My late husband lived Tower of Power and the fact they were from Oakland and he was a bass player this song remind me how young we were and the music the best at 70 I can see our faces party the clothes and fun miss u Joe my soul mate we will meet one day in that great rainbows walking in the sun and beaches❤❤❤
I totally with you and those fondest memories. This song always brings me to tears myself, my memories are from Rosarito beaches, all Baja area with most Special Man in my life that will soon be a year of his earth departure, it's been very hard to get along with life without him. Memories hurt me deeply. Sometimes I find myself avoiding hearing some music, but almost everything and it brings all to surface vividly and this song....GEEZ....drowns me. I hope you doing well and experiencing peace in your heart.💞
If I was stuck on an island, and could only listen to 1 song, this would have to be it. What an absolutely gorgeous version, of this gem by Tower of Power! Love you guys so much! Now can we get the Tower of Power nominated and then inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
ive seen these guys in person...6 times in my life.....I lived in Vallejo calif.....growing up...blasted this song down the cruze in my 58 impala.......best band ..EVER...thanks for posting this awesome song and band
I had to respond to your post. I grew up in Pleasanton and remember when Emilio and Rocco landed in Oakland. The rest is history! So much memorabilia, just awesome!
One of the Greatest Soul tracks of all time. Definitely One of my favorite songs of all time and without a doubt my Favorite Tower of Power song of all time.
This song was my first introduction to Tower Of Power when this album first came out, in what, '70, '71? My best friends brother sat us on the couch to listen to the latest music. We were about 13 yrs old at the time and he was three years older. From that first spin of the record, we were hooked! Then they came to play at the high school, James Logan High in Union City. Thank God they allowed us 8th graders into the dance!! I will never forget that and will forever thank Ramiro for introducing me to TOP. I am going to see them at the Alameda County fair tonight, and I go see them every year when they play at Yoshi's in Oakland.
It's probably the most complex and difficult song in their book. Most demanding.The intonation has to be perfect. Voices have to be perfect, most important they really have to feel that deep soul groove to pull it together. Musically, there is so much going on here. This is masterful. Everyone was spot on for this!
Yoshi’s God I miss Bay Area my husband loved Tower of Power he never miss a set when ever came to town we share so many great time listen to this great band and the 70’s was so heavenly in the Bay thank u Tube for these precious tapes❤🎉🎉🎉
Damn!! sooo many memories of my older brothers, some who've past away...Tower of Power, Santana, and War!!! SO much TALENT and yet so underrated...ALOHA!
This is my most favorite version of this song, for damn fuckin' sure. I'm loving the flute solos from Tom Politzer and also the trumpet flourishes in the buildups towards the choruses, And to top it all off, having the all- time legend Carlos Santana to put the endcap solo was stellar. And Larry Braggs sounds like he owns this song, for sure, in my opinion
A newfound family friend knew we had a long drive back from Calif to Texas and asked what kind of music I liked. I was into jazz/pop fusion back then, so he said he thought he had something I would enjoy and then set about promptly putting together a [literal] mixtape for our family's long drive home. He had a number of TOP songs on the tape, and this was my introduction to them. I just about wore out that cassette rewinding it over and over to hear that incredible seamless trumpet-to-flute transition! The first time I heard it, I went, "Whoa... what was That I just heard! Wasn't that a trumpet, and now a flute??" Incredible!
Funk has its serious side too. Absolute beauty...Sensitive, seductive, supremely soulful...showcases the versatility of these quintessentially professional musicians who can harmonize perfectly too. LB was really on his best game (as he always was) that night.
I never forget 1972, my friend's older brother playing the flute to this song for our jr.high school dance. Back in the day when we had live bands at our dances.
Part 1 of 2 - My dad grew up in San Francisco and we went back there for a family vacation in the summer of '71 when I was just a teenager. We met many of his old buddies from his high school days and their families, which all included kids about our age. At one of these family visits, a kid my age asked what kind of music I liked. Remember that '71 was the big breakout summer of James Taylor and Carole King.
