Steve Lukather - 'Ever Changing Times'

Steve Lukather has certainly mixed it up with the best of them over the years, and not all rock releases. Perhaps that is why fans never really took Toto into their hearts in say the same way they have similar bands such as Journey, Foreigner, Styx, REO Speedwagon and many other acts who do so well on the live performance circuit. Maybe Steve can at least cling to the simple fact that in the past, Tot’s album sales have been more than respectable.

I do know that between Toto and his solo work he has over 30 million album sales. He also personally has five GRAMMY awards to his name. Nothing to sneeze at there, huh? Something else to consider is that people like Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney have asked him to write and play solos on their material. High praise, indeed.

As a live band, Toto always found more success in Europe than here in their homeland. I know that has hurt these guys and that ultimately played a big part in Luke’s decision to call it quits with the band. I can’t blame him, really, much as I (and many others) will miss hearing another live Toto set.

Still, if you do like his work, he is just about to set out on a worldwide tour that will keep him busy for almost the next two years. That alone shows that there is certainly demand to hear this guy perform live.

"The Letting Go" is next and is pure AOR in true Toto style. Luke's voice is perfect. It's a track made for Toto and is reminiscent of "Lea" from Fahrenheit, brought right up to date. It's a beautiful ballad.

Next up is "New World," which is the first of two co-writes for Luke with his son Trevor, along with Randy Goodrum (who co-writes all but four of the tracks here.) It's an awesome track, killer guitar work alongside everything else.

"Tell Me What You Want From Me" will totally throw you. It's a real soulful track one minute then breaks into crunching power chords. This is also co-written with son Trevor and with Phil Soussan, another guy making his name more as a songwriter rather than a band member. To quote Luke when I spoke with him recently on his son's input on this track, "Trev said, 'Let’s write something together' and I told him, 'Well, show me what you've got!' and out came this Metallica type riff! Toto meets Metallica. What do you think?" It's certainly a prime example of how Luke shows diversity in all he does.

Back into more familiar Toto type territory with "I Am" -- great layers of sound in a laid back ballad.

I never would've expected the next track, "Jammin' With Jesus." It starts with a gritty riff and Luke's growling vocal before bursting into gospel. Again, this totally reflects the ability of this guy to mix up anything. Toto could always mix it up, but this isn't like Toto. The song is written by John Sloman, not Luke.

Steely Dan anyone? "Stab In The Back," Luke told me, is his tribute to Donald Fagan. Some awesome guitar work and again superb musicianship throughout.

"Never Ending Nights" is next and this really gives a nod towards Toto's big power ballad hit "I'll Be Over You," if a little more soulful. There’s a killer guitar solo, but it is Luke, so you expect that!

Next is "Icebound" which again reeks of Toto, with a nod again to Steely Dan. Nice groove and awesome soloing and mid section, edgy in places. Great stuff!

"How Many Zeros" again hints at Luke's jazz and soul influences, with a strong lead vocal and big harmony vocals with a soul, almost gospel vibe.

There is no doubt this piece of work is excellent throughout. When this guy is asked to provide a service to so many big names out there, I guess it’s a two way street and this allows him to call just about anyone he wants to come and play a part on his album.

I guess it’s kind of a split in half album, with the rock area he knows with Toto and beyond in the first half, and back into the more soulful, jazzy direction in the second half.

It's just a shame that some music fans tend to overlook his work. I really wish him success with this and there’s no doubt that his peers will acknowledge his work.

by ALun Williams