It's not like I didn't expect this; the end - and change - was inevitable. It's just sad to see it in black and white. I may have loved them too late, but I do love this band to pieces.
Steve Lukather: "I would like to make a formal announcement as I have been barraged by e-mails and speculations on various websites.
The fact is yes I have left Toto. There is no more Toto.
Read the rest of Luke's blog entry at stevelukather.net.
Remembering Toto, Live in Manila (April 2008):
Showing posts with label toto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label toto. Show all posts
Monday, June 23, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Experiencing Toto for the first and last time
I never really got to blog about the Toto concert, so here's a "quick" one before I go back to prepping for Field Bio :D 
The show started without a front act at around 8:45 p.m. I was starstruck to finally see Steve Lukather in the flesh. During my re-discovery of Toto weeks prior to the gig, I developed a crush on Luke, never minding that he's old enough to be my dad :P
Seeing Luke and the rest of the band give their all on that stage was really awesome; but it was a constant thorn in my side for the rest of the night to see the lukewarm response of the crowd whenever Toto rocked it out. The most responsive the audience got was when Toto played the ballads, though there were enough sincere cheers and applause when Luke or other members would do their solos.
Reading comments on YouTube and on certain forums, I gathered that indeed the general Filipino audience was disappointed by the gig. Most people were looking forward to the ballads - "I'll Be Over You", "I Won't Hold You Back", "Lea", etc. These songs were played, but only as part of an acoustic medley. During that medley, someone in the audience actually shouted "Lugi!" And it really made me sad that this was how the gig was proceeding - the band's vision and the audience's expectations weren't a match at all. But what I really cared about was how the band was reacting to this scenario - it worried me that they weren't having fun.
They started out really hyper. Greg, their keyboardist, was jumping up and down amidst his 4 keyboards, coaxing the audience to get on their feet, yet the audience remained stuck to their seats. Towards the later part of the gig, I didn't see the same level of enthusiasm they portrayed in their live DVDs; it was obvious that they couldn't feed much from the energy of the audience, which I believe is an important thing for bands.
The general sentiment from the comments I've read is that Toto doesn't know how to play their old songs anymore, that they were just showing off with their new stuff and with their solos, etc. But I think Toto did try to give it all to the Pinoys that night - the mere fact that "Lea" and "99" made it to the playlist indicated that they were made aware (via their Cebu gig the day before) that the Pinoys wanted the ballads. You see, "Lea" was also requested the last time they were here (in 1994?), and the band obliged with just the chorus, saying that they haven't played that tune in 10 years. Also, "99" is allegedly Luke's least favorite Toto song, and it never makes the playlists anymore. And, "I Won't Hold You Back" and "Georgy Porgy" aren't part of their setlists in other legs of this tour, yet they included parts of it in their Manila performance. I also watched the vidclips I took of the gig, and I caught Luke saying that they'll be jamming a bit, because "weren't really counting on this", referring to the Pinoy's penchant for their slow songs - thus the "totally unrehearsed" medley of the ballads we oh-so-wanted.
So I guess for those who felt "bitin" after the medley should actually be glad they even got to hear parts of the songs that the band never meant to play in the first place.
As for me, I was just glad to see and hear Luke sing the first half of "I'll Be Over You". Oh and yeah, it's funny because the only other person I knew in the audience, besides my companions Menggai and Dave, was the reason I got to like "I'll Be Over You" in the first place :P
A day after the gig, I felt sad that the show was over. After weeks of looking forward to the gig, now I was dealing with the fact that I'll never get to see them play again; I've read in a forum that the manager mentioned that this was their last tour (not that I wasn't expecting that though - they've got senior citizens in the band already! :P) Also, I was still bothered that most of the audience (and maybe the band) didn't enjoy the gig, which in effect kinda took away some of my enjoyment as well (nagpaapekto ba, hehe).
