Bobby solo - Africa LIVE

by **The_Noble_Cause** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 6:57 am

As even the most stone deaf TOTO fan knows, Bobby doesn't sing that much of 'Africa' live in concert these days.
He sings along with the Paich/Greg low range parts only to pipe up finally at the end with "I bless the rains."
While still a glass shattering tenor, the high parts on Africa are usually a pre-recorded vocal from the IV album, and has been for some time

Anyway, here he is live on TV, with a mini-me version of Arnel Pineda covering the highs and him doing his own thing.
Not sure why he chose to sing 'Africa' on TV instead of one of the many TOTO hits he knocks out of the park.
All in all, not bad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX_ymJTe6UM

by **WalrusOct9** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:46 pm

Probably was a network request to sing that song...artists don't always have a lot of say in what they perform in their TV appearances.

That was, um...interesting.

Who's the guitar player? Either he looks familiar or just stole Anton Fig's hat, i'm not sure.

by **Ehwmatt** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:32 pm

Man, that was just bizarre/bad from top to bottom. And I'm a pretty big Bobby fan... but air keyboard during the pan flute solo? Man...

I've heard more rousing renditions on karaoke and 4$ pitcher night at the bar

by **WalrusOct9** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 5:26 pm

Truth, although he's clearly singing to a canned backing track (apparently it's too much work to get the whole band onstage), so the potential for a musical spart is pretty non-existent.

Also, I just paid attention to the little interview and learned who the guitarist is. I'm an idiot.

Bobby's always been a little pitchy, it's just his style, but little mini-Arnel doesn't fare a whole lot better in this clip. But that MIDI backing track is almost as bad as Bobby's air keyboard solo. Yikes.

Just think, 20 years ago this would've never been seen outside the Philippines. Thanks, internet!

by **hydraturnback** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 10:22 pm

..um... So it does look like it is TOTO's Greatest Hits featuring Bobby Kimball.

I would assume that Luke and Co. would have given their blessing for Bobby to go out and use the TOTO name by himself.

I have mixed feelings on this, but I guess whatever has been sorted out is sorted out...

hydra

by **hydraturnback** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 10:28 pm

..by the way...

What the FUCK? LUKE must be calling his lawyers now on that performance..

Sorry, but that was awful.

hydra

by **WalrusOct9** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:51 pm

I doubt Bobby has to get anyone's permission to do this. I think it might've been an issue when Toto was still active, but Luke's said in several interviews that he supports whatever Bobby does with his post-Toto activities, probably assuming he'd be out doing this. Now that Toto is no longer a band, I don't think anyone cares if Bobby (or Fergie, for that matter) go out and sing "the hits of Toto" since the 'real' Toto isn't doing it.

by **JohnH** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 12:14 pm

Looks like crappy monitors and they are feeding back. He's out of tune on this...easy to do when can't hear yourself. Proof once again though, together we stand, divided we fall.

John

by **hydraturnback** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 4:37 pm

WalrusOct9 wrote:I doubt Bobby has to get anyone's permission to do this. I think it might've been an issue when Toto was still active, but Luke's said in several interviews that he supports whatever Bobby does with his post-Toto activities, probably assuming he'd be out doing this. Now that Toto is no longer a band, I don't think anyone cares if Bobby (or Fergie, for that matter) go out and sing "the hits of Toto" since the 'real' Toto isn't doing it.

You may be right on paper, but I think that LUKE still has a interest in restoring the legacy of TOTO...
If he does not then THAT IS an issue.

I know if I was in a band for 30 years and decided to call it a day I would still try and at least keep a sense of pride regarding what happend the past...

