"The Original Bootlegs" (12 CD Box Set)
Tori Amos' following seems as fervent as it is unlikely, a forceful fusion of oft-mocked '70s singer-songwriter conceits with a progressive bent in an era dominated by alt ‘n' snark, yet channeled through her own, typically heart-on-the-sleeve sense of emotional dramatics. This 12-CD chronicle of 2005 live stands in Chicago, Denver, L.A., the UK and Boston may not be as expansive as Pearl Jam's 72-volume marathon documentation of theirBinauraltour, but Amos does indeed share the latter's mercurial live ethos and penchant for inventive, often unexpected covers. Each concert here begins with a take onThe Beekeeper's mood-setting "Original Sensuality," then spins off in its own peculiar, emotionally-charged course through the full range of Amos' canon. But it's the set's documentation of her intriguing reworking of others' songs that's just as appealing, notably, Jim Croce's "Operator" or a tribute to Amos' inspirations via Joni Mitchell's "Circle Game" or left-field, if surprisingly effective versions of Flock of Seagull's "I Ran" and Livin' On a Prayer" by Bon Jovi from Denver and L.A. respectively. With a crowd-pleasing rapport that's evident throughout, she treats audiences in her adopted UK home to takes on local heroes from George Michael ("Father Figure") to Oasis ("Don't Look Back in Anger") and pumps up Boston's hometown pride with a Kate Bush-esque spin on Aerosmith's "Dream On," as well as slow-burn turns through Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and the Stones' "Angie."--Jerry McCulley