Falling in Between Live

Falling in Between Live is a live album by the American rock band Toto, released on August 17, 2007 in Europe and November 13, 2007 in the United States. It documents the band's concert at Le Zénith in Paris, France, on March 26, 2007, during their Falling in Between Tour.^[1] The double-CD release spans 23 tracks and 1 hour and 52 minutes, blending selections from Toto's 2006 studio album Falling in Between with earlier hits.^[2] A companion concert video was issued on DVD on April 1, 2008.^[3]

Background

Studio album context

Falling in Between is the twelfth studio album by American rock band Toto, released on February 14, 2006, in Europe through the Italian label Frontiers Records. This release came after a seven-year hiatus from original studio material, following the band's 1999 album Mindfields, and represented a deliberate shift toward a heavier, more progressive rock orientation compared to their pop-oriented work in the late 1990s. The album's production emphasized intricate songwriting and instrumentation, drawing on the band's jazz-rock roots while incorporating bolder, guitar-driven edges.^[4][5] Thematically, Falling in Between explores complex emotional landscapes through sophisticated arrangements, blending hard rock intensity with jazz fusion and progressive elements. Standout tracks like the title song "Falling in Between," with its Eastern-influenced riff and dynamic shifts; "King of the World," featuring aggressive guitar work and layered keyboards; and "Bottom of Your Soul," a sprawling instrumental fusing heavy riffs with improvisational solos, exemplify this evolution. Critics noted the album's revitalization of Toto's sound, evoking influences from bands like Yes and Led Zeppelin, while maintaining the group's signature technical prowess.^[6][7] Commercially, the album achieved moderate success, peaking at No. 10 on the Dutch Albums Chart, reflecting strong European support. Reviews were generally mixed to positive, praising the band's renewed energy and departure from formulaic AOR but critiquing occasional overambition in the arrangements. This reception underscored Falling in Between as a creative pivot for Toto.^[8][4] The album prompted Toto's first full-length promotional tour since the Mindfields era around 2000, spanning Europe, Asia, and North America to showcase the new material. This tour, highlighting the progressive leanings of Falling in Between, was documented live to capture the band's dynamic performances.^[9]

Tour development and lineup

The Falling in Between Tour commenced in early 2006, shortly following the February release of Toto's studio album Falling in Between, and served as the primary promotional effort for the record. The tour itinerary encompassed over 170 performances across Europe, North America, and Asia, running through 2007 and extending into early 2008 in some regions, with dates including a European leg starting February 25 at London's Hammersmith Apollo and North American shows in the fall of 2006.^[10][11] This extensive outing marked a significant revival for the band, blending new tracks from the album with longstanding hits to enthusiastic audiences.^[12] The core touring lineup featured guitarist and vocalist Steve Lukather, lead vocalist Bobby Kimball, drummer Simon Phillips, keyboardist and vocalist Greg Phillinganes, and rhythm guitarist and vocalist Tony Spinner. Kimball had rejoined Toto in 1998 after his initial 1977–1984 tenure and remained a key figure through the mid-2000s, infusing performances with the high-energy style reminiscent of the band's early successes like Toto IV. Phillinganes joined the touring lineup in 2005 as a replacement for David Paich, who had retired from the road, while Spinner added depth to the vocal and guitar sections. Initially, bassist Mike Porcaro, a member since 1982, performed on bass, but health complications prompted adjustments midway through.^[12][13] A pivotal change occurred during the 2007 tour leg when veteran session bassist Leland Sklar was recruited to replace Porcaro, who had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2006, though the condition was initially undisclosed and described as a hand injury. Sklar's involvement, spanning the remainder of the tour through 2008, provided continuity and marked his first recorded appearance with Toto, bringing his extensive experience from collaborations with artists like James Taylor and Phil Collins. Kimball's consistent presence revitalized the frontman role, contributing to the tour's emphasis on both fresh material and classics, while the lineup shift underscored the band's adaptability amid personal challenges. Fans responded positively to the refreshed ensemble, praising the blend of veteran stability and dynamic energy in live settings.^[14][12][15] The Paris concert at Le Zénith in March 2007, featuring this updated configuration, later became the basis for the live album.^[16]

