Tower of Power, climbing a powerful tower

Tower of Power’s THE GREAT AMERICAN SOULBOOK on the group’s label, Tower of Power records, is receiving a lot of radio airplay from a variety of formats--AAA, public radio, urban, talk. The album features covers of vintage soul songs, and has guest singers: Sir Tom Jones, Joss Stone, Huey Lewis, Sam Moore.

The Voice of America's Doug Levine sums the album up quite nicely, "Followers of the Great American Songbook are familiar with its timeless works of popular music by composers George Gershwin, Irving Berlin and others. Now, there's the Great American Soulbook. Many of Tower of Power's horn-driven hits, some dating back to the early 1970s, are now considered soul classics. But, after a 41-year run, the group decided to take a break from their usual offering of original funk and blues to pay tribute to their own musical heroes with an album called The Great American Soulbook." Read article at www.voanews.com.

Sonic Boomers' Bill Bentley also takes the "Songbook" angle, "It may be a stretch to call these dozen soul standards part of the great American songbook, but by this time in our country's culture when so much is up for grabs, why not? The well-oiled Oakland aggregation has been supplying the bump and jump at countless clubs and concerts for 40 years, building a loyal audience of young and old rockers and boppers. They have a supertight rhythmic attack that so much of rhythm & blues is built on, and a state-of-the-art horn section that should be patented it's so strong," at sonicboomers.com.

Tower of Power fan Jack Silva wrote a discography of the band's horn section, which is online at www.towerofpower.com/discography/hornsection/

As you know, TOP's members are very involved with educating musicians. The horn section runs clinics. Drummer David Garibaldi has made educational videos, Rocco Prestia's been covered in a number of bass publications. In general the band members offer great insight on finding and keeping sanity as performers. In July, TOP's trumpet player Mike Bogart is leaving the road to focus full time on teaching. He's being replaced by original TOP member/and a recent educator Mic Gillette. Mic was in the band 25 years ago, and will join the group at the band's gig at the San Mateo Fair this August. Once again, half the members of TOP are of the original lineup from 41 years ago.

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TOWER OF POWER's GREAT AMERICAN SOULBOOK enters Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Charts at Number 3

Tower of Power's "Great American Soulbook" album, which features covers of classic soul songs has entered Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Charts at Number 3. It is the highest placing debut album of the week. The album has also entered the Soundscan Jazz charts for record sales at Number 6.

"The Great American Soulbook" features guest vocalists. Sir Tom Jones duets on Sam and Dave's "I Thank You." Joss Stone shares two songs and Tammi Terrel and Marvin Gaye's "(Heaven Must Have Sent) Your Precious Love" and Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston's "It Takes Two." Sam Moore joins the group on Otis Redding's "Mr. Pitiful," and Huey Lewis shares vocals on Wilson Pickett's "“634-5789” The album also features a 4-song "James Brown medley, and songs originally performed by Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Aretha Franklin, Tavares, Watts 103rd St Rhythm Band, and Billy Paul.

Tower of Power's THE GREAT AMERICAN SOULBOOK

There are two links on the right side of this web page to videos for--if I could twist Casey Kasem's words--Tower of Power’s “short distance” dedication to an American soldier stationed in Iraq, who was able to get a leave to be with his wife at a show in Las Vegas.

This is the rest of the story.... A while ago, Tower of Power received an e-mail from Tim Lorenzen, who is in the army and stationed in Iraq. His request was for the band to possibly dedicate "You're Still A Young Man" to his wife Mona, who would be at the Orleans Casino show in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 7.

He wrote that TOP was their favorite band, and on their last day together they took a ride in his convertible, top down, listing to TOP music, despite the fact that it was raining.

Tim was able to get a leave, and come to the show, and surprise his wife with roses after TOP frontman Larry Braggs called her onto the stage.

Here is a link to the story on the band's message board!


Tim Lorenzen (on the right) and his buddies in Iraq.

Tower of Power is coming out with a new CD April 7. It’s called The Great American Soulbook. I love the album, how it sounds and Tower of Power's signature take of the arrangements. Right now I'm grooving on Larry's interpretations--my favorite covers are “Me and Mrs. Jones” and “Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel.” He sings lead on those; the LP has guest singers who share vocals with him on a few songs: Sir Tom Jones, Joss Stone, Huey Lewis and Sam Moore.