Tori Amos - Tales of a Librarian: A Tori Amos Collection (Bonus DVD)
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Free Music Notes for Tales of a Librarian: A Tori Amos Collection (Bonus DVD)
Free Music Review: Like no other Library I've been too!
Hit: 5 Stars
Ok, I do have to admit that I am a huge Tori fan and I do own all of her cds, but don't let that count against this review. To be completely honest with you when I first heard about this compilation I was a bit worried actually. I thought it was a bad idea for Tori to try and alter her already classic songs. And how could she possibly pick a track list that would properly represent her career?Well, I have to admit that when I heard Tales of a Librarian I was genuinely surprised. The alterations aren't too drastic to where the songs sound different. They just enhance the songs rather than take anything away from them. The additional strings in "Winter," "Silent All These Years," Baker Baker," and "Jackie's Strength" are just gorgeous. They really add to the songs. Also, the added vocals to "God" and "Cornflake Girl" are really incredible. The new vocals really enhance the sound of the songs, and the spoken proverb in "God" is now audible. And two new additions to the Tori song catalogue are "Angels" and "Snow Cherries From France" are both wonderful. "Snow Cherries" is a wonderful song of lost love and "Angels" takes a stab at crooked politics. The new stripped sounds of "Spark," "Bliss," and "Tear and Your Hand" are amazing. They really bring out the lyrics of the songs.
The only thing I would have liked to see more of are a few more songs from Tori's third album, and my favorite, Boys for Pele. The songs that are on the cd from Boys for Pele don't represent Tori's real talent from that album. The harpsichord is totally missing. Although the new "Way Down" is incredible. Tori decided to keep in the ending with the Irish choir from Delgany. It is so beautiful it gives me goosebumps. However, I don't like the remixed version of "Professional Widow" on the cd. It is a fun song to dance to, but I just don't like remixes. The original was much better and should have been used instead.
And I have read some comment on the fact that this song or that song should have been included but the truth is everyone has favorites and there is no way to please everyone. And the fact is only the devoted fans make such a stink about their favorites not being included. The casual Tori listener would enjoy this cd very much just like the devoted fans so don't let that discourage you from getting an awesome cd. So overall, I think the track listing was picked well.
I also have to comment on how gorgeous the dvd is. The picture montages and live footage played over a couple of Tori's songs are just incredible! the picture montages span Tori's career from the early 90s to now. And the live footage was taken during the recording of Boys for Pele. You can actually see Tori's writing and recording process. Very beautiful indeed! And I have to comment that their isn't any problem with the sound on the dvd. It is very crisp and defined.
So, no this isn't a money making scheme from record companies or from Tori. If she just slapped on a bunch of songs from her career on to a cd, then it would have been a money making scheme. Instead, Tori re-invented some of her old songs very tastefully and added some new songs, and included a gorgeous dvd. To me that shows nobody is trying to rip people off, but instead making the most of a cd to get your moneys worth.
Tales of a Librarian is an extremely admirable effort with incredible new additions to classic songs that both devoted fans and new fans will enjoy!
Free Music Review: a beautifully remastered compilation of Tori's best.
Hit: 5 Stars
I would recommend this to anyone who is just getting into Tori (as well as the entire Little Earthquakes album) or longtime fans who want to here some of her best hits remastered. The album itself is beautifully crafted, featuring some of the best songs off LE - "Precious Things", "Silent All These Years", "Winter", "Crucify", "Me and a Gun" and "Tear In Your Hand". The best part about the older Tori songs, is that they were remastered and now things that were not apparent in the original versions are apparent now. Backing vocals are more prevalent, as well as background instruments making for a richer Tori experience. Its most noticiable in "Silent All These Years", "Cornflake Girl", "Jackie's Strength" and "Tear In Your Hand". Although a handful of selections are from Little Earthquakes, Tori's amazing Debut, there are also some great tracks off her sophomore album, "Under the Pink" - "Cornflake Girl", "Mr. Zebra", "God", and "Baker Baker". Beautiful songs, though I wish "Cloud On Your Tongue", "The Waitress" or "Spacedog" was included on this compilation.
From Tori's 3rd album "Boys for Pele" - "Professional Widow" and "Way Down". I think this is slightly flawed because "Caught a Light Sneeze", "Hey Jupiter" and "Putting the Damage On" should be included (PTDO is included on the DVD for some reason..). The only other problem with the Boys selections are that the mix of Professional Widow isn't the original. It's a dance remix from the single. Now, I do like the dance mix but it doesn't fit in with the flow of the other songs on this album. I was a bit dissapointed with that.
