Customer Reviews

Tales of a Librarian - A Amos, Tori Collection

5 star:		(179)
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3 star:		(28)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

If you read through any of the reviews of Tori Amos's work, you'll see an unholy number of 5/5 reviews. You'll also note that even many of the critical reviews begin with the defensive "I'm a huge fan of... but... " And furthermore that these reviews tend to have ratings like "1/33 people found this review useful". This is because Tori Amos has an insanely devoted fan base, to whom she can do no wrong, and to whom any criticism of her is greeted with the kind of fury that even a threat to kill everyone in their immediate family, stapled to the body of their household pets, wouldn't evoke from them. Therefore, take these reviews with a pinch of the salt.

The reality is that Tori Amos is an incredibly talented artist, but she is not to everyone's taste. Nor is she entirely consistent purely within her own work, but more on that shortly.

As a sampler of her work, this is certainly honest; to those of you who have never heard her work before, it gives a very accurate overview of her entire career, taking representative songs from each album (except for the penultimate two due to label difficulties). The early emotive brilliance of Little Earthquakes and Under The Pink are well served by 'Silent All These Years' and 'Winter'. The highly personal (and gospel tinged) nature of Boys For Pele is shown by "Way Down" and "Mr Zebra".... If you were to choose to purchase any of Tori's past albums on the basis of liking a song here, and looking up which album it was included upon, you would be unlikely to be disappointed with it's companions upon the original platter. If you have ever heard just one Tori Amos song that has moved you in any small way, this would be a good place to test the waters before fully diving in to her entire back catalogue. I must admit that I though that I think Little Earthquakes by itself would be a much better starting point...

But back to this CD, and this is likely to get me plenty of "unhelpful" reviews, it must be understood that not all that is included here is magnificent. If you are a long standing Tori Amos fan, but are not blindly partisan, that is if Boys For Pele and the collection of cover songs Strange Little Girls put you off somewhat, this re-working of past classics will likely disappoint you. Very little has been changed from many of the original versions, so whilst what you are purchasing remains for the most part the songs you know and have grown to love dearly, the changes that Tori has made are mostly a regression in quality. Whilst taste in music is a subjective judgement, it's hard to see any addition to the songs as contained here which doesn't contradict the very things fans loved about the originals. Precious Things is still Precious Things, except that any hint of anger or bitterness, which made the original so evocative of that "kicked in the guts by love" feeling, seems to have been flattened out in this version, making it seem a much more pedestrian rather than a precious song. Sweet Dreams seems to have lost it's quirky beat. Winter on the other hand has instead gained a noticeably jarring drum beat in the background at one point..
Were this album a collection of complete remixes, it would perhaps be easily recommended to people who already have the albums, simply for a radically different perspective. But this is simply a collection of songs you've already got, but with lots of small irritants added to them, and as such I don't believe I can recommend this to those of you who actually have the originals.

And yet what of the new content included? Most of the reviews so far have enthused mightily upon them; Were they two songs of Tori Amos at her most phenomenal, I'd have no qualms about recommending this CD to anyone. It was in hope of a new `Song For Eric' or `Here. In My Head' that I purchased it myself... her fans need no further evidence of her ability; Little Earthquakes and Under The Pink have been closer friends to me than most people. However... My own view now is that the two tracks here, `Angels' and `Snow Cherries From France' remind me of nothing more than Tori at her most bland, at her most muzak-ical. Think of them as songs that didn't make To Venus And Back, due to being a bit flat and un-engaging. I thus find it impossible to then state that this CD is worth the price that is being asked for it on the basis of new content alone.
That's a minority opinion amongst reviewers here it seems though, and perhaps one that future listeners would not agree with either. So the question is whether you are prepared to take a risk on paying for a complete album in order to hear them and decide for yourself? Just how important is it to you to have everything Tori Amos has ever released in your CD collection? If, like myself, you value the quality of the music above all else, this is not an album you really need.

