and Larry is my absolute favorite lead singer. What power and range!
LB IS THE BEST!
LB ls/was best lead vocalist that TOP has ever had hands down.... and I had the pleasure of meeting the brotha.....
It’s so fun to watch somebody get blown away by Tower Of Power for the first time. Words cannot describe it especially if you’re sitting in the front half of the auditorium. This whole concert is a 10. Former members of the band have come back and you owe it to yourself to experience Richard Elliott blasting away on his zebra striped horn from the gods (boys from the bay)!You’re so right that the band seems of a piece and all that funkiness just flows out. The presence of a world class front man is icing on the cake. Thanks so much for your enthusiasm and transparency in this wonderful review.
Larry Braggs is an outstanding vocalist, but he was not the vocalist on the original recording, It was Brent Carter who was great in his own right. He's currently with Average White Band. Larry Braggs went on to do his own thing and became a member of The Temptations for a short time.
@@aljmill growing up in Oakland, the tower of power runs deep in my blood. I still have to say that Lenny Williams is my favorite front man for that band.
Thank you so much for reacting to my suggestion! I don't know how you were able to stay seated for the entire song! I'm sending you another request shortly that I think you'll love ... no other TH-camr has reacted to it.
PEEPS - BECOME A PATRON! Support the channel 👍
Larry Braggs has the best vocals ... TOP missing him.
Pound for pound the basest cat around LB baby!
I think this is their 40th anniversary concert that I had to give my tickets away......but this IS the MOST under appreciated band in the world.
You cannot believe how funky this band can get. The whole band are world class musicians !!!!!!
From the same show check out “You’re Still a Young Man” Larry is the singer on that as well.
Tightest horn section ever & Tower of Power Rules! 🎶💥🙌🔥🔥🔥🏆Try not to dance & have your Soul elevated. Larry is BADASS.
Featuring the legendary Rocco Prestia on bass. Rest in peace, Rocco.
Hear, hear.
As a fellow bass player and Lifetime TOP fan, my heart was crushed when Rocco passed, He and David are truly the engine and transmission of this band..😢😢😢
If you get a chance, take a look and listen on the live song ' WILLING TO LEARN' and ' ME AND MISSES JONES' OMG.....🤯🤯🤯
Thrilled with repeat of tenor sax solo and comments at end. I can’t sing for toffee, but watch and subscribed here because I play tenor sax and SO much of what is observed and commented on here applies to playing sax and other wind instruments. Great Chanel!
Catching up, finally. Yes, comfortable, chill, nonchalant - that's Larry with a capital L. He sings everything with an ease which immediately puts you at ease. "Larry's here. All is well." Fantastic vocalist. Tower never had a bad (or even mediocre) one. On another note, that's the one and only Mista Herman Matthews on the kit - groove merchant, beautiful cat, and maker of THE finest peanut brittle on the planet (take that one to bank).
I discovered TOP a few years ago and I have been in love since. Larry Braggs is a phenomenal vocalist.
I laugh my ass off every time they hire a new singer and Emilio has the gall to say each of them "is the best lead singer we've ever had." Nah, man ... that doesn't hold water AT ALL after LB.
@@thomaspope5471I agree!
Larry Braggs or simply "LB" among the fans was a great front man and singer for Tower of Power. He was their lead singer for 14 years which is quite remarkable concidering how many people who has come and gone in this band for various reasons. You can never go wrong with these guys and they are still going strong 55 years of Soul! There are plenty of videos/live shows with Tower of Power and Larry Braggs whether you wanna check it out for another reaction or just for fun.
The Tower of Power is LEGENDARY! I had friends who emulated them in the bands they were in, but nothing comes close to these guys. Those horns just make it a fun gig to experience, combined with seemingly effortless rythym, blues and soul. Great choice.
I 1000% agree with your analogy! Sister you are spot on and very detailed in your listening to it all! NICELY DONE! I BOW TO YOU AND Mr Braggs/TOP!!!! Peace & Gratitude to all
Some viewers seeing this might not be aware that the Tower of Power horns were who they heard on Huey Lewis hits including 'Hip to Be Square' and 'The Heart of Rock & Roll', as well as tracks by Little Feat, Heart, Elton John, Toto, Eric Clapton, Journey, Santana, Bonnie Raitt and many, many others.
you got that right matey , i had the immense pleasure of hearing Huey Lewis and the News at Wembley Arena not knowing that the TOP horns would be with them , an unforgettable night !