I was 12 years old when this came out. Grew up listening to a lot of great music. Born just at the right time, I suppose. So many great bands came out of the S.F. bay area, which is a place very familiar to me. My 2nd home! These guys were out of Oakland, CA. Worked a lot in San Francisco and Oakland.
How I really loved this wonderful tune during my teenage days in the 70s, now I saw them live Tower of Power in Manila sept 2018, fantastic! Am so thrilled!
Part 2 of 2 - That kid then mixed up a cassette tape of songs that he thought I might like. He included a few gems from Tower of Power, with "Sparkling in the Sand" closing out the tape. That kid had my musical tastes pegged down perfectly - I never met or spoke with him again but am forever grateful for him introducing me to TOP. Over the next 10 years, that became my definitive "date tape" for drives. Pleasant memories listening to it with my girlfriend who became my wife. Beautiful!
This may be my favorite love song of all time. I'm not jut saying this because I'm a massive TOP fan either. But man, I wish they'd play this live more. Tommy on the Flute - wow! Roger - man that cat can sang! And that gorgeous pick up from Mike's trumpet solo to Tommy's flute solo was chilling.
It's amazing how the keyboards can replicate a vibe sound with crystal clear notes...although it's not Skip Mesquite doing the flute solo here....Tom Politzer nails it as well as Mike Bogart's trumpet solo....GREAT!
Wonderful memories from San Jose CA. greatest finest nightclub. Da Dawghouse on Mabury Rd. I met Miss Becky Cordoba while this soulful timeless melody was killing us to a far off heavenly time and place......Thank you Tower of Power and mgmt. at this gem of a nightclub.Thank you for the memories. Con Safos.
Larry Braggs, from Pittsburg, California, is the best soul singer alive today! A voice so powerful, so fabulous that words cannot do him justice. This song doesn't really do him justice, either. His semi-falsetto gives you no hint about his real voice. Go see them if you get a chance.
ah that's my song...that's my song...haha I say that to a lot of songs. I am a music nut but this ONE RIGHT HERE: The horns on this drive me crazy! Flute always shows my heart a piece of heaven and wraps me in love. Grew up in Oakland so my family has a special connection to these guys. My kids are lucky adults now with 70's / 80's love jams written on their hearts as this jam was a norm in their bedtime song track list I'd sing. Now pucker up and get ready to whistle the flute!!!!!!!!
What great well written tune! This was always a favorite. I actually put on a bunch of albums on in early 70,s leading up to this tune and proposed marriage while dancing in the living room.
Personally speaking, I like it so much better when it is a LIVE performance as opposed to pictures or just a picture of their album. I learn so much from their technique and showmanship on stage as a frontman/woman, say BONNIE RAITT -a top flight performer that restores my soul to the quality in life, not negativity that pervades...
This song really shows that each musician is fine tuned. Roger, your vocal techniques is so GRAND. Please do solo's. This has never been my favorite song until I listened to it knowing I love the instrumental. Just blown away and I have seen them over 80 closer to 90 tim
Great live version, with Carlos Santana and Chester Thompson! Roger Smith's vocals (the bridges here) are extraordinary - besides being a keyboard genius - even sitting down, he can out-sing many who've fronted ToP! Guitarists, please notice the size of Carlos Santana's amp behind him, and that he literally breathes with his phrasing, like a horn player. (A very fine jazz guitarist, who knew I also play sax, once told me that 'clue' of how to be a better lead guitar player...)
Great to see Carlos Santana who went to high school in San Francisco’s Mission District join here with -Oakland’s Tower of Power to perform Sparkling in the Sand-a great hit from this group who created the East Bay Grease sound music genre. Very good memories of the 70s era.
to the East-Bay people, do you remember before TOP made it big ? WE had them at Lucky Lion, North Oakland AND San Leandro not to mention Frenchy's in Hayward
I remember the Lucky Lion, Frenchy's!! They also played at my high school...James Logan in Union City CA around 1972-1973. Have seen them about 50 times and have followed them ever since. They will always be the best ever!!
How about the Edgewater West Night club which was at Hegenberger and Doolittle Drive near the Oakland Airport? Was the Lucky Lion in the Oakland Hills? There was another place, just off Telegraph Ave, around the Oakland/Berkeley border.