While I usually don't like to recommend best-of or collection compilations of artists as starters, I think this one does a good job of touching on the various aspects of Tori. Only setback is a collection can't give you that same feel of a single album--a single entity--and the message and culture that comes with it.

Tales of a Librarian seems to focus on her debut album quite a bit (whilst her live CD focused a lot on Under The Pink). So, from Little Earthquakes, we have: Precious Things, Silent All These Years, Winter, Crucify, Me And A Gun, Tear In Your Hand, and Sweet Dreams (well, the latter is a b-side from that era). A very fine set of songs! Each of these songs are special to me in one way or another, and I'd say they represent the best from Little Earthquakes.

On to Under the Pink! Cornflake Girl; always fun to hear. God is alright. Upbeat. And, as I scan the track list again, Baker Baker makes up the only other song. A neat little song, but I'd rather hear something like Icicle or Yes, Anastasia. Probably just me, though.

It's too bad that Boys for Pele isn't as well-liked as some of the other ones. It has a strange charm to it, and I always seem to listen to that one more than the others. Anywho, all of the Pele songs are grouped together here in the middle: Way Down, Professional Widow, and Mr. Zebra. Everyone loves Mr. Zebra; gotta have that one. And although I enjoy the original version of Widow, I've always disliked the remixes. Understandable that they'd include a remix since it's a club favourite (I wouldn't know). It's too bad Marianne, Hey Jupiter or Blood Roses weren't included. Again, probably just me. (Blood Roses wouldn't really fit the theme of Angels and Mary and God).

Choirgirl is a neat album, and it houses one of me favourite tunes: Spark. And, sweet delight, it's on here! Heh. The first time I listened to this CD and Spark came on, I made everyone shut up so as I could take in the whole song. Anyway, there's also Jackie's Strength (a pretty song), and Playboy Mommy. I've always been fond of Playboy Mommy. It has a nice groove to it.

Bliss (from Venus), is a neat combination of acoustic and electronic. I like. There aren't any songs from Strange Little Girls (aw, no Rattlesnakes) or Scarlet's Walk (I have a feeling it was made before Scarlet's, and wasn't released until now because of label issues).

The new songs are neat. Angels sounds like a toned-down groove derived from Strange Little Girl (song, not the album). I'm not the biggest fan of Mary. Maybe it's the harsh chorus. And Snow Cherries From France is a good way to finish things off.

As far as the DVD goes, I've read some negative stuff about it. I must object! Maybe it's because I love Tori's work and am completely moved everytime I hear her live (whether it's with a band or just her solo), but I loved the performances on the DVD. Besides, with the whole collection at the same price as one CD, the DVD is practically free. Who's complaining? Tales of a Librarian is a nice addition to veteren and newcomer alike.

For the most part, this is an outstanding collection of some of Tori's best works. Of course, you can't please everyone and a couple of my personal favorites aren't here *China, Hey Jupiter, Northren Lad* but oh, well.

Many of the stand-outs on here are from her debut "Little Earthquakes." These include the haunting "Crucify" along with the beautiful "Winter" and "Silent All These Years." "God" from "Under the Pink" is here and respresents one of Tori's most controversial moments. "Boys For Pele" is horribly misrepresented on here which is my biggest complaint. "Professional Widow" is in a horrible remixed form and the other two tracks from this album are the short tracks "Way Down" and "Hey Zebra." I would've rather seen "Hey Jupiter" or "Putting the Damage On." Thankfully, the highlights of "From the Choirgirl Hotel" are presented being "Spark" and the gorgeous "Jackie's Strength." New tracks include "Mary" "Sweet Dreams" and my favorite "Snow Cherries From France."

To sum it up, a strong collection, but I wish something from "Scarlet's Walk" would've been added *namely "A Sorta Fairytale."

