Steve Lukather
Dr. Ben Wah
Carlfia
--
"Richard" <rh...@domain.invalid> wrote in message
news:MPG.18722c86...@news.verizon.net...
> josh...@aol.comnojunk wrote:
> > I like him (especially 1978-1982 era Toto). Opinions?
>
> Great player and ability to clone other guitarists, particularly in that
> specific timeframe you mention. I've seen vids of him from later, and
> it looked and sounded to me like he was full of cocaine. No phrasing at
> all--just pure, nervous, wanking.
I got a few live Los Lobotomys videos.
I'd hardly call it wanking, but he goes off for sure.
The 86 Japan video with Beck and Santana, he does seem to be coked up!! but
who really would know?!!
JMK
news:MPG.18722c86...@news.verizon.net:
> josh...@aol.comnojunk wrote:
>> I like him (especially 1978-1982 era Toto). Opinions?
>
> Great player and ability to clone other guitarists, particularly in that
> specific timeframe you mention. I've seen vids of him from later, and
> it looked and sounded to me like he was full of cocaine. No phrasing at
> all--just pure, nervous, wanking.
>
Is that him on Toto's "Hold The Line"? Never liked
that solo - just kind of random.
OTOH, I think my favorite solo of his is on Don Henley's
"Dirty Laundry". Both he and Joe Walsh burned on that one,
esp. Walsh (the first solo), who sounds like someone breaking
into an apartment.
JMK
Jules
substitutions" - there's some great guitar playing on that...
"Dr. Ben Wah" <josh...@aol.comnojunk> wrote in message
news:20021224025943...@mb-mn.aol.com...
Carlfia
--
"Richard" <rh...@domain.invalid> wrote in message
news:MPG.1872e8d8c...@news.verizon.net...
> c1su...@hotmail.comNOSPAM wrote:
> > x-no-archive: yes
> >
> > On Tue, 24 Dec 2002 14:29:40 GMT, Richard <rh...@domain.invalid>
> > wrote:
> >
> > >Those are the ones I'm thinking of, plus one with Lee Ritenour. Lee
> > >bites the big one, playing "Cause We've Ended" weakly on slide--then
> > >Steve runs over the rest of the tune with no sensitivity or delicacy
> > >whatsoever.
> >
> > I guess there's a time for sensitivity/delicacy...and a time
> > to rip people's heads off. Maybe he's got some pent-up, teenage angst
> > that needs resolved? <G>
>
> I attributed it to the high-idle of CNS stimulants.
Who you guys gonna rip next? Landau? LOL
Luke's studio credits alone are legendary. If the guy wants to blow his
brains out overplaying in a jam band...hope he's having fun.
Not A Speck Of Cereal
[] On Tue, 24 Dec 2002 18:18:35 GMT, Richard <rh...@domain.invalid>
[] wrote:
[]
[] >I had high hopes for that record, but it just didn't do anything for me.
[] >
[] >I missed their last road show here in NYC, and everybody I know who saw
[] >it said that Steve was good but Larry was absolutely at the very, very
[] >top of his game.
[]
[] Larry Carlton's just incredible. He should be flying around
[] wearing a cape, foiling unmelodic villains wherever he finds them.
I thought that Luke trumped Carlton on that live release, in respect
to confident, ballsy playing and tone.
Check out this impressive list of cotributions:
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=11:35:42|PM&sql=R99934#APPEAR
Chris
----
"Nothing truly valuable arises from ambition or from a mere sense of duty;
it stems rather from love and devotion toward men and toward objective things."
-- Albert Einstein
Remove X's from my email address above to reply
[These opinions are personal views only and only my personal views]
Not A Speck Of Cereal
[] Xchriss...@Xattbi.comX wrote:
[]
[] > Check out this impressive list of cotributions:[]
[] I don't see the RMMG CD on that list, though.
His loss.
David Armstrong
as well.
Although Toto has virtually disappeared in the US, they're still big time in
Europe and are still making records that are quite good if...well, if you
like Toto, which I do. I had pretty much given up on them when Jeff Porcaro
(awesome, amazing drummer) coked himself to death, but damn if they didn't
replace him with another awesome, amazing drummer (Simon Phillips) and carry
on virtually without missing a beat (so to speak.)
