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TSO is Total Sensory Overload in Concert A Kweevak.com Rock Report by Rich and Laura Lynch It is fitting for a band whose new CD features a talking falcon to be joined onstage by a singing Eagle, and, that's exactly what happened when the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) rocked the Izod Center on December 12, 2009 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The TSO Christmas concerts have become a spectacular holiday tradition with annual attendance increasing with each passing season. TSO's innovative and intense interpretations of Christmas carols included a massive stage show and many musicians (choir, rock band and local orchestras).
 TSO lights up the night with their elaborate stage presentation. TSO is a musical extravaganza of players and production. The four core members are Paul O'Neill (composer, musician, producer & promoter), Robert Kinkel (composer, keyboardist & producer), Jon Oliva (composer & multi-instrumentalist) and Al Pitrelli (lead guitarist & musical director). Founded in 1996, TSO gained respect for their riveting renditions of traditional Christmas songs. TSO has expanded their repertoire to include elaborate rock epics melding elements of classical, metal (heavy & symphonic) and progressive. They are known for their lavish live shows with lights and pyrotechnics synchronized to their music. In the fall of 2009 Trans-Siberian Orchestra released Night Castle - an inspiring two-disk, twenty-six song CD blending musical styles (choral, classical and hard rock) in a story about a chance encounter between a seven-year old girl and a mysterious stranger. The albums is the band's first in five years and tells a tale that weaves together light and dark themes about virtue and fear as the album unfolds. In 2000, two separate touring groups were formed so the band could reach more territory in the brief holiday season. To fulfill demand, TSO often plays two full afternoon and evening performances at many venues. The New Jersey matinee attracted an array of ages who were treated to a nearly three hour concert by "TSO East" featuring Robert Kinkel - Keyboard, Music Director; Chris Caffery - Guitar; Alex Skolnick - Guitar; Anna Phoebe - Violin; Bryan Hicks - Narrator; and, Rob Evan - Vocals. TSO founder Paul O'Neill was also on hand adding to the overall festive and historic feeling of the show. Taking our seats on the floor we observed banks of lights and screens on the stage. The ceiling of the arena also had blocks of lights and there was a secondary stage in the middle of the venue. Before the show, Charity That Begins at Home was mentioned and presented with a check for $12,042. TSO donates $1.00 of each ticket sale to a local organization in each of the areas that they are appearing in. Keeping with TSO tradition the first half of the concert was "Christmas Eve & Other Stories" including the stand out "Christmas Eve in Sarajevo 12/24". Fluctuating blue lights, smoke and visuals from the screens backed by bells and percussion started the pageantry of music and production. "Christmas Eve & Other Stories" unfolded through spoken words and spectacular sequences of music. Narrator and vocalist Bryan Hicks would tell a story and let the song expand upon the lessons of life with its joys and sorrows. The conceptual concert was truly dazzling in displays and drama. Anna Phoebe (string master) was vibrant on violin in both her physical and playing abilities. "Silent Night" was a spectrum of sights and sounds as was "Come Let Us Adore Him" with apt axe men on risers soaring and shredding on their solos. "Hark The Herald Angles" featured lush lights that resembled silver stars and the range of music was rich and robust. One of our favorite effects of many was snow falling down upon the audience. It was enchanting and added to the energy of the moment and even felt cold to the touch - very cool!
 Paul O'Neill is the founder of TSO and a composer, musician, lyricist and promoter for the band. "Old City Bar" was sung by a singer with rather smoky vocals at times accompanied by Skolnik - the lone player on an acoustic guitar. The piece was pensive and progressed through a number of tales. The "Christmas Eve & Other Stories" part of the show ended with elaborate effects and expansive instrumentation. The first half was amazing and yet there was more to come. "Make sure you stay to the end," said TSO founder Paul O'Neill during the band introductions that concluded the Christmas-themed portion of the show. Paul took the time to thank the fans and make some exciting announcements regarding the group, including a forthcoming Broadway adaptation of the TSO concept. "There's gonna be a special guest you'll want to stick around for." Watches on the big screens appeared as lights moved to the daunting music. Lasers and pictures of helicopters added to the drama as music from "Night Castle" was played. The guitar solos were sizzling supported by heavy rhythms and lovely ladies singing while swinging their ample hair. The stage was filled with fire combined with red on the array of screens crafting a frightening feel as the music moved through menacing meters. There were some pretty and pensive parts to the second set but much of the songs were a bombardment of sights, sounds and shredding. The laser, lights and layers of music were mesmerizing and moving. TSO's cover of ELP's "Nutrocker" was nifty and filled with nuances. "Carmina Burana" with its Latin lyrics was stunning in staging, singing and instrumentation and helped re-illiterate the epic nature of TSO. The band's concerts have become an annual tradition for many folks and after witnessing the proceedings it's clear why people return year after year. "We used to call this place the Metalands," said Chris Caffery who was energetic and animated throughout the show on several electric guitars. The six-stringer grew up in Mahwah just up the highway but it was another guitarist with history in the Garden State who took the spotlight for the night's final two numbers. Joe Walsh - notably of The Eagles and The James Gang - was the special guest O'Neill mentioned at the break. The former Montclair, New Jersey resident gave a shout-out to his old high school and proceeded to play two of his biggest songs. "Life's Been Good" and "Rocky Mountain Way" were performed in faithful fashion with enhancemant that only TSO could offer. Could a celebrity CD with famous musicians be far off? The TSO concert on 12/12/2009 explored an array of moods moving from dark to delightful with the lasers, lights and pyro propelling each piece. The myriad of musicians added to the complexity and color of the compositions, yet solos and singing still stood out. Trans-Siberian Orchestra was total sensory overload and soon they will be one for all seasons. In 2010, they will head out with their first non-holiday tour in support of Night Castle. Who would have thought that a progressive rock ensemble centered around operatic heavy metal would be one of America's biggest bands heading into the new decade? Sounds like a Christmas miracle come true!
 The new long-awaited Night Castle CD was released in October 2009. Related Links: For more information on TRANS SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- Trans-Siberian.com | NightCastleAlbum.com | BUY Night Castle | JoeWalsh.com | IzodCenter.com
Originally Published: 12/13/2009 on Kweevak.com |
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