Toto - Falling in Between Live
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Free Music Notes for Falling in Between Live
Free Music Review: Great Mix!
Hit: 4 Stars
I'm a longtime Toto fan and have all their albums. A lot of reviewers love what they're reviewing and sometimes lose their ability to rate and review impartially, but I think I can avoid that. This is a really good set, recorded last year in Paris, but it isn't quite perfect, and I don't think I can call it "essential" to an average Toto fan, only the hardcore fans like myself. The best part of this album for me is the inclusion of the tracks "Pamela", and "Stop Loving You", along with "I'll Supply the Love", "Bottom of Your Soul", and "Drag Him to the Roof". Of course, the standard warhorses are here as well ("Rosanna", "Hold the Line", & "Africa") but on this tour, Greg Phillinganes was handling all the keyboard & vocal work for David Paich, who was out sick. Phillinganes adds a new sound that is a little more R & B influenced, and it kind of spices up the sound a little. Lee Sklar is also filling in for regular bassist Mike Porcaro, but Sklar is so solid, there's no difference between him and Porcaro. Lead guitarist/vocalist Steve Lukather and drummer Simon Phillips are the "power" of the band, and they continue to sound amazing on every track. For me personally, Lukather & Phillinganes vocals really stand out. Unfortunately, I thought vocalist Bobby Kimball sounded strained. He still sounded good, but he sounded as though he was struggling more often than I remember.
I realize it would be impossible to have a live album with everyone's favorites on it (I'd like to hear "Manuela Run", "Without Your Love", "I Think I Could Stand You Forever", and "Stranger in Town") and to their credit, Toto always mixes up their song selection for live albums. But I thought the solos (a standard at Toto shows) could've been scaled back to allow room for a couple more surprise song selections. Otherwise, the sound quality is great, and all phases of the band are represented from the late 70s to their most recent album from last year 'Falling In Between'. Another great concert from Toto!
Free Music Review: Toto in top form
Hit: 4 Stars
I've seen Toto live twice in the past two years and this CD does a great job of capturing the essence of what I experienced both times. The live versions of the 3 Toto staples of classic rock radio (Rosanna, Hold the Line and Africa) are all superior to the recorded versions, each injected with new life by a supremely talented but 'not-very-close' version of the band that originally laid down these tracks more than 25 years ago. Especially pleasing on this set is the inclusion of three cuts from the hugely under-rated 'Kingdon of Desire' album, from 1992. The quality of Toto's friends is clear for all to see as chief songwriter, and founder, David Paich, and long time bassist, Mike Porcaro, are barely missed with Greg Phillinganes and Leland Sklar both proving high class replacements. The 4 cuts from the band's latest album 'Falling in Between', stand up very well against a deep and classy back catalogue.Free Music Review: Good effort from a changed band
Hit: 3 Stars
I have to admit that I was drawn into purchasing this by all of the good reviews and my longing to revisit the TOTO sounds from the 80's and beyond. It's a shame that the U.S. airwaves abandoned the band in the 90's as they only become stronger and harder sounding. If you haven't already done so, purchase 'Kingdom of Desire' as I believe this was the first step in their direction change (and last album with late drummer extraordinaire Jeff Porcaro).
While I enjoyed the variety of music, I could not help but wonder what it would be like if some of the original band members were reunited for what was their farewell tour. I now know why Lukather decided to call it quits as his voice does sound a bit rough (hey, everyone gets older) and the band took on a different look and personality. Not to say that the contributing musicians on this tour are not top notch (they are), but recreating the TOTO sound with the missing members still takes away a bit of the excitement.
Possibly a must for any TOTO fan. Being a fan of a band that actually worked hard for a living at what they obviously loved and made music as long as they could, I am still happy with the purchase.
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