Comments on: Concert Review: Trans-Siberian Orchestra

By: Diane

Diane — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:38:00 +0000

To Danielle who inquired about the song that was sung by one of the guys with just the guitar–the song is called “Old City Bar”. You should be able to find the words at the TSO website (under lyrics). My hubby and I are 70 and 60 respectively and we see two performances of TSOs a year at different venues. Next year we said we’ll probably take in three shows. Without going out on a limb, this is the biggest rock musical production in the world and we enjoy it more than we can express!

By: Yirmin

Yirmin — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:01:00 +0000

Just saw their show last night… and I knew I was in trouble when the old dude behind me noticed that I had ear plugs and said, “Aw you came prepared, so did I,” and pointed to his sunglasses…. I wasn’t prepared… yes the ear plugs helped to tone down the sound so you could more clearly hear what was going on, but I think I needed a wielders mask to tone down the lights.

The lights were so bright that I found myself closing my eyes during some of the show and simply listening to the music because being 20 feet from the stage where they have strobes lights pointed at your face tends to blind you.

I think I’ll just listen to them at home from now on. I can enjoy just about any type of music… but they don’t seem to realize that loud doesn’t equal good (the show was in an area designed for maximum crowd volume during basketball games, that means it has lot of echo and mega loud music becomes noise)… and bright lights don’t equal a good show. The most enjoyable parts of the show were the times when a member did a solo since it was the only time you could truly hear them play and that only time they seem to hold off on the blinding strobes.

Sometimes less is more… unfortunately TSO doesn’t understand that.

By: Gwen

Gwen — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 02:04:44 +0000

Well, what seems to be lost in this review is that Trans-Siberian Orchestra is about Christmas. Yes, they are rock opera/Christmas but HELLO they tour during Christmas. If you are not about Christmas, which has always had what some label a “sappy story” to tell, then why would you bother going to see this band?

Part of what is wrong with the world today is that we have a select group of people whom seem to think that they have the right to shred honest and worthy works of others. Critics are a dime a dozen, and this critic seems to lack the good taste to know when they have seen/heard something worthwhile. I have little tolerance for the likes of this critic and those whom have jumped on his band-wagon to trash this awesome band. Did your mother not teach you, that if you have nothing nice to say, you should say nothing at all? Or were you raised by the GRINCH? I would imagine the latter would be more likely the case…..

Oh, and to the critic, why don’t you do everyone who likes the band a favor, and stay home next year, so a true fan might sit in your seat? Oh and to the person who thought people were just leaving early in the show….those would have been the people who were in the front of the line for the meet and greet. The first time I went to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra, I thought what is wrong with those people? Don’t they know that the concert is not over yet? But, there they were, after the show the first people in line for the meet and greet. I know this for fact, because the couple who were sitting next to me where the first two people in the incredibly long, long line to meet TSO!

So, go to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra by all means those of you out there who have never been! You will get your money’s worth, and hopefully you will not be seated near a disrespectful critic and his son who choose to laugh at the Christmas story and whine and complain about the group.

By: Pam

Pam — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 01:33:38 +0000

Is it a jeans and t-shirt kind of affair or dress and suit? I’ve heard lots of different opinions on the concert and can’t wait for tomorrow.

By: Edith

Edith — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:27:29 +0000

Saw the awesome concert last night in Memphis and I do mean awesome. This is the most amazing concert I’ve ever been to and I’ve been to a lot. My 14 year old son also loved it. The combination of musicians, singers and lights are spectacular. I must say I felt I received my moneys worth and then some. If you don’t like this concert, then you don’t like rock or classical. They have taken Christmas music to a whole new level. Chrismas “Rocksical” as I like to call it. They are the best of the best. I don’t even want to go see another concert, because after this all other concerts will seem lame. I plan to see them every time they’re in Memphis. TSO – Keep on Rockin’!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Laura