Recording

Venue and performance details

The live recording for Falling in Between Live took place on March 26, 2007, at Le Zénith arena in Paris, France, as part of the European leg of Toto's Falling in Between tour.^[17][18] Le Zénith is an indoor venue with a capacity of approximately 6,000, renowned for hosting high-energy rock concerts in an intimate yet dynamic setting.^[19] The show attracted a sell-out crowd of enthusiastic fans, fostering an electric atmosphere marked by fervent applause and engagement throughout.^[20] The full concert runtime spanned approximately 142 minutes, showcasing a setlist that integrated five tracks from the Falling in Between album—such as "Falling in Between," "King of the World," "Bottom of Your Soul," "Caught in the Balance," and "No Love"—alongside enduring Toto staples such as "Hold the Line," "Rosanna," "Africa," and "Pamela."^[21][1][17] The performance highlighted the band's instrumental prowess through extended jams and solos, complemented by their signature vocal harmonies, while featuring lively crowd interactions that amplified the communal energy.^[22] This Paris show captured Toto in peak form following the release of their 2006 studio album Falling in Between, with the tour's stable lineup enabling a tight, high-octane delivery.^[20]

Production process

The production of Falling in Between Live began with on-site multi-track audio recording during Toto's concert at Le Zénith in Paris on March 26, 2007, handled by engineer Filip Jacobs to capture the band's performance in high fidelity.^[23][1] Following the live capture, the audio was mixed by Steve MacMillan, with digital sound editing provided by Bryan Golder to refine the recordings for release.^[23][24] The final product was mastered by Jon Astley at Close to the Edge in London, ensuring polished sound quality suitable for CD distribution.^[1][24] The album was produced by Toto themselves, overseeing the process from recording through post-production.^[25] Concurrently, the Paris performance was filmed by Eagle Eye Productions for a companion DVD release, incorporating additional camera angles to document stage dynamics, though the primary focus remained on the audio for the initial CD edition.^[20][26]

Release

Audio album formats and dates

The live album Falling in Between Live was released via Eagle Records, with the European edition appearing on August 17, 2007, and the United States edition following on November 13, 2007.^[25] It was issued as a double CD set comprising 23 tracks with a total runtime of 112:06, alongside a limited edition digipak variant.^[25] Digital download options became available shortly after the physical launch, broadening accessibility for fans.^[2] The packaging featured a full-color booklet containing photographs from the Paris performance, liner notes penned by Steve Lukather, and personal anecdotes from the tour.^[18] Promotion for the album was integrated with the conclusion of the Falling in Between tour, highlighting Bobby Kimball's return to the lineup and live interpretations of tracks from the recent studio album.^[15] A companion video release was issued in 2008 to complement the audio product.^[1]

Video and subsequent editions

The video release of Falling in Between Live was issued as a DVD titled Toto: Falling in Between - Live in Paris by Eagle Vision, premiering in Europe on February 27, 2008, and in the United States on April 1, 2008.^[27][28] The DVD features the complete concert recorded on March 26, 2007, at Le Zénith in Paris, France, presented in its entirety with multi-camera footage capturing the band's performance of 21 tracks from their repertoire, including selections from the Falling in Between studio album alongside classics like "Africa" and "Rosanna."^[29][30] Users can access individual songs via menu options, and the release includes Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound and stereo audio mixes to enhance the live atmosphere.^[28] A Blu-ray edition followed on October 20, 2009, also from Eagle Vision, offering a high-definition remaster of the same concert footage in 1080i resolution with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound.^[31] This version improves visual clarity, highlighting the band's stage presence through sharper details in lighting, instrumentation, and audience interaction, while maintaining the original runtime of approximately 113 minutes for the main program.^[32][30] Subsequent editions include a limited edition vinyl LP released in Europe in 2019 and a 3xLP edition in Germany in 2021.^[25] Digital streaming availability, with the full video concert accessible on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Qello Concerts by Stingray by the early 2020s, alongside audio versions on Spotify.^[33][34] Fan-enhanced 4K UHD remasters of the footage appeared online in 2023.^[35] The releases incorporate bonus materials, such as 28 minutes of behind-the-scenes interviews with band members including Steve Lukather discussing tour challenges and the group's musical influences, along with brief soundcheck clips and alternate camera angles for select guitar and drum solos.^[32][36][31]

