Toto Album: “Past to Present 1977-1990”

Another rock group whose big splash was in the 80's was Toto, who peaked at having their album Toto IV and single "Rosanna" winning Grammies for 1982. That worthy tune, which spent 5 weeks at #2, being kept from the top spot by first the Human League and then Survivor, sported the characteristic sizzle of Steve Lukather's rock guitar, smooth and soaring vocals by Bobby Kimball, and a horn section for additional flourish as well as some great keyboard work by David Paitch and Steve Porcaro. Oh, and Rosanna referred to Lukather's then-girlfriend, actress Rosanna Arquette. Two other hits from that album included the Top 5 "Africa" with its prominent synth keyboards and the #10 ballad "I Won't Hold You Back" with its orchestral backing.

They began with "Hold The Line" from their eponymous 1979 debut, a #5 hit and an introduction to their signature rock sound, specifically Lukather's guitar. "Georgy Porgy" veers more towards adult contemporary with its laid back but brisk morning pop aura, intercut with lines from the old nursery rhyme.

The video for the heartbreak song "I'll Be Over You" was my first exposure to Toto, though I had heard their music on David Lynch's adaptation of Dune. A line that rang true with me October 2004 was "as soon as my heart stops breaking/and disappears/as soon as forever is through/I'll be over you." This song along with "Rosanna" are my two favourite Toto songs here. Michael McDonald can be heard giving backing vocal assistance in the chorus. This single from their album Fahrenheit, features the debut of new lead singer Joseph Williams, son of John Williams of the Boston Pops.

For The Seventh One, Joseph Williams, son of John Williams of the Boston Pops, took the helm as lead singer. "Stop Loving You" combined some of elements of their earlier style, horns, electric guitarwork and was snazzy pop/rock. "Pamela," their last Top 40 hit (#22) lacked the oomph of their earlier singles. Rather, it has watered down elements of "99", the #28 song from their second album Hydra. It puzzles me that this did better than "Stop Loving You."

Of the four unreleased songs here, sung by Jean-Michel Byron "Love Has The Power" is the weakest, while "Animal" tries, but fails to bring back the glory of the old days. "Out Of Love" is a decent ballad, with that reminder "that fools never remember to fall out of love" while "Can You Hear What I'm Saying" isn't half bad.

Two years after the release of this compilation, drummer Jeff Porcaro died of a heart attack. While not a bad compilation, I still think the rocker "I'll Supply The Love" from their first album should've been included.

I don't know if you are aware, but there is a better compilation of Toto (Toto's greatest hits) that is much more complete as this one, since it's on a double CD. You will lose the songs from Jean Michel Byron (bonus tracks from past to present), but is that so important ? (I don't like him, he imitates Michael Jackson); and what you win is "Stranger in town, If you belong to me, Holyanna, Don't chain my heart, gypsy train, straight for the heart..." , isn't it much better ?

This hits package isn't a bad starting place for someone that's new to Toto. There's a total of thirteen tracks--four of them are previously unreleased. Surprisingly, there are no songs included from the albums Turn Back and Isolation. In order to have been comprehensive, at least one song from each of those albums should have been included. Some of the tunes that I like are "Africa," "I'll Be over You," and "I Won't Hold You Back." The four unreleased tracks are not bad. I do admit that Jean-Michel Byron's vocals aren't my taste. I consider this hits package to be pretty good. It contains some nice songs. It's worth a listen.

Calling this `generic corporate rock' is hilarious, if insulting to toto who put a lot of thought and effort into their music. The only thing that's a bit generic about this is 1990's digital standard dogging down their tape masters.

I'll be over you is an example of a toto song with good vocal, lyric, music and barrels of emotion. I think this is a truly beautiful track and once you develop enough to listen to these songs for what they are (love songs in the truest sense - could be about your dead mum!) you will see that toto are a great band on the whole. This cd is 1990 so obviously it suffers a bit from the digital of then. Ironically the songs like Rosanna that loads who buy this seem to love are the kind that suffer most compared to the vinyl releases which is only a credit to what decent tracks they are. Ones like I'll be over you translate perfectly to cd and remain as beautiful on this cd as they are on the 45 12' single.

I mean really though, generic? Of all things you could call toto how could you call them generic. Do you listen to the musicianship. The human energy put into the keyboarding, the drumming by the least generic and possibly best drummer to ever walk the face of earth. Solo's by lukather? I think you should listen again.

My thoughts on this disc are that its not perfect no, it is `artistic' as an album is and not designed/may not satisfy `best of' customers/ fast forward happy listeners (that's maybe why it's not called best of- or greatest hits.

While understandably 'past to present' means greatest hits to a lot of you, to other's it means a `vision' of what's gone on. A reflection on toto `from back then till now'

Get the essential toto if you are hoping to find a personal fav track you aren't sure is here, or if you are one of those hungry people, you like big big cd's that contain lots of avenues. This is album art. I think it is a great start and a great cd I highly recommend to anybody.

When I first heard the name TOTO, I laughed. Now I laugh as I look back at myself, because now I absolutely LOVE TOTO!!! Especially this CD! "Hold The Line" & "Africa" are total rock classics! This is a "must buy" CD!