Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve and Other Stories
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Free Music Notes for Christmas Eve and Other Stories
Free Music Review: The Best Rock Christmas Album Ever!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
From www.MaximumMetal.com
Let's get this clear from the beginning. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra comes from Savatage and oddly enough there are still some people who are not aware of this as the origin point f the group. The signature piece of this Metal Ensemble entitled "Christmas Eve Sarajevo" first appeared on the Savatage CD "Dead Winter Dead". The tune stood out on the CD back then and also received a large amount of airplay on stations that would never play the music of Savatage in the first place. The music of 1996 was very steeped in the "alternative" movement and hard rock music was seldom heard and looked to die a quiet death. Clearly this track would prove another road could be taken with heavy music.
The players on this piece include Chris Caffery, Jeff Plate, Al Pitrelli, Johnny Lee Middleton, Zak Stevens and Jon Oliva (who are all from Savatage on guitars, drums, bass, keys and vocals respectively). In addition to these metal stalwarts are co-creator Bob Kinkel (keys) and Tom Farese as one of the main vocal leads. There are at least another dozen or so singers that I have left off this writing. Most of these folks listed make up the East Coast Company of the touring entity that the group becomes each year.
Since the story that the music is based upon is by Paul O'Neill (a long time contributor to some Savatage material as well as co-creator of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra) the booklet that accompanies the piece includes the full tale and all the lyrics to these often very powerful tunes. The story is quite simple. It tells of an Angel on a mission from God on his visit to Earth at Christmas time. It follows his journey and tells of the people and things he comes in contact with. Very effective....It works. I usually will glance over the booklets on CD's for a minute or two, but in this case I had found myself referring to it each and every time the music begins. Those who see them live can agree that it helps to do this as a prep to the shows. The group will perform this CD in its practical entirety at each show for the Holiday Season.
Since this release the TSO (as they are lovingly referred to by fans) have released two more Christmas CD's ("The Christmas Attic" and most recently "The Lost Christmas Eve") as well as one non Holiday presentation called "Beethoven's Last Night". However, the first one remains the fan favorite and is a very tough piece to follow up on or surpass with any ease. This CD comes with the highest of recommendations from me as I view it as a work of genius. There are so many powerful moments on it, and while you might play it for one number or two you will often find yourself listening to the entire piece.
Alongside of the many instrumentals of which I find so many favorites, there are some stand out vocal numbers. Among these "Ornament" and "Old City Bar" which actually work together in the story. Who should buy it this item, well anyone who likes a great piece of music for the Holiday Season, and is a fan of great storytelling. I have loved the piece for years now, and it never gets stale. Enjoy.
Free Music Review: Incredible to Say the Least
Hit: 5 Stars
I bought this album last year 2003, after speculating for a long time on whether to get this or "The Christmas Attic." I finally settled on this and was not disappointed. Some people have compared this to a cheap rip-off of Mannheim Steamroller. Last time I checked Mannheim Steamroller was a mix of Adult Alternative, Progressive Electronic, and Instrumental Pop. This explored many different genres, but with a hard rock edge. The great thing is that even if you do not care for the genre that the song has an influence of (rock, metal, classical, and folk music just to name a few), you will still love the song, that is what is so great about this album. Do not be fooled when I say that this has a hard rock edge, because this is no Merry Axemas CD either. There is so much more to these songs than just some guy playing Christmas songs with his guitar.
The songs "Mad Russians Christmas" and "O Come All Ye Faithful/O Holy Night" are spectacular, with lead guitarist Al Pitrelli playing amazing melodic guitar throughout, he is incredible! "Ornament" is a power ballad-like song with the lyrics being made of a man's prayer to God about his lost daughter and how he wants her home for Christmas, it is so beautiful it brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it (I'm a 17 year old male). "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo (12/24)" is played on the radio frequently, and not only by rock stations, even though it could be THE greatest instrumental ever written (even though it's just over three minutes long). The rest of the songs are great too; there is not a weak track on the entire disc.
This album is a concept album, which is an album in which each of the songs tells a part of an story that covers the entire album. You can read about it in the liner notes, which includes a poem for each of the instrumentals to connect them to the storyline.
Listening through this entire album from start to finish will leave the listener with a sense of ecstasy and fulfillment that is similar to the feeling after listening to any one of the rock group Savatage's concept albums, such as "Dead Winter Dead." In fact, the song "Christmas Eve" was originally on that album. "Dead Winter Dead" is actually even better than this album, if that seems possible, go buy it if you have a chance, it's only $9.98. This album is like a successful spin-off of a great show that becomes its own great show (This album is to "Dead Winter Dead" what the show Frasier was to Cheers).
In conclusion, I cannot see how anyone cannot give this album five stars because it is so good, anyone can enjoy it. My parents are into classical music and my sister is into pop like Hillary Duff, and all three of them love this album as well. I apologize for not writing this before the Christmas season, but I hope that you will enjoy this album as much as I did.
