Rock legends – or those finding themselves dubbed Yacht Rock royalty – shouldn’t fear visiting Alpharetta GA’s Ameris Amphitheatre. On this particularly humid night, the venue was full with fans hooked on the songs that caught their original audiences over 40 years ago. So, it was with a stellar triple line-up of Christopher Cross, Colin Hay (Men at Work) and Toto, the headliner that delivered a nostalgic and musically satisfying evening.
Toto, featuring sole original member Steve Lukather, may not satisfy purists who hold fast to “I saw them back when…” or “they can change the supporting line-up but not the singer.” And while supporting evidence can be found, it should be known that Steve Lukather is more than enough to say, “Yeah, I saw Toto, and they were fantastic!” It doesn’t hurt that Joseph Williams, an off and on member since the mid-80’s, carries the lead vocals.
For latter era fans, perhaps it was a shock to find that they didn’t attend a set loaded with “hits.” Sure, the band covered their three Top 10 singles, “Africa,” “Hold the Line,” and “Rosanna.” And, pretty much everything they played is on their 23 song “Best of” release. But “best of” doesn’t mean “hits,” and that could lead to some disappointment, but not here. Toto performed a rock show, a glorious one. With drums, bass, two keyboardists, a multi-instrumentalist (sax, harmonica, flue, percussion), a lead singer and a killer guitarist, you can do a lot.
“Don’t Chain My Heart” stood out, a 1992 sleeper with great lyrics. With other solos already evidencing his talent, Lukather raised the roof with an extended guitar solo, accompanied only by bass and drums. Here, and throughout the show, how welcome it was to hear strong lead lines that bite and punch hard but maintain a melody. How a generation of guitarists who aced Guitar Hero and Rock Band haven’t audibly caught on to that, go figure. Sure, Lukather did a bit of finger tapping and a brief shred to show that he can, but here and throughout the set, he was the show, the hits notwithstanding.
This is no discredit to Williams, who sang well and has mastered being the front man and showing deference to Lukather’s spotlight. It’s not just about those two, however, but about the band. Lead vocals are shared with other members as well. Of particular note was Dennis Atlas co-leading “Angel Don’t Cry.” Atlas, a new touring keyboardist, has one of those impossibly high pitches that were almost a requirement for late 70’s arena rock bands, and he shone again on “I’ll Supply the Love.” He’s not stage shy either. Keep an eye on that one.
Still, those hits do matter. Rock is great, but so are the hits that bring back memories or gift an earworm for the trip home. “Hold the Line” and “Africa” closed out the set, and they got the crowd on their feet, swaying and, of course, recording the moment with their phones. As great as a show as this was, those are good for memories, too.
More photos follow, including Men at Work and Christopher Cross.
Setlist:
Colin Hay, who with Men at Work had four Top 10 hits (one more than Toto), still shares that great Aussie voice… but wait. He’s actually Scottish.
No matter. His voice takes you back to a certain place and time. Hay played a 45-minute set that covered all the best from the band’s 1981 and 1983 releases.
Setlist:
Christopher Cross opened to an arriving crowd with a great set of songs, leaning heavily on his massively popular eponymous debut which sold over 6 million records worldwide. He also had four Top 10 hits!
Setlist:
One Response
Actually, TOTO does have 4 TOP 10 singles … I Won´t Hold You Back … 🙂