Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28272 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-09-23
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, Live, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 133 minutes

Amazon.com
Toto may be past its prime as a multi-platinum recording band, but Live in Amsterdam offers abundant proof that their performances are as electrifying as ever. Recorded in Amsterdam's Heineken Music Hall on February 17, 2003, near the end of Toto's 25th anniversary world tour, this dynamic concert serves as a cheerful reminder that Toto have been alive and well and recording steadily since 1978. The band's 2002 release Through the Looking Glass was an album of covers, two of which are welcomed here: "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is a prime showcase for guitarist Steve Lukather, and "Bodhisattva" is a tight, meticulous tribute to Toto's original drummer, the late Jeff Porcaro, and his classic sessions with Steely Dan. The mega-hits "Africa," "Rosanna," and "Hold the Line" are perfectly executed, and in a band full of talented singers, lead vocalist Bobby Kimball sounds better than ever. Two impressive medleys show the band in full gear as a comfortable unit of seasoned professionals, highlighted by impeccable work from keyboardist David Paich, bassist Mike Poracaro, and ace drummer Simon Phillips (who also produced and mixed this recording for DVD). And while 35 minutes of Porcaro's backstage home-video might seem frivolous, it shows a band that's still having fun, as reflected in the beaming smiles of their appreciative Amsterdam audience. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

Wrinkles are beautiful !!!
Not much to add to what has already been said at long and at large from this mega band. If you're here, you probably know a lot about them. Even so, I can only recommend you to get this DVD if you don't have it...

Why should I bother, would you say, if I already have several of their records (or even all of them) ? For lots of reasons. First, the sound is amazing. I played this on my system thinking that it would be fine. It's not, it's outstanding. Also, the filming is excellent. No blurry shots, no silly angles, no focus on who isn't playing. The production is irreproachable. Another reason you should get this is the incredible atmosphere surrounding the concert. I was trying to see the people in the crowd, and to my surprise, the people there range from 20 to 50 (and apparently a majority of 30ish). In the States, Toto doesn't get any airplay, doesn't perform much, and they seem to be viewed as fossils, remembrance of the west coast style of the 80's. Not so in Japan or Europe, where they are always welcome and fill in large theaters. Amazing, don't you think ?

On stage, you have Bobby Kimball with the rest of the band and two backup musicians. Bobby is like the rest of the regular members. With wrinkles, but in great shape. What a voice! Simon Phillips is probably second best to Jeff Porcaro, Paich shows he can play anything from classic to blues and funky (we already knew that), Mike Porcaro, even though he's not Verdine White, Stanley Clarke or Mark King, is very passionate in his playing, and Luke is... well, just in case you still wondered, the true leader of the band. Just look at how everyone is positioned. The lead singer is on a second row podium half of the concert and Luke is the one walking around. He even gets to play a piano solo with David Paich having fun watching him from behind. Yet, no doubt at who is the leader there... The two cover versions ("While my guitar..." and "Bhoddisatva") are examples of what covers should be. Majestic, incredible. And with special words from Luke to his brothers George and Jeff (to me, the best drummer ever). The band shows they master all styles, from Hard Rock to Jazz, Pop, Blues, Folk, you name it.

The only thing a bit annoying is the sometimes quick blending of some stellar tracks (99 deserves more than a few notes), but they have been doing this in concert lately. All the tracks are either blended or follow each other with almost no timeout. Be ready because you're in for a two hour visual and musical treat !!

Don't miss the two bisses : home of the brave and White sister. Good, old powerful rock'n roll. By the way, I've seen this dvd several times, and I just can't help getting goose bumps on two instances : when they play I won't hold you back, and when Bobby Kimball does his solo stuff. I don't know if that can get any better. What I do know is that I will do all I can to attend their next concert. I'm going to their website to check that out. In the meantime, let's enjoy this super dvd.

P.S. I really agree with three messages the fans in the crowd show during the concert : "never enough Toto", "I could sit here forever", and "Paich for president". Thanks for the music fellows !

TOTO - LIVE IN AMSTERDAM DVD
I have seen at least one show of every Toto tour since 1986, and for me this captures one of their best. Whilst the hits were necessarily included to appeal to a wider fan base, there is ample album material and new arrangements for musicians and discerning music fans. Toto fanatics and cynics alike can get a flavour of the humour of this band on their own backstage video footage. Even if Toto don't achieve the recognition they deserve in their lifetime's, this DVD will be an excellent testimony to what Eddie Van Halen described as "collectively the best musicians on the planet". Fantastic post-production on both visual and especially the surround sound audio mixes.

Still Sounding Great
When I first got this I wanted an HD DVD of a concert just to see if the audio was just as great as people said it was. So I popped 'er in and WOW, was I impressed. They still got it. When Bobby Kimball starts singing you know you are in for a ride.

The third song, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, is easily a new favorite. I found myself popping this in just for this one song alone. Watching Lukather rip it up on this track is exciting every time.

It looks awesome for the majority too, especially on the close ups. The only real problem with HD is that I it seems I'm always noticing when the camera goes out of focus. Not a big problem, but can get annoying when you are trying to focus on how amazing the detail is on their shirts or guitar straps.

Overall the sound is great and the visuals just pull you in and you feel like you are actually there. Definitley a must have for any serious Toto fan or anyone who likes good live music.