Toto - Toto XX (1977-1997) [Japan Mini LP Remaster] (2011)

Toto - Toto XX 1977-1997
Cardboard sleeve reissue from TOTO featuring 2011 remastering (subject to change). Part of a four-album TOTO cardboard sleeve reissue series featuring albums "KINGDOM OF DESIRE," "Tambu," "TOTO XX," and "Mindfields."
Toto XX: 1977-1997 is a compilation album by Toto to celebrate their 20th anniversary. The album features rare original demos, outtakes, previously unreleased recordings and live tracks from the bands 20-year career.
Allmusic, not realizing that the album's nine studio tracks were all recorded nine years or more before its release, commented that "Essentially, this is a Toto reunion album, featuring nine new studio cuts and four live tracks[...]" and said that the material was similar to that on Tambu (then the band's most recent studio album). They praised the performances but concluded the release to be "not particularly interesting to anyone except hardcore fans".
1. Goin' Home (David Paich, Joseph Williams, Jeff Porcaro) Recorded 1989
2. Tale of a Man (David Paich) Recorded 1979
3. Last Night (David Paich, Joseph Williams) Recorded 1987
4. In a Word (Steve Lukather, Steve Porcaro, Mike Porcaro, Jeff Porcaro) Recorded 1986
5. Modern Eyes (David Paich) Recorded 1986
6. Right Part of Me (David Paich, Bobby Kimball) Recorded 1984
7. Mrs. Johnson (David Paich, Steve Lukather) Recorded 1977
8. Miss Sun (David Paich) Recorded 1977
9. Love Is a Man's World (David Paich) Recorded 1977
10. On the Run (live) (Steve Lukather, David Paich, Fee Waybill) *
11. Dave's Gone Skiing (live) (Mike Porcaro, Simon Phillips, Steve Lukather) *
12. Baba Mnumzane (live) (Trad. L. Mkhize, M. Namba) *
13. Africa (live) (David Paich, Jeff Porcaro) *
Track 10 recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1991
Tracks 11, 12, and 13 recorded at the Standard Bank Arena, Johannesburg 1998
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 ([email protected]) (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.