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	Vol.7, No 16, September 27, 1999
	Amos aims for success By Daniel Oliveira Daily Forty-Niner Fighting against bootleggers and exploring new electronic sounds, pianist-singer Tori Amos has released "To Venus and Back," a double album featuring live and studio tracks. Amos said she wanted to record songs live due to her dissatisfaction with the quality of the bootleg albums of her concerts. "There are hundreds of bootlegs out that donít represent what I do," she said. "That's what started to make my eyes roll. I would hear such bad recordings." The live album of "To Venus and Back" features songs from her entire solo career, including "Precious Things," from "Little Earthquakes" (1991); "Cornflake Girl," from "Under The Pink" (1994); and "Cruel," off of "From the Choirgirl Hotel" (1998). They were recorded from last yearís "Plugged" tour, which marked Amos' first time playing live with a band. Guitarist Steve Caton, who accompanies Amos with bassist Jon Evans and drummer Matt Chamberlain, said he does not feel frustrated by the fact that she dominates the attention on stage and on the albums. "I enjoy a lot what I do with Tori," he said. "I don't really like the super technical aspect [of music], so I don't think, 'If I'm playing a lot of notes, that necessarily makes it good.'"    The studio album of ìTo Venus and Backî features 11 new songs, including "Bliss," "Juarez" and "Riot Proof." They show Amos again exploring electronic sounds, which first appeared on "From the Choirgirl Hotel." "There are two parts to working with sounds: Itís opening yourself up and understanding what effects can do, and then applying them depending on the context," she said. Amos said the studio album originally was going to be a collection of her b-sides ­ songs available on singles and limited edition releases. However, she said she scrapped the idea because she felt inspired to write new songs. Born in Newton, N.C., Amos has become an influential female artist in the 1990s.   "Little Earthquakes," her first solo album, exploded in the charts and inspired other women to go on with their music careers.    "I was very influenced by her honesty and courage," said singer Alanis Morissette.		Students help aid taiwan A.S.I. considers band for pyramid CSULB museum receives valuable art collection L.B. 2nd safest in U.S. CSULB friends, faculty remember employee FBI blunders again Professional wrestling takes on world Campus Center must be for study Students not shortchanged by 10 Cents 'Mumford' not typical comedy Amos aims for success Sythe's on right track Reasons why new stadium won't happen at LBSU 49ers' voice calls game Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.