The Gonzo Daily: YES AND TOTO'S REPLACEMENT PLAYERS HAD A NIGHT OF HITS AND MISSES AT VERIZON

Monday, 31 August 2015

YES AND TOTO'S REPLACEMENT PLAYERS HAD A NIGHT OF HITS AND MISSES AT VERIZON

Ain't that much different than the real thing, baby: Jon Davison is one of Yes' many replacement players.

Melissa Hennings

Yes
With Toto
Verizon Theatre, Grand Prairie
Thursday, August 27, 2015

Holding a band together for decades at a time is a tough ask. Eventually attrition takes its toll, whether it's age, illness or the members simply growing sick of one another. Yes and Toto have managed to stick things out for five and four decades respectively, but it's meant bringing in an increasing number of replacement players. This year alone, both bands have suffered the death of a founding member.

Yet when the remnants of each came to Verizon Theatre on Thursday for a dual headlining show, their biggest challenge came from an uneven sound mix. Despite fine efforts by both bands, it was like half of the place's monstrous PA wasn't working. It was as if the show at Verizon had been mixed for the Granada Theater.

Toto started the night off a little after 7:30 and did an impressive set of their best-known tunes, hits that are rarely heard now and new songs. The band was formed by former studio musicians who could play any style, but they wanted to play rock music for the Top 40 charts. Despite many, many lineup changes over the years, they're currently touring with a number of their original members: guitarist Steve Lukather, bassist David Hungate and keyboardists David Paich and Steve Porcaro.

Joined by longtime vocalist Joseph Williams, new drummer Shannon Forrest, backing vocalists Mabvuto Carpenter and Jenny Douglas-Foote, and legendary percussionist Lenny Castro, they played like a full-on band instead of a collective of hired hands.

Read on...

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