Tori Amos - Albany 10-09-07 = 15-Famous Blue Raincoat

[whirrandchime]

What is that look at 0:59 sort of bemused disapproval

[ddayani]

"to see if 'youuu'reee' better"

that line is even better than LC's version. sorry, it had to be said.

and the way she says 'you're' makes it soo Tori... *swoon

[lites26]

Whoever does not see the emotion behind her version of this classic is simply blind. Tori is an angel, and when she covers a song, she re-incarnates it into her own vision of the song. I love Cohen's classic, and I love the way she sings it. Cohen's is more haunting, this is melancholy. I love this woman, and she is my # 1.

[rfgstl]

Everyone has their opinion, and we are all free to express it. My opinion of people who hate on an artist b/c of a cover they(as fans)don't approve of is pretty ridiculous. Do you think that Leonard or Tori really care about the arguments and negativity you post? No, they care about the music that flows from them. Follow their example, and maybe you will see what really matters...the music.

[wasabiP]

well this makes two classics she's totally butchered. Smells like Teen Spirit and Famous Blue Raincoat... honestly what a tragedy.

[zimmerman1966]

Grandios!!!!!

[wildtattoos]

I heard Leonard Cohen playing this song live. Nothing can compare to that performance. Sorry Tori

[ladylazulo]

what the hell???!!! I wish this posting truly was to "TORI"... What happened to your sincerity, ingenuity???!!! There is such a thing as over-selling to your audience and you have not only passed it to the point of ridiculousness but also took all of the emotion and meaning out of a beautiful song... You have become what you supposedly hated. For all of you who dissagree with me and want to tell me so,dont bother posting it here, I'll never be back to read it... What a dissapointment...

[shanereel]

@ capernahum

well, in my experience, men actually NEVER go clear....

love this song, it's such a male song but tori seems to have taken a female touch out of it. awesome.

[Aysannes]

two weeks ago, I was at Cohen's concert and I am still trying to recover from it. and when I think of that amazing old crazyman chrouched down on the stage and tearing this song from his very bones ... and then I see this girl in sparkling dress showing off and pouting and throwing come-hither looks around ...

well, generaly I don't have anything against her, it kind of makes me physicaly ill.

[aethercoil]

this sucks. unlike tori amos...(or so i hear). strange for such a good peniast to suck so badly.

[katelaity]

I was there!

[lolsiak]

I love redheads women, hair like fire.

[Capernahum]

It hurts so much. Did you eve go clear?

[iamnitrox]

This is the best version of this song I've heard yet

[healingvenus]

Aaaaah, what an amazingly powerful rendition of one of the most beautiful songs of all... Tori's voice, her piano play, her energetic presence...and Leonard's heart and soul soaring in between and all around. I'm in awe of Tori, as I just recorded Famous Blue Raincoat on my new album, Exposed, and truly grateful to be part of this musical symbiosis that seems to be happening all over the world now.

[sezadams]

Does anyone know where I could get the sheet music for this?

[MBigalky]

Could she possibly be any more beautiful or talented! beautiful rendition of this song.

[sweedreamz]

Aysannes - have you never heard of Tori Amos? She is prolifica and original. This is the only cover I have ever heard her do. I love L. Cohen, but I love Tori Amos, too. She is brilliant.

[MightySerf]

@sweedreamz Good musician, maybe.. Hardly brilliant. The woman is as dumb as a rock.

[sophiasebastien]

@sweedreamz

Joan Baez does a beautiful cover as well. More melodic and equally tragic....But Tori's version is absolutely stunning...(I'm a big fan as well..). Of course Jennifer Warnes has one of the most beautiful version of this song. Hope that answered your question. (PS: Should comments as the Mightyserf comments be allowed....Free expression should never be to rant...)

Sophia Sebastian.

[aethercoil]

@sophiasebastien where's the "rant"? i checked all the comments looking for his "rant". all i found was one, BRIEF, succinct comment containing an insulting criticism and a slight compliment. are you under the mistaken impression that "rant" means any criticism or insult? it doesnt. you have to go on a bit more wildly and beat some dead horses before you get into the "rant" zone. that's all. i dont want to "rant" so i'll end there.

[Aysannes]

oh, please. she is good, but she could stop doing covers and actually do something original.

and all those out there who are cheering over this cover - are you even remotely familliar with Leonard Cohen? do you realize that when it comes to a song like this, the words and the feeling behind them are far more important than a refined, elfin voice?

the original makes my brain go crazy and my heart starts aching - the usual response to Cohen's work. this one's ... pft.

and the accent really sucks.

[aethercoil]

@Aysannes i agree with you 100%. my earlier weak attempts at humourous mockery notwithstanding, tori has some talent as a pianist and some of her singing is also really good. she should stick to things she wrote into which she can impart real feeling. watching this however...well i couldnt finish it as it was so bad and ive suffered through many other poor attempts to cover cohen's brilliant works.

