Customer Reviews

Toto - Live in Amsterdam (DVD + CD Collector's Edition)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is an excellent deal. You get the full TOTO live concert in digital color and sound- one of the best live shows I've seen on DVD. The playing as one might expect is absolutely stellar. Then you get the CD ( slightly shorter than the DVD but great listening for the car!)as a bonus, all for a knockdown price. Some have criticized the medley approach, but it works well within a concert context moving from one tune into another. Many of the tunes are played in almost their entirety while others are truncated but obvious enough to give the fans a real taste. How else are you going to draw from so much excellent material in one concert?
The reservation?....the DVD extra behind the scenes of "through The Looking Glass " tour. It seems it was an excuse for some middle aged men to use profanity and to moon the camera....high jinks that I, for one could have done without. Why not do a real behind the scenes? - conversations and information about their music, their instruments - because they are obviously extreme talents, still at the top of their game. That's the reason they lose a star. I already have teenagers...I don't need to watch 50 year olds acting like it!! Anyway buy this set for the excellent DVD concert and CD and enjoy Rock at its best.

Like J. Moore's review, I agree that the concert video and sound is first-rate. Picture is high-definition, clear, and everything is well-lit. The sound is exceptionally crisp and clear. A great show for people who appreciate good musicianship and rock & roll. Skip the DVD extras - which are simply bad video footage of grown men acting like mindless teens - they take away from the good feelings of watching the concert.

My friends laugh at me, but I seriously feel a profound sense of regret over never having seen Toto live. And this was the tour I really should not have missed -- no question this is the best line-up the band had since Jeff Porcaro's death in 1992. Don't be put off by the fact that several great songs are played as part of medleys: it works fine, it allows them to work in some interesting instrumental segments, and the transitions in several cases are terrific. Almost all your favorites will be here, and they also play several older tracks that did not appear on "Past to Present," including "Girl Goodbye," "Gift With a Golden Gun," "Waiting for Your Love," and "Afraid of Love," that are great tunes. Not everything is perfect, of course: David Paich practically talks his way through the verses in "Africa," and Steve Lukather's voice has roughened considerably. It's great to have Bobby Kimball here though. His voice is a little less sure than it was in 1982 -- occasionally he sounds a little off-pitch, and there's some noticeable strain -- but the voice actually has more character. He's more of a blue-eyed soul singer than just a light-voiced late 70's singer. Steve Lukather's guitar playing is another highlight -- he looks as if he has complete command. Having listened to this several times now, though, I have to say the most impressive contribution may be Mike Porcaro's on bass. "I Won't Hold You Back" I think is probably the best track on the disc, really nicely updated with a much different rhythmic feel, and it's largely because of Mike's bass line, which has this sweet melodic contour at the same that it punctuates the vocal line and serves as the underpinning for the harmony. I just took a look at a clip from the more recent DVD, "Falling in Between Live," and my first thought was "Who is that on bass?" No Mike, and that's a bummer. So this is the one to get. DVD production values are only so-so, I could care less about the extras, and the tunes taken from their album of covers released just before the tour aren't that interesting after the first listen. But it doesn't matter. This is the best version of the band we'll ever see in a concert video, and having missed them, I couldn't be happier to have this. Toto forever!

This is probably one of the best concerts ever on DVD. If you only have enough money to buy one DVD, this is it! There are several surprises you can find in the concert. Simon Phillips (drums) blends extremely well with the rest of the band. You won't notice Jeff Porcaro has gone. His style of playing gives the fans a new 'look' on the songs. He's simply energetic and very creative. You'll know what I mean when you watch the track "White Sister". Mike Pocaro (bass) forms a solid rhythm section with Phillips. He steals a lot of the spotlight from Steve Lukather. Bobby Kimball is as good as always, adding 'life' to the tracks. Steve Lukather (guitar) is fantastic. I'm so moved when he plays "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". By the way the Toto version of "Bodhisattva" is as good as Steely Dan.

Stunning, amazing, and whatever other adjectives you want to use. This is a band that even after this 25th anniversary continued producing new material, so also try the "Falling In Between" dvd also. Some different members but still first class. We all love Jeff but Simon Phillips never missed a beat...I have everything Toto ever put on film and this is probably the best overall quality picture, sound and show with the afore-mentioned running a close second. Can't beat the price either!

I'll keep this simple, this is one of the best sounding DVD concerts I own. The DVD package is good with extra footage and interviews. There is CD included in the set and the concert is excellent. All the right songs, played by a good line of people. Luke is on with all of his guitar work and the band is right there on top of things.

After youtubing the videos and hearing their great performances, I decided to buy the DVD. The video production is excellent, with amazingly high definition. Great lighting, camera work, and of course, with Porcaro producing, the sound mix is top notch. All those boys can still ROCK!

This was purchased as a gift for my son and he says that it is an incredible concert. He gave it 5 stars!

In this live concert DVD "Toto" looks and sounds better than ever. The picture is crystal clear and the 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound are incredible to say the least. Not only is Simon Phillips a great drummer, his mixing and producing skills are simply amazing. Bobby Kimball can still belt it out and Steve Lukather can still light it up on guitar. These guys can still rock and this live concert DVD proves it.

The "Toto" 25th Anniversary Live In Amsterdam DVD is a must for any Toto fan. Whether you're an old fan of Toto or just discovering them for the first time, you can't go wrong with this concert DVD. The Audio CD included is an added bonus, making this release an even better deal for "Toto" fans. As for the DVD extra's, you either like them or you don't. Fortunately the extra's don't take anything away from this awesome live concert performance. My only complaint is that (99) was not included in the song list.


DVD Features Include:
-The latest performances of Toto's greatest hits captured in hi-definition video
-Featuring 5.1 & DTS surround sound
-Exclusive footage shot on the "Through the Looking Glass" tour

Songs:
1. Girl Goodbye, Goodbye Elenore, Child's Anthem, I'll Supply the Love
2. Gift with a Golden Gun
3. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
4. Bodhisattva
5. Africa
6. David Paich - Solo
7. Dune/Don't Stop Me Now
8. Waiting for Your Love/Georgy Porgy/Lion/Hydra/English Eyes/Till the End
9. I Won't Hold You Back
10. Rosanna
11. Afraid of Love
12. Hold the Line
13. Next to You
14. Home of the Brave
15. White Sister

Just like with the Doobie Brothers "Live at Wolf Trap" DVD this one doesn't work with any of the DVD players I have at home nor with those at my friend's homes. I ordered these DVD's from Germany and - since this was clearly indicated - expect them to be playable on my equipment here. As with the Doobie Brothers I will send this back and ask for a refund.