TOTO - FALLING IN BETWEEN LIVE - top musicians in absolute top form

Many may TOTO hold for a radio-oriented ballad band. But this is much more the fault of the radio station, which just always heave TOTO only the quiet songs in their program. In order to understand this band of exceptional musicians properly, you have to assess them in action - live on stage are TOTO even after 30 years in the music business is still unbeatable. This also highlights the new double album FALLING IN BETWEEN LIVE again.

Taken on 26 March 2007 at the Paris Le Zenith show these two CDs the band from its most lively side, full of enthusiasm, virtuosity and energy. This could also be related to that TOTO with Leland Sklar have a (perhaps the world's best) replacement bassist for the injured Mike Porcaro it. I had to experience the pleasure of TOTO frequently with guest musicians and many of these concerts have left me the impression that TOTO then only really run up to top form, be inspired new and perhaps even (if that is at all possible for) a little bit more have fun on stage. This does not now sound as if TOTO every time a guest musician would need to motivate yourself, but now and then you seem to do well this fresh blood.

The song selection is excellent, though certainly one or the other fan will miss his favorite song. But after 30 years, there are just too many great songs. Of course, the new songs are the backbone of the set. Here it shows compared to classics like PAMELA, ROSANNA or HOLD THE LINE no difference. Compared to its predecessor in Amsterdam the solo spots by guitarist Steve Lukather, keyboardist and drummer Simon Phillips GREG Phillinganes are also included on this album completely. The three show once again what they are for experts on their instruments. Especially Phillinganes shows a wonderfully jazzy piano solo, reminiscent of some places to Herbie Hancock and Keith Jarrett.

But generally show all musicians - even the lately often maligned singer Bobby Kimball - that night in absolute top form. It just gets in the background vocals once more the presence of Tony Spinner over paid. SPINNER is not only a very good guitar player, as a singer, he belongs in the top league. Now it may here give reviewers, the TOTO just while singing gadgets accuse, but can be found on this album is no evidence. Especially with repeated listening closely under the headphones can not hear from a vocoder or similar things here. Therefore, since it is now not dealing here with a school band, but thoroughbred musicians who very successfully draw their cause for decades against the odds and such tricks not have needed. Especially since I am convinced that a live recording the guys again should additionally motivate their limits (also vocally) to go.

A special highlight is again the acoustic medley of STOP LOVING YOU (in the Background guitarist Tony Spinner in an absolutely convincing way the lead vocals takes over), I'LL BE OVER YOU and CRUEL. Also interesting is the modified Intro to ROSANNA in which TOTO once again show that they can also provide otherwise. Okay, so different then not, because after a short time they naturally fall into the original version of the piece, which is precisely the TOTO-piece par excellence for many before AFRICA and hold the line.

Also the sound is - as you might expect - brilliant. Every musician is at all times clearly perceptible. Nothing is glossed over, thus some subtleties come in pieces here to their best advantage. Unfortunately these encounter the fans a little bit in the background. If anything, they are just to hear between songs. This may be because, that most of this enthralling show stood with mouth hanging open in disbelief and were enchanted by the music. But a little more audible and noticeable enthusiasm would have done this Tondokument an excellent tour well.

All in all but one of the best live documents the recent past with a band of the highest class in absolute top form and, therefore, there can be only the highest grade.