Thursday, August 5, 2021

EMILIO CASTILLO FOUNDER OF LEGENDARY FUNK BAND 'TOWER OF POWER' EXCLUSIVE ZOOM TV INTERVIEW WITH RAY SHASHO

 

E M I L I O  C A S T I L L O

FOUNDING MEMBER OF

Legendary Soul/Funk/R&B 

T O W E R  O F  P O W E R

EXCLUSIVE ZOOM TV

with RAY SHASHO

on INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS


EMILIO CASTILLO

ZOOM INTERVIEW

CLICK BELOW 

TO WATCH IN ITS ENTIRETY


When sax player Emilio Castillo put together the band that would evolve into Tower of Power in 1968, he had no grand expectations. “We were hoping to get good enough to play the Fillmore,” Castillo said. “I started the band in Fremont, at John F. Kennedy High, with my brother Jack, who was the original drummer. The band moved up to Oakland and took off, packing clubs with their horn-driven sound. “Oakland is our sound,” Castillo said. “I always say, ‘You can take the boy out of Oakland, but you can’t take Oakland out of the boy.’ Looking back on the band’s history, Castillo said he’s satisfied with what they’ve accomplished. “We’re not a band that reinvents itself every time we go into the studio. We sound like Tower of Power and there’s nothing we can do about it.

At first, I thought it was a curse but, as we kept evolving, I realized it was a blessing. We kept chipping away at the sculpture we were creating. The aim is to arrive at a masterpiece. You have to tell us if we’ve succeeded.” 

The groups latest release is TOWER OF POWER 50TH ANNIVERSARY 50 Years of Funk & Soul: Live at the Fox Theater captures Tower of Power’s storied career with no-holds-barred victory lap concerts in Oakland, CA on June 1 & 2, 2018, performing their full spectrum of life-affirming funk and soul hits. 


Available as a 3-LP set, 2-CD/1-DVD package, standalone DVD and digital audio configuration, these historic performances include special guests Lenny Pickett (musical director of the Saturday Night Live band); keyboardist Chester Thompson (Santana); guitarist Bruce Conte and former vocalist Ray Greene, who shows off his trombone prowess. TOWER OF POWER 50TH ANNIVERSARY is available now at amazon.com. 

Purchase

TOWER OF POWER

 50TH ANNIVERSARY

50 Years of 

Funk & Soul: 

Live at the Fox Theater 

captures Tower of Power’s storied career with no-holds-barred victory lap concerts in Oakland, CA on June 1 & 2, 2018, performing their full spectrum of life-affirming funk and soul hits. Available as a 3-LP set, 2-CD/1-DVD package, standalone DVD and digital audio configuration, these historic performances include special guests Chester Thompson, Lenny Pickett, Francis ‘Rocco’ Prestia, Bruce Conte and Ray Greene. 

Available at amazon.com

Here’s the full track listing for the live album:

1. Stroke ‘75
2. Ain’t Nothing Stopping Us Now
3. You Ought to be Having Fun
4. Soul with a Capital “S”
5. Stop
6. You’re So Wonderful, So Marvelous
7. On the Serious Side
8. Just When We Start Makin’ It
9. Soul Vaccination
10. What is Hip? / Soul Power
11. Do You Like That?
12. Drop It in the Slot

1. Can’t You See (You Doin Me Wrong)?
2. Maybe It’ll Rub Off
3. Don’t Change Horses
4. Squib Cakes
5. On the Soul Side of Town
6. Diggin’ on James Brown (Medley)
7. So Very Hard to Go
8. Knock Yourself Out
9. You’re Still a Young Man
10. Souled Out

For more information

about

Emilio Castillo

and

TOWER OF POWER

Visit

www.towerofpower.com

official website

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialTowerOfPowerBand/

facebook

https://twitter.com/OfficialTOPBand

twitter

https://www.instagram.com/towerofpower/

Instagram


TOWER OF POWER DISCOGRAPHY

Studio albums 

    1970: East Bay Grease

    1972: Bump City

    1973: Tower of Power - US gold

    1974: Back to Oakland

    1975: Urban Renewal - US #22

    1975: In the Slot

    1976: Ain't Nothin' Stoppin' Us Now

    1978: We Came to Play!