@@regroberts325 They were also with Little Feat when they played the Rainbow in London in '77. If you don't know the band, the Feat were loved by everyone from Led Zep and Eric Clapton, to Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt...and Huey Lewis. th-cam.com/video/_qQnGfZpIfY/w-d-xo.html
Saw these guys on their 50th tour. They're still great!
Same and amen.
Love this! And if you have a chance, Larry goes to a whole ’nother planet later in the show on “You’re Still A Young Man”.
Welcome to the club, Bethany! This band is amazing. They've been my favorite since I first heard them in 1972, more than 50 years ago! I've lost track of how many times I've seen them live.
TOP took Funk to the next level and because they were from Oakland Ca that is in the East San Francisco Bay, some of their style was referred to as East Bay Grease.
Larry Braggs was the best frontman Tower of Power ever had. You've got to hear him sing "You're Still A Young Man". He left ToP to sing with The Temptations.
Larry has been called the best in the business and your sax Tom Politzer BIG LOVE another planet.
I saw a TOP when they came out with East Bay Grease in Cleveland Ohio. Been following them for years. Everyone talks about the horns but they have one of the BEST rhythm sections on the planet with David Garibaldi, Rocco, and the rest. Garrison, Las Vegas
Welcome to the club! Arguably their strongest lineup ever and that is difficult to argue. Musicianship is undeniable and even on their worst day hard to replicate. RIP Rocco. LB is their best vocalist and his other projects are equally interesting. It’s like saying LP is their best saxophonist. But TP has been grinding it out for 20 years and more than holds his own. Girl just recognized!
Absolutely! TOP has had many great lead vocalists, but LB was the absolute best of them!
My favorite Band! And Larry is my favorite TOP vocalist. I've seen them live a few times and all with Larry.
LB, Larry Braggs...as Emilio Castillo always described him in concert..."pound for pound, the baddest cat in the land"!!! No doubt..now YOU know.!
When I first heard Larry Bragg's voice, I nearly fell off my chair. I've never heard a voice so singularly and effortlessly powerful, and with so much soul. He is AMAZING.
I saw tower of power live 9 times six of them in New Haven Connecticut at Toads on the Yale Campus. Connecticut which I live is Tower of power's biggest fanbase, also see them once in Hartford Connecticut ( 50th anniversary) and twice at the Waterbury Palace theater. During the 70's and 80's they were huge in Connecticut because of all the college campuses. I'm sixty-eight years old
The late Rocco Prestia, David Garibaldi, Doc Kukupka, Emilio and the rest of the group. Larry Braggs and Lenny Williams were the best front men they had.
Brought to you by 40 years of funk,
What a great reaction video! Love TOP and just discovered your channel! Subscribed! Cheers from California 🥂
Bethany, I confess that half the joy of following your channel is how absolutely adorable you look when you get into funky music like this! 🙂I've been a ToP fan for decades and they've always found tenors who could cut through that thick sandwich of horns and be heard. Lenny Williams was their lead singer back when they started, and "What Is Hip?" is still their signature song for me.
There were actually two singers who preceded Lenny Williams in ToP. Rufus Miller started the 'East Bay Grease' album, Rick Stevens finished it. Stevens was also onboard for 'Bump City', which contains the classic 'You're Still a Young Man'. Lenny Williams (Bruce Conte and Chester Thompson) were onboard for the band's third album, 'Tower of Power', which contains their breakthrough hit 'So Very Hard to Go'.
The band has had many great singers, but Williams remains the metric. Still, no denying that Larry Braggs is arguably the best singer, if not the most iconic voice. As I told Braggs, he was born to be in that band.
One of the absolute BEST! So many great songs and still going strong.
The fact they've been performing (and Killing It !!) since the EARLY '70s.... just absorb that date for a second... is absolutely inCREDible !!! I was just a college kid when I first bought their music and I've been retired now for 3+ years!!! This band is one of the main pieces of the Music of My Life!!! Kudos for checking 'em out, kiddo !
Actually, since 1968!
Shout out to the on Doctor baritone sax, and an original member right from the beginning.
Nothing like The Funky Doctor and his Bari Pops!
The three greatest brass sections in a 70's band, Tower of power, Chicago, & Earth wind & fire
+ Chase
Sea Wind!
@@towcub - untimely death of one of the greatest horn players of all time
If I were to only listen to one song for the rest of my life it would be this one without a doubt!