I agree that Luke lost some of the magic in the late 80s (too much coke is a
very likely possibility, considering what happened to his best friend
Porcaro), but most of the Toto stuff issued in the last few years has
included a bunch of top-notch guitar playing. Especially recommended (if
you're so inclined) is "Livefields", a live album recorded in France in
2000 - a solid set of songs (some new, some old) and some scorching,
jaw-dropping playing from Luke (especially on "Jake to the Bone"). (Awesome
production on that CD by Elliot Scheiner, by the way.)
He still likes an effect now and then, but his recent sound is nothing like
the overcooked, Bradshaw-rack-from hell sound of the mid-80s. As of last
report, he (almost exclusively) uses the "Luke" signature model Ernie Ball
guitars with EMG pickups through Rivera "Bonehead" amps (complete with the
"Los Lobottom" subwoofer setup.) It's a versatile, thick,
sustaining...almost "singing" sound these days.
If you're so inclined, the recent Toto stuff (including "Livefields") is all
available through Amazon.com. Also highly recommended (again, if you're
interested) is "Kingdom of Desire", the last studio album they did with Jeff
Porcaro (1992?). It's out of print in the US (no doubt to make more room
for more N*Sync discs in the warehouses) but is available from Amazon in
France. (Amazon.fr - the only problem is you have to know enough French to
get through the site...I did, and now I get a bunch of French spam!)
Anyway, Kingdom of Desire is probably the hardest-rocking album Toto ever
did and has surprised a number of my musician friends. If you see it in a
cutout bin or something, it's definitely worth picking up.
Lukather can sing pretty damn well, too...he always did some of the lead
vocals in Toto (like the verses in "Roseanna"), but after the "lead singer"
(Bobby Kimball, then Joseph Williams) left, they carried on with just Luke
and sounded just fine to me. (Again, check out Kingdom of Desire or Tambu
for evidence.)
DAA
Road Warrior
"Atlas" <c1su...@hotmail.comNOSPAM> wrote in message
news:l76i0v8b6ufqtl6p5...@4ax.com...
> BTW, for all the Jeff Beck fans out here, on his self-titled
> album "Luke", he does a Beck tune "The Pump"...and positively NAILS
> Jeff Beck's schtick.
I know Luke's main idol is Beck (one of them, anyway)... Beck was supposedly
working on an album (not long ago) in whick Luke was supposedly producing
(or something)... They got into a fight (argument, whatever) and the stuff
is still in the can and unreleased/unfinished??? I wish I knew more about
it, but I ask myself, "why waste time and energy on a project and let it
sit?" Evidentally, someone wasn't happy about SOMEthing. Or maybe Luke was
trying to get Beck to do something that was too off the cuff even for Beck.
Who knows, but if this is a true story, I'm heartbroken. Beck is about the
only guitar player/wanker I can listen to anymore. There's just not enough
of him at his best that satisfies my hunger. Those 2 guys working on the
same project would seem to have been good for BOTH their careers???
Then again, maybe none of the above is true.
Jeff
Bradster
"David Armstrong" <daa...@excite.com> wrote in message
news:FhudnWrgsck...@comcast.com...
> Easily one of the best players in the world - and one of the most
versatile,
> as well.
>
> Although Toto has virtually disappeared in the US, they're still big time
in
> Europe and are still making records that are quite good if...well, if you
> like Toto, which I do. I had pretty much given up on them when Jeff
Porcaro
> (awesome, amazing drummer) coked himself to death,
I thought he died while working on the roof of his house (stringing up
Christmas lights or something like that)? I seem to recall the details of
his death being mentioned in the news at the time. (very sad)
According to Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon, who was a friend of Jeff
Porcaro's, he actually died as a result of a heart attack. I located this
piece of information at the Portland Mercury website.
http://www.portlandmercury.com/2002-03-28/music3.html
Can anyone confirm both accounts of his death (I suppose the one could have
caused the other?
Brad
Polfus
>From: josh...@aol.comnojunk (Dr. Ben Wah)
>I like him (especially 1978-1982 era Toto). Opinions?
One of my fave solos of all time, regardless of guitarist, just happens to be
Lukather on Toto's "For The Lies" or whatever that song is called.
I've seen him do the video on VH1Classics, and he *RIPS* on that Les
Paul...man, what a legendary solo.
Peace,
Polfus
Check Out My Website:
http://www.geocities.com/PolfusPage
David Armstrong
"Bradster" <bdhay03r...@junkhotmail.junkcom> wrote in message
news:L6zO9.292523$ka.70...@news1.calgary.shaw.ca...
re: Jeff Porcaro's demise...
