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Rating: The premature passing of the great J.Porcaro on August 5th, 1992, was like a bolt from the blue for me at that time. Honestly, I don't want to express my views on the causes of his death; I just want to dedicate this review to this particularly talented drummer.
The name Toto is inspired by the dog from The Wizard of Oz, although a few days ago Shooting Star pointed out to me that the real name of B. Kimball is Robert Toteaux, pronounced "Totò," and it is from this name that the musicians drew inspiration to name the group. Regardless, after the release of their first album "Toto" in 1978, the group released "Hydra" the following year. The lineup consists of J.Porcaro (drums & percussion), S.Porcaro (vocals & keyboards), D.Paich (vocals & keyboards), S.Lukather (guitars & vocals), D.Hungate (bass), B.Kimball (vocals). The album consists of eight tracks, totaling about forty-one minutes.
The musical and compositional differences on this second album are few but decisive. First of all, this album features more Hard sounds with some progressive inserts, particularly in the long piece "Hydra," the title track. Essentially, it is a Rock with more "driven" sounds and excellent, albeit brief, instrumental excursions. Throughout the CD, Porcaro's drumming stands out, as does Lukather's guitar, which engages in a series of remarkable and inspired solos. "Hydra" is the most varied and longest piece with an intriguing and well-structured musical layout. Kimball's voice is crystal clear and possesses a good vocal range. A little curiosity about this track is that after the list of the names of the six musicians, "Otot Music" appears, which read backward becomes... "St. George And The Dragon" seems simpler and more immediate, yet always well-played and with valid guitar solos. Perhaps the track I prefer is "99," a slow, almost ballad-like, excellently conceived piece that I enjoy listening to often. The instrumental closure is refined and delicate, in short, a classic of Toto. The seemingly calm and melancholic start of "Lorraine" turns out to be an irresistible song with rapid and immediate Rock tones. The ending, in my opinion, is a bit too repetitive. Another perfect example of Toto's Rock is "All Us Boys," with Jeff's drumming highlighted. Lukather's guitar in this track provides solid support on the percussive base. In my opinion, the positive aspect of this band is the remarkable sonic and artistic cohesion of the musicians, along with good human harmony. "Mama" almost feels like a slow song, highlighting an excellent vocal performance by Kimball and Paich on the piano. The brief piano intro of "White Sister," on the other hand, heralds another rather charged and highly exciting Rock track. Kimball's voice is excellent, while in the closure, Steve's splendid guitar stands out, always elegant and convincing. The CD ends with "A Secret Love," which, in my opinion, is a little pearl of sensitivity and depth, despite being just a simple song sung with only the accompaniment of keyboards and piano.
The cover, so to speak, "foggy" is nonetheless valid, with tones ranging from royal blue to phthalo green-blue. In this image, a man appears to almost touch a sword (an object or symbol that will also appear on other Toto covers) perhaps ready to fight or perhaps ready to rest after a battle. The booklet is well done, with some artistic black and white photos depicting the various band members. Among them stands out one with J.Porcaro and especially the girl who is embracing him...
