News: Deseret News Concert Review (July 21, 2009)

Pat Reavy, who interviewed Tori prior to last night’s show in Salt Lake City, also weighed in on the concert in a review for the July 21st Deseret News.

---

Amos plays up to enthusiastic crowd

By Pat Reavy
Deseret News
Published: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 4:16 p.m. MDT

TORI AMOS, ONE ESKIMO, Abravanel Hall, July 20

There’s one thing that can’t be disputed about Tori Amos fans in Utah … they’re very passionate about their piano-playing songstress.

A large and enthusiastic crowd welcomed Amos back to Salt Lake Monday night in support of her latest release, “Abnormally Attracted to Sin.”

Straddling a piano stool as she worked between a grand piano on one side and an electric piano on the other, Amos took command of the stage from the moment she walked out and was greeted with a standing ovation.

Mixing songs off her new album, such as “Strong Black Vine” and “Fast Horse,” with her older material such as “Jamaica Inn,” “Icicle” and “China,” Amos had all eyes on her from the start of her 100 minute set.

Oftentimes standing with her arms outstretched in opposite directions, Amos showed off her keyboard skills playing multiple pianos at once.

Amos was backed by her longtime drummer, Matt Chamberlain, a one-time Pearl Jam and Wallflowers drummer as well as Country Music Association musician of the year, who was smooth and steady as always on songs such as “Precious Things,” and Jon Evans, who switched between bass guitar, a standup bass and keyboard.

Despite the excellent playing from all musicians, one of the downfalls was frequent bad mixing, with Chamberlain’s drums often drowning out Amos’ vocals, which were turned too low. But when it was just Tori solo on the piano, she sounded CD quality.

“Siren” and “Cornflake Girl” were other highlights.

“There’s nothing more passionate than you guys,” Amos told the crowd before introducing the band, the only time during her set that she engaged in between song banter.

The audience remained standing for her encore and gave her a loud round of applause as she gave her final wave and hurried offstage.