Unfortunately, your judgment of them has already been given in the first line of the review. An ideal group for the car radio, in Alfasud or in early '80s Golfs.
I would think the same about Toto, but from you, shooting, I've always gotten top-notch recommendations (Mudcrutch, Wet Willie, Sonny Landreth), so I'm looking for this. By the way, have you ever heard of a certain Stephen Yerkey? I’m listening to his album called "Confidence, man," and it’s literally driving me crazy. He does some sort of hillbilly music, and playing with him is Joe Gore, one of Tom Waits' favorite guitarists. I assure you, he doesn’t mess around at all. Here you can find two tracks from this album (http://www.songtone.com/artists/Productions/yerkey_cm.html) and here (http://www.myspace.com/stephenyerkey) three from the latest one, which frankly I like a bit less.
On Saturday, Steve Lukather was in Bologna, answering questions from attendees and demonstrating how to play. He was drunk to the point of being scary, and between imitations of Michael Jackson and Zakk Wylde, he shared a couple of spine-tingling anecdotes. One night, he found himself playing alongside George Harrison, Bob Dylan (on bass, because the slots for guitars were filled), and Jeff Lynne. He also mentioned wanting to pick up Jeff Beck's guitar to see if he could figure out where the hell those sounds were coming from, and in the end, he concluded that it wasn't the guitar but Jeff Beck who was an alien. 3.5 out of 5, in my opinion.
Oh yes, it's true, I was in Bologna too, it was great! He's fantastic, as soon as he got on stage, he hit himself in the face with the microphone, he could barely stand up! @muito: no, I don't know him, but I’ll definitely check him out!
So... the review is well done, rating 4.6, which rounded up becomes... you do the math... I’ve never listened to this particular album, but knowing them quite well, I would trust in their quality and professionalism. In general, Toto has always produced good/excellent technically valid and very catchy works; obviously, they aren’t always the most original, but it’s not said that someone who listens to music must always seek some obscure compositions—sometimes good music played well is simply enough. I’m sure that if they wanted to, they could (so many conditionals) have played much more complex music. The name of the band is taken from the dog in the Wizard of Oz, but perhaps you already knew that. For now, I remain on stand-by waiting for the "detractors" of Toto... Greetings in AOR style.
...I'm sure that if they had wanted to play more "complex" music, they could have easily done so... In the meantime, I'm going to get my neural structure "remastered"...
Thank you so much, Adder! However... the name of the group is taken from the real name of Bobby Kimball, or rather Robert Toteaux, which is pronounced "Totò."
Are you looking for a detractor of Toto?? Here’s one! Be careful, if you speak too well of Toto, I’ll give you the Tot(t)ò! Anyway, Paolo has already said everything about the band in the previous comment..:-D
beautiful page...even though I'm not a fan of Toto, Lukather is amazing! And the anecdote about Jeff Beck is really cool!! Truly an alien with the instrument...for those who don't know it, I recommend Beck's performance in the piece Nadia!!!
Alexander, just yesterday I sent a review of the album that features "Nadia". Shooting Star: what a coincidence sometimes. But there were quite a few people. It's a shame he left right away and didn't stick around like he usually does.
Endless is a track I could never stop listening to; the rest of the album...uhm, I don't know, from what little I've heard it hasn't exactly left me thrilled, but I should give it another listen. Not one of my favorite bands, but generally I don't mind Toto.
The review is well done and timely. It would be 4.5, but why be a jerk? Personally, I’ve listened to all the Toto albums multiple times, but the one from 1978 and Toto IV have an extra edge; Fredrikson (or Frederiksen?) has an amazing voice, but it’s not my favorite album. Cheers!
@dreamwarrior: look, I had a huge doubt: on the record I have it says FREDRIKSON (maybe a printing error?), online it's Frederiksen, some even said Ferguson... but in the end, I decided to trust the record;)
Certainly a printing error, her exact name is FERGIE FREDERIKSEN. Among her credits, we can also include a contribution to an album by the Village People.
Paloz, no offense, do you have a vague idea of what a guitar looks like?! Or were you being ironic and I just didn't catch it?! Just for the record, Lukather in the late '70s and for a good part of the '80s was considered the best session man in LA if not in the States in the rock blues scene (but he handles every genre well! There is, now I'm going to read it, I'm curious!!
Splendid album, there isn't a single song that falls below a solid passing grade.......the standout track is "Angel don't cry" featuring an incredible Fergie Frederiksen, way better than Bobby Kimball!.....and then "Endless"..."Isolation"..."Change of heart"..."Lion"..."Carmen"..."Holya nna" and the list goes on, this one definitely makes it into my hypothetical Toto podium with a strong 4.5...
thank you thank you..;) @alexander, I don’t think paloz was speaking seriously, it’s just that I brought him along to the clinic and it shows that he appreciated it.
