Search - Toto :: Toto XX: 1977-1997

Fun collection for album fans of the band

Brad | CT | 01/02/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This release is considered a "fans only" affair, and I agree with that for the most part. After all, some of the tracks are simply demos. Nonetheless, this is a great album for fans of the band who know more than the radio singles.Certainly the average song on here is not quite as good as the average song on a regular Toto album. The band members themselves point this out in the linear notes of such tracks as "Mrs. Johnson", for which they encourage fans to e-mail in lyrics for the second verse. However, other tracks are truly stellar, such as the opener "Goin' Home". How did this fail to make a regular record?? The melody and chorus of this track rival many of Toto's fine hit songs. The band's whole career is basically covered here, from those 1977 demos right up into the '90s. I also like the inclusion of the live recordings at the end, culminating with "Africa". What an interesting version of such a legendary song.I don't listen to this as much as I do most Toto albums, but it is still a great collection to own for "completion purposes". (I have every standard Toto release from the first one right up through 1999's "Mindfields".) Definitely a recommended purchase for long time fans of the band."

Toto's Unreleased Gems

Larry Lawrence (procomm@ix.netcom.c | Brownsburg, IN | 12/09/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Toto XXToto XX celebrates Toto's 20 years together with a look back at songs that did not make the cut the first time around. After listening to "Unreleased" music by most artists, you normally wished it had remained in the record company vaults. This is not the case with Toto's new one. In fact, this may be one of Toto's best CDs ever!The opening track "Goin' Home" is a typical Toto rock anthem complete with soaring guitar riffs and inspiring vocals with excellent background harmonies. The liner notes indicate that "Goin' Home" was original intended to be released as a new song on the "Past To Present" greatest hits CD (around 1990), but was nixed by the record company for being sub-par. Watchu talkin' 'bout Willis!?!? This is an excellent tune and easily could have been another big hit for Toto. Shows you what record company big wigs know.The rest of the CD follows course. Great tunes, top-notch playing and excellent sound quality, even from their early demo songs. Speaking of the demos, this CD features a very funky version of Miss Sun, which became a hit for Boz Scaggs, cut by Toto before they were even officially a group. The CD is rounded off nicely with some live cuts. Especially interesting is the live recording of their monster hit "Africa" recorded in South Africa and backed by a what sounds like a large choir. Superb variation on a classic song.All in all, Toto XX is a great collection of songs that thankfully are seeing the light of day. For Toto fans, it's like finding a long lost treasure chest packed full of gems."

I'm glad they decided to open the vault.

Jim Toms | W. Frankfort, IL (USA) | 07/24/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is mainly an album of b-sides and live material that the band decided to release (it may have been contractual obligation, I don't really know....but who cares). The first song "Going Home" has Bobby Kimball at lead vocals and is a truly great song. The songs from the Joseph Williams era, "In a Word", and "Last Night" are good as well. I also liked "Mrs. Johnson" and "Tale of a Man". I agree with another reviewer that the live tracks are mediocre. For my money they could have been left out and the album would be just as good."