Eagle Vision [Release Date 16.09.16]
Few bands can have had such a revolving cast of musicians, many joining and rejoining, as Toto, which makes the history of the AOR giants such a fascinating one. One interesting period of their career was an attempt to get back to rock basics after a disastrous experiment with Jean-Michel Byron, a (very) poor man’s Michael Jackson.
So from 1991 the core quartet of Steve Lukather, David Paich, and the Porcaro brothers Mike and Jeff operated without a frontman, the former taking most of the lead vocals, and made one of the heaviest and least commercial albums of their career in ‘Kingdom of Desire’.
This appearance at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival was one of the first in the new format, but sadly also one of the last before Jeff Porcaro passed away the following year, and has been remixed for its first ever official release.
It needs to come with a number of health warnings: one is that the dark blue and pink lighting is not the most visually flattering, though Steve Lukather makes up for it with a tie dyed vest and hair that looks as if he has just put his finger in a light socket.
The other is that this is far from a Greatest Hits set with only three of the eight songs fitting that description: ‘Africa’ and ‘Rosanna’, where a trio of backing singers play a more prominent role in recreating the Bobby Kimball parts, and the smooth ballad ‘I’ll Be Over You’ which was always one of Steve’s songs.
Instead they preview songs from ‘Kingdom of Desire’ in ‘OnT the Run’ and the title track, with Steve’s smoky vocals and extended guitar vocals almost a homage to his heroes Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, who had recently died. They also prove to the Jazz Festival audience that, far from being bland corporate hitmakers, Toto always had serious musical chops.
As a result an instrumental ‘Jake To The Bone’ is followed by a lengthy cover of ‘Red House’ whilst the eighth track of a 70 minute DVD (you get the picture) is a cover of Sly Stone’s ‘I Want To Take You Higher’ where a stage invasion presumably of other festival performers creates a party atmosphere.
There are better places for the casual fan to investigate Toto, but as an insight into a brief period in the band’s history and a change in musical direction, this will be a fascinating snapshot for committed fans. *** 1/2
Review by Andy Nathan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
Next session: Sunday 19 January
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024
In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections
Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
