Toto IV

by Toto

Overview

It was do or die for Toto on the group's fourth album, and they rose to the challenge. Largely dispensing with the anonymous studio rock that had characterized their first three releases, the band worked harder on its melodies, made sure its simple lyrics treated romantic subjects, augmented Bobby Kimball's vocals by having other group members sing, brought in ringers like Timothy B. Schmit, and slowed down the tempo to what came to be known as "power ballad" pace. Most of all, they wrote some hit songs: "Rosanna," the old story of a lovelorn lyric matched to a bouncy beat, was the gold, Top Ten comeback single accompanying the album release; "Make Believe" made the Top 30; and then, surprisingly, "Africa" hit number one ten months after the album's release. The members of Toto may have more relatives who are NARAS voters than any other group, but that still doesn't explain the sweep they achieved at the Grammys, winning six, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year (for "Rosanna"). Predictably, rock critics howled, but the Grammys helped set up the fourth single, "I Won't Hold You Back," another soft rock smash and Top Ten hit. As a result, Toto IV was both the group's comeback and its peak; it remains a definitive album of slick L.A. pop for the early '80s and Toto's best and most consistent record. Having made it, the members happily went back to sessions, where they helped write and record Michael Jackson's Thriller. ~ William Ruhlmann

Product Details

Release Date:	02/01/2008
Label:	Columbia / Sbme Special Mkts.
UPC:	0886972372228

Tracks

1. Rosanna
2. Make Believe
3. I Won't Hold You Back
4. Good For You
5. It's a Feeling
6. Afraid of Love
7. Lovers in the Night
8. We Made It
9. Waiting For Your Love
10. Africa

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Toto   Primary Artist
James Newton Howard   Guest Artist,Strings,Conductor,Orchestra
Jim Horn   Guest Artist,Wind,Recorder,Saxophone
Timothy B. Schmit   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background),Vocals
Tom Scott   Guest Artist,Saxophone
Gary Grant   Trumpet
Joe Porcaro   Marimba,Timpani,Xylophone,Percussion
Marty Paich   Strings
Ralph Dyck   Synthesizer
Scott Scott   Saxophone
Joachim Joggi Smith   Saxophone
Jon Smith   Saxophone
Jo Smith   Saxophone
Martyn Ford Orchestra   Strings
Steve Lukather   Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Lead Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Steve Porcaro   Vocals,Keyboards,Percussion,Lead Vocals
Bobby Kimball   Vocals,Lead Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Jimmy Pankow   Trombone
David Hungate   Bass,Guitar,Guitar (Bass)
David Paich   Vocals,Keyboards,Lead Vocals,Vocals (Background)
James Pankow   Trombone
Jeff Porcaro   Drums,Timpani,Xylophone,Percussion
Lenny Castro   Congas,Percussion
Roger Linn   Synthesizer
Jerry Hey   Trumpet
Martyn Ford   Strings
Mike Porcaro   Cello
Tom Kelly   Vocals,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Tom Knox   Engineer
Harold Green   Composer
John Oates   Composer
Jim Horn   Engineer
Marty Paich   Orchestral Arrangements
Al Schmitt   Engineer
Peggy McCreary   Engineer
Kevin Boutote   Consultant
James Ledner   Engineer
Sam Emerson   Photography
Sam Emmerson   Photography
Stephen Saper   Engineer
Bruce Heigh   Engineer
Glen Christensen   Photography
Joe Spencer   Artwork,Illustrations
Jim Hagopian   Photography
Steve Porcaro   Group Member,Arranger,Composer,Engineer
Steve Lukather   Composer,Group Member
Amy Herot   Reissue Producer
James Newton Howard   Arranger,Orchestral Arrangements
Toto   Producer
Charles Mingus   Composer
Terry Christian   Engineer
Jerome Kern   Composer
Bobby Kimball   Composer,Group Member
Elliot Scheiner   Mixing
David Paich   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Group Member,Horn Arrangements,Orchestral Arrangements
Greg Ladanyi   Mixing,Engineer
Gavin Lurssen   Mastering
Darcy Proper   Mastering
Doug Sax   Mastering
David Leonard   Engineer
Jeff Porcaro   Composer,Group Member,Package Concept
John Kurlander   Engineer
Roger Linn   Synthesizer Programming
Jerry Hey   Horn Arrangements
Jules Shear   Composer
Martin Block   Composer
Mark Wilder   Mastering
Niko Bolas   Engineer
Mickey Stoper   Composer