Tori Amos: From the Choirgirl Hotel

Rating:
Summary: Advanced - beginner, something for the inbetween
Review: Although some versions of songs are not as technically sound as Tori herself plays on From the Choirgirl Hotel, the versions provided in this book are very similar to the album versions. For the person who likes to attach phrases to the aural sensation of Tori's music, this book is for you. I myself found some fabulous underlying rhythms to staples of the album that I had never heard before. With Tori's music, you hear things a bit differently each time.

Book includes all the tracks on the album and some vivid imagery as the artwork for it. If you're a Tori fan, consider buying this even just for the glossy photos.

Rating:
Summary: Something's just missing
Review: I bought the book expecting to "play like Tori." that was my first mistake. She just goes TOO many places, and that's very noticeable in this book. As has been said before the Piano took a back seat to the other instruments, and so playing without the other instruments just doesn't give the feel; however, it is fun to turn on the CD and play along, especially with Raspberry Swirl. But other than that, there isn't the fluidity that other Tori books have. The chords are so blocky and sustained (ie Jackie's Strength: held bass notes throughout the entire song) that I just couldn't capture what I was looking for. Not my first choice for a Tori sheet music book, but still not a bad buy if you like to play along.

Rating:
Summary: Something's just missing
Review: I bought the book expecting to "play like Tori." that was my first mistake. She just goes TOO many places, and that's very noticeable in this book. As has been said before the Piano took a back seat to the other instruments, and so playing without the other instruments just doesn't give the feel; however, it is fun to turn on the CD and play along, especially with Raspberry Swirl. But other than that, there isn't the fluidity that other Tori books have. The chords are so blocky and sustained (ie Jackie's Strength: held bass notes throughout the entire song) that I just couldn't capture what I was looking for. Not my first choice for a Tori sheet music book, but still not a bad buy if you like to play along.

Rating:
Summary: As good as it gets?
Review: We know that we're never gonna get the exact transcriptions of Tori's playing (she's too good you see) so is this book as good as it gets? Boys For Pele was the closest transcriptions of her music I'd seen, so I had high hopes for this album. However, although it's not as good, it's not really the the arranger's fault.

The problem lies within the way the album was recorded, there is a lot less emphasis on the piano than in previous albums.

Highlights include Jackie's Strength, the piano break of Hotel, Pandora's Aquarium and Northern Lad. Cruel is virtually impossible to play on the piano unless you improvise a whole lot, and this problem seems to afflict the book too much - many of the arrangements sound flat without the backing of the band.

It's still an essential purchase for any fan though, and is worth the extra effort to draw the tunes out. I also found it useful in opening the album out for me. I suggest all Toriphiles to go get it!

Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: Wow is all I can say with this book. Tori is extremely excellent in this book. Some of the songs aren't perfect, but you can really make most sound great! I happen to be a rather good piano player so it is easier on me, but if you are just starting.....then go with 'boys for pele' yet if you are pretty good this is the songbook for you. Her music is really good on the songs 'Spark' and really good on 'Jackie's Strenght'! BUY THIS!