Toto Album: “Toto”

I have been a long time fan of Toto, a band that critics love to hate. I hear the superior musicianship and knack for creating memorable pop songs. Of their 10 full length cds, I believe this one is where you should start. There are 10 perfect pop hits here. No filler, no wasted notes. The most obvious choice is Toto's IV, but I feel that their first cd outshines IV. Toto were and are a great studio band that can turn out fantastic ballads and upbeat rockers. If you like their first disc then IV, Fahrenheit, The Seventh One and Tambu would be my next recommendations. Buy Toto, it's a must for any serious music fan.

So this thing happened in the late 1970's, where a bunch of bands came out with album covers that were illustrated / airbrush style, and had one word band names, and they had musical chops but commercial sensibility. These bands were called 'corporate rock' and were critically reviled, but hugely successful. Boston, Journey, Foreigner and Toto are the main ones that are always synonymous with this corporate rock entity.

Who came up with this term????

I had been playing a few instruments for awhile by the time I became better acquainted with TOTO, but it was at that point where I finally began understanding songwriting craft, arrangement and musicianship in recordings and bands. I knew enough about how to play instruments, but I was nowhere near a stage where I understood taste, style, craft and what to play / when to play / when not to play. Most of the artists I have ever listened to that had great influence on me, all seemed to have these qualities anyway, so it automatically can be guessed this is where I next needed to go.

And right at this time of learning came TOTO. Granted, they had already been around for 8 years by the time I heard a full album, and I honestly, to this day, thank the person who introduced me to TOTO, Lenny H. from Connecticut, for opening the door. And the first album I heard was their first. TOTO filled my summer of 1986, and I still respect highly the talented musicians who are a part of this band.

One major, major gripe I have with the same critics who called this 'corporate rock', was the claim that session musicians shouldn't write tunes, or were inept at being creative themselves past reading charts.

Considering that most if not all, of the musicians that comprise TOTO in 1978, David Paich, Bobby Kimball, Steve Lukather, David Hungate and Steve & Jeff Porcaro, have appeared on some of the most successful and venerated albums of other artists, and that their songs written and / or played for or by other artists would constantly surprise you. I can almost bet you that one , if not two of these people are somewhere in your album collection , even if you DON'T own a TOTO album at all. If you own Michael Jackson's THRILLER, then its guaranteed you have most of TOTO, so you might as well go out and buy a TOTO album anyway to just hear the rest of the group! From Steely Dan to George Benson, you have probably sang a member of TOTO's songs without even knowing it was written by a 'corporate rocker', or 'just a session musician'.

Being some of the most famous, unknown songwriters aside, the first TOTO album is a nice introduction to the people who graced so many other artists albums. The majority of the songs here are written by David Paich. They run a line between progressive rock, jazz, rhythm & blues, and hard rock, and all are done with a proficiency that makes the song less an exercise of how well you play, but what can you play that makes the band sound good, and the songs themselves. By far, Steve Lukather is one of the best guitarists out there, but he really starts to shine on the next 3 albums. Jeff Porcaro was a fantastic drummer, and probably the most fundamental member of TOTO. And funnily enough, I always preferred David Hungate as TOTO's bass player, than Mike Porcaro who joined the band later. Maybe it was the music they were doing later that didn't make me give Porcaro a chance.

My favourite song here is 'You Are The Flower' written by Bobby Kimball. Kimball in my mind, is just a fantastic singer, and even though he left the band after TOTO IV, I still think he is the best singer they ever had in the band (he rejoined them much later on, and is still in the band even now). Kimball sings with so much soul, that I don't know how anyone could think of slighting this band. He's one of my favourite singers, and excuse the stereotype, he doesn't sound white.

'Georgy Porgy' is another standout track from this album, and was recently remixed by a DJ and became a huge hit in the UK. In fact, I've heard a few versions of this song by other artists, and they barely change its arrangement to suit the decade or current trend. This track, sung by Lukather, has a great groove and vocal. It's just funky, thats all I can say that makes sense. If someone who 'wasn't' corporate rock' had performed this song at the time, you'd hear it more often on radio. (Like Lukather's 'Turn Your Love Around' performed by George Benson, and I KNOW you know that song!).

'Angela' is also one of my favourites. The chorus 'It's a silly situation, its just infatuation, no need to be sorry' is just something I have to sing along with, because the vocal line (sung by Paich) is so distinctive the way its sung. Thats what I really love about TOTO's first four albums, they were definitely craftsman, musically and compositionally.

Most people know 'I'll Supply The Love' or 'Hold The Line', but this album is seriously worth getting along with the next three, HYDRA, TURN BACK, and IV. Very recommended. Plus you probably already have half or 1/4 a TOTO album in your collection anyway.