WOW..beautifull song..Hey John Ortiz fm EB High..class of 73..i graduated in 1972..with the likes of Robert Beltran, Con, John Eastridge, Ray Phillips..etc great people..remember the days then..wonderfull I miss and love all of you from that class…Sue Hankins..Gigi Loving etc..pete martinez 1972 ..went into the Navy for 20 yrs but I'm bcd in bakersfield…..sells cars at Motor city…in the auto mall
the thing is that my friends and I ARE stuck in the 70's already...have we met? maybe in another life-time. In the next life, I will make it a point to embrace the 60's and all the years God will give me. DII
![[MV] A leap of faith...ความเชื่อใจครั้งสุดท้าย (From "Petrichor the series")](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/U1piZH2CNXA/mqdefault.jpg)
This is my absolute favorite Tower of Power song!!!
My late husband lived Tower of Power and the fact they were from Oakland and he was a bass player this song remind me how young we were and the music the best at 70 I can see our faces party the clothes and fun miss u Joe my soul mate we will meet one day in that great rainbows walking in the sun and beaches❤❤❤
I totally with you and those fondest memories. This song always brings me to tears myself, my memories are from Rosarito beaches, all Baja area with most Special Man in my life that will soon be a year of his earth departure, it's been very hard to get along with life without him. Memories hurt me deeply. Sometimes I find myself avoiding hearing some music, but almost everything and it brings all to surface vividly and this song....GEEZ....drowns me. I hope you doing well and experiencing peace in your heart.💞
If I was stuck on an island, and could only listen to 1 song, this would have to be it. What an absolutely gorgeous version, of this gem by Tower of Power! Love you guys so much! Now can we get the Tower of Power nominated and then inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
ive seen these guys in person...6 times in my life.....I lived in Vallejo calif.....growing up...blasted this song down the cruze in my 58 impala.......best band ..EVER...thanks for posting this awesome song and band
Saw them w/ ConFunkShun at the Solano County Fair, 1980..... 🤙🏽😎
I had to respond to your post. I grew up in Pleasanton and remember when Emilio and Rocco landed in Oakland. The rest is history! So much memorabilia, just awesome!
I know-grew up with them too! Have so many great memories revolving around this GREAT BAND and their music-love their horns!
I must have listened to this song tens of thousands of times and I still can't get enough of it.
One of the Greatest Soul tracks of all time. Definitely One of my favorite songs of all time and without a doubt my Favorite Tower of Power song of all time.
This song was my first introduction to Tower Of Power when this album first came out, in what, '70, '71? My best friends brother sat us on the couch to listen to the latest music. We were about 13 yrs old at the time and he was three years older. From that first spin of the record, we were hooked! Then they came to play at the high school, James Logan High in Union City. Thank God they allowed us 8th graders into the dance!! I will never forget that and will forever thank Ramiro for introducing me to TOP. I am going to see them at the Alameda County fair tonight, and I go see them every year when they play at Yoshi's in Oakland.
Oh my gosh I remember when they played at Logan high school..I was there..
I see them at yoshis also....they will be at tahoe Stateline this superbowl weekend....got my tixs!
One of my fav Tower of Power song in the 70's Sparkling in the sand with Rick Stevens classy amazing vocals.R.I.P.
They should do this song more often since it's according to me one of their absolutely most beautiful songs. I so totally love it!
It's probably the most complex and difficult song in their book. Most demanding.The intonation has to be perfect. Voices have to be perfect, most important they really have to feel that deep soul groove to pull it together. Musically, there is so much going on here. This is masterful. Everyone was spot on for this!
@@chauncywashington2227 It’s exactly what my thoughts are about this song.... I can listen to this over and over.......Indescribable soul melody....
Makes me wish that I could jump on an time machine back to this moment in time.
everything...this song was everything back in the day and it still moves me so soulful so bella!
One of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard.
Yoshi’s God I miss Bay Area my husband loved Tower of Power he never miss a set when ever came to town we share so many great time listen to this great band and the 70’s was so heavenly in the Bay thank u Tube for these precious tapes❤🎉🎉🎉
Nothing like the Bay Area. Born and raised in SF. Especially the 1970s. So different now. Vibe is totally gone.
