Toto Lives Again! Posted by Ron Dugone on 5:16 PM

Toto is going to play again!  That does not mean that they are back together for good, but according to the official TOTO band statement dated February 26, 2010, former members of Toto are reforming for a brief tour this summer in Europe to honor their brother Mike Porcaro who is living with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).

Wait until you see the line-up. It will include original members: Steve Lukather, David Paich and Steve Porcaro.  Long-time members: Simon Phillips and Joseph Williams.  Nathan East will be stepping in for Mike Porcaro on Bass. 

It's tempting to get a plane ticket and head for Europe.  I guess I never got used to the idea that Toto ceased to exist. On a more serious note, I feel deeply for Mike Porcaro and his family.  (They will be in my prayers)  Several years ago my "entire" family went to Las Vegas to see Toto in concert.  The entire band went out of their way to meet their fans.  My kids had a conversation with Mike Porcaro--they were impressed!  They said that he was humble, approachable, and treated them like they were the ones that were famous.  A very cool brother!

Maxus (1981) Posted by Ron Dugone on 5:30 PM

Produced by Michael Omartian.  Maxus members: Jay Gruska/Piano, Lead Vocals.  Robbie Buchanan/Pianos, synthesizers, vocals.  Mark Leonard/Bass.  Doane Perry/Drums.  Michael Landau/Guitars.  Additional Musicians:  Paulinho da Costa/Percussion.  Michael Omartian/Keyboards.  Bill Champlin, Tommy Funderburk/Background Vocals.

The super group that never was to be.  Maxus was like the second coming of Toto, but alas, they only recorded this one album.  Most of the musicians would go on from Maxus to studio fame.  Michael Landau was roughly the Steve Lukather equivalent in the group, and he does some mighty fine work here.  Jay Gruska provided the lead vocals which were well suited for the music.  Robbie Buchanan was simply brilliant.  My favorite cuts: "The Higher You Rise," "What You Give,"They Danced."  (This is a Top Ten WestCoast Classic)

Roby Duke "Come Let Us Reason" (1984) Posted by Ron Dugone on 5:28 PM

Produced & Engineered by WinKutz.  Musicians: Drums/Bob Wilson - Keyboards/Harlan Rogers, John Schreiner - Synthesizers/Larry Williams, Roby Duke - Guitar/Dann Huff, Wayne Brasel - Bass/Nathan East, John Patitucci - Sax/Larry Williams - Percussion/Alex MacDougall - Background Vocals/Richard Page, Steve George, Kelly Willard, Roby Duke.

One of the best Christian albums recorded in the WestCoast style.  Roby's vocals are perfectly complimented by the background vocals of Richard Page and Steve George.  The song writing is absolutely solid--both meaningful lyrics for Christians and musically interesting for those who just love this style of music.  An emerging Dann Huff provided guitar work which was a foreshadowing of things to come.  This isn't a good album, it's a great album!  My favorite cuts: "Come Let Us Reason," "I'm Persuaded," "Closer to You."  A Classic WestCoast album for sure.

Lee Ritenour "Rit 1" (1981) Posted by Ron Dugone on 5:27 PM

Produced by Lee Ritenour, Harvey Mason & David Foster.  Musicians: Guitars/Lee Ritenour.  Drums/Harvey Mason, Jeff Porcaro.  Keyboards/David Foster, Don Grusin, Michael Boddicker, Greg Phillinganes, Greg Mathieson, Richard Tee.  Bass/Abraham Laboriel, Louis Johnson, David Hungate, John Pierce. Percussion/Alex Acuna, Steve Forman.  Horn Section/Jerry Hey, Chuck Finley, Gary Grant, Lou McCrary, Charles Loper, Bill Reichenback.  Background Vocals/Bill Champlin.  Lead Vocals/Eric Tagg.

This album is half vocal songs and half instrumental.  If it was all supported with vocal songs it would rank in the top ten Classic WestCoast albums of all time!  Eric Tagg is a fantastic vocalist and writer.  Ritenour's guitar playing is as good as it gets.  The support players are nothing short of amazing.  Favorite Cuts: "Mr. Briefcase," "Just Tell Me Pretty Lies," "Is It You?"  This is a great album!

Pages (1981) Posted by Ron Dugone on 5:25 PM

Produced by Jay Graydon.  (2 songs produced by Bobby Colomby) Musicians: Drums/Vinnie Colaiuta, Jeff Porcaro, Mike Baird.  Guitars/Jay Graydon, Steve Khan, Charles Johnson, Paul Jackson Jr.  Bass/Neil Stubenhaus, Abraham Laboriel.  Keyboards/Steve George.  Background Vocals/Richard George, Steve George.

This happens to be my favorite WestCoast album of all time.  I still remember listening to it for the first time.  I  listened to every song--all the way through--without ever moving the needle.  Richard Page has a wonderful voice and his singing is nothing less than amazing on this project.  With production provided by Jay Graydon, and backed by some of the best studio players in the world, the album sounds great!  And of course--Richard Page,Steve George and John Lang were a terrific team of song writers.  My favorite cuts: "You Need a Hero," "Tell Me," "Only a Dreamer."   (A Top Ten Classic WestCoast Album)