A Likely Tori
September 19th 2007 03:44
Tori Amos plays the Civic Theatre
Newcastle, September 18 2007
It’s difficult to know where to begin when talking about Tori Amos. At 44, she has had two multi-Platinum, three Platinum, and two Gold albums in the US, performed over 1000 shows and founded her own anti-sexual assualt organisation; RAINN – The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, following a traumatic sexual assault inflincted upon her by a fan in her twenties. Amos is one tough cookie. Known to be as uncomromising as she is musically talented, Amos has fought for her piano for much of her lengthy career.
Playing piano since the age of 2 and being accepted into the acclaimed Peabody Conservatory of Music at age 5, Amos’ gift for musicality was realised at a very young age. At 11, she was kicked out of the Conservatory due to a refusal to read sheet music. She continued howveer to compose her own songs but didn’t get her break until 21, after a disappointing stunt in the band; Y Kant Tori Read, when she wrote Little Earthquakes.
Having released at least 10 orogonal albums, Tori is now on tour promoting her most recent offering; American Doll Posse, a concept album on which she becomes five different characters based on Godesses of Greek Myth. Enter Pip, Santa, Isabel, Tori and Clyde. Five very different girls with one very similar thing in common; they know how to rock a piano.
I was lucky enough to catch Santa in concert last night at The Civic Theatre Newcastle, performing a good deal of her hits from American Doll Posse, then transforming into the old Tori we all know and love to perfrom some much loved hits and obscurities of the past. I was pleased to hear some of my favourites being pulled out of the back catalogue; Yes, Anastasia, Northern Lad, Winter, Liquid Diamonds, Precious Things, Sorta Fairytale, God…the list continues and everyone was more than satisfied. I almost peed from excitement at one point.
Musically, this ferocious woman cannot be faulted. She literally becomes her instrument while on stage, writhing and flowing with the music, creating a tangible sonic space for her listeners. The only element I would actually fault her on was her lack of audience address during this show. She played beautifully with and without the aid of her band (ooh la la, three men in the service of one talented woman – my, how times have changed as Miss Amos leads the new Sexual Revolution!), but she really only spoke to the audience in order to introduce sais band and her usual witty banter was dearly missed during this show.
Sassy as I’ve ever seen her, and quirkier than ever, hopefully she’ll have some interesting anecdotes for her Sydney show on the 24th of September at the Opera House and the atmosphere won’t feel so sterile.
Newcastle, September 18 2007
www.toriamos.com
It’s difficult to know where to begin when talking about Tori Amos. At 44, she has had two multi-Platinum, three Platinum, and two Gold albums in the US, performed over 1000 shows and founded her own anti-sexual assualt organisation; RAINN – The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, following a traumatic sexual assault inflincted upon her by a fan in her twenties. Amos is one tough cookie. Known to be as uncomromising as she is musically talented, Amos has fought for her piano for much of her lengthy career.
Playing piano since the age of 2 and being accepted into the acclaimed Peabody Conservatory of Music at age 5, Amos’ gift for musicality was realised at a very young age. At 11, she was kicked out of the Conservatory due to a refusal to read sheet music. She continued howveer to compose her own songs but didn’t get her break until 21, after a disappointing stunt in the band; Y Kant Tori Read, when she wrote Little Earthquakes.
Having released at least 10 orogonal albums, Tori is now on tour promoting her most recent offering; American Doll Posse, a concept album on which she becomes five different characters based on Godesses of Greek Myth. Enter Pip, Santa, Isabel, Tori and Clyde. Five very different girls with one very similar thing in common; they know how to rock a piano.
I was lucky enough to catch Santa in concert last night at The Civic Theatre Newcastle, performing a good deal of her hits from American Doll Posse, then transforming into the old Tori we all know and love to perfrom some much loved hits and obscurities of the past. I was pleased to hear some of my favourites being pulled out of the back catalogue; Yes, Anastasia, Northern Lad, Winter, Liquid Diamonds, Precious Things, Sorta Fairytale, God…the list continues and everyone was more than satisfied. I almost peed from excitement at one point.
Musically, this ferocious woman cannot be faulted. She literally becomes her instrument while on stage, writhing and flowing with the music, creating a tangible sonic space for her listeners. The only element I would actually fault her on was her lack of audience address during this show. She played beautifully with and without the aid of her band (ooh la la, three men in the service of one talented woman – my, how times have changed as Miss Amos leads the new Sexual Revolution!), but she really only spoke to the audience in order to introduce sais band and her usual witty banter was dearly missed during this show.
Sassy as I’ve ever seen her, and quirkier than ever, hopefully she’ll have some interesting anecdotes for her Sydney show on the 24th of September at the Opera House and the atmosphere won’t feel so sterile.
| 86 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
