Search - Tower of Power :: The East Bay Archive Volume I

A word from David Garibaldi, the producer...

David Garibaldi | DG HQ - California | 09/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The East Bay Archive Volume 1, is the first in a series of concerts, rehearsals and jams from "back in the day". This release was recorded on April 23, 1973 and is a "LIVE" club performance digitized from a cassette tape. The cassette recorder was running from an area close to the house sound board. It's not a "board mix", nor is it a "webcast"...the recordings are from my private collection, and I can guarantee that this was not downloaded from any bit torrent...there was no internet then folks! Very few people have heard this stuff, and there are no copies floating around. The sound quality is what one can expect from the technology of the day. There's a little tape hiss, and at times, the lead vocal is too far down in the mix, but for the most part, everything can be heard. Also, I think this must be listened to from a historical perspective...Lenny Williams and Chester Thompson had joined the band only 4 months before, and the "Tower of Power" recording was about to be released. We were a bunch of young guys discovering our "powers. There are 2 CD's because we played 2 sets, and there was too much good playing to put on one CD. Don't buy this if you're expecting a mixed studio product...this is raw..."garage" all the way. If you don't mind an imperfect recording, then it can be enjoyed in the context in which it's presented...a snapshot of our musical history. See you down the road...!!! - DG"

Get Past The Sound Quality and LISTEN!

Saxman | SW Suburbs Chgo IL USA | 10/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"DG pulls no punches in his review: this isn't an audiophile recording. What it is will leave you breathless if you really give it a chance. This is my all-time favorite lineup of the band with Lenny Williams on lead vocals (although there have been very few less than stellar lineups in this magnificent band's history). The performances here are tighter and IMHO better than "Live And In Living Color," although that is another classic that belongs in everyone's collection, too."

Never mind the audio quality!

John C. | 11/20/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As Mr Garabaldi said "Don't buy this if you're expecting a mixed studio product...this is raw..."garage" all the way"

The point is it really doesn't matter we have a window into early Tower of Power and just this should be enough and lets not forget that this from a personal collection. We should be grateful for it or it could be languishing in a cupboard somewhere waiting to be found. Come on guys!!!!

5 stars whatever the audio quality!"