But this made me happy - excerpts of goff's post at Philmusic.com. I don't personally know goff; I just came across this thread and saw that this person was a friend of Toto's manager:
Coincidentally, did you know that a Filipino now manages Toto? He is none other than Sonny Abelardo. Sonny is the grandson of Nicanor Abelardo of UP Abelardo Hall fame and his name is really Nicanor Abelardo lll.
...He pala is producing and managing Toto and is Luke's manager on Sonny's new label Ride Records. Sonny has been in production for the last 20 plus years with the likes of Miles Davis, The Crusaders, Al Jarreau.
...During dinner Sonny and I talked much about his plans for Steve Lukather. The new album is out along with a real cool video for the song Ever Changing Times under Ride Records. He plans to bring Steve here as a solo artist for this album sometime this year if things can be arranged. Along with the CD is a DVD of the video and a behind-the-scenes in the studio featuring Steve and the musicians on the new CD.
Anyways, I'm hoping even just for a small venue Luke gig, if that would be feasible for them. Anything to see Steve Lukather live again.
- - - - -
Songs I remember at random from their setlist: Medley: I'll Be Over You, Won't Hold You Back, Lea, 99, Georgy Porgy; Gypsy Train (opening song), Hold the Line (2nd to the last song), Africa (encore), Rosanna (with a cool jazzy intro), Hydra (keys and drums solo), Falling in Between, Bottom of My Soul, Pamela, I'll Supply the Love, Stop Loving You (with Tony Spinner on vocals). I think there were others but I don't know their titles.
The show started without a front act at around 8:45 p.m. I was starstruck to finally see Steve Lukather in the flesh. During my re-discovery of Toto weeks prior to the gig, I developed a crush on Luke, never minding that he's old enough to be my dad :P
Seeing Luke and the rest of the band give their all on that stage was really awesome; but it was a constant thorn in my side for the rest of the night to see the lukewarm response of the crowd whenever Toto rocked it out. The most responsive the audience got was when Toto played the ballads, though there were enough sincere cheers and applause when Luke or other members would do their solos.
Reading comments on YouTube and on certain forums, I gathered that indeed the general Filipino audience was disappointed by the gig. Most people were looking forward to the ballads - "I'll Be Over You", "I Won't Hold You Back", "Lea", etc. These songs were played, but only as part of an acoustic medley. During that medley, someone in the audience actually shouted "Lugi!" And it really made me sad that this was how the gig was proceeding - the band's vision and the audience's expectations weren't a match at all. But what I really cared about was how the band was reacting to this scenario - it worried me that they weren't having fun.
They started out really hyper. Greg, their keyboardist, was jumping up and down amidst his 4 keyboards, coaxing the audience to get on their feet, yet the audience remained stuck to their seats. Towards the later part of the gig, I didn't see the same level of enthusiasm they portrayed in their live DVDs; it was obvious that they couldn't feed much from the energy of the audience, which I believe is an important thing for bands.
The general sentiment from the comments I've read is that Toto doesn't know how to play their old songs anymore, that they were just showing off with their new stuff and with their solos, etc. But I think Toto did try to give it all to the Pinoys that night - the mere fact that "Lea" and "99" made it to the playlist indicated that they were made aware (via their Cebu gig the day before) that the Pinoys wanted the ballads. You see, "Lea" was also requested the last time they were here (in 1994?), and the band obliged with just the chorus, saying that they haven't played that tune in 10 years. Also, "99" is allegedly Luke's least favorite Toto song, and it never makes the playlists anymore. And, "I Won't Hold You Back" and "Georgy Porgy" aren't part of their setlists in other legs of this tour, yet they included parts of it in their Manila performance. I also watched the vidclips I took of the gig, and I caught Luke saying that they'll be jamming a bit, because "weren't really counting on this", referring to the Pinoy's penchant for their slow songs - thus the "totally unrehearsed" medley of the ballads we oh-so-wanted.
So I guess for those who felt "bitin" after the medley should actually be glad they even got to hear parts of the songs that the band never meant to play in the first place.
