Toto (album)

Last updated
Toto
Toto 1978 debut album cover.jpg
Studio album by
Toto
ReleasedOctober 1978 (1978-10) [1]
RecordedOctober 1977 – June 1978 [2]
Studio Sunset Sound (Los Angeles, California)
Studio 55 (Los Angeles, California)
Davlen Sound Studios (North Hollywood, California)
Genre
Length40:46
Label Columbia
Producer Toto
Toto chronology
Toto
(1978)		 Hydra
(1979)
Singles from Toto
  1. "Hold the Line"
    Released: September 1978
  2. "I'll Supply the Love"
    Released: January 1979 [3]
  3. "Georgy Porgy"
    Released: April 1979 [4]
  4. "Rockmaker"
    Released: 1979 (Netherlands)

Toto is the debut studio album by American rock band Toto, released in October 1978 [5] by Columbia Records. It includes the hit singles "Hold the Line", "I'll Supply the Love" and "Georgy Porgy", all three of which made it into the top 50 in the US. [6] "Hold the Line" spent six weeks in the top 10, and reached number 14 in the UK as well. [7]

Contents

Although not initially very well received by critics, the band quickly gained a following, [8] and the album gained a reputation for its characteristic sound, mixing soft pop with both synth and hard-rock elements. The band would venture deeper into hard rock territory on their next album. [9]

Background

During the first half of the 1970's, the future members of Toto worked as session musicians in Los Angeles, California, for artists such as The Pointer Sisters, Foreigner, Boz Scaggs, Barbra Streisand, Leo Sayer, Alice Cooper, Steely Dan, among others. [10] [11] [12] [13] In 1976, high school friends David Paich (keyboardist, songwriter, and vocalist), David Hungate (bassist) and Jeff Porcaro (drummer), played and worked on Boz Scaggs's album Silk Degrees. [8] [9] [13] [14] The trio were joined by other longtime friends, guitarist Steve Lukather and keyboardist Steve Porcaro (Jeff's younger brother), on Scaggs's touring band. [9] [14] In 1977, the group auditioned vocalist Bobby Kimball (formerly of S.S. Fools) and officially formed Toto under the direction of Paich and Jeff Porcaro. [11] [13] Through different family and business connections, the band secured a recording with Columbia Records, and started work on their debut album. [8] [9]

Composition and release

Aside from "You Are the Flower", written by Bobby Kimball about his 9-month daughter, [15] and "Takin' It Back", written by Steve Porcaro, [13] all the songs on Toto were written by David Paich. He composed the album's opening instrumental track, "Child's Anthem", while studying classical music at the University of Southern California. The track "Manuela Run" served as inspiration for both the album's cover art and the band's logo. [16] Though the band's sound was rooted in heavy and progressive rock, the album's ten tracks span a variety of genres that would later define Toto's style, including rock, pop, jazz, progressive rock, R&B, and soul. [13] [9] Paich would later say that the band did not "want to be the Eagles," but "loved Queen, Zeppelin, Yes, ELP." [9] The album also showcased Toto's unusual lineup as the band featured two keyboardists along with four lead vocalists, despite Bobby Kimball being the band’s frontman. [13]

Toto was promoted with four singles, three of which were commercial hits: "Hold the Line", which spent six weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 5, "I’ll Supply the Love", and "Georgy Porgy", both of which charted within the top 50. [13] [14]

Cover art

In an interview, drummer Jeff Porcaro explained that Philip Garris, known for painting many Grateful Dead album covers, created the album's emblem after listening to a lyric from the song "Manuela Run" ("Don't look now / You better watch that sword that's hanging over you") which referred to the Sword of Damocles. [16] The sword also represented the band's powerful, hard-edge sound, and, due to their ability to play many types of music, Garris made the sword double-edged to show their versatility. [16] The iron ring represented a piece of work being constructed (the record itself), and the ribbons represented the Year of the Child. [16]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [17]
Melodic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [18]

