It was in 1979 when I heard on the radio for the first time St. George and the Dragon. Wow, I thought, that's it, that's my music. Everything came together: this rock music, my former way of life and I, it was musically seen a formative experience. So I went to the record store (yes so what there was time; the music came from big black disks and you could still read without glasses, which stood in the booklet ;-)) and got me Toto Hydra. I was impressed from the outset and heard up and down the board and my elder brothers realized finally, that I had taste. So I became a fan of Toto.
Lately I have complied with Lukathers solo CDs and some very good solo performances from him afloat. So I could also tell him that I have never had such a good guitarist as heard him (unfortunately with nervousness rather verstottert) and he reacted very sympathetic, thanked with a handshake and said he would also be just a normal boy who gave its best would be on the guitar. My last Toto concert was a cloudburst concert in Benediktbeuern Abbey, where only a handful of hardened and hartdurchnässter still persevered front of the stage and took all the other storage facilities of the monastery to complete, incl. Me. It was so violent that after several cars were pulled by tractor from the meadow had to because the tires were shooting in the match.
After a concert at the Alte Oper in Frankfurt, I had to take the great pleasure Mike Porcaro short (autograph) and I have rarely met such a nice musicians like him. He was so nice and friendly, I will keep it forever in your memory!
And since they are finally back, the heroes of my youth who had at hand to so many feelings in my puberty the right song. Meanwhile, very nearly outgrown puberty ;-), I was of course very pleased that there is something new from these world class musicians and super songwriters. I accompanied them for all these years and therefore always knew that Toto the meantime in most radio stations almost totgespielte Africa is not only, but much, much more!
I'm very, very excited about the new CD, and my expectations were definitely exceeded !!! I share the opinion of those (and there are apparently not so few) that this is one of the best Toto CDs of all time. I now see the personality cult (Simon Phillips, Bobby Kimball, etc.) not so closely and find that all were well-replaced, or that, for example, Joseph Williams has done many songs, even when writing. Another positive aspect is that in these recordings again more David Paich is heard (songwriting), but fortunately still plenty Steve Lukather (ie the rockier parts and riffs): a truly perfect blend!
Meanwhile, like myself, the songs that I as not soo great felt during the first hearing, and indeed all really very good! Where previously often only good choruses were heard, are now additionally excellent and catchy riffs from old master Steve. In addition, the men have time placed more emphasis on the text, which I think is also good. What I am looking forward to the concert in Offenbach, with hopefully many pieces of the new CD!
The songs in the Player Ratings:
Running Out Of Time: This class uptempo number as an opener ensures equal enthusiasm and brings a really good, appropriate access to the new disk. Written by Lukather / Paich / Williams the three main songwriters of this CD.
Burn: Starts beautifully soulful and developed also by the onset of cure gait to a successful song. Find it fits great to Joseph's voice and was indeed Williams / Paich also written by him.
Holy War: For me the radiotauglichste and thus determines most famous song of the album, which is certainly not meant negatively in this case! I hope he has a few former fans lured from behind the stove or gained new fans to the CD ;-) feared, the guys deserved it. Good text with hands and feet, far from i love you, you're so pretty-Gesülze. (!! Only lyrically seen) The Toto never had Bob Dylan and will be, all should be clear! Here remains way not only the chorus in my head, but also Steves catchy riff to the chorus, which I very positively striking in several pieces. Authors Lukather / Vanston / Williams. I think the way that we owe CJ Vanston as excellent co-producer, a lot of the great quality of this CD. (The pressure, however, is unfortunately actually not the best unfortunately!)
21th Century Blues: THE Lukather-track of the album and a great, very relaxed Blue number of upscale, musical class. Again brings Vanston co-wrote his already known to Lukathers solo albums a class.
Orphan: A strong rock song with a good text which I liked better and better over time. Similar to Holy War, the full goodness of the song developed after repeated listening. Come live well determined (hopefully ;-))! Also written by the dream team Paich / Williams / Lukather.
Unknown Soldier: A beautiful, and because for Jeffrey and probably unfortunately fit now for Mike, poignant song to the Steve's voice really ideal. And this guitar (especially the acoustic part) Madness! One of my favorite songs! What first-class songwriter: Paich / Lukather!
The Little Things: The Parcaro-track of the album (written together with Willis). Here floats a piece with emotion while listening since this song has a lot to do with his recently deceased brother Mike, unfortunately. Of course, it is by the author some synth-heavy than the other songs. Although I thought at first hearing, it would be the weakest piece of the CD like it to me now as well. It reminds me also thanks Porcaros singing a bit of Michael Jackson, which is not meant to be derogatory ;-)!
Chinatown: One of the highlights of the album! Written by Paich / Sherwood, it is also a relatively typical Paich Song in the most positive sense. In the quiet initial stage crashes a Class Steve riff and it develops in a grandiose manner to a very beautiful chorus. A really great song composed and a good example of what Toto mainly accounts. I pull the cylinder ;-)!
All The Tears That Shine: Also by Paich / Sherwood. A quiet number with a beautiful melody. Not the strongest song, but I like it also. Incidentally, just the bass often played by different people, some of Steve and here in this case by Paich itself (stand up bass) and the electric field of the valley Wilke.
Fortune: The Williams-number of the CD. I liked also get really lucky on the second hearing. A good groovy rhythm with first-class instrumentation, particularly towards the end beautiful, was hidden that not too early!
Great Expectations: WOW, WOW, WOW !!! I was at first listen already in the underground garage and the food was waiting long for me. It had to wait a little longer, because I was sitting open-mouthed in front of the steering wheel (PS I was already ;-)) and marveled at this masterpiece! For me one of the best songs ever Toto and definitely the best of this CD! When I appeared in the apartment I had a wide, happy grin on his face and said simply world class! (Well I told the woman about it soon on what I just said the food of course ;-)!) I hope so much to be able to also experience this monumental work live! Here lies thanks Paich / Williams / Lukather really everything in it, what good (Toto) makes music! Thanks for letting me get advised when all the second- and third-tier publications often many veterans, twice as something great !!! The display on the CD recorder was Great E and I just thought GREAT T (OTO)!