<snip>
> I thought he died while working on the roof of his house (stringing up
> Christmas lights or something like that)? I seem to recall the details
of
> his death being mentioned in the news at the time. (very sad)
>
> According to Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon, who was a friend of Jeff
> Porcaro's, he actually died as a result of a heart attack. I located this
> piece of information at the Portland Mercury website.
> http://www.portlandmercury.com/2002-03-28/music3.html
>
> Can anyone confirm both accounts of his death (I suppose the one could
have
> caused the other?
He died of a heart attack - that much is not in dispute. The original story
was that the heart attack was brought on by an allergic reaction to a
herbicide (or insecticide, or something like that) he was exposed to while
gardening. Later, it was determined (by the LA County medical examiner)
that the actual cause was hardening of the arteries that was attributed at
the time to cocaine use. So...a (relatively) young guy (38) in apparently
good physical shape (you'd think, at least...I don't know too many
overweight drummers, come to think of it) dropped dead one day.
Sad but apparently true. An evil drug, that one is.
DAA
David Armstrong
> x-no-archive: yes
>
> Actually, Lukather is no longer affiliated with Rivera amps.
> Sometime earlier in 2002, Lukather and Paul Rivera got into a tiff.
> Lukather then ran his mouth publicly about Rivera...and shortly
> thereafter, Paul Rivera severed all ties with Lukather and
> discontinued the Bonehead amps and Los Lobotoms cabinets.
>
<snip>
>
> Amp-wise, he's currently using Custom Audio Electronics amps.
I stand (mostly) corrected. You're right, he's dumped the Riveras. Here it
is from the horse's mouth, as of October 2002 (this is taken from
www.stevelukather.net, for those who want to wallow in this stuff):
"I have gone back to my Bradshaw Pre-amp with VHT power amps. It is SO much
better than the Rivera stuff. Bradhsaw's pre amp rules and has such a fat
tone and is very reliable. My rack is small and has the same stuff as
before. I use a bit of delay, not too much else these days. I did the whole
new Toto CD with a small Marshall 1/12 combo amp to prove the point I do NOT
need all the rack stuff to sound like me. All EFX were done during mixing."
...and...
"I went back to where I was with my gear circa 1990-91, but with subtle
improvements. BRADSHAW baby! That pre-amp shits all over the Rivera and was
the sonic blue print for the Bonehead. I hadn't played thru my CAE+3 in 5
years and when I plugged my Bradshaw in, it blew my mind. I then broke out
my VHT power amps... and yes again... warmth, tone... I rest my case."
...and...
"I still have my PCM 70's... vintage now and some cool Line 6 stuff. Very
small and compact and it sounds better than ever! I used this rig on my new
Xmas record coming in October. As for the new Toto record I used a stock
1/12 Marshall combo plugged direct and all EFX used are from the console. I
did this for 2 reasons. One is to dispell the myth that my GEAR plays for me
and not the other way around. Second I wanted to see just how many DIFFERENT
sounds I could get with this simple amp and my most loved MusicMan guitars
which are also stock. When you listen you be the judge."
(Note: for those not familar with this stuff, the "Bradshaw" stuff he refers
to is the Custom Audio Electronics gear.) No details are provided on the
site about what Marshall 1x12 combo he used on the new record...maybe a 30th
Anniversary model 6101? (my speculation only)
I haven't heard the new Toto record yet ("Through the Looking Glass"), but
I'll be very interested to hear what it sounds like. Despite his comments
about the Rivera stuff, I still like the tone he was getting with the
Bonehead setup.
The Christmas record he mentioned in the quote above has been delayed until
2003, apparently because of distribution problems - there's not much of a
market for Christmas records in February, so they're going to hold it for
next year. That should be interesting, too.
DAA
David Armstrong
"Polfus" <pol...@aol.comLED-ZEP> wrote in message
news:20021226151329...@mb-mq.aol.com...
> One of my fave solos of all time, regardless of guitarist, just happens to
be
> Lukather on Toto's "For The Lies" or whatever that song is called.
That would be "Hold The Line". A great solo indeed, although it's a little
buried in the mix on the original record to my ears.
DAA
Carlfia
--
"David Armstrong" <daa...@excite.com> wrote in message
news:PQOdnchAt8L...@comcast.com...
Well, I agree, the CAE3+SE is a killer preamp.
