Drum Teacher Reacts: MATT CHAMBERLAIN | Tori Amos - i i e e e (Live Sessions 1998)

[@LtPepperDimples]

As a sad, frustrated girl who was mocked relentlessly for loving Tori Amos when I was 13, it's really gratifying to come on youtube all these years later to see all these wonderful musicians gushing over her. It honestly brings tears to my eyes, because her music saved my life at that age and nobody knew. Her and Ani Difranco are so, so important, and they need to be celebrated more in the music industry! Matt Chamberlain is definitely my favorite drummer. Him playing Tori's song "sugar" live on the to venus and back album is ICONIC. It hits like a freight train and doesn't let up!

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Yup Matt Chamberlain is up there for me. I think this is very mature content and sophisticated musically. Most 13yo's won't be able to handle it or understand it. Maybe you were more in touch with things

[@WoodlandT]

Tori and Ani were hands down my 2 favorite artists at the time too! I owned every single album, remix, B-side and rare live recording I could get my hands on. I didn’t go to many concerts in general. But I saw each of them at least a half dozen times in the late 90s/early 2000s. They were the truth in a very confusing world

[@warren_r]

I said it on the last Tori Amos video but it needs to be said again -- Tori Amos was massively influential in the 1990s and right up there at the top of the heap with the likes of Oasis and Radiohead. What she's pulling off in iieee is friggin' magical, playing two keyboards while singing in and out of the syncopation. Ferociously difficult stuff.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Totally agree Warren. Magnificient

[@blantonkb]

Agreed! She is a goddess!

[@iTellaThePun]

Tori Amos really is brilliant musician and songwriter. I always thought I was the only dude that loved her music, but it is great to see getting a lot reaction attention on KZbin these days. Even better to see her touring. Matt's drumming here is beautiful: fluid, creative, propulsive, dynamic and perfect for the music.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Love this whole comment. Well said

[@sugarlumpie]

My other half became a fan after her show in Nashville last June 😮 I think some men are ready to hear her now, she's always waaaayyy ahead of her time

[@sidhedanu]

Tori called Matt something like "the human loop". His contributions to her music are gargantuan. Can't wait for the Waitress reaction. I watch that performance constantly. It puts me in the right mood to seize the day. Jon Evans is her bassist. He's still touring with her and he is AMAZING. Matt & Jon shine especially on Sugar.

[@mikeg.4211]

Great comment! 👍🤟

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

But he's so much more than a loop IMO

[@sidhedanu]

Absolutely! I was just pointing out that Tori said something similar (you mentioned how Matt sounded almost like a machine). She's said many more complimentary things about him as well. :) She talked about how they understood each other really well when they sat down to play together for the first time.

[@KathleenMandell]

“This creature who hits things” is one of her famous introductions of Matt. Lol

[@sidhedanu]

YES! "This creature who hits things." 🤣 What a way with words she has.

[@phildupuis1084]

When you are such a super talent as Tori is you can recruit the best to play with you. This was amazing

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

100% All her players will be top notch

[@ArenMichael]

the whole Sessions @ West 54th performance is phenomenal. this version of i i e e e is quite possibly the best she's done. I love Matt and while I appreciate Ash I really miss Matt on stage with Tori and Jon Evans (the bassist). Matt also played on records and live with Fiona Apple. there's a 1999 Mtv live performance on YT that's sublime. his drum solo on her song Limp is just...ugh so effin good

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Yes his association with Fiona also legendary. But everything he does will be brilliant

[@jessicahimmel7867]

Completely agree

[@tidalboxer]

The VH1 storyteller of this album era and this are two of my favorite lives ever.