Laura — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:54:50 +0000

It appears that I am the first Knoxville concert goer to post. I agree with most of the things the Nashville folks are saying especially Ron. I was not even aware of who TSO were until the last couple months. One of the cooks in my restaurant began playing them constantly on his ipod and I became interested. When he mentioned they were coming to town I decided to take a chance and make it my Christmas gift to my father who is increasingly impossible to shop for and is a classical music freak. Well, I must say I am now a die hard fan and can not wait to see them again. I will go out of town if necessary. What a group of people! You can tell they’re having an absolute BLAST on stage. And when they announce after the “halftime” that they’re going to “blow some stuff up” when they already kicked butt throughout the first half….well you know you’re in for a treat. The only negatives are a couple times the music tends to drown the singers. Do they miss a note here and there? Sure. It’s a live show! The lights keep moving most of the time so they’re very tolerable. Only a couple times did they just sit in my face (I was in third balcony straight out). I never thought it was too loud. Just a couple times when the electric guitars lingered a few seconds too long. But you pay for a show and you GET A SHOW. With as big a show and arena I truly felt a comraderie among them. It blew my mind and I heard my dad chuckling after the classical bits. It’s nice that a group can appeal to such a broad spectrum of tastes and also deliver a nice Christmas message. Is the first half boring? NO WAY!!! I don’t know what that person saw. Must have been a different concert. Their performance of O Fortuna was simply mesmerizing. I think I had to close my mouth afterwards. Anyway people, please do check these guys out. I think they’re simply amazing, awesome, breathtaking, and any other word you can think of that is almost life changing. I just joined the fan club and am looking forward to the new album. Here’s hoping they continue to include Knoxville on their tour date roster.

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:52:47 +0000

Couple of comments on some previous questions

>>And get this – the backup string section was comprised totally of the Nashville Strings.

Actually, the backup string section is always locally hired musicians, so in Denver it’s the “Denver Strings”, etc. A common practice in the music industry.

>>Can anyone tell me how much of the show is actually live? I know there were several numbers that were but some of the larger light production numbers the timing looked too perfect to be live.

I’m not aware that any of it is recorded. If you look closely, the entire band has ear pieces so I would suspect there are click tracks or other cues that are sent to the band to keep everything in sync when needed.

By: Aaron Baker

Aaron Baker — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 05:32:43 +0000

I think the TSO has enough material for a 30-minute concert but they throw a bunch of other stuff and make it an interminal 3 plus hours. The big numbers are awesome, set is cool, and the lights were incredible. We were in the lower bowl and I didn’t feel like the lights were in my face too much, but sensory overload was definitely happening. The sound was quite good, although any choir vocals were totally garbled. The narrator must have pictures, otherwise he wouldn’t have been on the road with them. I would pay to see their 5 best songs, but I wouldn’t sign up for another entire show, felt really tedious about an hour in–little did I realize that I had another 2 hours to go. Many people around me were leaving or texting much of the way through the show.

By: Tate

Tate — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:15:39 +0000

I was at the Nashville concert yesterday and agree with several postings above. The show was worth the time, and expense. I’m glad I was able to experience it. As mentioned, the direct lights were a bit much but the lasers were great.

Can anyone tell me how much of the show is actually live? I know there were several numbers that were but some of the larger light production numbers the timing looked too perfect to be live.

By: Ron

Ron — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:26:57 +0000

We went to the matinee performance of Trans Siberian Orchestra in Nashville and I must say, if you only have one concert to go to for the rest of your life, make it TSO. The sheer raw talent, showmanship, professionalism and personality they throw out was highlighted by lights, lasers, pyrotechnics, fog, snow and incredible music.

It was nothing like any live performance we’ve seen. To make it more special, at the beginning of the three-hour show, the concert master came out with some of the local DJs and the director of Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and presented a $16,489 check – $1 for each ticket sold.

And get this – the backup string section was comprised totally of the Nashville Strings.

I wish I could be more descriptive, but the pageantry was almost overwhelmingly beyond mortal words. Simply fabulous.

The story-telling by the kindly old gentleman and the convincing song and story by the “hobo” at the first half of the show were superb. The second half is where TSO seriously got down and kicking.

We were third row center. When they came to the edge of the stage, we were about 12 feet away. The lower platforms put them about six feet away, which brought the end of the show gestures even better. Mark Wood came down and presented a young boy his violin bow, and Tommy Farese presented another young boy a guitar signed by what appeared to be the entire band.

Despite what negatives some may have about the show or the band, that was pure class in our my opinion.

It was my Christmas present from my girlfriend and this will go down as the best ever.