Customer Reviews

Caught a Lite Sneeze / That's What I Like Mick

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Every Tori Amos EP or maxi single is worth buying because she always delivers some unpredictable yet wonderful new songs alongside the single release being featured. This particular item is no exception. "Caught a Lite Sneeze," the first single from the Boys For Pele album, is one of the two best songs on that particular album ("Talula" being the other one). In addition to this unedited single, Tori introduces four "silly songs." It really feels as if you are right there with her when she decides to play around a little bit on the piano; there is an improvised, personalized feel to these songs. "This Old Man" is the same song we all learned as children, but Tori somehow manages to make it sound downright sensuous. Next is "That's What I Like Mick (The Sandwich Song)," which is a lyrically dense little jaunt that sounds as if Tori is making up the song as she goes along; it is the real gem among these four previously unreleased songs. "Graveyard" is a very short, strange little tune sung at the grave of a recently deceased friend. "Toodles Mr Jim" rounds out the set. Tori plays the part of a small girl singing about a recently deceased neighbor, ending the song with a few words spoken in an immature sing-song voice. While silly is a relative term when you are talking about Tori Amos, it does describe these four songs fairly well--Tori is amusing herself by playing around with some nice, unusual songs that would never find their way on a conventional album. I would certainly consider this a must-have item for Tori's legion of fans.

'Caught A Lite Sneeze', one of Tori's many singles, is very different from anything else. In addition to the exquisite title track, the single has 4 b-sides listed under the heading 'Silly Songs'. The reason I say it is different is because many of Tori's songs have a serious sound to them. The b-sides, a nice contrast to the title track, are all sing-songy little tunes. How could someone not let out a chuckle at Tori singing "This Old Man"? Tori's cover of "That's What I Like Mick (The Sandwich Song)" is a list of things that she likes, played and sung in a unique style. The haunting 54 second-long "Graveyard" is always a treat, and "Toodles Mr. Jim" (about one of Tori's old neighbors) is probably one of her best b-sides. I give this single 5 stars.

The first single from her 1996 "Boys for Pele," "Caught A Lite Sneeze" was released before the album and gave fans a taste of what was to come. The b-sides on this single are called "Silly Songs" on the back cover, and for the most part, that they are. "This Old Man," you guessed it, is her take on the traditional children's song, "That's What I like Mick (The Sandwich Song)" is a cover of the song by the British duo Chas & Dave, and "Toodles Mr. Jim" brings us thoughts of Amos's childhood. The stand-out track on this single, believe it or not, is "Graveyard," which clocks in at less than a minute. It is a largely beautiful composition in a very small amount of time.

"Boys For Pele" has to be Tori's most ambitious album to date. It was also the most difficult album for me to digest. "Boys For Pele" is a far cry from the lush sounds of "Little Earthquakes" and "Under the Pink", nevertheless the album is one of Tori's most compelling albums ever. One of my favorite songs on the album is "Caught a Lite Sneeze". I loved listening to the melodies of Tori's piano playing crash against the rhythms of the drums. The harpsichord added another dimension to the song as well as Tori's music in general. And like a lot of her singles, Tori added on a bunch of songs that wasn't on her album. This time the listener gets to hear Tori sing a bunch of silly songs like "This Old man" and "Toodles Mr. Jim". I thought it was a nice contrast from her previous b-sides. They were mt certainly different from what I was used to hearing. Even Tori has a goofy side. I think it is refreshing to see Tori indulge her silly side with these songs. I enjoyed the bonus songs on the single. It adds another personality to Tori. I wish people would just see that.

If you listened to a friend's copy of 'Boys for Pele' and discovered that 'Caught a Lite Sneeze' is the one track you couldn't possibly live without, this single is an obvious choice for you. If you're just an obsessed Toriphile like me, then you'll have to buy this just because it's Tori and you NEED everything she's ever released. If you're on middle ground and already have 'Boys for Pele,' there's no reason to snatch this up. The 'Silly Songs' that pad this release are cute and sort of funny, but nothing even a Toriphile couldn't live without. It's up to you!

"Caught a Lite Sneeze" is a great song, from "Boys for Pele". I'm glad she released it as a single. But what's this? Mixing this with "silly songs"? Somehow it works! "This Old Man" is done really well, considering it's a nursery rhyme. "That What I Like Mick" is really very nice, too. "Graveyard" is really short, but it captures more intensity in 54 seconds than several songs by other artists that are over five minutes. To top it off, we get transported back in time with "Toodles Mr. Jim", a sweet farewell to a childhood friend and neighbor. Tori strikes again. Yay!

While far from being the best Pele single- that honor goes to the "Hey Jupiter" EP- this is a cute and interesting CD.

CAUGHT A LITE SNEEZE: A great song, worth buying the CD for. good song to own.

THIS OLD MAN: A haunting rendition of the nursery rhyme. Tori's voice glides beautifully and creepily over the simple lyrics.

THE SANDWICH SONG: One of those songs you really have to be in the mood for- it's.... shall we say... odd. A cover of a song by the same duo who wrote "London Girls," which Tori covered on the US "Talula" single. Cute in a wierd way.

GRAVEYARD: Beautiful and too short.

TOODLES MR. JIM: A sweet and sad improv in the classic Tori tradition- I love the spoken words added at the end.

All in all.... If you don't know Tori, chances are you won't like this CD. But, it's a good addition to any Tori fan's collection!

This single is a worthwhile purchase for any Tori fan. While none of the B-sides are in the same league as classics 'Sugar', 'Honey', or 'Upside Down', a listenable, entertaining mix of songs are presented. 'This Old Man' is filtered through the Toriscope and comes out soulful and deeply meaningful. 'That's What I Like...', a cover, spotlights Tori's distinctive voice and is catchy, snappy, stream-of-consciousness - a Southern femme fatale's list of things she likes. 'Graveyard', although short, is an image of Tori singing by the grave of someone she loves. And 'Toodles Mr. Jim' is a none-too-sentimental look back on a neighbor who has recently passed away, with a bit of spontaneous narrative by Tori at the end. These are not songs to scrutinize - they are songs to listen to and enjoy, on a light-hearted level. A nice contrast to the title track.

'Caught A Lite Sneeze', one of Tori's many singles, is very different from anything else. In addition to the exquisite title track, the single has 4 b-sides listed under the heading 'Silly Songs'. The reason I say it is different is because many of Tori's songs have a serious sound to them. The b-sides, a nice contrast to the title track, are all sing-songy little tunes. How could someone not let out a chuckle at Tori singing "This Old Man"? Tori's cover of "That's What I Like Mick (The Sandwich Song)" is a list of things that she likes, played and sung in a unique jazzy style. The majestically haunting 54 second-long "Graveyard" is exclusive to this CD single (the UK versions do not have it), and "Toodles Mr. Jim", a bouncy funny tribute to a neighbor who passed away, is by far one of her best b-sides. I give this single 5 stars.

I love the song Caught a little sneeze. And I think the silly songs here are quite funny. It's easy to think that silly songs are bad or almost stupid, but not for me. It's more difficult to sing and play with correction a silly song that a good one. Ok, I know, it's just I guess and I'm sure that if you try to play in your piano or keyboard one of this silly songs and sing them, you will feel something near the ridicolous... And Tori doesn't sound ridicolous, just funny.