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Song cycles are nothing new – in the 1800s, they were popularized by the likes of Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann. But give singer-songwriter and composer Tori Amos a crack at the classical style, and you’re bound to end up with something unique. The art pop icon explains the traditional melodies and nontraditional themes found in her Deutsche Grammophon album debut, a song cycle called Night of Hunters. Plus, she performs live.

Some unlikely artists have produced holiday albums over the years, including Bob Dylan and metal god Rob Halford of Judas Priest. But Tori Amos - the minister's daughter who titled her 2009 album Abnormally Attracted to Sin - might be the most surprising candidate. The singer and pianist talks about overhauling carols for her holiday album, Midwinter Graces, and performs for our studio audience.

Some unlikely artists have produced holiday albums this year, including Bob Dylan and metal god Rob Halford of Judas Priest. But Tori Amos - the minister's daughter who titled her last album Abnormally Attracted to Sin - might be the most surprising candidate. The singer and pianist talks about overhauling ...

Today's encore of live performances on Soundcheck starts with Tori Amos, Simone Dinnerstein, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings.

For over 20 years, singer-songwriter Tori Amos has touched on hot-button issues like sexuality, patriarchy and religion. She joins us to talk about impersonating four different archetypes from the Greek pantheon and slamming George Bush on her new album, "American Doll Posse." And she performs live in studio.

Fifteen years ago, record executives told Tori Amos "the girl-with-a-piano thing was over with Carole King." Now the pop star tells Kurt how she continues to make music on her own terms. Amos's new record American Doll Posse came out this week.

She speaks in delicious metaphors. She's funny, self-aware and she doesn't hold back her opinions. But has singer-songwriter Tori Amos really been around long enough for a career—retrospective box set? She tells Kurt why women need to learn about mythological archetypes, and how becoming a mother has ...