I realize this is the second Clips & Pix post in a row about a tune I already covered previously, but when I spotted this live rendition of Pamela by Toto on YouTube, I simply couldn’t resist publishing it. This was recorded during a one night special event on November 21, 2020, featuring Toto’s new line-up. And, boy, do they sound awesome!
After the end of Toto’s 2018-2019 40 Trips Around the Sun Tour to celebrate their 40th anniversary, it looked like they were done. Not so! The above event was the first time the band performed with their new formation. In addition to long-time members Steve Lukather (guitar, vocals), Joseph Williams (vocals) and David Paich (keyboards, vocals), Toto’s 15th incarnation includes Steve Maggiora (keyboards, backing vocals), Dominique “Xavier” Taplin (keyboards), Warren Ham (saxophone, percussion, backing vocals), John Pierce (bass) and Robert “Sput” Searight (drums).
Fifteen line-ups sounds like awfully many. And as bands go through multiple changes, things don’t necessarily get better. It can take time to become a true unit. In this case, all of the above musicians not only sound top notch but also do a nice job playing together. In my opinion, the standout is Searight. While I’m not a drummer, to me, he has great rhythmic feeling and is simply a joy to watch. Pay particular attention to him!
Pamela, co-written by Paich and Williams, first appeared on The Seventh One, Toto’s seventh studio album released in March 1988 – one of their best, in my view. Sadly, it was the last studio album with Jeff Porcaro, the band’s fantastic original drummer. It certainly can’t be easy to fill his shoes, but Searight looks like he’s the guy to do it!
Toto has already announced a major new tour. I guess there are still many fans out there, and it’s probably also lucrative for them to go on the road. The Dogz of Oz World Tour is scheduled to kick off in Germany in July 2022. If they come to my neck of the woods, I will seriously consider seeing them again.
Sources: Wikipedia; YouTube
Christian's Music Musings 
They are great musicians no doubt. Most of them play on sessions…Steve is a fantastic guitar player…he has played on about every hit ever lol.
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Dogs of Oz is a weird name – they could have gone with dingos?
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Ha, you’re right, it’s a weird name. I have no idea how they came up with it!
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Toto has long caught grief and derision from both music critics and music snobs, but I’ve always thought them to be a consistently good band.
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These guys have always had top notch musicians. It’s not a coincidence their members have played on many albums by other artists.
I’m mostly familiar with Toto’s music up to “The Seventh One” and think there are some great songs on these albums.
I also enjoyed seeing them a couple of years ago during their last tour and would consider going to another show, if they return to my neck of the woods.
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