CD REVIEW: TOTO – 35th Anniversary: Live In Poland

Label: Eagle Records

Release Date: April 29, 2014

Rating: 9/10

Reviewed by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

Live discs are not normally in my line of vision, but for some reason I was drawn to listen to the latest from Toto, which celebrates their 35th Anniversary.  This two-disc collection culls tracks from their catalog that will be pleasant surprises to some and totally new gems for others.  The band’s debut self-titled release is represented by two great songs, “Child’s Anthem” and arguably one of their biggest hits “Hold The Line.”  The latter is stronger than ever with the addition of female vocals that add depth and dimension to the track.  Their sophomore effort Hydra produced four tracks that are on this collection, including fan favorites “99” and “St. George And The Dragon.”  1981’s Turn Back is showcased by the “Goodbye Elenore Medley.”  Grammy-award winning album IV is well represented by two standout tracks on this collection – “Rosanna” and “I Won’t Hold You Back,” as well as “It’s A Feeling” and a ten-minute version of “Africa.”  Vocalist Joseph Williams debut disc with the band, Fahrenheit, gives us “I’ll Be Over You,” which sounds as lush as it did when it was first released, while the upbeat and energetic performances of “Pamela” and “Stop Loving You,” along with set closer “Home Of The Brave” come from The Seventh One.  Digging into material that was less mainstream, the band pulls “How Many Times” and “Wings Of Time” from the 1992 disc Kingdom of Desire.  The obscure disc Mindfields gives us “Better World” and their last studio disc, Falling In Between, is featured by the title track in the middle of the set.  Toto XX gives us a live version of the previously little known track “On The Run” and the storied track “Goin’ Home.”

Tracklisting CD1: Intro 13 – On The Run / Child’s Anthem / Goodbye Elenore Medley – Goin’ Home – Hydra – St. George And The Dragon – I’ll Be Over You – It’s A Feeling – Rosanna – Wings Of Time – Falling In Between – I Won’t Hold You Back – Pamela

Tracklisting CD2: 99 – The Muse – White Sister – Better World – Africa – How Many Times – Stop Loving You – Hold The Line – Home Of The Brave (Encore)

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Category: CD Reviews