He's great with the Temptations, but nothing beats his time in TOP. Love his cover of Ain't No Sunshine too, he's just so excellent.
I loved watching you enjoying the performance. I've been a fan of the band since the first time I saw them perform. It was at the Santa Clara County Fair about 35 years and I was a member of the Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps based in Twentynine Palms, CA. A few of us decided to catch their show between our gigs. Never having heard of them, I was expecting amateur night . . . boy was I WRONG! 🤯 Getting to see someone hearing them for the first time is awesome. So glad you enjoyed it! ❤
Larry is my favourite singer ever.
I'm so glad I found your channel. I love your Sensibilities. I just want to say the fact that you have never heard of Tower of Power truly gives away your age. Back in the 70s they were the meaning of the word FUNK.
Back to the video.
T O P Is AWESOME collection of talent .... (Also the horn section for Huey Lewis & the News back in the day)
Watch thier original line-up on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert, 1975 (Available on you tube)...Then you'll really be blown away (No disrepsect to Braggs, But he was no Lenny Williams!!)..It is cool to see 4 original members still with the band 40 years later. My favorite thing about TOP is no matter waht lineup they had. every one in the band could solo his azz off.
Saw TOP in February on tour in Greenville SC. Still bringing it, although Larry Bragg is not singing anymore. My favorite Larry Bragg is on "There is Only So Much Oil."
Love these guys, seen them many times from the 70's, just get better
I’m glad that you got to hear(and appreciate) my friend, LB. After 14 years as lead vocalist with Tower of Power, Larry went on to become the principal vocalist with The Temptations (yes, THOSE Temptations). He’s still out there leading his own band. If you want to hear him on his own compositions, check out his solo album, titled “Places”. Also, TOP did an album titled “The Great American Soul Book”, and although every song on that album is great, the true tour de force is Larry singing “Me and Mrs. Jones”.
You should react to the same song with brent carter as lead singer! Or even better: "I like your style" from their 1999 live album. People tend to exaggerate on the Internet but this man is without a doubt one of the best singers I have ever heard in my life. Such unbelievably controlled power in his voice, you have to hear it to believe it.
Agreed. Very powerful. Ellis Hall my personal favorite tho. All fantastic.
@@markhoerner2354Been a fan since 69 been to a zillion TOP shows. I won't be going to any shows until they get rid of their current lead singer and replaced with someone who has the goods.
I can't believe you didn't highlight Mr Bragg singing with the T.O.P. Queens singing So very hard to go. Any body reading this check it out they kill!
The music is great, as always. And you are just so darned adorable!
Hello, please listen to Daria Stavrovich - Chandelier
I'm still crying!!!! R.I.P. Rocco!!!!
can't remember what year I saw Tower of Power live a LONG time ago in SF. Watch "What is Hip?" "Look in my Eyes". It was special watching you as you appreciated, and analyzed Larry and the band. Sprezatura, the art of making something difficult look effortless, these guys are PROS. Look up band "Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns" a group of Vegas show musicians that get together for healing nights, and produce the same type of power and joy. I hit the subscribe button, looking forward to viewing more of your videos. thank you for shining a light on a great group of musicians.
This is what you can hear now, which is still great! Yet, the original members were so effing unbelievable.
Doc is indeed 77 (two years and one day older than me)! We celebrated our birthdays together backstage at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA on my 60th birthday.
Tower of Power dates back to 1969 with the 1st album East Bay Grease. Their 2nd album Bump City introduced them to the American public with Your Still A Young Man. Their 3rd album featuring Lenny Williams was a smash hit So Very Hard To Go. I was in high school when this group was on American TOP 40 and Soul Train😊
Larry Braggs is something else, the guy has amazing vocals and on top a great dancer! We were with him the last year he was with TOP at their 45th anniversary on a cruise ship, where they were the special guest on the line up. This the first time I saw them and yes they are a Funky/groovy group! So sorry he has left the group!
Lenny Williams was their best lead vocalist ever from 1972 to 74 during the height of Tower of power.
100% Agree. So Very Hard to Go will always be in my top five favorite songs.
Lenny was my all-time favorite too. I wish they could put him in a time machine and bring him back!-lol.
Just found your channel. I'm not a singer but I enjoy your comments.
