News: Adelaide Advertiser Concert Review (September 21, 2007)

Danielle O’Donoghue’s review of the Adelaide show for the The Advertiser was posted on AdelaideNow, along with this picture of Pip.

Tori a Doll of many faces

DANIELLE O’DONOGHUE, ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
September 21, 2007 02:15am

FANS waiting outside Thebarton Theatre yesterday met their hero Tori Amos.

But when she appeared onstage several hours later they were introduced to a parade of the personalities that make up the eclectic.

The album, American Doll Posse, features five distinct feminine characters, each performing songs specific to their personalities.

Last night, it was the confrontational Pip that opened the show in a shiny black wig, striking blue dress and slick black leggings.

Irrespective of the personality Amos was inhabiting, her performance was sensual and physical. Her tiny stature may have been dwarfed by her piano – a jet black Bösendorfer that travels with her – but Amos writhed, danced, dropped to her knees and even played the Bösendorfer and a keyboard behind her at the same time.

Though the majority of songs came from the new album, Amos’ long-time fans were rewarded with old hit Cornflake Girl, the singer’s voice swooping and soaring, an even more effective instrument than her piano.

For the most part, Amos was backed by a three-piece band whose atmospheric musical soundscapes fleshed out the stunning songs.

Speaking before the concert, Amos said she was never sure which of the five personalities will dominate each show, making each performance unique. “It’s exhilarating. They’re as different as walking into five different buildings,” she said.

After meeting her fans Amos said: “You need to know before a show who you are playing for.”