There are a few divas who I worship but know I will never meet…Madonna and Cher, I’m looking at you. Tori Amos held a spot on that list until she posted on Instagram a book tour to promote her new children’s book “Tori And The Muses” with a stop at the Barnes & Nobel Union Square in New York City which is one of my favorite stalking haunts. Unfortunately, I saw it hours after the post went live and the event sold out. They later released photo op only tickets that sold out also.
Not one to give up, I called the store to check if there was a waiting list, nope! They suggested keeping an eye on their website. For days, I checked back randomly day and night. I was at work one afternoon checking (that is what one does at work, right?) when instead of the usual “Sold Out” message, there was a ticket available. I worked harder to get that ticket than I had all day doing actual work. It paid off, because I scored a ticket to the book discussion that came along with a pre-signed book and a pic with Tori. You had me at photo op!
Tori casting her magic over the audience!
After reading “Tori And The Muses” and the discussion, I realized my divas and their music have always been my muses. Tori being a major one. When my row was called for the photo op, I was a sweaty mess, which made me more nervous…hello, pit stains. I also hadn’t looked at my hair in a while so who knows what was going on up there. I had somewhat planned what I wanted to say but when it was my turn, Tori took my hands in hers, and my mind went completely blank. Standing before me was someone who’s music had healed so much of my teenage angst and she was looking at me, like really seeing at me. I always assumed Tori was nice but she’s on a whole other level. I hope I told her it was an honor to meet her before I broke and just kept saying “WOW!” on repeat. Smooth I was not. I went total fan girl, just shy of crying. She asked my name but I wasn’t prepared for a quiz. I made some sort of noise between an “um” an “ah” and a “moo” (even my inner voice was like “what the fuck was that?”) but eventually I got my name out, she said it was a pleasure, we posed and I left.
I walked in like a robot and wouldn’t lift those arms for a million bucks!
“Tori And The Muses” is about a young Tori who wants to play the music that entertains her and her muses, instead of the music she’s forced to play by her father and instructors. Tori’s muses gift her a pink piano that she takes around town so she can share her talents and teach her friends about their own gifts. I like that the moral of the story is to nurture a child’s imagination and abilities, whatever they are drawn to, instead of forcing them in a fully structured direction.
Tori also released an accompanying album in her signature Tori style but with lighter themes and vibes for children. Most of the songs encompass the story while a few (“Insect Ballet”, “Anna’s Bakery” and “Spike’s Lament”) celebrate events in the book. The songs stand on their own, even without reading the book. In my gay opinion, thankfully this isn’t your typical children’s album, but it will introduce a younger audience to the magic that is a Tori album but still please her young-at-heart fans.
