Before I get to today's post. I have an announcement to make. Don't skip this. It involves YOU. During the challenge, I will choose a random commenter every two days, to receive a FREE DOWNLOAD of one of my albums. Your choice! And you can even listen to the songs online to see which one you would like best. That's THIRTEEN winners. How does that sound? Tell your friends! Just comment for a chance to win.
Today's post:Tori Amos is one of those artists whose music never seems to date. And she is one of my BIGGEST musical influences. I love her unusual phrasing and inflections and her quirky way of performing with one leg stuck out to the side. She is truly a unique musical artist.
When I listen to Tori (I own every single album, btw), she makes me wish I never gave up playing the piano. Yep, I was a piano player too. But my laziness overcame my enthusiasm. I never read the music. I memorized. This was not good for passing exams. Obviously. So I quit.
The song below remains my all time favourite track of hers. If you have the time, listen to it all the way through because at the end ... well ... it gives you tingles. If you want to hear that part only, listen from 3:45. Whenever I need a push to pick up my guitar and write a song. I turn to Tori. This song especially:
What music artist gives you tingles?
Don't forget to drop by Dawn Ius' blog, my partner in crime, to see her music pick for A.
To see a list of A-Z Challenge hosts and participants, click here.
To listen to my music click here!
Great post Jessica, very interesting. I am a piano player as well, although at the moment it is gathering dust rather than being played. Funnily enough, reading your book 'String Bridge' made me want to learn to play the guitar! I hope you are having a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteWhen you mentioned Tori Amos's quirky way of sticking out her leg, I couldn't help but think of Angelina Jolie at the awards. She said it was an unconcious stance and it is probably the same for Tori Amos.
ReplyDeletehttp://gail-baugniet.blogspot.com
Hi Jess - thanks for popping over - my theme is Aspects of British Castles ...
ReplyDeleteLove her song - I'm so unmusical .. it'll be great to read more and hear more via all the musical ABCs ...
Cheers = and I love the quotes you've listed below .. Hilary
Great choice! I was sad when my daughter gave up piano, but her clarinet playing was a great substitute. I envy anyone who can play an instrument. I am often tempted to pick up DH's guitar, but it wouldn't be fair on the dogs and their sensitive hearing! :D
ReplyDeleteAn amazing voice. Wow
ReplyDeleteYour voice is beautiful. I've only heard a handful of Tori Amos' songs, but she seems like a great inspiration to have.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Good call on Tori. Totally one of a kind!
ReplyDeleteJack White gives me the tingles, I'd love to play guitar like he does :)
ReplyDeleteUniversal Gibberish
Wow. I'm going to learn a lot I know. Shawn Philips makes me tingle.
ReplyDeleteI loved Tori's version of Wild Horses. Just gorgeous. Now to that video above...
ReplyDeleteI loved the video. I think it is Tori Amos who has one of my favourite song lines.
ReplyDelete'So you finally found someone who thinks really deep thoughts, what's so amazing about really deep thoughts?'
I don't know what it is about that line, but it resonates with me.
Enjoyed the video. I'm not a musician, but admire the work of so many artists.
ReplyDeleteNice start to the challenge! I think if I was to choose an A artist it might be Adelle. I am getting more and more nuts about her.
ReplyDeleteLove the piano when it's played in minor key. Am not a music professional, so dunno if I'm 'saying' it correctly - but love use of piano in modern music.
ReplyDeleteListen to this instrumental (a bit digitilized): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTB6HmZNJ5s
I dunno why, but it brings tears to my eyes!
Good luck with the challenge, fellow A-Z Blogger!
Love Tori. She has such an ethereal way of saying things, but is also savvy to mainstream rock and roll. When I hear her I think of Joni Mitchell and Kate Bush, but now when I hear Regina Spektor, I think of Tori. Love them all.
ReplyDeleteI haven't listened to her music in a long time. Thanks for the videos. I should have listened to her more when my mother was telling me to practice the piano...
ReplyDeleteLove the video. And for me, Sade gets to my soul.
ReplyDeleteTori Amos was huge for a while. Good choice.
ReplyDeleteAdelle and Duffy and... so many others get me moving.
ReplyDeleteTeresa
Great pick for A! Looking forward to reading your blog this month ;-)
ReplyDeleteTori Amos is also one of my favorites! She is such a powerful female. And, I'm so glad that we are getting a chance to win your free music. Awesome stuff!
ReplyDeleteLove! Eddie Vedder solo gives me the chills. Love his soulful voice. Hope to win some of your music!
ReplyDeleteWhen I worked at Penny Lane records back in the 80's, we got lots of free records and I wound up with "Y Can't Tori Read." (I think that's what it was called.) It's is sitting in a bin with all of my other records. My husband and I just got gifted a turntable, so perhaps I'll break it out for a blast from the past.
ReplyDeleteTori Amos is truly amazing. I like her cover of Thank You by Led Zeppelin. In fact, her rendition is far more touching than the original.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you talked about Tori Amos on your blog today. Love her music.
ReplyDeleteFun idea - I love Adele and Zee Avi and lately Christine Perry.