In conclusion, a recommended album for all Toto enthusiasts but also a bit (if I may) for the "detractors" of this worthy group.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Hydra (07:31)
There was a man
Who walked alone
Searching for the girl who had just caught his (eye)
"I was a fool!" he cried
His mind had wandered
He blinked and the sky moved ever so slightly
He searched the city
She was nowhere to be found
Meanwhile she was floating downward, downward
Chorus:
Do you want your freedom
Do you want my love
Do you want your freedom
From the one you're thinking of
There lied a lady
Naked and yet not knowing
A spell had claimed her heart forever
Preyed upon by the wolves in Time Square
Fell into an abyss of thin air
Innocent 'n' caged in sanctuary
There sat the Dragon Lord
Playin' solitairy
Confined to rule the holy walls 'neath Hell's Kitchen
Chorus:
Do you want your freedom
Do you want my love
Do you want your freedom
From the man who lives above
Suddenly a voice was heard
FLASH! the brave young man appeared
The Dragon whirled and caught him with his tail
Chased him to the stairway
Caught him halfway to the top
Sent him whirling down --
Fireball, summer solstice
The Dragon Lord descended down on him
She turned to look but saw only darkness silence
Chorus:
You don't want your freedom
You don't want my love
You don't want your soul caught
By the Satan I'm thinking of
02 St. George and the Dragon (04:44)
Can you tell me where I might find the Hydra
Is he wearing a familiar face
Does he still live below Seventh Avenue
With the princess dipped in lace
Does he know that I'm a soldier of fortune
And not a victim of circumstance
We drew lots for his soft underbelly
Now his fate is sealed with my lance
Chorus:
I can tell by the look in your eye
You've never seen the man with nothing to say
I can tell by the look in your eye
You'd better watch yourself
St. George is on his way
Is it true that he's a mighty warrior
And a viper of the first degree
I've been sentenced here to slay the giant
Geld this fear I cannot see
Can you tell me where I might find the Hydra
Is he wearing a familiar face
Does he still live below Seventh Avenue
In the slums of Satan's grace
Chorus
03 99 (05:16)
99
I've been waiting so long
Oh, 99
Where did we go wrong
Oh, 99 (I)
I love you
99
I keep breaking your heart
Oh, 99
How can we be apart
Oh, 99 (I)
I love you
I never thought it would happen
I feel quite the same
I don't want to hurt you anymore
I never knew it would work out
No one to blame
You know I love you, 99
99
You keep holding my hand
Oh, 99
They don't know who I am
Oh, 99 (I)
I love you
I never thought it would happen
I feel quite the same
I don't want to hurt you anymore
I never knew it would work out
No one to blame
You know I love you, 99
99 (woo-ooh)
I can't take it no more
Oh, 99
Oh, we were so sure
Oh, 99 (I)
I love you
99 (woo-ooh)
I love you
99
La la la la la la la la la
I love you
05 All Us Boys (05:02)
All us boys like to drink and smoke
Pull off a joke
Blow your minds and leave
Hot tires behind
All us boys like to fight and kick
Carry a stick
We're getting older
And acting bolder
Chorus:
Mothers tell your daughters
To stay away from rock and roll
'Cause it may entice them
And mesmerize them
Even satisfy their soul
I'm sure mama told you 'bout making love
AnAnd the skies above
With its fallen angels
Diet pills
Female thrills
But mama never told you 'bout
All us boys
Chorus
All us boys just want to play
All us boys won't run away
06 Mama (05:14)
Mama
I don't love you anymore
Money's
Got me crawlin' on the floor
Lover
I'm so ashamed that I must go
Funny
Somehow I thought by now you'd know
Chorus:
Girl you'd better take my hand
And say what you mean to say
(And she said)
"Stay as long as you can
But don't wait till you're thrown away."
Mama
Please throw me out in the cold
Woman
The love you bought waas never sold
Chorus
Mama
I don't love you anymore
Sorry
I'm not the boy you're looking for
(See the girl with they eyes on fire
Now he know she's the one he desires)
07 White Sister (05:38)
How can you say you love me
When you don't even love yourself
You live your life like a jagged knife
Just waiting on the shelf
How can you live for tomorrow
When you curse the night and day
The minutes pass through the hour glass
As you let them slip away
Chorus:
Do you love me
White sister
Do you love me when I play your game
Do you love me
White sister
Do you love me
When I call your name
How can you touch the sorrow
With a leather gloved hand
When you summon the winds of anger
Just as fast as you can
You crucify an orphan
With the rainbow in your eyes
Then you send out invitations
And address them with his cries
I don't even know what's right
I can say
That you put up some kind of fight
I've been branded
I've been stranded
I'm so thankful for what I've been handed
I wish I could say that you're mine
Such a card game
Chorus
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