
Falling In Between Live
Release Year: 2007
Label: Eagle Records
Country: Europe
Musicians:
Bobby Kimball: Vocals
Steve Lukather: Vocals, Guitars
Greg Phillinganes: Vocals, Keyboards
Simon Phillips: Drums
Leland Sklar: Bass
Tony Spinner: Vocals Guitars
Toto are my favourite band of all time. I have seen them live many times and they are simply superb musicians. This is why it pains me to say that this album is a bit of a disappointment. The musicianship is as excellent as usual but whoever engineered this has completely lost the punch and dynamism and, yes, the imperfections of a live gig. My main gripe is the way the vocals of Bobby Kimball have been unashamedly and unsubtely fixed electronically, so much so, you can hardly call it live. It has turned him from a rock vocalist into something approaching a robot. Even Greg Phillinganges has had some of this treatment and I would have thought his voice would need little or no fixing. The album has some truly great moments, particularly the Steve Lukather inspired songs and instrumentals. He is indeed the glue of this band and improves with age. Gypsy Train is a 5 star piece of music if ever there was. I can't wait for his new solo album to come out. However, if you want a good all round live album/DVD of the band, get Live In Amsterdam. This new one doesn't come close. I never thought I would write anything as critical of my musical heroes but if I wanted to convert anyone to Toto, I wouldn't use this to do it. I saw them twice on this tour and on one of those occasions in particular they were exceptional. This magic surfaces too rarely on this production and I can only hope that some of these problems will be fixed when the DVD comes out next year. Because it's Toto and because there are still some real highlights, it's still worth 3 stars (from 5).
As you know, Toto were formed in LA in the late 70’s by a group of friends who were all much in demand session musicians. Despite the legendary drummer Jeff Porcaro passed away in 1992, they decided to go ahead without him, and still rocks and are touring constantly. In 2005, David Paich semi-retired from touring,was replaced by Greg Phillinganes on tour. Later that year, Greg permanently joined the band, thereby returning the band roster to six members with two keyboardists. Due to an unfortunately illness of Mike Porcaro, TOTO started their "Falling In Between World Tour" with renowned bassist Lee Sklar. The tour is continuing through 2008 with the current line-up of Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips, Greg Phillinganes, Bobby Kimball, Leland Sklar and Tony Spinner. This concert was recorded at Le Zenith in Paris in March 26, 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. Bobby Kimball's version of "Pamela" is excellent. Why don't you comapre with original Joseph's performance?
To me this final album is not a real Toto album, it's Steve lukather's & friend taking over for Toto. I have this CD because I own all the Toto, I was in paradise when I heard "falling in beetwen", this live album call me back on earth. Prefer "live in Amsterdam" to this one without hesitation.
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