ReplyDeleteWho is this Tori Amos...Kidding loved her since Little Earthquakes... maybe you would like to be part of my music site... I would love to review... jmhdigital.com
ReplyDeleteGreat start... to the challenge "A" is for Awesome!
Jeremy [Retro-Zombie]
A to Z Co-Host
IZOMBIE: Visit the Madness
Oh, I DO love that song and I DO get tingles. My "A" choice gives me tingles, too - but I bet for a whole different reason :-) xo
ReplyDeleteIt's the voice, that's what makes one tingle. Thanks for the great music interlude. Now following! Nice to meet you.
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to ask the Louvre for Aphrodite back, though.
I've always wanted to listen to more Tori Amos. She's never been part of my normal playlists, but I just don't know enough. You may have inspired me to download some. For me, tingles usually come from Van Morrison, Otis Redding, or Sam Cooke.
ReplyDeleteAwesome that you found an artist that always inspires you.
ReplyDeleteI'm a sucker for anything musical that involves a guitar. Great blog challenge post! See you again in this April marathon and thanks for making my visit here so enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteGood choice. Tori Amos is a favorite!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the Tori Amos video. I like different styles of guitar and music too.
ReplyDeleteI too enjoyed the video! I love your voice~ I love finding artist that inspire. It leads us into uncharted waters~
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! :D
Bruce Springsteen will always be the one performer who will consistently move me!
ReplyDeleteYou know Tori Amos is one artist I have never checked out. I need to rectify that! :)
I'm a Classical musician, so my education in other musical genres is sadly lacking. Thank you for introducing me to someone I should learn more about.
ReplyDeleteA great post. Maybe you could take up learning the piano now?
ReplyDeleteHave a great A to Z month!
la la love tori amos! your posts will be fun to visit!
ReplyDeleteTori has been my fave singer since Little Earthquakes debuted. And Precious is one of her best songs ever. I did an entire paper on the lyrics for it in college. Her music always inspires me to be creative. Have you read her bio? It's great! And she is one of the best live performers ever!! It's so hard to pick, but I think my fave album of hers is The Beekeeper. :)
ReplyDeleteExcited to see your posts. The video made me go sit down at the piano. It's hard to pick just one artist that moves me since there are so many good ones on my ipod. Today it's Sting and Brian McFaden. Yesterday it was Paul McCartney. Tomorrow may be Metallica or Steven Curtis Chapman. Or maybe Tori Amos?
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful voice. And I like your wacky definitions. Beatnik. Gemini!I am looking for Connie Cohen's first album on the web, but I cannot find it on you tube. Must find my cassette
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your posts...you are very gifted at writing and apparently singing etc...will listen to some of your music now...blessings and glad you are doing this challenge too! I did it in 2010 and had a great time.
ReplyDeleteIt's always good to be introduced to different artists - thank you.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post, but I really love your quotes at the bottomw of the page! :)
ReplyDeleteI love Tori Amos. Great 1st post. I look forward to seeing what else you do this month.
ReplyDeleteIt all depends on my mood. Recently I've fallen in love with the song: Love Can Build A Bridge by Pink from the Happy Feet 2 soundtrack.
ReplyDeleteThanks for introducing me to Tori Amos. I have too many favs to list but Adele, Aaron Odom and the late great Waylon Jennings are a few. You might also toss in Willie and the boys. :) I just love music... period! Now I'm going to listen to yours.
ReplyDeleteThat is really generous of you, Jessica!
ReplyDeleteDream Theater is a band that always, well I won't say give me chills, but you get the idea.
I'd never heard of Tori Amos before, so thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteThe Golden Eagle
The Eagle's Aerial Perspective
I don't care about winning, Jess. I just came over to say HI. And thanks for introducing Tori. BTW, my youngest daughter was a natural at piano, but just didn't want to practice. Now she wishes she had!
ReplyDeleteAnn Best, Author of In the Mirror & Other Memoirs
Tori Amos is a pretty good person to have influence you. I always liked her stuff. I'm tend to like a heavier sound, but I've always had a soft spot for her.
ReplyDeleteTori Amos is amazing. I have most of her albums. Great start to the Challenge!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love Tori Amos, must listen to her tomorrow on the way to work! Great post
ReplyDeleteI love me some Tori! Great start to the A-Z!
ReplyDeleteNutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Great start and that is my favorite Tori song. Thanks for the chance to win one of your albums. I will be back daily (not just for the prize), I do love your blog, book and music. I love listening to Hugh Laurie on the Piano. I also gave up piano at a young age, but I think my teacher and my mom both knew I was hopeless.
ReplyDeleteI like her, but the hubby adores her. :)
ReplyDeleteLook forward to your challenge posts...
--Damyanti, Co-host A to Z Challenge April 2012
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge
Thanks for all your comments everyone! I will do my best to make my way to your blogs too! :o)
ReplyDeleteSo glad to find Tori Amos here as your A post. My favorites by her are Cornflake Girl and Silent All These Years.
ReplyDeleteTori is certainly amazing! I've seen her twice, I think...haha. Yeah my memory is hazy right now...too early in the morning. argh!
ReplyDeleteI played piano too, passed 2nd grade and then gave up. I was too lazy! and I never learned to read music either. My music teacher aunty is horrified. But then, some of my fave musicians can't read music either ;)