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Toto (album)

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Toto
Studio album by
Toto
ReleasedOctober 1978 (1978-10)[1]
RecordedOctober 1977 – June 1978[2]
StudioSunset Sound (Los Angeles, California)
Studio 55 (Los Angeles, California)
Davlen Sound Studios (North Hollywood, California)
Genre
Length40:46
LabelColumbia
ProducerToto
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]

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

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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

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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

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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

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[17]
Melodic[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

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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 Kimball3:45
3."Georgy Porgy" Steve Lukather4:08
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 PorcaroS. Porcaro3:46
3."Rockmaker" Paich3:19
4."Hold the Line" Kimball3:56
5."Angela" Lukather with Paich4:44
Total length:40:46

Personnel

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

Toto

Additional musicians

Production

  • Toto – production
  • Tom Knox – engineer, mixing
  • Dana Latham, Gabe Veltri – recording
  • Mike Reese, Ron Hitchcock – mastering (at The Mastering Lab, Los Angeles, CA)
  • Philip Garris – cover art
  • Ed Careaff Studio – photography, design
  • Fitzgerald Hartley Co – career direction

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[42] Platinum 70,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[43] 2× Platinum 200,000^
Germany (BVMI)[44] Gold 250,000^
United States (RIAA)[45] 2× Platinum 2,000,000^

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

References

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  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. ^ a b c Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Toto Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Elliott, Paul (2016-10-15). "The Secret History Of Toto". Louder. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  10. ^ a b Laycock, John (1978-12-01). "The hired hands beat their bosses". The Windsor Star. p. 30. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  11. ^ a b Meyer, Bruce (1979-02-17). "West Coast Band Is Overnight Success". Times Daily. p. 32. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  12. ^ a b Lawson, Michael (1978-12-16). "Toto, Columbia". Star-Phoenix. p. 7. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g McNeice, Andrew (2019). All In - Liner Notes. p. 1. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  14. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c d "Jeff Porcaro Interview about Toto's Sword". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19.
  17. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b c 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.
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