Joseph Williams

 昨年2011年9月のTOTOの再結集日本公演ではバンドのリード・シンガーとして素晴らしい歌声を聴かせてくれたジョセフ・ウィリアムス。  そんなジョセフにTOTOでのツアー、スウェーデンのギタリスト＆コンポーザーであるピーター・フリーステットとのプロジェクト「WILLIAMS/FRIESTEDT」、そして日々の作曲活動などについて語って貰った。

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Joseph Williams

In September, 2011, Joseph Williams appeared in front of the Japanese audience and put on a great performance as the lead singer for the re-united TOTO. Joseph talked to us about the Japan Tour, about his project WILLIAMS/FRIESTEDT with Swedish guitarist/composer Peter Friestedt, as well as some insights on his songwriting.

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Steve Lukather

Photo by Alex Solca

Steve Lukather has released his long-awaited solo album “I Found The Sun Again”. His Toto colleague Joseph Williams also released his solo album “Denizen Tenant” at the same time and David Paich has worked for both albums so this album can be considered as a product of TOTO with current members in a way.
“I Found The Sun Again” featured his family musicians like Gregg Bissonette on drums, Jeff Babko on keys, Jorgen Carlsson and John Pearse on Bass and those real musicians delivered fantastic performance which never bores us. There are also catchy melodic tunes like “Run To Me” which Ringo Starr played drums therefore the whole album can reach from casual Rock&Pops listners to Real music players/fans.
We had a chat with Steve Lukather himself about the striking new album “I Found The Sun Again”

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Bill Champlin

The former vocalist of Chicago and a legendary musician Bill Champlin is also known for joining forces with Earth, Wind & Fire for “After Love has Gone” and George Benson’s Turn Your Love Around.
Bill teamed up with Toto’s vocalist Joseph Williams and Sweden based guitarist/producer Peter Friestedt for the project CWF and released their 2nd studio album “CWF2”.
Past releases of Chicago and Toto might have led fans to expect CWF style as melodic and sophisticated and this album is not the one to disappoint them. Supreme melodies, smooth yet emotional vocal tracks by Bill and Joseph are displayed and Peter’s well thought guitar works maximize entire production.
Muse on Muse had a chat with Bill Champlin himself about the brand-new album “CWF2”

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Bill Champlin

CWF featuring Bill Champlin, Joseph Williams and Peter Friestedt has released their self-titled studio album, which has definitely lived up to the expectations of the AOR fans. The album showcases a collection of melodic gems with beautiful vocal lines by Bill Champlin and Joseph Williams, accompanied by Peter Friestedt’s great guitar performances that finely enhance each tune on the album.
Bill Champlin, known for his work with Chicago, as well as winning a Grammy Award with his songwriting contributions to Earth Wind and Fire’s “After The Love Has Gone” and George Benson’s “Turn Your Love Around”, still has a worldwide following to this day. MUSE ON MUSE asked Bill Champlin about the new CWF project and album.

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Jay Graydon

Photo by Denise Marie Luko

Producer and session guitar player Jay Graydon has created countless songs and albums, not only influencing millions of listeners but professional musicians as well. Jay has recently released the “Jay Graydon All Stars 20th Anniversary Edition” DVD featuring the Jay Graydon All Stars shows with Joseph Williams, Steve Porcaro, Bill Champlin, etc. from 1994 to 1996 held in Japan, Sweden and Norway. The new 4-disc DVD also includes footage such as interviews with the All Stars band, a birthday party jam session with Steve Lukather, Jim Cox, Sherwood Ball, an in depth commentary on the guitar solo from Steely Dan’s “Peg”, making the DVD a must for the fans. Jay Graydon took time to talk to MUSE ON MUSE about the DVD, as well as some tips on how to succeed in the industry as a producer and studio guitar player.

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Steve Lukather

Photo : ©Heather Porcaro

After dis-banding in 2008, TOTO re-united in 2010 for the benefit of the band’s bass player Mike Porcaro, who was diagnosed and battling with ALS. TOTO went on to release a ‘best of’ album titled “IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE 1977-2011” followed by a world tour which was featured in the band’s 2014 release as a live album/DVD titled “35th Anniversary Tour: Live in Poland”.
This year, TOTO released “XIV”, their first studio album in 9 years. Unfortunately, just as the album came out, Mike Porcaro passed away as if he was waiting for the new album to be released. But we know that the band was able to deliver “XIV” to Mike Porcaro, who now rests in heaven with his brother Jeff Porcaro.
TOTO’s “XIV” definitely proves that the band still has the power and energy to create top quality music and to live up to the expectations of their fans. Steve Lukather took time to talk to MUSE ON MUSE about the brand new “XIV” album.

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Steve Lukather

Photo : ©Heather Porcaro

2008年に解散を表明し活動を停止していたTOTOがALS(筋委縮性側索硬化症)を発症し、療養中のバンドのベーシスト：マイク・ポーカロの支援を目的に再結集したのは2010年の出来事であった。その後、バンドはベストアルバム「IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE 1977-2011」のリリースや世界中でライヴ・ツアーを行い、2014年にはその模様を収録したライヴ作品「35th Anniversary Tour: Live in Porland」を発表。
そして今回遂に9年ぶりとなるオリジナル・スタジオ・アルバム「TOTO XIV」を完成させた。悲しいことにTOTOを再結集に導いたマイク・ポーカロはこの素晴らしい傑作となった作品のリリースにまるで自らのバトンを渡すかのように天国へ旅立った。しかしバンドはマイクに天国で彼とのセッションを心待ちにしているジェフ・ポーカロへの素晴らしい手土産「TOTO XIV」をマイクに預けることができた。
世界中の音楽ファンの期待に応え満足させる優れた作品を生み出すパワーがTOTOに健在であることを見事に証明した快心の作品「TOTO XIV」についてスティーヴ・ルカサーに訊いた。

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MUSE ON MUSEではスティーヴ・ルカサーに新年の挨拶とともに今春４月に予定されている結成35周年のTOTO来日公演についてミニ・インタビューを敢行した。

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