Info on new TOTO dvd (mostly technical)

by **WalrusOct9** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 3:34 am

That's exactly how I feel about Mindfields. If Mindfields had come out in the 80's and been formatted for vinyl at around 40-45 minutes, it would've been killer...it does have some of my favorite Toto tunes, but is also about 6-7 tracks too long.

by **ptgraphics** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 12:48 pm

Andrew wrote:
WalrusOct9 wrote:Oh for fuck's sake.

The compressed, distorted mastering on Falling In Between should preclude Frontiers from having any rights to future Toto material.

They had nothing to do with the recording or mastering of that album, and I can't possibly agree with you - distorted? It sounded killer.

Maybe that's why it sounds as bad as it does. Hardly any dynamics left intact after the hatchet mastering job. It's a tiring listen after just a few songs. IMO of course.

Pat

by **JohnH** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 2:30 pm

Bingo Steve C- that's exactly what I'm talking about thanks!!!! It's not so much the production or engineering of the FIB album- all that is fine. The mix is fine. The sounds and mic placement, drum sounds, guitar, vox, keys, bass, everything was recorded fine. It's the dammed mastering. They messed it up. Luke's recent solo albums haven't had this problem. (Other than one tom roll that always distorts on the Letting Go) Mindfields doesn't do this either. But yeah, it is not Frontiers's fault, it was whoever moved those faders during mastering out in LA.

by **The_Noble_Cause** » Mon Dec 26, 2011 8:02 am

Is either, drunk, stoned, or carrying out a personal vendetta. Guy still sounds great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNaPCZ-ptnI

by **JohnH** » Mon Dec 26, 2011 4:47 pm

I'm still confused as to why Bobby was booted? Is the only reason those goofy ads Steve was talking about ? Talked to Luke Thursday at the potato but didn't want to cause trouble, I actually didn't even think of asking this. It was a great show and Luke even showed me pics of his young kids on his phone .

by **The_Noble_Cause** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 2:41 am

JohnH wrote:I'm still confused as to why Bobby was booted? Is the only reason those goofy ads Steve was talking about ? Talked to Luke Thursday at the potato but didn't want to cause trouble, I actually didn't even think of asking this. It was a great show and Luke even showed me pics of his young kids I his phone . He

Apparently, Luke bitched that Bobby had to use a lyrics monitor and that his voice sucked - but you know what? Joe needs two back-up singers to hit some of Bubba's notes AND also uses a monitor. So it sounds like personal BS to me. I think Bobby wanted to keep touring and Luke prolly wanted a break. Then again, I could be waaaay off. Luke reads this site. He should weigh in and put me in my place.

by **Joe Vana** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 9:23 am

The_Noble_Cause wrote:
JohnH wrote:I'm still confused as to why Bobby was booted? Is the only reason those goofy ads Steve was talking about ? Talked to Luke Thursday at the potato but didn't want to cause trouble, I actually didn't even think of asking this. It was a great show and Luke even showed me pics of his young kids I his phone . He

Apparently, Luke bitched that Bobby had to use a lyrics monitor and that his voice sucked - but you know what? Joe needs two back-up singers to hit some of Bubba's notes AND also uses a monitor. So it sounds like personal BS to me. I think Bobby wanted to keep touring and Luke prolly wanted a break. Then again, I could be waaaay off. Luke reads this site. He should weigh in and put me in my place.

Hey Nobel....

The reason for the split was none of the above specifically, but elements....and both guys would back that up...it was complicated...and I believe it worked out for all involved...Luke is happy as he should be...great solo albums, still doing Toto...BK is still playing....

As far as monitors, I got to use them when I sang with them and I believe they ALL do...so no problems there....

I am a HUGE fan of Bobby's besides being friends....it was a nice video you posted...would have been nice to see Bubba sing the chorus which is the hard part instead of using the audience mic pull out.....but, no disrespect....

And as far as background singers, it is obviously preferred instead of backing tapes.....

IMHO Joe has done an amazing job since he has come back, he is hitting the chorus of HTL on his own, but that is not a knock on BK as BK has him by what 10 years?....Bobby and the guys had run their course and everybody is still working!!!

BK is hitting C5 to E5 and at 60 plus years of age that is great....he may hit higher on occasion, but that is chest....JW is having an easy time hitting those as well....plus, all the guys seem happy...and that is the main thing!

I personally am happy they are all still going....they are too damn good to become couch potatoes like some other artists....and, Toto even as it sits is still the best live band musically in the world right now.....they seem to replace one bad mother fucker with another each time without losing a beat...the best players in the world WANT to tour with them...and that is because muso's the world across recognize them as the best....cuz they are!!!!!

