Famed session guitarist, Toto member and part of Ringo’s All Stars, Steve Lukather taps into all of his talents on this vintage sounding mix of rock, jazz and blues with long-time stablemates. Lukather is teamed with his Nerve Bundle band that reunites annually at the famed Baked Potato, namely Gregg Bissonette/dr, Jeff Babko/key, Jorgen Carlsson-John Pierce as well as ex-Toto-ers David Paich/key and Joseph Williams/voc. Ringo himself makes a guest appearance on the vintage upbeat mid-tempo rocker “Run To Me” while Bissonette carries the Starkey baton on the tasty title piece and the Eddie Money ish “Along For The Ride”. The team digs in deep, with Lukather delivering a beautiful guitar intro to the instrumental “Journey Through” while he creates some dark and ominous moods akin to the Hound of the Baskervilles on the rich and long jam that finally leads to the desultory vocals on Robin Trower’s “Bridge of Sighs”. Lukather goes the opposite route on the classic Traffic piece “Low Spark of High Healed Boys” by bringing in the vocals at the beginning of the indigo’d vibe, while Joe Walsh’s “Welcome to the Club” is a fist pumping delight.
Sonny Rollins once stated that albums are simply invitations to see him in concert. Please don’t take that quote seriously, as it’s already hard enough to get tickets to the Baked Potato when he comes to town. Stay home and just dig the album!!!