About six years ago, a friend of mine introduced me to a new Christmas CD by The Trans-Siberian Orchestra. For those not familiar with the band, they are all rock and rollers, many with a heavy metal background. Their first album, Christmas Eve and other Stories is unlike anything I've ever heard before. It's a rock opera. It's spiritual. It's progressive rock. Simply put, it is an album that captures the essence of Christmas better than most overtly Christian Christmas recordings. Bombastic, somber, moving, explosive, beautiful, and loaded with screaming electric guitars, sweeping synthesizers, fantastic lyrics and a Christmas story that touches your heart.
The story revolves around an angel sent down from heaven by God to find the spirit of Christmas alive and well on earth manifested in something that only an angel can hold. It is a tricky task for the angel to find something unique to bring back to his Lord. He scours the earth and finds crass commercialism, war and various kinds of trouble to be prevelant. After much searching, he finds what he is looking for in the form of a father's simple prayer and the snowball effect it has in the lives of unsuspecting individuals. The story is told by a narrator and a variety of musical styles, incorporating traditional Christmas music (Joy to the World, Carol of the Bells, Deck the Halls, etc...) with classical music played in a rock and roll style.
Along with guitars, keyboards and drums, the band tours with an eight-piece string section and a variety of vocalists, perfectly selected to best interpret each piece. And in true rock fashion, the band complements the music and story with a great pyrotechnic light show.
I brought a friend with me to the show. He had never heard of TSO and wasn't really sure what to expect. Throughout the show, he kept saying, "wow!" And when it was all over, he said "Man, I'm a believer!" You will be too. Check out comments from concert attendees at TSO's guestbook.
you can pick up a copy of Christmas Eve and Other Stories, their follow up The Christmas Attic, or their latest project, the mysterious, foreboding and beautiful Beethoven's Last Night at Amazon.com. Also, they created a made-for-TV video a couple years ago that features Jewel and Michael Crawford as they retell the story for the small screen. I'm certain it will rebroadcast on TV this holiday season, or you can just pick up a copy of the DVD, Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghost of Christmas Eve.
At the show last night, they announced that they are planning on touring the country in the summer with a presentation of Beethoven's Last Night. Where do I get in line for tickets?!
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
November 22, 2003 12:21 PM
Whoa Joel!!! This might be the best link I've picked up from you yet. My wife is a self-confessed Christmas fanatic who has the house decorated in time for Halloween just to mess with the kids heads! She has I think, 600 Christmas cd's. I know I got that 600 count from somewhere ;-). Anyhoo, TSO is a great twist on the Christmas music theme and beats that Liberace disk she brought home last week all to pieces! I've been to the TSO site, sent my 1st Christmas email of the season and am ordering the disk(s). Have I said I love you yet? Hmmmm, being guys perhaps we'll just shake hands. Have a great Sunday, looking forward to your next posting, oooooooo! I've got goosebumps. ;-)
November 25, 2003 05:32 PM
Ain't no disgrace to be poor - but might as well be.
April 12, 2004 03:02 PM
I saw the show this December at the Giant center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. I am a 19 year old student and found that this show, out of all other concerts I've ever been to, was by far the best. The show was incredible, I've never seen people hooting and hollering and begging for more at an orchestra concert. The show itself, with the lights, effects, beautiful people, and tantalizing music, who could ask for more? I hope the shows continue and the music keeps flowing. I don't think I will ever get enough.
Heather
PA