Toto - Live in Amsterdam: 25th Anniversary [Blu-ray]

Having bought the Toto: Falling in Between video, I was expecting to see camera work and stage setups that were similar (cool stage setup, good closeups of solos, etc.).What surprised me about this concert footage - filmed in Amsterdam at Heineken Music Hall, which if they used the big hall, seats about 5500 people. The audience certainly looked to be packed to standing room only - was the low-key stage set. No fancy fireworks displays, no big sculptures, no cheesy swings, etc. In short, I think that part of this anniversary tour was to give the fans MORE MUSIC and less "popcorn". Who could argue with that offering? Not me, that's for sure!I like the focus on delivering more music to the fans without the unnecessary distractions or interruptions; after 25 years of creating and producing music, you realize there just isn't a substitute for great music, and any gimmick that detracts from the music itself - takes your attention away from the fact that most of the time, there's very little substance to the show. Toto's 25th Anniversary DVD gives us the good stuff without the filler or meat byproducts.I've never been a medley fan, especially when some of my favorite tunes get thrown into the medley-masher. Because of the large body of work that Toto has recorded over the years, obviously you just can't play EVERY song the fans want to hear. There just isn't time! So, we get these 3-5 minute medleys that hint at 5 or 6 songs each. What Toto does better than most bands I've heard that jam their best-known songs into medleys is this - their improvisational skills can take the songs on wildly different tangents across numerous genres (classical, jazz, prog rock, hard rock) and smoothly rein it all back in for the next song's opening notes. I have to pause here and critcize many of the so-called critics, who always seem to give Toto a hard time - either they're way too professional (e.g., they RARELY make mistakes during performances, everything in concert sounds AS GOOD AS STUDIO recordings, etc.) and therefore are "boring" and "lifeless" on stage, or their music just doesn't appeal to the US audiences the way it resonantes with European or Japanese audiences.Critics aren't always correct. Why does a band have to do more than play the music that captivated their fans and listeners? isn't it enough to watch these pros do their thing - and trust me, as a musician, I want to watch the performers PLAY, to see how they do it. I don't care if a light show or skits or fireworks augment the reality of the music. Those are all nice touches, but not a requirement. To all the critics...get a life. If you complain about how "out of breath" David or Bobby seem, complain about "oh, they've gained some WEIGHT"...what, are you immune to aging and weight gain, too? Pfft.I tried all three sound options: PCM, 5.1, and DTS - settled on the DTS setting as I felt it gave the best response to my Samsung system. Simon Phillips mixed and edited this video, and while I found no fault with his work, I can't understand why others have issues with this disc's audio and/or visual performance. I no picture quality issues, and never noticed the audio track sounding off, flat, muffled, or the like. Could be that picking this up nine years after its initial release may have something to do with the mastering quality.I won't bore you with my track-by-track impressions, but suffice it to say that the artistry and skills demonstrated by every member of the band makes this video worth the price alone. I haven't seen this kind of musicianship in a live setting in a very long time. You have simply got to see some of the solos that Steve Lukather plays. Also check out the Mike Porcaro/Simon Phillips soloing during the second medley that begins at the midpoint of the concert. As the sign held upu by one of the fans in the crowd says: NEVER ENOUGH TOTO...I almost wish that particular medley could have gone on for another 5 minutes or so. It's just that damn good.Last thing I want to say about this video - they should have left the "bonus material" of the behind-the-scenes clips of their tour off this disc. While I laughed a lot watching it, I found it to be childish and often downright insulting to me as a fan. That the home video footage had to be preceded by a warning - YES, A WARNING - that the following is not suitable nor appropriate for anything but adult audiences should have clued them in to leave it out. I don't care that it's just "boys being boys". They're supposed to be professionals, and even though I think it was funny and would probably do the same things as them, it's crude, crass, and definitely does not present the band members in the best light.MINUS ONE FOR THE STUPID BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR FOOTAGE (my advice - just forget that this is on the disc, and do your best to avoid watching it)Otherwise, I love love love this concert video.

