As Christmas approaches, Tori Amos is releasing a new record of seasonal staples and new material called 'Midwinter Graces'. Greg Rose caught up with the enigmatic singer to discover all about bad musicians, British husbands and the her muse…
GR: Hi Tori. Whereabouts are you?
TA: I'm in Cornwall right now.
GR: You live in that part of the world. Did you write much of 'Midwinter Graces' there?
TA: I wrote a lot of the record at my beach house in Florida, in 100 degrees ehat. I had seen (label executive) Doug Morris, who said to me: 'I'm 70-years-old, Tori, I want you to do a seasonal record, you're a minister's daughter. Just don't make it overly religious.' I said that happens naturally and he said 'don't offend your mother, but don't offend me either'.
GR: Was it difficult getting into a Christmas mood in that heat?
TA: It might seem strange to you, but all the kids there know that Santa comes on a surf board, that's just what happens.
GR: Had you always wanted to do a seasonal record?
TA: My parents had always wanted me to, but they wanted it to be true to all the hymns that they hold dear. But that didn't interest me. The good thing is that they have embraced the record and it hasn't offended them. I didn't make this to offend them. I wanted to widen up the ideology, so it wasn't just for Christian believers but for people that may be spiritual in some way.
GR: Do you think that Christmas is too commercial?
TA: Well, I think that it was a really huge celebration for our ancestors for thousands of years. So, when you say commercialised I think of people identifying that you can only have a good time if you spend a lot of money. That's a negative because lots of people don't have lots of money to spend. I tried to make a record that didn't focus on that side of it, but focused on values and people.
GR: What does Christmas mean to you?
TA: Your friends and your family " that's your gold. All my nieces and nephews will come and hang out before Christmas, all my sister's kids, she has five. Just being together.
GR: There are lots of seasonal albums coming out; do you see them as competition?
TA: No I don't. To me, this record is not just a cliche record. A lot of them are just doing covers of tunes that you've heard a million times. This has new versions and new songs.
GR: How did you approach writing specifically for Christmas?
TA: You have to be inspired, have certain emotions that you are feeling put in a context that works. You get nostalgic memories of people that aren't with you anymore. You go to find them and they are not there, whether they have left the planet or are not in your life anymore. A lot of people share that experience.
GR: How do think people interpret your music? Do you think you have a positive impact?
TA: I don't think like that. It's none of my business what people think. You don't make as many records as I do without realising you have to give them away. You have to let them go and people will have whatever experience they have, you can't control that.
GR: People believe that what you think is their business though " how do you deal with that?
TA: I meant their relationship with the music. When artists try to control that " they can't. You have to step back and let people respond in their own way. They might have an idea about a song that is so far away from your idea. You shouldn't change their mind, their opinion is valid. Thank god I learned that one a long time ago. As far as people wanting to know about me, you have to be on your guard at times.
GR: Are you always on your guard.
TA: Yes, that's why I still have a private life. You never see me in those magazines, because things get sorted out behind closed doors. That's just how we live. I have a very British husband who doesn't want our life paraded across the pages of magazines. There is always something shocking happening in everyone's family somewhere down the line, but we're the type of people who deal with it internally.
GR: You're last album came out very recently. Are you a workaholic?
TA: I don't see making music at work. It takes energy that's for sure. Music is my passion, it really is magical. It's not as if I think, oh god I have to do another interview today, I'd rather write my novel.
GR: Why does it take some artists so long to make music when you are so prolific?
TA: I know how to tap into the muse and I give the muse credit, I don't take it all myself. I am under no illusions " I do not write all this myself. I co-create with a consciousness and it doesn't matter if you believe this or not, I know I don't write it myself. I am lucky enough to own the publishing.
GR: You've done concept albums in the past. Does working towards one particular theme make the music more powerful overall?
TA: Let's take it to your world. If you could choose what to do with your writing, what is your ambition? Then I'll give you my answer.
GR: I'm just looking one day at a time Tori…
TA: I respect that. The thing is when you have a theme then you can recognise what songs can fit into that. You can think 'this song is not right for this record'. There were songs that did not get on the record, it just wasn't the right time, stylistically, in terms of subject matter. It's like a novel, there are characters and ideas that come to mind, that don't fit with your particular theme.
GR: You're working with your regular band, why do you keep the same players?