I had mine thru a VHT power amp and I do miss it. All three channels were
great and more inportant...I never heard another amp, preamp or otherwise,
get those tones.
Not A Speck Of Cereal
[] "Atlas" <c1su...@hotmail.comNOSPAM> wrote in message
According to this article:
http://www.guitarist.co.uk/interviews/inter_page.asp?ID=318
That was the early start to what ended up being the 'Who Else!'
release.
Chris
Not A Speck Of Cereal
[]
[] >
[] > That was the early start to what ended up being the 'Who Else!'
[] > release.
[] Ahhhh. That was a nice read.
Q: "When you play live, do you have slides everywhere, in case the
mood suddenly takes you?"
A: "Yeah, they're all over the stage. I have one on the drum riser,
one in my pocket. I have a plexi one that someone gave me which is
tapered, and it's the best sounding. But I don't want to lose it, so I
use chromed steel tubing, and they invariably get thrown out to the
audience."
*OUCH*!
Road Warrior
"Not A Speck Of Cereal" <Xchriss...@Xattbi.comX> wrote in message
news:muln0vocvjtj962kq...@4ax.com...
> http://www.guitarist.co.uk/interviews/inter_page.asp?ID=318
Thanks... That was a cool read!
Jeff
Carlfia
--
"Richard" <rh...@domain.invalid> wrote in message
news:MPG.1875aab7a...@news.verizon.net...
> Xchriss...@Xattbi.comX wrote:
>
> > http://www.guitarist.co.uk/interviews/inter_page.asp?ID=318
> >
> > That was the early start to what ended up being the 'Who Else!'
> > release.
>
> Ahhhh. That was a nice read.
>
\
I'm sure the tracks he did with Luke were a lot stronger than his last cd,
which blew.
Polfus
>From: "David Armstrong" daa...@excite.com
> One of my fave solos of all time, regardless of guitarist, just happens to be
Lukather on Toto's "For The Lies" or whatever that song is called.>
>That would be "Hold The Line".
Aaaarggg..that's it. I was wrong...thanks fer the info.
>A great solo indeed, although it's a little buried in the mix on the original
record to my ears.>
>DAA>
I luv that solo...his best maybe?
David Armstrong
re: "Hold The Line" solo...
>
> I luv that solo...his best maybe?
Well, I like that one, but I wouldn't call it his best. Here are a few
other killer Luke solos that come to mind:
"Isolation" (from Toto's "Isolation")...this song should have been a big hit
in 1984, but CBS stupidly decided that Toto was a "ballad band" and didn't
release this as a single...his tone here is pretty heavily processed, but
whoa!...that solo just EXPLODES out of the middle of that song.
"Roseanna" (ending solo, from "Toto IV")...just the icing on a very cool
cake...nothing else like it on the radio at the time or since.
"All Right" (from Christopher Cross's "Another Page")...Cross's first album
had lots of great guitar playing from a bunch of hotshots, including Larry
Carlton, Jay Graydon, and even a young Eric Johnson (in 1980! - first time
I'd heard of him). Luke topped 'em all with this song from Cross's second
album.
"I'll Be Over You" (ending solo, from Toto's "Absolutely Live")...a big,
flashy guitar flourish at the end of this ballad...awesome tone, touch, and
phrasing (what a killer vibrato he has...hey, nice vocals, too, Luke!)
"Mama" (from Toto's "Hydra")...short and sweet, fits the song
perfectly....again, beautiful tone, touch, and phrasing.
"White Sister" (from Toto's "Hydra")...the first time that Luke seriously
"went off" on a Toto record, and their set closer for most of their career.
"Talk to Ya Later" (from the Tubes' "Completion Backward Principle")...Great
example of Luke's studio chops from the early '80s...punchy, catchy, and
melodic...and a deserved hit record.
"Jake to the Bone" (from Toto's "Livefields")...There are no questions left
after this one - an extended, jaw-dropping excursion. No matter what Luke
says, this solo proves that he can hang with *anyone*, from Carlton to EVH
to Satriani to whomever...
Can you tell he's just about my favorite guitar player? Ah, well...if
you're not familiar with some of these, you should check 'em out.
DAA
Polfus
>From: "David Armstrong" daa...@excite.com
Thanks David for the Lukather info....I printed out the songs you listed and
will try to find them and take a listen...thanks again.
Jason
Frank D. Greco
>ju...@donteventhinkaboutspammingme.slidejules.com wrote:
>> he's very good on that album he did with Larry Carlton - "no
>> substitutions" - there's some great guitar playing on that...
