you for a while

Sweet the Sting

Lyrics, Music, and Commentary by Tori Amos

So, this was a real rehearsal for the London show.  That would be the London Apollo which was also recorded and made one of the official bootlegs.  This was a special performance for me because to have the gospel choir…not only had they come down to Cornwall to the studio, and of course they sang on the record, but they were the ones who gave themselves in the live performance. So you know you’re not seeing actors you’re seeing musicians pulling it together for a live performance.

Alex, the director, felt it was just about capturing all that went into it.  The charge was uh, exuberant and spirits were high.  I think to be able to sing with such accomplished vocalists is, you know, its a dream come true.  A lot of times I live in isolation with the pianos, so, you know, to share this with these passionate artists, um, it was a once in a lifetime experience for me.

And the truth of it is that when you go live, I mean, you know, there is no lip sync live.  You know there are artists that use dats when you are on stage, thats because they aren’t really musicians who can perform live.  There are artists who are studio accomplished, but they are very different things.  And, I sort of I love the challenge of having to do it, you know, with the nervousness in your voice, and the cold hands, and the butterflies.  I think all of that makes it magical or, a train wreck.  And you know that thats the danger of it.  So.  If you use dats then your really not very dangerous are you?

~ Tori Amos on Sweet the Sting (from Fade to Red)