Upon its release, Toto received generally positive reviews. Billboard wrote on 7 October 1978 that Toto offers a "rock twist" with its instrumental opening track, Child's Anthem", and that the harmonies and instrumentals stood out. [19] On the same day, Cashbox described the album as a "a collection of accessible, sophisticated pop-rock confections," adding that while the band boasted "clean, crisp instrumental work," it also possessed "several capable lead vocalists." [20] Earlier, on September 30, Billboard had also considered that "Hold the Line" boasted a "scorching mix and a solid hook", highlighted by Kimball's "exciting" vocals and the "scorching" instrumentals. [21] Meanwhile, Cashbox wrote that the single offered "simple emphatic piano part[ sic ], heavy surging guitars, pleasant turns, fine singing and strong chorus." [22]

By December 1978, reviews from various newspapers echoed similar sentiments. On December 1, John Laycock of The Windsor Star, wrote that Toto sounded like a real working band that understood "what's out there beyond the transistors," stating that the album was not one for "virtuosos" but rather one for hits. [10] On the same day, Timothy Yagle of The Michigan Daily noted that the album's music was reminiscent of the bands Toto's members had worked with as session musicians. [23] He described the album as easy to listen to "good conversation music" and described it as a "pleasant combination of soft rock", with a "good beat" and "danceable" songs. [23] He predicted that with "great tunes" like "Hold the Line", which Yagle thought sounded like Walter Egan's "Magnet and Steel", "Toto should see a promising future." [23] On December 3, Pete Bishop of The Pittsburgh Press said that while "Child's Anthem", the part "material, part Baroque and part rock" opening track, set the stage for the "quality of musicianship to follow", the music was somewhat wasted as the lyrics did not "measure up". [24] On December 16, Michael Lawson wrote in The Star-Phoenix that Toto is "slick, melodic and highly listenable," noting that although the majority of the songs were written by David Paich, the album avoided the tendency to "follow any one format." [12]

In contrast, by January 1979, Rolling Stone 's Don Shewey delivered a more critical review, calling Toto a "dull debut" expected from a group of session musicians. [25] He argued that the band lacked the two essential elements for "good rock": a singer and a writer. [25] Shewey critiqued Paich's songs as "excuses for back-to-back instrumental solos," and considered that only three members sang "passably", while the fourth, lead vocalist Bobby Kimball, was "terrible." [25] He concluded by describing Toto as a band of "pros, but no poetry." [25]

Retrospective reviews have been positive. AllMusic's William Ruhlmann observed that the band's "rock-studio chops" allowed them to play a variety of pop styles, which implied that "music-making took craft rather than inspiration and that the musical barriers critics like to erect were arbitrary." [17] He suggested that this might explain why radio listeners appreciated the band more than critics. [17] Johan Wippsson of Melodic deemed Toto one of the most important and unique albums in the AOR genre, highlighting its playful and unpolished nature compared to Toto IV. [26] For the album's 45th anniversary, Al Merchor from American Songwriter wrote that Toto's debut is a paradox between "solid consistency" and a "collection of tracks written and performed in various styles." [27] He argued that the album demonstrates how Toto was not just a "mere hodgepodge of in-demand studio musicians," but rather a "real band with a real sound and identity" that arrived fully-formed." [27] Merchor concluded by emphasizing how each member's contribution, blending rock with jazz, R&B, and classical influences, was key to creating something "unique and unmistakably Toto." [27]

Track listing

All tracks are written by David Paich, except where noted.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."Child's Anthem" (instrumental)  2:45
2."I'll Supply the Love"  Bobby Kimball 3:45
3."Georgy Porgy"  Steve Lukather 4:08
4."Manuela Run" Paich3:55
5."You Are the Flower"KimballKimball4:17
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."Girl Goodbye" Kimball6:13
2."Takin' It Back" Steve Porcaro S. Porcaro3:46
3."Rockmaker" Paich3:19
4."Hold the Line" Kimball3:56
5."Angela" Lukather with Paich4:44
Total length:40:46