"Tales of a Librarian" is the new cd from Tori Amos. While at first glance it may seem like a Greatest Hits album, it is not. All 20 songs were selected by Tori, so rather than this being a collection of her singles, this is a collection of Tori's favorite tracks. There are 16 songs from her first five albums (nothing from Strange Little Girls or Scarlet's Walk), 2 former B-Sides (Mary, Sweet Dreams), and 2 new songs (Angels, Snow Cherries from France). These songs have been remixed and remastered, and in some cases, rerecorded. For most of the songs, there is little noticeable difference. I have read that the vocals have been brought up on "Winter", but I couldn't tell any difference from the version on "Little Earthquakes".

There are songs that you are different. Both "Cornflake Girl" and "Tear in Your Hand" have some extra lines sung on top of existing verses. "Professional Widow" is a dance mix, and while I would have much preferred the slower, mournful "Merry Widow" version, this is a new look at the song. The album also features some of my favorites like "Playboy Mommy", "Silent All These Years", and "Precious Things", among many others.

I am the happiest about the inclusion of "Mary", which has long been one of my favorite b-sides. The other b-side, "Sweet Dreams" has a much different sound than you will find on the single for "Winter". I wasn't too impressed with "Angels", but "Snow Cherries from France" is a much better song (despite the silly title).

There is also a bonus DVD included in this set. There are 5 songs on this DVD. Three of them are videos made from a sound check before one of Tori's shows. The three videos are "Honey", "Northern Lad", and "Pretty Good Year". There are also two audio tracks: "Mr Zebra", and "Putting the Damage On". While it was nice to have three videos, this was not a very impressive DVD.

I'm a huge fan of Tori Amos, so I naturally love the album. It's great to have this many great songs on one album rather than being spread across 5 albums. The DVD did not really add anything to this collection, but as a fan of Tori Amos, there is nothing to complain about here. This is a must own set for Ears With Feet (Tori's term for her fans).

It seems like Tori is letting us in on some secrets to her songs... from the enhanced vocals and instrumentation to the lovely Dewey decimal system packaging, certain aspects of each song are highlighted. I've always found Tori's songs to have different meanings for different people, different moods, etc., and I think it's interesting to hear the perspective captured on this album. Not that the listener can't still ascribe his or her own meanings to the songs, it's more like the songs want to be heard for a specific reason. To the casual (read non-EWF!!!) listener, the differences in some songs may not always be noticeable. However, on many tracks (such as "Winter, "Precious Things") even though the arrangement is not extremely different, the vocals are brought to the forefront, and "little" things like background vocals and drumbeats are enhanced. The songs that are changed more drastically are still beautiful, just different, like a friends you haven't seen in a while... she may have experienced a lot since you last saw her, she may look different, act differently, think differently, but at the core she's still the same old friend. But I don't think I'll ever get used to the now multiple techno versions of "Professional Widow"...

I've read all the reviews that mention some "obvious" songs that were left out. I think if any given Tori fan made a compilation, it wouldn't match a compilation made by anybody else. That's just the personal nature of these songs. But since these songs were Tori's choice, I can't argue with what she chose. It's her compilation, not mine. I love that she put some not-so-obvious songs on there, like "Way Down," which I think is often overlooked (but it is gorgeous on this album!!!). Personally, I think putting "Precious Things" first on the album is wonderful (what woman couldn't love this?), and the crazy politica in me was so happy to see "Sweet Dreams" (`who's your daddy?' So great!!!) added. "Mary" is great, and the new songs are, as always, welcome and enjoyed.

As for the packaging, I think it reflects the nature of the album. Tori looks perfectly porcelain, almost unreal. I think this is a nod to the preservation and maintenance of the old songs... like the songs, Tori is cleaned up too. :)). Love the DVD, I'm always fascinated to watch Tori perform. "Honey" is especially nice on this.

Overall, I love this compilation. With the exception of the new songs and DVD, I already owned everything on this album. No matter, I bought this as soon as it came out. This album is good to enjoy songs on their own, but I think it's at it's absolute best when listened to comprehensively... a great story of a great career. Now my always biased final opinion-- like every other Tori album, a must have.