Surely they have not totally thrown away everything about the band have they?

hydra

by **WalrusOct9** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 3:38 am

I think Luke just wants to kind of wash his hands of Toto and try to establish himself as a solo entity. I don't think there's any bad vibes there, but it's obvious from every interview he's ever given that he takes the criticism of Toto a bit personally (and I don't blame him, but he needs to get over it and realize there's millions of people who still love his band), and so I think he wants to distance himself from it...he seems very conscious of trying to be something besides "that guy from Toto." I'm sure he's concerned about the legacy of the band, but at the same time he has many more important concerns at the moment.

by **The_Noble_Cause** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 3:50 am

JohnH wrote:Looks like crappy monitors and they are feeding back. He's out of tune on this...easy to do when can't hear yourself. Proof once again though, together we stand, divided we fall.

John

Bobby hasn't sung Africa decently since rejoining the group in the 90's.
Still does a mean Rosanna tho.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCsCO8A2Yrc

by **DracIsBack** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:14 pm

I was fine with it until the chorus then youch.

by **St.George** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:42 am

The_Noble_Cause wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCsCO8A2Yrc

This is the most hideous piece of shit ever...

After watching this and after what preceeded to the initial TOTO reunion with Bobby (before the XX album), I can say that Bobby stinks, mainly because he's showing NO respect at all for the TOTO fans and for the TOTO legacy, as long as the cash comes in.

So, he doesn't respect us, the fans, then I don't respect him, either: Bobby, YOU SUCK!!!

by **Tomulator** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 10:44 am

Wow.

That was simply put...the WORST rendition of Africa I have EVER heard.

Bobby...stop man.

PLEASE!

Luke's right...do something else. This is a CRIME what you are doing to Toto's music.

:shock:

Please...I BEG you...STOP!!!!!!

:evil:

by **JohnH** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 1:18 pm

Ok I'm looking at this again. I still don't see where it says this IS Toto. How could anybody think this is supposed to be toto? The sign says: "Toto's greatest hits: Bobby Kimball. Toto lead vocalist. " Well that's what he's doing...I guess he's just not sposed to use the name at all. Yes the performance sucks.

John

by **Rockindeano** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 1:27 pm

Steve L should hunt him down and run him over with a fuckin Jeep. Fuck, I can sing better than that hammered.

by **The_Noble_Cause** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 2:58 pm

Rockindeano wrote:Steve L should hunt him down and run him over with a fuckin Jeep. Fuck, I can sing better than that hammered.

Even the 'Live in Paris' Byron concert used canned vocals for Africa.
Nobody can do it live.

You guys are fuckin brutal.

by **brandonx76** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 2:42 pm

The_Noble_Cause wrote:
Rockindeano wrote:Steve L should hunt him down and run him over with a fuckin Jeep. Fuck, I can sing better than that hammered.

Even the 'Live in Paris' Byron concert used canned vocals for Africa.
Nobody can do it live.

You guys are fuckin brutal.

Sans Byron - THAT is one of Toto's better live performances caught on tape.

by **WalrusOct9** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 3:50 pm

The_Noble_Cause wrote:
Rockindeano wrote:Steve L should hunt him down and run him over with a fuckin Jeep. Fuck, I can sing better than that hammered.

Even the 'Live in Paris' Byron concert used canned vocals for Africa.
Nobody can do it live.

You guys are fuckin brutal.

It was probably live, although it's possible they 'fixed' some stuff in the studio before the video was released. I have a couple bootlegs and while Byron was awful for Toto, tone-wise and visually, he seemed pretty spot-on pitch wise, even if the sound didn't fit what he was supposed to be singing at all.

by **The_Noble_Cause** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:58 pm

WalrusOct9 wrote:It was probably live, although it's possible they 'fixed' some stuff in the studio before the video was released. I have a couple bootlegs and while Byron was awful for Toto, tone-wise and visually, he seemed pretty spot-on pitch wise, even if the sound didn't fit what he was supposed to be singing at all.

I remembered them using vocals off the IV album for Live in Paris, but clearly I was wrong.
Like most Toto renditions using the female backup singers, this is superior stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3lWUlOl9BM

by **brandonx76** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 5:06 pm

The_Noble_Cause wrote:I remembered them using vocals off the IV album for Live in Paris, but clearly I was wrong.
Like most Toto renditions using the female backup singers, this is superior stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3lWUlOl9BM

They took some heat for the back-up singers after awhile - I believe the critique was that they started to become the 'Toto review' (i.e a vegas act), especially after Jeff had passed away. Still, Simon played his ass off during the Kingdom of Desire tour...And one of their BEST live shows is during the Tambu tour, in Sweden...