    1979: Back on the Streets

    1981: Direct

    1986: TOP (Europe only release)

    1987: Power (US version of TOP album)

    1991: Monster on a Leash

    1993: T.O.P.

    1995: Souled Out

    1997: Rhythm & Business

    1997: Direct Plus (reissue of Direct with alternate takes)

    1999: Dinosaur Tracks (recorded 1980–1983)

    2003: Oakland Zone

    2009: The Great American Soulbook

    2018: Soul Side of Town

    2020: Step Up

 

Live albums

    1976: Live And In Living Color

    1999: Soul Vaccination: Tower of Power Live

    2008: The East Bay Archive Volume 1 (recorded April 1973 at K-K-K-Katy's, Boston, MA)

    2011: 40th Anniversary: The Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco

    2013: Hipper Than Hip: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow (Live On The Air & In The Studio 1974)

    2021: 50 Years Of Funk & Soul - Live At The Fox Theater Oakland CA ° June 2018









MY NEW BOOK 

IS FINALLY OUT!

ENTITLED

THE

 ROCK STAR

 CHRONICLES

SERIES ONE

CHRONICLES, TRUTHS, CONFESSIONS AND WISDOM FROM THE MUSIC LEGENDS 

THAT SET US FREE!

 


…Order yours today on (Collector edition) Hardcover

 or E-book

 at bookbaby.com and amazon.com

Featuring over 45 intimate 

conversations with some of

the greatest rock legends 

the world will ever know.

CHRIS SQUIRE... DR. JOHN... GREG LAKE... HENRY MCCULLOUGH... JACK BRUCE … JOE LALA…  JOHNNY WINTER... KEITH EMERSON... PAUL KANTNER...  RAY THOMAS... RONNIE MONTROSE... TONY JOE WHITE... DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS… MIKE LOVE... TOMMY ROE... BARRY HAY... CHRIS THOMPSON... JESSE COLIN YOUNG... JOHN KAY... JULIAN LENNON... MARK LINDSAY... MICKY DOLENZ… PETER RIVERA ...TOMMY JAMES… TODD RUNDGREN... DAVE MASON... EDGAR WINTER... FRANK MARINO... GREGG ROLIE... IAN ANDERSON... JIM “DANDY” MANGRUM... JON ANDERSON... LOU GRAMM... MICK BOX... RANDY BACHMAN… ROBIN TROWER...  ROGER FISHER... STEVE HACKETT... ANNIE HASLAM… ‘MELANIE’ SAFKA... PETULA CLARK... SUZI QUATRO... COLIN BLUNSTONE… DAVE DAVIES... JIM McCARTY... PETE BEST

 

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

BOOK TRAILER


BOOK REVIEW

-By Literary Titan (5) STARS

The Rock Star Chronicles, by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show. 

The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan. 

Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives. 

The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music.  The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.

I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.

https://literarytitan.com/2020/05/03/literary-titan-book-awards-may-2020/   Gold Award Winner


Friday, July 23, 2021

BINKY WOMACK PROPELS THE WOMACK MUSICAL LEGACY WITH NEW CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED RELEASE : EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH RAY SHASHO ON BBS TV

 

C U R T I S

"B  I  N  K  Y"

W  O  M  A  C  K

THERE AREN’T MANY FAMILIES THAT HAVE HAD MORE OF AN IMPACT ON SOUL MUSIC

THAN THE LEGENDARY WOMACK FAMILY. 

EXCLUSIVE ZOOM INTERVIEW!


BINKY WOMACK

ZOOM INTERVIEW ON BBS TV

CLICK BELOW TO WATCH IN ITS ENTIRETY


 He is music royalty, there is no question about that. And there aren't many families that have had more of an impact on soul music than the legendary Womack family. And that talented family continues to make an impact through the emergence of Curtis "Binky" Womack. Binky is the son of the late Curtis Womack of The Womack Brothers and has made a career for himself as a top tier session guitarist. 


