Live At Montreux 1991 (CD + DVD)

Toto

Eagle Rock Entertainment, 2016

http://www.totoofficial.com

REVIEW BY: David Bowling

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 09/27/2016

Toto may not be a band that comes to mind when one thinks of the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival, but back in 1991, they were there, front and center (and they went on to make a return appearance in 2015).my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

Quincy Jones had always been a fan of Toto, and so he invited the band to appear. The core members of the group at the time were Steve Lukather, David Paich, Mike Porcaro, and Jeff Porcaro. Jeff passed away shortly after their performance and Mike followed in 2014 before their return to the festival.

Toto is mainly known for their series of melodic rock hits during the late 1970s and early 1980s that featured tight harmonies. Songs such as “Hold The Line,” “Rosanna,” and the number one “Africa” sold millions of copies and made the band a consistent concert draw.

Through the years, Toto has been a musically consistent bad. One album flows into another, and if you like one, you will probably like them all. That is what makes their set at Montreux so interesting. “Rosanna” and “Africa” are both there, but the rest of their performance digs a little deeper into their catalogue. Plus, they stretch out a bit and cover some songs that are not usually associated with their style.

While the originals may be preferable, Toto’s take on the Jimi Hendrix classic “Red House” and Sly Stone’s “I Want To Take You Higher” have high energy, and it is interesting to see and hear the band going outside their comfort zone and taking some chances.

The CD and the DVD contain the same song set. Both have been remastered with modern technology, and sound and look excellent. The booklet gives a succinct history of their performance.

Live At Montreux: 1991 is a nice addition to the Toto legacy and should please any fan of the band.

Rating: B

User Rating: Not Yet Rated


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