Emilio “Mimi” Castillo (Leader of TOP, sax player, songwriter, vocalist) and Stephen “Doc” Kupka (Baritone Sax, Oboe, songwriter, backup vocals)…Emilio and Doc were the steady foundation of Tower Power for over 50 years. David Garibaldi (ultimate professional drummer, backup vocalist) and Francis “Rocco” Prestia (funkiest bass player like no other), Rocco and David were a driving rhythm like no other. Chester Thompson (keyboards, synthesizer, backup vocalist, songwriter) etc. All the musicians are very tight. They All have the ability to improvise beyond the norm. Larry Bragg (best lead vocalist ever for Tower of Power! Their performance of Bay Area Funk Sounds, is filled with great syncopation and energy!
Tower of Power has the tightest horn section of any band I know, it's hard to imagine their music without that punchy sound.
I saw them at the Bottom Line, NYC. And it was a party! The Dynamics are everything. Listen to “What is Hip”.
Listen to the live performance of Willing to learn.
That performance will blow you away!!
Larry Braggs is featured on Earthside's Lesser Evil and it's a jazz prog rock masterpiece
I've seen them almost 100 times and next to Lenny Williams, LB was my favorite singer. Wish he was still with them. He hit notes you didn't realize existed. All with finesse.
You may have me topped, but I am close to 100 TOP shows that I have been at beginning in 1972 or ‘73. LB is not only a great vocalist, but also a fantastic friend!
I started going to shows in 73. Being a trumpet player, I was a big Chicago fan but one day a buddy of mine brought the "What is Hip" LP over and dropped it on the turntable and said listen to these guys. As the saying goes, "The rest is history." I saw the band on October 28 at The Providence Performing Arts Center with the RI Philharmonic Orchestra. I'm not too big on the new guy. No stage presence. LB is the polar opposite and you need that to front a band that big. Next time you talk to Larry, tell him he is sorely missed by the ToP fan base.@@dougmael
@alcambrola2834 - I am both a bassist/vocalist and trombone/baritone horn player, and played in both my college jazz ensemble and various drum and bugle corps from the 1960s through 1980s, so I was naturally drawn to Tower of Power and have always loved the band! When he was TOPs lead vocalist, I became friends with LB, and went out with him ( and a couple other band members) following some of their shows in the Philadelphia area and New Jersey, as well as Las Vegas. I have told him how much he is missed by TOP fans around the globe, but Larry’s days with TOP are sadly behind him.
Yeah, he was the longest tenured singer with them. Wow, you have quite the musical resume yourself. You wonder how long the band can go on. Mimi, Doc and DG are all in their 70's. I think Doc is 77. As long as they're healthy and up to it, God bless em. You wouldn't by chance know why they fired Marcus Scott by any chance?
I googled why did Marcus Scott no longer in Tower of power and saw an actual court docket. Some kind of falling out happened.@@dougmael
Out of Oakland,very big in the Bay Area in the 70s.Tight,talented and truly about entertaining their audience.
Check out Larry Braggs singing willing to learn ..lice version ..
watching you dig on tower for the first time was so enjoyable! im sure by now you've seen a lot more. I hope youve listened to "As surely as I stand here" probably Larry Braggs best vocal with the band from this same concert. As I'm sure you also know Larry left the band many years ago unfortunately. For some reason, lead singers come and go with this band and I'm not quite sold on the newest one. Larry was probably the best in terms of sheer vocal talent. This performance was flawless in terms of phrasing and pitch in my opinion. I'm going to subscribe I really enjoy your analysis.
You never heard Tower Of Power prior to this?!....that's sacrilege! 😆 I bet you have heard one or more of their songs in the past and didn't know it was them. Their biggest hits were What Is Hip, You're Still A Young Man and So Very Hard To Go. All 3 of those songs are definitely worth checking out, along with the very funky Soul Vaccination and Diggin' On James Brown. They had one of the best rhythm sections in music, with David Garibaldi on drums ( the one with the glasses) and the legendary bassist, Rocco Prestia (RIP), who was innovative and influential in soul/R&B bass playing technique (listen for his sixteenth note bass parts that really give a signature groove to some of their songs).
TOP is now in their 55th year and still killing it everywhere they go.
Tower of Power, often imitated never duplicated.
They are the BEST funk band ever!!!!!!! Super tight
If you want to catch a hot live band …. Catch these guys…… hot soul
In my opinion the song "Time Will Tell" from this concert is the most outstanding vocalwise.
You should listen to Me and Mrs Jones featuring that lead singer…
It sounds so funky due to the legendary late great Francis Rocco Prestia on bass. Top 10 all time.
Larry is the best vocalist TOP has had. And they've all been pretty bloody good!
