you for a while

Tori Amos recently wrapped up her tour of Australia and headed back to hotbed of political unrest that is the good ol’ U S of A. Fitting then, that she kicked things off with Isabel, the Armetis-inspired doll who tirelessly “hunts” for truth, justice, and the political bad guys.

A review of her first American show, at the Palace Theater in Albany New York, appeared early this morning in Albany’s newspaper, the Times Union. The article was written by David Malachowski…probably a very tired David Malachowski given that he must have churned this article out by 5:00 this morning. I am reading as I am writing, and the article start off with promise, as it is titled: Amos Casts wondrous spell at the Palace.

Okay…very promising. The author refers to this show as Tori’s best in Albany to date, which is indeed a compliment as she has played there several times. This guy is a fan! WooHoo! He explains the American Doll Posse concept, then Isabel’s entrance–a cigarette-wielding swagger to the piano. I’m sure no one is suprised that she started off the night with Yo, George.

The setlist is found below, and my new friend David delivers some amazing adjectives to capture Tori Amos’ sound: tribal, anxious, swirling, pounding, unearthy, powerful, sultry, haunting, staggering, ominous, and thundering. (Yo, David…can you write all of Tori’s concert reviews?). He doesn’t appear to like Caught a Lite Sneeze, however, referring to it as “mechanical and rigid.”

My man closed with this amazing compliment:

“Amos documents thoughts many of us have and think, but don’t articulate, and that’s why her fans have a cultish flair. For those who have never seen her, this was a fine initiation, for longtime fans, a set beyond. This night at this Palace, Amos didn’t rest on her considerable laurels but moved forward. “

No word on the improv in this review. Check back for updates…I’ll have to peruse the net some more and I need to get ready for work. Here is the setlist…for those of you who are curious about that sort of thing. I myself like to be surprised at concerts, but I will sacrifice

Isabel:
Yo’ George
Tubular Bells
Devils And Gods
In the Springtime of his Voodoo
Tombigbee
Almost Rosey

Tori:
Big Wheel
Sugar
Black-Dove
Cornflake Girl
Mother Revolution
Caught A Lite Sneeze

T & Bo:
Marianne
Etienne
Famous Blue Raincoat

The boys are back:
Virginia
God
Code Red

Encores:
Precious Things
Tear In Your Hand
Bouncing Off Clouds
Hey Jupiter

Click here to read the original article.

Filed under: ADP Tour on October 10th, 2007