TOTO – Fahrenheit [Rock Candy remastered]

Rock Candy specialists have ‘Remastered & Reloaded‘ TOTO‘s most celebrated ’80s albums few weeks ago. One of my favorites from the band is the absolutely mid-80s sounding “Fahrenheit“, which also marked the debut of Joseph Williams on lead vocals.

“Fahrenheit” is an album of varied musical goals and textures, yet for the major public is known for its two ballads, both of them Top 40 singles.
For instance, “Can’t Stand It Any Longer” — co-written by Steve Lukather, David Paich and Joseph Williams — found a tough melodic rock groove on Fahrenheit, and it proved to be a worthy showcase for Joseph Williams’ grittier style. The title track also had a crisp, funky groove. But neither became singles.
Instead, “I’ll Be Over You” streaked to No. 11 and “Without Your Love” went to No. 38.

“The pop hits, if you listen to the whole album, they would take a single off of it — and it would be the ballad, or a softer song,” Steve Lukather said. “But there was always strong rock stuff on all Toto albums. If you come see us live, people will say: These guys are a lot tougher live than we would have imagined. That’s just the way we play. We’re not trying to prove anything. We’ll morph from style to style.”

Elsewhere, Toto’s “Fahrenheit” is highlighted by “We Can Make It Tonight,” an upbeat rock&pop gem; the more muscular and AOR “Till the End”; the smooth “Somewhere Tonight”; and “Lea,” a diaphanous love song from Steve Porcaro.
But all you’ll ever hear on the radio, for better or for worse, is “I’ll Be Over You.” And you know what? It’s a true justice this song become a hit, it’s one of the greatest ballads of all time.
Fahrenheit‘s big hit did mark another success for the songwriting team of Steve Lukather and guru Randy Goodrum. He’s contributed to hits from a number artists including Chicago (“If She Would Have Been Faithful”), Journey’s Steve Perry (“Oh Sherrie,” “Foolish Heart”) and a host of others. Goodman has since worked on many of Lukather’s solo albums, beginning with his 1989 self-titled release.

“Fahrenheit” is another essential Toto album, catchy, with a distinctive sound, varied as always, even finding an exquisite album-closing collaboration between Lukather, David Paich and jazzman Miles Davis. That might have seemed like an odd-ball choice, if not for the guitarist’s history with one of jazz music’s most mercurial figures.
This 2015 Rock Candy remastering is dynamic, crisp in the true middle Eighties tradition. I really dig it.
Highly Recommended.

01 – Till The End
02 – We Can Make It Tonight
03 – Without Your Love
04 – Can’t Stand It Any Longer
05 – I’ll Be Over You
06 – Fahrenheit
07 – Somewhere Tonight
08 – Could This Be Love
09 – Lea
10 – Don’t Stop Me Now

Joseph Williams – lead vocals
Steve Lukather – guitar, lead and backing vocals
David Paich – keyboards, backing vocals
Steve Porcaro – keyboards, electronic sounds
Mike Porcaro – bass guitar
Jeff Porcaro – drums, percussion
additional musicians:
David Sanborn – saxophone
Michael McDonald – background vocals on “I’ll Be Over You”
Miles Davis – trumpet on “Don’t Stop Me Now”
Lenny Castro, Steve Jordan, Jim Keltner, Joe Porcaro, “Sidney” – percussion
Chuck Findley, Gary Grant, Jerry Hey, Charles Loper, Bill Reichenbach Jr., Tom Scott, Larry Williams – horns
Fergie Frederiksen, Don Henley, Michael McDonald, Paulette Brown, Michael Sherwood, Tony Walters – backing vocals

BUY IT !
www.grooves-inc.com/toto-fahrenheit-lim-collectors-edition-rock-candy-cd-album-pZZa1-2097195463.html
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