TA: because they are great players. When I play with others I walk away tearing my hair out, thinking 'now I have to call these guys back and fix it all'. There are a lot of people that get in the studio and can't really play. They are not great players. That frustrates me.
GR: How do you deal with that? Get angry?
TA: It's painful when you've hired somebody and they are not good. You know within about 20 minutes and then think 'oh god, this is painful for everybody'.
GR: Who would you work with out of everybody in the world?
TA: The guys I work with. Because, listen, some people aren't good with anybody's material but their own. All the guys I work with play with different people. Certain bands work because they work within their own structure. If they go to another session, it isn't as easy to pick up someone else's music, to contribute and to add to it. It's a lot harder than you think and that's why session players are great, not just band members.
GR: What would be your one Christmas wish?
TA: That people could wake up and realise what they value is the people in their life, not in the material things. Not that you don't want those things, but that your priority is having the people in your life as your gold " more than you value your car.
'Midwinter Graces' will be released on November 9th and is the follow-up to acclaimed studio record 'Abnormally Attracted to Sin'.
Fonte: @forumz e Virgin.
sexta-feira, 30 de outubro de 2009
sexta-feira, 23 de outubro de 2009
Letras: Midwinter Graces
What Child, Nowell
(Greensleeves + The First Noel + a couple of new lines from Tori)
What child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap, is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This is winter's gift
This is what begins
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell
Every voice was singing
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell
Born this day a new Nowell
Nowell, Nowell
What child is this who, now awakes
In every heart, each morning
From dazzling light, through silver sky
Bring peace now from creation
This is winter's gift
This is what begins
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell
Every voice was singing
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell
Born this day a new
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell
Every voice was singing
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell
Born this day a new
Born this day a new Nowell
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell
Star Of Wonder
(We Three Kings, heavily edited by Tori)
We three kings are coming again
Bearing gifts from the East
From the East
Some say a star will rise again
In the hearts of humankind
Some say we have been in exile
What we need is solar fire
Star of wonder, star of night
Star of royal beauty
Westward leading, still proceeding
A star
A star of wonder
We bring gold and myrrh for him
From the East, frankincense
From the East
Some say a star will rise again
In the hearts of humankind
Some say we have been in exile
What we need is solar fire
Star of wonder, star of night
Star of royal beauty
Westward leading, still proceeding
A star
Star of wonder, star of night
Star of royal beauty
Westward leading, still proceeding
A star
A star of wonder
Of wonder
A Silent Night With You
(all Tori lyrics, with a slight influence from Silent Night, especially the closing lines)
The radio plays my holiday faves
It takes me back to when our love was new
Young lovers pass me by with their glow
That used to be us not so long ago
You said then
"I just want to spend a silent night with you"
With you
A silent night with you
Joy to the world, your arms kept me warm
Night after night, in such a cold world
Hear the bell strike, old pictures instead
Tell me the past is filling my head
You said then
"I just want to spend a silent night with you"
With you
A silent night with you
The radio plays my holiday faves
It takes me back to when our love was new
Lost in my daze, you slip past and say
"Girl, take my hand, see, nothing has changed
Now or then
I just want to spend a silent night with you"
With you
A silent night with you
All is calm
All is bright
Candle: Coventry Carol
(original intro by Tori + Coventry Carol)
Candle, candle, are the children safe now?
Unlike they were long ago
Candle, candle, are the children safe now?
Sing the song of long ago
Candle, candle, are the children safe now?
Unlike we were long ago
Candle, candle, guide us and protect us
From those in darkness
From those in darkness
Lully, lullay, Thou little tiny Child
By, by, lully, lullay
Thou little tiny Child
By, by, lully, lullay
O sisters too, how may we do
For to preserve this day
This poor Youngling for Whom we do sing
By, by, lully, lullay
Herod the king, in his raging
Charged he hath this day
His men of might, in his own sight
All young children to slay
That woe is me, poor Child for Thee
And ever morn and day
For Thy parting neither say nor sing
By, by, lully, lullay
Lully, lullay, Thou little tiny Child
By, by, lully, lullay
Thou little tiny Child
By, by, lully, lullay
Holly, Ivy And Rose
(parts of various versions of Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming + The Holly And The Ivy + new Tori lyrics in the bridge with Tash, plus some lines mixing holly and rose)
Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse's lineage coming
By ancient sibyls sung
A rose doth bear a flower
All in the cold midwinter
And at the midnight hour
And he waits for who to find
The heart she left behind
And he prays she'll find her way
To be his bride someday
Ivy
Of all the trees in the wood
Holly wants/woos the Rose
Holly and the Ivy
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees in the wood
Holly bears the crown
Holly and the Ivy
The running of the deer
For his Rose to bloom
Holly waits every year
He waits for who to find
The heart she left behind
He prays she'll find her way
To be his bride someday
Ivy
Of all the trees in the wood
Holly wants/woos the Rose
Holly and the Ivy
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees in the wood
Holly bears the crown
The holly and the Ivy
The running of the deer
For his Rose to bloom
Holly waits every year
For his Rose to bloom
Holly waits every year
Waits every year
Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung!
