Y Kant Tori Read is the name of the 1980s hair-metal-pop band formed by now famous singer and songwriter Tori Amos. The band consisted of various studio musicians but also singer and pianist Kim Bullard (of Kajagoogoo) and future Guns n' Roses drummer Matt Sorum, as well as long-time Amos collaborator guitarist Steve Caton.
The band released an album by the same name in 1988 to miserable sales; it is now one of the most sought-after Tori Amos collectibles, fetching upwards of $1,000 in compact disc format in original longbox. For information on the band itself visit Y Kant Tori Read.
Because of the scarcity of legitimate copies of the album it has been heavily bootlegged, so much so that an official FAQ on the topic was created. Generally bootleg versions stem from one of the first editions to surface, on a foreign label called "Pacific Records". These usually have six bonus tracks from later in Amos' career: "Song For Eric," "Ode to the Banana King (Part 1)," "Happy Phantom (Live,)" "Ring My Bell," "The Happy Worker" and "Workers." Other editions, particularly one that surfaced in Germany, were issued to intentionally resemble the original and rip off legitimate collectors. If one wishes to buy a copy of the original CD, it is important to establish that the number on the spine reads 81845-2. The majority of imitative bootlegs list this number incorrectly because their stolen artwork is taken from the LP version of the release, which is easier to find.
Several singles were released to promote the album, though most promotionally and not commecially. "The Big Picture" was released as a 12" vinyl promotional single with unique artwork; "Cool On Your Island" was issued as a 7" vinyl promotional single with a special edit version of the song; it was also included as a b-side to a promotional CD featuring the song "Groovy Kind of Love" by Phil Collins. (Amos tells a story from this era of being stopped by police while travelling through Germany because her friend was carrying marijuana; when she told the policeman that she was "on a CD with Phil Collins," she was set free.)
One music video was produced for the song "The Big Picture". It is standard 80s hair-metal fare, featuring amos prancing around a "ghetto city" soundstage set in thigh-high boots and haltertops.
Track listing
- "The Big Picture"
- "Cool On Your Island"
- "Fayth"
- "Fire On The Side"
- "Pirates"
- "Floating City"
- "Heart Attack at 23"
- "On The Boundary"
- "You Go To My Head"
- "Etienne Trilogy"
- "The Highlands"
- "Etienne"
- "Skyeboat Song"
Personnel
- Tori Amos--lead singer & acoustic piano
- Kim Bullard--acoustic piano, programming, keyboards
- Matt Sorum--drums
- Vinny Coliauta--drums
- Tim Landers--bass
- Fernando Saunders--bass
- Steve Farris--guitar, acoustic guitar
- Steve Caton--guitar
- Gene Black--guitar
- Peter White-- acoustic guitars
- Eric Williams--mandolin
- Richard Bernard--bouzouki
- Paulinho Da Costa--percussion
- CeCe Bullard, Zobbin Rander, James House, Merry Clayton, Nancy Shanks, The Valentine Bros., and Rick Nelson--background vocals
- Devon Dickson--bagpipes
Links
- http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Alley/4370/yktrfaq.html Y Kant Tori Read FAQ
Last updated: 04-25-2005 03:06:01