Tower of power - Sparkling in the sand

[marysman1960]

This is what the old school is...soul, jazz, funk.....the FLAVOR!

[sirwob]

I never swear in YT but that was pure fuckin' class

[sirwob]

a message to you youngsters: this is a "good taste" song, you like this, you have good taste....this is not a bay-area comment, a political comment, an 'old guy' comment.........this is good music, blues, jazz, soul , Oakland, all at it's best

[mrusmcdoc53]

It's amazing how the keyboards can replicate a vibe sound with crystal clear notes...although it's not Skip Mesquite doing the flute solo here....Tom Politzer nails it as well as Mike Bogart's trumpet solo....GREAT!

[KuyaBigbird8]

One of the best group ever created in our time..... Thanks for posting

[perch6767]

OAKLAND CA. CASTLEMONT HIGH ,TELEGRAPH AVE , LAKE MERRITT, SO GLAD I GREW UP IN THE BAY AREA.... SOME OF THE BEST TALENT..... BACK IN THE DAY

[sirwob]

@perch6767 hey Castlemont, Mt Eden High here(Hayward), you guys whooped us in the 72 regionals.......we had too many white guys (wink)

[tommywedgewood]

The gentlemen playing the flute and trumpet are my best part of this song.

[tommywedgewood]

OMG tower of power rocks

[calwaite]

Larry Braggs, from Pittsburg, California, is the best soul singer alive today! A voice so powerful, so fabulous that words cannot do him justice. This song doesn't really do him justice, either. His semi-falsetto gives you no hint about his real voice. Go see them if you get a chance.

[whiteflag1000]

Can you feel the summer breeze?

[surge2k7]

Thank god for growin up in the Bay Area

[dannyboyAZUSA]

Chester Thompson is so damn great... i wish i could study his ass,but i don't even deserve to shake the hands that play his keyboards!!!

[Starlitblond]

love it, love it... Love it!!

[1towpow]

In an Era when Legends are relegated to performing thier works of the past, this band continues to record new material. The catalog of Mimi and Doc runneth over.

[josecalifas]

theres always one dumb fuck in the world... so dont be offended by the one dislike... the human race aint perfect...

[MrCRogowski]

Does anyone know when this amazing group will make their way to Miami, Florida?

[marilou350]

I'm 53 now listening that my memories since graduated elementary Class 72 .A.U.F.

Angeles,Philippines@JD

[marilou350]

I'm 53 now listening that my memories since gratuaded elementary Class 72 .A.U.F.

angeles,Philippines@JD

[elves4me]

Saw them in the Bay Area a long time ago when I lived there. Gonna see them again....won't be the same but it's something I have to do. trippin down memory lane. Wa State in October 2011.

[dks2477]

I'm 57 Graduated Class of 72 ~ Spent summers in Cali listening to the best:

Tower of Power music ~ NOSTALGIA

[yououghtabehavinfun]

ah that's my song...that's my song...haha I say that to a lot of songs. I am a music nut but this ONE RIGHT HERE: The horns on this drive me crazy! Flute always shows my heart a piece of heaven and wraps me in love. Grew up in Oakland so my family has a special connection to these guys. My kids are lucky adults now with 70's / 80's love jams written on their hearts as this jam was a norm in their bedtime song track list I'd sing. Now pucker up and get ready to whistle the flute!!!!!!!!

[surge2k7]

Thank god for growing up in San Jo in those days, before the gang banging...La Raza Park, Disco East and downtown. :)

[newsmanbluesman]

qamal calling you out please stay away from this - it represents beauty and sophistication. what represent you?

[Cinz1234]

I was there on Story & King in 1973 too!!

[Cinz1234]

I was there on Story & King in 1973 too!!

[1970koff]

is that carlo santana doing the axe?

[fusheeny]

@1970koff  ah yeah...who else sounds that great???

[bitchycat]

If i were to go back in time, i wouldn't mind getting stuck in the 70s!

[tricianfred]

@bitchycat ~ it was a great great time sooooo different from now, I'm so grateful to have been able to experience it, although I was just a lil girl I do remember some things, most of all I remember the way things were then compared to now, I wish now I was old enough back then to really enjoy those days.....