>
>I had high hopes for that record, but it just didn't do anything for me.
>
>I missed their last road show here in NYC, and everybody I know who saw
>it said that Steve was good but Larry was absolutely at the very, very
>top of his game.
Gack... when did they play in NYC? argh...
Frank G.
Spiggy Muchoir
JMK <jkai...@getthisouttahere.bellsouth.net> wrote:
> OTOH, I think my favorite solo of his is on Don Henley's
> "Dirty Laundry". Both he and Joe Walsh burned on that one,
> esp. Walsh (the first solo), who sounds like someone breaking
> into an apartment.
Well put! And that is why other guitarists may be great, but I ALWAYS have a
big grin on when Joe Walsh licks poke through. Some things you just can't
teach or get from a pedal.
Spiggy
--
To reply, please remove the * from the return address
Not A Speck Of Cereal
[] JMK <jkai...@getthisouttahere.bellsouth.net> wrote:
[]
[] > OTOH, I think my favorite solo of his is on Don Henley's
[] > "Dirty Laundry". Both he and Joe Walsh burned on that one,
[] > esp. Walsh (the first solo), who sounds like someone breaking
[] > into an apartment.
[]
[]
[] Well put! And that is why other guitarists may be great, but I ALWAYS have a
[] big grin on when Joe Walsh licks poke through.
You know, Licks Poke would make a great band name.
Chris
Not A Speck Of Cereal
[...]
[] "Mama" (from Toto's "Hydra")...short and sweet, fits the song
[] perfectly....again, beautiful tone, touch, and phrasing.
Oh man, I totally forgot about this one (even while remembering White
Sister). Great song, fabulous solo. Even the outro solo, which is
deliberately under-stated, is tasteful.
Elektrik Hendrik
like
>the overcooked, Bradshaw-rack-from hell sound of the mid-80s. As of last
>report, he (almost exclusively) uses the "Luke" signature model Ernie Ball
>guitars with EMG pickups through Rivera "Bonehead" amps (complete with the
>"Los Lobottom" subwoofer setup.) It's a versatile, thick,
>sustaining...almost "singing" sound these days.
>
much happier with his sound.
Also, he recorded the latest Toto album with just his guitar and a Marshall
1x12" combo.
Elektrik Hendrik
Scaggs, 'Running with the Night' by Lionel Richie and also the latest Toto
album. He's mindblowing on that one.
Gamelan
"Atlas" <c1su...@hotmail.comNOSPAM> wrote in message
> x-no-archive: yes
>
> On Wed, 25 Dec 2002 03:19:49 GMT, Richard <rh...@domain.invalid>
> wrote:
>
> >That's beer talking! C'mon. It's a good solo, but I can think of a few
> >hundred that would rank above it in a "best" list. And so can you.
>
> No dude, I was stone cold sober and 100% sincere when I wrote
> that. I LOVE that solo.
>
> Of course what do I know about good taste? I just bought three
> of your Greg Howe CD's.
>
> HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Greg Howe is full of good taste.
Gamelan
"Atlas" <c1su...@hotmail.comNOSPAM> wrote in message
> x-no-archive: yes
>
> On Tue, 24 Dec 2002 18:18:35 GMT, Richard <rh...@domain.invalid>
> wrote:
>
> >
> >I missed their last road show here in NYC, and everybody I know who saw
> >it said that Steve was good but Larry was absolutely at the very, very
> >top of his game.
>
> wearing a cape, foiling unmelodic villains wherever he finds them.
Nice "Chris Squire" content
Carlfia
--
"Lester Burnham" <l...@lookCloser.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.187bc30ed...@news.verizon.net...
> car...@optonline.net wrote:
> >
> > "Richard" <rh...@domain.invalid> wrote in message
> > > Xchriss...@Xattbi.comX wrote:
> > >
> > > > http://www.guitarist.co.uk/interviews/inter_page.asp?ID=318
> > > >
> > > > That was the early start to what ended up being the 'Who Else!'
> > > > release.
> > >
> > > Ahhhh. That was a nice read.
> >
> > I'm sure the tracks he did with Luke were a lot stronger than his last
cd,
> > which blew.
>
> Love watching no talents rank on guitar masters. Jealous bitch.
Didn't mention JB's playing. The album was a weak follow-up, IMO....due to
the tunes.
Whatever he did with Luke must have been better, IMO