Track listing

Disc one

Disc one of Falling in Between Live features the initial set of the concert, emphasizing a blend of material from Toto's 2006 studio album Falling in Between and earlier catalog tracks to build high energy from the outset. The disc opens with the title track "Falling in Between," a hard-rocking opener from the recent album that sets a dynamic tone with its driving riffs and layered vocals, followed by "King of the World," another new composition showcasing the band's evolving sound with intricate guitar work by Steve Lukather. This sequencing highlights the tour's focus on promoting fresh material while integrating fan favorites like "Pamela" and "Hold the Line" to maintain momentum, culminating in a keyboard solo by Greg Phillinganes that bridges into the second disc's classics. The total runtime is approximately 56 minutes, allowing for extended arrangements that spotlight the rhythm section's prowess, particularly Simon Phillips' drumming and Greg Phillinganes' keyboard textures.^[23] This track selection prioritizes conceptual flow, starting with three songs from Falling in Between to energize the audience with contemporary material before transitioning to mid-period hits that demonstrate the band's versatility in live performance.^[25]

Disc two

The second disc of Falling in Between Live documents the concert's second half, transitioning to a blend of classic fan favorites and lesser-known tracks that highlight Toto's versatility and crowd engagement. This portion emphasizes the band's 1980s-era hits while incorporating instrumental solos and selections from their recent studio album Falling in Between (2006), creating a dynamic close to the performance.^[25][37] The track listing for disc two spans 12 songs with a total runtime of approximately 56 minutes, focusing on melodic rock anthems and extended jams that build audience energy through a mix of high-energy rockers and vocal showcases. This sequencing contrasts the first disc's emphasis on complex, newer arrangements by prioritizing accessible 1980s staples like "Rosanna" and "Africa," which open and close the set with crowd-pleasing familiarity, while deep cuts such as "Hydra" and solos add progressive depth drawn from the band's catalog.^[25][37] The arrangement builds to peaks with instrumental showcases, including guitar, keyboard, and drum solos, maintaining high energy through variety; vocalist Bobby Kimball's performance stands out on ballads like "Rosanna," delivering melodic highs that underscore the band's polished live chemistry.^[37]

Credits

Performing personnel

The performing personnel for Falling in Between Live, recorded on March 26, 2007, at Le Zénith in Paris, France, featured a lineup that blended Toto's founding members with touring collaborators, capturing the band's evolving sound during the Falling in Between tour.^[18][12]

• Steve Lukather – guitars, vocals: As Toto's guitarist and co-founder, Lukather handled lead guitar duties across the set, delivering intricate solos and rhythmic support that highlighted the band's rock and fusion elements.^[18][38]
• Simon Phillips – drums, percussion: Known for his fusion-influenced style, Phillips drove the extended instrumental sections with complex rhythms, including polyrhythmic patterns on tracks like "Simon Solo," emphasizing Toto's progressive rock influences.^[18][38]
• Bobby Kimball – lead vocals: The original lead singer returned for high-energy performances of Toto's hits, delivering powerful vocals on songs such as "Hold the Line" and "Rosanna," marking his final recording with the band before departing in 2008.^[18][39][40]
• Greg Phillinganes – keyboards, vocals: Serving as a touring keyboardist and occasional bassist, Phillinganes contributed layered synths and harmonies, with this album representing his last Toto recording prior to his departure in 2008 amid the band's hiatus.^[18][39][40]
• Leland Sklar – bass: The veteran session bassist filled in for the ailing Mike Porcaro, providing solid low-end grooves that supported the ensemble's dynamic shifts throughout the concert.^[18][12]
• Tony Spinner – guitar, vocals: As a supporting guitarist, Spinner added rhythm guitar and backing vocals, enhancing the dual-guitar interplay on tracks like "Falling in Between."^[18][38]

This configuration reflected Toto's ability to maintain their signature blend of pop-rock precision and jazz-fusion improvisation, with no additional guest performers featured on the recording.^[12]

