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Toto - 40 Tours Around the Sun

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With a set list that draws from throughout the band's four decades of existence, this film is a fantastic keepsake for those who saw Toto on their most recent tour. In all likelihood it is also a farewell gift to fans as Toto guitarist and founding member Steve "Luke" Lukather recently announced that the group will now be disbanding. If that holds true, fans could not ask for a better parting gift.

Besides Lukather, the Toto lineup for this show features original members David Paich and Steve Porcaro along with longtime vocalist Joseph Williams and Warren Ham, Lenny Castro, Shem Von Schroeck and Shannon Forrest. Consummate musicians all, the guys revel in the majesty of a long set that begins with "Alone" before quickly jumping into big hit "Hold the Line." The early part of the set also features "Lovers in the Night," "Spanish Sea," the powerful prog rock of "English Eyes" and "I Will Remember" which Lukather intro's as being very special to him. The jazz fusion of "Jake to the Bone" and the light rock of "Lea" lead into "Rosanna" where Luke and Williams take turns on lead vocals, with the whole band enjoying a funky jam that extends the song beyond what is expected. With the cut being an all-time fan favorite, the jam provides some extra time for the audience to rock out to the smash hit.

The middle of the show is a stripped down seven song set that includes "Georgy Porgy," "Stop Loving You," "Holyanna" and "Human Nature," a Porcaro-penned tune that was famously covered by Michael Jackson. Lukather switches to acoustic guitar for this portion of the show and Paich talks a bit about the formation of the band and what inspired some of the songs. The band is back to fully rocking for "Girl Goodbye," a cut from their debut album, and a couple of rarities find their way into the latter portion of the show too; a take on George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Dune (Desert Theme)." The instrumental piece from the film "Dune" perfectly encapsulates the Toto sound and it is a treat that it is included here.

"Stranger in Town" and "Make Believe" set things up for the big finish with another crowd pleaser, "Africa." The audience doesn't need much encouragement to sing along to every word, and again Toto keep the fun going by extending the song with a solo-filled jam that includes a spectacular solo from percussionist Lenny Castro. The show was filmed in Amsterdam in 2018 and at the time the guys probably weren't sure about the breakup that would come more than a year later; now though it is a bit ironic that the show ends with an encore of "The Road Goes On." Clearly after 40+ years Toto have earned a rest, and of all the memories that fans will cherish, many of them are right here.

Releasing Nov. 15, 2019

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