Binky's career transitioned from backing his father and his uncle, Bobby Womack, to working with stars like Usher and Snoop Dogg. He has become a SoulTracks favorite, with every album displaying his killer guitar work and a sound that harkens on the best elements of blues, southern soul and R&B.

Binky’s latest release is called Mr. Womack 2021 and available at amazon.com.

 



Purchase

BINKY WOMACK


MR. WOMACK

 2021




and
BINKY WOMACK


THE 

LAST VALENTINO


at amazon.com



"Flush It" by Tha P-Union

NEW FUNK on Binky Womack's Bindelari Music/

Funk n' Flava records.

Tha P-Union formed in 2018 to bring back the sound of the funky rhythm that made the world take notice in the 1960’s.

www.thap-union.com

Official website

For more infomation 

about

BINKY

WOMACK

Visit

www.binkywomack.com

Official Websites

www.binkywomackla.com

www.facebook.com/BindelariMusic

Facebook

www.twitter.com/BinkyWomack

Twitter

www.bobbywomack.com

Bobby Womack Official Website



 





MY NEW BOOK

 IS FINALLY OUT!

ENTITLED

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

SERIES ONE

CHRONICLES, TRUTHS, CONFESSIONS AND WISDOM FROM THE MUSIC LEGENDS THAT SET US FREE




 …Order yours today on (Collector edition) Hardcover

 or E-book

 at bookbaby.com and amazon.com

Featuring over 45 intimate conversations

 with some of

the greatest rock legends 

the world will ever know.

CHRIS SQUIRE... DR. JOHN... GREG LAKE... HENRY MCCULLOUGH... JACK BRUCE … JOE LALA…  JOHNNY WINTER... KEITH EMERSON... PAUL KANTNER...  RAY THOMAS... RONNIE MONTROSE... TONY JOE WHITE... DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS… MIKE LOVE... TOMMY ROE... BARRY HAY... CHRIS THOMPSON... JESSE COLIN YOUNG... JOHN KAY... JULIAN LENNON... MARK LINDSAY... MICKY DOLENZ… PETER RIVERA ...TOMMY JAMES… TODD RUNDGREN... DAVE MASON... EDGAR WINTER... FRANK MARINO... GREGG ROLIE... IAN ANDERSON... JIM “DANDY” MANGRUM... JON ANDERSON... LOU GRAMM... MICK BOX... RANDY BACHMAN… ROBIN TROWER...  ROGER FISHER... STEVE HACKETT... ANNIE HASLAM… ‘MELANIE’ SAFKA... PETULA CLARK... SUZI QUATRO... COLIN BLUNSTONE… DAVE DAVIES... JIM McCARTY... PETE BEST

 

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

BOOK TRAILER


BOOK REVIEW

-By Literary Titan (5) STARS

The Rock Star Chronicles, by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show. 

The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan. 

Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives. 

The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music.  The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.

I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.

https://literarytitan.com/2020/05/03/literary-titan-book-awards-may-2020/   Gold Award Winner



Thursday, July 15, 2021

MICHAEL SADLER THE VOICE OF CANADA'S LEGENDARY PROG ROCK GROUP 'SAGA' NEW ALBUM AND EXCLUSIVE LIVE ZOOM INTERVIEW WITH RAY SHASHO ON BBS RADIO TV

 

 M I C H A E L

S A D L E R 

THE VOICE OF

CANADA'S LEGENDARY ROCK GROUP

S A G A 

EXCLUSIVE 

on INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS


MICHAEL SADLER

LIVE ZOOM INTERVIEW

CLICK BELOW TO WATCH IN ITS ENTIRETY



Michael Sadler co-founded SAGA with Jim Crichton in Toronto, Canada circa 1977. As primary singer and songwriter, his voice remains a key part of their signature sound. Michael is a critically acclaimed artist and is notable for his dynamic stage presence. He is in demand as a featured singer and collaborator by many of his peers. He left the band in 2007 after 30 years and returned in 2011. Michael Sadler has an impressive track record to fall back on. From his beginnings as the lead singer of the Canadian rock outfit in 1977, through his many guest appearances (Justin Hayward, Bobby Kimball, Ozzy Osbourne, Chain and many others). Michael Sadler consistently proves his knack for crafting high quality songs that combine irresistible melodies with great lyrical detail. It has earned him respect from his peers, praise from critics and admiration from his devoted fan base.

