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Thanks to the special person who sent this bit of news to me. You can read the article online at argonaut.uidaho.edu or below if the link has expired. The online version includes a photo of Tori at the Spokane meet and greet.


Walking with 'Scarlet': An evening with Tori Amos
By Andrea Schiers
Argonaut Staff

I asked her friend, author Neil Gaiman, what I should say to her, so as not to sound like every other star-struck college newspaper reporter.

"She's wise, funny, kind and cool," he wrote back, "and it will be fine whatever you do."

I never did get around to asking her for an interview; I was too busy getting the low-down on the Dew Drop Inn for such formalities. But as we shook hands and she made her way to her other adoring fans, I watched her shift through all of those qualities, blocking the 4 o'clock sun from her eyes.

Amos played to a packed Spokane Opera House Tuesday evening, continuing the second U.S. leg of her epic "Scarlet's Walk" tour. She was accompanied by her ever faithful drummer, Matt Chamberlain, and bass player, Jon Evans.

The show kicked off with "Wampum Prayer," followed immediately by "a sorta fairytale," each from Amos' latest album "Scarlet's Walk."

Each album, including 1988's "Y Kant Tori Read," and a handful of rarities, made the set list, making the concert an apt representation of Amos' entire career. "Strange Little Girl" continued the lively welcome, and "Girl" took the audience back to the beginning of this redhead's little adventure.

During her only conversation with the audience, she told the story of a boy from Spokane who slept on her couch and taught her about comics.

"... And I wrote a song about him called 'Precious Things.' If you don't fall asleep, I might sing it for you later."

For the time being, though, she let loose with the classic "Cornflake Girl."

The two non-LP songs of the night referenced the war in Iraq in Amos' own subtle, kind, poignant way. The first expressed the search for certainty in an uncertain time with the lyrics: "Looking for a leader/ ... Looking for bravery/ ... Looking for a question."

The second prefaced the Roadside Caf portion of the concert, featuring Amos alone at her piano for three songs. This song, "It's Not a Game," was much more personal, as it related the struggle of parents explaining the war as depicted on TV to their young children.

"Never Seen Blue," a B-side requested by fans before the show, "Mother" and "Etienne" were Tuesday night's specials at the Roadside, and "Josephine," the only song featured from 1999's "To Venus and Back" introduced the second half of the show.

An extended "Take to the Sky" heightened the mood again, only to be taken down a notch with "Playboy Mommy."

The next four songs repeated a similar pattern, swaying back and forth between loud, pounding piano notes, and Amos' operatic vocals on "Hotel" to the quiet, haunting lyrics of "I Can't See New York."

"From the Choirgirl Hotel" had the last say of the official set with "iieee," and Amos made good on her earlier promise, playing "Precious Things" in her first encore.

"Another Girl's Paradise" ended the night for "Scarlet's Walk" and the second encore encapsulated the mood of the entire show.

The rambunctious, quirky "Space Dog" kept everyone on their feet, and with "Putting the Damage On" Amos left on a peaceful note, nearly whispering the lyrics " ... you're just so pretty ..." to an awestruck audience.

You were right, Neil; she is indeed wise, funny, kind and cool. Tuesday night's performance revealed that to those unaware and reminded those of us who already knew.