Toto: Falling in Between Live (2008) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My favourite rock DVD for sound quality and sheer fun and energy of playing has been Toto's Live in Amsterdam 25th Anniversary. Their new DVD is easily as good but very different for a number of reasons.
1. This album supports the album "Falling in Between" so it's not trying to cover all the hits. Having just seen them perform brilliantly in Auckland, I picked up their DVD to see that this incredible Parisian concert was almost identical to the concert I saw 2nd March 2008. This DVD showcases Toto at the top of their form - this is what they're like now and they rock!
2. We have a new keyboardist, the vastly experienced Greg Phillinganes, plus the bass legend Leland Sklar standing in for Mike Porcaro. These new musicians bring a difference and their own style and enthusiasm so that when you see them perform tracks which they also did on their 'Live in Amsterdam' DVD, like 'Africa' for example, you are seeing something unique - check out the cheeky keyboard solo sounds. What is a great addition on this DVD's is 'Pamela'. Simply wow! Funky, slick with the richest vocal harmonies - beautiful.
3. This DVD is worth the price alone to see the stunning Simon Phillips play an amazing drum solo over Greg on keyboard playing the odd-time signature, 'Hydra'. I believe Simon has over 20 mikes on his kit and like all their live recordings his drum tone is instantly recognisable - a drum kit that is sonically a pleasure. (Alas 'Live in Amsterdam' had no drum solo).
4. This DVD rocks harder with fresh arrangements and wonderful improvisation - from the opening stunner 'Falling in between', Bobby stamps his vocal authority and Luke is soloing with an intensity that is up a notch from their previous DVD. Great rocking tracks like 'Gypsy train', 'Kingdom of desire' and 'Drag him to the roof' must be seen and heard live to fully appreciate these classics - these three tracks plus the opening track show why Toto's musicians have always been highly rated.
5. The concert seems more colourful than the 'Live in Amsterdam' from balloons in the audience to the lime green of Luke's guitar on the opening track. You have some interesting overhead camera shots - I wish we could have had even more of Simon. This DVD conveys the lighting show more vividly than Amsterdam - the consequence is that a few times Simon's picture is overexposed. On the whole the picture is great and particularly the crystal clarity of Steve Lukather's fretboard handiwork.
6. There is a great acoustic set, with Simon on a stripped down kit and Luke on Ovation acoustic with both Greg and Tony Spinner taking turns on lead vocals on songs 'Stop loving you', 'I'll be over you' and 'Cruel'. Some incredible keyboard and guitar interplay and Simon doing one-handed fills that most drummers struggle to do with two!
You surely don't need any more reasons to purchase this DVD. Well done, Toto - no, this is not just playing the same old but a vibrant new show!


Click Here to see more reviews about: Toto: Falling in Between Live (2008)

Toto formed in LA in the late 70's by a group of friends who were all much in demand session musicians. They went on to epitomize the classic American pop/rock sound of the 80's and 90's with hit albums and singles including Hold The Line, Africa, I'll Be Over You and the multi-Grammy winning worldwide hit Rosanna. This concert was recorded at Le Zenith in Paris in March 2007 in front of a wildly enthusiastic sell-out crowd. It captures the band rocking at their hardest and most powerful and giving a new life to all their best loved tracks.TRACK LISTING 1) Intro 2) Falling In Between 3) King Of The World 4) Pamela 5) Bottom Of Your Soul 6) Caught In The Balance 7) Don't Chain My Heart 8) Hold The Line 9) Stop Loving You 10) I'll Be Over You 11) Cruel 12) Greg Solo 13) Rosanna 14) I'll Supply The Love 15) Isolation 16) Gift Of Faith 17) Kingdom Of Desire / Luke Solo 18) Hydra / Simon Solo 19) Taint Your World 20) Gypsy Train 21) Africa 22) Drag Him To The RoofBONUS FEATURES Interviews with all the members of Toto.

Click here for more information about Toto: Falling in Between Live (2008)