Toto: Falling in Between Live

 (2007)

Toto: Falling in Between Live Blu-ray delivers stunning video and audio in this excellent Blu-ray release
Toto were formed in LA in the late 70’s by a group of friends who were all much in demand session musicians. They went on to epitomize the classic American pop/rock sound of the 80’s and 90’s with hit albums and singles including Hold The Line, Africa, I’ll Be Over You and the multi-Grammy winning worldwide hit Rosanna. This concert was recorded at Le Zenith in Paris in March 2007 in front of a wildly enthusiastic sell-out crowd. It captures the band rocking at their hardest and most powerful and giving a new life to all their best loved tracks.

For more about Toto: Falling in Between Live and the Toto: Falling in Between Live Blu-ray release, see the Toto: Falling in Between Live Blu-ray Review

Toto: Falling in Between Live Blu-ray Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov, November 9, 2009

Toto: Falling in Between is a show so good, it would undoubtedly make longtime fans of the band both happy and sad at the same time. On one hand, the fans would get one final glimpse at their idols delivering some truly inspiring performances of many of their greatest hits - "Rosanna", "Walk The Line", "Africa", "Don't Chain My Heart". On the other hand, they would be reminded that, indeed, Toto are no more - after Steve Lukather's departure in 2008, the band ceased to exist.

Directed by the award winning Blue Leach (Depeche Mode), Toto: Falling in Between captures the legendary rock band during one of their last shows in the notorious Le Zenith in Paris. Toto's line-up is somewhat unusual - veteran bassist Leeland Sklar (Phil Collins, James Taylor) has replaced Mike Porcaro while keyboardist Greg Phillinganes has taken David Paich's place; Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips, Bobby Kimball and Tonny Spinner are present.

In addition to performing a number of songs from their 2006 album - "Falling In Between", "Bottom Of Your Soul", "King Of The World" - as well as introducing new arrangements for a few of their greatest hits ("Rosanna"), Toto also surprise the crowd with a couple of outstanding solos. Greg Phillinganes, for example, does a terrific piece that quickly makes it perfectly clear why earlier in his career he was asked to assist such stars as Michael Jackson and Eric Clapton.

As expected, Steve Lukather and Bobby Kimball's singing is outstanding; the former in particular sounds fantastic in "Kingdom of Desire". He also does a number of great improv solos that transform Toto: Falling in Between into a very unique experience.

Recorded with state-of-the-art technology, Toto: Falling in Between looks fantastic. Multiple cameras capture the members of the band as they sing and interact with the enthusiastic audience from a variety of different angles.

At Le Zenith in Paris

Tracklisting

1. Intro
2. Falling In Between
3. King Of The World
4. Pamela
5. Bottom Of Your Soul
6. Caught In The Balance
7. Don't Chain My Heart
8. Hold The Line
9. Stop Loving You
10. I'll Be Over You
11. Cruel
12. Greg Solo
13. Rosanna
14. I'll Supply The Love
15. Isolation
16. Gift Of Faith
17. Kingdom Of Desire / Luke Solo
18. Hydra / Simon Solo
19. Taint Your World
20. Gypsy Train
21. Africa
22. Drag Him To The Roof

Toto: Falling in Between Live Blu-ray, Video Quality

 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080i "live" transfer, Toto: Falling in Between arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Eagle Rock Entertainment.

Filmed at Paris' Le Zenith in March 2007, Toto: Falling in Between looks good on Blu-ray. Detail is strong - both during close-ups as well as during the numerous panoramic shots - and clarity pleasing. The color-scheme also does not disappoint - blues, reds, yellows, browns and blacks are lush and well saturated. The lighting effects are rather strong and as a result a few of the panoramic shots tend to look a bit thick (primarily the heavy blue lighting). There is also a bit of low noise that pops up here and there (see "Cruel"), but I don't think this is something that the overwhelming majority of you would find distracting. Serious image deteriorations are not present. To sum it all up, Toto fans should be pleased with Toto Falling in Between. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).

Toto: Falling in Between Live Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 

There are three audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1, and LPCM 2.0. I opted for the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track and later on did a few random comparisons with the other two tracks for the purpose of this review.

In 2006, Eagle Rock Entertainment released Toto: Live in Amsterdam on Blu-ray, but many audiophiles were not overly impressed with the disc's audio portfolio. Well, I hope that most of these people end up purchasing Toto Falling in Between, because this is certainly the best sounding live Toto show that I have ever seen.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is very strong. The long guitar and piano solos sound absolutely terrific. From "Rosanna" to "Hold The Line" to "Africa", there is very good separation between the different instruments and Bonny Kimball and Steve Lukather's singing. The wide range of dynamics is also impressive. The "live effect" is certainly prominent but not overpowering - the crowd noise is delicately handled (listen to "Africa"). Finally, I did not detect any disturbing audio dropouts or balance issues to report in this review.

The LPCM 2.0 is surprisingly effective. It lacks the dynamic intensity of the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, but it certainly handles many of the individual solos quite well. The "live-effect", however, is not as intense on the LPCM 2.0 track as it is on the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 track is acceptable, but, once again, not the track I would recommend that you experience Toto's show with. Even a quick comparison between the Dolby Digital 5.1 track and the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track makes what should be obvious...obvious - the former lacks the depth and fluidity of the latter.

For the record, Eagle Rock Entertainment have provided optional English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch and Portuguese subtitles (interviews only).

Toto: Falling in Between Live Blu-ray, Special Features and Extras

 

Interviews - six rather short interviews with Tony Spinner, Leland Sklar, Greg Phillinganes, Simon Phillips, Steve Lukather, and Bobby Kimball. The musicians talk about their music, those who have inspired them, the type of effect large audiences have on the band, etc. (1080/60i).

Toto: Falling in Between Live Blu-ray, Overall Score and Recommendation

 

Eagle Rock Entertainment's Toto: Falling in Between should make a lot of Toto fans very happy - the Blu-ray disc looks very good and sounds terrific. It is also priced right! Absolutely, we HIGHLY RECOMMEND it.

Eagle Rock Entertainment is releasing no fewer than five concert titles on Blu-ray in the fall. 'Eminem: Live from New York City' and 'Toto: Falling in Between Live' will be released on October 20, while 'Earth, Wind and Fire: Live at Montreux 1997', 'Billy Idol: ...

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