News: Manchester Evening News Concert Review

Thanks to Jason and Bob for linking us to Helen Tither’s review of the Manchester concert for the Manchester Evening News’s Citylife entertainment website. Despite one use of the k-word (albeit in the past tense), you can’t go wrong when someone calls you a “high fashion space dominatrix!”

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Tori Amos

By Helen Tither

STANDING astride her piano stool, arms outstretched to her two keyboards, a curtain of burnished red locks falling down her back, Tori Amos throws her head back and smiles.

Lights beaming forward onto the spellbound audience cast the enigmatic singer in a striking silhouette. It’s one of those perfect gig moments.

Haunting piano chords fill the room and the crowd gaze on, almost bewitched, as one of music’s most provocative female songwriters holds the room in thrall.

Back with a new album – Abnormally Attracted to Sin – and back in Manchester for the opening of her UK tour, Amos is back on form. With all the stage presence of someone who knows she is at the peak of her performance powers.

Glam rock chick

Anyone who dashed out in their Dr Martens back in her early Nineties heyday to buy breakthrough album Little Earthquakes will recall the that early captivating kookiness, all curly hair and stonewashed denims.

Since then, she’s been through enough reinventions to rival Madonna. From glam rock chick to 1940s siren – via dance music diva during her Professional Widow remix days.

Tonight, she’s settled on what can only be described as high fashion space dominatrix. A look I personally am loving.

Red skin-tight gown

Who else would take on a Bosendorfer grand piano in a red skin-tight floor length gown, leggings and patent stilettos Dita Von Teese could trip over in?

Once ensconced on her piano stool, between her grand and a keyboard on the other side, she makes a striking centre piece to a three musician show. With only guitar and drum support for her dramatic piano-based pieces.

Opening with the deep echoing beats of Give, from her latest album, the new material harks back to the part-rock part-dance perfection of her From the Choirgirl Hotel days. Teamed with Amos’ knowing yet angelic vocals, it’s a darkly mesmerising combination.

Arm muscles flexing

Other new offerings, Welcome to England with its occasionally New Order-esque guitar, and the dirty rock strains of Strong Black Vine lend the show a powerful intensity that some recent tours lacked.

Her well-defined arm muscles flexing as she spins from side to side pounding those keyboards.

Although, it’s the well-worn hits such as Cornflake Girl and Precious Things that really gets the crowd – and Amos – in the mood.

“I am indeed up north – as you know my husband is a northern lad so I wore red,” she smiles to appreciative cheers. “He is an Arsenal fan though so I’m going to get in trouble for this.”

Grabbing her crotch

Which is, of course, what’s so captivating about this Cornwall-based American, her love of provoking a reaction. Whether with her intense – yet unfathomable – lyrics, or by grabbing her crotch half way through a song, casting a smile over her shoulder.

Or maybe it’s just the fact she really knows how to rock a piano.

Reviewed: Mon, 07 September, 2009