As for me, I was just glad to see and hear Luke sing the first half of "I'll Be Over You". Oh and yeah, it's funny because the only other person I knew in the audience, besides my companions Menggai and Dave, was the reason I got to like "I'll Be Over You" in the first place :P
A day after the gig, I felt sad that the show was over. After weeks of looking forward to the gig, now I was dealing with the fact that I'll never get to see them play again; I've read in a forum that the manager mentioned that this was their last tour (not that I wasn't expecting that though - they've got senior citizens in the band already! :P) Also, I was still bothered that most of the audience (and maybe the band) didn't enjoy the gig, which in effect kinda took away some of my enjoyment as well (nagpaapekto ba, hehe).
But this made me happy - excerpts of goff's post at Philmusic.com. I don't personally know goff; I just came across this thread and saw that this person was a friend of Toto's manager:
Coincidentally, did you know that a Filipino now manages Toto? He is none other than Sonny Abelardo. Sonny is the grandson of Nicanor Abelardo of UP Abelardo Hall fame and his name is really Nicanor Abelardo lll.
...He pala is producing and managing Toto and is Luke's manager on Sonny's new label Ride Records. Sonny has been in production for the last 20 plus years with the likes of Miles Davis, The Crusaders, Al Jarreau.
...During dinner Sonny and I talked much about his plans for Steve Lukather. The new album is out along with a real cool video for the song Ever Changing Times under Ride Records. He plans to bring Steve here as a solo artist for this album sometime this year if things can be arranged. Along with the CD is a DVD of the video and a behind-the-scenes in the studio featuring Steve and the musicians on the new CD.
Anyways, I'm hoping even just for a small venue Luke gig, if that would be feasible for them. Anything to see Steve Lukather live again.
- - - - -
Songs I remember at random from their setlist: Medley: I'll Be Over You, Won't Hold You Back, Lea, 99, Georgy Porgy; Gypsy Train (opening song), Hold the Line (2nd to the last song), Africa (encore), Rosanna (with a cool jazzy intro), Hydra (keys and drums solo), Falling in Between, Bottom of My Soul, Pamela, I'll Supply the Love, Stop Loving You (with Tony Spinner on vocals). I think there were others but I don't know their titles.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
The search for Toto...and a realization about the music industry
Couple of days ago, I went Toto CD hunting in Makati. Got off the MRT at Ayala Station. Visited SM Makati's record store, and the Astrovision branch they had. Scooted off to Music One Glorietta, then moved on to the record store in Landmark. Made a last stop at Music One Greenbelt. And then made it all the way back to the Ayala MRT Station because that's the same place where the terminal is for BF-bound shuttles. So that's an hour's worth of walking to and browsing through five record stores.
I was looking for any Toto album that was NOT the Best Ballads nor the Essential Toto collection. I already have Best Ballads, and Essential has basically the same songs. I was also looking for their latest studio album, Falling in Between (2006), or their latest release, Falling in Between Live (CD and DVD, 2007).
Anong napala ko?
All I saw were the two albums I WASN'T looking for. But thankfully I did score a VCD of their 25th anniversary gig (Live in Amsterdam 2003), and the commendable record store was SM!
It just sucks, because here I am, a very willing consumer, loaded with Toto-cash, but nobody wants to sell me albums. The record company should've cashed in on this moment; besides, that's what tours are for, to promote their albums.
Hmph.
Anyway, I've watched snippets of the 25th anniv gig, and that didn't help one bit in watering down my anticipation of their Manila gig on April 3.
We're off to the province this weekend though, so I'm bringing the VCD to watch when everyone's sleeping already. Plus I've printed some chords/tabs that I plan to try out during lull times over the weekend ;)
I don't think I've ever been this excited (and well-prepared! or at least trying to be...) for any gig I've gone to before =D
P.S. Signs of the times. I haven't gone to these records stores in ages. Which is why I was shocked to see that Music One Glorietta has been reduced to 1/4 its original size, while Music One Greenbelt is just half of what it used to be. Haaay. Panalo na ba ang mga pirata? Hindi pa naman siguro, diba? =( P.P.S. Actually I did score something other than the 25th anniv gig. Recently my co-teacher Menggai and I talked about Richard Marx (who's friends with Toto's Steve Lukather). As I was Toto-CD-hunting in SM, I chanced upon Richard Marx CDs. And guess who was just beside Richard? None other than Steve Lukather :) So yeah, I have Luke's latest album, which is awesome. I wish I could score his old CDs as well.
