REVIEWS:
Post your comments about Tower Of Power
(reviewed by Kevin Baker)
No, this isn't an April Fool's Day joke....I'm really reviewing a funk record. Well, it's not mega-funky, but it's got some FUNk to it....and some soul and some......ok, this really isn't my speciality. I know how to describe rootsy stuff, but I need to brush up on my funk adjectives. Anyone wanna help me??? Feel free to mail me yo' funky comments and vocab! Well at any rate, the vital stats are.....Tower Of Power was a funk/soul/rock groove-type band from Oakland. And a large band from Oakland, too---10 members. A singer, 4 just horns and woodwinds guys, a horn/woodwind/keyboard dude, a guitarist, a drummer, a bassist, AND a conga player. OOOOH. I have no idea how well known they are or what their musical reputation is. However, their 2nd and 3rd albums (this one and a self-titled chunk o vinyl) are both somewhat well-known and quite nice.
Now, I must be honest. A whole album of funky brass-blowing is not always what my doctor calls for....he quite often prescribes bed rest, aspirin, and Aerosmith. However, I done got me my soul vaccination, so I can handle this stuff alright. Now, you're no doubt wondering about several important things---what are the highlights of this album? How is the musicianship? Are the lowpoints really bad, or are they just a bit slumpy? Where can I (where "I" is you the reader or any member of the VU) buy some more smack? Does Kevin believe in love at first sight? Well, dear reader, I shall answer those---it's like a mini press conference! Except with no press and nothing resembling a conference!
Highlights? The opening You Got To Funkifize is a nice, brassy intro to it all--I like it very much. Furthermore, the next song is a GREAT soul-funk ballad (What Happened To The World That Day?). Flash In The Pan is quite all right with me, as are the lovely ballad Gone and the more up-tempo, soulful You Strike My Main Nerve. OK, I'll be honest and say all the songs are listenable...very listenable actually. I suppose that's good, but it's hard to name a few highlights when everything is very consistent. The musicianship is quite good. Very professional --- the rhythm section is tight throughout, the horns are fab, the guitar is well-played (though I wish there was more of it), and Rick Stevens is a decent enough singer.
As I said, the lowpoints are....well, hard to pick out. My personal least favorite is Down To The Nightclub, but that's just me. You may love it. As for the smack.....beats me. I'd recommend asking Lou Reed. And as for love at first sight........(you knew it was coming), I didn't until Saturday when I met Amy. You see, since I last reviewed, Ashley and I decided to just be friends. Well, Ashley rigged it so I met Amy. Ashley didn't know that lighting would strike. I'd fallen for her within the first 5 minutes of knowing her. So we've been talking a lot and stuff and it's great and we flirt a lot and she's so sweet and funny and she thinks I'm sweet and I just turn to mush when we talk and I ramble on and on without using punctuation when I start talking about her and you get the idea.
OK, that said, it's time for my usual typed analysis of my thoughts on the album. Yep, I sum it up all right here --- see, you wasted your time reading that other crap above! HAHAHAHAHA!!! Well, while I like the sound....oops, Amy just signed on MSN. Gotta go :-)
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