Average White Band/Tower of Power = One Incredible Show

[sammyperez]

:D Not only is "What is hip" the eternal question, but what a show! I am still reeling this morning from a fantastic show last night featuring both 'The Average White Band' and the 'Tower of Power'. Unbelievable to think that after so many years these bands sound this good. Granted, many original members have been replaced, but what replacements! Also the core original members of both bands led their respective collectives through two incredible sets. First the AWB:

They started with a cover of Chaka Khan's 'Whatcha gonna do for me'. Then they got into a downright funker called 'Oh, Maceo', a tribute to Mr Horny Horn himself. Some of the standards they hit last night included:

Cut the cake
I'm the one
Person to Person
Work to do (the new Jazzy guitar version)
and of course 'Pick up the pieces'

the lone sax player was phenomenal. After their set, they had an autograph session and I was wearing a white baseball cap which had the emblem "Soul" emblazoned on the cap. Suffice it to say that all five members autographed the brim and now the cap is part of my wall of fame at home.

Then came the 'TOP'; Strapped with 11 musicians and a lead vocalist named Larry Braggs, who was simply incredible, they simply tore the house down. You name it, they did it:

Oakland Stroke
Time will tell
Squib Cakes
There's only so much oil in the ground
I'm diggin' on James Brown
You're still a young man
So very hard to go

and so much more. When they came out to do 'You're still a young man' as their encore, let me just say that the hairs on my body were standing as I got chills. Also, the horn section which featured both Stephen 'Doc' Krupa and leader of the band Emilio Castillo were five deep and strong as ever. A truly fantastic show band.

What are your memories of these two great soul/funk bands?

Easy,

Sam "ALL JAM"

[SandraDee]

'Whatcha Gonna Do For Me' was written by Average White Band & I think they did it just before Chaka Khan but they didn't release it as a single like Chaka did. Great track in both versions! :P

[efunk_adelic]

Sammy,

sounds like you had an experience of a lifetime.... both of these bands will find a way into the R 'N' ROLL HALL someday.


I'm sure that You're Still A Young Man sounded awesome... I wish I was there to witness it. Great article! :)

[sammyperez]

Sandra, thanks for the info on 'Whatcha gonna do for me'; Surprisingly, I did not know this.

E-Funk, 'You're still a young man' sounded great. The hairs on my body rose with every note especially when the trumpet solo hit it's mark. A classic in every sense of the word. Thanks for the sharing your thoughts.

Easy,

Sam "ALL JAM"

[efunk_adelic]

'Whatcha Gonna Do For Me' was written by Average White Band & I think they did it just before Chaka Khan but they didn't release it as a single like Chaka did. Great track in both versions! :P

Steely,

I'm kinda lazy right now to look it up.... was this track on one of their LP's?

[SandraDee]

Yes it was on their 1980 Lp 'Shine' which also featured the brilliant 'Lets go Round Again'. Chaka's version came the year after; I think both versions were Arif Mardin productions if I'm not mistaken.

[efunk_adelic]

Yes it was on their 1980 Lp 'Shine' which also featured the brilliant 'Lets go Round Again'. Chaka's version came the year after; I think both versions were Arif Mardin productions if I'm not mistaken.

this is one of the reasons why I continue to come here.... everyone is informative... and of course, some music got by me. I gave up on AWB after their LP with Ben E. King or the live LP. :oops: However I did buy 'Lets go Round Again' on 7" single.

[SandraDee]

efunk, I'm not sure whether they would be to your taste but I'd recommend AWB's 'Shine' LP & 'Cupids In Fashion' LP from 1981/2 as I think they are both superb classy funk/pop/soul offerings; much slicker than their 70s stuff IMO. :P 8)