Personnel

Adapted from the album's liner notes and AllMusic. [28]

Toto

Additional musicians

Production

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [42] Platinum70,000‡
Canada (Music Canada) [43] 2× Platinum200,000^
Germany (BVMI) [44] Gold250,000^
United States (RIAA) [45] 2× Platinum2,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toto (band)</span> American rock band

Toto, stylized as TOTO, is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1977. Toto combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, hard rock, R&B, blues, and jazz. Having released 14 studio albums and sold over 40 million records worldwide, the group has received several Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009.

<i>Toto IV</i> 1982 studio album by Toto

Toto IV is the fourth studio album by American rock band Toto, released on April 8, 1982, by Columbia Records. The album's lead single, "Rosanna", peaked at number 2 for five weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, while the album's third single, "Africa", topping the Hot 100 chart, became the group's first and only number 1 hit. Both songs were hits in the UK as well, reaching number 12 and 3, respectively. The fourth single, "I Won't Hold You Back", also peaked within the top ten on the Hot 100, at number 10 and atop the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts for three weeks. It also went into the top 40 in the UK. With the success of "Africa", the album climbed back into the top 10 in early 1983 on both sides of the Atlantic.

<i>Isolation</i> (Toto album) 1984 studio album by Toto

Isolation is the fifth studio album by American rock band Toto, released in November 1984. Isolation is the first album to feature longtime bassist Mike Porcaro, the only album with Fergie Frederiksen as the primary vocalist, and the first time that all of the Porcaro brothers involved together on Toto record. Isolation failed to achieve the popularity of its predecessor, Toto IV, although it achieved gold record status and gave the band their highest charting mainstream rock single "Stranger in Town". Relatively few songs from this album were featured in live performances after 1985's Isolation World Tour.

<i>Fahrenheit</i> (Toto album) 1986 studio album by Toto

Fahrenheit is the sixth studio album by American rock band Toto, released on 20 August 1986, by Columbia Records. It was the first album to feature Joseph Williams on lead vocals, after Fergie Frederiksen, the band's previous vocalist, was fired following the culmination of the Isolation tour. Additionally, it was the last album to include keyboardist Steve Porcaro as a permanent member.

<i>Falling in Between</i> 2006 studio album by Toto

Falling in Between is the twelfth studio album by American rock band, Toto. The album was released in Europe on February 14, 2006 on the Italian label Frontiers Records, and in the United States on April 18, 2006. The band supported the album with a world tour. It was the band's first studio release since Through the Looking Glass in 2002, the last one with lead vocalist Bobby Kimball and the only one with keyboardist/vocalist Greg Phillinganes. Phillinganes originally began playing with Toto as a touring replacement for David Paich, who had retired from the road. Another Porcaro brother, Steve, continues to work in the studio with the band, though he also retired from touring following the Fahrenheit album in 1987. Similarly, Lenny Castro has never been a member of the group, but has consistently contributed to their recordings since their first album in 1978. This is also the band's last studio album to feature bassist Mike Porcaro and drummer Simon Phillips; Porcaro retired from touring in the following year due to symptoms of ALS taking away the use of his hands and died in 2015. Phillips left the band in 2014 to focus on his solo career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Kimball</span> American singer (b. 1947)

Robert Troy Kimball is an American singer and songwriter best known as longtime frontman of the rock band Toto from 1977 to 1984 and again from 1998 to 2008. Kimball has also performed as a solo artist and session singer.

<i>Turn Back</i> (album) 1981 album by Toto

Turn Back is the third studio album by the American rock group Toto, released in 1981. Although it yielded the band's first top-ten hit in Japan and steady sales in that country, the album was a commercial disappointment elsewhere, failing to produce any charting singles and selling approximately 900,000 copies worldwide.

