Tori Amos - Tales of a Librarian: A Tori Amos Collection [CD & DVD][Atlantic]

Tales of a Librarian: A Tori Amos Collection is not only one of the most intriguing titles for a hits compilation, but the package itself captures only the best from Amos' years spent with Atlantic. As solid, interesting, and moving as anything she'd released since her 1992 debut, Little Earthquakes, Tales of a Librarian is an autobiographical account of Amos' life as a woman in a complex world, and her songs sift through various emotions and spirits. Regardless of what barrier she faced, she never compromised herself as an individual. Her fans know this, and the quirky arrangement of Tales of a Librarian reflects this and more. Her usual approach of having a story within a story is here, but like the title suggests, Amos organizes her classic singles as a bookshelf ready for research and examination. Each song is remastered and arranged according to era, and the production itself offers new breadth and breath to Amos' work as a whole. Instead of the Boys for Pele version, Armand van Helden's dance remix of "Professional Widow" is included. "Bliss" from Amos' To Venus and Back double album gets a crystallized lift in the studio, while two new songs are introduced for the first time: "Snow Cherries From France" and "Angels." They represent Amos' constant search for truth while witnessing various personal transformations. Reaching for such rightness has been her quest all along and through music she's told amazing stories that millions have come to believe and take seriously. Like Morrissey loyalists, Tori followers are a rare breed. They'll surely appreciate Tales of a Librarian even though they most likely own every single release Amos has ever issued. Those who don't own any of her albums and are looking for a decent collection of her work should enjoy this as well, although owning each of her albums is well worth it. [A bonus DVD featuring live songs recorded during Amos' final show of her 2003 North American tour as well as remixes for "Putting the Damage On" and "Mr. Zebra" is included here.] ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide

Name Credits Adam Spry Studio Technician, Assistant Engineer Al Perkins Pedal Steel, Pedal Steel Alan Friedman Drum Programming Alison Evans Vocals (Background) Armand Van Helden Producer, Remixing Black Dyke Band Brass Carlo Nuccio Drums Chelsea Laird Vocals (Background), Project Director Cim Mahony Hair Stylist Dan Nebenzal Engineer Darryl Lewis Choir, Chorus David Firman Conductor Davitt Sigerson Producer Duncan Pickford Vocals (Background) Ed Green Drums Eric Rosse Keyboard Programming, Vocals (Background), Producer, Engineer, Programming Eric Williams Ukulele George Porter, Jr. Bass Gloria Gabriel Producer Goff Richards Arranger Gus McField Jr. Choir, Chorus Ian Stanley Engineer Jack Trimble Choir, Chorus Jake Freeze Pedals James Crawford Jr. Choir, Chorus James Gerard Watson Conductor Jef Scott Bass John Beverly Jones Engineer John Chamberlain Mandolin John Philip Shenale String Arrangements John Witherspoon Project Manager Jon Astley Vocals (Background), Mastering Jon Evans Bass, Vocals (Background) Justin Meldal-Johnsen Bass Karen Binns Stylist Lesley Chilkes Make-Up Liz Barrett Art Direction Mac Aladdin Mandolin, Guitar Manu Katche Drums Marcel VanLimbeek Redesign, Remixing, Restoration, Engineer Mark Hawley Restoration, Remixing, Redesign, Engineer Mark Sterling Choir, Chorus Matt Chamberlain Drums, Vocals (Background) Nancy Shanks Vocals (Background) Nick DeCaro Orchestral Arrangements, Conductor Paul McKenna Engineer Paulinho Da Costa Percussion Richard Bates Art Direction Samantha James Producer Sammy Berfect Choir, Chorus Scott Smalley Conductor Sinfonia of London Orchestra Strings Steve Caton Guitar (Acoustic), Mandolin, Vocals (Background), Guitar (Electric) Thierry Le Goues Photography Tina Gullickson Vocals (Background) Tori Amos Piano, Producer, Vocals (Background), Vocals Trevor Lowe Technician Will McGregor Bass Willy Porter Guitar