Steve Lukather - Live

Steve Lukather is a phenomenal talent and over his 30+ years of recording and playing live, many folks have really appreciated the guy’s abilities. He’s played with everyone that’s anyone, but he’s still a very level headed guy to talk to. Nice guy, too!

So as you can imagine, he could probably pick pretty much whoever he wants to tour with him, and right now he’s touring with a very talented young backing band:

Ricky E. Zahariades on guitar and vocals
Eric Valentine on drums and vocals
Steve Weingart – on keyboards
Carlitos Del Puerto on bass and vocals

The show started without any support act with the powerful “Drive a Crooked Road” from the Lukather album and it was clear we were looking at a great night ahead!

They seemed to start playing the riff to “Twist the Knife,” a track he did on the aforementioned album with Eddie Van Halen, but it was then cut very short. What a shame!

Title track from his very classy new album, Ever Changing Times was next, and considering all that is going on with the album version, they carry this off with style. Luke stops to say “Hi” to the crowd and to thank everyone for coming out.

Toto track “Live for Today” is next. It has a great riff and chorus and the band really breathes life into it.

He stops to talk briefly about the new album and the next song, inspired by those greedy folks out there who only care about making their own big bucks, “How Many Zeroes?” Good stuff.

Next up, Luke’s tribute to Steely Dan from the new album, “Stab In The Back.” This song has a lot of clever, tricky, tight changes in it and these guys are seriously “the business” with getting it right!

Talks again to the crowd and about how he has been through various chaotic, crappy relationships and how they turn sour. Cue “I Hate Everything About You.” Bitter, Luke? Surely not!

Keys man Weingart and drummer Valentine then jam away on stage, just the two of them. Wow! Serious talent.

It’s time for dedication to Luke’s buddy, the late Jeff Porcaro, former Toto drummer who passed away in 1992. “Song For Jeff” is great.

“Fall Into Velvet” from the Lukather album is next, then Steve tells us, “I want to play you a song now that I wrote for my old friends, The Tubes.” “Talk To Ya Later” kicks in, an excellent strong song.

Another new album track, the first song he has written with his son Trevor, “Tell Me What You Want From Me” has its light and dark sides.

Obviously he’s enjoying the night and loving talking to the audience, as he tells us about the brotherly spirit that Toto had and that he’s still great friends with all the guys, but it was just time to move on.

The next song is one he wrote with the drummer who replaced Jeff Porcaro in Toto, Simon Phillips, a man with a session background and list of clients almost as long as Luke’s. “Party In Simon’s Pants” is a fun free-for-all for the band.

Luke then introduces the band before they get into the almost gospel-like “Jammin’ With Jesus.” Ricky Z. adds some great backing vocals.

“Wings Of Time” is another great piece of music. Towards the end, there’s a hint of Hendrix’s “Castles In The Sand.” We know Luke was heavily influenced by Hendrix, so why not?

“Hero With 100 Eyes” from his Candyman album is next. This could’ve surely been a big one for Toto, but no, it’s Luke’s. Great track to close the set with.

The audience in this small venue can certainly make some noise, and they get the band back out for a surprise for most of us, Pink Floyd’s tribute to Syd Barrett, “Shine On You Crazy Diamond.” This was a real treat.

It’s just past 11:00 PM and these guys have already given us over two hours of great music and entertainment. Luke then comes out alone, and we get an emotional speech from him about how much he appreciates the crowd’s dedication, as we get a beautiful toned down, acoustic version of the Toto favorite, “The Road Goes On.”

Catch him on the road, I believe he’s got booking through until the end of 2009. Great show, great talent on display, small setting, what’s not to like?