A Piano: The Collection
Encyclopedia
A Piano: The Collection is a five-disc box set spanning the first 15 years of the solo career of American
singer and song-writer Tori Amos
. Released on September 26, 2006 by Rhino Records as part of the contract Amos negotiated with Warner Bros., the set consists of classics, rarities, demos
, B-sides and a string of unreleased songs from album sessions.
. The original record has not only a different song sequence and alternate mixes but it features its four original B-sides ("Upside Down" and "Sweet Dreams," and alternate mixes of "Flying Dutchman" and "Take to the Sky") as well as the previously unreleased, unedited single remix version of "Crucify".
Spotlighting music recorded between 1994 and 1996, the second disc includes songs from Under the Pink
and Boys for Pele
. The 18 tracks blend original and remix
ed versions of albums cuts with the B-side "Honey" and "Professional Widow" performed live. Also included is "Take Me With You" (music recorded in 1990, with lyrics/vocals finished in 2006).
The third disc also includes songs associated with Boys for Pele plus 1999’s To Venus and Back
and Tales of a Librarian: A Tori Amos Collection
. The 15 songs feature original and remixed versions of album tracks as well as "Hey Jupiter" (Dakota Version) and "Professional Widow" (Armand
's Star Trunk Funkin’ Mix). Also featured is "Walk to Dublin (Sucker Reprise)" (recorded in 1995 during the Boys for Pele sessions).
From the Choirgirl Hotel
(1998), Scarlet's Walk
(2002) and The Beekeeper
(2005) are the focus of the fourth disc, which contains 15 songs including original and remixed versions of tracks from the albums. Also featured is the unheard intro for "Marys of the Sea" (from The Beekeeper) as well as four previously unreleased songs: "Not David Bowie" (recorded in 2004 for The Beekeeper), "Ode to My Clothes" (recorded in 2001 in between takes for Strange Little Girls), "Dolphin Song" (recorded in 2003 apparently during sessions for Tales of a Librarian), and the much-mythologized "Zero Point" (recorded in 1999 for To Venus and Back), which Amos had mentioned in interviews as well as the liner notes to 1999's To Venus and Back. In the A Piano liner notes, Amos writes:
The final disc features 22 tracks spotlighting Amos' list of renowned B-sides and includes the exclusive digital release "Merman" from 1999 ("Merman" would later appear on No Boundaries: A Benefit for the Kosovar Refugees). It also includes popular B-sides such as "Cooling," "Purple People," "Bachelorette," and "Here. In My Head" and the unreleased "Peeping Tommi" (recorded in 1993 for Under the Pink). Amos also invites listeners into her artistic process with a medley of demos for the songs "Fire-Eater’s Wife / Beauty Queen", "Playboy Mommy" and "a sorta fairytale". Amos explains in the liner notes:
.
Likewise, the version of "Take to the Sky" featured here is a different mix than the one released as a b-side on the Winter e.p. The alternate mix on this compilation is noticeably different in that it does not have backing vocals on the second chorus or during the song's outro.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer and song-writer Tori Amos
Tori Amos
Tori Amos is an American pianist, singer-songwriter and composer. She was at the forefront of a number of female singer-songwriters in the early 1990s and was noteworthy early in her career as one of the few alternative rock performers to use a piano as her primary instrument...
. Released on September 26, 2006 by Rhino Records as part of the contract Amos negotiated with Warner Bros., the set consists of classics, rarities, demos
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
, B-sides and a string of unreleased songs from album sessions.
Box set breakdown
The compilation's first disc includes an extended version of Amos' 1992 debut, Little EarthquakesLittle Earthquakes
-B-sides:The album is also known for its collection of B-sides. The four songs recorded with Davitt Sigerson that did not make it to the final version of the album were included on the singles released from Little Earthquakes....
. The original record has not only a different song sequence and alternate mixes but it features its four original B-sides ("Upside Down" and "Sweet Dreams," and alternate mixes of "Flying Dutchman" and "Take to the Sky") as well as the previously unreleased, unedited single remix version of "Crucify".
Spotlighting music recorded between 1994 and 1996, the second disc includes songs from Under the Pink
Under the Pink
Under the Pink is the second solo album by singer-songwriter Tori Amos. Upon its release in January 1994, the album peaked at US #12 and on the back of the hit single "Cornflake Girl", the album debuted at UK #1, her highest-charting UK album debut to date. It had sold around 220,000 copies in the...
and Boys for Pele
Boys for Pele
Boys for Pele is the third studio album by American singer and song-writer Tori Amos. Preceded by the first single, "Caught a Lite Sneeze", by three weeks, the album was released on 22 January 1996, in the United Kingdom and on 23 January, in the United States...