[@openyourchakras918]

Loving the Tori reactions, must be so hard to focus on the drums when Tori is a pure Goddess & Genius 💎

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Whole thing is glorious

[@kristencollins521]

This song and tv performance is one I come back to year after year. This album era of Tori’s is From the Choirgirl Hotel and deals with miscarriage. It’s heartbreaking and cathartic and insane. After my own miscarriage i looped this album and this particular performance for months. The middle “if you understand..” part gets me and this performance is pretty tame. Sometimes she screamed it or growled it out. Before this album Tori would perform solo with just the guitarist to add some atmosphere, but this tour she was “plugged” and had the band. She is touring right now with Jon and Ash and she still is the consummate professional and artist. Her voice has aged and the songs have changed but she is a road dog and live performances is where to hear and see the “girls” come alive. If you want to see her at her most raw, it doesn’t have Matt in it but check out her rainn nyc performance of precious things and little Amsterdam

[@OvercookedOctopusFeet]

I listened to Tori Amos back in the 90's, and now i'm re-discovering her music all over again.. a wonderful experience.

[@donnelson6694]

Tori is such a gifted artist. Matt's drumming is the perfect compliment.

[@witchestomotheryou234]

PLEASE more Tori! 😍😍😍 Thank you for your Tori reactions, they absolutely make my day.

[@mikeg.4211]

Stay tuned for another one coming soon, I think! Glad you enjoyed it! 👍

[@viennesetreasuresmudlarkin5967]

thank you for this, Andrew. From the choirgirl hotel was such an organic record, and what they did live, just insanely beautiful. It's like morphing into the songs, becoming music

[@mikeg.4211]

Great job, Andrew! It’s refreshing to see anyone, including a reactor, who really knows what they’re talking about. This is musical art, and you described it perfectly. I’ve never seen a drummer use brushes, sticks and even a hand in the same song, all while also hitting rims, etc. And as for Tori’s songwriting and playing, it is Iommiesque in a lot of ways. This was three songs in one, played with real musical human feel. And a bassist playing a great smooth groove with chords with a lead guitarist who is a texture expert.

[@krandletie1054]

I saw Tori live a couple of times. First was early 90’s and again in ‘98. Very different shows but both were nothing short of spectacular.

[@GoblinGuy333]

Matt is just fantastic and very disciplined and creative. Jon Evans is a beast on bass here. Steve Caton adds a lot of atmosphere and texture very seamlessly. But Tori is an absolute musical goddess on this one! Her ability to play organs chords on the right, staccato and syncopated notes with her left, all the while flawlessly singing a melody that isn't easily aligned with what either of her hands is doing is almost alien....Possibly my favorite live performance ever!

[@casandrabullock9497]

That is the amazing Jon Evans on bass. Matt toured with Tori for over 20 years and Jon still tours with her. That "in session " live performance is soooo good! Definitely do the waitress live. It's worth it!!

[@throwdowninolytown]

You need to check out a live version of Raspberry Swirl. Matt made his own kit for the song, and it’s ferocious! If you do more Tori, do that please.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Sounds good!

[@mikeg.4211]

Yeah, Michael, that's a great one! Heard it live many times, and it rocks!

[@evasenechal8735]

Greatness surrounded by greatness. Wow.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Yes Eva!

[@sirex02]

The intro to Caught A Lite Sneeze from this show and when Tori comes in....sublime.

[@audreywhitlock548]

I've seen her perform this live! in Vancouver. She's brilliant. She plays two pianos at once!

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Excellent Audrey

[@stephenbarrett6454]

Man, everything is so on point here 🤯

[@jessicahimmel7867]

I'm so excited you're loving Tori!!!! She and her band are just the best of the best! ❤

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Yes Jessica! Incredible 🙌

[@styx3956]

I believe that in her album To Venus and Back, there are what seems to be automated loops, but it’s all Matt’s genius work. Then you go to an album like Scarlet’s Walk and the drums are so organic and masterful. He’s just so amazing. Him and John Evans on base elevated her music (which is already on a stratosphere on its own).