P.P.P.S. (04/08/08) Recently visited SM Megamall and was surprised to see - or NOT SEE - Music One. It was all just Powerbooks where Music One/Tower Records used to be. I don't know if they transferred, or M1 was totally obliterated from Megamall. Odyssey is also now just half of what is used to be.
I was looking for any Toto album that was NOT the Best Ballads nor the Essential Toto collection. I already have Best Ballads, and Essential has basically the same songs. I was also looking for their latest studio album, Falling in Between (2006), or their latest release, Falling in Between Live (CD and DVD, 2007).
Anong napala ko?
All I saw were the two albums I WASN'T looking for. But thankfully I did score a VCD of their 25th anniversary gig (Live in Amsterdam 2003), and the commendable record store was SM!
It just sucks, because here I am, a very willing consumer, loaded with Toto-cash, but nobody wants to sell me albums. The record company should've cashed in on this moment; besides, that's what tours are for, to promote their albums.
Hmph.
Anyway, I've watched snippets of the 25th anniv gig, and that didn't help one bit in watering down my anticipation of their Manila gig on April 3.
We're off to the province this weekend though, so I'm bringing the VCD to watch when everyone's sleeping already. Plus I've printed some chords/tabs that I plan to try out during lull times over the weekend ;)
I don't think I've ever been this excited (and well-prepared! or at least trying to be...) for any gig I've gone to before =D
P.S. Signs of the times. I haven't gone to these records stores in ages. Which is why I was shocked to see that Music One Glorietta has been reduced to 1/4 its original size, while Music One Greenbelt is just half of what it used to be. Haaay. Panalo na ba ang mga pirata? Hindi pa naman siguro, diba? =( P.P.S. Actually I did score something other than the 25th anniv gig. Recently my co-teacher Menggai and I talked about Richard Marx (who's friends with Toto's Steve Lukather). As I was Toto-CD-hunting in SM, I chanced upon Richard Marx CDs. And guess who was just beside Richard? None other than Steve Lukather :) So yeah, I have Luke's latest album, which is awesome. I wish I could score his old CDs as well.
P.P.P.S. (04/08/08) Recently visited SM Megamall and was surprised to see - or NOT SEE - Music One. It was all just Powerbooks where Music One/Tower Records used to be. I don't know if they transferred, or M1 was totally obliterated from Megamall. Odyssey is also now just half of what is used to be.
One of the most awesome things I've seen in a long while
Here, just in case you're not familiar with the song, hehe.
And yes, my obsession with Toto lives on...April 3 is sooo far away :(
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
As soon as forever is through, I'll be over you
Ok, this is weird. I'm currently crushing on a 33-year-old guy from 18 years ago. Better late than never?
"I'll Be Over You" was released in 1986 as part of TOTO's sixth album, "Fahrenheit".
I grew to love the song in 1995, during my first year in Pisay (my bandmates would know why *wink*)
But it is only now in 2008 that I discovered the voice behind one of my most favorite songs of all time.
Toto has been described by no less than Eddie Van Halen as "collectively the best musicians on the planet". One of those awesome musicians is guitarist/vocalist Steve Lukather (OFFICIAL SITE|WIKIPEDIA), who did vocals on "I'll Be Over You".
I cyberstalked "Luke" tonight and was amazed by his credentials. I've been all over, so forgive me if I forget to cite my sources; I simply wasn't able to keep track of everything. All I know is I remember reading that Luke's got 700 albums to his name - as part of Toto, or as a sessionist for a good number of artists. Check out his DISCOGRAPHY and be blown away.
