News: Omaha World-Record Concert Review (November 11, 2007)

Niz Proskocil reviewed Saturday’s concert at the Omaha Music Hall for the November 11th edition of the Omaha World-Record. Read the review on Omaha.com or read it below. Thanks to Kimberly for letting us know about the review!

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Tori Amos’ talents multiply in concert

BY NIZ PROSKOCIL
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
Published Sunday | November 11, 2007

You’ve heard of rock stars with inflated egos but what about alter-egos?

Singer-pianist Tori Amos conjures five alter-egos on her latest album, “American Doll Posse,” and the concept carries over into her live show.

One of the “characters” opens each of Amos’ shows with a five or six song set of their own.

In the case of Saturday night’s show at the Omaha Music Hall, which was attended by 1,900 fans, it was alter-ego Santa that kicked off a two-hour performance that was a mix of concert and cabaret.

To play the sassy character of Santa, Amos wore a knee-length cocktail dress, fishnet stockings and short, platinum-blond wig.

As Santa, she performed a half-dozens tunes, including new songs “Dragon” and “Secret Spell;” “She’s Your Cocaine” off her 1998 album, “From the Choirgirl Hotel;” and a jazz-tinged B-side called “Bug a Martini.”

During the latter song, she vamped it up with a cocktail shaker full of drinks, which she poured into martini glasses for each of her three band members.

Amos filled a fourth glass and took it into the audience. Accompanied by a burly bodyguard, she strutted down the aisles as fans gawked and stretched their hands to touch her.

Amos, 43, has been producing unconventional, piano-rock music since her 1992 major-label debut, “Little Earthquakes.” Her extremely personal songs brought her national attention and established the cult following she still enjoys today.

After the crowd-pleasing classic “Raspberry Swirl,” Amos went backstage and re-emerged moments later as the “Doll Posse” Tori, with a long orange wig and sparkling one-piece body suit.

“Big Wheel” got the second half of the show off to a rockin’ start.

Sandwiched between her Bosdendorfer grand piano to her left and keyboards on her right, Amos was transfixing to watch as she tickled the ivories and sang with her mouth close to the microphone so that the crowd could hear her strong voice loud and clear.

For most of the show, Amos was backed by drummer Matt Chamberlain, bassist Jon Evans and guitarist Dan Phelps. (“He’s not related to the Phelps church,” she told the crowd.)

Aside from introducing her band and telling the audience, “It’s lovely to see you tonight,” Amos didn’t say much.

Her band left the stage during the solo “T & Bo” portion of the show, in which Amos performed two songs, including 1992’s “Leather,” with just her piano.

One of her biggest hits, “Cornflake Girl,” was met with wild applause, as was another old tune, “Father Lucifer.”

After the leaving the stage to a standing ovation, Amos and her band returned for two encores of classic hits, including an emotional “Precious Things,” “Tear in Your Hand “ and the night’s final number, “Hey, Jupiter.”