My friends laugh at me, but I seriously feel a profound sense of regret over never having seen Toto live. And this was the tour I really should not have missed -- no question this is the best line-up the band had since Jeff Porcaro's death in 1992. Don't be put off by the fact that several great songs are played as part of medleys: it works fine, it allows them to work in some interesting instrumental segments, and the transitions in several cases are terrific. Almost all your favorites will be here, and they also play several older tracks that did not appear on "Past to Present," including "Girl Goodbye," "Gift With a Golden Gun," "Waiting for Your Love," and "Afraid of Love," that are great tunes. Not everything is perfect, of course: David Paich practically talks his way through the verses in "Africa," and Steve Lukather's voice has roughened considerably. It's great to have Bobby Kimball here though. His voice is a little less sure than it was in 1982 -- occasionally he sounds a little off-pitch, and there's some noticeable strain -- but the voice actually has more character. He's more of a blue-eyed soul singer than just a light-voiced late 70's singer. Steve Lukather's guitar playing is another highlight -- he looks as if he has complete command. Having listened to this several times now, though, I have to say the most impressive contribution may be Mike Porcaro's on bass. "I Won't Hold You Back" I think is probably the best track on the disc, really nicely updated with a much different rhythmic feel, and it's largely because of Mike's bass line, which has this sweet melodic contour at the same that it punctuates the vocal line and serves as the underpinning for the harmony. I just took a look at a clip from the more recent DVD, "Falling in Between Live," and my first thought was "Who is that on bass?" No Mike, and that's a bummer. So this is the one to get. DVD production values are only so-so, I could care less about the extras, and the tunes taken from their album of covers released just before the tour aren't that interesting after the first listen. But it doesn't matter. This is the best version of the band we'll ever see in a concert video, and having missed them, I couldn't be happier to have this. Toto forever!

Growing up in the late 70's and 80's, I loved ToTo then, after the 80's were over I kinda forgot about the group as themselves, but still would sing the songs when I heard them on the Classic Rock station.A couple of months ago I happened to hear "Africa" on the car radio. I ran inside to check out youtube to see if they carry any ToTosongs, well to my delite, they happen to have alot about ToTo. Concerts from almost any year they toured up until now, I started reading about the group and their hardships, triumphs, and lives. They are SUCH a awesomel group of guys and just the most talented all over musicians in the industry, I believe.Todays artists usually just sing, if you want to call that singing. We, growing up in the 80's were so lucky to have the music we did. Played right and sung right by musicians, not just singers. Toto is so multi talented, they write, play multiple instruments, produce all their music, and perform all their music and also have written for and played as studio session musicians with some of the biggest names in the business.They are just the greatest all around great sounding GROUP EVER!!!!Buy this CD, it's just the greatest peformance I've ever seen from a musical group! I feel like I'm there too!I so hope they tour the US for their 35th anniversary tour, this summer or next summer, I don't want to miss an opp to see them, although some of the players, sadly have changed.RIP Jeff Porcaro......the greatest drummer ever andGOD BLESS Mike Porcaro....suffering from ALS, the greatest Bass player ever

For people who never got to see Toto live. This is a great show to see on a larger TV The excitement comes to you thru the music of this super talented group

Filmed during Spring 2003, this DVD was filmed as part of Toto's 25th Anniversary celebrations. Up to now, only one other DVD/Video had been released of the band live (1990's Toto-Live) and there couldn't be a more marked contrast. Good as Live was, this really is now the definitive Toto concert. Part of that is the return, 4 years ago, of original singer Bobby Kimball, who sounds better than ever, and part seems to be a mellowing over the years of the bands attitude. This isn't an all bells and whistles light and special effects show. Whilst the concert hall itself is gigantic, the atmosphere remains intimate and laid back and the crowd, throughout, seem to be having a fantastic time (something that can make or break a live filming). It's all about the music and the band are on stunning form, running through at least one song from each album they've released, if sometimes only as part of two giant medleys. All the hits are there, but some older, less well aired material is also included to keep fans happy. The musicianship is faultless, as most fans have come to expect. It's terrific to see a band that don't just run through a pre-rehearsed line up, trying to mimic their albums. Here, the band improvise throughout, taking the songs places even die hard fans won't have heard before. Best of all though, is just how much fan the band themselves seem to be having. After 25 years of media criticism, Jeff Porcaro's death, management problems and lead singers coming and going every few years, they'd be forgiven for just going through the motions these days. But they have never been better and never seemed more relaxed. It's a joy to behold for fans everywhere.As a little extra, the disc also features a video diary of the Through The Looking Glass tour. Containing no commentary and being almost entirely filmed on a handheld home recorder, this gives a terrific little insight into the band behind the scenes. Whilst some of it is plain odd (the band bowling in Japan)and some a little dull (having a meal together), other parts are downright hilarious. especially when Steve Lukather gets anywhere near the camera, or a microphone! And I will just mention the Christmas song on the bus and say no more. I was in tears of laughter afterwards!!!If you're a fan then you absolutely MUST buy this. If not, well, it's your loss...

