Firstly, a big Thank You to the Fresno Beehive for the free tickets. The seats were great… row 8 down center. The lovely Joy was my companion for the evening and we managed to gobble some fair food before the concert. She had the kabobs and I devoured the hot links ::burp::
Average White Band took the stage first to the opening strains of Pick Up The Pieces and launched into their set. They funked the house hard. Here are some pictures I took.
During the drum solo of AWB’s Rocky Bryant (which kicked hard) I spotted TOP’s singer, LARRY BRAGGS sneak out to the side of the stage to check it out.
A good solid show and a funkin good time. Scottish funk at it’s best.
Once the stage was reset… Tower of Power took the stage bringing their brand of Oakland funk to town.
The Funky Doctor still gives good medicine.
The original 4… from right to left… STEPHEN (“DOC”) KUPKA – Baritone saxophone, DAVID GARIBALDI – Drums, EMILIO CASTILLO – Second Tenor Sax, background & lead vocals, and FRANCIS ROCCO PRESTIA – Bass Guitar
I have always said this is the hardest working band in the biz… and once again tonight they gave us a party. A great 40th anniversary.
I’ll be writing my review on the Beehive and I will include it here later in the morning in an edit.
EDIT: 8:00 AM
Here is the review I left on the Beehive.
Thank you again to Beehive for the tickets to the AWB/TOP concert at the Fresno Fair.
This is not the first time these two bands have toured together. It really is a great combo. As they did a few years ago the Average White Band took the stage first.
Considering where this band originated from… Scottish Funk… who would have thunk? And good to boot. Original members Alan Gorrie & Onnie McIntyre still have it and they still have fun doing it. The younger members of the band more than hold their own. Especially Klyde Jones on vocals, bass and keyboard.
They opened with the riff to “Pick Up The Pieces”… but it was a fake-out launching into a string of hits eventually closing with (guess what?) “Pick Up The Pieces”. Perfect bookends. By the end the crowd was on it’s feet, head boppin and warmed up for more funk.
And more funk they got as Tower of Power took the stage. Kicking off with “We Came To Play” which got the ball rolling. Whenever they play Fresno there is always a certain sense of family… like that cool cousin who made it big is back for a visit triggering a rockin party.
Tonight was no different. Horns as tight as ever punctuated by hard funk that compels you to move even if you have two left feet. Yes, there were a few in the audience. They didn’t care and neither did we… it was a party. I have to say it didn’t hurt that Larry Bragg is a great front-man for the group… both vocally and in presence.
At one point one couldn’t help but sense the present irony when they launched into “Only So Much Oil In The Ground”. Especially when Emilio Castillo (who was in fine form) told the crowd the song was written when gasoline was sixty-eight cents a gallon.
If you have never been to a TOP concert before… you really owe it to yourself to. The quirk is the audience sings along to the lyrics… as well as the horn parts. Not surprising since they are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. It was plainly evident they were enjoying themselves on stage and so were we.
It certainly was a wonderful celebration for what I have long considered to be the hardest working band in the biz. As per usual… there are pictures on my blog.
After seeing Chicago last week, Earth, Wind & Fire on Monday and this last night. I suspect my streak is done for a while.
EDIT: 3:30 PM
Since the disdain is certain to flow freely for a bit more because of my recent concert streak (some has already in the comment section) I thought I’d post this somewhat bizarre video featuring a montage of beautiful Asian women set to Tower of Power’s “You Ought To Be Having Fun”.
Cosima
October 9, 2008 at 4:51 am
Those are fabulous pics! You are living the good life
APj
October 9, 2008 at 6:53 am
I was with you in spirit……
daveo
October 9, 2008 at 8:54 am
This week was one of the few times I regretted rehearsals – and the feeling was fleeting. But still what great music!!!! All right here for the taking – ah well, there will be another time. Glad you could go and enjoy it for the rest of us!
Lolly
October 9, 2008 at 9:16 am
You funk hawg!
Osbasso
October 9, 2008 at 11:42 am
You can’t imagine how badly I loathe you right now. Even with the advanced warning earlier this summer, I can’t believe you got to experience all of that in a week. You suck. And free?? I may just have to avoid ever coming around here again. Unless, of course, you need to unload a free TOP ticket…
Rocco always looks like he’d fit in better with the Coral Reefer Band. Glad to see he’s even still with us!
karim
October 9, 2008 at 2:11 pm
I’m soooo jealous. Not really! I feel happy you enjoyed it – you’re still a young man, doing the Oakland Stroke and looking for a place to party. And what’s more, you’re welcome to tell me, if you think you know!
Oh, and Rocco and Garibaldi. Servo-driven.
karim
October 9, 2008 at 3:53 pm
No! Not disdain! Ignore my leaden prose,
It’s T.O.P. – if they turn up, you goes!
stealth
October 9, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Nerd. One of those guys looks like Jack Nicholson. (sp?) Or maybe it’s just me.
I forgot to mention…my company is having a conference in San Fran in November. Just sayin’.
=)
karim
October 9, 2008 at 4:08 pm
So not quite Olympian, then? Pity, I had my illusions of haloed funksters drawing pure funk out of steaming chalices and descending to Earth to funkifize the faithful. You’ll tell me Santa Claus isn’t real next
karim
October 9, 2008 at 4:25 pm
I just Googled that. Aaah. The morning after my 40th birthday I shook off my hangover, turned on What is Hip and danced for the joy of being alive. Great memories. I’ll have to see them one day.
osbasso
October 9, 2008 at 5:01 pm
You’re killin’ me here…
trashed
October 13, 2008 at 5:41 am
Chicago, EWF, AWB & TOP ( 3 acronyms out of 4). Profanities spew forth but nicely !
Tell that Karim fella to check out TOP soon in case Rocco (bless his soul, pun intended) is infirmed again. He is not in the pink of health so if he ever wants to see the Garibaldi-Prestia connection, sooner is better !
And trivia time – Larry Braggs started out training as a classical music singer.
I also echo Osbasso’s comment – you’re killin’ me.
Sports trivia
June 14, 2010 at 12:10 am
Dang
I just spent ages typing a long comment, and when I tried to send it my FireFox did something really weird.
Did you get it or should I retype it all again?
Addison Jackson
June 28, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Asian women are cute and good mannered. they are very caring too.`*,
Pickup Insurance
July 25, 2010 at 2:00 am
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