''Monster on a Leash'' is an album by the American band

Tower of Power Tower of Power is an American R&B and funk based band and horn section, originating in Oakland, California, that has been performing since 1968. There have been a number of lead vocalists, the best-known being Lenny Williams, who fronted th ...

, released in 1991. It peaked at No. 19 on ''Billboards Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.

Production

Huey Lewis Hugh Anthony Cregg III (born July 5, 1950), known professionally as Huey Lewis, is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. Lewis sings lead and plays harmonica for his band, Huey Lewis and the News, in addition to writing or co-writing many o ...

cowrote "How Could This Happen to Me" and "Keep Your Monster on a Leash". Tower of Power employed a 10-member lineup for the recording of the album.

Critical reception

The Baltimore Sun ''The Baltimore Sun'' is the largest general-circulation daily newspaper based in the U.S. state of Maryland and provides coverage of local and regional news, events, issues, people, and industries. Founded in 1837, it is currently owned by T ...

'' wrote that "it's not the band's brassy bluster that makes it worth hearing, but the rhythm section's refried soul grooves." ''

The Washington Post ''The Washington Post'' (also known as the ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'') is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. It is the most widely circulated newspaper within the Washington metropolitan area and has a large nati ...

'' opined that "except for a few tracks ... the combination of Tom Bowes's rather generic R&B vocals and some uninspired lyrics is sorely outclassed by the group's surging horn arrangements and incessant dance grooves."

Track listing

All songs written by

Emilio Castillo Emilio Castillo (born September 24, 1950) is an American saxophone player and composer, best known as the founder of the band Tower of Power. Background In 1965, Emilio Castillo took to music after he and his brother Jack were caught stealing by ...

and Stephen "Doc" Kupka unless otherwise noted. #"A Little Knowledge (Is a Dangerous Thing)" - 4:24 (Castillo, Dana Meyers, Milo, Zeke Zirngiebel) #"How Could This Happen to Me" - 4:10 #"Who Do You Think You Are" - 4:22 (Bobbie Candler, Grillo, Greg Mathieson, Danny Seidenberg) #"Attitude Dance" - 5:36 #"You Can't Fall Up (You Just Fall Down)" - 4:55 (Castillo, Skip Knape, Kupka) #"Funk the Dumb Stuff" - 5:27 #"Believe It" - 4:35 (Adams, Castillo, Prestia) #"Personal Possessions" - 5:06 (Troy Dexter, Grillo) #"Miss Trouble (Got a Lot of Nerve)" - 4:45 (Castillo, Kupka, David Woodford) #"Keep Your Monster on a Leash" - 4:33 (Castillo, Kupka, Tim Scott, Huey Lewis) #"Someone New" - 4:28 (Adams) #"Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" - 5:26 (Milo)

Personnel

* Tom Bowes – lead vocals * Nick Milo – keyboards * Carmen Grillo – guitars, backing vocals *

Rocco Prestia Francis Rocco Prestia Jr. (March 7, 1951 – September 29, 2020) was an American bassist, best known for his work with the funk band Tower of Power. Biography Born in Sonora, California, Prestia started playing electric guitar as an adolescent. ...

– bass * Russ McKinnon – drums, percussion *

Steve Grove ''yes'Steve is a masculine given name, usually a short form (hypocorism) of Steven or Stephen Notable people with the name include: steve jops * Steve Abbott (disambiguation), several people * Steve Adams (disambiguation), several people * Steve ...

– alto saxophone, tenor saxophone *

– tenor saxophone, backing vocals, lead vocals (6) * Stephen 'Doc' Kupka – baritone saxophone * Lee Thornburg – trombone, trumpet, flugelhorn, backing vocals, lead vocals (10) * Greg Adams – trumpet, flugelhorn, backing vocals, horn and string arrangements

Production

* Emilio Castillo – producer *

Al Schmitt Albert Harry Schmitt (April 17, 1930 – April 26, 2021) was an American recording engineer and record producer. He won twenty Grammy Awards for his work with Henry Mancini, Steely Dan, George Benson, Toto, Natalie Cole, Quincy Jones, and other ...

– recording, mixing * Bob Loftus – assistant engineer * Chris Rich – assistant engineer *

Doug Sax Doug Lionel Sax (April 26, 1936 – April 2, 2015) was an American mastering engineer from Los Angeles, California. He mastered three of The Doors' albums, including their 1967 debut; six of Pink Floyd's albums, including ''The Wall''; Ray Charl ...

– mastering at The Mastering Lab (Hollywood, California) * Michael Caplan – A&R * Maureen Droney – production coordinator * Jerry Manuel – production manager * David Coleman – art direction * Nancy Donald – art direction * David Michalek – photography

References

{{Authority control Tower of Power albums 1991 albums Epic Records albums