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“Fiery, gutsy delivery." [5 stars]
“Here’s a singer/songwriter with the strong, eloquent vocals of Bonnie Raitt and the guitar mastery of Joni Mitchell... a bounty of subtle rock and haunting blues."
“The talented Tori Sparks... is a knock-out!"
“Tori Sparks is one of those independent singer-songwriters who’s so driven it seems like signing with a record label would only slow her down. Sparks sings with distinct intensity—Scorpion is bluesy folk-rock in a Tom Waits vein: rough-edged, worldly-wise and potent.
“Sparks' talent for brewing great Americana songs is already clear from the first notes of opener "Tall Towers" ...and by the second track on the album, I was hooked. …The way Sparks tells a story through song, and even manages in a mere four minutes, to bring the listener from a smile to a tear and bring back, is phenomenal. Let nothing stop you from listening to Tori Sparks.”
“Tori Sparks’ voice isn’t one
of those passive instruments that treats a lyric like it’s a classified
ad… Here is a supple, teasing voice that flutters and flies seemingly
without effort from note to note, line to line, so that weepy
sensitivity and pleading vulnerability cozy up with tough resilience
and firm resolve so seamlessly you never even notice the mood swing.”
“Sparks has earned herself a reputation of being a do-it-yourself
musician. Her combination of raw musical talent and personable charm
have earned Sparks the privilege to perform at venues all over the
world. The truly remarkable thing about Tori’s success is just how much
of it that she does on her own…. Sharing influence from Tom Waits and
U2, to Patty Griffin and Jeff Buckley, [her] music is equally as
unique.”
“Tori has obviously lived the stories she weaves… and she not only sings, she can also play. The often shockingly good text of the songs are built on a musical “background” of many colors, including folk, rock, and blues elements. …Fortunately, Tori Sparks, is not in the camp of those artists enrich, whom they say, ‘if you’ve heard one, you’ve heard them all.’ The songs are diverse, and each contains a spark of the ‘unusual.’ They will convert anyone who listens to The Scorpion In The Story album.”
"The Scorpion in the Story is an Americana opera. I've listened to it at least a couple hundred times already."
"Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen….I can see [Tori’s] name printed boldly amongst these illustrious phenomena…The Scorpion In The Story is definitely a keeper… Words fail me to describe why I enjoy it so much."
“The use of incredible backing musicians means nothing if there is not truth in the songwriting, but fortunately, this is not the case… with Tori Sparks. The Scorpion in the Story [is] a success… it is time that the world pays more attention to this woman.”
“Sparks needs little in the way of effects or layering to get her music across… strong and fabulous…”
“This is why I wanted to get into the music business: Tori Sparks gave a take-no-prisoners performance of the kind that I've only ever seens from Bruce Springsteen and Dave Olney. And her music is fantastic.”
"Tori Sparks is one of the hardest working songwriter/performers in the business. She is a relentless powerhouse with an ever-growing and highly devoted fan base. She brings a raw yet elegant presence to the stage as she satisfies her captives with delicately fine tuned lyrics coupled with edgy (the cool kind) melodies. No sit on a stool and play kind of stuff here, this girl's an artist who happens to be an exceptional songwriter."
"Root and branch music as opposed to regular Americana, [The Scorpion in the Story] is quite a broad canvas. Ms Sparks has one of those pristine voices that’s a little bit country and an equal part pop, similar to Eddie Reader before she turned into a folkie diva, and without the affectation… What’s not to dig?”"
“A sensuous blend of folk, blues and rock. … Sparks proves herself a soulful songwriter and vocalist who at once manages both strength and vulnerability. An assured, auspicious disc that should bring [Sparks] deserved national attention.” [4 stars]
“Intensity is carying the 25-year-old Sparks to ever-greater accolades... what she is representing... is basically the song of her soul.”
“Drenched in drama, featuring Sparks’ torrid vocals splashed over self-penned, alternative roots-rock numbers that sizzle with authenticity.”
“The voice of Tori Sparks is reminiscent of Ani DiFranco, but better because it sounds full and fulfills the potential created by the lyrics and music… [Her] music reminds me of rockin’ Sheryl Crow with a certain southern groove."
“[Tori Sparks] comes across as a forceful and dynamic performer. At times she comes across with an elemental force as on “Blue Tattoo” or the fiddle driven swagger of “Tiger’s Mouth” [from her new album The Scorpion in the Story]…There is a muscular depth to the songs with plenty of light and shade.”
“Even as singer-songwriters go, Nashville-based Tori Sparks is a bit of a self-confessed enigma, for on her extensive touring she displays a persona almost as much akin to a stand-up comedian as a folk musician. Her gift for musical storytelling, however, is strongly in evidence on The Scorpion In The Story… Any quirkiness is sufficiently present to make it interesting, but doesn't intrude on the message or the narrative. …Tori herself certainly makes sparks fly.”
“Tori Sparks is a combination of Ani DiFranco steeped in Nashville and the
Cowboy Junkies' Margo Timmins hopped up on Red Bull. ...Sparks' songwriting,
punctuated by her come-hither hair flips, proved to be a delicious mix.
...Tori didn't need a backing band; her witty banter and engaging
storytelling-such as her detailed account of an almost-doomed gig in New
York City, and a song about a session singer from Memphis taking a stand
against an oppressive spouse-made for a wonderful performance.”
“Tori Sparks [is] a dynamic young folk-rock songwriter based in Nashville… something of a power…”
"Do not
attempt to operate heavy machinery while listening to Tori Sparks! I
mean this in the best possible way, of course. Wow."
“Tori Sparks... highlights [any] event.”
