Customer Reviews

Live at Montreux 1991 1992

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For whatever reason... and this totally baffels me for such a specific release... this USA 1 disc release, is not the complete version. The UK issue of this same title includes both shows in their entirety on 2 CD's.

In the year 2008, it seems to me that there would be a very specific audience that a live recording release from shows 16-17 years ago would appeal to. If this is the case, why on earth would the record label decide to put out an abrivated version of this release in the USA, while the UK gets the full 2 shows?

NOTE : the DVD release is the same, with both full shows, on both sides of the pond.

In the year 1997 I was introduced to Tori Amos. What can I say? 11 years later, several hundred dollars spent on rare EP's, limited editions, LP's, out of print DJ copies of promo items, concerts, etc etc, you could say that I was, and still am to an extent, a rabid Tori fan. My rigorous love for her may have faded over the course of her last three studio albums, but, you will still find me jamming out to 1992's "Little Earthquakes" every now and again, and remembering every emotion and thought I had when I first listened to it 11 years ago.

Live at Montreux brings the old, familiar Tori that we have been pining for since "Scarlet's Walk" dropped back to us. The girl who used to throw on some jeans over a bathing suit and pound away at a piano for a couple hours and tell quirky stories about her church going days, and the value of southern fried chicken. Listening to this performance (which pre-dates the official release of "LE") is very interesting. The songs are still new to Tori, and fresh. There is a quality about them that is still freshman in nature. She is still the girl who told stories between her songs about nothing in particular. The 1992 songs reveal a sharper, more polished version of Tori, but still one that hadn't been jaded by her label, and by legions of critics who would later label her as a "kook".

This CD is also pre Marcel and Mark, so the mighty Bosey sounds completely different. They didn't know how to mic it back then, so it sounds totally different. I, at first, thought there was something wrong with the sound quality of the recording. I was mistaken. There's nothing wrong with it at all, that's how it sounded then.

So, in short, for whatever the future holds for Ms. Amos (her recent split from a major label leads me to wonder what future material will be like), this blast from the past is a reminder of what was - that special moment when you first discovered Tori Amos, and curled up under a blanket, crying to yourself as she sang "China" for the first time to you.

*Edit* After purchasing the DVD, I see why the piano sound quality is so wonky on the 1991 performance. She was playing some odd, plug in 90's version of an electric/acoustic piano. It just sounded weird.

First of all, thank you VERY MUCH to the reviewer(s) that mentioned the disparity between the U.S. and European releases. Having this in mind, I went to the Amazon UK website and purchased this CD there. It cost more once you converted over to U.S. dollars, but you get both CDs with the complete 19 tracks. Very helpful information!!

As I read on here, the Bosendorfer sounds different than what I'm used to, but it WAS the way she sounded back then on her recordings. While I've heard most if not all of these versions at one point over my long Tori following, this compilation is very welcome indeed. I too have lost a great deal interest in Tori's new music, so I welcome this CD to my vast Tori collection. I'd say avid Tori fans will be pleased with this CD for the most part, even if this is nothing new for them. However, if you've never heard Tori live from her early years, this blast from the past will surely impress.

I'm definitely going to buy the DVD next.

hi. as you may or may not know, the usa version of the cd is missing 3 tracks that the dvd and uk cd have. to get the full concert i would recommend going to the amazon.com mp3 site and buy the full album (which includes the 3 missing tracks) as opposed to buying the hard copy cd.

the mp3 download is also cheaper than buying the cd.

That is so amazing that this woman continue to be that good and that original even in 2008. Its hard to believe that this record was made in 1991-1992, another epoch, another time, another culture, and it still sounds as fresh as it sounded back then and absolutely not outdated. Bravo, Tori, bravo!

Length:: 2:05 Mins

Tori is a very cool chic. Takes a bit of getting used to but, after this there's no turning back. Especially for those of us who like Psychedelic philosophy.

Like the OP, I go way back on my Tori collection and have everything she has put out that I can get my hands on. I last saw her perform in Albany NY during the ADP tour. She was incredible. I had to download one of each of her persona's from the tour shows. I admit she is way different now than she was in 91/92 as these shows clearly demonstrate. I LOVE hearing the old Tori as well as the new! In my book Tori can do no wrong. But, back to the actual recording - it is really good, but keep in mind it will seem different. The piano was certainly different during the 91 show. But her voice is the same old Tori that we all love. The version of Leather she sings in the 91 show is the BEST I have ever heard. Like the OP I was disappointed that the shows are not complete on the CD. But you can download the MP3 version to get the complete show. Just keep in mind that you can't buy the songs missing from the CD individually, so if you need the complete shows get the MP3. Me, I had to go and download the MP3 version after discovering my errors. So now I own both versions.

As far as the performance goes, how sweet and real Tori is as a performer never fails to astound me. She is a down to earth and genuine, yet captivating performer. Even in her rawness here performing some of these songs for the first time, you knew you were seeing something special.

But having the American release be one disc makes NO sense to me!

Purchased this as a Christmas gift for my daughter. It arrived quickly and was exactly what she wanted.