Author: Jernej Vene
Artist: Lukather, Steve
Label: Frontiers Records
Release: 2008
Running time: 54:32
Rating: 4.1/5
Guitarist, songwriter and singer Steve Lukather is something of a one-off. He’s definitely one of the giants of his instrument: since the mid-seventies his studio work has left its sonic stamp on close to seven hundred records, and he’s written songs for his famous friends that they can rightfully be proud of. He was one of the main guitarists on Michael Jackson’s hugely successful album Thriller. On stage he’s played with legends like Randy Newman, Paul McCartney, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana and Boz Scaggs. Tonight Steve Lukather steps up with his latest record, Ever changing times. Its title ties in with the story of his home band Toto, which called it a day in 2008. Steve Lukather is a founding member, and you probably know them best for the hits Africa and Rosanna. His trademark is melodic rock with touches from every musical wind that blows.
Steve Lukather has found the strength and carved out the time for five solo records so far. Lukather came out in 1989 and shows him in a sharp, almost hard rock guise. Candyman is from 1994 and was recorded with Los Lobotomys, which is, alongside the jazzy El Grupo, his side project. After Luke and the Christmas album Santamental, on Ever Changing Times he serves up rock into which he deftly weaves jazz and touches of blues and rock. At the same time, the record paints him as a complete and highly capable songwriter, musician, singer and producer. The eleven tracks are stylistically all over the place, since the dark sound of his guitar can paint everything from the most intimate to the most openhearted moods. Lukather’s guitar finesse puts him in a special spot. Ever Changing Times hints at where his path will lead in the future. Steve Lukather is looking for new ways to express himself, which is exactly why the recording process was completely organic, that is, with a minimum of digital tech.
Ever Changing Times is packed with decent songwriting ideas, though it’s his renowned buddies from the California recording studios who help him shape the final form of the songs. He’s put a lot of attention into ballads, even if he cuts some of them short with mighty guitar assaults. That way he breaks up the stereotypical idea of his music and justifies the status he enjoys in specialist circles.
The songs also have a heavy rock edge, which Lukather underlines with lightning-fast, fiery solo bursts and other displays of showmanship. Steve Lukather can be very pleased with Ever Changing Times. At a time when music itself and playing in general are becoming ever more of an afterthought thanks to the flood of instant pop production, it’s commendable to still have a virtuoso like Lukather with us. On Ever Changing Times he perhaps sometimes puts more emphasis on the structure of the songs than on virtuoso flourishes, which is yet another mark of this great musician. All the more convincing, then, are the freer and more honest songs and confessions of a longtime rocker, a man who knows the music business inside out.
Lineup
* Steve Lukather – guitar, vocals
* Trevor Lukather – guitars, backing vocals
* Tina Lukather – backing vocals
* Abe Laboriel Jr. – drums
* John Pierce – bass
* Leland Sklar – bass
* Phil Soussan – bass
* Steve Weingart – synthesizer
* Jeff Babko – keyboards
* Randy Goodrum – synthesizer
* Steve Porcaro – keyboards
* Greg Mathieson – Hammond organ
* Steve Macmillan – synthesizer
* Olle Romo – synthesizer
* Jyro Xhan – synthesizer
* Joseph Williams – backing vocals
* Bill Champlin – backing vocals
* Bernard Fowler – backing vocals
* Sharolette Gibson – backing vocals
* Lenny Castro – percussion
Production
Steve Lukather & Steve MacMillan
Track List
1. “Ever Changing Times” – 5:29
2. “The Letting Go” – 5:52
3. “New World” – 4:32
4. “Tell Me What You Want From Me” – 5:13
5. “I Am” – 3:15
6. “Jammin’ With Jesus” – 5:55
7. “Stab in the Back” – 5:59
8. “Never Ending Nights” – 5:35
9. “Ice Bound” – 4:19
10. “How Many Zeros” – 4:33
11. “The Truth” – 3:50
