There was a time when singer/pianist Fiona Apple [ tickets ] was known as a volatile artist who regularly melted down during shows, and once gave an incoherent speech during an awards ceremony.

But Apple has changed a lot in 10 years. In a speckled dress, she was a sophisticated and experienced show-woman during her Tuesday (6/20) performance at the Dodge Theatre in Phoenix. She dallied between a microphone and her grand piano, proving she's overcome her very public battle with stage fright.

After her band meandered on stage, Apple opened with "Got Him Back." Yellow lights back-lit her backing band, shrouding them in mystery, while a white spotlight focused on Apple and her piano--an effect that gave the slight singer a grand presence.

The ex-girlfriend of magician David Blaine and film director Paul Thomas Anderson, Apple made a case for staying single in introducing the night's second song, "To Your Love."

"This is a song about why I never want to have a boyfriend again. I just can't have one. It's not a girl power kind of thing," she said.

Unfortunately, vocal problems that would persist throughout the night were especially prevalent during "To Your Love." Apple sounded hoarse, especially during the acerbic portion of the song.

Intermittent soft and loud moments juxtaposed "Shadowboxer" before she moved behind the mic for "The Way Things Are." Her quiet introduction was interrupted by screaming fans and shouts of "I Love You."

While she did not focus on the hits--save for "Sleep to Dream" and show-closer "Criminal," which wrapped up a two-song encore--the fans ate up Apple's 90-minute performance--a sure improvement over her reputation of the '90s.

Fiona Apple's Set List

Got Him Back
To Your Love
Shadowboxer
The Way Things Are
I Know
Sleep to Dream
Limp
Paper Bag
Tymps
Oh Well
On the Bound
Slow Like Honey
Not About Love
Better Version of Me
Get Gone
Fast As You Can

Encore:
Extraordinary Machine
Criminal