"Scorpion is my favorite record I've heard in years. It hasn't left my CD player!"
"Refreshing… [Tori Sparks’ The Scorpion in the Story] contains that secret ingredient of a hit song, the enjoyable heartbreak. All this to music that ties itself with understanding, to every word."
"With the grit of Chrissie
Hynde, the sadness of Martha Davis in the Motels, and the pure
sensualness of Margo Timmins from the Cowboy Junkies, this girl hurls
you onto planet Sparks and leaves you there ...[Tori Sparks] is truly,
one of the most original artists I have heard in a long, long time."
“Tori Sparks manages to avoid the misstep of sounding like every other coffeehouse-circuit singer… Sparks seems to have approached the arrangement of each song on its own...[she] wisely avoids the write-the-same-song-twelve-times approach favored by many young artists. Every track... sounds like Tori Sparks, but none of the songs sounds like another one.”
“Those are the songwriting skills of someone like Roseanne Cash…Providence RI [from Under this Yellow Sun] has Springsteen a la Nebraska or Darkness on the Edge of Town magic about it.”
“The Scorpion in the Story sounds Amazing with a capital A.”
“Blending unconventional lyrics with fusion of folk, rock and blues, [Tori] Sparks is known for audience interaction and her a DIY (do-it-
yourself) work ethic. ...Sparks has become a go-to person, sought
after for advice by up-and-coming songwriters and musical artists.”
“Tori was simply spectacular onstage! I was enthralled by her
performance and very much look forward to her gracing our fair city
again... She is a truee star with such enthusiam... completely original
music that dives deeply into the hearts and minds of those lucky enough
to see/hear her in person. Her stage presence is stunning.”
"Tori is a treat to have live in the studio... An excellent songwriter with incredible, fun energy."
“[Tori Sparks] has displayed... a voice that is equal parts elegant, striking and rangy, while her songs can be soothing, evocative, or energetic.”
“Tori Sparks is… a guitar whiz.”
“Tori Sparks is aptly named – she definitely has that spark in her performance!”
“Besides her great talent, Tori is also one of the hardest-working independent artists out there.”
"Like Natalie Merchant and Madeline Peyroux getting together to go on a binge... in an awesome sultry way."
"[Tori] is an excellent songwriter... Her songs are well crafted, personal and at times introspective. ... More than anything, Sparks deserves to be recognized for her voice. It can take her about anywhere she wants -- it's that good."
“There is a very sensual quality to her voice. It just drips with emotion...damn near heartbreaking. ...The songs are well written, interesting and catchy without being trite. The musicianship is fabulous... Under This Yellow Sun is a fantastic album.”
“[Sparks] packs a wallop of a voice… each song proves that she’s more than just a pretty face.”
“Just damn good… [an] exuberant and muscular vocalist/songwriter/guitarist.”
-Chris Uebbing, Infringe This!
“[Tori] should add The Pretenders to [her] list of influences. In a good way. I’d take that any day.”
"[Tori's] dynamic live show is equal parts soulful singing and zany stand-up-style humor... falls somewhere between Dixie rock, folk blues, and Americana."
-Joyce Arnold, City at Night Magazine
“Sparks’ bluesy vocals and intensely rhythmic groove paints a sexy and sultry sound that’s a joy to hear in any venue… [the] songstress rocked the room, drew listeners from tables in the back to the stage front and pulled people in from off the street (yes, during SXSW) to hear her…”
“Sparks... [has] stuck to her muse and it was exactly what people wanted.”
“Americana-Rock artist Tori Sparks sounds like one tough, passionate cookie. Her voice has the gritty blues of countrified Etta James and the cool growl of Janis Joplin. [Under This Yellow Sun] is blessedly full of simple truth, kick ass guitar riffs and soul baring song writing. … It's obvious that Tori Sparks is the real thing.”
"A fearless performer, she is notorious for her blend of quirky humor and fiery delivery and has fused a sound and astyle that is unmistakably her own."
“I found her vocal stylings interesting, different…Her music possesses a grit and angst not heard much today.”
"Both concise and taut mixtures of lyrics with music that are thoughtful and evocative without being pretentious. … Discover Sparks’
powerful voice now…!”
"All of her hard work is starting to pay off... Yet, with all the apparent beginnings of commercial success, Sparks remains incredibly focused on the reason she sings and plays: the passion that fuels the creation of her music."
“When Tori began to sing I got chills down my entire body. I have never been in a room where a woman, or man’s for that matter; voice can bring me to that level. ...From song to song, I just wanted more... The show was a success from every possible angle. After a few hours of stories from Tori, I was nothing short of completely satisfied.”
“Tori can rock so seductively then revert to a striking emotive process... there is nothing formulaic that you can pigeon-hole."
“[Tori's] dynamic live show is equal parts soulful singing and zany stand-up-style humor...”
“Amazing how you can feel so much power in a song without crying out loud.”
“As a songwriter, [Tori Sparks] moves from mid-tempo honky-tonk songs to delicate emotive folk ballads…Sparks has a strong and versatile voice and should win over many people with her thoughtful and expressive songs.”
“If her music needed to be categorized, Tori Sparks would define it as Americana, with her influences ranging from Rock and Folk to Blues and Jazz fusion. However, when it comes down to it, Tori just sounds like Tori.”
“What was most impressive was the breadth of the entertainment. Funny, witty, a lot of local knowledge woven in, and of course quality music and stage presence. Well done, Tori Sparks. "Tori Sparks' music made me do it." "
“Sparks’ hard work and constant touring is starting to pay off… Musically, Sparks doesn’t sound much like… any other young female singer-songwriter you’ve ever heard.”
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