The frozen air perfuming
That tiny bloom doth swell
Its rays the night illuming
The darkness quite dispel
O flower beyond compare
Bloom in our heart’s midwinter
Restore the springtime here
Harps Of Gold
(original verses by Tori + chorus/bridge from Angels We Have Heard On High)
I'll show you how it's done
You'll smile through the pain
Sweetly singing
Over the plain
Gloria
Gloria
In excelsis deo
They'll show us how it's done
Out in the street
No, they don't have much
Oh, but listen to them sing
Gloria
Gloria
In excelsis deo
Gloria
Gloria
Playing on their harps of gold
And the mountains in reply
Echo, echo, echo
And the mountains in reply
Echo, echo, echo
Gloria
Gloria
In excelsis deo
Gloria
Gloria
Playing on their harps of
Playing on their harps of gold
Over the plain
Snow Angel
(another Tori original, sixthcrusifix's transcription and I've checked by ear and I hear the same, with some doubt for the "shadow" line)
As the bell brought in midwinter
I waited for a sign
A shadow of a wing
This has always been
The children know this
That she will come to them
To them
To them
Snow angel
Snow angel
Snow angel
She'll make her way
And she'll stay
For a time
For a time
In the dark of this midwinter
The moon slipped from night
A shadow of a wing
This has always been
The children know this
That she will come to them
To them
To them
Snow angel
Snow angel
Snow angel
She'll make her way
And she'll stay
For a time
And it's time
Emmanuel
(O Come, O Come, Emmanuel + bridge by Tori)
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
Long ago the earth lay sleeping
Waiting for the darkest night
To bring with it the dove of peace
Rising on the wings
Wings of the sun
Rising on the wings of the sun
O come, O come, thou Dayspring bright!
Pour on our souls thy healing light
Dispel the long night's lingering gloom
And pierce the shadows of the tomb
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
Our New Year
(Tori song too, not taking credit for this transcription, a couple of people had made it this so far in the 2nd thread I think, but I couldn't add anything - specifically, the mysterious line in the second verse)
Glasses raised, we all say cheers
Could this be the one?
Our new year
Even after all this time
I don't know why
Why you went away
Lately I'm sure it's you there, waving
In the distance
Closer
The closer I get
Disappointment is/tears/tails
Yes it is/tears/tails
They just had the same colour of your hair
You're not there
You're not there
Every corner that I turn
I've convinced myself one day you'll be there
Choruses of Auld Lang Syne
Could this be the year, yours and me (??)
Lately I'm sure it's you there, waving
In the distance
Closer
The closer I get
Disappointment is/tears/tails
Yes it is/tears/tails
They just had the same colour of your hair
You're not there
You're not there...
Glasses raised, we all say cheers
Could this be the one?
This could be the one
Could this be the one?
Our new year
Fonte: @forumz
terça-feira, 20 de outubro de 2009
Tori no 'World Café'
The session Tori recently did with World Café is set to air on Friday, October 23. You can find your local station here (select a state from the pull-down menu).Worldwide, fans can connect to the WXPN Philadelphia stream Monday through Friday, 2pm to 4pm EST, at xpn.org.
Recentemente, Tori compareceu ao World Café que irá ao ar nesta sexta-feira, 23 de outubro. Você pode achar sua estação loca aqui (residentes nos EUA).
Mundialmente, os fãs podem se conectar ao WXPN Philadelphia que transmitirá de segunda à sexta, das 2 pm às 4 pm através do xpn.org (no Brasil, em torno das 16h - horário de SP).