A shame Joseph wasn't at his 'best' during the renunion shows...Bobby hit a few 'out of the park' at that time (around 1998). I think that sealed the deal for a 'reunion' with Bobby. I was definitely pleased with Mindfields, and Falling in Between. The live shows over recent years, from what I saw and heard, vocally, were hit and miss...

by **Ehwmatt** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 5:12 pm

brandonpfn wrote:
The_Noble_Cause wrote:I remembered them using vocals off the IV album for Live in Paris, but clearly I was wrong.
Like most Toto renditions using the female backup singers, this is superior stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3lWUlOl9BM

They took some heat for the back-up singers after awhile - I believe the critique was that they started to become the 'Toto review' (i.e a vegas act), especially after Jeff had passed away. Still, Simon played his ass off during the Kingdom of Desire tour...And one of their BEST live shows is during the Tambu tour, in Sweden...

A shame Joseph wasn't at his 'best' during the renunion shows...Bobby hit a few 'out of the park' at that time (around 1998). I think that sealed the deal for a 'reunion' with Bobby. I was definitely pleased with Mindfields, and Falling in Between. The live shows over recent years, from what I saw and heard, vocally, were hit and miss...

The back-up singers are a great addition. More evidence from the same show...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eduD6BqD ... re=related

Those harmonies are GORGEOUS. Beats the hell out of using canned pre-recorded vox, that's for damn sure.

BTW, I love watching Mike play bass. Guy gets so fuckin into it

by **brandonx76** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 5:16 pm

Ehwmatt wrote:
The back-up singers are a great addition. More evidence from the same show...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eduD6BqD ... re=related

Those harmonies are GORGEOUS. Beats the hell out of using canned pre-recorded vox, that's for damn sure.

BTW, I love watching Mike play bass. Guy gets so fuckin into it

A personal favorite...from the next year's tour - 'On the Run'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m2VddA-sbg

by **The_Noble_Cause** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 6:27 pm

brandonpfn wrote:A shame Joseph wasn't at his 'best' during the renunion shows...

Going by YouTube footage alone, Joe's def. improved, but I wonder if he could keep pace with the band's catalogue.
Given the amount of time Bobby spends offstage during Toto shows, I was surprised to see him tackling Luke's stuff now during his solo sets.

The Tambu backup singers graced the band with some of the most polished sounding vocals ever, but Bobby gives the full court press.
In addition to his three tenors-like solar plexus power, I think Bobby's got one of the most unique phrasings in rock since Perry decided to rob Sam Cooke blind.
For my money, I will take this imperfections and all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9zdIaO8ngk

by **WalrusOct9** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 6:40 pm

Agreed...having seen them with Bobby a number of times the last few years, I'd take an uneven Bobby in the band over an anonymous backup singer. I love KOD and Tambu, and have a number of bootlegs from those tours, and would've loved to have seen the band live back then. But Bobby, on a good night or bad night, was authentic, which I'd take any day over a more 'polished' voice.

I do, however, wish they would've kept a second BG singer to go with Tony Spinner (like they did on the Mindfields tour) in place of using canned backup vox. You hear stuff like "Pamela" with note-perfect backup harmonies in the chorus and realize Tony, Luke, and Greg/Paich are all probably miming many of their parts on the song. Watching Bobby lip-synch his heart out on the chorus of "Bottom Of Your Soul" was especially painful, as much as I loved the song itself. I love how Bobby is a belter and pitchy whenever he sings lead, yet whenever you hear him sing a chorus like "Bottom Of Your Soul," he was spot-on every time. :roll:

I think having Tony and one other live BG singer would've made this totally unnecessary, but it's all in the past now, I suppose.

by **Joe Vana** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 4:14 am

The_Noble_Cause wrote:
brandonpfn wrote:A shame Joseph wasn't at his 'best' during the renunion shows...

