THE ROAD LIFE

FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/MARCEE RONDAN/LATHUM NELSON

THE ROAD LIFE: “The Force Is Still With Her” is how the LOS ANGELES TIMES headline described ALANIS MORISSETTE‘s triumphant concert return to her adopted home of Los Angeles. An array of celebrities were on hand for the two power-packed and critically acclaimed shows this past weekend (Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4) at the Universal Amphitheatre, the second stop on her North American “toward our union mended tour 2002.” Actors Kirsten Dunst, Christian Slater, Rob Lowe, Andy Dick, Kevin Smith, Paul Reiser and Michael Des Barres as well as singer Michelle Branch joined an “adoring, diverse crowd” (according to the LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS) for the 90-minute set. The singer, songwriter and musician mixed up material from her three studio albums plus such unreleased material as “Sister Blister” and “Purgatorying.” ALANIS‘ set list included her forthcoming single “Precious Illusions”–which ships to radio in mid-May, with a Francis Lawrence-directed video to hit the airwaves shortly thereafter–from the three million worldwide seller UNDER RUG SWEPT (Maverick).

Here are some critical responses to the Los Angeles shows:

Robert Hilburn, LOS ANGELES TIMES (5/6/02)
http://www.calendarlive.com/top/1,1419,L-LATimes-Music-X!ArticleDetail-58156,00.html: “Alanis Morissette performs with her typical intensity, effectively delving into the raw emotions of love and pain…Morissette and a spectacular five-piece band, driven by drummer Blair Sinta, played with energy and force…Whether joining the band on electric guitar or simply prowling the stage with the microphone in hand, Morissette has evolved into a striking performer who conveys the often raw emotions of her songs with the authority of a correspondent coming back from the battlefield.”

Steven Mirkin, DAILY VARIETY (5/6/02): “…Morissette performed with a coltish enthusiasm, singing with a new less mannered freedom…she has become a more mature, more rounded writer and performer and that maturity has given her warmth and dimension…”

Gerry Gittleson, LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS (5/6/02): “…Morissette displayed plenty of energy and charisma, and she hit her high notes beautifully…Morissette performed with the confident swagger of a singer who is on top of the world.”

Daina Darzin Manning, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER (5/6/02): “Morissette gave them the great show they deserved, presenting a powerful and fast moving set…Morissette had an effortlessly cool stage presence–and rocked mightily…”

Here are the remaining dates on the first leg of ALANIS‘ 2002 tour:

For further information on ALANIS, check out her website: www.alanismorissette.com…

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