[tricianfredrmarried]

@bitchycat ~ Amen to that....Only thing I'd want to be grown not a kid like I was back then....Ahhhh the good ol' days.....

[qamal]

0:20 - Is that paul bearer playing the baritone sax?

[bransonbelle]

The best of the best~

[TheUndefeatedLife]

I was right up front standing at the stage and dancing the whole night long.....

This makes life fun..... Without the Artist, what would we do?

[tikki945]

MY FAVORITE TOP SONG

[longdong9876]

1st song I ever slow danced to. Cazadero Music Camp 1973.

[micvelo]

@longdong9876 Dayam..... wonder if it was my HS GF... she was there that year. Heh heh..... better hope not, she was emo before anyone knew what that was. Ouch!

[Jakester409]

i never seen a person so down like johny rhodes over there masturbating in the corner with his eyes bleeding while masturbating man get a life

[EGomezbest]

Personally speaking, I like it so much better when it is a LIVE performance as opposed to pictures or just a picture of their album. I learn so much from their technique and showmanship on stage as a frontman/woman, say BONNIE RAITT -a top flight performer that restores my soul to the quality in life, not negativity that pervades...

[sirwob]

makes me damn proud to be from Oakland

[micvelo]

East Bay, San Jo... yes! But, how about.... BAY AREA! Tower, Doobies, Cold Blood, Carlos (anybody who has to ask "Carlos who?", please go away. ;=), Huey & The News, Dead, Airplane... Just to name a FEW. And who can forget the "spots"... Fillmore West, Fillmore 2, Winterland, Day on the Green at the Col, Circle Star (yeah, I said it!) Representin' from all over the Bay Area! This is the garden spot!

[surge2k7]

San Jo to the bone

[TheCsue7782]

I like the flute..but the original had more heart. and soul..we use to hang with them back in the day Jack London Square, Oakland, CA !!! good times*

[MrNoahjay]

S I M P L Y  B E A U T I F U L!!!!!!........

[retrospect64]

i use tro listen to this music when i was 6 yrs from my brothers and sisters, nice song

[wildcock987]

remembered this song performed by the Bits and Pieces at Royal Executive Induction Ball in Lucena City.

[MsValjon]

It sucks. It doesn't even sound like the original..

[RGN07]

@MsValjon That's bec. you're listening from a poorly recorded medium. If you listened live, you'll have goose bumps, amigo.

[micvelo]

@RGN07 Agreed 110%. *LIVE*... Tower is one of the rare bands that sounds BETTER (IMO) live than in the studio (although they're great there too). I first saw them in high school right around the time of East Bay Grease (pre-Young Man fame) and have seen them at least 20x since. Who else sounds this good after 40 years!? MsValjon, go see 'em when they hit your area! I think you'll change your opinion. If not, well... no worries, there's medical treatment for ear infections. Laff! Peace

[MsValjon]

This version sucks..It doesn't sound even sound like orginal sound track..

[sirwob]

Mt. Eden H.S., Frenchy's for TOP, the East Bay ruled back then

[surge2k7]

@gfgorquez, I was listengin to this same time not cruising yet but at middle school dances at Pala, East Side Y Que....

[eslmc]

Anybody remember them opening for Hendrix at Berkeley Community Theater?

They blew our minds with this tune. (And stole the show IMHO.)

[jsbach15]

Chicago, meets soul! Wonderful!

[KingsWithFame]

good music

[nakohead415]

1969 Woodrow Wilson HS, San Francisco... wow!!!

[PattyCarabio]

Nice Mellow Music ;)

[bugzy1925]

can someone put on the original version plssss? ary1960 did but alas it's been stricken off due to that copyrights thing!!!!

[normaortiz661]

I love to play this song while driving the coast. Love the flutes. Love the song.

[boygemma]

sweet music, just love it

[RUfaggle]

Funny, Graham Centrak station and tower of Power are from the Bay Area in California, Some members are from Castlemont Gcs and TOP members are from Berkeley high school rivals

[donaldtaylor1957]

@RUfaggle i went yo fremont high in oakland good old days

[grayvicle]

I must have listened to this song tens of thousands of times and I still can't get enough of it.

