HER version of Fog on the Tyne eclipsed that of Lindisfarne.

The American singer-songwriter's bell-like voice charmed the Geordie song in way previous artists have not, despite stuttering some of the words halfway through. It may have been just for the audience, along with her references to drinking Newcastle Brown Ale.

"I love it up here," she cooed. "And I walked across the bridge today," failing to specify which of the seven she meant.

But it didn't matter and the crowd went crackers to have their home town flattered by the sensual, red-headed Ms Amos.

Swirling psychedelic patterns from the screen behind her were projected around the inside of the almost capacity auditorium. Wailing like a finely tuned banshee, she belted out melancholic melodies, her songs punctuated by her characteristic sharp intakes of breath.

A prolific pianist, she jumped between the grand piano and the keyboard on stage, leaving the audience unsure where she was going next. But they were certainly not disappointed and exploded into applause before the final bar of each carefully crafted track.

I was a little surprised she didn't do one of her best known songs, Cornflake Girl, but, hey, that's Tori Amos for you. She's not your conventional performer.

Published: 13/06/2005