A review of Tori's August 4, 2003 show in Phoenix, AZ appeared in the August 5, 2003 edition of The Arizona Republic newspaper. They also have 9 color photos that are really good!
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Thanks to Lisa Albinger for telling me. You can read this press review online at azcentral.com or below. Be sure to check out the 9 photos they have in a little slide show. They are very nice.
Amos makes for a memorable night
Photos by Dave Cruz/The Arizona Republic
Review by Theresa Cano
All the elements that make a Tori Amos show so memorable were accounted for during Monday night's performance at Dodge Theatre.
Her spastic leg kicks, hands flailing and seat gyrating were all in check, but that's not all that made Amos' show so distinct. What made the show unique was that no matter how many times someone had seen her before, it felt as though Monday night's performance was so intimate that it was almost as if Amos was treating fans to a snapshot into her mindset for that one particular evening.
The fiery singer-songwriter orchestrated a sonic assault for the entirety of the two hour and twenty minute show. She captivated the crowd with a dazzling display of piano playing and her unique vocal styling. The 39-year-old was light and whimsical one moment and rage-filled the next.
The piano goddess' loyal following has been earned mostly through her ability to convey an overwhelming amount of passion and emotion during her live performances.
The singer who almost single-handedly revived the piano as a rock instrument, tore through a set that was filled with classics and songs from her latest release Scarlet's Walk.
"God," "Bells For Her" and "Bliss" worked the already adoring crowd into near hysteria. Little Earthquake's "Crucify" was reworked with the verses sung over a haunting, tribal inspired beats. Amos' longtime collaborators bassist John Evans and drummer/percussionist Matt Chamberlain added a richness and urgency to the singer's emotional, powerful music.
Amos' two-man-band took a break leaving the singer to perform a handful of songs solo. "China" was played beautifully. The crowd was mesmerized as Amos poured herself into the heartbreaking lyrics.
Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide" was a surprising and pleasant cover selection to close out the solo portion of the set. Amos stuck close to the original, but made it her own with her signature vocal styling.
"A Sorta Fairytale" and "I Can't See New York" from Scarlet's Walk sounded amazing live. Amos seemed to relish in playing the new stuff live, but she also breathed new life in some of her older songs.
"Cornflake Girl" and "Caught A Lite Sneeze" both got mixed up a bit. Amos played both a fierce intensity.
A potent version of "Precious Things" closed out the pre-encore set. The song's piercing notes shot out of the piano, bouncing off the venues' walls like daggers into a heart. Chamberlain's pounding intro to the song added even more rage to Amos' tortured lyrics.
"Tear In My Hand" and "Hey Jupiter" were stand-outs during the two encores.
Not to be forgotten, fellow piano rocker Ben Folds opened the show with an amusing, yet talent-packed, hour-long set. His quirky, clever lyrics are laid out over some of the best piano playing in the modern rock world.
Folds charming demeanor was warmly welcomed by the crowd. The North Carolina native's songs played like selections taken from his diary. Some of the tunes were moving, some were things that annoy him and others were plain silly, but all were entertaining.
SETLIST:
wampum prayer
a sorta fairytale
Bliss
In The Springtime Of His Voodoo
God
Father Lucifer
Bells For Her
Crucify
Wednesday
China - solo
Mr. Zebra - solo
Cooling - solo
Landslide - solo
Putting The Damage On
Cornflake Girl
Tombigbee
Amber Waves
Hotel
I Can't See New York
Precious Things
First encore
Caught A Lite Sneeze
Tear In Your Hand
Second encore
Sweet Sangria
Hey Jupiter