[nygal1000]

72-73 danny g. hollister concert w/max. great music...where did it all go?

[53hearts]

Hey ya'll, let's not forget the man who comes in at 6:35, and tears it up for 1 minute, and makes you almost forget the song you just heard!

[MsFunkyDrummer]

Quando si tratta di tecnica...Tower of Power !!!!!!!!

[squaresummersquare]

Nothing Like the original but this Brother can bring it I seen him live a couple of times and he's great

[Urology707]

So I dunno I think I am just partial to Lenny PIckett, but this dude's flute solo was pretty damn tight, but I love Lenny's off the live album that dropped hella before I was born... @juliosrubellos, that damn transition is the shiznit...

[skorcha]

shouts out to Larry Braggs, the homie

[TheJamillemo]

this one for you my cuz going to mis u ruban ayala as i mis your brothers, new movement tower of power and chilling in the valley this one for you. r.i.p from your cuz casper.

[zuma121157]

One of the all time love songs...I can't believe that one person disliked it...

[rbg10g]

Love this....Amazing...Classic.

[josecalifas]

Damn... this is the shit... with a capitol S.H.I.T...

[TheWardog48]

this songs of the tower of power remindsme of my high school days, it's great!..................

[ECM311]

AMAZING VOCALS! wow! I'm going to see them in concert soon!

[michaelgai1]

east bay way baddest brass and tightest horns inthe biz,

[november501]

reminds me of the 1974 road trip to LA, from vancouver Canada in a 1963 red vw bug with TOP on the 8-track. ps we did stop in Oakland and San-Fran!

[librastiger]

This song reminds me of my dad:)

[thefunkyphantom69]

@JohnnieRhodes damn you are stupid.....no matter what response you give me you are still stupid......

[mryellowcrown]

@JohnnieRhodes RITHCIE VALENS THE HUG'S CAME FROM EVERY WHERE.

[9876543217303]

Groovy number. My boyfriend had a party in 1972 and played nothing but this recording all through the party and the sound was so haunting and beautiful, it worked. It was so cool back then........thanks for posting

[rqpanerio]

to Venilda Pagkatipunan... the song is for you

[mryellowcrown]

my 2 brother's were station up in the bay area in the early 70's they got to to sample the soul of twp.. presido & HUNTER POINT..and they were from east los angeles...

[LeckerPimmel]

This is one of my favorites up to this time !!

[TOPFAN13]

They are still awesome!!

[groovinveebee]

This was the shiznit back in the day to this day they still sound O.G. I asw them in Bakersfield and they were HOT

[sifurich]

Urban Renewal...all the way baby...

[Archiebell68]

I have my ticket for Jan. 29, 2010!!

[Archiebell68]

East Bay Grease! A Top Ten Album Of ALL TIME!!!

[Torihope]

FOR REAL!!!!

[Archiebell68]

Now we're talkin'! East Bay Greasy!

[24v7v420]

This is where it's at. The music. The Soul.

[gfborquez]

yeah, i remember the cruising and listening to this on Story and King in 1973, down the street from Overfelt........good memories

[56BUICKRiviera]

I used to hear this on KLIV

[sirwob]

@gfborquez San Jose boy huh? Hayward here back in the day

[wyldkat82]

@gfborquez

East-side San Jose representing Silver Creek class of 2001

[wyldkat82]

@gfborquez

East-side San Jose representing Silver Creek class of 2001

i grew up listening to funk, soul, and R and B from my dad. his band used to open for tower of power and earth wind and fire

[freefadayzs1]

@gfborquez I know where you talking about.

[LatinLucifer]

@gfborquez those are good memories LA RAZA Park on a sunday afternoon and King & Story at night..

[redrum829]

i remember this song as a young man . i still have it on my computer . an awesome song!!!

[DiePawliks]

East bay grease! an this is soul and funk giving by god

[DIJV79]

The smooth sounds of the Bay area !

[Starlitblond]

wouldn't it be nice to see sparkles in the sand... sparkles anywhere are so awesome!

