Toto fans got an unexpected treat with the arrival of Toto XX on May 25, 1998. Released to celebrate the band’s 20th anniversary, this odds-and-ends collection far exceeded expectations as Toto pulled together almost 70 minutes of rare gems.
The first song from Toto XX fits well in the band’s canon of excellent lead-off songs. “Goin’ Home,” written by David Paich and Joseph Williams, is a driving, anthemic track which was left off of the band’s previous greatest-hits album when the record company deemed it not good enough.
It represented Toto’s first attempt to reintegrate long-departed original frontman Bobby Kimball back in the group. Kimball’s vocals are strong, exploiting the singer’s range and aptly supported by Joseph Williams, Steve Lukather and David Paich on backing vocals. Rhythmically, the song is classic Toto with a straight-forward Jeff Porcaro/Mike Porcaro backing track and melodic guitar passages. Steve Lukather does step out for an economic solo, which is further supported by swirling David Paich synthesizers.
Together, they created the perfect opener to a terrific set. It’s easy to see why “Goin’ Home” also appeared on Joseph Williams’ solo album 3; on the Live in Concert project by Bill Champlin, Joseph Williams and Peter Friestedt; and on Toto’s 35th Anniversary: Live in Poland.
What does Columbia Records know, right?
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