Celebrating 40 years of SAGA!
earMUSIC gives tribute to SAGA‘s legacy with this new reissue series, including our essential material from 1978 to 2007.
Released as a high-quality CD Digipak Edition as well as 1LP Gatefold Edition on 180g Virgin Vinyl, these beautifully recreated and enhanced SAGA reissues are great for the new listener or collector.


Purchase


THE

BEST OF 

S A G A


All HITS SINCE

 1978


earMUSIC announces the release of SAGA’s 23rd Studio Album “Symmetry.” Painstakingly produced over the course of the year, the band deftly delivers on a bold “synth free” re-imagining of their classic hits.

Purchase

SYMMETRY

the latest release

by


S A G A


At amazon.com


For more information

about

 MICHAEL

SADLER

and

S A G A

Visit

www.sagagen.com

Official Website:

www.facebook.com/SAGAgeneration

Facebook:

https://twitter.com/saga_rocks/

Twitter:   

https://twitter.com/saga_rocks/

Instagram:  

 

DISCOGRAPHY

Saga 1978       

Images at Twilight  1979       

Silent Knight   1980       

Worlds Apart  1981       

Heads or Tales        1983       

Behaviour       1985       

Wildest Dreams      1987       

The Beginner's Guide to Throwing Shapes    1989       

The Security of Illusion  1993       

Steel Umbrellas      1994       

Generation 13 1995       

Pleasure & the Pain 1997       

Full Circle       1999       

House of Cards       2001       

Marathon 2003       

Network  2004       

Trust        2006       

10,000 Days    2007       

The Human Condition    2009       

20/20       2012       

Sagacity  2014   

Symmetry       2021            










MY NEW BOOK 

IS FINALLY OUT!

ENTITLED

THE 

ROCK STAR

 CHRONICLES


SERIES ONE





CHRONICLES, TRUTHS, CONFESSIONS AND WISDOM FROM THE MUSIC LEGENDS THAT SET US FREE 


…Order yours today on

 (Collector edition) Hardcover

 or E-book

 at bookbaby.com and amazon.com

Featuring over 45 intimate conversations with some of the greatest rock legends the world will ever know.

CHRIS SQUIRE... DR. JOHN... GREG LAKE... HENRY MCCULLOUGH... JACK BRUCE … JOE LALA…  JOHNNY WINTER... KEITH EMERSON... PAUL KANTNER...  RAY THOMAS... RONNIE MONTROSE... TONY JOE WHITE... DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS… MIKE LOVE... TOMMY ROE... BARRY HAY... CHRIS THOMPSON... JESSE COLIN YOUNG... JOHN KAY... JULIAN LENNON... MARK LINDSAY... MICKY DOLENZ… PETER RIVERA ...TOMMY JAMES… TODD RUNDGREN... DAVE MASON... EDGAR WINTER... FRANK MARINO... GREGG ROLIE... IAN ANDERSON... JIM “DANDY” MANGRUM... JON ANDERSON... LOU GRAMM... MICK BOX... RANDY BACHMAN… ROBIN TROWER...  ROGER FISHER... STEVE HACKETT... ANNIE HASLAM… ‘MELANIE’ SAFKA... PETULA CLARK... SUZI QUATRO... COLIN BLUNSTONE… DAVE DAVIES... JIM McCARTY... PETE BEST

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

BOOK TRAILER


 BOOK REVIEW

-By Literary Titan (5) STARS

The Rock Star Chronicles, by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show. 

The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan. 

Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives. 

The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music.  The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.

I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.

https://literarytitan.com/2020/05/03/literary-titan-book-awards-may-2020/   Gold Award Winner