[bobbystarshooter]

Audio sounds better but didn't do anything for me. Sounds the old days where local bands in SF played their version of a popular songs. TP should have done a better job of a great song or just left it alone. Rick Stevens the first and only one who sang this song the best, I remember watching TP live at the Filmore West back in the 70"s. many times.

[surge2k7]

This reminds me of junior high dances in '73 at Pala in San Jo and its still the shit.

[andrewirobinson]

SHIIIIIIIIIT! That flute is TAAAASTY!!!

[edwin4759]

i knew it was C. Santana soon as the sharp sound of his guitar flew in but i was wondering where is your credits for Mr. Carlos Santana.? He deserves a little recognition at least for the small part he contribute ....

[Starlitblond]

this is such a sexy song...

[joseluis0323]

¡¡¡AMO ESTA CANCION!!! I love this song.

¡¡¡AMO TOWER OF POWER!!! I love TOP

[bubzamatic]

awesome band! just awesome!

[shygirlly93]

We would see them everytime they came to San Diego. I remember them best at a little place off pacific coast hwy by the nimitz turnoff,we were right at the foot of the stage looking up at Emilio, mezmerized......

[drummer4christians]

I am sorry Carlos Santana is not a jazz player! Bruce Conte is the man.

[chasefreak]

Mike Bogart sounds good here-nice tune

[SaxyDan54]

would have sounded nice with muted trumpet....sexy.........

[fanofmozart]

So we're on our honeymoon in 1975 in San Diego. We're from Illinois, for heaven's sake. We're on India Street, eating tacos from El Indio and hippie sandwiches from Canora's, and I walk up to a used record store. There is Tower of Power, East Bay Grease. I bought it. We're still married, and 34 years later I still have the vinyl of this great recording. It's the California of much dreaming-not real-much dreaming-not real-much dreaming...

your diamonds sparkling in the sand, oh God..

[tacodreamteam]

jazzcat - thks for the background on this vid. very tasty, little known top. perhaps one of the finest versions of acid jazz (soul?) i've ever enjoyed.

[rrdjazzcat]

The other extraordinary aspect of this 2006 concert is that it reunited 6 (yes, 6!) members of TOP circa 1973, from the self-titled "Tower of Power" album: Castillo, Kupka, Thompson, Prestia, Garibaldi and Conte! (That '73 album was also the 1st with Lenny Williams on lead vocal.)

[rrdjazzcat]

I'd love to get hold of a DVD of this concert. "Sparkling in the Sand" was the only song from TOP's 1st album (East Bay Grease) that blew me away. Because of it, I was primed for their 2nd album, Bump City, which had "You're Still A Young Man" among other now-classic songs.

[mistermisterxx]

Part 1 of 2 -

My dad grew up in San Francisco and we went back there for a family vacation in the summer of '71 when I was just a teenager.

We met many of his old buddies from his high school days and their families, which all included kids about our age.

At one of these family visits, a kid my age asked what kind of music I liked. Remember that '71 was the big breakout summer of James Taylor and Carole King.

[mistermisterxx]

Part 2 of 2 -

That kid then mixed up a cassette tape of songs that he thought I might like. He included a few gems from Tower of Power, with "Sparkling in the Sand" closing out the tape.

That kid had my musical tastes pegged down perfectly - I never met or spoke with him again but am forever grateful for him introducing me to TOP.

Over the next 10 years, that became my definitive "date tape" for drives. Pleasant memories listening to it with my girlfriend who became my wife. Beautiful!

[71sunset]

Definitely TOP's prettiest song. The dissolve from trumpet back to flute a 4:38 has always been a little touch of genius. I still like the original (1970) version best, but this one's excellent too. Thanks for posting, whatiship73.

[towerofpower1966]

Awesome powerful song. TOP thanks...

[agnespena05]

Best ever...

[EmLoca]

I JUST LOVE THIS SONG!!! IT REALLY GETS TO ME INSIDE!!! *sigh* =D THANKS FOR SHARING!

[Fos4Hooligan]

roger smith's vocals is just ... aah. Wonderful!!

[oyealdo]

Great Song and a timeless classic by TOP !!!!