Production personnel

The production of Falling in Between Live involved a dedicated team handling the live audio capture, post-production, and visual elements to preserve the energy of Toto's performance at Le Zénith in Paris on March 26, 2007.^[1] The recording engineer, Filip Jacobs, managed the on-site audio capture, ensuring high-fidelity multitrack recording of the band's set amid the venue's acoustics.^[23] Post-production was overseen by mixing engineer Steve MacMillan, who refined the raw live tapes into a polished stereo and surround sound mix, emphasizing the band's dynamic interplay while minimizing crowd noise for clarity.^[1][23] Bryan Golder contributed digital sound editing, addressing edits and transitions to maintain seamless flow across the double-disc set.^[1] The final mastering was handled by Jon Astley at Close to the Edge in London, applying subtle compression and EQ to balance the overall sonic profile for CD and DVD releases.^[1][24] The overall production is credited to Toto, with Steve Lukather playing a key role in final approvals to align the release with the band's vision.^[1] For the accompanying DVD, direction was led by Blue Leach, supported by a crew capturing multi-angle footage to enhance the visual immersion of the concert.^[20] These choices by the production team helped replicate the raw excitement of the live show, allowing listeners and viewers to experience the performance's intensity as intended.^[24]

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release, Falling in Between Live garnered positive feedback from music critics, who highlighted Toto's tight musicianship and the well-balanced setlist spanning their career highlights and newer material from the Falling in Between album. AllMusic reviewer Greg Prato described it as a "fitting, true-to-form souvenir" of the band's 2007 world tour, emphasizing their precise execution that mirrors their studio polish while delivering energetic live renditions without major deviations from expectations.^[2] The review awarded it 3.5 out of 5 stars, praising the overall cohesion but noting a lack of bold surprises in the live interpretations.^[2] Record Collector magazine commended the album's production value and Steve Lukather's prominent guitar riffs, which infuse tracks like the opening "Falling in Between" with punchy energy and the extended closer "Drag Him to the Roof" with fuzzy intensity.^[41] Reviewer Tim Jones appreciated how the performance showcases Toto's strengths in blending progressive rock elements with accessible AOR hooks, particularly crediting drummer Simon Phillips for his dynamic contributions.^[41] The accompanying DVD and Blu-ray editions drew acclaim for their high production standards and the band's onstage vitality. Big Picture Big Sound lauded the Blu-ray's "passionate" and "visceral" performance that reveals surprising depth in Toto's playing, alongside exceptional video quality with rich colors and sharp detail, though noting occasional distracting auto-tune on vocals.^[32] AllMusic awarded the DVD 9 out of 10.^[3] DVD Talk recommended renting the DVD, calling it an "entertaining performance accentuated by outstanding technical qualities," with strong emphasis on the seamless integration of new and classic tracks, high energy, and bonus features like band interviews.^[36] Aggregate user reception aligned with professional opinions, as evidenced by Rate Your Music's average score of 3.7 out of 5 from 81 ratings (as of 2023), where fans particularly celebrated the progressive rock flourishes, robust sound, and the impactful return of vocalist Bobby Kimball after his hiatus.^[42] While some reviewers pointed to minor drawbacks such as occasional auto-tune, the consensus affirmed the release's success in capturing Toto's technical prowess in a polished yet authentic live context, free from excessive overproduction.^[32]

Commercial performance

The audio version of Falling in Between Live achieved modest commercial success upon its release, entering charts outside the top 100 in several European markets, such as peaking at No. 88 in the Netherlands for one week in November 2007. It did not enter the US Billboard 200. The album was distributed by the independent label Eagle Records, which contributed to its stronger performance in Europe compared to other regions. The accompanying DVD edition fared better in video charts, reaching No. 5 in Switzerland for one week in March 2008 and spending a total of six weeks on the chart. In the UK, it peaked at No. 10 on the Official Video Chart for one week in March 2008. It also charted at No. 49 in Germany in March 2008. Despite these placements, the release received no certifications from major bodies like the RIAA. Over the long term, the album has gained additional visibility through digital streaming platforms. As of November 2025, the audio version had accumulated over 14.9 million streams on Spotify, reflecting sustained interest in Toto's live catalog.