JMHO......JV

by **The_Noble_Cause** » Thu Dec 29, 2011 4:49 am

Joe Vana wrote:Hey Nobel....

The reason for the split was none of the above specifically, but elements....and both guys would back that up...it was complicated...and I believe it worked out for all involved...Luke is happy as he should be...great solo albums, still doing Toto...BK is still playing....

As far as monitors, I got to use them when I sang with them and I believe they ALL do...so no problems there....

I am a HUGE fan of Bobby's besides being friends....it was a nice video you posted...would have been nice to see Bubba sing the chorus which is the hard part instead of using the audience mic pull out.....but, no disrespect....

And as far as background singers, it is obviously preferred instead of backing tapes.....

IMHO Joe has done an amazing job since he has come back, he is hitting the chorus of HTL on his own, but that is not a knock on BK as BK has him by what 10 years?....Bobby and the guys had run their course and everybody is still working!!!

BK is hitting C5 to E5 and at 60 plus years of age that is great....he may hit higher on occasion, but that is chest....JW is having an easy time hitting those as well....plus, all the guys seem happy...and that is the main thing!

I personally am happy they are all still going....they are too damn good to become couch potatoes like some other artists....and, Toto even as it sits is still the best live band musically in the world right now.....they seem to replace one bad mother fucker with another each time without losing a beat...the best players in the world WANT to tour with them...and that is because muso's the world across recognize them as the best....cuz they are!!!!!

JMHO......JV

Well said, Joe. Thank's for adding some perspective. As for Bobby not singing the chorus - he rarely does. Often prefers playback, not just on HTL, but other songs too. Lots of bands/artists do it, but it's soo obvious with Bobby.

by **Joe Vana** » Thu Dec 29, 2011 6:54 pm

The_Noble_Cause wrote:
Joe Vana wrote:Hey Nobel....

The reason for the split was none of the above specifically, but elements....and both guys would back that up...it was complicated...and I believe it worked out for all involved...Luke is happy as he should be...great solo albums, still doing Toto...BK is still playing....

As far as monitors, I got to use them when I sang with them and I believe they ALL do...so no problems there....

I am a HUGE fan of Bobby's besides being friends....it was a nice video you posted...would have been nice to see Bubba sing the chorus which is the hard part instead of using the audience mic pull out.....but, no disrespect....

And as far as background singers, it is obviously preferred instead of backing tapes.....

IMHO Joe has done an amazing job since he has come back, he is hitting the chorus of HTL on his own, but that is not a knock on BK as BK has him by what 10 years?....Bobby and the guys had run their course and everybody is still working!!!

BK is hitting C5 to E5 and at 60 plus years of age that is great....he may hit higher on occasion, but that is chest....JW is having an easy time hitting those as well....plus, all the guys seem happy...and that is the main thing!

I personally am happy they are all still going....they are too damn good to become couch potatoes like some other artists....and, Toto even as it sits is still the best live band musically in the world right now.....they seem to replace one bad mother fucker with another each time without losing a beat...the best players in the world WANT to tour with them...and that is because muso's the world across recognize them as the best....cuz they are!!!!!

JMHO......JV

Well said, Joe. Thank's for adding some perspective. As for Bobby not singing the chorus - he rarely does. Often prefers playback, not just on HTL, but other songs too. Lots of bands/artists do it, but it's soo obvious with Bobby.

It is cool that they are all still rockin....Bobby had his album with Jamison, and a tour, and a solo album forthcoming....

Luke has another solo album coming out, I am sure it will smoke, a toto tour and his own tour...

So they all are still kicking ass out there....We WIN!!!

JV

by **WalrusOct9** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 1:48 am

Yeah, they all had prompters, even Luke and Greg. Kind of lame since they never change the setlist from night to night, but whatever. Still great shows.

I think the band w/Luke & Bobby had just run its course, especially without Dave or a Porcaro onstage. I see the 2007-08 band and the Joe 'reunion' as two different entities, really...Luke and Simon are the only common threads between them. If only we could convince them that there was, in fact, interest in a new Toto album.

by **Joe Vana** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 2:20 am

WalrusOct9 wrote:Yeah, they all had prompters, even Luke and Greg. Kind of lame since they never change the setlist from night to night, but whatever. Still great shows.

I think the band w/Luke & Bobby had just run its course, especially without Dave or a Porcaro onstage. I see the 2007-08 band and the Joe 'reunion' as two different entities, really...Luke and Simon are the only common threads between them. If only we could convince them that there was, in fact, interest in a new Toto album.