Damn!! sooo many memories of my older brothers, some who've past away...Tower of Power, Santana, and War!!! SO much TALENT and yet so underrated...ALOHA!
This is my most favorite version of this song, for damn fuckin' sure. I'm loving the flute solos from Tom Politzer and also the trumpet flourishes in the buildups towards the choruses, And to top it all off, having the all- time legend Carlos Santana to put the endcap solo was stellar. And Larry Braggs sounds like he owns this song, for sure, in my opinion
❤️❤️❤️
You got that all right!
wow, the switch from trumpet to flute in 4:38 is a classic!!
yeah, nice transition eh?
A newfound family friend knew we had a long drive back from Calif to Texas and asked what kind of music I liked. I was into jazz/pop fusion back then, so he said he thought he had something I would enjoy and then set about promptly putting together a [literal] mixtape for our family's long drive home.
He had a number of TOP songs on the tape, and this was my introduction to them. I just about wore out that cassette rewinding it over and over to hear that incredible seamless trumpet-to-flute transition!
The first time I heard it, I went, "Whoa... what was That I just heard! Wasn't that a trumpet, and now a flute??"
Incredible!
And by the applause, you know the crowd really understood and appreciated they were hearing something really special there.
Funk has its serious side too. Absolute beauty...Sensitive, seductive, supremely soulful...showcases the versatility of these quintessentially professional musicians who can harmonize perfectly too. LB was really on his best game (as he always was) that night.
SPARKLING INT THE SAND..MY LIFE TIME FAVORITE MUSIC..BOTH LYRICS AND MELODY TOUCHES MY HEART..DEDICATED TO MY WIFE...
This is the best live performance of this song i have ever heard. That guy sings his heart out and soul flows thru the mic. Wow.... Just wow
One of the best group ever created in our time..... Thanks for posting
This original by TOP is a true masterpiece it is so lyrical and it flows from emotion to spirit.
Love the transitions in this one. Such a musical showing.
Wonderful enlightment!
I am 60 and this was my favorite song when I was 16 such good times
Wow that flute was freaking awesome and so fresh I wish more songs would include the flute. And the trumpet too was awesome 👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Gorgeous song and Carlos Santanas touch was cherry on top . Thank you 🙏👏👏👏👏👏
Great Song and a timeless classic by TOP !!!!
I never forget 1972, my friend's older brother playing the flute to this song for our jr.high school dance. Back in the day when we had live bands at our dances.
OAKLAND CA. CASTLEMONT HIGH ,TELEGRAPH AVE , LAKE MERRITT, SO GLAD I GREW UP IN THE BAY AREA.... SOME OF THE BEST TALENT..... BACK IN THE DAY
A lover's lament by only the best...TOP
Part 1 of 2 -
My dad grew up in San Francisco and we went back there for a family vacation in the summer of '71 when I was just a teenager.
We met many of his old buddies from his high school days and their families, which all included kids about our age.
At one of these family visits, a kid my age asked what kind of music I liked. Remember that '71 was the big breakout summer of James Taylor and Carole King.
Happy 50th Anniversary, Tower Of Power!
Larry Braggs might just be my favorite singer of all time period. Live he is unbelievable. He is now with the Temptations, killing it with them.
Is Larry Bragg's still with the temps
Another Classic song that takes me back to my childhood growing up in the San Francisco Mission District
Every time I listen to this song it reminds me of my wife. She passed away 17 yrs ago. I miss her so much!
I was 12 years old when this came out. Grew up listening to a lot of great music. Born just at the right time, I suppose.
So many great bands came out of the S.F. bay area, which is a place very familiar to me. My 2nd home! These guys were out of Oakland, CA. Worked a lot in San Francisco and Oakland.
A beautiful musical experience.
This is the best version of this song.
Love it! 💖
this songs of the tower of power remindsme of my high school days, it's great!..................
Great sound, great voice! and cool winds!!!
How I really loved this wonderful tune during my teenage days in the 70s, now I saw them live Tower of Power in Manila sept 2018, fantastic! Am so thrilled!
