A review of Tori's January 14, 2003 concert in Wolverhampton, U.K. appeared in the January 15, 2003 edition of the Birmingham Evening Mail. Thanks to Lucy for sending this to The Dent.

FINAL VERDICT: TALENTS OF TORI FALL ON DEAF EARS;
TORI AMOS CIVIC HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON

ADRIAN CAFFERY

KOOKY American singer songwriter Tori Amos demonstrated her keyboard wizardry during a wonderfully diverse set. Sitting, standing, kneeling... she switched from Bosendorfer to Hammond (often mid-song) and then, legs akimbo, played both at the same time to accompany vocals haunting one moment, thunderous the next. It's a shame the audience were not so animated. Not even signature tune Cornflake Girl could stir them from statuesque poses. Thank heavens Tori didn't play the chart-topping dance version of Professional Widow.

The opening bars of other old favourites such as Leather and Precious Things brought whoops of delight although radically reworked versions of Talula and Crucify interrupted their natural flow.

Songs from recent album Scarlet's Walk sat nicely among the hits, including the irresistable A Sorta Fairytale and spine-chilling post-September 11 track I Can't See New York.

Backed during the show by just drums and bass, my only criticism, to quote one of her songs, would be she 'goes too far when pianos try to be guitars'.