Review by Junkman
Funk. A word that is familiar to most of us, but not necessarily defined correctly. Loosely translated, it can be described as the sweaty, stinky, state of the human body after a good workout. You know, the way you feel after a good bout of dancing or performing under some hot lights in a crowded space. Your clothes are sticking to your body, your armpits are stained with sweat, your hair is messed up, and your feet and hips hurt. This is EXACTLY the feeling you get from seeing and listening and dancing to a good funk band. Hence, the word “funky.”
It has become known for awhile now, and popularized by the late great James Brown and his band, that a “Funk Band” playing “Funky Music” is the type of band with the bass and drum centered, playing beat-heavy music that is irresistible to people who want to get up and dance. Not just dance, but “Git Funky,” work your body till it gets all sweaty and nasty, in the state that I described.
Recently, I attended a show by a band that has laid claim to be the funkiest of the funky for over 40 years. The announcer likes to say at the beginning of their shows, “Ladies and Gentlemen, from Oakland California — Tower of Power!” And yes, the funk was brought on once again by this 10-piece band that had this writer (and many others), “gittin funky” in the aisles.
The show was at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on a perfect evening. It was part of a triple bill featuring TOP, Los Angeles Latino-style horn band Tierra, and LA’s own fusion band War. The cool night was a great setting for the sweaty sounds that were soon to follow. Tierra got things started with a short set combining Latino and funky sounds that seemed to get the crowds attention, with a few toe-tappers and ballads like the 1980s hit song “Together.”
At around 7:20 PM, out stepped onstage Radio DJ legend Rick Dees, who for the last few months has been the morning DJ on Los Angeles station KHHT “Hot 92.3” — the sponsors of the show. He told a few jokes and then introduced the band that the crowd had been anxiously waiting for: Tower of Power!
Led by the core of band founders — tenor saxophonist Emilio Castillo and baritone saxophonist Stephen “Doc” Kupka — the band laid down the funk from the get-go. Opening with a medley of “Soul Vaccination” and “Oakland Strokem” the band was as tight as ever. I’ve seen them many times and have never been disappointed. That says a lot for a band that has been together since 1968, and has been through many members throughout that time.
Driving the band is the most incredible rhythm section of bassist Francis “Rocco” Prestia and drummer David Garibaldi, whose tight accents and funky chops really give the band their energy. The band tore into their extensive catalogue of songs, including 1976’s “You Ought To Be Having Fun” and the very appropriate-for-these-times, ‘Only So Much Oil In The Ground” from 1974’s Urban Renewal.
Emilio Castillo & Junkman
Lead singer Larry Braggs is, as far as I’m concerned, the Tower of Power vocalist (and there have been many) with the most range. Not only that, but the brotha can “bust a move” as well. His dancing gave each song the energy it needed to take it over the top.
Speaking of moves, during the 1973 hit, “So Very Hard To Go,” the entire horn section emphasized the early verses with their signature hand moves to accompany it before breaking in with their instruments. Always a crowd favorite!
The Tower of Power horn section is something of an American icon. Consisting of Castillo, Kupka, tenor saxophonist Tom Politzer, trumpeter Adolpho Acosta, as well as the return of longtime trumpet player Lee Thornburg, this is what the band is all about. Their distinctive jazz-funk sound has been heard on hundreds of recordings by a variety of artists. The fact that these guys play and tour for upwards of 200 shows a year is testament to their character. They obviously love what they do.
And so does the crowds they attract. Like most of the people around me, it was hard to sit down, although I did to enjoy their take on the old Billy Paul soul classic from the 70s, “Me and Mrs. Jones.” Braggs really let loose on that one, continuing to dazzle the crowd with his soulful chops. He really showed off his dance moves for the next number, a tribute to the “Hardest Working Man In Show Business,” entitled “Diggin’ On James Brown.” This brought the crowd to its feet, as did the final number, their biggest hit “What Is Hip?.”
For this, they brought out special guests, such as trumpeter Sal Cracioldo, and the lovely saxophonist Mindy Abair, for an extended jam of terrific horn driven funk. Trumpeter Lee Thornburg, sporting some bright red slacks, even went into the crowd to dance and play his horn, to the delight of everyone. It seemed the entire Greek Theatre was moving — it was infectious. It’s amazing what good musicianship and great songs can do to entice an older crowd into dusting off dance moves that they may or may not have used in years, myself included. I will tell you this, as much as I’m not much of a dancer and never claimed to be, I ALWAYS dance my ass off at a Tower of Power show. I hope that will not deter you from attending.
After the show, I spoke with Emilio Castillo about the future of TOP. He told me they still play about 200 shows a year all over the world, and have plans to record a new record of original tunes in this, their forty-fourth year. If you are up for it, I highly recommend seeing them in a town near you. You won’t regret it.
I decided to skip out after T.O.P. and make it an early night, missing WAR. No regrets though. I was thoroughly (to paraphrase Tower of Power) “funkifized” and satisfied. A truly fun show. My thanks to the good people at the Greek Theatre and Nederlander for making this night possible. And of course to Tower of Power. Now “Git Funky and Dance!!!!”
SETLIST:
Soul Vaccination/Oakland Stroke
Ain’t Nothin’ Stoppin’ Us Now
You Ought To Be Having Fun
Only So Much Oil In The Ground
Get Your Feet Back On The Ground
You Got To Funkifize
So Very Hard To Go
I Like Your Style
This Time Its Real
Me And Mrs. Jones
Diggin’ On James Brown
What Is Hip?
Junkman & Francis “Rocco” Prestia
