Customer Reviews

What Is Hip: Live at Iowa State University

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Just to correct the one reviewer this is not the same Ohne Filter lineup
nor show...Its one of the many formations that TOP has presented over quite a few decades, and i can honestly say thats part of the magic that make them one of America's most exciting Funkiest, Tightest Masters of their Style...I LOVED this performance..Albeit it may not be perfect, but who cares?? Its One very Hot performance with lots of jams, and dead on
TOP music...To answer the one reviewer's questions on why TOP or other acts put out so few dvds is simply this: Most people burn them reducing the profit margin that's supposed to go back to the musicians and producers of the performances..Same with cds...Bands like TOP make their money touring and doing session work...But what a sweet ride this one is.
If you are a True TOP of fan, its well worth the ride for 2hrs..!!

Excellent DVD for an excellent price on Amazon. For music lovers, you get not only to hear, but see them in action.

When I bought this I must say I was hoping for something better. I know ToP went through lead singers and lineups like lunch but I never saw this one live. The footage looks like and sounds like something left over from the High School Audo Visual Squad. While the performances are decent, inspired even, this DVD STILL doesn't provide me with what I want, Blu-Ray quality video of ToP along with Dolby TruMaster sound. This ain't it.

Worf

I wasn't sure what era this dvd would be from but was pleasantly surprised when I first watched it. This is a great concert from the 70's back in the Tower's heyday. It's a little self indulgent on solos but the sound quality is great and the band is tight. A treat for those that have followed TOP over the years.

I was really looking forward to this because I saw Tower of Power live once in an LA club and they were great. I can't watch this, though, because the audio is so bad. There's no left or right; everything is in the middle sounding like a radio with no bass punch. I run the sound through my stereo system, but it sound quality is like its still coming from the TV!?! Just lousy! Spend your money on a CD instead.

Having seen Tower of Power 'live' twice & enjoying their music for over 40 years, I'm constantly amazed how tight & musical they play & sing. If you like R&B, soul with a hint of crisp jazz, then enjoy this concert DVD. I've got a picture of "Doc" Kupka & myself on my mantle. SOULED OUT!

THE SITE THAT HAD THIS DVD LISTED SHOWED IT AS 2008 SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS WHEN THE SHOW WAS PERFORMED AND TAPED. THIS WAS TAPED FROM A 1987 PERFORMANCE. I STILL ENJOYED IT AS IT IS OLD SCHOOL TOP FEATURING ELLIS HALL AS THE LEAD SINGER BUT I WAS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FEATURING LARRY BRAGS. I ALREADY HAVE THE DCD LIVE IN GERMANY THAT ONE IS 2 THUMBS UP!

TOP has been in business for over 40 years and had both ups and downs. This DVD is from a concert somewhere in the eighties and definately from a "down"-period. Of course they play their a.... off, but it is also clear that both Castillo and Kupka are not in their best form (whatever is the reason for that, well maybe Castillo himself had explained that in the liner notes on the greatest hit album "Soul with a capital S"?). Anyway, to top up the bad experience, the sound quality on this DVD is probably the worst I have ever heard. Volume changes up and down, and the general sound is muddy and unclear. The only reason to buy this DVD must be to have a complete collection of TOP releases.

It is hard to find out what year this was filmed but it seems to be some time ago and not recent. It looks to be filmed in the late eighties.

I guess I should start reading the fine print............ After seeing Tower of Power recently in concert, I was excited that they had a new DVD out, well I thought, just to find out it is the exact same TOP in concert (Ohne Filter), that was released in 2003. So folks you now have a choice to buy the same identical concert.
Why is it that TOP or any other great groups for that matter do not have any NEW CONCERT FOOTAGE to promote sales? For some of us that don't have a chance to see our favrorite group's, you would think this would be great marketing for those aging bands. I don't think they would loose money, as you would still have a large fan base to take in one of their concerts. Some of them sound better today than years ago.
Maybe, just maybe TOP will take the time to film a concert and you will have the chance to see that their sound is better than ever.