Fonte: ToriAmos.com
sexta-feira, 16 de outubro de 2009
ToriAmos.com: 'Midwinter Graces release update'
"Midwinter Graces will be available in US stores in one version which will include 2 bonus tracks: "Comfort and Joy" and "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht (Silent Night, Holy Night)", a 20 page booklet and a DVD featuring interview footage of Tori talking about the process and inspiration behind Midwinter Graces.
iTunes US will have both a standard and deluxe version available to purchase. Additionally, the deluxe version will include an extra bonus track, "Good King Wenceslas". Stay tuned for pre-sale information.
For Countries outside the US there will be both a Standard CD and Deluxe CD/DVD package available in stores as well as digitally in various versions online. Check your local retailers and iTunes for more information."
Midwinter Graces estará disponível nas lojas norte-americanas em uma versão que incluirá 2 faixas bônus: "Comfort and Joy" e "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht (Silent Nightm Holy Night)", um encarte de 20 páginas e um DVD com uma entrevista completa de Tori falando sobre o processo de gravação e inspiração por trás do Midwinter Graces.
O iTunes terás as duas versões (normal e deluxe) para compras. A versão deluxe terá uma faixa extra chamada "Good King Wencelas".
Para os outros países, as duas versões estarão disponíveis em formato digital e físicos.
p.s.: eviei emails para a Universal Republic perguntando se o Midwinter Graces será lançado no Brasil. Qualquer informação postarei aqui.
Fonte: ToriAmos.com
quarta-feira, 14 de outubro de 2009
terça-feira, 13 de outubro de 2009
Artigo: "The West Australian: The many sides of Amos"
The many sides of Amos
STEPH KRETOWICZ, The West Australian
October 9, 2009, 12:30 pm
"They are starving, starving. Even though they're obese. They're the fattest people in the world and they're starving to death."
Thus ends an invective regarding the consumptive greed and spiritual famine plaguing most of the Western world by Tori Amos - wife, mother and feminist who also happens to be one of the most worshipped female figures of the music world.
Yet as such an influential and outspoken popular icon, Amos is also is one of the most interesting, approachable and strangest people you'll ever speak to.
"If you were really going to rebel against me, then you would become a really conservative right-wing Christian that thought women should be subjugated and are only here as incubators," Amos says of the possibilities of her and husband Mark Hawley's only daughter Natashya "Tash" Lorien. Luckily for them, though, the future looks promising for the nine-year-old aspiring filmmaker, who already in her short life has seen more of the world than most people could dream of in a lifetime. Having toured the globe with her proud parents already five times over, while being based in their adopted home of Cornwall, Amos is confident Tash has a future that will be far from ordinary.
"I don't think she has any plans of fitting into the norm, she plans on going to performing arts boarding school at 11, somewhere in the UK, down the street," Amos says.
With the exceptional circumstances of Tash's young life, touring with Amos for a mother and an musical entourage for an extended family, you wouldn't expect anything less.
"I would like to think that Tash is an opportunity," Amos says.
"She sees the world in a very unique way; she sees countries as part of earth and she travels the earth. She's tapped into Kali from the Hindu ideology, she's aware of the war, she has been to Israel, she knows that there's a conflict over there.
"She doesn't think anything of jumping on a plane and travelling halfway around the world just to hang out; it's just being part of the earth and she sees herself as a citizen of the earth."
Amos and Hawley have been careful not to interfere with Tash's personal growth and decisions, even if she does have a tendency to "meddle" at times.
"I think right now she sees a lot of possibility but that's right now and we're going to support that but the thing is I've had to be open that she has a life and she wants to do things." With one of the greatest challenges to women being how to balance children, family and career, Amos says having had Tash when she was nearing her 40s was the best decision she ever made.
"I've found that I've got a lot more to pass on to Tash and I'm a lot more chilled in some ways and I have a different perspective . . . I don't need her to go live the life that I didn't live. I've lived a life and I'm still living it," she says.
While some parents might need their children to accomplish the things they wish they would have accomplished themselves, Amos and her husband made sure they'd written their own life's story before moving on to someone else's.
"Mark and I grew up wanting to make records, we made records. We grew up wanting to tour, we tour. We grew up wanting to fall in love with somebody who understood what we did and we've done that."
Strongly spiritual, liberal and successful, it would appear the legendary performer and noted philanthropist is the model of having it all.
As she embarks on yet another international tour and puts the finishing touches on 11th studio album Midwinter Graces, Amos' desires for her daughter will be as humble or as grand as only Tash wants them to be.
