Isolation (Toto album)
Isolation is the fifth studio album by Toto, released in November 1984. This was one of two albums the band made with Fergie Frederiksen as the primary vocalist, the other being their soundtrack to Dune. Isolation failed to achieve the popularity of its predecessor, Toto IV, although it achieved gold record status. Relatively few songs from this album were featured in live performances after 1985's Isolation World Tour.[1]
Background and Recording
Frederiksen, singing lead on seven of the ten tracks, replaced original Toto vocalist Bobby Kimball while the band was in the recording process for the album. Kimball had recorded vocals for some of the album's tracks prior to his termination; sources differ on how many - Kimball says most of the album,[2] whereas David Paich and Steve Lukather say around 3 or 4 songs.[3] Some of Kimball's background vocals can be heard on the record, such as in their single "Stranger in Town", and at least one song, "Lion", had a demo recording with Kimball on lead vocals before being recorded with Frederiksen.[4]
Reception
| Professional ratings |
| Review scores |
| Source |
Rating |
| Allmusic |
[5] |
Allmusic's review praised the performances of Jeff Porcaro, David Paich, and Steve Lukather in passing but dismissed Isolation as "a Journey clone album, minus the aching ballads that had made Journey such a success."[5]
Track listing
- "Carmen" (David Paich, Jeff Porcaro) – 3:25
- "Lion" (Bobby Kimball, Paich) – 4:46
- "Stranger in Town" (Paich, J.Porcaro) – 4:47
- "Angel Don't Cry" (Fergie Frederiksen, Paich) – 4:21
- "How Does It Feel" (Steve Lukather) – 3:50
- "Endless" (Paich) – 3:40
- "Isolation" (Frederiksen, Lukather, Paich) – 4:04
- "Mr. Friendly" (Frederiksen, Lukather, Paich, J.Porcaro, Mike Porcaro) – 4:22
- "Change of Heart" (Paich, Frederiksen) – 4:08
- "Holyanna" (Paich, J.Porcaro) – 4:19
Production
- Produced By Toto
- Engineers: Niko Bolas, Tom Knox, John Kurlander, Greg Ladanyi
- Assistant Engineer: Richard Bosworth
- Mixing: Greg Ladanyi
Personnel
Toto
- Fergie Frederiksen - lead vocals (except on "Stranger in Town", "How Does it Feel", and "Holyanna"), backing vocals
- Steve Lukather - guitars, backing vocals, lead vocal on "How Does It Feel"
- David Paich - keyboards; backing vocals; lead vocals on "Carmen", "Stranger In Town", and "Holyanna"; orchestral arrangements on "How Does it Feel" and "Change of Heart"
- Steve Porcaro - keyboards
- Mike Porcaro - bass
- Jeff Porcaro - drums, percussion
Additional musicians
Additional notes
Catalogue: (LP) Columbia 9C9-39911, (CD) Columbia CK-38962
Singles
- Stranger in Town / Change of Heart
- Holyanna / Mr. Friendly
- How Does It Feel / Mr. Friendly
- How Does It Feel / Lion / Isolation
- Endless / Isolation
References
- ^ Schraa, Benno (2007). Setlists of Toto, Toto Rocks.
- ^ March 2005. Bobby Kimball interview, Bobby Kimball Official Website.
- ^ (2004). Steve Lukather: The hardest working guitarist in the business, Melodicrock.com.
- ^ Ritchie, Jason (2002). 10 Questions With...: Fergie Frederiksen, Get Ready to Rock!: The Website for Classic, Metal, & Progressive Rock.
- ^ a b Isolation (Toto album) at Allmusic