Tori Amos
Tales of a Librarian

THE REVIEW

On November 17, 2003, Atlantic Records released the first and only official compilation of Tori Amos: an eclectic artist, unconventional, an excellent musician, and a sublime songwriter who made herself one of the most important female icons of 1990s music. According to many EWF (as Amos' fans are called), the breakup with Atlantic marked the end of an era, the conclusion of a musical and collaborative journey that lasted more than ten years. In fact, in 2001, after the release of Strange Little Girls, there had already been many tensions between Tori and Atlantic, which eventually resulted in a definitive crisis and a consequent and inevitable breakup.
In 2002, the red-haired American singer-songwriter signed a new contract with Epic (Sony), which marked the start of a new era. There were many questions from journalists and music critics regarding the breakup with Atlantic, and Tori responded by saying that relations had deteriorated too much and she was practically forced to break the contract due to "record label discussions" related to production because what she really wanted was to be free to create, without pressures or restraints from producers. And what is the best way for an artist to say goodbye to their record label? Of course, it is to release a compilation of the most known songs of her career, all enriched by two new songs and two b-sides: we are, in fact, talking about "Tales Of A Librarian".  

The album’s artwork is well cared for, and Tori presents herself in a 1930s version complete with elegant hats, gloves, and pompous hairstyles. This compilation represents a farewell to the very record label that made her sign her first contract with her band, Y KANT TORI READ, the same one that had her release marvelous albums like Little Earthquakes, Under The Pink, Boys for Pele, From the Choirgirl Hotel, To Venus & Back, and Strange Little Girls, and the same one with which she decided to sever ties forever.
The songs contained in "Tales Of A Librarian" are her most well-known hits and in addition, there is the sweet "Snow Cherries From France", a ballad in the style of Scarlet's Walk, which perhaps leaves a bit of subtle melancholy, and "Angeles" another pop ballad in the style of the former, accompanied by drums, bass, guitar, and, of course, her faithful Bosendorfer. The two b-sides are "Mary" and "Sweet Dreams", two tracks that were excluded from Little Earthquakes at the time and are now rearranged in a more "modern" key. In the "Special Edition" of "Tales Of A Librarian", there is also a DVD that contains three live songs recorded during the soundcheck of Welcome To Sunny Florida, on September 4, 2003, including: "Pretty Good Year", "Honey" and "Northern Lad". Besides the live versions, there are also instrumental ones like "Mr. Zebra" and "Putting The Damage On".

Track list:

 "Precious Things" 
"Angels" 
"Silent All These Years"
"Cornflake Girl"
"Mary"
"God"
"Winter" 
"Spark"
"Way Down" 
"Professional Widow" (Star Trunk Funkin' Mix) 
"Mr. Zebra"
"Crucify" 
"Me and a Gun"
"Bliss"
"Playboy Mommy" 
"Baker Baker"
"Tear in Your Hand"
"Sweet Dreams"
"Jackie's Strength"
"Snow Cherries from France"

If the redhead is in your good graces and you are EWF, this will be an essential album to have.