[@gennyreese420]

Great reaction, happy to have stumbled upon you looking for a Tori video, the waitress, and there you were… someone may have already told you, but I thought you might like to know this video cut off too soon because at the end when she says hey everyone…is when she introduces the band, and she lovingly refers to Matt Chamberlain as “this creature who hits things” it’s adorable. Hopefully you’ll get to hear that clip attached to another piece ✌️💫

[@justingoulet9714]

What An amazing drummer . His mind set on making every song sound remarkable True genius . Great choice . Keep them coming. Ian Paice Pictures of Home

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Agree Justin. And yup looking forward to more Ian Paice

[@uGotGot1618]

Mother of god this good. Dear looooorrrrrd

[@mikeg.4211]

Awesome comment, Alex! Glad you liked the pick! 👍

[@jenica9705]

Them together is just pure magic it’s unbelievable

[@darrylbennett4297]

Tori is a genius and needs to surround herself with other musicians who can keep up with her creativity. It would be hard to find a more versatile drummer in that era than Mr. Chamberlain

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Agree Darryl

[@robertschrader]

It’s unfortunate that she stopped working with guitarist Steve Caton and let her mediocre husband play for her instead. The quality of her work went down a lot past that point.

[@mikeg.4211]

@@robertschrader, I’ve heard a lot of rumors about that, all of which agree with what you’ve said. A shame.

[@trevorpsy]

@@robertschrader So unfortunate.

[@Asisya18]

@@robertschrader her husband doesn't play with her, he is her sound engineer and Steve left on his own volition

[@dwayneregan4118]

Very nice textures and teriffic display of polyrhythms, loved it.

[@ingridfong-daley5899]

My senior year in high school ('94) i was introduced to Tori Amos. I was raised Mormon and had been playing the organ for all church services since i was 12, and when i wasn't playing congregational hymns, i was sneaking in Tori (along with Led Zeppelin, Motley Crue, Guns N Roses...) to the prelude music. It was a way to test my skills of arranging while also being a satisfying way to rebel. The trick was to 'disguise' the song far enough that nobody noticed what it was. The best was playing a version of Tori's cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in the top octaves with long arpeggios in the LH, then having one of the blue-haired little old ladies complimenting me after church telling me she 'felt the Spirit so strongly this morning' as she listened to my prelude. I think she meant a different spirit.

[@uzi978]

Tori is one of the greatest of all time... she has a huge catalog, there's so much for you to dive into.

[@prettyaveragestuff]

Greetings from Christchurch . Bass player is Jon evans I was in a rock band with him just prior to his gig with tori. He was playing a lot of jazz gigs in San Fran at the time and his buddy matt introduced him to tori. Live cornflake girl is pretty great

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Oh damn! What was the band you were in with him!?

[@PaulThoresen]

Listening to Tori always reminds me of her Maynard from tool are best buds🎉

[@erinsaysme-ow]

So happy you’ve found just how amazing Tori really is! A few things- she’s touring the US at present, high recommendation to make a show if you can (if not, there are many videos on this app)! I am so hopeful for a studio album with Ash on drums! Also, if you don’t know where Matt is now, he’s with Brandi Carlile!

[@robbiereacts22]

Watch Tori Amos Crucify from Welcome To Sunny Florida. Matt’s drums are so interesting and unique on that performance

[@raspberryswirl375]

This is an amazing suggestion! That version of Crucify is not mentioned enough considering how remarkably good it is. The end part is SO powerful. I'm going to listen to it again right now!

[@robbiereacts22]

@@raspberryswirl375 It’s such a unique version of the song and it builds and builds

[@jamietingey7498]

Yes!! This is my favorite live performance of all time! So happy it’s being acknowledged.

[@chrisv.h.2307]

LOOOOVE this! I interpret it as both a plea to heaven after a difficult miscarriage and a trippy encounter with dark spirits when heaven doesn’t answer.