Going by YouTube footage alone, Joe's def. improved, but I wonder if he could keep pace with the band's catalogue.
Given the amount of time Bobby spends offstage during Toto shows, I was surprised to see him tackling Luke's stuff now during his solo sets.

The Tambu backup singers graced the band with some of the most polished sounding vocals ever, but Bobby gives the full court press.
In addition to his three tenors-like solar plexus power, I think Bobby's got one of the most unique phrasings in rock since Perry decided to rob Sam Cooke blind.
For my money, I will take this imperfections and all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9zdIaO8ngk

All I can say is this....this whole debate is JIVE....

I WAS UP THERE with them the last go round.....and Steve, Greg and Tony SANG backgrounds....AND THAT'S it....I was Bobby's biggest fan, always stood up for him....but not now....he is tarnishing a GREAT name...as far as three tenors solar plexus power...well 10 years ago I would agree....the band has carried him the past few years, but I think the wheelbarrow became too full....some of you are blinded by what you SAW in the past....but the NOW and the PAST don't line up anymore.....Luke and ALL the rest of the guys are still singing EVERY FUCKING note live....

I am in nobodies corner here, but all this ass licking has got to stop....if you are for this shit you are no Toto fan I tell you that...cuz somebody be shitting, when they should be sittin'.....

There is a right and wrong way to do everything in life, and BK's dropped the ball this time....and it ain't bouncin' if ya know what I mean!!

JV

by **The_Noble_Cause** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 4:50 am

Joe Vana wrote:I am in nobodies corner here, but all this ass licking has got to stop....if you are for this shit you are no Toto fan I tell you that...cuz somebody be shitting, when they should be sittin'.....

Sure seems like alot of fans are angling to throw the hangman’s switch...

I fail to see how any of us are guilty of "ass-licking," especially when the first post of this thread openly acknowledges the vox of 'Africa' being lipped.
Additionally, didn't Luke refer fans to this very forum to watch the horrible Bobby TV ad, which had been posted here by the same said "ass-lickers"?
Hardly sounds like a "hide-the-body" mentality to me.

Are fans supposed to choose camps and organize behind starkly drawn battle lines each time Luke throws a conniption fit?
Paich and Bobby have already fallen between his blogging crosshairs - which former member is next?
How's this for wholly unsatisfying gray-shaded nuance: Bobby remains a kickass singer whether he chooses to fleece the public and sell TOTO swag or not.

Joe Vana wrote:well 10 years ago I would agree....the band has carried him the past few years, but I think the wheelbarrow became too full....some of you are blinded by what you SAW in the past....but the NOW and the PAST don't line up anymore

Can only speak for myself of course, but when I saw TOTO on their most recent US leg, Bobby made the rafters shake.
Unreal.

by **Ehwmatt** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:33 am

The_Noble_Cause wrote:
Joe Vana wrote:I am in nobodies corner here, but all this ass licking has got to stop....if you are for this shit you are no Toto fan I tell you that...cuz somebody be shitting, when they should be sittin'.....

Sure seems like alot of fans are angling to throw the hangman’s switch...

I fail to see how any of us are guilty of "ass-licking," especially when the first post of this thread openly acknowledges the vox of 'Africa' being lipped.
Additionally, didn't Luke refer fans to this very forum to watch the horrible Bobby TV ad, which had been posted here by the same said "ass-lickers"?
Hardly sounds like a "hide-the-body" mentality to me.

Are fans supposed to choose camps and organize behind starkly drawn battle lines each time Luke throws a conniption fit?
Paich and Bobby have already fallen between his blogging crosshairs - which former member is next?
How's this for wholly unsatisfying gray-shaded nuance: Bobby remains a kickass singer whether he chooses to fleece the public and sell TOTO swag or not.