1998's Choirgirl Hotel is represented by "Spark" and "Jackie's Strength" the two singles from the album. Beautiful songs, but there were a few others off the album that should be here (like "Northern Lad" which is a live version on the DVD, and "Pandora's Box". Also representing Choirgirl is "Playboy Mommy" one of my favorite songs off the album. Simply beautiful.
Even 1999's Venus and Back gets mentioned with the song "Bliss", though I think "1,000 Oceans" should be here too. It's one of my all time favorite Tori songs.
2002's Scarlet's Walk isn't even represented here, only songs from Tori's albums prior. Although there are several new tracks "Angels", "Mary" and "Snow Cherries from France" which are great, but are the "new" Tori style of songs- with her backing band. (I like the old tori better).
Onto the DVD:
The DVD is simply great, featuring live performances taped during Tori's soundcheck. "Honey", "Northern Lad" and "Pretty Good Year" are played. There is also an option to view a photo slideshow while listening to the album versions of "Putting the Damage On" and "Mr. Zebra"- which are amazing and beautiful to watch.
All in all this set is worth having. If not for the DVD and new songs, then for the beauty and clarity of Tori's original work- which sound better than ever here. Although some songs should have been included on this disk (I think Scarets Walk should have at least had one song on here) overall it is worth your time and money if you're a Tori fan. Hope this helps.
By the way the album art is great too- the booklet is based on the dewey decimal system, and the song lyrics are under different headings in the system according to what they are about. its pretty interesting to take a look at.
Free Music Review: old friends in new clothes...
Hit: 5 Stars
It seems like Tori is letting us in on some secrets to her songs... from the enhanced vocals and instrumentation to the lovely Dewey decimal system packaging, certain aspects of each song are highlighted. I've always found Tori's songs to have different meanings for different people, different moods, etc., and I think it's interesting to hear the perspective captured on this album. Not that the listener can't still ascribe his or her own meanings to the songs, it's more like the songs want to be heard for a specific reason. To the casual (read non-EWF!!!) listener, the differences in some songs may not always be noticeable. However, on many tracks (such as "Winter, "Precious Things") even though the arrangement is not extremely different, the vocals are brought to the forefront, and "little" things like background vocals and drumbeats are enhanced. The songs that are changed more drastically are still beautiful, just different, like a friends you haven't seen in a while... she may have experienced a lot since you last saw her, she may look different, act differently, think differently, but at the core she's still the same old friend. But I don't think I'll ever get used to the now multiple techno versions of "Professional Widow"...I've read all the reviews that mention some "obvious" songs that were left out. I think if any given Tori fan made a compilation, it wouldn't match a compilation made by anybody else. That's just the personal nature of these songs. But since these songs were Tori's choice, I can't argue with what she chose. It's her compilation, not mine. I love that she put some not-so-obvious songs on there, like "Way Down," which I think is often overlooked (but it is gorgeous on this album!!!). Personally, I think putting "Precious Things" first on the album is wonderful (what woman couldn't love this?), and the crazy politica in me was so happy to see "Sweet Dreams" (`who's your daddy?' So great!!!) added. "Mary" is great, and the new songs are, as always, welcome and enjoyed.
As for the packaging, I think it reflects the nature of the album. Tori looks perfectly porcelain, almost unreal. I think this is a nod to the preservation and maintenance of the old songs... like the songs, Tori is cleaned up too. :)). Love the DVD, I'm always fascinated to watch Tori perform. "Honey" is especially nice on this.
Overall, I love this compilation. With the exception of the new songs and DVD, I already owned everything on this album. No matter, I bought this as soon as it came out. This album is good to enjoy songs on their own, but I think it's at it's absolute best when listened to comprehensively... a great story of a great career. Now my always biased final opinion-- like every other Tori album, a must have.
Free Music Review: Wonderful
Hit: 5 Stars
First, I must say that I'm appalled by some of the other reviews say that it's a travasty that Tori would recondition these songs. They are HER songs, and it is HER choice what to do with them. It isn't as if these reconditioned versions will permanently replace all other version. Just get out your old CDs.Now, I must say that there is one song on the CD that I think should have been scrapped and replaced with something else. The remixed version of "Professional Widow" sticks out like a sore thumb. I know she put it in there for a reason, but I don't like many of the remixes people do of her music, and I end up skipping track 10 every time.