[@raspberryswirl375]

My brother came up with the best synopsis of Choirgirl Hotel ever. "It sounds like Tori went on a journey through the seedy London Underground with a vampire named Bartholomew." 🤣

[@erikkrabbenbos4347]

On some songs during the (later?) Tori Amos gigs he played, he has a conga that he plays with his left hand while working the kit with the stick in his right. Also two bongos, but I think he just played those with the sticks. And of course... don't forget about the buzz saw!!! 😆 Such a cool effect!

[@carriehazel77]

I've been obsessed for thirty years and she honestly got hated on by a lot of people and dismissed as girl music back in the day. She is a towering genius, but still sadly underrated to this day.

[@Wungolioth]

When you do The Waitress, it wouldn't be a bad idea to give a listen to the original song on her second album, Under the Pink. Then, watch the live version from this concert, to see how the song evoloved over time. Although, I suspect you probably watched it after you finished this one.

[@erinsaysme-ow]

100% agree with this!

[@icord50]

Andrew, following the Tori Amos video, you must take a look at “Winter” by Tori. This was the best performance that I have ever heard live!

[@markorchard2272]

Fantastic reaction! I have seen her live many times... but man I wish I'd been at THIS gig!!

[@ursuladelcarmenramirezmadr6128]

I am pretty sure they, together, were one of the best bands playing, performing and touring during the second half of the 90s... without any doubt. We should be greatful their sound got captured in To Venus and Back, one of my all time favorites... Congrats on your channel...

[@spaceoddity8292]

Sigo a Tori desde los 90´s.. a wild ride !!! she´s ONE WAY. Saludos desde Argentina

[@suzannepuckett1668]

Yes, if you listen to more of music by Tori Amos, you will hear that she writes juxtaposition within her songs. So brilliant! I'm glad that you are finally experiencing her. Matt Chamberlin does an excellent and perfect execution of Tori's writing. ❤

[@t_bone12571]

Often wonder what Pearl Jam would have turned into if Matt wasn't just a placeholder drummer (the "Alive" video is such a tease) and stuck it out with the band. Matt's the shit, from the New Bohemians to Tori Amos and anything else (my mad mid 90's crush on Fiona Apple included) on which he's played drums. Amos gives it the what-for here too, whole group's on the money.

[@tidalboxer]

Tori I’d UH MAY ZING! Matt was a great drummer for her. They really collaborated wonderfully. This whole band set up was the best she had.

[@markdrechsler5660]

I just saw Tori in Milwaukee a year ago. Jon Evans on bass, he still tours with her. He’s amazing.

[@sillywhale]

Great reaction! They were all on fire during this show.

[@davidkoblentz]

98... to me tori at her best, and that is not to denigrate anything before or after... boys for pele/choir girl era... just insane performances

[@bettynelms9899]

BFP through FTCH are my favorite Tori eras too, she just can’t be matched

[@JimmyNuisance]

Tori never needed to go this hard, but I love that she did. As "pop music" goes, it's difficult to get more esoteric and complex than she did. There's no one doing this today, not even close. The complexity of her piano playing and her voice is beyond anything we've seen in pop music since her IMO.

[@reactionsaccount3955]

Hey Andrew, been enjoying your content for a while, even though I am not a drummer, as it is just as much about understanding drumming in the context of adding to the musical piece and as a lover of music I find a lot of value on your videos. Just curious, have you ever thought of inviting drummers like Matt, to do an interview where you could discuss a show like these Live Sessions in depth.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Yup I used to run the NZ drummer podcast. Lots of famous drummers on it :)

[@MessingwiththeMasterPodcast]

We VERY MUCH agree that Matt Chamberlain is the best of the best. He comes up on our podcast a lot!

[@singingfan]

Matt Chamberlain is soooooo underrated!

[@jshomeservices376]

I love that the video starts with a classic porcaro lick

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Yes Sir!