[Aysannes]

@aethercoil thank you, my point exactly. Cohen is a living legend, a complete master of his art, and people shouldn't do covers of his work at all. with him, it is never just lyrics or just performance, it is all one thing, and doing covers seems almost rude, like sullying something.

[unwoman]

People arguing about whose version is better don't seem to understand the purpose of cover songs.

[JacobAranza]

In an unpublished interview with Rolling Stone, Tori Amos admitted to not only being a practicing Witch, but that she had also "made a pact with the Devil to rid the world of Christianity as we know it" through music that glorified eroticism, demeaned God, and encouraged self-mutilation. She also claimed to have been visited as a child by the spirit of Isobel Gowdie, a 17th-century Witch, from whom she learned a number of Occultic rituals, many of which involve the routine sacrifice of cats.

[aethercoil]

@JacobAranza hey youtube! who stole the "not spam" button??? people are just calling everything with which, they disagree "spam" in order to hide it. of course, more often than not, hidden comments are the ones i want to read most. (btw this one is hilarious)

still...this is clearly just a criticism and not "spam". scrolling down, i only see it posted once and it's not an attempt to market something...so i again where's the "not spam" button? bring it back! we need it to fight the censors!

[dambi91]

such an awful version of such a beatiful song...

[rosethornedowl]

@dambi91 r u kidding? i just cried. the sound is so rich.

[zissuntetnah]

@dambi91

dambil91, i completely agree with you.

folks, just listen to the original cohen version

[lordbob79]

have you heard the original version? is it better to hear a delicate woman's voice sing said song or a bunch of gravel? cohen is fine, but tori is better!

[Marconikoff7]

They're both are excellent.

[lamentes]

@lordbob79 No chance that Leonard Cohen's version can be beaten, its the gravelly voice that makes the origional so fantastically powerful and saddening.

[TheKendouglas61]

You are great love it. Can you please check out my videos and vocals.

Thank You

[sandom25]

i love u

[HectorsShadow]

¡Dans la minute 3:36 elle fait un couac!

¡Mort de rire!

[miketocci]

French Canadian? Very chic, Big Shot froggie

[HectorsShadow]

Miketocci, I'm not French Canadian...

[aethercoil]

@HectorsShadow thumbs down for speaking french. im just saying....

[sumdanielle]

this cover is a good one if its not live, i heard it not live and she does a beautiful job of it, but this one isn't that great

[feelfreetodisagree]

The version "Tori Amos Famous Blue Raincoat Live" posted by Hereinmyhead102 here on YouTube is much more nuanced. Do give it a listen.

[sumdanielle]

the version of the song you suggested to me was a very very good one! thanks for telling me where to go to hear a way better live version!

[Echobelly10]

There are a lot of great cover of this song (Jennifer Warnes), but this isn't one of them.

[gablen23]

I love Tori, but I agree with that

[GW4Ohio]

"Go clear" is a reference from Scientology. When someone "goes clear," they've eliminated their hangups and obstructions.

[vivayahya]

YAAAAK

[Aggiechilds]

You vivayahya, can fuck right off for that aweful comment and destroying the English language in the process. Twat.

[vivayahya]

aggiechilds ....fuck u...... and fuck enyone who thinks you not fucked up

[gjc1544]

I generally dont like covers but this is very good

[LostInsideCambodia]

Tori Amos is the queen of covers <33

[welcome2england]

he means decide to live

[New4day]

What does Cohen mean by "go clear"? Thanks.

[blockthisuser]

no sorry wtf noooo...what is she doing to that perfect song

[Ulrich1387]

Paying homage to an artist that understood that she was able to cover the song justly and make it her own, without screwing it up

[youbetyourlifeitis]

In two words: incredible sentimental

Love it..!

[derSpuk]

man, what a shit version!

[niemiecki69]

WONDERFUL !!! Leonard Cohen must be really proud of Tori ...

[ahthedevil]

Amazing, I've loved her version for YEARS and that she still sings it is fantastic, Beautiful. Kate Bush my arse

[laceup1967]

Nice rendition. However Tori, Kate Bush you aint.

[linamarquez]

i definitely like chelsea williams' version much better

[suicidebylifestyle]

Two of the most amazing artists coming together, beautiful.

[magischepotje]

briljant song,also take a look of the rock version of this song from rickyenslingertje of famous blue raincoat 2009. brand new,i think this guys did a great job!!

[josie421]

Wow, excellent sound and quality. Thank you for sharing!

[morose7]

amazing.

[sixthcrusifix]

2:46 WTF LMAO

[TheBonnieRose]

I love this song... one of my most favourites, ever... I love the original, and Judy Collin's version is gorgeous, too... I've always loved Tori's version. I think she does it wonderfully.

In this performance, it sounds like bits of "Siren" are trying to come through, when she improvs a bit.

[FUNES34]

apisteyto kommati...

