Review: Toto – Falling in Between Live/Live in Amsterdam

Nearly every single person I know hates the band Toto. When I mention the band to one of my friends I get the “who farted” look. Is it just not cool to like Toto? Or am I not hearing what everyone else is “not” hearing? Personally, I don’t think so.

 

Okay, their lyrics are a little out there and sometimes make absolutely no sense, but when it comes to writing infectious hooks and knowing how to flat out play their instruments and sing…these guys have got it going on.

 

In the mid-70s while working on Silk Degrees with Boz Scaggs, session musicians David Paich and the late Jeff Porcaro decided to form their own band. Add singer Bobby Kimball, guitarist Steve Lukather, bassist David Hungate, and keyboardist and Jeff’s brother Steve Porcaro.

 

Monster hits like “Hold the Line,” and “Rosanna” and multiple Grammys for Toto IV helped them gain fans all over the world, even though critics (and everyone I know) find them nauseating. Well, 30 years and a number of personnel changes later, the band is still rocking on Falling in Between Live, both on CD and DVD. This collection features the aforementioned hits as well as “Pamela,” the smash “Africa,” “King of the World,” “Bottom of Your Soul,” and the rocker “I’ll Supply the Love.” Filmed in Paris, the DVD also features interviews with all the band members, and frankly, I think it rocks.

 

However, there is another Toto live CD/DVD collection even better than this one.  Live in Amsterdam 2003 is the 25^th anniversary collection from 2003 that rocks from start to finish. Rarities like “Girl Goodbye,” “Gift with a Golden Gun,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (you purists can keep quiet, I know it’s not as good as the Beatle version) with a killer guitar solo by Lukather, “I Won’t Hold You Back,” “Afraid of Love,” and a rocking version of “Home of the Brave” are mixed with their biggest hits to make this a truly outstanding collection. The DVD, which features a couple of tracks not on the CD, also takes you for an entertaining behind the scenes look at the band and their dinner with some drunk Japanese record executive. How can you say no to that?

 

So to all my friends: I’ll stick with Toto despite what you think, or think you smell.

 

 

Toto official website

 

MP3: Rosanna (Live in Amsterdam)

 

YouTube: Hold the Line (Live)

 

Check out our exclusive interview with TOTO lead singer Bobby Kimball.