Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “High Price of Hate” from ‘Mindfields’ (1999): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “High Price of Hate” from ‘Mindfields’ (1999): Toto Tuesdays

Toto’s “High Price of Hate” is basically over about a third of the way in – or it should be, anyway.

Toto, “Mindfields” from ‘Mindfields’ (1999): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Mindfields” from ‘Mindfields’ (1999): Toto Tuesdays

All the elements the title track from 1999’s ‘Mindfields’ work in support of a new yet familiar Toto sound.

Toto, “Mysterious Ways” from ‘Mindfields’ (1999): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Mysterious Ways” from ‘Mindfields’ (1999): Toto Tuesdays

With creative ties to Steve Lukather’s part-time boss Ringo Starr, “Mysterious Ways” continues a theme linking Toto’s past and present.

Toto, “After You’ve Gone” from ‘Mindfields’ (1999): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “After You’ve Gone” from ‘Mindfields’ (1999): Toto Tuesdays

“After You’ve Gone” would have made a fine solo song on a Steve Lukather album, but its inclusion on Toto’s ‘Mindfields’ is puzzling.

Toto, “On the Run” from ‘Toto XX’ (1998): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “On the Run” from ‘Toto XX’ (1998): Toto Tuesdays

“On the Run,” which occasionally serves as Toto’s fast-paced concert opener, is actually the evolution of an instrumental Sheffield Lab recording from 1983.

Toto, “Love Is a Man’s World” from ‘Toto XX’ (1998): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Love Is a Man’s World” from ‘Toto XX’ (1998): Toto Tuesdays

I can’t help but think that Toto’s leftover 1977 track “Love Is a Man’s World” might have worked with a different ending.

Toto, “Miss Sun” from ‘Toto XX’ (1998): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Miss Sun” from ‘Toto XX’ (1998): Toto Tuesdays

This Toto demo is thoroughly enjoyable but, in the end, “Miss Sun” truly was a gift for Boz Scaggs.

Toto, “Mrs. Johnson” from ‘Toto XX’ (1998): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Mrs. Johnson” from ‘Toto XX’ (1998): Toto Tuesdays

Despite a few notable flourishes, “Mrs. Johnson” never makes a compelling case for inclusion on the first Toto album.

Toto, “Right Part of Me” from ‘Toto XX’ (1998): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Right Part of Me” from ‘Toto XX’ (1998): Toto Tuesdays

“Right Part of Me” should have kept Toto’s string of hits rolling. Instead, the song has never been elevated to the classic status it deserves.

Toto, “Modern Eyes” from ‘Toto XX’ (1998): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Modern Eyes” from ‘Toto XX’ (1998): Toto Tuesdays

Recorded in a period when Toto were in between lead vocalists, “Modern Eyes” finds the band totally chilled out.