Toto

[MinistroRaven]

TOTO and The Players Club / Mascot Label Group have announced the global release of With A Little Help From My Friends on June 25.  The performance captures one special night on November 21, 2020 when Steve Lukather, Joseph Williams and David Paich appeared with the new line-up of TOTO for a global event originating from Los Angeles, CA.  Joining Lukather, Williams and Paich for this next chapter in their indelible history are new band members bassist John Pierce (Huey Lewis and The News), drummer Robert “Sput” Searight (Ghost-Note / Snarky Puppy), and keyboardist / background vocalist Steve Maggiora (Robert Jon & The Wreck). Keyboardist Dominique “Xavier” Taplin (Prince, Ghost-Note) and multi-instrumentalist / vocalist Warren Ham (Ringo Starr) segued over continuing their tenure in the ensemble. This marks the fifteenth incarnation of the TOTO line-up in consideration of band members or sidemen who joined or exited.

To watch the performance of “Till The End” click here: https://youtu.be/vB7qFkhwaY8

The pre-order goes live today here: https://smarturl.it/TOTO-MLG .  Alongside LP pressings of the audio only, both a CD/DVD and CD/Blu-ray package are available. The track listing features “Till The End,” “Hold The Line,” “Pamela,” “Kingdom of Desire,” “White Sister,” “You Are The Flower,” “I Won’t Hold You Back,” “Stop Loving You,” “Home Of The Brave,” “Rosanna,” and “With A Little Help From My Friends.” In the DVD and Blu-ray releases, a documentary is featured alongside the performance, featuring thoughts from all members of the band that appeared that evening.
 
Steve Lukather a.k.a. Luke shares, “When the music is performed by great musicians it honors TOTO. The documentary featured on the DVD offers great insights in to our thoughts looking forward. David, who stands with us, alongside Joe and myself, desire to keep this music alive.  And Paich could pop in any time for a show as a special surprise. When it came to plan this specific set list, we picked an eclectic group of songs for this one night only show. Looking forward, we’ll be selecting a broader mix from the TOTO catalogue that includes deep cuts, the hits, and tunes from Joe and my recently released solo albums. Both of us could not be more thrilled with the global response to these records.  They charted all over the world, and integrating some of the music in to the new TOTO set brings a fresh spice to the TOTO The Dogz of Oz World Tour when we head back out to begin staging shows.  Simply, both of us aim to bring the past TOTO to the present and beyond, and this first look at the new line-up sets the stage for a chapter in our history we can’t wait to write.”
 
Joe Williams offers, “It’s always a complete joy to perform a TOTO show, but this one was special. Joining me, Luke and David last November were three new top level, virtuoso musicians as well as a few returning geniuses. The show itself was born out of the need to play after being on Covid lockdown, but also served as the reason to build this new band.  Right out of the gate this group gelled and dug deep into the new and old TOTO material.  Among some of the deeper cuts is one of my all-time favorite songs, ‘You Are The Flower’ by the original - Bobby Kimball. Being a massive fan (and a good friend), I dedicate the performance to him. Also back are a few of my favorite things, ‘Till The End’ and ‘Pamela.’  Played to perfection by the new cats. I have the best job in the band because when I’m not singing, I get to watch the most incredible players work! The TOTO model holds strong and true.  A band of the very best musicians and singers writing and performing all manner of cool songs. That’s how it began, and that’s how it continues.”  He continues, “This documentary explores that concept by talking with David, Luke, Warren, Dominic X, John Pierce, Robert ‘Sput’ Searight, and Steve Maggiora about their experiences as players, and also about being a part of the TOTO legacy. And, of course discussion about the show as well. I think I’m in there too, saying how much I love these guys!  Soon we’ll to get back out to you, on stage, in the flesh expanding our set with some even deeper ‘legacy’ cuts as well as some new stuff from Luke’s and my new records. We can’t wait! In the meantime, enjoy a little TOTO history and current events.  Xo Joe.”
 
With A Little Help From My Friends was Produced by Joseph Williams, who also edited the accompanying long-form video.  The band’s long-time front of house engineer Ken Freeman mixed and captured the sound that evening.
 
TOTO has announced the band will push all 2021 EU shows to 2022. Specific dates for those shows follows below.


Track listing:

1.      Till The End
2.      Hold The Line
3.      Pamela
4.      Kingdom Of Desire
5.      White Sister
6.      You Are The Flower
7.      I Won’t Hold You Back
8.      Stop Loving You
9.      Band Introductions
10.    Home Of The Brave
11.    Rosanna
12.    With A Little Help From My Friends

Tour dates 2022:
14 July, 2022              Bonn, Germany                                 KunstRasen
15 July, 2022              Amsterdam, Netherlands                    Ziggo Dome
16 July, 2022              Halle, Germany                                  Peißnitzinsel
19 July, 2022              Pratteln, Switzerland                          Z-7 Summer Nights
20 July, 2022              Tussling, Germany                             Schlossplatz
21 July, 2022              Middelkerke, Belgium                        Proximus Pop-Up Arena
23 July, 2022              Vitrolles, France                                 Festival Jardin Sonore
28 July, 2022              Schwetzingen, Germany                     Schlossgarten
29 July, 2022              Graz, Austria                                      Messe Open Air
31 July, 2022              Warsaw, Poland                                  Torwar
10 August, 2022         Helsingborg, Sweden                          Sofiero Castle
11 August, 2022         Viborg, Denmark                                Paradepladsen
13 August, 2022         Copenhagen, Denmark                       Royal Arena
14 August, 2022         Gothenburg, Sweden                          Partille Arena

[MinistroRaven]

I hope you like it as much as I do.

