The Toto Poll!

by **Andrew** » Wed Sep 18, 2002 12:22 pm

To decide once and for all - what do the fans think of the band's most recent catalogue and overall, what is their favourite Toto album.

For the record - my thoughts.
I personally hate the fact that as a reviewing, I can't say something negative about a Toto release, without being branded by a couple of individuals as a "typical negative Toto critic".
Bullshit - I LOVE these guys and most of their solo projects too.
I have all Toto CDs, all Steve's albums, all Bobby's albums, all Fergie's releases, many studio session Cds the guys are featured on.
So I talk as a fan 1, then a critic #2.

But my thoughts are that the output from the band in recent years has been varied.
I love Isolation, Seventh One & Kingdom Of Desire to bits, I think Tambu was average at best, I think Mindfields had some fabulous moments, but a few fillers also...I also thing Fahrenheit had some fillers inbetween the classics...
- I love Steve's solo debut as one of the GREAT solo records of all time, but didn't get into the second one at all. Liked the 3rd though.

So you can see - I am not a blind fan that loves everything, but at least, I love the majority and I love them enough to want to give them as much press on this site as I can.
To get slammed by Steve for doing so is a real kick in the teeth.

Anyway, what do you folks think?

by **essbee** » Wed Sep 18, 2002 2:59 pm

I believe it was Jeff Porcaro who said in an interview once:
'opinions are like assholes, everyone's got one'
Steve slammed you? Luke??
I hope you keep giving them the press they deserve, not many others do....
thanks Andrew

shaneberry@hotmail.com

by **Mark Ridout** » Wed Sep 18, 2002 3:02 pm

wow, my fave alltime CD's are:

1) IV
2)Seventh One
3)Mindfields/Livefields
4) Turnback (Very experimental which made it a great cd)

On another note, while I have enjoyed TTLG it is not my favourite cd, There are some great covers that have been reworked and the production is top notch and Bobby's songs are all very well sung, My fave songs on TTLG

1)Bohastiva Killer version, Bobby kicks on this
2)Burn Down The Mission (Best ballad on the CD)
3)Cant get next to You ( Pure toto sound, Bobby is the man)
4) Living in the City (2nd fave song, i love Lukes guitar and Bobby kicks ass singing this tune and the middle part with the 09/11 effects are deep)
5)While My guitar Gently Weeps Steves best song, great arrangement

I have never really disliked a toto song until now (Except Byrons shit, LOL), but I really dont care for Daves song It Takes alot to Laugh and a train to cry, I %$#$% hate Dylan and this song was already on The Tribute to Jeff CD.

TOTO is a band that makes their own music and i noticed in Steves comments that they will be making a new studio CD soon, i hope that does not mean the usual 4 years+ delays in releasing the cd.

by **St.George** » Wed Sep 18, 2002 9:32 pm

"Can't get next to you" pure TOTO sound...? :lol:

ROFLMAO... Well, probably ala "High price of hate"... It's the typical shit-bluesy stuff taht I expected they never do... Do you really see in this track "pure TOTO sound"??? :shock:

by **Mark Ridout** » Wed Sep 18, 2002 11:54 pm

To clarify I guess I should have said their newer sound in the 90s, not pamela or rosanna "Classic sound" although the horns on this song sound quite familiar, dont they?. High Price of hate was a good song but way too long, 3 min instead of 10 minutes would have been better.

by **Brett** » Thu Sep 19, 2002 8:10 am

Well, it happens that of my 6 favourite TOTO albums there are two from each decade...I am not anticipating that TTLG will be in my top 10 however, but then again, I don't care...anyway here's my top 6:

1. Isolation
2. Mindfields
3. The Seventh One
4. TOTO
5. Kingdom Of Desire
6. Hydra

by **-echo-** » Fri Sep 20, 2002 6:55 am

seventh one is my fave

by **Bobby Van Halen** » Mon Sep 23, 2002 1:48 am

Hi,Well my fav TOTO cd is Isolation
then Tambu
Seventh one.....but what theyre doing now is a disgrace

by **JrnySuxBalls** » Tue Sep 24, 2002 11:45 am

I read somewhere there are tapes of Isolation with Bobby on lead vocals. That would probably be my favorite (should it ever surface) :roll:

by **Andrew** » Tue Sep 24, 2002 12:46 pm

I've just shot Bobby an e-mail to ask about this - sounds interesting!

by **Mark Ridout** » Wed Sep 25, 2002 10:25 am

It is a well known fact that Bobby recorded the whole isolation cd before he left the band, some with different trunes. One of the tunes was Right part Of me on the TOTO XX unreleased cd. Fergie was brought in and the songs were rearranged, I think TOTO in their forever talked about box set should include the whole CD.

by **Tommy Denander** » Wed Sep 25, 2002 3:35 pm

Bobby has played me those songs he did for Isolation and they're AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!
His version of "Lion" is some of his best work ever.

