Official Announcment from Toto99.com

[Starrider]

Toto has been playing with one keyboardist and two guitar players for quite some time. Now they will be back to two on keys and one on guitar with this lineup. Wonder how this will affect the sound. Tony Spinner had been handling the second guitar parts as well as the high harmonies for the last few tours. Does anyone know anything about Nathan East's singing voice?

I'm sure the taped backing vocals will pick up the slack. I think the second guitar will be missed, though.

I didn't want to go there about the canned backing vox, but I am afraid you may be correct. I saw TOTO a few summers ago in Connecticut, dead center second row, right in front of Luke. They were all singing off teleprompters (don't know how they would forget the lyrics- they didn't play any deep cuts or depart from their usual fare) and it was clear that tapes were being used to supplement the bg vox. If JW starts to struggle with the high notes, it's a lot easier to cover it up with a live singer than it is if you're just working with canned harmonies. Maybe they can see what Jenny Douglas and Donna McDaniel are up to. No one will believe that Luke or Paich is singing high harmonies.

I can understand not having Tony Spinner there because he was not a part of classic TOTO. Nathan East wasn't either, though. Maybe they'll have sequenced rhythm guitar tracks, or they'll have someone play offstage or dressed all in black behind Paich like Jim Jessel did for a while when he played second keys and sang bg vox (I think you can see him on the 25th anniversary DVD).

In any case, I am hoping to see a few US dates. I would go see them in a heartbeat, even if it involved travel.

[Ehwmatt]

Toto has been playing with one keyboardist and two guitar players for quite some time. Now they will be back to two on keys and one on guitar with this lineup. Wonder how this will affect the sound. Tony Spinner had been handling the second guitar parts as well as the high harmonies for the last few tours. Does anyone know anything about Nathan East's singing voice?

I'm sure the taped backing vocals will pick up the slack. I think the second guitar will be missed, though.

I didn't want to go there about the canned backing vox, but I am afraid you may be correct. I saw TOTO a few summers ago in Connecticut, dead center second row, right in front of Luke. They were all singing off teleprompters (don't know how they would forget the lyrics- they didn't play any deep cuts or depart from their usual fare) and it was clear that tapes were being used to supplement the bg vox. If JW starts to struggle with the high notes, it's a lot easier to cover it up with a live singer than it is if you're just working with canned harmonies. Maybe they can see what Jenny Douglas and Donna McDaniel are up to. No one will believe that Luke or Paich is singing high harmonies.

I can understand not having Tony Spinner there because he was not a part of classic TOTO. Nathan East wasn't either, though. Maybe they'll have sequenced rhythm guitar tracks, or they'll have someone play offstage or dressed all in black behind Paich like Jim Jessel did for a while when he played second keys and sang bg vox (I think you can see him on the 25th anniversary DVD).

In any case, I am hoping to see a few US dates. I would go see them in a heartbeat, even if it involved travel.

I'd definitely love to see any incarnation of Luke and Paich together... but truthfully, without Bobby, I wouldn't travel across the country or anything. I'd go somewhere in the Midwest to see 'em though, that's for sure.

[PMA]

Toto has been playing with one keyboardist and two guitar players for quite some time. Now they will be back to two on keys and one on guitar with this lineup. Wonder how this will affect the sound. Tony Spinner had been handling the second guitar parts as well as the high harmonies for the last few tours. Does anyone know anything about Nathan East's singing voice?

I'm sure the taped backing vocals will pick up the slack. I think the second guitar will be missed, though.

I didn't want to go there about the canned backing vox, but I am afraid you may be correct. I saw TOTO a few summers ago in Connecticut, dead center second row, right in front of Luke. They were all singing off teleprompters (don't know how they would forget the lyrics- they didn't play any deep cuts or depart from their usual fare) and it was clear that tapes were being used to supplement the bg vox. If JW starts to struggle with the high notes, it's a lot easier to cover it up with a live singer than it is if you're just working with canned harmonies. Maybe they can see what Jenny Douglas and Donna McDaniel are up to. No one will believe that Luke or Paich is singing high harmonies.

I can understand not having Tony Spinner there because he was not a part of classic TOTO. Nathan East wasn't either, though. Maybe they'll have sequenced rhythm guitar tracks, or they'll have someone play offstage or dressed all in black behind Paich like Jim Jessel did for a while when he played second keys and sang bg vox (I think you can see him on the 25th anniversary DVD).

In any case, I am hoping to see a few US dates. I would go see them in a heartbeat, even if it involved travel.

Same here. Went to see in Los Angeles a few years ago from NorCal and they were great. Would love to see them again and have no issue traveling within reason.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Over on totonetwork.com, posters are saying there is going to be new backup singers this tour.
Tony is out - and, according to one poster, has been bashing the band in the press.
Luke has also confirmed that they will be filming a new dvd.

[Tomulator]

KILLER news!!!!!

[Sundet]

Excellent news!

[The_Noble_Cause]

Bobby notified fans earlier this week that he would be visiting Mike, and would deliver their well-wishes and prayers.
Here's the write-up -

"As I said, I visited Mike this afternoon, and had the best time ever. We sat in his back yard and talked over old memories of all the years of touring and recording with Toto. There were moments that almost brought tears to both our eyes, but for the most part, we spent our time together laughing about the greatest, and most fun times we shared on the road together. We even told some jokes, and about 90% of the time I was there, he had a big beautiful smile on his face. It made me feel so great to see him smiling, and enjoying himself. Even though he's suffering the horror of not being able to play (and that must be truly terrible for someone with his level of talent, not to be able to pick up his Bass guitar and make it sing like he has in the past), he's showing such a positive attitude and has not lost his humor. He made me laugh so many times today. and Mike was always the very one who could turn a disastrous situation into something hilarious on the road.

He wanted me to let all of you know that your 'ultra-kind sentiments' that have been written from deep within in your hearts, have made him feel so much more alive, and as I said, these are 'healing words' you write about him, and Mike reads them with tears in his eyes. I want to thank all of you who have made him feel so much better, because he could very easily become depressed if not for the kindness all of you have shared toward him. Believe me, he feels your love and compassion when he's on the Network, and the more love you share from your hearts, the less he thinks about his suffering. I can't thank you enough for making him feel your compassion, because it makes him feel like he's still a part of the Toto Network, and loves the things each of you share with him. Please keep it up, and know in your hearts that you're doing Mike the best thing you can to help him feel better. He sends his love, and wishes all of you happiness, good health, and gratitude for all you do for him.

I'll get back over there and visit very soon again, and keep all of you updated on Mike. Know that he sends his love to you, and you do the same for him. God Bless you all..................Bobby"


http://totonetwork.com/forums/band/mike ... o..........

[Tomulator]

Mike...my prayers are with you! You have been an integral part of a band that has meant so much to me and millions of others through the years. I just can't say enough how badly we all want you to feel better and to be happy.

Peace to you Mike.