Toto - 25th Anniversary (Live in Amsterdam) (2003) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Not much to add to what has already been said at long and at large from this mega band. If you're here, you probably know a lot about them. Even so, I can only recommend you to get this DVD if you don't have it...
Why should I bother, would you say, if I already have several of their records (or even all of them) ? For lots of reasons. First, the sound is amazing. I played this on my system thinking that it would be fine. It's not, it's outstanding. Also, the filming is excellent. No blurry shots, no silly angles, no focus on who isn't playing. The production is irreproachable. Another reason you should get this is the incredible atmosphere surrounding the concert. I was trying to see the people in the crowd, and to my surprise, the people there range from 20 to 50 (and apparently a majority of 30ish). In the States, Toto doesn't get any airplay, doesn't perform much, and they seem to be viewed as fossils, remembrance of the west coast style of the 80's. Not so in Japan or Europe, where they are always welcome and fill in large theaters. Amazing, don't you think ?
On stage, you have Bobby Kimball with the rest of the band and two backup musicians. Bobby is like the rest of the regular members. With wrinkles, but in great shape. What a voice! Simon Phillips is probably second best to Jeff Porcaro, Paich shows he can play anything from classic to blues and funky (we already knew that), Mike Porcaro, even though he's not Verdine White, Stanley Clarke or Mark King, is very passionate in his playing, and Luke is... well, just in case you still wondered, the true leader of the band. Just look at how everyone is positioned. The lead singer is on a second row podium half of the concert and Luke is the one walking around. He even gets to play a piano solo with David Paich having fun watching him from behind. Yet, no doubt at who is the leader there... The two cover versions ("While my guitar..." and "Bhoddisatva") are examples of what covers should be. Majestic, incredible. And with special words from Luke to his brothers George and Jeff (to me, the best drummer ever). The band shows they master all styles, from Hard Rock to Jazz, Pop, Blues, Folk, you name it.
The only thing a bit annoying is the sometimes quick blending of some stellar tracks (99 deserves more than a few notes), but they have been doing this in concert lately. All the tracks are either blended or follow each other with almost no timeout. Be ready because you're in for a two hour visual and musical treat !!
Don't miss the two bisses : home of the brave and White sister. Good, old powerful rock'n roll. By the way, I've seen this dvd several times, and I just can't help getting goose bumps on two instances : when they play I won't hold you back, and when Bobby Kimball does his solo stuff. I don't know if that can get any better. What I do know is that I will do all I can to attend their next concert. I'm going to their website to check that out. In the meantime, let's enjoy this super dvd.
P.S. I really agree with three messages the fans in the crowd show during the concert : "never enough Toto", "I could sit here forever", and "Paich for president". Thanks for the music fellows !

Click Here to see more reviews about: Toto - 25th Anniversary (Live in Amsterdam) (2003)

TOTO - 25TH ANNIVERSARY LIVE - DVD Movie

Get 7% OFF

Click here for more information about Toto - 25th Anniversary (Live in Amsterdam) (2003)

Toto IV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)One expects a backlash to anything that is overtly successful.
One also expects a backlash when something is extremely polished and professional sounding.
To all the reviewers who have lambasted or said this album is worth only two songs (which makes it better than the first TOTO album) -- think of songwriting like somebody building you a house. Now if you find a person who builds you a house, you move in, and you find it has charm but is built like c**p, you of course will be pleased with how it makes you feel, but disappointed that what you paid for, you didn't get. Now say you find another person who builds you an expertly crafted house, but it lacks a certain homely charm. Does that mean you race back to the cr***y house?
Songwriting is a craft, like any other trade, any other thing you can do with your mind, hands or both. Like blacksmiths, carpenters, and farmers, the artist / musician is constantly developing and improving their technique and proficiency to present you (a person who may not be skilled in such a craft) a thing which is well presented and should suit your tastes in somehow,someway. Whether this is overall, or momentary is up to you as 'the buyer'. But if you're satisified at least once, then they have succeeded.
And TOTO succeeded with TOTO IV in a major way. To fault them for finally honing a songwriting craft after 4 years of steady work, and 10 years of professional session work, and that people of all types responded to it enthusiastically, is more to do with you than them. I'm not trying to look at TOTO IV with rose coloured glasses, but one thing that cannot be found on here is bad musicianship.
As a musician, I learned an immense amount of craft from TOTO, and I will always be thankful to them (primarily the Kimball / Hungate / Paich / Porcaro / Lukather / Porcaro lineup)and I find nowhere else in their first four albums where this craft is presented so refined and polished than on TOTO IV. To maybe a listener who is just looking for gripping songs, or dramatic flourishes, or fits of anger or paeans to love, they will not find it here. For me, what I look for is someone who cares about what they're doing, shows it, and walks away saying 'I did my best'. And TOTO IV delivers that.
How anyone can say 'Waiting For Your Love' is a filler tune to the likes of Africa and Roseanne, I cannot comprehend. Have you actually heard the groove of this song? I hate to get all imploring, but have you heard the way Jeff Porcaro plays the hi-hat on this song? If it was jazz great Harvey Mason, you may say different, you might even listen, because its Mason and you're supposed to, but the playing of these musicians is almost perfect - the right amount of technique and feel. So it's alright if its Steely Dan, but not TOTO aye?
'Waiting For Your Love' and 'Good For You' are absolutely my favourite songs on here for the reasons stated above, the musicianship and playing skills of these people, and how much it adds to just a song. If you cannot find heart or soul in the playing of these musicians, or at least some passion for what they are doing, then maybe I can only suggest picking up an instrument and learn these songs, because you will find how 'on' you have to be to play them with as much 'feel' thats in them.
I just think you have to be at a certain point where crash crash bang bang just doesn't hold as much interest any more, and funnily enough I reached that point at 20 years old. And I thank TOTO for showing me that being a musician is more than just flicking your hair, and drinking booze and talking about your car.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Toto IV

Digipak reissue of 1982 album. 2001.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Click here for more information about Toto IV