“Falling In Between Live” is the new double live CD from Toto, recorded at the Zenith, Paris on 26^th March 2007. Anyone who caught Toto live on that tour will have been chomping at the bit waiting for this release as, not only were the band on fire performance wise, but they also included lots of new and incredibly strong material from the previous years “Falling In Between” album. I saw Toto when they appeared at Newcastle City Hall just under two weeks before this recording took place and in a pre-show one on one interview with Steve Lukather he gave the impression that, by the time they reached Paris for the penned in live recording, they would be cookin’. That night they blew the roof off The City Hall but after one play through of the new “live” album I can safely say that they had raised their musical bar even higher for the Zenith show.

The first striking thing about this album is that, sonically, it sounds fabulous. It’s rich and warm and yet has a wonderfully natural live sound to it all. Every instrument stands out in the mix and there is lovely separation so you can home in on whichever musician you want to listen to in detail. I know a lot of time has been spent on making this release special and let me tell you every minute of care and attention has been worth its weight in gold.

Opening with “Falling In Between”, a song that contains some of the fruitiest and downright exciting guitar riffs you’ll hear this side of planet earth. Toto are blessed with some of the finest musicians you will ever hear and on this song, with its twisting and turning rhythms, intricate keyboard and guitar interplay and outrageous vocals you hear first hand just how devastating they are as a unit. It’s one of Toto’s heaviest songs for a while and they sound like they are having a blast performing it.

Next up is another new song “King Of The World” which surges along with purpose and sees Lukather, Phillinganes and Kimball all taking the microphone and tearing it up. As the song progresses Lukather serves up one of his trademark soaring guitar solos and he positively burns, it's shred with soul and not many guitarists play with the abandon and spirit that he does. Before the band launch into “Pamela” Lukather informed the crowd as to why Mike Porcaro was not handling bass duties - injured hand. In his place is the bass supremo himself Leland Sklar and after seeing him perform at the Newcastle show no one need worry about the engine room of Toto being affected as his playing is right on the money. “Pamela” is a song that combines rock and pop in a catchy and commercial way and the live version here is outstanding with Lukather's solo adding real spice and excitement, and even get some cool improvisation right at the end.

“Bottom Of Your Soul” is an emotional song and Lukather provides one of his intimate and personal vocal performances on this version. When Steve sings you always get the impression that he really means it from his heart. Simon Phillips drums come through loud and clear and you find yourself getting sucked in to his rhythmic patterns that circle around the melodies. “Caught In The Balance” shows the mildly progressive side to Toto. It has great rhythms that throb and pulse and is gloriously heavy in just the right places.

“Don’t Chain My Heart” sees the band once more showing their mastery of writing music that is poppy but yet has muscle. Lukather backs off the gain on his guitar and plays some stinging guitar licks that poke through the mix. Once more the end of the song has been arranged slightly different and shows the band don’t sit on their laurels and are always looking at ways to spice up their music, both for themselves and the fans. “Hold The Line” sees the band delivering the first of their mega hits and this version positively rocks and also has a blinding soulful vocal performance. Lukather plays a fret melting guitar solo, which when one considers how many times he has played this track is rather amazing. Some guitarists would possibly keep to the tried and tested but not Steve, he just goes for it.

The band step off the gas for the following three numbers giving tasty stripped down versions of “Stop Loving’ You”, "I’ll Be Over You” on which Lukather shines once more with his heartfelt vocals and finally “Cruel” which bounces along with glee. The first CD closes with Greg Phillinganes keyboard solo that will have people wondering just how many fingers and hands this man possesses. He has a lovely inherent jazz side to his playing that has sometimes been missing from previous keyboard outings within the band. It’s virtuoso keyboard playing at the highest level and he's a great addition to the current Toto line-up.