[julioilosrubellos]

4:40 Trumpet to Flute.... just AWESOME!!!

[justoldsteve]

amen they just get better with time.

[mayleencorrea]

T O P kicking ass, love this jam.

[tonman52]

what a beautiful song! i have seen tower of power since the old fillmore west days!there is no better entertainment anywhere.lots of fun and memories

[jadesystem]

This song itself is so rare to find in any of their CDs/LPs other than the original debut East Bay Grease LP. And even so to see them perform this track live. This is definitely a rare treat to see Tower of Power perform

live "Sparkling in the Sand".

Awesome performance from the SF Bay area's

finest horn section and Oakland's very own

Tower of Power.

[negutzcht]

you can also hear this from their debut 1976 live album "Tower of Power - Live and In Living Color," which is so, so hard to find... their kick on "Knock Yourself Out" from the same album lasted around 20 minutes!

[nakohead415]

I like the original version in their first album East Bay Grease (1970) with Rick Stevens on Vocals.. da BOMB!!

[krukhut]

bravo!

[mosdeaf1]

Damn!! sooo many memories of my older brothers, some who've past away...Tower of Power, Santana, and War!!! SO much TALENT and yet so underrated...ALOHA!

[drfunk411]

One of my top favorites. One of the few songs i have yet to see them play live and ive seen them 11 times. Great stuff.

[floridacandle]

Beautiful, just beautiful - no other words for exquisite music like this.

[bcjake01]

Is it really worth commenting on!!! Some people just don't understand the complexities of music.Some don't understand the beauty of it.Some are just plain ignorant.This song is a gem!!! Stoepgels go back to Megadeath or Air Supply or whatever u think is good music. U don't know music

[Bxxon]

I love it!! I moved to Austin from the Bay Area and I really miss the true sounds of my home town. Tower of Power is forever for me!!!!

[ebanderson72]

Excellent! I'm from California (Bay Area) and I really wish they would add songs like this to their sets. Well done fellas!!

[musicfox28]

Does anybody know the setlist for this show? I know "We Came to Play" is first and "Knock Yourself Out" came last.

I think it's "We Came to Play", "Soul With a Capital S", "Oil in the Ground", ???, ???, ???, "What Is Hip?", and "Knock Yourself Out".

Can anyone confirm the setlist please?

[robbiea2z]

when is the last time you heard a flute solo? never. only t.o.p. can do that. best band ever

[max000]

5 min. jethro tull.

[spicginny]

Love this song! Roger Smith sounds really soulful on his vocals. I wonder if that's real vibes I hear or keyboard? Carlos Santana is by far the best! and CT!

[TOK1925]

basically sweet song for a sweet dance..

[Saxyman14]

This is a great throw back to the early days. not one they play too much live anymore, but it was always one that I liked.

[stoeptegels]

jesus this is so bad that anybody can lisen to this her i even can't shit on so bad

[opti2007]

kick ass!!! one of my fave. bands

[Lethesunshine]

Loved It! Thank you Michael for sending this to me. I had the pleasure of going back stage once upon a time...

(((Hugs)))

~Mimi

[sifurich]

This is truly one of my favorite songs of all time. Weather live or in studio TOP always sings this song with such heart and soul.

[stillanoldman]

I was not aware that Tommy P played the flute. Hope this one is added sometime in the states.

[theebass]

thats a good one

[soonerdad1958]

ONE of my Favorites

[theebass]

bad ass song

[JosephSantangelo]

What great well written tune! This was always a favorite. I actually put on a bunch of albums on in early 70,s leading up to this tune and proposed marriage while dancing in the living room.

[Goshogirl]

What a good choice of song for a proposal and a great memory for you

[Goshogirl]

Thank you so much for posting this! This first came out in 1969 I was 13 years old and we just thought it was the most romantic song ever. Great memories of watching them play in Golden Gate Park with my best friend :-)

[theebass]

kick butt

[alexsaxalto]

tom politzer plays flute too, so... cool

[bugstrut]

Read my last post.

[LAMBinatorxx]

the best

[choppzilla74]

still goin strong after all these years!

[wonkavella]

the harmonies are sick

[theebass]

kick ass song, bad to the bone