Coming off the success of their debut album, Toto took a turn toward the progressive rock sound with their sophomore studio album, Hydra. While many LA bands were hitting the club circuit, Toto was making their mark in the studios. The members of Toto are some of the most sought-after session musicians, but the band itself is made of high school friends and family, many of whom came from musical families and circles. Jeff Porcaro claimed that the name came from the Latin phrase “in toto,” meaning “all,” or “as a whole.”
Musical Fact Finder and Friend of the show Doug Aiken profiles this album from his favorite band!
99
This is the one hit off the album with its distinctive piano structure. The song was inspired by George Lucas' film THX-1138 in which people no longer have names, only numbers.
Mama
This track has a classic Los Angeles sound with smooth grooves - think George Benson or Steely Dan. There is a stripped-down sound to this music, making good use of space instead of the "wall of sound" more common in prog rock works.
Hydra
The title track from the album is a prog rock opus, complete with fantasy monsters and damsels in distress.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Theme from "Wonder Woman"
Folks, I think it’s safe to say we're all big fans of Lynda Carter, the original TV Wonder Woman
STAFF PICKS:
“Children of the Sun” by Billy Thorpe
Wayne's staff pick keeps the prog rock fun continuing, with Billy Thorpe's space opera rock anthem. This was a timely hit during a period when interest in UFO's and extraterrestrials was peaking. Listen to this song with headphones to get the full effect.
“Fins” by Jimmy Buffett
Bruce's staff pick brings us to the Caribbean where Buffett tells the story of a bunch of guys hitting on the girls. “You've got fins to the left, fins to the right, and you're the only bait in town.”
“My Sharona” by The Knack
You can't cover 1979 properly without hitting this song. Rob shares this was Capital Record's fastest chart runner since The Beatles, and the top pop song from 1979. Lead vocalist Doug Feiger was dating a girl named Sharona, and the lyrics came to him in about 15 minutes.
“Get it Right Next Time” by Gerry Rafferty
Let the yacht rock roll. Brian highlights a smooth hit from the "Night Owl" album with a positive theme. And you can't go wrong with a sax!
“Last Train to London” by ELO
Doug Aiken's staff pick picks up a disco-leaning song from ELO's album "Discovery." Jeff Lynne sites the inspiration for this song as the number of trains the band had to take to and from London at the time.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
“Rise” by Herb Alpert
This instrumental hit made Herb Alpert the only artist to have both a vocal and instrumental number 1 hit.