Toto makes some safe song choices on 2002’s Through the Looking Glass, but then there are also a few head-scratchers. “Watching the Detectives,” originally performed by Elvis Costello on his debut album in 1977, is a bit of both.
Costello is a contemporary of Toto’s, at least with regard to the timing of their first albums. His album even features notable session players John McFee of the Doobie Brothers (who I interviewed in 2019) and Sean Hooper of Huey Lewis and the News.
Early in Elvis Costello’s career, he made remarks about Toto and similar bands which were less than flattering. However, judging from his works with Burt Bacharach and Paul McCartney, Costello has seemingly embraced a more nuanced and inclusive feeling about well produced and played music.
Steve Lukather has mentioned that this version was a way of thumbing their nose at Costello for his criticism of Toto, while including a great song on their covers album.
“Watching the Detectives” is a great song. In the hands of Toto, it’s no better and certainly no worse than the original. Simon Phillips, ever the jack of all trades, nails the reggae-like a backbeat, and Mike Porcaro adds something unique to the original bass parts. Lukather’s vocals are suitably sneering. David Paich does a fair representation of the song’s original Vox organ sound. Lenny Castro’s timbale playing is the icing on the cake.
Yet, I can’t help but think this is one slice of cake that I really don’t need.
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