The second CD opens with their second mega hit “Rosanna”. As mentioned earlier Toto don’t sit on their laurels and on this version the band have put together a wonderfully mellow and harmonically rich and jazzy first half to the song before launching into the version all the fans are familiar with. Lukather plays his now iconic guitar solo to the song perfectly with a great full tone that fizzes with life. The band gets into the groove with an extended little jam that is wonderfully exhilarating. If I’m not mistaken the band even drop in a little bit of “Birdland” in the melodies showing us their musical sophistication.

Next up the band lead the listener through I’ll Supply The Love”, a song guaranteed to get your foot tapping. It leads into the title track from one of my favourite Toto albums “Isolation”. The band chug along on this harmonically tense song with its layered vocals that the band pull off in fine style. At the point where the guitar solo would normally erupt the band change direction and launch into “Gift Of Faith” which then leads into one of Toto’s most moody and heavy songs “Kingdom Of Desire”. This song has a storming guitar solo on the studio version and it’s at that point in the live version that Lukather embarks on his mammoth extended improvisational guitar solo that enthralls and will leave one gasping in wonder. He first plays around with intriguing fusion style chords before slowly teasing ungodly squeals and howls that only a guitar god with his imagination could come up with. The pace picks up and he starts to slowly deliver increasingly intense licks and interval jumps until there is literally smoke coming from his hands. Anyone who thought that Lukather was a "pop" guitar player would be left in no doubt after hearing this solo that he is one of the rock guitar world's titans. There are very few players out there who can make their rock licks swing like Steve and he is without question in possession of a gift.

The solo morphs into the cyclic riff from “Hydra” which the band keep playing as Simon Phillips launches into his drum solo. He doesn’t hold back and makes the most of his allotted time to show us drum licks and tricks that defy belief. Once more thoughtful arranging help the band to morph the song with ease into the boogie of “Taint Your World” and so end the sequence of songs on a real energy high. “Gypsy Train” follows and is played to within an inch of its life. It’s a song that heavily features Steve’s full on rock guitar playing and it’s a joy to listen to as he strangles his whammy bar and delivers bent string notes that will have you wondering just how he does it. “Africa” sees the audience clapping along and being thoroughly entertained as the band show just how slick they can be when required. They make everything on this track sound effortless.

The final track of the show is “Drag Him To The Roof” which has been one of my favourite tracks by the band for some time. It has wonderful energy and great melodic and rhythmic patterns that dazzle the listener. The band play around with this song involving the audience and extending their instrumental passages. It all adds up to a spine tingling finish and the tempo changes create a tangible sense of excitement.

I guess by now if you’ve read this review to the end you will know that I am blown away by this release. It’s Toto to the max, full of indulgent instrumentation, clever arrangements and exceptional individual performances. For anyone who saw Toto on this tour it’s an indispensable release, as it will bring great memories flooding back. For anyone new to Toto it would also be a great place to start to discover their music as they cover many eras from their career. The next release from the band is a DVD of the show which is due in the early half of 2008. One senses as I write this review that somewhere there is a crew of people toiling away to make it something special and I’m happy to wait as, if its of the standard as this CD, it will all have been worth it.

Let us know your views on Falling In Between Live

Track Listing

Disc 1
Falling In Between
King Of The World
Pamela
Bottom Of Your Soul
Caught In The Balance
Don't Chain My Heart
Hold The Line
Stop Loving You
I'll Be Over You
Cruel
Greg Solo

Disc: 2
Rosanna
I'll Supply The Love
Isolation
Gift Of Faith
Kingdom Of Desire
Luke Solo
Hydra
Simon Solo
Taint Your World
Gypsy Train
Africa
Drag Him To The Roof

Line Up

Steve Lukather - Guitar/Vocals
Simon Phillips - Drums
Bobby Kimball - Vocals
Greg Phillinganes - Keyboards/Vocals
Leland Sklar - Bass
Tony Spinner - Guitars

Related Links:

Toto Live At Newcastle City Hall

Steve Lukather Interview

Bobby Kimball Interview

Falling In Between Album Review