From a catalogue spanning everything from soft, aching piano ballads to obscure mergers of drum machines and electric guitars chords looped backwards and harmonies purposely off-key, singer-songwriter Tori Amos has gathered songs from all of her original albums produced for Atlantic records (essentially that means everything from <i>Little Earthquakes</i> until <i>To Venus And Back</i>), re-recorded a few songs, remastered the rest, and collected them to form <i>Tales Of A Librarian: A Tori Amos Collection</i>. Compiled in a format true to the title, the 25 songs presented throughout one audio disc and one DVD are assigned places in the Dewey Decimal system, providing a slightly clearer picture of the meaning behind obtuse compositions like "Mr. Zebra". Even clearer, however, is the sound on every single song presented within: it's like crystal. While it could possibly be a feat only longtime Toriphiles could appreciate, subtleties in every song are brought to the forefront through a painstakingly loving remastering, revealing that there's a slight and brief percussion on the self-discovery ballad "Silent All These Years", new backing vocals to the refreshingly Alt-rock chestnut "Cornflake Girl", and the minimal, tech-y backing to "Bliss" becomes more prevalent. The real gem here, though, is the CD's final track, a long-lost outtake "Snow Cherries From France", written during the Pele days, which brings the audio disc to a close with Tori softly intoning "Oh, then he let me go....." as her voice drifts into the distance. If this is what we have to remember the Atlantic records days by, it's a fantastic compilation.

As a sampler and introduction to Tori's work, this is an interesting concept.
To anyone who's actually heard her work before, it's terrible.
Tori's music (well, at least at the time of this release) was aimed at a more alternative, rock-edged crowd; for some reason, though, all these songs were given a reworking as if they were slated for inoffensive AC radio release. If it was stacatto, it was filled in. If it was harsh, it was softened. If it was muddy, production is layered on liberally. Probably the ultimate irony is how many of the songs were originally radio singles and are only now being remixed after the fact. I have to wonder how they would've fared as these versions instead.
Basic verdict: many of the songs were ruined. The whip-crack on "Precious Things" that ends each chorus is barely a handclap now. The electronic modulation of her voice on "Spark" is gone, and apparently the original vocals were almost a raspy moan...no, that's not a good thing, she sounds more ill than intense. The remixed "Mary" is slowed to a snail's pace, doubly aggravating considering the original b-side is one of the rarer and better ones; "Sweet Dreams" is also dumbed down but at least the original mix isn't too hard to find. And yes, the much-maligned Star Trunk Funkin' remix of "Professional Widow" is horrendously out of place.
Still, it's occassionally interesting what they chose to bring out. You can now clearly hear her spoken biblical verse on the bridge of "God", and the barely audible background vocals on "Cornflake Girl" of "Til' the gold is gone, I know her so well" are brought to the forefront (bet you didn't even know they were there in the first place!) "Way Down" is slightly extended, with the choir given a few more lines.
The only songs that I consider worthy (not better, but not destroyed) are the slower orchestrated ones like "Winter" and "Jackie's Strength". I suppose purists will grit their teeth at how lush the strings have become, and while it's not a starkly emotional as the original subdued mixes, it's undeniably just plain pretty. Given that her recent albums have similarly become less edgy and harsh, it's not a bad segue for the music to come.
The novelty and sheer "WTF" factor may be worth the purchase for her long-time fans, but you're better off burning your own collection. For newcomers, it's an eclectic enough sampler that it can't hurt to give it a shot. It's seems unlikely that Atlantic will ever put out a true Greatest Hits for her, so you may as well take what you get.

Tori Amos has been the voice of a generation for well over a decade. Her honest lyrics, harrowing vocals, and talent on the piano have made her a staple in any music library.

