Search - Tori Amos: Live at Montreux 1991 & 1992 on DVD

A companion Review to my recent CD purchase

E. Rohman | Mt Pleasant, MI United States | 10/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What an interesting, introspective look at our girl.

The very first performance you can tell she's nervous, young, and wondering "what the hell am I doing here?". The audience is starts off giving the obligatory "oh, she's playing I should be nice" applause, but by the end they are genuinely interested in Tori. She gives a solid and candid performance of her songs from Little Earthquakes, and is genuinely surprised when they call her out for an encore. You can tell she is still feeling every lyric that she is singing. This may be the raw-est (sp?) we get to see her for a while. My only complaint about this section of the performance is the goofy plug in Yamaha they gave her. [...]

Flash forward to 1992 - a more polished looking Tori takes the stage, and not two measures into "Little Earthquakes" she stops and calls the audience out. "Hey, are you guys here to talk or listen to music? I mean, you paid a lot of money". Shades of things to come. She plays the entire set, almost glaring at the front row. The songs are more sure, the piano playing is solid, and this time they give her a real piano!

It's so interesting to see the two Tori's contrasted. All in all, worth the purchase because it reminded me of a simpler time in Tori's career, before the glam squads, before the multiple personality concept albums, and before the orange wig and leather dress."

Absolutely one of her best. Definite Buy recommendation.

WAYNO | SAN ANTONIO TEXAS | 10/24/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was absolutely blown away by this DVD. The first performance full of innocence and pure raw talent. The second a year later at the same venue after a year on the road and that experience and edge the road brings with it,she had obviously changed some and hardened up a bit. Having toured extensively in the music business in the 80's myself, I see first hand the "road" difference between both shows. Both are excellent in their own ways. If you are a TA fan at all, you must have this one in your collection !"

BROUGHT ME TO TEARS

Brian Kimmel | Las Vegas, NV | 10/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I watched "Winter" from this DVD on youtube...it was absolutely fabulous. The best performance I have seen of Tori doing this song. It brought me to tears, moved me from a deep place. I am happy to have been a part of her audience from '94-'08 to see how much she has grown and matured, how much we have grown and matured in a world view. Tori is still right on in my book, even though she doesn't have the "freshness" some say as she had in her earlier years. This is just a reminder to me of Tori's genius. We may not have had this LIVE at Montreux if she had not made it this far into her music career--a big star she is--that's the way it needs to be for someone like her. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

Absolutely Captivating

Shannon | 03/19/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Being a Tori Amos fan has been one of the most rewarding and rich experiences in my personal musical history. Her songs have been a deeply felt and important part of my life for years now. Like all Tori fans, I have a great appreciation for her live shows and I actually think it's a shame that more of them aren't available on DVD. Comparing this DVD with 2003's Tori Amos: Welcome to Sunny Florida (DVD with Bonus CD in Jewel Case) is a great exercise in examining the path she has trend over the last two decades. I wish there were more stops to be visited along the way!

That being said, Live at Montreux is an absolutely riveting experience from start to end. I've heard the songs of Little Earthquakes dozens and dozens of times, but watching these two concerts made me feel as though I was hearing each one for the very first time. In fact, between the two concerts Tori plays all but 3 songs off of her debut album, as well as two Led Zeppelin covers (Whole Lotta Love and Thank You) and her signature cover of Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit. Just as watching this DVD in comparison with 'Sunny Florida' is a real treat, even looking at the 1991 and 1992 concerts side by side is a unique experience. The liner notes describe the two concerts as something like a before and after shot. My thoughts:

1991: For me, this concert is really the reason to purchase this DVD. This is such a one of a kind show. As others have mentioned, Tori is here pre-fame ('Little Earthquakes' was yet to be released) and the Moody Blues concert goers have no idea who she is. It is a lovely, lovely experience to watch Tori completely win them over in the space of just 10 songs with only voice and piano. She is riveting...charming...delightful. Her emotions are raw and open and she's clearly just enjoying herself playing these songs, which are so dear to her heart, for a captive audience. I love how surprised and gratified she is when she is asked for an encore, I love the brief moments of between song banter, I love when she briefly forgets the words in 'Happy Phantom' and this performance of "Winter" is one of the most stunning of her career.

1992: While not quite as magical as the 1991 performance, this is a second stellar show. Her confidence and enthusiasm spills over and she is more comfortable talking and bantering with the audience. The drama and power of the songs comes across so strongly that you can barely take your eyes off the screen. Though the opening 'Little Earthquakes' has been mentioned for being the song Tori interrupts in order to quietly scold the audience (which earns cheers!) it truly is an intensely powerful performance all it's own. The confidence and urgency on display here is fantastic.

I can't recommend this DVD enough. In fact, I'd suggest it as an excellent way of introducing a new fan to Tori Amos. Two songs into the 1991 show, they'll be enchanted. By the end of the 1992 show, they might just be a lifelong fan."