News: AZCentral.com Concert Review (December 12, 2007)

The excellently-named Justin Doom reviewed the December 11th show at Phoenix’s Dodge Theatre for azcentral.com. (the same review can also be found on their concert blog.)

Perhaps more interestingly to some, there is a four-photo slideshow with some nice close-ups for the Clyde fans out there.

Check it out!

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Tori Amos at Dodge Theater, 12/11

By Justin Doom
Special to azcentral.com
Dec. 12, 2007 05:48 PM

Tori Amos, decked out in fuchsia and a pair of white slingbacks, adorably scampered on stage Tuesday night at Dodge Theater in Phoenix to a warm, raucous welcome, including varying cries of “I love you!” and “Whooo!”

It would be hard to argue that many performers today have a more loyal fan base.

Amos followed Yoav, a Dave Eggers doppelganger who used only a guitar to create a wave of sound far richer than his vocal performance. Yoav’s lyrics and his overall songs seemed to meander despite the fantastic sounds he concocted and looped on his guitar. Certainly not the worst opening act you’d ever hear, and he seemed like a genuinely nice guy, hanging out in the lobby between acts and taking pictures with fans.

The only thing seemingly odd about Amos’ striking performance was how, at times, it seemed as though her piano and/or keyboard and/or organ were too soft compared with the guitar and the bass and the drums, a small technical problem, if anything.

After seven songs, the end of Act I as noted on her set list, Amos rushed backstage and reemerged wearing a sleeveless, shimmering pantsuit, that subtlely and politely said, “Yes, I am a rock star, but we’re not here to talk about me.”

The most interesting thing about her wardrobe change was that the elaborate light structures and combinations used to complement each song reflected from her clothing, which added to the show’s overall aesthetic. She literally reflected her music.

The Act I portion of the show included Bouncing Off Clouds, Little Earthquakes, Juarez, Little Amsterdam, Upside Down, Beauty of Speed and Professional Widow.

After she changed, she continued on with Big Wheel, Purple People and Concertina before she excused her bandmates to play a few songs solo on her piano, beginning with a bit of inspired improve.

She then played mega-hit Silent All These Years and Black Swan, concluding the Act II portion.

Her band (Matt Chamberlain on drums; Jon Evans on bass; Dan Phelps on guitar) rejoined her for Northern Lad, Father Lucifer and Code Red. And, of course, she mixed in Cornflake Girl.

She encored with Precious Things and Tear In Your Hand. She double-encored with Beekeeper. In all, she was on-stage for the better part of two and a half hours. She began the show as Clyde, acting as one of four characters from her new album, American Doll Posse.

She ended the show, unmistakably, as Tori.