BAND – SOTO
VENUE – THE ORPHEUM
LOCATION-TAMPA, FL
BAND MEMBERS –
Jeff Scott Soto – (vox),
Jorge Salan – (lead guitar),
BJ – (keys, guitars), 
Tony Dickinson – (bass),
Edu Cominato – (drums)
*David Z* – Honorary Member – In Memorian
SHOWDATE – 2/21/19
REVIEWED BY – JOHN ERIGO
PICS & VIDEOS BY – JOHN ERIGO
SOTO SOCIAL MEDIA –
SOTO ON FACEBOOK

SOTO ON INSTAGRAM
SOTO OFFICIAL WEB SITE

The band known as SOTO (as in JEFF SCOTT SOTO) rolled into Tampa, FL on a random Thursday night to play a rare one-off show at the rock club,  The Orpheum. Jeff Scott Soto is one of the most talented and gifted vocalists in the hard rock World, and is also one of the hardest workers too. He’s been either in, or involved with SO many bands it is amazing he can still talk, let alone sing! So I was really excited to see him perform, only my 3rd time seeing him(I saw him once when he was singing for Yngwie Malmsteen, opening for TRIUMPH, and I also saw him once with the band SOUL SIRKUS)and I know it is a rare treat!!! Although many of you have probably seen him perform with TSO(Trans Siberian Orchestra)

So this was billed as a SOTO show, not as Jeff Scott Soto, which he has recorded under that name as a solo artist, but as the band SOTO, who have released 2 albums to date and are working on a third one. The show opened with some great SOTO songs and set the tone for a fun and rocking night. Jeff’s voice soared over crunchy riffs as his band is tight and talented!

SOTO would also go on to play material from Jeff’s solo albums, his band WET and of course, the band he has been involved with for almost 20 years, TALISMAN. There’s no way he could cover ALL the bands or albums he’s been involved with(we’d still be there if he did! LOL!). The band played a new song, and also a cover tune GIVE IN TO ME originally recorded by MICHAEL JACKSON……

 

As the night moved on the crowd was getting more and more into and so was the band! SOTO was really tight and talented, and fun! Which is what it’s all about, isn’t it? Unable to ignore it, SOTO launched into a TALISMAN medley that just kicked ass, including my personal favorite song Jeff has sung on, XTC!!!!!

 

As the show was about to close the band fooled around with singing Journey songs, and then drummer Edu Cominato played through(by himself)a few songs that are known for basic but distinct drum patterns as he sang the choruses to them. QUEEN – We Will Rock You, TWISTED SISTER – We’re Not Gonna Take It, KISS – I Love It Loud and then, eventually, the song Jeff is known best for singing on, STAND UP AND SHOUT. There are 2 versions in the movie ROCK STAR, Jeff Scott Soto sings one version, and the singer from STEELHEART, Miljenko Matijevic the other. On a personal note, I think it is criminal that Jeff Scott Soto is not a household name because he is just an amazing singer! But most people do associate him with this song, which is still cool! It was a great way to end the night. I can only hope SOTO decides to come back to the Tampa area after their next album is done. Until then my fellow headbangers, STAND UP AND SHOOOOOOOOOOUT!!!!!!!