Track Listing

1. China
2. Sugar
3. Flying Dutchman
4. Humpty Dumpty

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #136654 in Music
• Released on: 1992-02-01
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Single, EP

Customer Reviews

One of my favourite songs of all time, plus great B-sides
"China" - which appeared on Tori's first successful album, LITTLE EARTHQUAKES - is perhaps one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. The lyrics are so heartbreaking; for anyone who has been in a similar situation, listening to this track can be quite a bittersweet expereince. The song is about two people in a relationship, yet there is a distance between them. It examines the barriers people put up - the china in this piece ia actually a metaphor, coming these barriers to the Great Wall of China. An example of how beautifully sad the lyrics are is this piece:-
"Sometimes I think you want me to touch you / how can I when you build the great Wall around you."
I have had the great experience of listening to this track live, when I saw Tori in concert in 2005 on her Original Sinsulaity tour. As it is one of my favourite, I was so pleased she chose to play it then. In fact, this is only the one way I can think of which would make this CD single better than it already is - for a live performance of the song to be inlcuded.

The B-sides to this single are also well worth the money. "Sugar" is another beautiful piece, showing Tori for all that we appreciate in her. After the innocence and emotional desperation of "China", it feels quite dark. It is a very atmospheric song, in parts Tori's voice sounds quite unlike her. The difference in her vocal range is illustrated very well in this piece.
"Flying Dutchamn" is a great track, a much lighter and bouncier piece then "Sugar". The piano on this track, especially in the introductory few bars, showcase Tori's playing brilliantly.
"Humpty Dumpty" is good fun - almost a lyrical retelling of the traditional children's tale. The sound is more cabaret than any of her other work, but that is not meant as a criticism. This song is purely for a laugh.

This is a great offering from Tori. Even if you have been a fan for ages, buying this CD can show you more of Tori, the artist. If you are completely new to her music this is a great way of becoming familiar with what she can achieve. Beg, steal or borrow this CD - it shows her during the early part of her career, the part that made her who she is today.

A Brilliant Key into the Unknown
This single is a must have for any Tori fan who has enough money to spend and who wants an all access pass into her early solo work. I had downloaded two b-sides from this single a couple of years ago, but the quality is so poor compared to the original recording. Plus, if you're a true listener like me, you want to hear every single sound that is captured in recording....you don't get to hear those tiny, magical sounds when listening to an mp3. Sugar has background programming very similar to the Dakota version of Hey Jupiter, and I was thrilled to hear the non-live version for the first time! Flying Dutchman makes me want to reiterate who I am and what works for me (to those who keep telling me I'm crazy, weird, lazy, and daydreamy!) Humpty Dumpty represents her vocal ability exceptionally well and is fun and bouncy! Listen closely, and you'll really hear her pounding hard and evenly with that left hand....it's breathtaking! Thanks for reading my review, guys!

One of Amos' best E.P.s
A highly sought after early single/E.P. by Tori Amos, "China" not only sets focus on one of her most beautiful works to date (the title track,) but it also brings out three of her best B-sides: "Flying Dutchman," a sweeping orchestrally arranged number about wasted youth and adult impositions; "Sugar," which has since been re-released as a live track; and "Humpty Dumpty," one of her rarest B-sides, a cabaret-sleaze take on the traditional fairy tale.