As far as a new album I think the well publicized issue with the "old lable" is holding that up....sucks!!!!

Sometimes these guys just can't catch a break....

JV

by **The_Noble_Cause** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 3:14 am

Joe Vana wrote:As far as a new album I think the well publicized issue with the "old lable" is holding that up....sucks!!!!

Shouldn't stop them from writing new tunes. Cain/Schon kept composing long before the split with Perry was made official. Joe had great writing chemistry with Paich.

by **WalrusOct9** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 3:56 pm

I thought I saw a recent Luke interview where he brushes off the idea, saying there's no interest in a new Toto record, or something of the sort. I could be wrong though.

It's like any other band over 40...they could write "Africa II" and it wouldn't be hit. They'd just be making a record for their existing fanbase, and for themselves, not really to get any great mainstream success or make a shitload of money. Dunno if that's enough motivation, but I hope it is. There's really no other band on the planet that could make a record that sounds like them.

by **The_Noble_Cause** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 6:19 pm

You put these guys on tour together (Paich, Joe, Luke) and something new musically is bound to happen. I have to believe that. Luke announced the reformed Joe lineup and took everyone by surprise. Expect to be similarly blindsided by a new album announcement.

by **brandonx76** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 5:13 am

The_Noble_Cause wrote:You put these guys on tour together (Paich, Joe, Luke) and something new musically is bound to happen. I have to believe that. Luke announced the reformed Joe lineup and took everyone by surprise. Expect to be similarly blindsided by a new album announcement.

I think one or two new tracks on a live release would be fitting, and help sell the release. A new album would be great, of course...Not getting why a new Toto album would be cost-prohibitive, unless it has to do with the associated time involvement of the band members who are tied up in other things (Soundtrack, studio work, producing, arranging, etc)

As for why they don't mix up the live set more, I think Simon has mentioned this as a concern he shares, getting into a rut of the same old thing...If I were to venture a guess, given the level of musicianship and care the band has put into their songs over their recording career, I think it takes alot of brain power, and rehearsal time to work up the songs they don't normally play, to an acceptable live performance level.

by **WalrusOct9** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 1:42 pm

brandonx76 wrote:
The_Noble_Cause wrote:
I think one or two new tracks on a live release would be fitting, and help sell the release.

God, I hope not. Lame marketing gimmicks like that are one of the reasons I'm enjoying watching the (old) music industry die a slow death.

by **brandonx76** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 2:47 pm

WalrusOct9 wrote:
brandonx76 wrote:
The_Noble_Cause wrote:
I think one or two new tracks on a live release would be fitting, and help sell the release.

God, I hope not. Lame marketing gimmicks like that are one of the reasons I'm enjoying watching the (old) music industry die a slow death.

I'm not looking at it as a music industry tactic...Take Journey for example...one of their best works was "The Party's Over"...With Toto, as long as it's a quality track or two (thinking a ballad, and a fusiony progressive cut), I'd be happy...of course a full album would be a kick in the nuts...

by **G.I.Jim** » Sun Jan 01, 2012 3:02 am

Joe Vana wrote:
WalrusOct9 wrote:Yeah, they all had prompters, even Luke and Greg. Kind of lame since they never change the setlist from night to night, but whatever. Still great shows.

I think the band w/Luke & Bobby had just run its course, especially without Dave or a Porcaro onstage. I see the 2007-08 band and the Joe 'reunion' as two different entities, really...Luke and Simon are the only common threads between them. If only we could convince them that there was, in fact, interest in a new Toto album.

As far as a new album I think the well publicized issue with the "old lable" is holding that up....sucks!!!!

Sometimes these guys just can't catch a break....

JV

I wonder if they could get around it legally if they all wrote an album together as Toto, but released it as a Lukather solo album? I'm not sure that it would get the attention it would deserve, but it's a thought. Or, just have Steve release a true solo album but involve the guys on it?

by **The_Noble_Cause** » Sun Jan 01, 2012 4:05 am

G.I.Jim wrote:I wonder if they could get around it legally if they all wrote an album together as Toto, but released it as a Lukather solo album? I'm not sure that it would get the attention it would deserve, but it's a thought. Or, just have Steve release a true solo album but involve the guys on it?

Frontiers only handled foreign distribution for TOTO recently. In the states, all FIB stuff (dvd, cd) was a separate company. I really can't see how Frontiers thinks they have a legit claim to the TOTO name. That's like Walmart now saying that Journey or The Eagles can no longer release new albums. TOTO was w/ Sony forever. The band should write, record, and let the chips fall where they may. Frontiers has no case.

by **brandonx76** » Sun Jan 01, 2012 4:25 am

The_Noble_Cause wrote:
G.I.Jim wrote:I wonder if they could get around it legally if they all wrote an album together as Toto, but released it as a Lukather solo album? I'm not sure that it would get the attention it would deserve, but it's a thought. Or, just have Steve release a true solo album but involve the guys on it?

