Two words sum up day two at the Dubai International Jazz Festival. Music therapy. Feeling a bit down in the dumps? Need some excitement? Tired of the same old same old? Get a load of this.
Office blocks
The lineup read as follows: Sergio Bakhazi Trio (Blues), Three Ladies of Blues (Rhythm & Blues), Randy Breacker and Ada Rovatti (Mainstream Jazz) and Toto (Contemporary Rock). There couldn't have been a better venue, except maybe in a smoky bar somewhere in New Orleans.
The Dubai Media City amphitheatre overlooking a silver ribbon of lake shielded by an armour of office blocks, was animated with the sound of trumbones, drums, strings and a delectable range of chords — vocal.
Raw energy
I'm not the biggest jazz fan out there but I left feeling in awe and highly priviledged to have been able to witness the calibre of such talented musicians.
Without a doubt, the main act of the evening was American Eighties band Toto. The atmosphere was gradually building into a crescendo as it reached the 10th hour. Another half hour and the stage was lit with the roar of expectation and raw energy.
The band assembled quietly on the stage but what would happen thereafter was anything but quiet.
Toto exploded on stage. It was like a jet ripe through the sky after a gentle take off. A cloud of blue smoke flooded the platform as drummer and percussionist Simon Phillips set the mandate for what would be a total rock fest. Steve Lukather along with Bobby Kimball delivered the lyrics.
Half way through the concert keyboard player and vocalists Greg Phillinganes played a thrilling solo with the help of ten perfect fingers tapping, strumming and flipping back and forth on the podium of black and white.
Moving faster than the speed of sound, Phillinganes churned out a soul drenched and power infused solo keyboard piece.
Monster hit
Similarly, Phillips was on fire. Perhaps that's what makes a great band. All the players pulling there weight and not letting each other down before giving the audience the gig of their life. Toto hit the mark.
There were people dancing on the grass and in the tents — spirits were high ... and just when you thought it couldn't get any better ... Remember Rosanna?
It was even better hearing it again two decades after it was a monster hit. And for the encore ... What else? Africa, ofcourse.
The other performers put on a great show, most notable The Three Ladies of Blues. But the night belonged to Toto.
The current toto lineup
Bobby Kimball — Vocals (1976-1984; 1999-present).
Steve Lukather —Guitars, vocals, occasional keyboards (1976-present).
David Paich — Keyboards and vocals (1976-present).
Greg Phillinganes — Keyboards and vocals (2006-present).
Simon Phillips — Drums and percussion (1992-present).
Mike Porcaro - Bass (1982-present).
The rise of Toto
1982 marked the beginning of Toto's most successful era.
After the frustration of Turn Back, the band would have to deliver above and beyond in order to continue.
With Toto IV, the band struck back at critics and disenchanted fans alike, delivering one of the most commercially successful records of the 80s.
Producing the smash-hits Africa and Rosanna, Toto IV rocketed the band into instant international stardom.
Toto IV was awarded 6 Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year for Rosanna, Album of the Year for Toto IV, and Producer of the Year for the band.
Africa topped the charts in February of '83 and was a constant presence on radios across the globe.
A great voice
Joan Faulkner, the lead singer of the Three Ladies of Blues, is quite simply known as the Voice. Taught to sing gospel music as a small child, she has since never looked back.
Her repertoire today includes jazz, blues, soul, pop — even a techno smash single in Austria and Belgium.
She's come a long way for the daughter of a preacher man.
The Voice is behind some of Germany's best-selling musical exports. Star producer Frank Farian noticed her brilliance, calling Joan "the best voice in Germany".
Soon she was bringing zest to Boney M. and full sound to Milli Vanilli, both produced by Farian. Insiders immediately noticed it was Joan's voice powering the latter group's hit single Blame It On The Rain.
It is safe to say that Joan Faulkner is one of the best American voices on the Continent.
Did you know?
Steve Lukather is the only member to have been on every Toto tour.
Although Bobby Kimball was the band's lead vocalist, he only sang three songs on the album Hydra, the reason for this is unknown.
The band's name may have elicited a few giggles when they first toured Japan in 1979-1980. TOTO is the name of Japan's largest toilet manufacturer, makers of the high-tech Washlet.
Rosanna was written in honour of Steve Porcaro's former girlfriend, actress Rosanna Arquette.
In 2003, Toto headlined the big festival Night Of The Proms for three months straight and was the seventh biggest act during that year.