[@musiqueguy1]

On a rainy day, listen to her album To Venus and Back. It's a double album. The first part called Venus: Orbiting, is the studio album and the second part called Venus Live, Still Orbiting is a live performance compilation from tours up to that time. Both are amazing and personal favorites, aside from Boys for Pele. But definitely listen to the live part which has Matt Chamberlain on drums. He has played with her for many years on 10 albums. Check it out, you won't be disappointed!

[@DanCrowleyNYC]

One of her best songs, and the combination of her, Matt Chamberlain and Jon Evans on bass (don't know who the guitarist is here), was always the best. She brought this back on her 2017 tour to open every show to comment on the U.S. president ("can't we get a little grace and some elegance?" - a line she wrote in 1998). I was lucky to see Tori live with Matt and Jon multiple times. And I also saw Matt live with my beloved Indigo Girls on their 2006 tour as well. What a fantastic drummer!

[@okimike5963]

She’s not feeling the the groove, she IS the groove

[@dteaton6536]

Great reaction, brother!

[@madelinewise8692]

Tori had a healthy daughter Natashya ( Tash ) in 2000, but, before that, between 1996 and 1999, Tori had three miscarriages. This song is about her first miscarriage of her baby girl she'd named Phoebe after three months of pregnancy. In the song she's talking to god and asking why? At the 10:57 mark you can hear her say "you took my little girl". Later she says, "We scream in cathedrals. Why can't it be beautiful? Why does there gotta be a sacrifice?" When she sings the word sacrifice at the 12:20 mark she embraces her belly.

[@Marnee4191]

Is whoever is requesting these Tori Amos / Matt Chamberlain reactions single and is he old enough for me? (He's obviously a man with exquisite taste, and someone to be cherished.) That is the important question.

[@bzqp2]

My favourite from this performance is "Caught a Lite Sneeze". The best vocal and the best drum version of the song. Too bad I can't find a proper audio recording of it. Someone prepared an AI remaster but it's still far from perfect.

[@theopinson3851]

Matt also played with Fiona Apple I believe. Great player

[@sidhedanu]

I have had the same drum cam complaint since this aired. This is one of her best filmed concerts. Another really good professionally filmed one was when they were live at a festival in Glastonbury. Also in '98, it's high energy from start to finish, about 45 minutes. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqGziWWhgqqibJo

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Thank you!

[@sidhedanu]

You're welcome! About 12 minutes in Matt starts playing a big black barrel for Raspberry Swirl. It's my favorite part of the song.

[@jessicahimmel7867]

Bassist Jon Evans...on tour with her and Ash now ❤

[@StevenForditude]

If I remember correctly, Tori was suffering from the loss of her baby during this time (a miscarriage) and that was the inspiration for the improvised line about taking her little girl, plus her touching her belly during the word “sacrifice.”

[@theopinson3851]

Andrew - I know you’ve done a few reactions to Opeth, but I believe they’ve been more recent recordings with their newer drummer Axentot. You should really check out their previous drummer Martin Lopez - Windowpane from the Lamentations DVD is a good start. He’s probably my favorite metal drummer because he can actually groove and play with feel, and also improvises quite a bit. He’s from Uruguay and you can hear a lot of Latin influences in his playing…also has a new band called Soen which are worth checking out.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Yes I need to check out the OG Drummer for sure

[@theopinson3851]

@@AndrewRooneyDrums there was even 1 more before him…but IMO Lopez is the best and played on the most classic albums (Still Life, Blackwater Park, etc).

[@PaniPunia]

The song is about Tori's miscarriage, it wasn't the first one, and her band knew about her journey. They know the emotions behind this song, and it adds to the performance.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Oh that's no good. Thanks for the context

[@HmmmYeahRiiiiiight]

The funny thing, you praise Matt (and yes he is soooooo fucking good), but he has said, time and time again in interviews his fav artist to jam with is Tori. It's a very symbiotic relationship. Tori would never have to beg him for any album or tour.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Yeah what a team

[@tidalboxer]

I think the Bass player is Jon Evans. He’s great. They all are.