Great convert from a great band

Great songs also music dvd. from a good band. thank you.

almost certainly their best concert DVD ever.Great performance and atmosphere

Zu ihrem 25-jährigen Bestehen haben Toto dieses Konzert in Amsterdam aufgenommen und uns einen Mitschnitt von 1 Stunde, 43 Minuten Minuten beschert. Vor gut gelauntem, großem Publikum präsentieren sie eine große Vielfalt an Songs von ihrem ersten Album 1978 bis zum letzten, "Through the Looking Glass", das ausschließlich aus Coversongs besteht. Und davon sind auch drei Titel auf dieser Liveversion gelandet: I CAN'T GET NEXT TO YOU, das quicklebendige BODHISATTVA und das emotionale WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS, das Steve Lukather nicht nur dem Komponisten George Harrison widmet, sondern auch dem verlorenen 'Bruder', Drummer Jeff Porcaro, dem auch vom Publikum nach wie vor enorm viel Sympathie zukommt.Über das gesamte Konzert sind Toto wie gewohnt super gut aufgelegt. Bobby Kimball gibt alles, singt ekstatisch und einfach fantastisch und ist auch in seinen Pausen, wenn er den Gesang meist an Steve "Luke" Lukather abgibt, mit Backings sehr aktiv und schwingt darüber hinaus das Tanzbein. Von der Einzigartigkeit seiner brillanten Stimme kann man sich am Besten bei seinem Paradestück HOLD THE LINE inklusive einer sagenhaften Soloeinlage überzeugen. Lukes rauchiger, emotionaler Gesang sitzt ebenfalls perfekt und bildet zu Kimballs hohen Vocals die optimale Ergänzung (die Setlist ist entsprechend abwechslungsreich gestaltet!). Besonders bei Lukes Pflichtnummer - der Jahrhundertballade I WON'T HOLD YOU BACK, in neuem Arrangement mit neuartigen Sounds - ist Gänsehaut garantiert. David Paich an den Keyboards ist bester Stimmung und versteht es brillant, mit dem Publikum zu spielen. Und auch die Live-Fähigkeiten von Drummer Simon Phillips und Bassist Mike Porcaro erweisen sich einmal mehr als legendär. Luke nennt Mike Porcaro in der Bandvorstellung "Der Groovemeister" - jawohl, sauberes Niederländisch - und den Beweis dafür erbringt er im coolen Jam, den Toto in AFRICA und HOLD THE LINE einbauen. Und was die Live-Performance aller Totoisten im Zusammenspiel angeht: Tighter spielt einfach keine Band auf Gottes grüner Erde. Die Spielfreude, die diese Band ausstrahlt, und die prickelnde Atmosphäre, die sie erzeugt, sind einfach unübertrefflich. Und dabei scheint es fast symbolisch zu sein, dass kein einziges Mitglied der Band graue Haare aufweist.Außer weltbekannten Stücken wie AFRICA, ROSANNA und HOLD THE LINE öffnen Toto ihr Repertoire hier auch für seltenere Darbietungen wie GIFT WITH A GOLDEN GUN, das genau wie auch GIRL GOODBYE, GEORGY PORGY und I WON'T HOLD YOU BACK eine ungeheure Magie entwickelt, wenn die ganze Band mit einem gänsehauterregenden Feeling den Chorus singt.Das komplette Konzert jagt von einem Höhepunkt zum nächsten. Von der gefühlvoll variierten Live-Version von GIRL GOODBYE über das inklusive Jam-Sesssion auf sieben einhalb Minuten gestreckte ROSANNA mit jazzigem Keyboard-Solo von Steve Lukather (!) bis hin zur letzten Zugabe WHITE SISTER, wo Toto mit einem extralangen Outro überraschen und Simon Phillips seine Bass Drums als Pauken benutzt.Von den letzten beiden Studienalben vor "Through the Looking Glass", "Mindfields" und "Tambu", ist leider kein Song vertreten. Totos Songauswahl befasst sich dafür verstärkt mit dem Hitfeuerwerk der frühen 80er Jahre. Allein vom absoluten Meisterwerk "Toto IV" von 1982 spielen sie 5 Songs - und allesamt klingen sie frisch wie eh und je. Was Toto nicht in ihrer Setlist unterbringen konnten, das spielen sie teilweise in ihren super Medleys an, z.B. die markanten Instrumentalstellen von HYDRA oder LION.Das Bonusmaterial zeigt Toto auf der "Through the Looking Glass"-Tour in Asien und Europa... und zwar von ihrer nicht sehr seriösen, dafür aber urkomischen Seite. "The following film is intended for immature adult audiences and is not suitable for viewing by violent children, precocious children or...well, children in general.", mit diesem Text werden 37 Minuten voller Klamauk und Behind the Scenes- Amateurvideos zum Wegschreien eingeläutet. Da saufen sie sich im japanischen Restaurant unter den Tisch, denken sich beim Bowling-Match Strafen für den Verlierer aus, präsentieren eine ausgesprochen geniale Jingle Bells-Version aus Körpergeräuschen, wärmen sich mit "Stairway to Heaven" in der Kabine auf oder beschäftigen sich beim Gig auf der Bühne mit einem batteriebetriebenen Schaf.Fazit: Ob es die bestechende musikalische Performance ist oder aber der extrem hohe Spaßfaktor, wenn Toto gerade nicht auf der Bühne stehen - "Live in Amsterdam" ist einfach kultverdächtig und darf in keiner Sammlung fehlen!