ForeverAutumn
12-17-2003, 11:20 AM
Let me start by saying that this is not just a concert; a gig; a recital; a performance; or a show. This is…an EXPERIENCE!
One drummer; One narrator; Two keyboards, Three electric guitars, Seven vocalists, and an Eight piece string section. This is the Trans-Siberian Orchestra that played in Toronto last night.
There were twinkling lights; shimmering lights; flashing lights; roving lights; spotlights; lasers; and a freakin’ snow machine over the audience!!! When the lasers were sent out through the snow it created this magical sparkling effect in the air like nothing that I have ever seen before.
The music was outstanding. Each musician was incredible. Each singer was incredible. The talent on that stage was mind-boggling.
The show was 2.5 hours, done in two parts (no intermission). The first half was a rendition of their CD, Christmas Eve and Other Stories. A narrator with a voice that could rival James Earl Jones narrated the story in between songs. There were no large chorus’s or choral groups and so, some of the CD could not be recreated but was instead filled in with musical versions of the songs. The music was predominantly guitars with the keyboards and strings filling out the sound. While the story was beautiful and serious, the musicians were obviously having fun and so was the audience. The audience was very diverse (from little kids to their grandparents) and their response was amazing – hooting and hollering and cheering after every song. There was no polite applause.
The rendition of Old City Bar was done with one vocalist and one acoustic guitar. Similar to the CD, but with so much feeling that (I’m not embarrassed to say) it actually moved me to tears. And as I looked around me, I wasn’t the only one! It was the magic of the whole experience.
After Christmas Eve was done. The front man for the evening (one of the guitarists) came out to talk to the audience for a while. He talked about TSO, introduced the orchestra and apologized for the blackout this past summer, stating that they were testing their new light show and they went a bit too far. ;) He was very funny and related well with the audience. Like talking to an old friend. Much later in the show, he actually ran out into the audience and played his guitar while wandering around. He even made a trip up to the first balcony.
After that break, they went into the second half of the show. They did some songs from Christmas Attic. Played some Tchaikovsky a la Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Did some new songs and a track from Beethoven’s Last Night. Each performer was given time for a solo. Everything was choreographed like clockwork and was entertaining not just to hear, but to watch as well.
2.5 hours was gone in what seemed like minutes and the show ended much to everyone disappointment. :(
There was an autograph session after the show. My husband and I went to check it out, just out of curiosity. Well, the number of people in the line-up floored us. There were hundreds of people lined up for autographs. I couldn’t believe it. It’s not like this is a band that has the same people in it each time you see them. This was a touring company. One of two touring companies actually. And there were hundreds of folks lined up at 11:00 on a weeknight who wanted to meet them.
Which takes me back to my original statement. This is much more than a concert. This is an experience not to be missed. Regardless of your musical tastes, this is something that every person here should see at least once in your lifetime. If you have the opportunity in the future, don’t ask yourself if you want to go. Just go. Trust me. You won’t regret it. I’ll be back next year. No questions asked. :D
One drummer; One narrator; Two keyboards, Three electric guitars, Seven vocalists, and an Eight piece string section. This is the Trans-Siberian Orchestra that played in Toronto last night.
There were twinkling lights; shimmering lights; flashing lights; roving lights; spotlights; lasers; and a freakin’ snow machine over the audience!!! When the lasers were sent out through the snow it created this magical sparkling effect in the air like nothing that I have ever seen before.
The music was outstanding. Each musician was incredible. Each singer was incredible. The talent on that stage was mind-boggling.
The show was 2.5 hours, done in two parts (no intermission). The first half was a rendition of their CD, Christmas Eve and Other Stories. A narrator with a voice that could rival James Earl Jones narrated the story in between songs. There were no large chorus’s or choral groups and so, some of the CD could not be recreated but was instead filled in with musical versions of the songs. The music was predominantly guitars with the keyboards and strings filling out the sound. While the story was beautiful and serious, the musicians were obviously having fun and so was the audience. The audience was very diverse (from little kids to their grandparents) and their response was amazing – hooting and hollering and cheering after every song. There was no polite applause.
The rendition of Old City Bar was done with one vocalist and one acoustic guitar. Similar to the CD, but with so much feeling that (I’m not embarrassed to say) it actually moved me to tears. And as I looked around me, I wasn’t the only one! It was the magic of the whole experience.
After Christmas Eve was done. The front man for the evening (one of the guitarists) came out to talk to the audience for a while. He talked about TSO, introduced the orchestra and apologized for the blackout this past summer, stating that they were testing their new light show and they went a bit too far. ;) He was very funny and related well with the audience. Like talking to an old friend. Much later in the show, he actually ran out into the audience and played his guitar while wandering around. He even made a trip up to the first balcony.
After that break, they went into the second half of the show. They did some songs from Christmas Attic. Played some Tchaikovsky a la Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Did some new songs and a track from Beethoven’s Last Night. Each performer was given time for a solo. Everything was choreographed like clockwork and was entertaining not just to hear, but to watch as well.
2.5 hours was gone in what seemed like minutes and the show ended much to everyone disappointment. :(
There was an autograph session after the show. My husband and I went to check it out, just out of curiosity. Well, the number of people in the line-up floored us. There were hundreds of people lined up for autographs. I couldn’t believe it. It’s not like this is a band that has the same people in it each time you see them. This was a touring company. One of two touring companies actually. And there were hundreds of folks lined up at 11:00 on a weeknight who wanted to meet them.
Which takes me back to my original statement. This is much more than a concert. This is an experience not to be missed. Regardless of your musical tastes, this is something that every person here should see at least once in your lifetime. If you have the opportunity in the future, don’t ask yourself if you want to go. Just go. Trust me. You won’t regret it. I’ll be back next year. No questions asked. :D