. The 18 tracks blend original and remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
ed versions of albums cuts with the B-side "Honey" and "Professional Widow" performed live. Also included is "Take Me With You" (music recorded in 1990, with lyrics/vocals finished in 2006).
The third disc also includes songs associated with Boys for Pele plus 1999’s To Venus and Back
To Venus and Back
To Venus and Back, the fifth album released by singer and songwriter Tori Amos, is a two-disc album set including a studio album and a live album. The first disc, titled Venus: Orbiting, features eleven original songs that finds Amos experimenting heavily in electronica...
and Tales of a Librarian: A Tori Amos Collection
Tales of a Librarian
-Live:-Others:-Charts:...
. The 15 songs feature original and remixed versions of album tracks as well as "Hey Jupiter" (Dakota Version) and "Professional Widow" (Armand
Armand Van Helden
Armand Van Helden is a record producer, DJ and remixer whose biggest commercial successes came from his remixes of the 1996 Tori Amos song "Professional Widow" , which reached number 1 in the UK Singles Chart in January 1997, and his own track "U Don't Know Me ", which went to number 1...
's Star Trunk Funkin’ Mix). Also featured is "Walk to Dublin (Sucker Reprise)" (recorded in 1995 during the Boys for Pele sessions).
From the Choirgirl Hotel
From the Choirgirl Hotel
From the Choirgirl Hotel is the fourth studio album by American singer and songwriter Tori Amos. A departure from her previous albums, it was more heavily produced and a very radio-friendly project featuring a full rock band sound . Upon its release in May 1998, the album debuted at US #5 and UK #6...
(1998), Scarlet's Walk
Scarlet's Walk
Scarlet's Walk is the seventh album released in singer-songwriter Tori Amos' solo career. The 18-track concept album details the cross-country travels of Scarlet, a character loosely based on Amos, as well as the concept of America post-September 11th . The album was the first released by Amos on...
(2002) and The Beekeeper
The Beekeeper
The Beekeeper is the eighth studio album by singer-songwriter Tori Amos. It deals with the topics of death, adultery and romantic conflict, and makes brief reference to ancient Gnostic mysticism from the Apocryphon of John...
(2005) are the focus of the fourth disc, which contains 15 songs including original and remixed versions of tracks from the albums. Also featured is the unheard intro for "Marys of the Sea" (from The Beekeeper) as well as four previously unreleased songs: "Not David Bowie" (recorded in 2004 for The Beekeeper), "Ode to My Clothes" (recorded in 2001 in between takes for Strange Little Girls), "Dolphin Song" (recorded in 2003 apparently during sessions for Tales of a Librarian), and the much-mythologized "Zero Point" (recorded in 1999 for To Venus and Back), which Amos had mentioned in interviews as well as the liner notes to 1999's To Venus and Back. In the A Piano liner notes, Amos writes:
The final disc features 22 tracks spotlighting Amos' list of renowned B-sides and includes the exclusive digital release "Merman" from 1999 ("Merman" would later appear on No Boundaries: A Benefit for the Kosovar Refugees). It also includes popular B-sides such as "Cooling," "Purple People," "Bachelorette," and "Here. In My Head" and the unreleased "Peeping Tommi" (recorded in 1993 for Under the Pink). Amos also invites listeners into her artistic process with a medley of demos for the songs "Fire-Eater’s Wife / Beauty Queen", "Playboy Mommy" and "a sorta fairytale". Amos explains in the liner notes:
Disc A (440 Hz)
Disc B (493.88 Hz)
Disc C (523.25 Hz)
Disc D (587.33 Hz)
Disc E (659.26 Hz)
Errors in the printed track listing
The track listing incorrectly labels "Purple People" as being the b-side version from the Spark single, however the version featured here is the live soundcheck version from To Venus and BackTo Venus and Back
To Venus and Back, the fifth album released by singer and songwriter Tori Amos, is a two-disc album set including a studio album and a live album. The first disc, titled Venus: Orbiting, features eleven original songs that finds Amos experimenting heavily in electronica...
.
Likewise, the version of "Take to the Sky" featured here is a different mix than the one released as a b-side on the Winter e.p. The alternate mix on this compilation is noticeably different in that it does not have backing vocals on the second chorus or during the song's outro.