"Hey, why don't we get a metal band to do Christmas songs?"
I went to the Greensboro Coliseum back on the 19th of Dec to witness first-hand the spectacle that is the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. For those of you who don't know who they are, remember the video that was all over the internet this time last year of a guy who had rigged his Christmas lights to blink and flash in time with a song? That song was Wizards in winter by TSO. (Video HERE) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK90Ys2LhSo
As I walked into the place where I have seen Guns N' Roses, Quiet Riot, Motley Crue and ACC basketball, it was easy to get caught up in the Christmas spirit. Warm strains of Christmas music were piped in over the loudspeakers. Parents accompanied their children through the turnstiles as security guards smiled, showing them the way. A longhaired, leather-jacketed rocker stepped aside to let an elderly couple pass. Couples walked arm-in-arm, laughing, to their seats.
One of the first things to strike me was the crowd. Those that had dressed up were almost a minority, giving way to those in Red Sox caps and Savatage t-shirts. I cursed my miscalculation on the belt and loafers and longed for my Santana shirt and denim jeans. It was evident of the group’s ability to attract not only traditional patrons of classical music and theatre, but also young and middle class who enjoy the group’s upbeat style.
Like a child listening for the sound of sleigh bells and footsteps on the roof, the venue was alive with joyful anticipation. After all the TSO, like a certain jolly fat man, comes but once a year. What gifts we were to receive!
"Cool, and let's add a storyline about an angel who saves the spirit of Christmas. That'd be wild."
"And get someone who sounds like Darth Vader to narrate it!"
"Yeah, and a sexy, blonde singer -- in a short skirt!"
"Lasers?"
"Strobe lights!"
"Power ballads?"
"Wicked!"
The band, featuring a standard twin-guitar, heavy metal line-up augmented with a string section, powered through bombastic versions of Christmas favorites, interspersing their own original contributions.
The first of the performance was a story based off their first album. The story, about an angel’s journey to find the one thing that signifies Christmas, was greatly enhanced with the powerful monologues from a narrator, as well as the lighting of the stage and the surreal effect of seeing the story unfold live.
Unfortunately, during the latter part of that set, there was a minor explosion that wasn't planned. A cable partially fell from the elaborate lighting rig, sending a couple of arcs of sparks into the front left floor section. Don't worry, no one got burned and after a lengthy intermission to repair the damage, they were back at it.
The second half drew from the group’s other CDs and didn’t follow a set format. Gone was the storyteller and replacing him was guitarist and all-around leader Christopher Caffery, who kept the mood light and cheerful. The orchestra seemed much more at home in this atmosphere. No longer driven by the pressure to make the performance a masterpiece like the first half, most of the musicians were have a lot more fun with the pieces, and the music greatly benefited.
When they launched into "Wizards in Winter" the entire crowd actually stood up! (See my capture here) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RAcf3NNGQM&NR=1
TSO is a perennial favorite in the city. (The show was completely sold out!) Like Santa, the group promised they would return the same time next year possibly with some new surprises. Fans can only lament that Christmas comes but once a year.