<i>Hydra</i> (Toto album) 1979 studio album by Toto

Hydra is the second studio album by American rock band Toto, released in 1979. It reached No. 37 on the Billboard Pop Albums. While most of the album's singles failed to make any impact in the charts, "99", a song inspired by the 1971 science fiction movie THX 1138, reached No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<i>Live in Amsterdam</i> (Toto album) 2003 live album by Toto

25th Anniversary: Live in Amsterdam is a live album by Toto, released in 2003, in the 25th anniversary of the band. And this was also the band's last live album to feature keyboardist/vocalist David Paich and bassist Mike Porcaro; Paich, before his semi-retirement from touring in 2005 until his return to the band in 2010 with Greg Phillinganes taking his place, and Porcaro, before his retirement from touring due to him being diagnosed with ALS four years later and his death on March 15, 2015.

<i>The Seventh One</i> 1988 studio album by Toto

The Seventh One is the seventh studio album by the American rock band Toto. It was released in 1988, and became the best-received Toto album since Toto IV. The title track, "The Seventh One", is featured only on the Japanese version of the album and on the B-side of the single "Pamela". It was also released on some compilations on a later date. It would be their second and last studio album with lead vocalist Joseph Williams until Toto XIV (2015).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hold the Line</span> 1978 single by Toto

"Hold the Line" is a song by American rock band Toto from their 1978 eponymous debut studio album. Written by the band's keyboardist David Paich, the lead vocals on the song were performed by Bobby Kimball.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosanna (song)</span> 1982 single by Toto

"Rosanna" is a song written by David Paich and performed by the American rock band Toto, the opening track and the first single from their 1982 album Toto IV. This song won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year at the 1983 ceremony. "Rosanna" was also nominated for the Song of the Year award. It is regarded for the half-time shuffle which drummer Jeff Porcaro developed for the song, and for its production, which is generally seen as being one of the best mastered songs of all time. The groove has become an important staple of drum repertoire and is commonly known as the "Rosanna shuffle".

<i>Toto XX</i> 1998 compilation album / studio album by Toto

Toto XX: 1977–1997 is a compilation album by Toto to celebrate their 20th anniversary. The album features rare original demos, outtakes, previously unreleased recordings and live tracks from the band's 20-year career. Despite its being labeled as a compilation album, Steve Lukather in 2014 defined the album as the tenth studio album overall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Make Believe (Toto song)</span> 1982 single by Toto

"Make Believe" is a song by the American rock band Toto, released as the second single from their triple platinum 1982 album Toto IV. It peaked at number 19 in Cash Box magazine and at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on September 25, 1982. The song was also featured on the 2006 video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories on the radio station Emotion 98.3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Won't Hold You Back</span> 1983 single by Toto

"I Won't Hold You Back" is a song by American rock band Toto, written and sung by Steve Lukather for their fourth album, Toto IV, released in 1982. The song features the Eagles' bassist Timothy B. Schmit on backing vocals during the choruses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'll Supply the Love</span> 1979 single by Toto

"I'll Supply the Love" is a song written by David Paich and recorded by Toto, with lead vocals by Bobby Kimball. It was issued on Toto's debut album, Toto, and released as a single in January 1979. It peaked at number 45 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, where it spent nine weeks on the chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stranger in Town (Toto song)</span> 1984 single by Toto

"Stranger in Town" is a hit song by American rock band Toto from their 1984 album Isolation.