Toto is of course a musicians bundle that would give almost any other band a complex. Their best always has the right variety of rock, hard-rock and jazz. Toto seems to peak every third record: "Toto I", "IV", "the Seventh one" and the last one "Mindfields", though the records in between are surely not far behind. Their nicest sound however is on this "Toto I" and the follow-up "Hydra".

The opener "Child's anthem" sets the pace: this is Toto with all instrumental force packed into less than 3 minutes. The next two songs "I'll supply the love" (with superb singing and a fine tempo change in the end) and "Georgy Porgy" (where did these guys get this deep soul from?) are also among the classics here. Side two has some more surprises: the hardrock epic "Girl Goodbye", the soft jazzy touch on "Taking it back", the super sharp hitsingle "Hold the line" (the voice of Bobby Kimball is really something else here) and the powerful ballad "Angela".

TOTO was a studio band formed in 1977. They (or most of them), had just finished working on Boz Scaggs'

"Silk Degrees". This album came out in September of 1978, on this debut #9, they pulled out all the stops with Prog-Rock "Child's Anthem" and Angela", Pop-Rock: The classic "Hold The Line" #5, "Takin' It Back", R&B: "Georgy Porgy" with Cheryl Lynn #48, and "You are the Flower" and Rock: The great" I'll Supply The Love" #45, "Manuela Run", the unforgettable "Girl Goodbye" and a college crowd favorite back in the day "Rockmaker". This would really be the high water mark for TOTO, as other releases were good but not up to snuff with this tremendous debut. The band consisted of: David Hungate Bass, Steve Lukather Guitar and Vocals, David Paich Keyboards,Vocals, Bobby Kimball Vocals, and the brothers the late Jeff Pocaro Drums and Steve Pocaro Keyboards and vocals. (SONY needs to remaster this album soon)! Other mini reviews from TOTO releases: "Hydra" (1979) #37 **** A good solid effort but not quite as good as the first one. Includes the hit "99" #26,the prog sounding title track and "St. George and the Dragon" and the rockers "All Us Boys" and White Sister. "Turn Back" (1981) #41 ***** Review coming. 1982's "IV" #4 An album grammy winner. But like most grammy records, over produced and just not that interesting except for a few songs, "Rosanna" #2, "I Won't Hold You Back" #10, "Make Believe" #30 and Afraid Of Love" #28 mainstream rock. *** for IV. 1984's "Isolation" #42 ***1/2 A return to more of a rock direction, had some good songs "Carmen", the rockin' "Stranger In Town" #30, "Mr. Friendly" and "Holyanna" #71. New Vocalist from the band LeRoux Dennis "Fergie" Frederiksen. 1986's "Fahrenheit" * What a disapointment! Not much to say here, really only one good song, "I'll Be Over You" #11. Mostly middle of the road syrup. New vocalist Joesph Williams. And finally the 1987 release "The Seventh One" #64 ** An improvement over "Fahrenheit" but not by much. The last album i bought from these guys. "Pamela" was their big hit at #22. Another new vocalist Jean-Michael Byron. So there you have it TOTO's first 10 years in a nutshell. Thanks for reading.

You know, When people think of Toto they often rate them as wimpy light-weight soft rock. I bet you half these people don't even bother to listen to them. What they are are is a wonderful group of musicians who are well honed at the craft. In their original incarnation Toto Consisted of six men.

Bobby Kimball-Lead Vocals

Steve Lukather-Lead Guitar, Vocals

David Paich-Keyboards, Vocals

Steve Porcaro-Keyboards, Vocals

David Hungate-Bass Guitar

Jeff Porcaro-Drums, Percussion

These Guys had already been Session men for a whole bunch of artists, Notable at the time was Boz Scaggs. However by 1977 they decided to form a band of their own. Toto was born. That year this album was recorded. Let me tell you folks what a way to start your career. Rich harmonies, superb hooks and mind-blowing playing abounds.

The album kicks off with an instrumental called Child's Anthem. An interesting choice. I like it though. It's quick high energy and to the point. I'll Supply the Night follows and is just great. It has an Anthem like Chorus and a funky verse section. It introduces us to Bobby Kimball on vocals. He just shakes your house down. His voice works perfectly with Toto. Great R N B type vocals.

Georgy Porgy is a smooth laid back Boz Scaggs type song with Steve Lukather on vocals. Sure the chorus is ridiculous but the vibe is just so cool it hardly matters. We are introduced to David Paich on Manuela Run, which is one of my favs. Dave is great on vocals and this song just has a chorus to die for...so infectious.

Other highlights include the Hit Hold the Line which has a searing Luke Guitar solo. Also Angela the ballad with a melodic verse.....and a rockin' chorus.

Bottom line.....If you're a fan of Toto....this is essential listening. If you're curious pick it up. don't dismiss till you've tried folks.

Mick