Toto - Goodbye Elenore (Remaster) [HD]

Side 1 of Toto’s Turn Back ended with one of the most conventional yet stellar Toto ballads, “A Million Miles Away.” Toto matches that excellence with the Side 2 opener, “Goodbye Elenore.”

The track, which served as the first single from Turn Back, is also written by David Paich with a majority of the lead vocals covered by Bobby Kimball. Kimball is part of the reason the song is such a strong rocker, as his use of a higher register is passionate and emotive. Steve Lukather provides a quick sentence of the chorus – “And he thought that she was coming back, but she wrote him a letter” – before joining Kimball in harmony on the bridge: “Seems as though you got your way before.” The vocal fireworks are enhanced by the composer’s David Paich joining in for three part harmony and the chorus.

“Goodbye Elenore” has the most complex vocal and instrumental arrangements on Toto’s Turn Back.The music easily matches Paich’s words as each member of the band makes a notable contribution. The songs kicks off with drummer Jeff Porcaro’s snare building in intensity until Steve Lukather breaks the tension with his tremolo driven power chords.

Seconds later, bassist David Hungate joins the fray anchoring a shuffle which propels Kimball’s vocals. Paich adds his emphatic piano playing while Steve Porcaro’s piccolo-sounding synthesizers comes in on the Lukather-sung chorus. Both Jeff Porcaro David Hungate add licks to keep their shuffle inventive while splashes of organ, synths tambourine are sprinkled in the mix.

The mid-song break down features an intricate organ, piano and guitar flourish fitting the progressive rock band Yes, then Lukather provides a fleet-fingered, live-sounding guitar solo. Toto uses a recapitulation of the chorus, only ratcheting the intensity of the verse. The last several seconds of “Goodbye Elenore” adds even more intensity as Steve Porcaro’s synthesizer leads fight for control with Steve Lukather’s guitar and Jeff Porcaro’s crashing drum fills.

“Goodbye Elenore” reaches an intensity not seen again on Turn Back.

Credits:
Bobby Kimball - Lead and Backing Vocals
Steve Lukather - Guitars, Backing Vocals
David Paich - Keyboards, Synthesizer, Backing Vocals
Steve Porcaro - Keyboards, Electronics
David Hungate - Bass Guitar
Jeff Porcaro - Drums, Percussion

[johnhulsey]

tight album..just compressed sounding..I love them all..this was another transition album...that's what makes them soooo GOOD!

[monicaciampa]

Un altro esempio di brano rock con la voce di Bobby Kimball che graffia come una tigre! Questa canzone è una delle tante con le quali Bobby ha lasciato il segno non solo nella storia musicale dei Toto, ma nell'intero panorama musicale mondiale del pop e del rock.

[c.howard]

Once this song takes hold of the mind and ears, it doesn't let go. Interestingly, this song could fit on Toto's debut album, style-wise. It's cute in many ways, charming - very David Paich in style. David Hungate's bass is awesome - is it any wonder how much he's in demand as a producer/player all over Nashville. I prefer his rock style, but no matter what, he's great. The whole band was on fire!

[jeanphilippepuy]

Genius Jeff Porcaro qui jette ses baguettes à la fin du clip : Amazing !

[inglescondayane]

This is the best remastering of this album, Thank you. I had the vinyl record and it always seems to sound too high tone, bad equalized. I love all their albums.

[Faltor]

This feels like a precursor for Rosanna.

[DrTomoculus]

May I ask what the source of this recording is?