[mhatsko]

mmmm... I was at this show..I was sitting a little to your left..(on purpose, as always watching Tori hit the keys) ;) 3 1/2 hour drive up for me.. but I wouldn't miss Tori, she won't come back to Nj.. "There's music on 'Clinton street'" ha ha.. Yup that night there was..

[hejidej]

Nowhere near cohen

[VolkColopatrion]

of course... it's like comparing apples and oranges when two talented artist sing the same song.

[hejidej]

Aww, my lips burn when I eat oranges, but apples are totaly too mainstream to be cohen...

[mhatsko]

..'Does anyone know why you play with an orange rind'..?

[nedzroz]

Of course not. She's a chick. Read the lyrics then think of every woman (or man) you have ever slept with or wanted to sleep with. Can any two people sing that song alike?

[mhatsko]

"'glue stuck to my shoes', does anyone know why, you play with an orange rind?'

you say you packed my things and divided what was mine, you're off to the mountain top......"

[farmerbeej]

breathtaking...

[thriceplowedfield]

i never heard leonard sing it, i did hear jennifer warrans, and that was enough for me. i agree that people are taking a big risk when they take on the material of other artists. sometimes it's great, and other times, not so much.

[jclwhite]

I dont agree with either of the previous comments...the cohen original and this cover are very different, i dont think you can say Amos takes control of the song or anything like that. Its just a powerful message, that anyone who has the balls to take on a song like this can have a go at. Great cover, i prefer Cohens original. You need Cohens voice for the true sense of the song.

[VolkColopatrion]

i think Tori understood just that.

[redflag32]

Rubbish!! Cohen owns this song. Im a big big fan of Amos and love her covers,particularly of "smells like teen spritis" but Cohens original of this song will always prevail:)

[elfielvr]

I don't think it's rubbish, in fact I love it, BUT. that siad, you are right that no one could ever compete with Cohen's original. He is a god.

[Iceblink1968]

Tori is one of those very rare artists who can cover a song and then essentially become its proprietor.

She no doubt did it with Famous Blue Raincoat. No question and I think even Mr. Cohen would agree.

Tori is now the commander of Famous Blue Raincoat and its up to someone else to then relinquish it from her. And all I can say to that artist is good luck.

[intcoi]

Wonderful!

[LUCKYoriginalRED]

although there are many brilliant artists/bands to choose from, very few manage to bring to life a song. Tori, on the other hand, gives life to every song she plays... "famous blue raincoat" already a full of genius masterpiece by Leonard Cohen, with Tori's touch on top, the mixture of feelings can be overwhelming(power, fragility, happiness, sadness, love, passion... all join hands). I adore this impeccable, full of genius, sweet creature Tori Amos and each and every one of her "girls"!

[mobbyplay]

Why I can't put seven star?

[ScarletsBeautifulLie]

This is my favorite cover she's ever done.

[Tristealven]

This definitely one of my favorites too, but she's done many great covers.

[etrigan68]

My Fav is cover Of SLAYER!!! \m/ \m/

[fionasapple]

for me it would probably be somewhere over the rainbow or landslide

[magiciansabine]

Aside from Jennifer Warnes' version (on the album titled the same) This is the first cover I've liked of Famous Blue Raincoat. Actually, not just liked but really enjoyed! Is it on any of Tori's albums? Usually I'm something of a purist and can't stand most LC covers but Tori's got her own melancholia and unusual vocal qualities that works well with LC's writing. I'd be curious to see her do other songs of his, like maybe 'Who By Fire' or just about anything from the Field Commander Cohen album.

[damiencale]

I believe it is on a cd entitled, Tower of Song: The Songs of Leonard Cohen. Hopes this helps.

[sheriwertheimer]

thanks! hah, just looked up the CD and saw that one of the other tracks is 'the sisters of mercy' by Sting & the cheiftans - never would have thought up that combo o_0

[likufanele2001]

hahaha that wig is a mess... and the echoe is a mess as well... love this song on tori's voice, not with echo

[likufanele2001]

hahaha forget about the echo.. that was because I had two windows playing the same video haaha I'm such a dumbass... sorry

[somethingblue2u]

that wig is a mad mess, lol

[golandabush]

amazing song amazung version

tori I love you

would you have my baby?

[basilboy]

do not be insulted by the word gay. Gay is something great and not to be used to curse at someone. What would Tori say?

[basilboy]

Stop being a homophobe. There is nothing wrong with ANYONES sexuality, but there is something wrong with your ignorance.

[LiquidEye]

Haaahaaa.... apparently, dustyjay has an extra chromosome.

[basilboy]

Nothing wrong with having an extra chromosome.

[darcey55]

My gay what? Are you calling me gay? Because that would be YOU'RE gay.

YOU'RE stupid.

[dragoness17]

LOL you two are behaving like 9-year-old boys! 'you're stupid', oh dear... :)) guess it's far better to be a gay than a non-open-minded person with no tolerance. you'd better consider what really counts in life, hmm?

[ElkejustTori]

oooh I love it!!

[darcey55]

omg thank you for posting this!!!