Toto/Tokyo,Japan 12.17.2002

In 2002, TOTO brought their 25th anniversary tour to Japan. Introducing the finest original recording of a super unique live performance that even included a comedy skit. Such a one-of-a-kind live performance took place at the “December 17, 2002: Tokyo International Forum” performance. This is a masterpiece audience recording that vacuum-packs the whole story. The famous album “YOKOHAMA 2002” from the same tour will also be released at the same time, so let’s first check the show’s position from the schedule at that time. ・December 3: Pacifico Yokohama “YOKOHAMA 2002” ・December 4: Zepp Sendai ・December 5: Morioka Civic Culture Hall ・December 7: Tsukisamu Green Dome ・December 9: Tokyo International Forum ・12 December 10th: Tokyo International Forum ・December 12th: Nagoya City Public Hall ・December 14th: Osaka Welfare Pension Center ・December 15th: Zepp Fukuoka ・December 17th: Tokyo International Forum 10 performances. It was a large-scale tour that traversed the archipelago, but it was particularly thorough in the Kanto area, with two stops in Yokohama and three international forums. This is the beginning and end of such a Japanese performance. [Unique and superb sound] This work, which records the last day in Tokyo, is a truly wonderful audience recording. This is an original recording only for this work, and it is a rare gem that has both a powerful core and a neat sound. First of all, I was surprised by the bass, which challenged the performance of the playback device. It’s fat and has a wonderful response, with the late Mike Porcaro’s bass roaring and Simon Phillips’ bass drum, which sounds like a heartbeat, resonating in your five organs and shaking your six intestines. Especially when Simon tries to hit the bass drum repeatedly, my heart rate goes up. The bass of audience recordings often becomes sparse or frightened by excessive input, but this work is neither of those things. It is rich and powerful. The mids and highs that break through that bass are even more amazing. Especially the midrange with plenty of response. You can barely feel the distance between them, and it even creates a sense of closeness. What’s more, the way the atmosphere is conveyed is not unusual. To be honest, the balance of the earth-shaking bass is a little different from ideal, so it’s not even half a step up from the transcendent album “YOKOHAMA 2002.” However, its beautiful mid-high tones and direct feel make it a famous recording that makes you want to call it “like a soundboard.” [Final performance that included joke songs and even skits] The show with such a sound was a memorable night even for the 2002 performance in Japan. The set is basically the same, with gorgeous greatest hits from the 25th anniversary lined up, and the cover song of the latest work at that time, “THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS”, is also really colorful. You can also thoroughly enjoy “Could You Be Loved,” “Stop Loving You,” and “White Sister,” which cannot be heard on the official work “LIVE IN AMSTERDAM.” On top of that, what makes this work special is its relaxed mood. Perhaps due to the relief of having successfully completed a large-scale Japan tour, he has a relaxed performance. What this clearly shows is the play in various places. Lukather’s guitar solo features the intro to YES’s “Roundabout,” something he’s done at other performances, but he goes on to say, “I’m grateful to the Japanese staff. I wrote a Japanese folk song.” . “Ohkii-chimpo-san” is played and sung. I don’t want to write the song title in hiragana, but it’s a joke song with the lyrics as well. Lukather invites a lively chorus of “Ready! Come on!!”, but no, that’s a bit… (bitter smile). Another thing that is outrageous is the final part of the main set. The deadly “Hold The Line” will break and introduce the members, but when it is Lukather’s turn, the skit invented by David Paich will begin on this day. This is strangely authentic. An interpreter makes an announcement in Japanese… “Ladies and gentlemen, this is a message. There is a dangerous person on this stage. Please do not panic. Security personnel other than those in the audience, please take him away.” Please. Please.” At this point, a siren rang out at the venue, and Lukather was singing, “Big ichiichi○posaan♪” Then, when the police approached Lukather, a Japanese announcement was played that said, “Steve Lukather has decided to hire two martial arts guards to avoid this situation,” and Lukather performed “Smoke On The Water.” The story of his arrest is depicted. It’s almost a drifting comedy skit, but the Japanese staff members are doing it without any embarrassment. In performances with external sauces, the humor is often difficult to understand in English, but this skit is in Japanese, so you can clearly understand the jokes and the mood. You can enjoy every single word with super clear and superb sound. TOTO is a highly skilled group that is well known as session musicians, but they also have a sense of family that they have had since their school days. This is a masterpiece of a live album that will remind you of that. This is a book where you can enjoy not only the gorgeous 25th anniversary show, but also a super valuable and funny full show with a sound board level direct feeling. I have handled over thousands of live records, but there is no other live album like this. Moreover, it is the best. A unique and unique disc. Live at Tokyo International Forum, Tokyo, Japan 17th December 2002 TRULY PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1(79:46) 1. Intro / Girl Goodbye 2. Goodbye Eleanor 3. Child’s Anthem 4. I’ll Supply The Love 5 . Could You Be Loved 6. Gift With A Golden Gun 7. While My Guitar Gently Weeps 8. Bodhisattva 9. Africa 10. David Paich Keyboard Solo incl. 99 11. Stop Loving You(Tony Spinner: Vocal) 12. Steve Lukather Acoustic Guitar Solo incl. Roundabout 13. Luke’s Japanese Folk Song 14. Waiting For Your Love 15. Georgy Porgy 16. Lion 17. Hydra 18. English Eyes Disc 2(69:46) 1. Simon Phillips Drum Solo 2. I Won’t Hold You Back 3. Rosanna 4. Afraid Of Love 5. Hold The Line 6. A Short Play feat. Smoke On The Water / Can’t Get Next To You 7. Home Of The Brave 8. White Sister Steve Lukather – Guitars & Vocals David Paich – Keyboards & Vocals Mike Porcaro – Bass Simon Phillips – Drums Bobby Kimball – Vocals Tony Spinner – Guitars & Vocals John Jessel – Keyboards & Vocals