Just this afternoon, I headed off to BF Ruins to look for concert DVDs of Toto (sorry for supporting the pirates, but I've tried Music One ATC and found nothing; I'll buy em if I find em, that's for sure!). Was actually looking for recent footage so I'd have an idea of what to expect on April 3, but instead I found the whole concert from where the vidclip I posted earlier was taken. It's an awesome (I use that word a lot, don't I?) gig from 1990, and I have half the mind to watch it for the second time tonight, as soon as I finish this blog :D
So there, watching a 33-year-old Steve Lukather sing "I'll Be Over You" and unleash those solos in between did me over. Now I'm hooked, and I don't mind that the guy's already 51 and doesn't really look like he did back in 1990. He's amazing! But speaking of 1990, Luke was a indeed a cutie then (in an 80s sense - the hair, the clothes...), what with those blue eyes and long lashes (I seem to have a thing for eyes...just check out Drew's!) and heart-melting voice and awesome (there I go again) guitar skills!
Couldn't April 3 be any sooner?!
In the meantime, let me leave you with more footage from 1990. This is "I Won't Hold You Back", one of the few songs that Luke wrote all by himself, and one of Toto's most beautiful songs. This particular performance starts out with a beautiful solo by keyboardist and also founding member David Paich.
P.S. 33 years old? Talk about 22! And in bell bottoms and a 'fro! :P
"I'll Be Over You" was released in 1986 as part of TOTO's sixth album, "Fahrenheit".
I grew to love the song in 1995, during my first year in Pisay (my bandmates would know why *wink*)
But it is only now in 2008 that I discovered the voice behind one of my most favorite songs of all time.
Toto has been described by no less than Eddie Van Halen as "collectively the best musicians on the planet". One of those awesome musicians is guitarist/vocalist Steve Lukather (OFFICIAL SITE|WIKIPEDIA), who did vocals on "I'll Be Over You".
I cyberstalked "Luke" tonight and was amazed by his credentials. I've been all over, so forgive me if I forget to cite my sources; I simply wasn't able to keep track of everything. All I know is I remember reading that Luke's got 700 albums to his name - as part of Toto, or as a sessionist for a good number of artists. Check out his DISCOGRAPHY and be blown away.
Just this afternoon, I headed off to BF Ruins to look for concert DVDs of Toto (sorry for supporting the pirates, but I've tried Music One ATC and found nothing; I'll buy em if I find em, that's for sure!). Was actually looking for recent footage so I'd have an idea of what to expect on April 3, but instead I found the whole concert from where the vidclip I posted earlier was taken. It's an awesome (I use that word a lot, don't I?) gig from 1990, and I have half the mind to watch it for the second time tonight, as soon as I finish this blog :D
So there, watching a 33-year-old Steve Lukather sing "I'll Be Over You" and unleash those solos in between did me over. Now I'm hooked, and I don't mind that the guy's already 51 and doesn't really look like he did back in 1990. He's amazing! But speaking of 1990, Luke was a indeed a cutie then (in an 80s sense - the hair, the clothes...), what with those blue eyes and long lashes (I seem to have a thing for eyes...just check out Drew's!) and heart-melting voice and awesome (there I go again) guitar skills!
Couldn't April 3 be any sooner?!
In the meantime, let me leave you with more footage from 1990. This is "I Won't Hold You Back", one of the few songs that Luke wrote all by himself, and one of Toto's most beautiful songs. This particular performance starts out with a beautiful solo by keyboardist and also founding member David Paich.
P.S. 33 years old? Talk about 22! And in bell bottoms and a 'fro! :P
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Toto in Manila on April 3!
I've got tickets! :)
Toto live! April 3, 2008 Araneta Coliseum April 2, 2008 Cebu City.
For more info please call Ticketnet - 9115555 or Ovation Productions - 5328883 / info@ovationproductionsmanila.com
- - - - -
One of my most favorite songs of all time:
Toto live! April 3, 2008 Araneta Coliseum April 2, 2008 Cebu City.
For more info please call Ticketnet - 9115555 or Ovation Productions - 5328883 / info@ovationproductionsmanila.com
- - - - -
One of my most favorite songs of all time:
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