I've heard a whole bunch of old unreleased Toto songs from Bobby and i can't believe that they don't release or re-record those instead of doing a cover album that i'm not so sure will be a very smart move for them in the long run?

Tommy

by **JrnySuxBalls** » Thu Sep 26, 2002 1:24 am

Tommy Denander wrote:a cover album that i'm not so sure will be a very smart move for them in the long run?

Tommy

Man, they should've reunited with Byron and done that Peter Allen tribute album. :roll:

by **jim** » Sat Sep 28, 2002 2:10 pm

JDouglee wrote:
Tommy Denander wrote:a cover album that i'm not so sure will be a very smart move for them in the long run?

Tommy

Man, they should've reunited with Byron and done that Peter Allen tribute album.

Good Lordy!

Thats one hell of a mental image there..

I think im going to have nightmares now..

by **Candyman99** » Mon Sep 30, 2002 6:04 pm

Oke,Through The Looking Glass isn't the best album TOTO had made.
But when you listen to it, it's not an bad album.
The Dylan song sucks big time, but the other songs are oke.
House of the rising sun and While my guitar gently weeps are for me highlights.
But that's my opinion.

by IC » Wed Oct 02, 2002 2:13 am

...are in my opinion Turn Back, Toto and Isolation. Turn Back rocks harder than Toto ever before or after that album.

What becomes to the upcoming cover album, I don't even wanna hear it.

by **toto4evr** » Thu Oct 03, 2002 5:10 pm

andrew ! fellow totoites! andrew, I wouldn't worry about it . Luke fucked up and inadvertenly jumped the gun. he apoligized to you on your site. 'nuff said. he appreciates you believe me. toto gets more shit than anyone else out there and deserves none of it!! luke is so used to getting screwed by the labels, critics, media (usa mainly) so cut him some slack.

best toto album I think is ' THE SEVENTH ONE' though it lacked more guitar balls and was a bit poppy in parts ex. straight for the heart- begged for a solo and more up front luke rtyhum guitar and could've used one more funky/soul/ rocker and a bit less synths but hey nobodys' perfect. I luv bobby kimball always will he is the legend of toto vocally besides lukather but, a big part is missing IMO without joe williams. he was the only singer incl. steve l. that could rock his balls off with the best of them, smooth pop croon like michael jackson and bobby caldwell and have the funky soul to deliver songs like "the seventh one", "stop lovin u"and "some where tonight" very smooth reggae pop/soul. joseph was the man for me . since it's the 25th aniversary I would love to see invitations to perform live and on the new album if only for a song or 2 with fergie and joseph. those 3 lead singer along with luke and sighting of steve p. chris t. on percussion , and the master on bass david "mecca" hungate! this would be the best ever regardless of the material. heaven is the reunited toto, journey (as is) , and survivor hit the road for a world tour!!! whewww boy ! I'm tired just thinking about it. 2nd best toto cd is mindfields 3 is k.o.d. 4 hydra 5 isolation later chitown mar ' tay

p.s. this cover cd will kick ass liek everything else they touch!!

by **Richard** » Wed Oct 09, 2002 12:53 pm

I personally love the 'Fahrenheit' album. With the exception of maybe the title track and the jazzy instro at the end, it's loaded with some of their best songs. Not their hardest hitting album, but the production is excellent and the playing immaculate. Joseph Williams is the difference on this record. My second fave is the Fergie album 'Isolation'--what else can you say except that the thing rocks! --Rich

by **Ghost Rider** » Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:49 pm

I thought Toto was dead (at least on the radio they are!) Hope they keep cranking out tunes to keep everyone happy! I love their old stuff and that's about it.

by **Dr Nick** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 11:14 am

Isolation is definitely my favourite, probably IV second, Kingdom of Desire third.
BUT
I haven't heard Farenheit nor The Seventh One, other than the songs on Past to Present, so my info is incomplete.

by **St.George** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 11:09 am

You DEFINITELY should... :wink:

You're missing some of their greatest stuff!!!

