Y Kant Tori Read

"Y Kant Tori Read" was a 1980s synthpop band, fronted by then unknown (and brown-haired) singer-songwriter Tori Amos. The band released one album, also called "Y Kant Tori Read", which was largely unsuccessful, perhaps in part because Atlantic Records abandoned promoting the record completely after only two months of release. The band originally consisted of Amos, Steve Caton, Matt Sorum, later of Guns N' Roses, and bassist Brad Cobb. The band worked with record producer Joe Chicarelli, and Kim Bullard, later of Kajagoogoo. The name comes from an incident in Tori's childhood where she was asked to leave the Peabody Conservatory because she refused to read sheet music. [*David Wallechinsky & Amy Wallace: "The New Book of Lists", p.9. Canongate, 2005. ISBN 1-84195-719-4.]

As a result of Amos' later success, early in her career copies of the album in its various formats would sell for thousands of dollars, particularly an unopened copy on compact disc in its original longbox. Soon after its release, however, cut-out copies on vinyl were placed on sale for ninety-nine cents. A music video for their song "The Big Picture" was made, but the only member of the band featured was Amos since by then, unable to withstand pressure from Atlantic Records she had jettisoned the entire band with the exception of Steve Caton. As of 2006, despite the decline in music collectible sales and the increase in pirated distribution of the music, vinyl copies of the original record frequently sell on ebay for between $50-100.

Two singles were released. The first, "The Big Picture," was commercially issued exclusively as a 7" vinyl single (and without a picture sleeve.) A 12" vinyl promo did have a picture sleeve, however. The second single, "Cool on Your Island," was issued as a cassette single and 7" vinyl single, this time with a picture sleeve; and in various promo 7" vinyl singles. Neither single was successful. The company has honored Amos' request that no Y Kant Tori Read material be re-released, although bootleg copies do exist.

Discography

*"Y Kant Tori Read" (1988)
*"The Big Picture" (single, 1988)
*"Cool On Your Island" (single, 1988)

References