Pros: Good (but unusual) selection of Tori Amos' best songs.
Cons: Not All Tori's hits are included.
The Bottom Line: Buy it! Not only you will be acquiring a good piece of musical art, but also the biography of one of the most intriguing musicians ever.
andremf's Full Review: Tales of a Librarian: A Tori Amos Collection [CD &...
On November 18th, 2003, one of the five most influential rock stars of all time according to Q magazine released her first ever collection. Tori Amos, the American pianist, composer and singer made up a compilation, entitled Tales Of A Librarian, of twenty of her favorite songs which she describes to be her musical autobiography.
The album is not just another ordinary “Best Of”, however, as Tori has personally revisited and reconditioned the original material “to offer a new perspective” on some songs she particularly enjoys. Furthermore, two new compositions (“Angels” and “Snow Cherries From France”) are included, as well as a couple of extremely rare non-LP songs (“Mary” and “Sweet Dreams”). In addition to all this, a bonus DVD comes along with Tales Of A Librarian, featuring songs recorded live during sound check of the final show of Amos' 2003 North-American tour.
Despite being of uncommon quality, some negative points about the collection also have to be taken into consideration. Much attention was given to her first solo album, Little Earthquakes (1991), from which six songs have been taken, while not even one composition from her last release, Scarlet’s Walk (2002), features among Tori’s best “tales”. Also, only four insignificant songs (except for the funny “Professional Widow”) were taken from her epic third album released in 1996, Boys For Pele. This has probably disappointed some Ears With Feet which is how her fans call themselves, as hymns like “Hey Jupiter” or “A Sorta Fairytale” are missing from Tori Amos’ long-expected first compilation.
Tales Of A Librarian may not be the perfect selection for all ears, but Amos’ personal taste is surely worth taking into account. Songs like “Me And A Gun”, which tells us “the things that go through your head” when you are being raped, and “Cornflake Girl”, greatly appreciated by the critics, more than make up for any possible failing due to Tori’s eccentric opinion about her own career.
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![Tales of a Librarian: A Tori Amos Collection [CD & DVD][Atlantic] by Tori Amos](http://di1.shopping.com/images1/pi/46/f6/99/2002262366-177x150-0-0.jpg)
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