"Whatever Tash chooses, as long as she respects herself and sees herself as equal to men and that she has rights, then she's got to make her own choices and Mark and I have had to realise that."
Tori Amos plays the Riverside Theatre at Perth Convention Exhibition Centre on November 21. Tickets available from Ticketek.
Fontes: @forumz e The West Australian.
STEPH KRETOWICZ, The West Australian
October 9, 2009, 12:30 pm
"They are starving, starving. Even though they're obese. They're the fattest people in the world and they're starving to death."
Thus ends an invective regarding the consumptive greed and spiritual famine plaguing most of the Western world by Tori Amos - wife, mother and feminist who also happens to be one of the most worshipped female figures of the music world.
Yet as such an influential and outspoken popular icon, Amos is also is one of the most interesting, approachable and strangest people you'll ever speak to.
"If you were really going to rebel against me, then you would become a really conservative right-wing Christian that thought women should be subjugated and are only here as incubators," Amos says of the possibilities of her and husband Mark Hawley's only daughter Natashya "Tash" Lorien. Luckily for them, though, the future looks promising for the nine-year-old aspiring filmmaker, who already in her short life has seen more of the world than most people could dream of in a lifetime. Having toured the globe with her proud parents already five times over, while being based in their adopted home of Cornwall, Amos is confident Tash has a future that will be far from ordinary.
"I don't think she has any plans of fitting into the norm, she plans on going to performing arts boarding school at 11, somewhere in the UK, down the street," Amos says.
With the exceptional circumstances of Tash's young life, touring with Amos for a mother and an musical entourage for an extended family, you wouldn't expect anything less.
"I would like to think that Tash is an opportunity," Amos says.
"She sees the world in a very unique way; she sees countries as part of earth and she travels the earth. She's tapped into Kali from the Hindu ideology, she's aware of the war, she has been to Israel, she knows that there's a conflict over there.
"She doesn't think anything of jumping on a plane and travelling halfway around the world just to hang out; it's just being part of the earth and she sees herself as a citizen of the earth."
Amos and Hawley have been careful not to interfere with Tash's personal growth and decisions, even if she does have a tendency to "meddle" at times.
"I think right now she sees a lot of possibility but that's right now and we're going to support that but the thing is I've had to be open that she has a life and she wants to do things." With one of the greatest challenges to women being how to balance children, family and career, Amos says having had Tash when she was nearing her 40s was the best decision she ever made.
"I've found that I've got a lot more to pass on to Tash and I'm a lot more chilled in some ways and I have a different perspective . . . I don't need her to go live the life that I didn't live. I've lived a life and I'm still living it," she says.
While some parents might need their children to accomplish the things they wish they would have accomplished themselves, Amos and her husband made sure they'd written their own life's story before moving on to someone else's.
"Mark and I grew up wanting to make records, we made records. We grew up wanting to tour, we tour. We grew up wanting to fall in love with somebody who understood what we did and we've done that."
Strongly spiritual, liberal and successful, it would appear the legendary performer and noted philanthropist is the model of having it all.
As she embarks on yet another international tour and puts the finishing touches on 11th studio album Midwinter Graces, Amos' desires for her daughter will be as humble or as grand as only Tash wants them to be.
"Whatever Tash chooses, as long as she respects herself and sees herself as equal to men and that she has rights, then she's got to make her own choices and Mark and I have had to realise that."
Tori Amos plays the Riverside Theatre at Perth Convention Exhibition Centre on November 21. Tickets available from Ticketek.
Fontes: @forumz e The West Australian.
domingo, 11 de outubro de 2009
Artigo: Examiner.com - "Special Comment: Review of Tori Amos' Midwinter Graces"
Special Comment: Review of Tori Amos' Midwinter Graces
October 11, 2:39 AMAustin International Travel ExaminerRobert Schrader
Though I've mentioned her on this blog before, this post is a bit uncharacteristic for the Austin International Travel Examiner, so bear with me. Tori Amos just completed her tenth world tour, however, so to include a post concerning her in a travel-related column is certainly appropriate.
In any case, a friend of mine recently received a promo sampler for Tori's upcoming holiday release, Midwinter Graces, and though it's watermarked, which prevented him from uploading it to his computer, he was kind enough to call me and let me listen. The promo contains four song: "What Child, Nowell" "A Silent NIght With You" "Star of Wonder" and the Amos original composition "Pink and Glitter". What follows are my exclusive thoughts on the matter. Because of the, um, over-the-phone nature of my listening situation, I am not able to offer anyone a listen, but will be happy to clarify any points of confusion upon request.