by **Charlie** » Thu Oct 31, 2002 7:15 am

It's tough toss up Hydra and turn back

by **essbee** » Thu Oct 31, 2002 11:23 am

Although I prefer the classic TOTO stuff from the 80's, my favorite album is 'Mindfields'. It would be really hard to pick a second but 'Isolation', 'The Seventh One' or 'IV' would all be in the running....
Least favorite: 'Kingdom Of Desire' or 'Absolutely Live' just seems weird hearing anyone but Bobby singing 'Hold The Line'....

by **Dave Varlet** » Sat Nov 02, 2002 1:05 am

I totally agree with what Tommy Denander said on the subject of the new album. He knows the guys personally, since he recorded with them for his superb RADIOACTIVE album 'Ceremony of innocece. I think it's a sad thing to see them release really boaring songs like 'While my guitar', 'sunshine of your love' & the hidious 'Could you be loved' which they released as a single as well. Can you imagine, new label Sony pressuring the guys for an immediate release. As a result they took the easy option of rechording some unnessesary covers instead of writing some classic gems themseves. For their 25 th anniversary they could have done much better by inviting all former members. Remember the 'TOTO XX' album which was superb, as well as the 'tribute to Jeff' album where we were treated to some unreleased tracks. I loved Toto since the start and I'll always will but I think I'll pass on this release for the first time ever.
I went to see the Brussels concert where the new tour started. Despite of the obligate covers which I already mentioned above, it was a pretty good concert. Bobby's voice was in great shape! They did my favourite Toto song 'Home of the brave' as an encore. Tony Spinner did a fine job by singing 'Stop loving you' and Luke treated us on an acoustic solo spot.
Anyway, I hope we will get treated to some new songs in the near future. Meanwhile, I'll be pleased with a DVD release, as well as with the 3CD-Box announced by their former label.
If you get through the boaring covers, you will enjoy their coming tour.

Greetz,
Dave Varlet
[/url]www.davevarlet.com

Website · by **guitartomy** » Sat Nov 02, 2002 5:31 pm

ok, i'm new to this forum, but i've been a toto fan since '79. i am blown away by the new cd (looking glass). just the sound of the disc made my jaw drop. simon has the ears, baby.

i don't know how anyone can listen to "sunshine" and not be in awe of the arranging talents of these dudes. putting the intro of "white room" in the middle of the solo - and at the end - was a stroke of genius! (does anyone agree???)

i think this cd is long overdue. sure, we know they can write great songs, for themselves and for other artists as well; but this is a chance to hear them do what they do best : PLAY!
i know, they've always played hard on the other releases, but it seems this one is different....the freedom shoots thru the speakers -

this will rank right up there with my top 3 toto cds so far: kingdom, isolation, and 7th one.

i have a suggestion: as a bonus, when a cd of new material is released, include a second disc, of another dozen covers, recorded by simon. i'd be happy

by **HOTsunrise** » Thu Dec 19, 2002 7:54 am

Isolation gets my vote. "How does it feel" is possibly my fave Toto ballad.

by **Kansas City Kevin** » Sat Feb 01, 2003 2:35 am

Man, Charlie has good taste

Hydra and Turn Back are my faves. There are some great tunes on every album but in my way of thinking, they got a little soft and a little cliche in the 80's with the Toto formula. It was still original and fresh on these two masterpieces.

I was lucky enough to see Toto live on the Hydra tour and it remains one of my favorite shows of all time.

KCKevin

by **St.George** » Sat Feb 01, 2003 7:46 am

If you have the chance, you should catch them live on this tour... For me it was, FOR SURE, the best show I've ever seen... Much more than any other show of theirs.

by **Kansas City Kevin** » Sun Feb 02, 2003 1:34 am

Who knew they toured, Hydra was the last time they came to Kansas City and as far as I know anywhere near the middle of America. There are people that live outside of California that would love to see a Toto show.

I am not holding my breath for one anytime soon though.

KCKevin

by **Noabrown** » Sat Mar 01, 2003 4:37 am

Having just got over the sheer brilliance of the Shephards Bush gig on 18th Feb., I have had time to assess all albums and I think

1. ISOLATION is probably the most complete TOTO album, although
2. TAMBU with the haunting I Will Remember (missing from the setlist) and
3. THE SEVENTH ONE come very close second and third.

As a footnote, according to the bands website more dates in Europe are being scheduled for the summer, lets hope for more UK dates.....

MR

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