🌷💘🌷My favorite TOP song for all time. The harmonies and the outstanding flute are indeed The Best💘
ONE OF THEIR COOLEST SONGS
Part 2 of 2 -
That kid then mixed up a cassette tape of songs that he thought I might like. He included a few gems from Tower of Power, with "Sparkling in the Sand" closing out the tape.
That kid had my musical tastes pegged down perfectly - I never met or spoke with him again but am forever grateful for him introducing me to TOP.
Over the next 10 years, that became my definitive "date tape" for drives. Pleasant memories listening to it with my girlfriend who became my wife. Beautiful!
Feeling this tonite with you...
This is what the old school is...soul, jazz, funk.....the FLAVOR!
one of my fav all time bands nice fellas nice
I never knew Roger Smith could sing so good. THey should let him sing more
This may be my favorite love song of all time. I'm not jut saying this because I'm a massive TOP fan either. But man, I wish they'd play this live more. Tommy on the Flute - wow! Roger - man that cat can sang! And that gorgeous pick up from Mike's trumpet solo to Tommy's flute solo was chilling.
Man oh man hes putting that flute too work. Making a instrument due what it do! Awesome post OP.
Thanx
How was the flutist not listed?
Debb W It‘s Tom E. Politzer, he plays Tenor Sax with the band and switches to the flute when necessary
My fav band and song. So musical. Vocally. Just nails it
I do hope they will do this song or even promote this brilliant kind of song that will never be sang by the other artist
Still gives me goose bumps in 2021. Real music. Best of times. So glad this was my youth.
One of my top favorites. One of the few songs i have yet to see them play live and ive seen them 11 times. Great stuff.
Wow!! What a great performance of my favorite ToP song..with Carlos Santana on guitar it took it levels higher!!
They just don't make MUSIC like this anymore !!! My all time favorite group TOP !!! YEOWWW !!
It's amazing how the keyboards can replicate a vibe sound with crystal clear notes...although it's not Skip Mesquite doing the flute solo here....Tom Politzer nails it as well as Mike Bogart's trumpet solo....GREAT!
This song reminds me of my brother . He loved Tower of Power .
An old favourite of mine....please take me back to that time.
Oh how I love this song. Great memories....
Definitely one of TOP's best!
OH MY YOUTHFUL DAYS.......FLASHBACK.....SPARKLING IN THE SAND......MY UNFORGETTABLE SONG.....
BEAUTIFUL ARRANGMENTS. BEAUTIFUL SONG
Wow, you guys make millions of people happy!
I like the original version in their first album East Bay Grease (1970) with Rick Stevens on Vocals.. da BOMB!!
nakohead415 yes absolutely true the greatest Rick Stevens😗😙😚❤❤❤
Wonderful memories from San Jose CA. greatest finest nightclub. Da Dawghouse on Mabury Rd. I met Miss Becky Cordoba while this soulful timeless melody was killing us to a far off heavenly time and place......Thank you Tower of Power and mgmt. at this gem of a nightclub.Thank you for the memories. Con Safos.
Beautiful, just beautiful - no other words for exquisite music like this.
wouldn't it be nice to see sparkles in the sand... sparkles anywhere are so awesome!
like this song was too hot as it was but to throw Carlos on guitar into the mix..well, too cool...makes me proud to be a "Bay-Area Boy"
Larry Braggs, from Pittsburg, California, is the best soul singer alive today! A voice so powerful, so fabulous that words cannot do him justice. This song doesn't really do him justice, either. His semi-falsetto gives you no hint about his real voice. Go see them if you get a chance.
ah that's my song...that's my song...haha I say that to a lot of songs. I am a music nut but this ONE RIGHT HERE: The horns on this drive me crazy! Flute always shows my heart a piece of heaven and wraps me in love. Grew up in Oakland so my family has a special connection to these guys. My kids are lucky adults now with 70's / 80's love jams written on their hearts as this jam was a norm in their bedtime song track list I'd sing. Now pucker up and get ready to whistle the flute!!!!!!!!
If i were to go back in time, i wouldn't mind getting stuck in the 70s!