I will say, first off, that all the hot-and-bothered fans need to calm down—this is just a holiday album. The lyrics and the music are all pretty much what you'd expect—nothing blasphemous (at least on these songs), nothing outrageous—though "Star of Wonder" is kind of amazing and I wish she'd produced one of her own songs this way. As all of the lyrics are contemporary, I would assume these are essentially all Tori re-writes with bits of the original melody and lyrics, though I can't say for sure. Now, on to track-by-track—with lyrics!
The first track, "What Child, Nowell," sounds more like its original and begins with gorgeous strings, piano and some bass plucking. It has lots of harpsichord!
What child is this
who lay to rest on Mary's lap sleeping?
Whom angels greet with ...?
Sweet while shepherds watch our keeping
This is winter's kiss
Nowell, nowell, nowell,
Every voice is singing
Nowell, nowell, nowell
What child is this who now awakes
in every heart each morning
from dazzling light through silver's
bring peace now...creation
This is winter's kiss
This is...? begins
Nowell, nowell, nowell
Every voice was singing
Nowell, nowell, nowell
Born this day anew
Nowell, nowell, nowell
Every voice was singing
Nowell, nowell, nowell
Born this day a new
Born this day a new
Nowell, nowell, nowell
"A Silent Night With You" has "hey Jupiter"-esque piano—the first few "telephone" notes—with synths and strings playing over them. Drums kick in midway and the song is very, very pretty throughout, with lots of strings, some bells and no guitar as far as I can hear. It's definitely a holiday song. I can picture Amy Grant singing this—but that's a good thing.
The radio plays my holiday faves
It takes me back to when our love was new
Young lovers pass me by with their glow
That used to be us not so long ago
You said then "I just want to spend
a silent night with you, with you, a silent night with you"
Joy to the world
your arms kept me warm
night after night in such a cold world
Hear the bell strike
... ? pictures instead
Tell me the past is filling my head
You said then "I just want to spend a silent night with you,
with you, a silent night with you"
The radio plays my holiday faves
it takes me back to when our love was new
Lost in my daze you slip past and say
"Girl, take my hand, see nothing has changed
Now or then, I just want to spend a silent night with you,
with you, a silent night with you"
All is calm, all is bright...
Next, "Star of Wonder" has the wurlitzer and some middle-eastern drums--a dobro in the beginning maybe? Reminds me of what pre-Christ Jerusalem must have sounded like. It's kind of a funky "Bug a Martini"/"pancake"-ish vibe but with better drums—"Strong Black Vine"-esque strings. There are some very cool musical shifts in this song, especially during the chorus. This could have been a regular Tori song with, you know, different lyrics. Her voice has a great echo effect on it in the verses, and soars nicely during the choruses. I could also see this song being compared to "Carbon"—it's by far the most interesting track.
We three kings coming again
Bringing gifts from the east
from the east
some say a star will rise again
in the hearts of human kind
Some say we have been in exile
What we need is soul fire
Star of wonder, star of night
Star of royal beauty
........still proceeding (?)
Eh, forget it, I can't make these out anymore; it's too late.
The final song on the sampler "Pink and Glitter" is very traditional big band, with tinkling piano, lots of horns and a sultry tart voice—think Santa from American Doll Posse. The lyrics are very holiday-appropriate: "Shower the world, shower the world, shower the world in pink if you please".
Overall, I really love "What Child, Nowell" and "Star of Wonder" and have asked for and received many repeat listens. "A Silent Night With You" is syrupy, though but not unbearable and "Pink and Glitter" is kind of forgettable. But, again, it's a HOLIDAY album--it's hilarious to see people so worked up. Chances are if you post on the forum with the raccoon in its logo, you'll hate it, and if you don't, you'll appreciate it for what it is—an outstanding, high quality holiday album made with a lot of heart and attention to detail.
Fonte: Examiner.com
October 11, 2:39 AMAustin International Travel ExaminerRobert Schrader
Though I've mentioned her on this blog before, this post is a bit uncharacteristic for the Austin International Travel Examiner, so bear with me. Tori Amos just completed her tenth world tour, however, so to include a post concerning her in a travel-related column is certainly appropriate.
