Customer Reviews

Toto XX: 1977-1997

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

What an excellent album for leftover songs that never made it on their studio albums. GOING HOME which was recorded in 1989 is one the best songs I've ever heard, which was originally going to be put on the PAST TO PRESENT cd,but never did. Each song is top notch as always. THE RIGHT PART OF ME and THE TALE OF A MAN are great standout songs. The songs are good enough that it makes you wonder,why they didn't make it on Toto's albums over the years. I could listen to this cd all day long, if I had the time.

I m listening to it right now and i can't get enough of it. The first song is great and I can't wait to get manfields , if these are songs that were not good enough to be released than no wonder the music labels are slow in sales. Toto is now and was in 1977 a band of bands and just look around and you'll see there are no bands or music like them , there one of a kind and thats why this cd is good and will stand out years from now as one of those records that got away because some music ceo did'nt get it . toto is a great band and they make great music its that simple. tony

Toto can always deliver on a soundtrack for dreaming. Moving ballads, excellent music composition and all in all music to move anyone who is in the mood to be inspired. Why none of these tracks were included is a mistery as they are still the essence of Toto.

This rarities set by Toto is a gem. The nine unreleased studio tracks show the depths of Toto's talent. "Goin' Home" is far, far superior to any of the Byron tracks on "Past To Present," and there are evend two demos, the earliest of Toto recordings. Plus, the live tracks are cool too. If you remember "Rosanna", "Hold The Line", or "Africa," buy it!

I am a big Toto fan and own everything they have ever done. Yet there is something about this album in particular that hooks me and is a very enjoyable listen.
While Going Home and Right Part of Me are vintage Toto and could have been included on any of their commercial releases, the other cuts have a diffeent, mature feel to them. Some touch on the reggae while others are nearly a swing beat. Either way, the lyrics and clearity of the recordings are top notch. it may be the variance between the tracks that makes this album so listenable. Tambu remains my favaorite with the recent Fallin In Between a close second, but XX is a must have.

After the untimely departure of Jeff Porcaro to heaven in 1992, the band had hard time to regain their original vigor they had during 80s. Their 90s post Jeff Porcaro release with the exception of live materials and compilations are.

Tambu 1995: Best post-Porcaro release so far.
XX 1997: compilation and live from unreleased materials a nice one.
Mindfields 1999: Their truly comeback album.
Through The Looking Glass 2002: Covers of Great Classic Songs
Falling In Between 2006: I haven't yet heard of it but with fine feedbacks.

This release to me is their "goodbye" to the Jeff Porcaro by releasing unreleased Jeff works and begin the band's new life.
The Memory of Jeff had been hard to pass by.

Extensive liner notes comment on each song and on the reason of rejection was very amusing to read. Among them Going Home is a stellar and should have given the chance of thier regular albums. Liner note says it was for PAST TO PRESENT compilation but I feel the sounds belong to somewhere between Isolation and Fahrenheit sounding like Survivor and my top favorite from them.

Verdict: Toto fans' Essential
Rating: 86 out of 100. Substandard for Toto release but still enjoyable.
Recommedned for: Jeff Porcaro and Toto fans.

Glad to hear Jeff`s drumming(never heared before!)again.Especially on "Miss Sun",simple but fanstastic drumming.My favorite is"Goin' Home"and this should be the single on their "Past To Present" album.They've had a releasing reunion party with Joseph,Bobby and Steve P.,and that made them decide to make their new album"Mindsfields"with Ex-members.They are coming to my country Japan with Bobby on the vocal ,and I`m looking forward for that.When Bobby and Joseph came to Japan last year(June)as the chorus group"West Coast Allstars",they promise us that Toto will make something happen,and anything could happen next year(means this year). This album made it happen,and it sure would be their another turning point.