Free Music Review: Rock and Roll Christmas!
Hit: 5 Stars
This is the greatest Christmas CD I have ever heard in my life. The album is a masterpiece from start to finish. The instrumentals are phenomenal, the lyrics are genious and the albums rocks all the way from the beginning to the very end. The part about this album that sticks out the most are the instrumentals. I was never a big fan of instrumentals until I heard this album.
The first instrumental is "O Come All Ye Faithful/O Holy Night." The guitar solos in this piece are phenomenal. It's a great combination of the two songs put together into one giant instrumental. The orchestra did an excellent job combining the two. The next instrumental is "First Snow." I like this tune a lot and because I love to experience my first snowfall of the year. The riffs are real catchy and its a solid rock and roller. Another great instrumental piece is "Mad Russian's Christmas." It is a mix of rock and roll and the instrumental from "The Nutcracker." Perhaps the greatest and most powerful instrumental piece and the greatest song of the whole album is "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24." This tune is as powerful as any instrumental can be. This song has everything: guitars, piano, horns, drums, etc. The mix of every instrument on this song created a dark and gothic tune that is one of the greatest Christmas songs to date. Listen to the sample to see what I'm talking about.
The songs with vocals are "Promises to Keep" and "This Christmas Day." The first one is about Christmas and the spirit and promise of joy and happiness it brings with them and it is also sung by a children's choir. The next one, "This Christmas Day" is a masterpiece. The song is about a man's lover that is finally coming home for Christmas. The lyrics are genious. The second half of the song is my favorite with the man singing and also female singers singing, "Merry, Merry Christmas." The mix of the two vocalists created a song that have a very big emotional impact on me.
Buy this album to further extend your Christmas Collection. The orchestra is phenomenal and you can't beat them. The composer Paul O'Neil deserves a lot of credit for bringing this powers of the band members together in creating a Christmas album like no other before it. Nothing expresses the Christmas spirit better that than that of the gold old sounds of rock and roll. Merry Christmas! Ho, Ho, Ho!
Free Music Review: A Collison of Music and Emotion
Hit: 5 Stars
In the 1980s, Mannheim Steamroller took Christmas music and updated it for a new century. A decade and a half later, Trans-Siberian Orchestra continued in that same vein, this time adding rock and roll to traditional Christmas tunes. The first album of the TSO trilogy, "Christmas Eve and Other Stories", is evidence that guitars and drum kits can and do fit in well with holiday classics.
About half the tunes on the record are well-known ('O Come All Ye Faithful', 'O Holy Night'), while the other half are original. While all the songs are destined to become holiday classics, some simply stand out:
'Old City Bar': An original piece on the album, this song is about the loneliness that some people feel during the holidays. It's at once heart-felt and one that will stay with you.
'The Prince of Peace': Trans-Siberian Orchestra added nativity-esque lyrics to 'The Holly and the Ivy', creating a song that reminds all of the reason for the holiday.
'A Mad Russian's Christmas': Featuring several pieces of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet joined together in a frenzy of energy, this song captures the Christmas season through electric guitars and the feeling of sledding in the snow.
'Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24': A rock and roll maelstrom of guitars, drums, and holiday tunes like 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' and 'Carol of the Bells' woven together, this radio-friendly piece truly captures the story of Sarajevo and the magic of Christmas Eve through a near-violent collision of music and emotion.
Trans-Siberian picked up modern Christmas music where Mannheim Steamroller left off, taking the idea and bringing it to soaring new heights. Their first album is a perfect example of the style they have made famous ten years later.
Free Music Review: The single greatest concert experience of my life....
Hit: 5 Stars
Being a faithful concertgoer, I've seen literally hundreds of concerts in my 32 years on this planet. However, what I saw at Next Stage in Grand Prairie, TX on Saturday, December 21st changed me forever. It was the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in all its' glory. Strings, at least ten backup singers, (all of which had an individual opportunity to shine) pianos, acoustic interludes, all backed up by members of Savatage. Stunning stuff. 6000 people in attendance, and all walks of life represented. Behind me sat an opera student, and behind her an opera teacher sat with her entire class. Beside me sat a husband, his wife and their 7-year old son, and in front of me sat a 70-year old retired couple. Couple this with one of the most intimate, warm, loving settings you can imagine, and you have the experience of a lifetime. The show is not just an opera, it's a show that rocks with more than its' share of lighthearted moments, (like during "The Nutcracker Suite," when they somehow, magically turned it into a medley of Golden Earring's "Radar Love," "LaGrange" by ZZ Top and various Led Zeppelin classics. As well as many sexy, finger-snapping, jazzy interludes.) You'll experience the entire spectrum of human emotions. (Hell, I'm a pretty reserved fella, but I welled up with tears on a few occasions during the show.) This show encapsulates everything that makes music, in all its' flavors, the greatest invention known to mankind. There's no better way to spend 2 1/2 hours with your family.