Toto XX: 1977-1997

Toto | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 8, 1998)
• Original Release Date: December 8, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00000FYIO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #219,610 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun collection for album fans of the band, January 1, 2002

By 

Brad (CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Toto XX: 1977-1997 (Audio CD)

This release is considered a "fans only" affair, and I agree with that for the most part. After all, some of the tracks are simply demos. Nonetheless, this is a great album for fans of the band who know more than the radio singles.

Certainly the average song on here is not quite as good as the average song on a regular Toto album. The band members themselves point this out in the linear notes of such tracks as "Mrs. Johnson", for which they encourage fans to e-mail in lyrics for the second verse. However, other tracks are truly stellar, such as the opener "Goin' Home". How did this fail to make a regular record?? The melody and chorus of this track rival many of Toto's fine hit songs. The band's whole career is basically covered here, from those 1977 demos right up into the '90s. I also like the inclusion of the live recordings at the end, culminating with "Africa". What an interesting version of such a legendary song.

I don't listen to this as much as I do most Toto albums, but it is still a great collection to own for "completion purposes". (I have every standard Toto release from the first one right up through 1999's "Mindfields".) Definitely a recommended purchase for long time fans of the band.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Toto's Unreleased Gems, December 8, 1998

By 

Larry Lawrence ([e-mail]) (Brownsburg, IN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Toto XX: 1977-1997 (Audio CD)

Toto XX

Toto XX celebrates Toto's 20 years together with a look back at songs that did not make the cut the first time around. After listening to "Unreleased" music by most artists, you normally wished it had remained in the record company vaults. This is not the case with Toto's new one. In fact, this may be one of Toto's best CDs ever!

The opening track "Goin' Home" is a typical Toto rock anthem complete with soaring guitar riffs and inspiring vocals with excellent background harmonies. The liner notes indicate that "Goin' Home" was original intended to be released as a new song on the "Past To Present" greatest hits CD (around 1990), but was nixed by the record company for being sub-par. Watchu talkin' 'bout Willis!?!? This is an excellent tune and easily could have been another big hit for Toto. Shows you what record company big wigs know.

The rest of the CD follows course. Great tunes, top-notch playing and excellent sound quality, even from their early demo songs. Speaking of the demos, this CD features a very funky version of Miss Sun, which became a hit for Boz Scaggs, cut by Toto before they were even officially a group.

The CD is rounded off nicely with some live cuts. Especially interesting is the live recording of their monster hit "Africa" recorded in South Africa and backed by a what sounds like a large choir. Superb variation on a classic song.

All in all, Toto XX is a great collection of songs that thankfully are seeing the light of day. For Toto fans, it's like finding a long lost treasure chest packed full of gems.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I'm glad they decided to open the vault., July 24, 2001

By 

Jim Toms (W. Frankfort, IL (USA)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Toto XX: 1977-1997 (Audio CD)

This is mainly an album of b-sides and live material that the band decided to release (it may have been contractual obligation, I don't really know....but who cares). The first song "Going Home" has Bobby Kimball at lead vocals and is a truly great song. The songs from the Joseph Williams era, "In a Word", and "Last Night" are good as well. I also liked "Mrs. Johnson" and "Tale of a Man". I agree with another reviewer that the live tracks are mediocre. For my money they could have been left out and the album would be just as good.