Toto/PA, USA 2019

TOTO has finally completed their 40th anniversary tour and announced a hiatus. Their latest live albums will be released all at once. This work is the final installment of a series of four simultaneous releases. This is a masterpiece audience recording of the world tour Chishu Raku “Philadelphia performance on October 20, 2019” in which David Paich also participated. As we have already introduced many times, TOTO will cease their activities after this show. It has also been announced that the current lineup (Lukather/David Paich/Steve Porcaro/Joseph Williams) will be disbanded. This show is definitely a big turning point, and it is the stage where it is whispered that “Maybe it will be the last show of TOTO itself.” Here, let’s take a look back at the panoramic view of the two-year “40 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN TOUR.” ●2018《“40 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN” released on February 9》・February 11-April 8: Europe #1 (36 performances)《David Paich leaves》・July 30-August 25th: North America #1 (18 performances) ・October 20th – November 17th: North America #2 (21 performances) ・December 30th + 31st: Oceania #1 (2 performances) ●January 2nd, 2019 Sunday-13th: Oceania #2 (8 performances) February 14th-March 3rd: Asia (9 performances) [“40 TOURS AROUND THE SUN” released on March 22nd] June 13th-July 20th: Europe #2 (27 performances) ・September 20th – October 20th: North America #3 (21 performances) ←★Here★ [Final show where David Paich also returned] This is TOTO’s show with the world. An overview of the tour celebrating 40 years. Lukather also toured with Ringo Starr in between each leg, but here we’ll focus exclusively on TOTO. Paich withdrew from the tour last July due to poor health. They completed the tour with Dominic “Xavier” Tavlin, also known as Prince’s backing member. Dominic is basically the keyboard player in this work, but Paich also makes a guest appearance in response to the attention that has been gathered since the band’s suspension of activities. This work recorded a very special show, and the quality is quite good. It is the most audience-like sound among the four series released simultaneously this week, but that is not a bad thing. The sound of the hall only creates luster and warmth, without hiding the details, and the core that cuts through the middle and reaches the source is really powerful. And the most amazing thing is the thickness. The exquisite sound gives the vibe of the rhythm section, the profound feeling of the synth, and even the chorus, making it truly gorgeous. The enthusiasm of the audience plays a role in this. The audience on this day was amazing, perhaps because of the news of the group’s suspension of activities. Of course, it is not (never) a recording where you are troubled by strange voices, but the excitement at the scene is perfect even in the 4th series. The clapping that reinforced the rhythm section and the audience singing along to the famous songs were both powerful and warm. The 40th anniversary tour was enthusiastically received all over the world, but on this particular day, the audience was so excited that it seemed as if they were determined that “this is the last day” and “I won’t miss it,” yet there was no sense of sadness at all. There isn’t. [Magical “Africa” that causes a nuclear explosion in all the emotions in the venue] The last two songs make me feel this mood especially strongly. At the end, David Paich appeared and performed “Africa” ​​and “Home of the Brave”, which gave me goosebumps! From the moment Paich’s name was called, there was a huge cheer, but as soon as “Africa” ​​started, the whole venue was engulfed in loud, loud, loud chorus!!! The “Metropolitan Opera House” where the performance took place had a capacity of 3,500 people. However, there was a huge chant, as if every single person in the audience was singing. What’s more, the chorus in this work has a thick sound, so the chorus and the band’s singing harmonize, making it incredibly thick. There will be a break in the middle and only the audience will be singing along in the venue, but it looks like it’s about to explode. Of course, that enthusiasm was fed back to the stage, and the shout of “Yeees!!” was stronger than usual, and even the part where they left the chorus to the audience and sang the counter was an incredible explosion of tension. It was as if a carnival had been condensed into one room, and it was so terrifying that my rough skin would never return to its original state. Even with the four consecutive releases released this week… no, it’s the best and biggest highlight of the entire 2-year 40th anniversary tour. This is one of the best scenes in the world, where you can stand in the middle of it and feel the joy with your whole body. Unlike “Africa,” “Home of the Brave,” which can only be sung by those who can sing, elicits thunderous applause rather than chorus, and the band responds with an enthusiastic performance that seems to be saying goodbye. The curtain closes to the sound of whistles and loud applause. Will this show really be TOTO’s last brave appearance? Only God knows that. However (if you believe Lukather’s assertion), they will not return with this formation. There are various “last shows” in the history of rock, but most of them are the “lasts” that the performers themselves did not intend and that were the result of looking back on them later. However, this work is different. The “last show” was decided by the members themselves and announced in advance. A determined flame is lit in both the performer and the audience, making each song special. And then, “Africa” explodes all those emotions all at once. Although it is a song that invites the heat of the highlight every night, the concentration and energy of this work is completely different from other shows. It’s not just “the last” in the sense of data or collectibles, it’s the final show that strongly appeals to both the performance and the emotions. A masterpiece that allows you to experience that moment on-site. Live at Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, PA, USA 20th October 2019 PERFECT SOUND Disc 1(74:54) 1. Intro 2. Devil’s Tower 3. Hold the Line 4. Lovers in the Night 5. Alone 6. I Will Remember 7 English Eyes 8. Jake to the Bone 9. Rosanna 10. Georgy Porgy 11. Human Nature 12. I’ll Be Over You 13. No Love 14. Stop Loving You 15. Xavier Talpin Piano Solo Disc 2(64:58) 1. Girl Goodbye 2. Band Introductions 3. Lion 4. Dune (Desert Theme) 5. While My Guitar Gently Weeps 6. Make Believe 7. Introduction of David Paich 8. Africa (with David Paich)★ 9. Home of the Brave (with David Paich)★ Steve Lukather – vocals, guitars Steve Porcaro – keyboards Joseph Williams – vocals Shannon Forrest – drums Shem von Schroeck – bass Warren Ham – saxophone, vocals Lenny Castro – percussion Dominique “Xavier” Talpin – keyboards David Paich – vocals , keyboards (on Africa & Home of the Brave)