TOTO released “through the looking glass” back in 2002 on there own record label Toto Recordings Inc. The album is dedicated to the memory of “Jeff Porcaro” with the caption, “we love and miss you. God Bless Toto.”

The first release from Toto on their own record label was a treat for the band as they could finally break free from the shackles of the mighty major record company that they had been under contract with for years,so to mark the special occasion they put together 11 songs of artists that have most influenced Toto. These hand picked songs were written by some of the most famous and influential artists of all time. These particular songs that Toto have chosen for this album, take you on a time warp through a very special place and time,just like your own personal trip through “The History of Music”. The collection of songs and songwriters on “through the looking glass” is an achievement in itself,and one that you should surely have in your music collection.This album takes you back in time and place.You will travel through a period of famous moments that have made music what it is today.
Track Listing
Could You Be Loved  (Bob Marley)
Bodhisattva  (Walter Becker and Donald Fagen)
While My Guitar Gently Weeps  (George Harrison)
I Can’t Get Next to You  (Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield)
Living for the City  (Stevie Wonder)
Maiden Voyage/Butterfly  (Herbie Hancock)
Burn Down the Mission  (Elton John and Bernie Taupin)
Sunshine of Your Love  (Jack Bruce,Peter Constant and Eric Clapton)
House of the Rising Sun  (Traditional)
Watching the Detectives  (Elvis Costello)
It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry  (Bob Dylan)

The first song on the album is a fantastic cover of the famous song,(could you be loved) written by the legendary Reggae Artist “Bob Marley”. This version that Toto have put together has a great sound to it and is very well produced,with “James Ingram” singing the ad libs and “Tippa Irie”, aka “Anthony Henry” doing the Deejay’n.The song is a great dedication to the man himself, I am sure that “Bob Marley” would have been quite impressed by the outcome of this version of his song.

Track 2 is (bodhisattva) written by “Walter Becker and Donald Fagen”, Steely Dan, two of the finest songwriters of our time, and as only Toto know how, pull this classic off with plenty of style. A brilliant cover and a nice groove to the song.

Track 3 is dedicated to “George Harrison”, The Beatles” and his major hit, (while my guitar gently weeps).Toto”s rendition of this haunting ballad is tastefully put together,with a guitar solo by “Steve Lukather” that literally takes you into another dimension with his lead guitar solo,simply brilliant. I take my hat off to you.

Track 4 (I can’t get next to you) was written by longtime Motown songwriters “Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield” (I heard it through the grapevine, war, my imagination,etc). This pumping,hard core song is a testament to all things Motown.Toto’s take on this hard as a rock classic is dynamite to behold, and should be played as loud as your wife or neighbour’s will allow, as it really does take the paint off the wall,brilliant song for a party compilation of high energy songs.

Part 2 of my review of Toto,”through the looking glass” will be published here soon.
written by Barry Dixon.