Well done, Shoot... you've pulled a beautiful album out of the hat, easily worth 4 stars. Great "Endless," also very enjoyable are "Angel Don't Cry" (which, unfortunately, ends just when it gets good) and "Stranger In Town"...
I was waiting for this review from you. Well done! I agree with everything. Great album and an outstanding musical performance by the band. One of the CDs I listened to the most in the car last winter.
The review is well done; I wouldn’t go beyond a 4 for the album, even though I haven’t listened to it in years. Fergie has a great voice, but for a Kimball addict like me back then, it was immense pain. It was a bit like what happened years later with the departure of my beloved Fish from Marillion: Hogarth's arrival was a trauma, only truly digested just a year ago. As for Toto, undoubtedly Isolation was a good album, but personally, I much prefer the first four (Turn Back is very AOR, Hydra is a masterpiece with sprinkles of prog). Steve Lukather is a demigod.
Well, it seems like you're almost apologizing for liking Toto... I'm not on board with that. I'm not their official defender, but there's a difference between not liking AOR and discussing who knows how to write and play music in a time where everyone lives off music videos and looks! I would say they are among the few who, while integrating a certain commerciality, have left behind songs that have become classics like "Africa" or "Rosanna," which are certainly not just four chords; Mr. Lukather is one of the most skilled guitarists in the world and a respected frontman. Sure, they dress well, but they know more rock than many with long hair and sloppy guitars that torture my ears. And if Mr. Davis has deemed them worthy of a collaboration, that must mean something...
I bought this record back in 1984 at the time of its release. I remember the videos for "Stranger in Town" and "Angel Don't Cry" on Deejay Television. Years have passed, yet it still finds a place in my listening rotation despite the fact that I’ve bought over 3000 records since then. Two of my favorite tracks by Toto remain "Home of the Brave" from "The Seventh One" and "Bottom of Your Soul" from the latest studio album.
@nightwalker: I don't apologize at all for liking Toto; in fact, I love them to bits and who cares! Are you referring to the first sentence? It's just a fact, because I know a lot of people who can't stand them, and the saying "You either love them or hate them" fits perfectly. And I love them. Nothing more! ;)
I'm one of those who loves them... but in moderation... ;-) And this album has never really grabbed me. Speaking of the great Lukather, check out his "solo" album Candyman, well-reviewed here on deb a few months ago: an absolute masterpiece that could be enjoyed not only by those who love Toto...
Lukather's lentazzi... the 9 minutes and more of lentazzo blues from Never Walk Alone... Sorry for the ignUranza shoot, but on which album is Currahee?
@Shooting Star; there are rumors of a reunion tour in the summer of 2010 in Europe with this lineup: Luke, Paich, S. Porcaro, Simon P., J. Williams, and Nathan East on bass instead of Mike, who is unfortunately ill. Do you know anything about it?
There are many more Toto albums that have been mistreated than those that have been received positively, and this is one that unjustly belongs to the first category. Others like "Mindfields" rightly belong to the latter; if they ever release another one, I'll gladly accompany it myself. This one is much more "heavy" than its predecessor, but in terms of inspiration, we’re on the same level. I struggle to digest "Carmen," but I admit I have a soft spot for "Lion." Unfortunately, from here on, the depersonalizing merry-go-round of front men will begin.
A spot-on review, their AOR masterpiece, recommended for those who love the genre. It probably wasn't what the fans of the previous album expected and it might lack variety, but there are plenty of standout tracks. Fergie Fredrikson is excellent, as is Joseph Williams; however, for many, including myself, the voice of Toto remains Bobby Kimball.
Il_Paolo
22 may 08Il_Paolo
22 may 08lux
22 may 08muitosaudosismo
22 may 08emanuele
22 may 08c'è
22 may 08shooting star
22 may 08Dr.Adder
22 may 08I’ve never listened to this particular album, but knowing them quite well, I would trust in their quality and professionalism.
In general, Toto has always produced good/excellent technically valid and very catchy works; obviously, they aren’t always the most original, but it’s not said that someone who listens to music must always seek some obscure compositions—sometimes good music played well is simply enough.
I’m sure that if they wanted to, they could (so many conditionals) have played much more complex music.
The name of the band is taken from the dog in the Wizard of Oz, but perhaps you already knew that.
For now, I remain on stand-by waiting for the "detractors" of Toto...
Greetings in AOR style.
Dr.Adder
22 may 08shooting star
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shooting star
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