In any case, a friend of mine recently received a promo sampler for Tori's upcoming holiday release, Midwinter Graces, and though it's watermarked, which prevented him from uploading it to his computer, he was kind enough to call me and let me listen. The promo contains four song: "What Child, Nowell" "A Silent NIght With You" "Star of Wonder" and the Amos original composition "Pink and Glitter". What follows are my exclusive thoughts on the matter. Because of the, um, over-the-phone nature of my listening situation, I am not able to offer anyone a listen, but will be happy to clarify any points of confusion upon request.
I will say, first off, that all the hot-and-bothered fans need to calm down—this is just a holiday album. The lyrics and the music are all pretty much what you'd expect—nothing blasphemous (at least on these songs), nothing outrageous—though "Star of Wonder" is kind of amazing and I wish she'd produced one of her own songs this way. As all of the lyrics are contemporary, I would assume these are essentially all Tori re-writes with bits of the original melody and lyrics, though I can't say for sure. Now, on to track-by-track—with lyrics!
The first track, "What Child, Nowell," sounds more like its original and begins with gorgeous strings, piano and some bass plucking. It has lots of harpsichord!
What child is this
who lay to rest on Mary's lap sleeping?
Whom angels greet with ...?
Sweet while shepherds watch our keeping
This is winter's kiss
Nowell, nowell, nowell,
Every voice is singing
Nowell, nowell, nowell
What child is this who now awakes
in every heart each morning
from dazzling light through silver's
bring peace now...creation
This is winter's kiss
This is...? begins
Nowell, nowell, nowell
Every voice was singing
Nowell, nowell, nowell
Born this day anew
Nowell, nowell, nowell
Every voice was singing
Nowell, nowell, nowell
Born this day a new
Born this day a new
Nowell, nowell, nowell
"A Silent Night With You" has "hey Jupiter"-esque piano—the first few "telephone" notes—with synths and strings playing over them. Drums kick in midway and the song is very, very pretty throughout, with lots of strings, some bells and no guitar as far as I can hear. It's definitely a holiday song. I can picture Amy Grant singing this—but that's a good thing.
The radio plays my holiday faves
It takes me back to when our love was new
Young lovers pass me by with their glow
That used to be us not so long ago
You said then "I just want to spend
a silent night with you, with you, a silent night with you"
Joy to the world
your arms kept me warm
night after night in such a cold world
Hear the bell strike
... ? pictures instead
Tell me the past is filling my head
You said then "I just want to spend a silent night with you,
with you, a silent night with you"
The radio plays my holiday faves
it takes me back to when our love was new
Lost in my daze you slip past and say
"Girl, take my hand, see nothing has changed
Now or then, I just want to spend a silent night with you,
with you, a silent night with you"
All is calm, all is bright...
Next, "Star of Wonder" has the wurlitzer and some middle-eastern drums--a dobro in the beginning maybe? Reminds me of what pre-Christ Jerusalem must have sounded like. It's kind of a funky "Bug a Martini"/"pancake"-ish vibe but with better drums—"Strong Black Vine"-esque strings. There are some very cool musical shifts in this song, especially during the chorus. This could have been a regular Tori song with, you know, different lyrics. Her voice has a great echo effect on it in the verses, and soars nicely during the choruses. I could also see this song being compared to "Carbon"—it's by far the most interesting track.
We three kings coming again
Bringing gifts from the east
from the east
some say a star will rise again
in the hearts of human kind
Some say we have been in exile
What we need is soul fire
Star of wonder, star of night
Star of royal beauty
........still proceeding (?)
Eh, forget it, I can't make these out anymore; it's too late.
The final song on the sampler "Pink and Glitter" is very traditional big band, with tinkling piano, lots of horns and a sultry tart voice—think Santa from American Doll Posse. The lyrics are very holiday-appropriate: "Shower the world, shower the world, shower the world in pink if you please".
Overall, I really love "What Child, Nowell" and "Star of Wonder" and have asked for and received many repeat listens. "A Silent Night With You" is syrupy, though but not unbearable and "Pink and Glitter" is kind of forgettable. But, again, it's a HOLIDAY album--it's hilarious to see people so worked up. Chances are if you post on the forum with the raccoon in its logo, you'll hate it, and if you don't, you'll appreciate it for what it is—an outstanding, high quality holiday album made with a lot of heart and attention to detail.
Fonte: Examiner.com
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