TOTO / WOULD YOU TAKE ME BY THE HAND Tokyo International Forum 2002 (2CDR)

TOTO –
WOULD YOU TAKE ME BY THE HAND
(1CDR) SY0437
Live at Tokyo International Forum, Tokyo, Japan – December 17, 2002

DISC ONE
01. Opening
02. Girl Goodbye
03. – Goodbye Eleanor
04. Child’s Anthem
05. I’ll Supply The Love
06. Could You Be Loved
07. Gift With A Golden Gun
08. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
09. Bodhisattva
10. Africa
11. David Paich Keyboard Solo
12. Stop Loving You
13. Steve Lukather Guitar Solo
14. “Special Folk Song”
15. Waiting For Your Love
16. – Georgy Porgy
17. – Lion
18. – Hydra
19. English Eyes

DISC TWO
01. Simon Phillips Drum Solo
02. I Won’t Hold You Back
03. Rosanna
04. Afraid Of Love
05. Hold The Line (inc. Band Intro)
06. “Smoke On The Water”
07. – Hold The Line
08. – Can’t Get Next To You
-ENCORE 1-
09. Home Of The Brave
-ENCORE 2-
10. White Sister

Steve Lukather – Guitars & Vocals
David Paich – Keyboards & Vocals
Mike Porcaro – Bass
Simon Phillips – Drums
Bobby Kimball – Vocals
Tony Spinner – Guitars & Vocals
John Jessel – Keyboards & Vocals

A complete recording of the December 17th Tokyo show from their 2002 Japan tour (celebrating their 25th anniversary), captured in excellent sound quality!
While the setlist appears to have been the same for every show, this is a group of virtuoso musicians; jams unfold at various points, making for a listening experience packed with highlights. As a "special song," Lukather performs a crude, off-color tune—singing "Ookii Chinpo-san" (Mr. Big Dick)... It is performed as an acoustic guitar version. In a surprising turn of events during the Tokyo show, an announcement was made reprimanding this "vulgar" behavior; "Smoke On The Water" was then played, and Lukather was jokingly hauled off stage. The band delivered a fun, spirited performance unique to the tour's finale, capping it off with a speech expressing their gratitude. This is a memorable release clocking in at a full two and a half hours!

[Review from a specialized music magazine]
This release captures the final two shows of the tour: Fukuoka on the 15th and the grand finale in Tokyo on the 17th. Although these are audience recordings, the sound quality is remarkably clear and easy to listen to. In Fukuoka, Bobby Kimball’s voice was a bit strained, making some parts difficult to hear, yet he powered through with sheer force—a true testament to his professionalism. For those actually in the venue, however, the dynamic nature of the performance likely made this issue barely noticeable.
For the Tokyo show—the tour finale—everyone was at the top of their game. Their latest album, *Through the Looking Glass*, consists entirely of cover songs, offering a diverse mix that ranges from reggae and The Beatles to soul. Naturally, these covers were sprinkled throughout the setlist for this Japan tour, allowing fans to enjoy a performance with a distinctively different flavor compared to their previous visits.
As is well known, Toto originated as Boz Scaggs' backing band; while they had a soulful sound in their earliest days, they had recently been focusing on the essence of rock music. Consequently, hearing them perform covers like those of The Temptations is, frankly, a delightful treat.