When you\u2019ve become a holiday tradition, you have achieved extraordinary success. Thus, is the travelling heavy metal rock show called Trans-SIberian Orchestra. After having seen this sensory extravaganza several times, I never know what to epect. I\u2019m at a distinct advantage over the first-time TSO attendee, but we\u2019re both still on the edge of our seats wondering what comes next. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having arrived early and armed with a Chick-Fil-A sandwich, chips and Red Bull in hand, I asked the guy sitting next to me if he\u2019d ever seen them before. \u201cNope,\u201d he answered, \u201cbut I\u2019m not really into orchestras.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year\u2019s show\u00a0opened up\u00a0with darkness and the sound of an orchestral string section\u00a0warming\u00a0up \u2013\u00a0bows briskly sliding up and down across the violin, viola, and cello\u00a0strings.\u00a0Then the audible tap-tap of a director\u2019s baton on the music\u00a0stand\u00a0and the rock band came alive with power chords\u00a0and\u00a0numerous\u00a0operatic\u00a0choral\u00a0voices\u00a0as the arena lit up with synchronized\u00a0blasts\u00a0of\u00a0lights.\u00a0The wide-as-the-stage tall video screens brightly\u00a0displayed\u00a0Egyptian\u00a0ruins\u00a0and\u00a0pyramids\u00a0under\u00a0beautiful\u00a0blue\u00a0skies\u00a0and\u00a0racing\u00a0clouds.\u00a0This\u00a0gave\u00a0way\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0MTV-era\u00a0of high-speed video edits.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The band, consisting of veterans Al Pitrelli, Andrew Ross, and Angus Clark on guitars, Blas Elias on drums, John Lee Middleton on bass, Asha Mevlana on electric violin, and Jane Mangini and Mee Eun Kim on keyboards just tore through an extended jam that showed off the spectrum of their various instruments. This was \u201cNight Enchanted,\u201d and this was just setting the frenetic and dynamic mood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The video montage behind them showed gothic castles and several owls in flight. While not a replica of the Fly by Night<\/em> album cover, I had visions of Rush dancing in my head. There was a Ferris wheel and familiar yet new stained-glass windows that kept me guessing as to what theme this year\u2019s show might be delivering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When the place quieted and a soft piano started unrolling \u201cWinter Palace,\u201d I thought surely storytelling time was now. I was wrong, TSO was just stretching its musical muscles and setting the tone for the evening. \u201cThe Lost Christmas Eve,\u201d which could have been an audible clue to the evening\u2019s theme, was a third tune that showed off the brilliant pieces that make up this musical masterpiece. This song, in particular, highlights the instrument of choice in Western culture, if I can be so bold, the electric guitar in its singing voice beauty. \u201cOh, Holy Night\u201d played with guitar harmonies is just sweeter than the most delicious eggnog. These perfectly played notes hung in the air and were almost worth the entire event. They just hit such high highs that\u2019s there\u2019s not much better for these musical ears. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Soon it was known that \u201cThe Ghosts of Christmas Eve\u201d would be the story\/theme of this year\u2019s show. A young runaway girl stumbles into an old theater and the Christmas magic begins as the band performs several classics, like \u201cO Come All Ye Faithful \/ O Holy Night,\u201d \u201cChristmas Eve (Sarajevo 12\/24),\u201d \u201cMusic Box Blues,\u201d and \u201cFirst Snow.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n