There's More To Toto Than 'Africa' As 2 1/2 Hours In Manchester Highlights
Published
When I was asked to review Toto, I thought I would be in for a relatively easy evening in the company of a bunch of wrinkly old gents who's music career should have been consigned to history a few decades back.
A two-hit wonder of a band from the 70's and 80's (I even forgot the third big hit!), still touring and reliving their glory days for another small pay-check and a reminder of long distant memories. I thought I'd be at the centre of a small crowd of similarly aged 'fans' who longed for the chance to re-visit their youth, reminisce, meet old gig buddies and dress up in fancy dress that would have been de-rigour way back when...
So I was shocked to approach the venue to find a queue wrapped around the block and attendees ranging from early-teens to elderly ambassadors, well versed in rock and roll genre. Once inside, the atmosphere started to build, the wait seemed lengthy and the older members of the audience started to become frustrated at standing for long periods.
BUT, the wait was worth it. The band appeared, all nine of them, and the festivities commenced. Williams and Paich bedraggled in Hawaiian shirts, Porcaro in a top hat and long jacket. A rousing opener to set the tone and captivate the audience from the outset. The nine jigsaw pieces combining to paint pictures and tell stories in a way that this stage has not witnessed for many a year. 'Hold The Line' came mid-set as the band moved rapidly through their paces.
David Hungate, back as a guest bassist (with guitar permanently mounted on a stand) for this tour, slipping back into the groove as if he had always been there. 'Rosanna' arrived later to rally the troops, by now the crowd were reaching fever pitch, singing along to their own favourites taking over from Joseph Williams on a number of occasions. My own favourites were 'Stranger in town', 'Orphan', 'I will remember' and 'I won't hold you back'.
Two encores later, and just when you thought it was all over, the band returned, thanking the crowd for their support through the years before asking if they had forgotten something. Of course they had..... 'Africa' became the finale and the focal point of the whole evening. Re-worked to maximise crowd participation and to allow the band members their own moment to shine in a series of cameo solo's. Lenny Castro on percussion was my personal favourite, reminding me of the legendary Ray Cooper of Elton John fame, constantly on the move and bringing an extra divot of sound to each of the tracks, adding the essential colonial percussion rhythm and beat to the finale.
And there it was. Toto at their very best. Over Two and a half hours of fun, frivolity and sheer enjoyment. In the end, the oldies have it and it was all over too soon.
Would I do it all again another time... you betcha!
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Words by Mark Eastwood