Joe Vana wrote:well 10 years ago I would agree....the band has carried him the past few years, but I think the wheelbarrow became too full....some of you are blinded by what you SAW in the past....but the NOW and the PAST don't line up anymore

Can only speak for myself of course, but when I saw TOTO on their most recent US leg, Bobby made the rafters shake.
Unreal.

Agreed, TNC. Bobby is a great singer and will always be the voice of Toto to me. I don't care what he did or didn't write or what kind of marketing ploys he's trying to pull now, or even if he pisses off Luke. With that said, he hasn't been beyond criticism for anyone in these two threads, even those who like him as a singer.

by **WalrusOct9** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:49 pm

Joe Vana wrote:
All I can say is this....this whole debate is JIVE....

I WAS UP THERE with them the last go round.....and Steve, Greg and Tony SANG backgrounds....AND THAT'S it....I was Bobby's biggest fan, always stood up for him....but not now....he is tarnishing a GREAT name...as far as three tenors solar plexus power...well 10 years ago I would agree....the band has carried him the past few years, but I think the wheelbarrow became too full....some of you are blinded by what you SAW in the past....but the NOW and the PAST don't line up anymore.....Luke and ALL the rest of the guys are still singing EVERY FUCKING note live....

I am in nobodies corner here, but all this ass licking has got to stop....if you are for this shit you are no Toto fan I tell you that...cuz somebody be shitting, when they should be sittin'.....

There is a right and wrong way to do everything in life, and BK's dropped the ball this time....and it ain't bouncin' if ya know what I mean!!

JV

They sang some, but there was still a fair bit of help, Luke has even admitted as such casually in a few interviews, although he tries to play it down. It wasn't too distracting since the appeal of Toto shows to me was the musicianship and quality of the songwriting and arrangements, but any time you'd hear a chorus like "Caught In The Balance" with multiple voices in Bobby/Tony's range, there was something up. You could always tell when Bobby was lip-synching his way through a chorus like "Bottom Of Your Soul" or "Africa," especially since it was obvious when he came back in with his real voice. Bobby is still THE voice of Toto to me since that was the only lineup I ever saw live, but his voice, both in tone and pitch control, does not blend at all, which I imagine is why they used backing vocal tapes on a number of tunes.

However, when he sang his leads, most of the time, he shook the fucking house down. I actually liked the way he sang...it was raw and uncontrollable. It wasn't always pretty, but it brought much needed soul and rawness to an otherwise note-perfect and meticulous sounding band of virtuosos. What he's doing may be bullshit, but if he had a decent band behind him, I'd probably still go see him if he played here. Every time I saw them, even the one or two nights he was struggling, he gave 110%, and I have immense respect for him as a performer and singer.

by **BlackWall** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 6:17 pm

I know this is going to make me a lot of enemies, but I really don't see how anyone could fault Bobby for what he's doing.. Luke decided to end the band, and that's fine as far as he's concerned, but if Bobby wants to continue making a living performing these songs, why shouldn't he be able to? If he was touring as Toto, it'd be one thing, but to promote the whole thing as "Bobby Kimball: Performing The Greatest Hits Of Toto"(or whatever it is), I just don't see anything wrong with that..

He was a key element to the group, whether he had much of a hand in composing or not; he's still the most memorable vocalist they ever had, and this was proven with the decline in popularity upon "Isolation" and his departure. He has as much right to do these songs as Luke has to do them in his solo shows. Hell, Paich wrote most of their hits anyway, not Luke, and if I'm not mistaken, didn't Bobby actually have a hand in writing some songs? I have no idea to what extent, and I'm pretty sure he didn't contribute to any of the big hits, but for someone to make as much of a contribution as he has to the band over the years, I'm sorry, but he has the right to continue to perform these songs till they have to wheel him off the stage, if that's what he wants.

Also, as some others have pointed out, this was a morning show, and we don't know that his regular gigs really look anything like this. I am willing to admit this particular performance was pretty lame, but I'm also willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, and even if every performance is as cheesy, he has the right to do it, as long as he's not calling himself "Toto".

MR

Bobby solo - Africa LIVE

Bobby solo - Africa LIVE

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