ABSOLUTELY SUPERLATIVE!
4:40 Trumpet to Flute.... just AWESOME!!!
Takes me back to a wonderful time in the past. They sure don't make that good stuff anymore.
What great well written tune! This was always a favorite. I actually put on a bunch of albums on in early 70,s leading up to this tune and proposed marriage while dancing in the living room.
Excellent! I'm from California (Bay Area) and I really wish they would add songs like this to their sets. Well done fellas!!
I JUST LOVE THIS SONG!!! IT REALLY GETS TO ME INSIDE!!! *sigh* =D THANKS FOR SHARING!
Oh my God this is fantastic absolutely fantastic!!! thank you for the music
Ariadnimusiclover
Personally speaking, I like it so much better when it is a LIVE performance as opposed to pictures or just a picture of their album. I learn so much from their technique and showmanship on stage as a frontman/woman, say BONNIE RAITT -a top flight performer that restores my soul to the quality in life, not negativity that pervades...
This song really shows that each musician is fine tuned. Roger, your vocal techniques is so GRAND. Please do solo's. This has never been my favorite song until I listened to it knowing I love the instrumental. Just blown away and I have seen them over 80 closer to 90 tim
Great live version, with Carlos Santana and Chester Thompson! Roger Smith's vocals (the bridges here) are extraordinary - besides being a keyboard genius - even sitting down, he can out-sing many who've fronted ToP! Guitarists, please notice the size of Carlos Santana's amp behind him, and that he literally breathes with his phrasing, like a horn player. (A very fine jazz guitarist, who knew I also play sax, once told me that 'clue' of how to be a better lead guitar player...)
Favorite song of the 17 times so far I've seen them!!
Great to see Carlos Santana who went to high school in San Francisco’s Mission District join here with -Oakland’s Tower of Power to perform Sparkling in the Sand-a great hit from this group who created the East Bay Grease sound music genre. Very good memories of the 70s era.
Straight up Bay area soul, glad I grew up with this music
to the East-Bay people, do you remember before TOP made it big ? WE had them at Lucky Lion, North Oakland AND San Leandro not to mention Frenchy's in Hayward
I remember the Lucky Lion, Frenchy's!! They also played at my high school...James Logan in Union City CA around 1972-1973. Have seen them about 50 times and have followed them ever since. They will always be the best ever!!
Oh yeah..I remember frenchy's in hayward..I use to go there.
How about the Edgewater West Night club which was at Hegenberger and Doolittle Drive near the Oakland Airport? Was the Lucky Lion in the Oakland Hills? There was another place, just off Telegraph Ave, around the Oakland/Berkeley border.
Do remember the gothic city crime fighters with rocco robin on bass and Mimi on the organ
kick ass!!! one of my fave. bands
WOW..beautifull song..Hey John Ortiz fm EB High..class of 73..i graduated in 1972..with the likes of Robert Beltran, Con, John Eastridge, Ray Phillips..etc
great people..remember the days then..wonderfull I miss and love all of you from that class…Sue Hankins..Gigi Loving etc..pete martinez 1972 ..went into the Navy for 20 yrs but I'm bcd in bakersfield…..sells cars at Motor city…in the auto mall
you guys are terrific, i love it
Santana and Tower of Power, gotta love the Bay Area!
ONE of my Favorites
love it, love it... Love it!!
Larry Bragg was always on TOP. BEST BAND DOING THE OAKLAND STROKE!
Miss the original lead singer The Fabulous Rick Stevens, singing Sparkling in the Sand!!!
I would expect nothing less than greatness from the bay area. Just wish I'd been there to witness
i use tro listen to this music when i was 6 yrs from my brothers and sisters, nice song
You failed to mention one of the most important instruments in the description box: THE FLUTE!!!
i luv this song...sparkling in the sun....
Sun works too, sand is the preferred term 🤙
This song made me learn to play the flute
Brings back good memories
that was beautiful ! I love it
One of the all time love songs...I can't believe that one person disliked it...
the thing is that my friends and I ARE stuck in the 70's already...have we met?
maybe in another life-time.
In the next life, I will make it a point to embrace the 60's and all the years God will give me. DII