Tower of Power: Great American Soulbook (2009)

Woodrow Wilkins

since 2004

Woody started in jazz with the diverse sounds of Maynard Ferguson's bands of the 1970s.

Recent articles (361 total)

Published: July 19, 2009

For more than 40 years, Tower of Power has been thrilling audiences with its brassy sound. Whether as a stand-alone act or backing up another group, this 10-piece ensemble has crossed many genres, including blues, pop, jazz, funk, rock and soul.

Having worked with such a diversity of acts as Aerosmith and Spyro Gyra, the band has accumulated an extensive repertoire. Now, tapping into a recent trend of artists remaking old hits, Tower of Power puts a slight twist to it. Great American Soulbook is a set of 12 vintage songs, including a few obscure releases, remade with some assistance from vocalists Tom Jones, Joss Stone, Sam Moore and Huey Lewis.

Larry Braggs, TOP's lead vocalist, does justice to Stevie Wonder's "You Met Your Match." Roger Smith's keyboard playing injects that classic 1960s-early '70s soul feel. The horn section is solid, with Stephen "Doc" Kupka's baritone answering the main riff. Tom E. Politzer solos on tenor sax.

Joss Stone joins Braggs for a duet on "It Takes Two." Bassist Rocco Prestia and drummer David Garibaldi are a little more involved, with Politzer soloing as well.

The arrangement of "Me & Mrs. Jones" is mostly faithful, though a bit more leisurely. Braggs matches Billy Paul's original notes, but adds plenty of his own inflections. He adlibs a bit during the closing monologue, saying, "You're my lady," and "You know I love you, Mrs. Jones."

Stone returns for the ballad "(Heaven Must Have Sent) Your Precious Love," one of several songs presented here that were popular in their day but have gotten little attention since. Stone and Braggs play off each other well, capturing the charm of the original while adding some of their own.

The "Tower of Power Horns" have gotten so much attention over the years that it's regrettably easy to overlook the rest of the band. Great American Soulbook scores the double hit of reminding music lovers of the band's diversity while rediscovering some classic soul.

Track Listing: You Met Your Match; I Thank You; Loveland; It Takes Two; Me & Mrs. Jones; Star Time (Tribute to James Brown

Personnel: Emilio Castillo: second tenor sax; Stephen "Doc" Kupka: baritone sax; Francis Rocco Prestia: bass; David Garibaldi: drums; Larry Braggs: lead vocals; Roger Smith: keyboards; Tom E. Politzer: lead tenor sax; Adolfo Acosta: trumpet; Michael "Iron Mike" Bogart: lead trumpet, trombone, flugelhorn; Mark Harper: bass; Tom Jones: vocals (2); Joss Stone: vocals (4, 10); Sam Moore: vocals (7); Huey Lewis: vocals (11).

Record Label: Self Produced
Style: R&B/Soul