Total articles: 14
Elliot Schiener, Gavin Lurrsen and his co-mastering engineer Rueben Cohen are doing some amazing things. Its like a blanket was taken off the speakers on the first 3 records and just a tweak here and there from Toto IV on.
You can always tell when it's Christmas time in the Los Angeles area when a few things happen. When the temperatures dip to a chilling for us Californian's 50's or low 60's, the Christmas lights adorn the So Cal houses and when Nerve Bundle plays multiple nights at The Baked Potato. The fourth annual gathering of these guys once again consisted of Steve Lukather as the leader, comedian, singer, guitar player and host. Toss Panos on drums, Jeff Babko on keyboards and Jorgen Carlsson on bass.
This was a true homecoming for Ringo Starr and especially the All Starr Band. They just got back from Japan, Korea and Hawaii. Referring to the recent surprising to most United States Presidential election Todd Rundgren joked "did anything happen while we were gone"?
Steve Lukather will be telling it like it is in his autobiography, set for 2018. He is excited to be telling his own story after being misquoted several times through the years and sometimes not being treated fair by some of the press.
He also unfolds Toto's plans for a new Sony album and touring in 2017 and 2018. (Thanks to Rock History Music)
Last Friday, October 7th, German composer and guitar player Christian Tolle released his 4th solo album Now & Then for Fast Ball Music. Steve Lukather appears on 5 of the 13 album tracks, among a selection of fine musicians from Germany, Holland and the USA.
Extra, extra from Steve Lukather: "By overwhelming request a 3rd night has been added on Thursday December 1st. Two shows!"
Jeff Babko is a very talented multi instrumentalist who is probably most well known for being the keyboardist, musical arranger and composer on "Jimmy Kimmel Live". He tours with Steve Lukather/Larry Carlton, Robben Ford, James Taylor, Martin Short/Steve Martin and Sheryl Crow just to name a few. He even toured Europe with Toto in 2000. He is also part of "Nerve Bundle" where Jeff is joined by Steve Lukather (g,v), Toss Panos (d) and Jorgen Carlsson (b). Nerve Bundle is playing the legendary Baked Potato on December 2nd and 3rd two sets each night. I thought it was a great excuse to talk to Jeff and get an update from him as to what's going on in his musical life and beyond.
Toto was playing the last show of their American Tour that had criss crossed the States to sold out and nearly sold out venues. Mid State California at the Vina Robles Amphitheatre was the landing spot for this very successful jaunt. This was the first time in ages that Toto had hit the U.S. by themselves and it was with much triumph!. It had also been a long time that the Toto fans were treated to such a lengthy set list Stateside. The Toto machine has been gaining momentum in recent years.
It was very appropriate that Toto was playing in "Music City", Nashville, Tennessee. It was even more appropriate that they were playing at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Thoughts of Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Elvis Presley, Louis Armstrong, Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Howard Taft and even Charlie Chaplin danced in my head. All of those people had performed or spoken in these hallowed halls.
At the personal invitation of Quincy Jones and legendary Montreux Jazz Festival founder Claude Nobs to perform at the famed Swiss festival, Toto couldn’t resist the opportunity, resulting in Toto: Live At Montreux 1991. “From the perspective of the members of Toto,” states guitarist Steve Lukather, “the Montreux Jazz Festival is amongst the most revered events staged in the world. Our association, as a band, and individuals, is something we are deeply proud of. So much fun, and so much history has graced the ground in and around the lake.”
The 2016 edition of Ringo Starr's All Starr band is continuing to set historic records. The same version of the Starrs has toured for 5 years now. The next longest edition only lasted over portions of 2 years. This 12th All Starr Band chosen by the former Beatle Ringo is again Steve Lukather (Toto g,v), Gregg Rolie (Santana/Journey k,v), Richard Page (Mr. Mister b,v), Todd Rundgren (Utopia, Nazz g,v), Gregg Bissonette (David Lee Roth d) and Warren Ham (v, sax, k). Ham is the only change having jumped on board in 2014 to replace Mark Rivera.
Reggie Boyle was there in Denver and L.A. to report both shows.
Co-founding member of Toto, Steve Porcaro released his first ever solo album, Someday/Somehow, on June 10th 2016.
Porcaro’s first album has actually been in the making since 1983. With “Back To You” first being worked on by Toto in 1983 and “More Than I Can Take” being the most recent track he finished.
If you don’t know who the Porcaro brothers are, just peruse any popular album from the 70s and 80s, and chances are Jeff (drums), Mike (bass) and/or Steve (keyboards) played on it. Paul McCartney, Steely Dan, Peter Frampton, Pink Floyd, Boz Scaggs, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Yes, even Michael Jackson — they all called one or the other of the Porcaros to join them in the studio. When they weren’t busy doing sessions or writing songs for others, the brothers played together, at various points, in Toto.
Tragically, Jeff and Mike passed away in 1992 and 2015, respectively, leaving their youngest brother Steve to carry the legacy. The keyboardist has been in and out of Toto over the years, but since returning in 2009, he’s become a more integral part of the band. At the same time, the man who wrote Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” developed a desire to release a record of his own. His 2016 debut solo effort Someday/Somehow is the perfect vehicle for Porcaro, whose keyboard prowess has often been an overlooked component of the Toto sound (listen to his work on “Africa”).
Steve Porcaro will release his first ever solo album, Someday/Somehow, on June 10th.
Porcaro’s first album has actually been in the making since 1983. With “Back To You” first being worked on by Toto in 83’ and “More Than I Can Take” being the most recent track he finished.
On February 11th 2015 Hans Colijn made a cool photo report from the Toto concert in the 013 venue in Tilburg, Holland. Here's a cool collection:
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