Happy Birthday Tori!!!!

If you thought I was a Madonna fan, understand this: I don't actually have words enough for what I think and feel about Tori Amos. She's like...The Muse in human form, I guess. If I had to try and describe her. Today, she turns 43.

Fascinating Tori Facts
1) She was born Myra Ellen Amos, but changed her name to 'Tori' at a friend's suggestion.
2) She started playing piano at age 2, and was a child prodigy.
3) As a teenager she thought of Jesus as a boyfriend.
4) Her first album, 'Y Kan't Tori Read' was an 80's pop/light metal album. I have it, and it's mostly horrible. Except for three tracks that hint of what was to come.
5) Her daughter Natashya Lorien was named after the place Lorien in Lord of the Rings.
6) She's been made into comic character form: Delirium in Neil Gaiman's 'Sandman' series.
7) She really does believe in Faeries. Don't mock them around her!
8) Nominated for 8 Grammys, has yet to win. I think Grammy voters are idiots.
9) She's an obsessive reader, and always is said to have books with her on tour, and a huge library at her homes.
10) She loves to write about food, mention people, and reference myths in her songs. She mentioned a fan by name in a song once, and ever since, Bean and I have been writing her begging her to mention us, or at least mention a drink we love: Slurpees. I counted once and I think she had like 40 mentions of food in her songs. So we said, Why not Slurpees?

I've been a huge fan of myth ever since, well, some little film I saw as a kid sparked that interest in me. I love that Tori is so literary, she makes the rest of us seem positively dim. I'd LOVE to sit down and have a regular conversation with her; it's something I literally have dreams about all the time. Just last night, I was in my church chatting with Tori. No need to seek deep meaning in THAT dream! But Tori, she goes way back a lot, like to the Greek myths and Roman myths and Native American folklore. I love that stuff, all of it, so I'm always intrigued. Listening to her music is like a history lesson, a Lit lesson, and a perfect melody all in one.

Tori's greatest feature, though, isn't her music. Or her poetry. Although both are simply the best I've ever heard or read. (Poetry: For form, go Shakespeare. Duh. But for Free Verse, go Tori and Emily. Serious.) It isn't even her live performances, although they're simply religious and are close to what I'm talking about. No, her greatest feature, and the first thing I look for in any human being, is her heart. And her strong spirit. It's pretty obvious that I admire strong, smart, gutsy women.

Well, in that department, Tori takes the prize! She might not have the career of Madonna (sadly, cause she's light years ahead in terms of musical talent), but she's got that same drive and determination. And she's totally opinionated and controversial. She actually believes that Mary Magdalene and Jesus were lovers. Mentioned it years before DaVinci Code did. And casual fans may know her for her 'sexual' gyrations on the piano bench. It doesn't do anything for me, personally, but I've known women to get offended (what did I say about jealous women?) and men to get turned on. She doesn't really do that as much anymore. But at one time, her piano bench needed cigarettes after. haha

In terms of thought processes, she's actually on the same line with Madonna. These two really shouldn't be compared, as they're so different, but with the religious controversy, they actually have a lot in common. They both grew up in strict religious homes and they both pretty much have disavowed their upbringing. And they both like to question those traditional beliefs. Tori and Madonna both would have a field day with ME! I'm about as Traditional in my religious beliefs as they come. But I can see the value in other sides of things, and I still say I'd love to have a chat with them both about it. In the end, I think I'd be too overwhelmed at them just being them and I'd be like, "Um, yeah. Whatever you geniuses say!"

Tori's the one who made me realize some of the ideas and relationships women have. She's a Feminist too, and she's been a huge influence on my beliefs in that area. One of her points is: Women can be sexual and be good people at the same time. Whenever a woman is sexual and strong, she's labeled a Whore and a Bitch. When men are the same way, they're Great Guys and Bachelors Sowing Their Oats. Madonna brought up this same point, actually, after she tired of always being called a Gold Digger and a Whore.

Seriously, walk into any church in America and mention Madonna. Not THE Madonna, but just Madonna, pop star. Listen to the immediate backlash from women who hate her. These women need to re-read their Bibles. Tori would be thought of in much the same way, except that she's not quite as sexual, and she's obviously not as well-known. But if they knew her, they'd judge her. And that's why she doesn't believe in organized religion. That's also why she wrote her only semi-hit, 'Cornflake Girl.' It's about those backstabbers and haters.

But anyway, point is, anyone who would dismiss either one of those women based on their beliefs is someone I want to avoid. Because Tori, as I was mentioning earlier before I digressed, has a heart of pure gold. And that's why I'm a Tori Amos fan. Sure, I heard 'Little Earthquakes' and loved it. Sure, I saw her live and loved it. But she didn't have to hug me! One hug made me a fan for life. I said I'm sentimental and never forget. This is a fact! That was one nice thing she did for me that was unexpected, and as a result, I'll support her until the day I die. I don't care if she puts out crap music for the rest of her life (not that she would). I'm loyal till the end, and I mean it. Sometimes I ease up a bit (like with Madonna, and Sig) and get over the initial obsessive twinge, but with Tori, I see no end to the fandom.


Memories, I love'em.

1) That hug. I've mentioned the story before lots, so I won't repeat it all. Needless to say, Tori hugged me, and gained a devotee.
2) Listening to 'Crucify' for the first time. My brother had the CD single. I knew then that I was listening to something out-of-this-world.
3) Tori Live on Aug 27-28, 2003. Two days of concerts, and she played everything I wanted to hear. God Bless Her.
4) Bean and I seeing her on Leno performing 'Spark.' We tried to understand the lyrics, quite comically. "Is she saying ice cream a sissle? What?" She was saying 'ice cream assasin.' (What?) haha
5) I hand-wrote all of the lyrics to 'Little Earthquakes' out for Bean since I was taping and mailing her the tunes. I felt she had to have the lyrics too. I guess I was unaware of these things called copiers at that time.
6) Buying all of her albums, on vinyl. And I don't have a record player.
7) Being thisclose to getting to meet her again in DC last year. Well, we got good pictures, anyway.
8) Writing the first poetry I ever wrote in my life thanks to her influence. Huge Smiles.
9) Writing parts of both of my novels from the influence of several of her songs, Priceless.
10) Learning more about who I am as a person as a result of her ethereal albums: Double Priceless.


So Happy Birthday, Tori Amos!

And to any readers: Pick up any of Tori's music. You won't be disappointed. It's Divine!

Have a great day, All.

(Close to 1400 words, BTW. More than for 'Superman Returns.')