Eight-time Grammy nominee Tori Amos recently returned to Chicago Theater. The venue's acoustics and grand-scale intimacy must have been a deciding factor. She married her sound guy so one can imagine how each lush note had people on the edge of their seats at times.
The mezzo-soprano was sporting a new set of reading glasses and fans even presented her with more frames at the curtain call. Who needs LensCrafters when you have followers who will give you the shirts off their backs? The leader of the '80s rock band Y Kant Tori Read has no problem with that now with those sharp lenses. This solo artist has now had a lengthy career with 14 albums, and live shows that have amassed a legion of listeners. She brought her latest CD Unrepentant Geraldines to the Windy City on Aug. 5.
Throughout this specific tour she began each set with "Parasol," and Chicago was no exception. While new music was sprinkled throughout the act, it was moments from Tori standards of "Winter" and "Father Lucifer" that made the kids squeal and yell out in delight.
There was no backing band as in years past but a return to two simple pianos that she rotated back and forth, tickling the ivories and changing lights behind her. She titled one segment Lizard Lounge with a simple spotlight where she covered "Dust in the Wind" and "Africa."
The second half of the show consisted of a strong "Blood Roses" and "Taxi Ride." New track "Invisible Boy" created a few touching moments from the chanteuse. Amos ended the segment with "Cornflake Girl," with the minions racing to the lip of the stage to get a little closer.
She came back for an encore of the unforgettable "Tear in Your Hand," not changing from the red silk bathrobe and slick pants that she was dressed in.
The fire-maned songstress captivated the mostly LGBT and straight female crowd that evening, even while sometimes scrambling for sheet music within the two-hour set. It's time to invest in an iPad, honey; life will be easier.
She closed with "Hey Jupiter" amid a starry lit background that worked well in this space.
A rarity in concert tours these days with a constantly changing set list, Amos makes each night special. Visit www.toriamos.com to keep up with the "Playboy Mommy."
Photos and text by Jerry Nunn