Frontiers only handled foreign distribution for TOTO recently. In the states, all FIB stuff (dvd, cd) was a separate company. I really can't see how Frontiers thinks they have a legit claim to the TOTO name. That's like Walmart now saying that Journey or The Eagles can no longer release new albums. TOTO was w/ Sony forever. The band should write, record, and let the chips fall where they may. Frontiers has no case.

This isn't a distribution or ownership issue at all, the contract with Sony is long over stateside...I think they still have something with Legacy Japan...

by **The_Noble_Cause** » Sun Jan 01, 2012 5:47 am

brandonx76 wrote:This isn't a distribution or ownership issue at all, the contract with Sony is long over stateside...I think they still have something with Legacy Japan...

Might want to actually read a thread before commenting. The label in question is Frontiers. They claim the band is still under contract.

by **brandonx76** » Sun Jan 01, 2012 6:46 am

The_Noble_Cause wrote:
brandonx76 wrote:This isn't a distribution or ownership issue at all, the contract with Sony is long over stateside...I think they still have something with Legacy Japan...

Might want to actually read a thread before commenting. The label in question is Frontiers. They claim the band is still under contract.

LOL...ok - I had to go back and re-read this entire thread, I missed when it went to a second page, but thanks for setting me straight.

I am pretty surprised they are limiting the band, Frontier's is a central place for Melodic Rock acts...but this is a business still so I get the potential for disagreement...Also surprised the band would get into a bad or undesirable contract after all the drama with Sony/Columbia...Any idea what they were responsible to produce for Frontiers? Sounds like they were added to the 'dead to me' list. Doesn't bode well for a future release on Frontiers.

by **r@y** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:24 pm

Well, Luke has said today on his FB page that a Toto record in the near future is NOT likely, but that they will continue to play live....

I guess that will have to do..

Cheers
Ray

by **The_Noble_Cause** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 1:16 am

r@y wrote:Well, Luke has said today on his FB page that a Toto record in the near future is NOT likely, but that they will continue to play live....

I guess that will have to do..

Cheers
Ray

Luke also says that litigation is tying up the release of the dvd for the time being. As predicted, it will never see the light of day. Whether that is due to Frontiers or some other issue is up for debate. I find it truly hard to believe that Frontiers, of all labels, has the clout to derail one of the greatest rock bands of all time. We're not exactly talking Sony records here. The last Joe dvd was shelved too. Vocally, it's prolly just not up to par. During the Augeri era, the band filmed multiple shows, all of which languished in a vault somewhere.

by **Morten** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:53 am

Well, Frontiers put up an official press statement on their website regarding this matter, so there can be little doubt as to the existence of their claim:

http://www.frontiers.it/news/10498/

by **The_Noble_Cause** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 5:13 pm

Morten wrote:Well, Frontiers put up an official press statement on their website regarding this matter, so there can be little doubt as to the existence of their claim:

http://www.frontiers.it/news/10498/

Not doubting it. One of Frontiers' execs spoke about it on The Noticeboard. Just find it hard to believe that this stops the guys from writing and recording new music. If they aren't going to do anything new, they should just hang it up.

by **brandonx76** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 5:24 pm

time for a David Paich solo effort....with a sleu of guests

by **Brett** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 8:44 pm

brandonx76 wrote:time for a David Paich solo effort....with a sleu of guests

This I would love!

RE the Frontiers thing, I don't know what claim they think they have buy they're going to have to play this very carefully. If they screw around with Toto do they think that the major names of the genre they've been getting these last few years are going to trust them enough to sign (or is it too late, as soon as you've done one album for frontiers they think they own you?) - can't quite see melodic rock fans boycotting the label, but it's not impossible either. And as I've said before that press release was in response to a live album but Toto's last live album was out on Eagle records, so WTF?

by **DracIsBack** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 12:07 am

No, it's not. Even Mindfields was better. FIB has like 5 killer tracks, then alot of filler.

That's your opinion!

Except for like two songs (which I loved), I couldn't stand MINDFIELDS but liked quite a lot of Falling In Between.

by **G.I.Jim** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 2:41 am

I think FIB is one of the best Toto albums out there, and I would put it right up there with their best work. There are incredible songs on there! :wink:

MR

Info on new TOTO dvd (mostly technical)

Anyone who says Bobby has lost it....

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