Caught a Lite Sneeze

by

Tori Amos

Edit

Every Tori Amos EP or maxi single is worth buying because she always delivers some unpredictable yet wonderful new songs alongside the single release being featured. This particular item is no exception. "Caught a Lite Sneeze," the first single from the Boys For Pele album, is one of the two best songs on that particular album ("Talula" being the other one). In addition to this unedited single, Tori introduces four "silly songs." It really feels as if you are right there with her when she decides to play around a little bit on the piano; there is an improvised, personalized feel to these songs. "This Old Man" is the same song we all learned as children, but Tori somehow manages to make it sound downright sensuous. Next is "That's What I Like Mick (The Sandwich Song)," which is a lyrically dense little jaunt that sounds as if Tori is making up the song as she goes along; it is the real gem among these four previously unreleased songs. "Graveyard" is a very short, strange little tune sung at the grave of a recently deceased friend. "Toodles Mr Jim" rounds out the set. Tori plays the part of a small girl singing about a recently deceased neighbor, ending the song with a few words spoken in an immature sing-song voice. While silly is a relative term when you are talking about Tori Amos, it does describe these four songs fairly well--Tori is amusing herself by playing around with some nice, unusual songs that would never find their way on a conventional album. I would certainly consider this a must-have item for Tori's legion of fans.

The first single from her 1996 "Boys for Pele," "Caught A Lite Sneeze" was released before the album and gave fans a taste of what was to come. The b-sides on this single are called "Silly Songs" on the back cover, and for the most part, that they are. "This Old Man," you guessed it, is her take on the traditional children's song, "That's What I like Mick (The Sandwich Song)" is a cover of the song by the British duo Chas & Dave, and "Toodles Mr. Jim" brings us thoughts of Amos's childhood. The stand-out track on this single, believe it or not, is "Graveyard," which clocks in at less than a minute. It is a largely beautiful composition in a very small amount of time.