'A Little Knowledge' track on the same concert sung by Larry is absolutely epic.
Next to early James Brown shows, TOP with Larry put on the most awesome concerts, start to finish, that I've ever seen.
Larry Braggs is the BEAST of all beasts! Unfortunately he’s no longer with TOP, I believe he’s singing with The Temptations. But he was my favorite TOP singer. I think his best vocal performances came from “You’re Still a Young Man” and “Me & Mrs. Jones”. TOP has birthed so many great musicians/artists. To have them on your resume as a musician is as good as it gets. Lenny Pickett - the sax player from Saturday Night Live playing all those crazy high notes - came from TOP.
I highly recomend ma and mrs jones live at leverkusen 2014. Vocals will blow you away
Bethany, always enjoy your reactions , especially to Angelina. She has just dropped her new single Love Don't Let Me Go. It is pure Angelina, I think you will enjoy it.
It’s the TOWER OF POWER!,!!!!
Great choice to pick Larry Braggs. the thing that you notice what Larry adds after specific words come from the Tradition of Gospel ,Blues, old school R&B and off course Jazz. i hear this as an emphasis of the previous phrase and statement. it has also so much to do with Rhythm. cause these extra sounds are ALWAYS in Rhythm. And in this genre with ToP , it is the 16th note Rhythm that is been used to make this Motha GROOOVE . I experienced that type of technique in the early 90's the first time in Real Time on Stage when was playing drums behind Norma Jean Bell. Norma did that extensively!!!. A R&B/Jazz Artist from Detroit. To my ears it is the spice on that particular Music. I have to add here that Larry is one of the 4 best singers that ToP ever had or will have. All of them starting with Williams, Carter and Greene are so beautiful powerful in their own ways, but Larry just stands out in a unique way.
Such an awesome band from the Bay Area...
Could you please please react to “ still a young man” same concert . It really showcases his various ranges thank you
Larry Braggs on Willin to Learn ...live version shows off his skills
Funny, a music specialist who never heard about Tower of Power, one of the most iconic bands ever, playing non stop since 55 years...
You should go to their concert, only he is no longer with them doing his solo career. TOP is right now touring and celebrating their 55th anniversary, check it out if they might be in your area!
YOU MUST REACT TO HIS COLLAB W/ EARTHSIDE CALLED "THE LESSER EVIL" !!!!!
Larry is magnificent ❤❤❤❤❤❤
I don’t know when you put this video up, but In my opinion Larry at his best is on the same show. Find “You’re Still a Young Man”
She is beautiful
She know really bad ass music
THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY GREAT SINGERS IN TOP OVER THE 55 YEARS. THE TWO BEST WERE LENNY WILLIAMS (ABOUT 2 YRS) AND LARRY BRAGG (ABOUT 10 YRS) NOW LARRY IS NO LONGER WITH TOP, AND WE MISS HIM. BETHANY, LISTEN TO ALL THE LP'S WITH BOTH OF THESE LEAD SINGERS. YOU WILL CERTAINLY ENJOY EM!
Young lady, it’s ok for you to move. Swing with it! And we have another ToP convert, Ladies and a gentlemen!! They are the best.
Would you mind reviewing Make It Real by The Jets? One of the most underrated groups of the 1980’s!
Go back and listen to AWB. They really brought it too. Amazing vocals and tight soulful funk, for a Scottish band. Check it out
Listen when Lenny Williams was the lead❤
It's The Funk You Love !!!
This is so silky smoov, love the vibe. Super excited about upcoming soul stuff, can't wait to see what you have in store. Suggestion: Vulfpeck - 1612, live at Madison Square Garden (th-cam.com/video/rv4wf7bzfFE/w-d-xo.html), another one that starts in the middle of the show. I've rarely seen people having this much fun performing. Cheers!
Oooh love Vulfpeck! I'll check it out for sure!
Please do more Ren. Hi Ren got over 200k views. He is also an incredible singer. I recommend How To Be Me (LIVE) With Chinchilla. Or his band The Big Push's live version of the Sting song Englishman In New York.
He is an incredible talent, and as an independent artist can use any new eyes on his work. You will NOT be disappointed. :)
Hi, love TOP AND LARRY BRAGGS. HEY, I HAVE A SPECIAL REQUEST....PLEASE REACT TO: Laura Nyro singing Lazy Susan❤
She's now been Soul Vaccinated.,now & buy a lot of Tower CD's.