[Max Kuehnau]

I hope you like it as much as I do.

no, sadly, I absolutely do not.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

So what's the most underrated Toto album in your opinion?

Probably Fahrenheit for me.

[Polarbear]

A lot of Toto albums are underrated in my opinion..

But Kingdom of Desire and Fahrenheit for sure!

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

A lot of Toto albums are underrated in my opinion..

But Kingdom of Desire and Fahrenheit for sure!

That's true actually. I guess some more than others. 

[Kwyjibo]

Toto as a band is really underrated, so it applies to all their records. 

That said, Turn Back would be my choice.

[Max Kuehnau]

Yeah, Turn Back and Kingdom Of Desire I'd guess.

[Lowdz]

A lot of Toto albums are underrated in my opinion..

But Kingdom of Desire and Fahrenheit for sure!

That's true actually. I guess some more than others. 

Fahrenheit is the one that I just don’t like. It lacked the rock for me.

[Kwyjibo]

I think the first half still rocks, the second half not so much. Fahrenheit is okay but not among my favorites.

[bl5150]

A lot of Toto albums are underrated in my opinion..

But Kingdom of Desire and Fahrenheit for sure!

That's true actually. I guess some more than others. 

Fahrenheit is the one that I just don’t like. It lacked the rock for me.

Ditto.  I would say Mindfields is under-rated.

[King Postwhore]

Tambu for me.

[LudwigVan]

Tambu for me.

Tambu is great. Fahrenheit gets my ‘underrated’ vote too.

Also, Toto as a band appears to be much more popular outside of the US.

[King Postwhore]

For sure. Here, they play 500 seat theaters. In Europe. 10,000 or better.

[LudwigVan]

Interesting how they’re much more loved and appreciated outside of their home country.

[ErHaO]

For sure. Here, they play 500 seat theaters. In Europe. 10,000 or better.

Wow, what. Here (the Netherlands) they indeed sold out a 17,000 people show and they have two "intimate" 3000 people shows in the same week (one of which is also sold out).

[Kwyjibo]

I've seen them a lot of times in Germany and it was places ranging from 5000 to 15000. And most of those shows were really well attended and some of them probably sold out.

[King Postwhore]

The cool thing seeing Toto in a 500 seat venue is being this close to them.

[Kwyjibo]

I really like concerts in small and intimate settings, you can see the band's interaction and are much more immersed in the music.

On the other hand I'm glad that Toto plays bigger venues in Europe, so that they hopefully keep going.

[cramx3]

I've seen them a lot of times in Germany and it was places ranging from 5000 to 15000. And most of those shows were really well attended and some of them probably sold out.

I went to one of the last Toto concerts in fall of 2019 at the Count Basie Theatre in NJ (Dream Theater is playing there next month).  It's capacity is 1500 and was not sold out, but well attended. 

It was just announced that Billy Idol pulled out of the Journey opening slot for the tour coming up soon and Toto is filling the void (they were already opening half of the tour).  I'm happy to get to see them again, that time I saw them in 2019 was supposedly one of their "last" shows, so while I did want to see Billy Idol, Toto are going to be an awesome opener.

[Polarbear]

I went to see them with my dad in 2019, which was the last tour with the big lineup including Paich and Porcaro. It was in Helsinki ice hall, which is basically an ice hockey ring that is sometimes repurposed as a live music venue. It was packed, and nearly sold out as far as I remember.

In 2005? they played a stadium in my hometown when my dad took me to see them. It was also packed!

They have always been popular in Finland!

[nick_z]

Tambu for me.

Love Tambu too. And it sounds SO good. One of my favorite productions.

[gazinwales]

David Paich releases his first 'solo' album in August, first single sounds a lot like Toto (no surprise)
https://youtu.be/yE6ObiOwqgA

[Kwyjibo]

Paich is an amazing songwriter but for me it was always the guys in Toto that made those songs come alive. Not sure if this will work for me with other musicians but I surely will give this a try.

[Polarbear]

I actually really liked that Paich song!

This to me sounds cut above the recent Lukather and Williams solo albums! This song also features Lukather on guitar (no surprise).

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSvWSYgSM-g&ab_channel=aomoriwalker

That was tough to hear. 

[King Postwhore]

Wow.

[axeman90210]

So much yikes in one six minute video.

[Polarbear]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSvWSYgSM-g&ab_channel=aomoriwalker

That was tough to hear. 

Saw the video title while the ad's were playing and said to myself: Nope, I don't think i'll want to hear this..

[Kwyjibo]

It's no secret that Bobby can't sing anymore. And he suffers from dementia. Sad to see him decline in such a way.

[axeman90210]

And that bass solo could not have been more out of place (jump to 4:30 if you want to skip the singing)

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

Yea it's sad to hear him not being able to sing anymore.

[cramx3]

 

[gazinwales]

So I finally got around to picking up the most recent full studio album XIV.
For some reason I always though it was rubbish, but really enjoyed it today, apart from he sound.
Sounds like someone put a blanket over the speakers 

[Kwyjibo]

I don't mind the sound and there are some very good songs on it.