“Mysterious Ways,” from 1999’s Mindfields, continues the theme of linking past and present for Toto.
Both co-writers Mark Hudson and Dean Grakal have creative ties to Steve Lukather’s part-time boss Ringo Starr. They penned this rocking return for former lead singer Bobby Kimball, along with David Paich and Lukather.
Kimball, who shares lead vocals with Steve Lukather, sounds raw and aggressive. Kimball’s verses are a good contrast to Lukather’s bridges. But all of “Mysterious Ways” is vital and rocking. Credit must be shared with Simon Phillips and Mike Porcaro, too. The rhythm section plays just the right groove with no unnecessary filler.
David Paich’s Wurlitzer piano sound grooves too, adding to the swampy feel of this song. Hudson and his some-time collaborator Timothy B. Schmidt also add their talents to the backing vocal mix, and David Paich provides a solid horn arrangement featuring Toto horn alum Tom Scott, Jim Horn and Chuck Findley among others.
All of those additions are hardly needed, however, as the core elements of “Mysterious Ways” speak for themselves.
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