<i>Best Ballads</i> 1995 compilation album by Toto

Best Ballads is a 1995 compilation album by Toto. It features many of the band's well known ballads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waiting for Your Love</span> 1983 single by Toto

"Waiting for Your Love" is a song by American pop and rock band Toto from their 1982 album Toto IV. In 1983, it was released as a single, peaking at number 73 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

References

  1. ↑ Lukather, Steve (2019). The Gospel according to Luke (1st ed.). Post Hill Press. p. 78. ISBN   978-1-64293-285-0.
  2. ↑ Lukather, Steve (2019). The Gospel according to Luke (1st ed.). Post Hill Press. p. 64. ISBN   978-1-64293-285-0.
  3. ↑ "Toto singles".
  4. ↑ "Toto singles".
  5. ↑ Lukather, Steve (2019). The Gospel according to Luke (1st ed.). Post Hill Press. p. 78. ISBN   978-1-64293-285-0.
  6. ↑ Toto USA chart history, Billboard.com. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  7. ↑ Toto UK chart history Archived 2013-03-13 at the Wayback Machine , The Official Charts. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  8. 1 2 3 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Toto Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Elliott, Paul (2016-10-15). "The Secret History Of Toto". Louder. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  10. 1 2 Laycock, John (1978-12-01). "The hired hands beat their bosses". The Windsor Star. p. 30. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  11. 1 2 Meyer, Bruce (1979-02-17). "West Coast Band Is Overnight Success". Times Daily. p. 32. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  12. 1 2 Lawson, Michael (1978-12-16). "Toto, Columbia". Star-Phoenix. p. 7. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 McNeice, Andrew (2019). All In - Liner Notes. p. 1. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  14. 1 2 3 Giles, Jeff (2013-10-16). "When Toto Stepped Out After Making Their Names as Sessions Aces". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  15. ↑ "Sunday Interview: The Voice of Toto, Bobby Kimball | Herald de Paris". Herald de Paris. 2017-08-05. Archived from the original on 2017-08-05. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "Jeff Porcaro Interview about Toto's Sword". YouTube . Archived from the original on 2021-12-19.
  17. 1 2 3 Ruhlmann, William. "Toto". AllMusic. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  18. ↑ Wippsson, Johan (2014-03-24). "Toto - Review". Melodic Net. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  19. ↑ "First Time Around" (PDF). Billboard. 1978-10-07. p. 82. Retrieved 2024-09-30– via World Radio History.
  20. ↑ "Album Reviews" (PDF). Cashbox. Vol. XL, no. 21. 1978-10-07. p. 20. Retrieved 2024-09-30– via World Radio History.
  21. ↑ "First Time Around" (PDF). Billboard. 1978-09-30. p. 20. Retrieved 2024-09-30– via World Radio History.
  22. ↑ "Singles Reviews - Feature Picks" (PDF). Cashbox. Vol. XL, no. 20. 1978-09-30. p. 90. Retrieved 2024-09-30– via World Radio History.
  23. 1 2 3 Yagle, Timothy (1978-12-01). "Records". The Michigan Daily. p. 5. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  24. ↑ Bishop, Pete (1978-12-03). "McCafferty Disc A Hit 'Overall'". The Pittsburgh Press. pp. F-4. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  25. 1 2 3 4 Shewey, Don (1979-01-25). "Toto". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2007-12-23. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  26. ↑ Wippsson, Johan (2014-03-24). "Toto - Review". Melodic Net. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  27. 1 2 3 Melchior, Al (2023-10-16). "Toto Talks 'Toto' to Celebrate Their Debut Album's 45th Anniversary". American Songwriter. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  28. ↑ Toto, AllMusic, retrieved 2024-09-18
  29. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, New South Wales: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  30. ↑ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0118a". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  31. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Toto – Toto" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  32. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Toto – Toto" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  33. ↑ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN   978-4-87131-077-2.
  34. ↑ "Charts.nz – Toto – Toto". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  35. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Toto – Toto". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  36. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Toto – Toto". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  37. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  38. ↑ "Toto Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  39. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  40. ↑ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 6920". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  41. ↑ "Top Pop Albums of 1979". billboard.biz. December 31, 1979. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  42. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  43. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Toto – Toto". Music Canada . Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  44. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Toto; 'Toto')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  45. ↑ "American album certifications – Toto – Toto". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved August 1, 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.