Tori Amos at Durham PAC

Dramatic Flair.
Reverence from the crowd.
Song stylist at work.

In the pivot position.

Tori Amos returned to her home turf in North Carolina to perform at the spanking new Durham Performing Arts Center on July 31, 2009. She emphasized material from her latest album, "Abnormally Attracted to Sin." The show featured Amos on piano, organ and a variety of other keyboards along with a drummer and a fellow who alternated between bass and guitar. A near capacity crowd listened reverently as she reeled through alot of her new album and threw in a classic like "Cornflake Girl" which she played as the third song. Amos exhibited her typical defiant and confident attitude for the interesting demographic that is often seen at her shows. Though most rock shows will attract a predominately straight male audience, Amos seems to draw alot of women in groups, more gay male couples than one would expect and alot of guys with their dates or wives. I won't try to analyze that any further. At many "middle aged" shows, the debate is often whether or not to stand up and dance or sit down and listen. This show was no different though the crowd seemed to easily settle into their seats until the encore when everybody got up and boogied a little. A good, solid show. Check out my youtube for some vids www.youtube.com/nosyfieldstone

Tori Amos Cuts the Edge (As Usual)

I have been fascinated by Tori Amos in her roles of songwriter, performer and general challenger of the male/female status quo. I had the opportunity to see her play at Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte a year or two ago and her live show impressed probably more than her studio records. She brought an energy and defiance to the stage that is expected of a true rock star. Her recordings over the years have been uneven with gems like "Cornflake Girl" strewn among lesser tracks. However, I can say now, rather unequivocally that her new record "Abnormally Attracted to Sin" is a heavyweight record that is one of the better rock records I have heard. The strength of the record is in both its variety and in Amos' more liberal use of instruments other than the keyboards. There is much more guitar work than on past Amos records. There is also a use of sampling and/or synths that brings a more foreboding imminence to the music. Several times while listening to this record for the first time tonight, it occurred to me that she has taken some cues from Portishead. But ultimately the voice and lyrics belong uniquely to Tori. "Lady in Blue" is a song that has one of the most stunning transitions I have heard in a song. It starts out almost as a torch classic but devolves into a bit of a rock manifesto. Anyway, give this record a listen. Its lushness will surely draw you in.