That said, I'll go on to the others. The two new songs, "Angels" and "Snow Cherries from France" are great. I was confused when I first heard "Cherries" because I expected it to be a little more minimalistic, but whatever. That song is ALWAYS stuck in my head. "Angels" is wonderful. . . . very much along the same vein as most of her Scarlet's Walk songs. The two rerecorded songs, "Mary" and "Sweet Dreams" are great, too. At first I didn't like the way she was singing "Sweet Dreams", but it's playfulness has totally grown on me.
As for the reconditioning, I like some of these versions more. "Spark" is 10 times crisper than it is on Choirgirl, with the background vocals ("between cotton balls and xylophones", "tell it to me baby, tell me", etc) crystal clear. Also, the Bible verse in "God" is spookily clear. . . it still gives me the chills. And then, anyone who LOVES "Cornflake Girl" will be freaked out when they hear the "golden gun" bridge of the song with the almost non-existant background vocals on the UTP version bouncing about in your head.
Honestly, this is a collection that I adore. Many of the songs I've heard so many times that I'd stopped appreciating them as much as I used to, but with this collection I find myself nearly crying when I listen to "Baker Baker" and "Silent All These Years" once more. It's been in my CD player since I first bought it.
As for the DVD, I've only been able to watch it once since I don't have a player of my own and had to kidnap a friend's for a night. But I love her performances of "Pretty Good Year" and "Northern Lad". Her performances here are entirely different than when she's playing to a packed house. Even seeing her play live to 13 people at the soundcheck in Ames in '98 was drastically different than how she played just a few hours later to the sold-out theatre. But it's still nice to hear her sing live, and I'm glad they chose to record a soundcheck so there wasn't the constant noise of the audience. That's what getting stuff online is for, right?
Free Music Review: Leave it to Tori!
Hit: 5 Stars
IT'S I've been looking forward to it for months, but "Tales of a Librarian" exceeded all my expectations. Leave it to Tori Amos to forgo the traditional "Greatest Hits" album in favor of something more complex and original (all the songs are organized by the Dewey Decimal System- hence, "Librarian"). What one first notices is the packaging- pink and colorful, unlike her other, darker or more mute-colored albums. The photos inside the CD booklet are awesome too- don't you just want to BE Tori? But why waste time0 let's get to the important stuff: the songs!!
Tracks I didn't notice too much difference in were "Precious Things," "Silent All These Years," Mr. Zebra," "Crucify," "Bliss," "Me and a Gun" and "Baker Baker." The others, however...
- "Cornflake Girl" has a much clearer sound to it, and the sleigh bells are very apparent.
- "God" sounds less 80's-ish and more classic Tori, and the proverb spoken in the middle is clearer.
- "Winter" is full of strings- and for the better, in my opinion!
- "Way Down" is longer by about thirty seconds. At first I wondered why she chose this obscure "Bpys For Pele" track for her compilation album, but I've learned one thing- Never doubt Tori!
- "Professional Widow" is technoized and sounds a bit disco-ish. I like it, but I was disappointed that most of the lyrics were missing. She repeats herself over and over.
- "Playboy Mommy" is more melacholy and bluegrss sounding, and more emphasis is placed on the piano.
- "Tear in Your Hand" used to be my least favorite Tori girl; I thought it was dated and 80's-ish. This version is a million times better- it's almost like a different song. Moving and sweet.
- "Jackie's Strength" is the only song I have a tiny quibble with- the chorus isn't right. I don't know how to explain it- just listen for yourself. Most people probably won't notice it, but "Jackie's Strength" is one of my favorite songs of all time and I know it a bit too well. :)
- "Sweet Dreams" is one of my favorite bsides and this version is terrific. In it, she says "who's your daddy?" which I thought was funny.
- "Mary." I'd never heard this song before I got this album, but I like it a lot. It's energetic and well written.
- "Angels." this new track is interesting and very pretty. Apparently it's autobiographical, but Tori always does a good job of transcending the "oh poor me" lyrics found in a lot of autobio songs.
and finally.....
- "Snow Cherries From France." Possibly the best Tori song of all time- imagine a mix between "Josephine," "Cooling," and "Spark" and there you have it. That song alone is worth buying the album for.
in short....
it's here everybody... GO GET IT