Steve
Lukather – ‘Transition’ album review
Released
on: Mascot Records. Release date: Jan. 22nd 2013
Steve ‘Luke’
Lukather is truly the musician’s musician as I have certainly encountered when
talking to people at either his solo performance or with multi-platinum AOR
band Toto or just talking to friends who likewise appreciate the guy’s talents.
My
admiration goes right back to when at age sixteen, I first heard the classic
‘Hold The Line,’ from the very first Toto album in 1978.
The guitar
solo on that track alone was killer, but of course that was such a small part
of what Steve Lukather has been all about, I mean he and the guys in Toto were
all known session musicians, by the time they released that first combined gem
as Toto.
He has
performed on well over 1,000, in fact I believe it's closer to 1,500 and still
counting and has co-written hit songs for so many artists too, but then if
you’ve read ‘Chambers of Rock’ on a regular basis, you’ll have been well aware
of my admiration for Luke.
I’m so
fortunate to have seen the guy play both back in the UK and here a few times
now in the States and have also been especially proud of having interviewed the
guy too.
The man’s ability to play hard rockin’ riffs, to more soulful and
jazzy pieces just seems endless.
Oh and if
you can’t believe those stats, just go here for his credits:
So here we
are in 2013 and Luke has a new album out this week.!
‘Transition’
is Luke’s seventh solo studio release and frankly it’s amazing that time allows
for solo ventures for the guy, but Toto has run a little on and off over the years, which
has usually worked out to allow Luke to do just that!
In fact,
in speaking with Luke not long before Christmas he said that this album wraps up a
trilogy of releases since 2008’s brilliant ‘Ever Changing Times’ through 2010’s
‘All’s Well That Ends Well’ and I agree that they are very much in sync with
one another, so fans of the last two, should likewise enjoy this one.
Another
really great thing about this album is once again, Luke has called upon his
live band players to be a part of the release as well as other great guests and
I have say, live they gel so well as if they’re a unit that’s been around for
donkey’s years!
Opening with the epic ‘Judgement Day’ clocking
in at over seven minutes long, it couldn’t be better!
He manages
to touch on many of the styles that he likes to play, from smooth AOR, through
rocking riffs and heavy driving drums and bass to easing back a little with
soulful, almost jazz like touches right back into the rockin’ groove!
Oh and the
solo …, killer, of course!
Toto fans
should love this opener, no question.
‘Creep
Motel’ next, appropriately written about the many weirdo’s that you bump into
in travels through various stop overs here and there.
It’s got a
wonderfully laid back, sub-bluesy meets Steely Dan kind of groove to it.
This one
runs just under six minutes long and while there is only nine tracks here on
the whole album, it’s really only the closing instrumental track that’s less
than four minutes long here, so even for nine tracks, it’s not bad.
Luke also
said to me, ‘Who has time to listen to like fifteen tracks or more anyway and
your attention span / interest may not stretch to that either.’
Valid
points to some folks, although I’d certainly enjoy more music from this guy, its
class stuff indeed in my books!
Next track
‘Once Again,’ is a beautiful heartfelt ballad that would easily fit well on a
Toto album to be honest. I love it, although it clearly reflects emotional pain
for Luke.
The
haunting intro on ‘Right the Wrong’ leads into a funky laid back groove, but
then there’s a massive power ballad style chorus and then the bridge leads into
a wonderful guitar solo. It’s a class six plus minute track, co-written with his son Trevor.
Haunting
words throughout too about all we’ve done so wrong with our world, moving
stuff.
‘Transition’
does exactly what it’s title suggests, jumps from one groove to another
direction, starting soulfully and then gets into a real sweet jam, then comes
right back down again and then … Wham! Killer stuff with so many layers from
Steve Weingart and Luke, it’s just phenomenal and just when you think its
instrumental track, Luke throws in some vocals around the four minute mark.
Really
nice track indeed, great stuff!
With ‘Last
Man Standing’ it sounds like Toto turf once again, a wonderful slow to mid paced
number.
There’s
just so many rich textures to this track and the whole album to be honest, but then that’s
exactly what Luke is all about. He’s such a master of his art, he really is.
I’ll tell
you something else too, can it get any better ...?
You want
hit single ...?
Seriously, ‘Do I Stand Alone’ could give the likes of Bon Jovi, U2
and Springsteen a real run for their money if it picked up radio play. It has
hit record written all over it! Massive!
It’s so
catchy, great hooks, great harmony vocals, it’s just huge! I love it!
‘Rest of
the World’ allows Luke a little bluesy soul trip. Really nicely done and some
seriously sweet licks!
Closing
track is the instrumental cover of the song ‘Smile,’ originally written by
Charlie Chaplin no less.
It’s
beautifully conveyed by Luke’s slick guitar work, a really nice closing number.
I really
like this album, it may be a grower for some people, but sometimes those are
the best!
It’s
certainly right up there with ‘Ever Changing Times’ for me and maybe has the
edge over ‘All’s Well That Ends Well.’
Between
C.J. Vanston and Luke, they’ve produced a real beauty!
Buy it!
Rating:
4.5 out of 5
Official weblinks:
