Went to see Toto (again!!) on Thursday at Royal Hospital Chelsea - weather was shit but didn't spoil the fun.
In usual Welshboyo fashion, I had VIP passes so saw the soundcheck etc and had a chance to speak with them - no Paich this time as he's unwell (not in a bad way) but the rest of them Steve Porcaro, Joseph Williams and of course Lukather in fine form - Luke his normal self - full of jokes - best one was "My fingers are so cold, feels like they have been stuck in an Eskimo's anus" - this was at the soundcheck... his playing again was 1st class..as they all were really - speaking to him after soundcheck he admitted that they hadn't seen or even played together for 3 1/12 months - they just turned up in London, run through a few things at soundcheck and just blasted it!!
A few pics I took - yes, I was THAT close!!
Comments
I see from your pics the amps and cabs are back on stage. Did you get a look at his pedalboard? Is he still using the Hardwire delays?
I did put a post up under AOR Central and I was there. From a sound point of view, the venue worked, didn't it, which surprised me but the crap weather couldn't dampen a superb gig?
As I said before, the playing, musicianship, the execution and the sound were exceptional. Xavier X, from Snarky Puppy, did a brilliant job as a stand in for David Paich on keys and Lukather is playing so well these days with a really big, purer and great sound and not masked in effects. However, whilst they're all great, the rhythm section were the stand out for me, and I thought the same when I saw them a couple of years ago at The Royal Albert Hall. Shannon Forrest is a brilliant, award-winning drummer with a sound to match (he's firmly inbetween the Jeff Porcaro and Simon Phillips' camps) and does an excellent job and is a big deal in Nashville. Seriously, it's one of the best live drum sounds I've heard and then you have the bassist and principle backing vocalist, Shem Von Schroeck. One again, his bass sound was so clear and audible (not the dull thump you hear at gigs, especially outdoor ones) but his vocals were stunning. No surprise as he's a trained opera tenor and does that as well all around the world.
This was a class act and performance. I've seen them many a time, from the 80s onwards and you just think, they're at their peak. Not true, these guys are getting even better with time.
Thoroughly entertaining and a masterclass in music and what it's all about!
Kos, couldn't agree more - Xavier was awesome and a really humble guy too - Shannon is so so close to Jeff its spooky - best drummer Toto have had since Jeff - as good as Simon P is, he can't groove like Porcaro- Shannon can!!
Shem's vocals are superb and again a really nice guy.
In fact they all are, no ego's - they even sang Happy Birthday to my wife!!
This could be the last time for a long time that we see Toto out on the road..I hope not...
Fabulous and I hope they're over every few years as this is a very strong line-up that works on so many levels. I'm glad you and your wife had a fabulous time
Anyone fancy sharing that Helix patch?!!
The yard is nothing but a fence, the sun just hurts my eyes...
https://line6.com/customtone/tone/4164624/
The yard is nothing but a fence, the sun just hurts my eyes...
The yard is nothing but a fence, the sun just hurts my eyes...
As a band, not really my cup of tea but Justin was very very entertaining - almost a rock star parody but there’s no doubt he can play and sing too.
The highlight, apart from some great banter, was the perfect handstand JH did in front of the drum kit and proceeded to simulate clapping by opening and closing his legs. Replete in a white jumpsuit and bandana, it was a sight to behold!
The yard is nothing but a fence, the sun just hurts my eyes...
The yard is nothing but a fence, the sun just hurts my eyes...
The yard is nothing but a fence, the sun just hurts my eyes...