[@ctoDarq]

Ocean to Ocean from recent Royal Albert Hall performance. Ash Soan is awesome and good perspective of his kit

[@throwdowninolytown]

Tori’s nickname for Matt is “the human loop”.

[@glennkelly4058]

I've seen Tori in concert twice, once with her band snd once solo. Without the band to keep her in check she tends to labour many of her song with excessive rubato. Her bass player is pretty good.

[@davazz9586]

As a 66 yr old Jazz lover - this has been the recording I have most listened to in past 20 yrs

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

🤯

[@davazz9586]

Dire Straits on every street - Jeff Porcaro

[@paulsander5433]

If you like Matt's performance on "iieee", you should see what he does to that barrel in the background during the song performed right before this one in this same concert: "Raspberry Swirl". With all this gushing on Tori, it's worth noting that she was thrown out of music school due to her unconventional approach. That says a lot about our art teachers in the USA, and it hints at what we might get if we encourage the students more.

[@TimThaxter]

Check out the percussions in “Juarez” if you haven’t already

[@Marnee4191]

Regarding it being 1998 and not having good cam on the handywork of the musicians, I was complaining about that way back then. The camera people who film live musicians should be musicians themselves or fans of music. If they were, they would be filming the musicians! I can't tell you how many videos of Tori Amos DO NOT SHOW HER HANDS PLAYING THE PIANO, and it drives me insane. And same with Matt Chamberlain's drums, plus the others in the band. It's not as if they didn't know. Look at videos of Led Zep or other bands and live shows from late 60s and early 70s and there are plenty of examples of camera people who knew to show the hands of the musicians as they were playing. It wasn't unknown in 1998!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@andacarabacci]

Sanırım bu performansından sonra batari eğitmeni Tori Amos a aşık oldu 😂❤

[@ejwatson559]

I'd love to see reactions to Black Pus "Black Pus in His Hilarious Attic" (just a man and his drums, I promise you've never seen anything like it, have to make it through the first 60 seconds), and Magma "De Futura live (high quality)", (early French prog band, 2 drummers on this one, again probably not seen something like this).

[@timbernard4193]

Jon Evans! He's been her bassist for decades I guess I can say now.

[@timbernard4193]

Also, the drummer she's been touring with for the last year and half is also pretty amazing. He came in and picked up on all of her tracks and cues with like absolutely no issue. So crazy to me!

[@BLACKBIRDsqueaks]

The break and vamp at 10:00 (in your video) is not in the original record

[@KathleenMandell]

I’ve been a Tori fan since 1998 and am learning how to play drums ! What took ya so long ? lol (I’m a Drumeo student)

[@kristencollins521]

So the musicians are on bass is Jon Evans, Eric Caton is n guitar and Matt Chamberlain on percussion

[@raspberryswirl375]

I think it's Steve Caton? Either way, he really created so much atmosphere in her performances during this Era. 🩷

[@kristencollins521]

@@raspberryswirl375 yep steve. I dunno why I said Eric

[@SheaSF]

Tried to find the original video.. Never seen do many links.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

It’s the first link 🤷‍♂️

[@tomcat11221]

I wish people would stop comparing female musicians to other female musicians. People can influences but singing style or subject matter there is no comparison between Tori and Kate. Comparing someone with a high voice speaks low of intelligence.

[@sunnisooge]

is this about tori or the drummer??

[@thomaswalkowiak815]

It's not the size of the kit? Tell Neil Peart that Lol

[@MartinRudolf-n7e]

Harris Anthony Wilson Patricia Anderson Carol

[@PaterErica]

Jackson Gary Anderson William Jones Scott

[@sergiocabezuela9713]

I cringe when Tori is compared to Kate Bush. Tori literally whoops her ass in all spectrums. With respect of course.