JOSEPH WILLIAMS – Denizen Tenant (2021)
Frontman of Toto since the ’80s, JOSEPH WILLIAMS new solo album ”Denizen Tenant” can’t deny a real ‘Toto-feel’ all over it, featuring fellow band members David Paich & Steve Lukather and a cast of all-star musicians like Simon Phillips, Nathan East, Michael Landau, Jeff Babko, Lenny Castro, Leland Sklar, etc – most of whom enjoyed tenures in Toto – are also featured players on the album.
Williams and Lukather are releasing their new solo albums the same day. Lukather opted for a played-live sounding diverse record that prioritized spontaneity and expediency. Williams, on the other hand, has opted on “Denizen Tenant” for a more meticulously produced and assembled recording.
Toto records have typically walked the lines between rock and pop, and whereas Lukather’s solo record reveals the rock throttle, Williams’ demonstrates a more sedated side. What some might write off as easy listening, another would call a polished, accessible experience steeped in the West Coast AOR tradition with some modern recording touches.