Now, Tori releases her own Library of material. This album has been billed as a "greatest hits," but it is not. This album is simply a beautiful collection of songs which Tori feels define her carrer as a musician, and a woman. With this album, Tori was able to reshape most of the original recordings into beautiful new tales.

Though her reconditioning works wonders on the classics "Precious Things," "God," "Way Down," and "Sweet Dreams," the new versions of "Mary," "Spark," and "Playboy Mommy" leave you wondering what Tori was thinking.

Also, this album is missing several major songs like "Past the Mission," "Caught a Light Sneeze," and "1000 Oceans." However, the collection is very complete, and the two new songs "Angels," and "Snow Cherries From France" are beautiful additions to Tori's collection. Make your own music collection complete with Tales of a Librarian: A Tori Amos Collection.

I am going to go out on a limb here and disagree, quite honestly, with the majority of the reviews here. While you are unlikely to find anyone who is any bigger Tori Amos fan than I am, I must admit that this collection is more than a little diappointing, for a number of reasons.

A strength of Tori's records has always been her ability to take the listener into her realm, through the use of her voice, her piano (her other voice), and the mood of the recordings. Her albums, while not always popular, have maintained an undeniable integrity. But Tori seems to have abandoned a great deal of that integrity while producing this compilation.

While some of the remixed tracks work beautifully (such as a stunning "Playboy Mommy" and a great new take on "Way Down"), the majority of the songs have been remixed and remastered to a state of sanitation. For instance, one of the best Tori records "Tear In Your Hand" is given the "refreshed" treatment only to emerge with the vocal sloppily pasted over instrumentation that sounds more like karaoke backing music that any Tori Amos record I have ever heard. in effect, the music sounds divorced from the vocal, which leads to the track coming off as calculated and forced. Sadly, this is not unique to this track; other songs that are dilluted with bland instrumentation are "Spark" (which relies on its musical mood to evoke the song's imagery) and "Bliss" (which is almost laughable on this CD).

However, the four all-new recordings are mostly good. The two new songs are both welcome additions to the Tori catalog, as is the updated version of "Sweet Dreams" (with its fun "Who's yer daddy?" lyrics). Sadly, the new version of "Mary" sounds hollow and doesn't compare to the original.

Furthermore, the single dance mix of "Professional Widow" seems out of place on this CD. It is placed firmly in the center of the tracks, making it stick out of the mostly accoustic music like a sore thumb.

The DVD is a fun extra, containing three live performances. There are also two additional audio tracks (with imagery), including "Putting The Damage On," which would have been a wonderful song to include on the actual CD.

Overall, this is not a bad album, but it's not the definitive "This is who Tori Amos is" CD I was hoping it would be. And I would certainly never recommend this to someone who wanted an appropriate cross-section of Tori's music. We Tori fans will buy her music no matter what, but I wanted you to know what to expect so you won't be as disappointed as I am.

Tori as a Librarian has been clarified in this library of her own collection of girls. Each song has been clarified in sound, and created them the way SHE wanted them originally. It's great for new fans, or someone wondering why they should listen to Tori because it has some of her best on it. And yet, Tori added some unexpected girls for us long-time fans, and has created wonderment as to why they are present on Librarian (Way Down & Mr. Zebra).

Wonderful collection that also includes a great DVD! The instrumental version of Mr. Zebra and Putting the Damage On has made me want an ALL instrumental album...just awesome piano playing...although I would miss her singing extremely!

The only reason I didn't give it a 5 is because of the version of Professional Widow just seems random. This is suppose to be a sonic autobiography, so it does represent a portion of her musical career, but I miss the original version on there (even if done differently).

PLUS, the new songs are just so beautiful...Snow Cherries from France and Angels. Snow Cherries is in the same relm as Northern Lad and 1000 Oceans, with a Celtic twist. While Angels could have easily fit on her latest new album Scarlet's Walk.

Everyone should buy this, even if not a Tori fan because it may open people's ears as to what this woman can really do and just how talented and underrated she really is!