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Big Christmas, TSO style
(11/15)
Thursday, November 15, 2007 10:24 AM
CST
Plumes of flame, pyrotechnics and a boggling
laser light show aren't usually found in your run-of-the-mill
Christmas concert, but, then again, the Trans Siberian
Orchestra isn't your run-of-the-mill ... uh, orchestra ... er,
prog rock band ... um, both. Lawrence Welk, this is
not.
Ever since TSO's “Christmas Eve Sarajevo 12/24”
hit radio years back, I've been mildly fascinated by their
melding of mainstream and metal. When a generous soul -
thanks, Patty - offered me tickets to their Jackson show this
past weekend, I was curious to see how the live version
compares to the recordings.
My friend who was to
accompany me is currently studying the viola. She heard the
word “orchestra,” and became enthused about seeing the Russian
violin section. It soon became clear to me that she was
totally unfamiliar with TSO. I sensed a rude awakening ahead.
With the caveat to expect more rock opera than Rachmaninoff,
we hit the road to see what we would see.
The crowd
pouring into the Mississippi Coliseum was testament to the
wide appeal Trans Siberian has built over the past decade.
Fans aged 7 to 70, dressed in everything from jeans to
sequins, flocked to their seats. A middle-aged suburbanite
couple sat to our left; a pair of headbangers in all-black and
chains sat directly behind. It was that kind of
night.
With the first notes, TSO staked out their
frenetic ground with bombastic volume, smoke machines, and a
pulsating light display. In the first break when we could hear
ourselves, my shell-shocked viola-loving friend mumbled
something. I think I heard the words “artillery range.”
The Trans Siberian Orchestra is, indeed, what
some might deem the brainchild of mad musical scientists.
Birthed in 1996 by former Aerosmith and Humble Pie producer
Paul O'Neill, with Savatage lead singer Jon Oliva and composer
Robert Kinkel, TSO aspired to tread where heavy metal had not
gone before - marrying classical and traditional music to
original symphonic rock, adding storylines of magic and
angels, and wrapping it all up with Christmas bows.
The
resulting holiday concept albums - “Christmas Eve & Other
Stories,” “The Christmas Attic,” “The Lost Christmas Eve” -
have sold millions of albums and generated millions for
charities. The band systematically donates one dollar of every
ticket sold to area charities. Before this concert, TSO reps
presented a check for almost $4,000 to a Jackson
organization.
And while it may take a moment to come to
terms with “Joy to the World” or “O Holy Night” punctuated
with electric guitar riffs by long-haired tuxedo'd rockers and
shapely female violinists in tights dashing from one end of
the stage to the other, you will also be awed by this massive
production that employs approximately 100 crew, 14 vocalists,
14 musicians and a staggering barrage of technical
wizardry.
Don't be surprised to shed a tear or two when
Bart Shatto sings of the magic of Christmas inside an “Old
City Bar.” Don't be afraid when hot jets of flame leap up
within the audience in time to the music. Don't be startled
when “snow” begins falling from high above. Don't be shocked
to hear “Rollin' on the River,” or “Layla” ... or Beethoven's
Fifth, or Rimsey-Korsakov's “Flight of the
Bumblebee.”
So, okay, some of you may find parts of the
show over-the-top, and maybe a few elements area a tad cheesy
at times. But the Trans Siberian Orchestra is creating music
no one else can lay claim to. And, eleven years down the road,
they're still living up to what they set out to do when
choosing a name inspired by Russia's Trans Siberian Railway
... connecting cultures that would otherwise remain
isolated.
TSO's next regional appearances are Dec. 20 at
the Fed Ex Forum in Memphis, Tenn., and Dec. 31 at the
Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham, Ala.
And, of course, you will no doubt be hearing them on the radio
this holiday season.
For the
cats
And wolves, and horses, and dogs. Young Agent
Jones, Alta State Blues Band, and Starkville's Rick's Cafe
come together Friday night to benefit the Cedarhill Animal
Sanctuary located near Columbus. The sanctuary, under the
direction of Kay McElroy, does a phenomenal job of providing a
safe and caring home to rescued animals of all shapes, sizes
and disabilities.
A minimum donation of $7 gets you in
the 18+ show. The bands are generously donating their
performances, so all of the door proceeds directly benefit
Cedarhill. Alta State goes on near 9:30 p.m.; Young Agent
Jones is expected to take the stage around
11:15.
A slideshow and video of Cedarhill's
residents, including Phoebe, the tiger needing a new
enclosure, will be up on Rick's video screens during the
evening, so you'll be able to see exactly where your
much-needed dollars are going.
Can't stay up that late?
Then please visit http://www.cedrhill.org/
to make a donation online and meet some of the animals who
could use your help.
Blind
Melon
They were one of the strongest emerging alt rock
bands of the '90s. Three of their members - Glen Graham, Brad
Smith and Rogers Stevens - were from Columbus and West Point.
They garnered two Grammy nominations in '94, and their
signature “No Rain” went platinum four times over before the
dream came to an end with lead singer Shannon Hoon's demise in
‘95.
As I've mentioned here lately, the
original members have reformed, with Texan Travis Warren as
lead singer. Notable news this week is that their first tour
in years will bring them to Mississippi. Blind Melon will be
in concert at Rick's Cafe Dec. 11. Check http://www.rickscafe.net/
for ticket sales or call (662)
323-7425.
CAC sponsors art
trip
The Columbus Arts Council invites you to enjoy a
day-trip to Jackson Dec. 13 to view the “God & Man, Angels
in Italian Art” exhibit at the Mississippi Museum of Art. The
outing includes roundtrip luxury motor coach transportation,
lunch, a tour of the Eudora Welty Home and Gardens, and a
shopping stop at the trendy Historic Fondren
District.
The inclusive cost is $109 per person. Space
is limited; please call (662) 328-2787 by Wednesday, Nov. 21
to reserve seats. If this innovative idea takes hold, more art
day-trips can be planned.
In other holiday news, the
CAC Gallery Committee is sponsoring a competition for original
handmade Christmas ornaments. Cash prizes range from $15 to
$75, and winners in student and adult categories will be
announced at Wassail Fest Dec. 7.
The ornaments will be
on sale in the gallery through the end of December, along with
the eclectic selection of paintings, jewelry, pottery and
other specialty items in the Starving Artist exhibit at the
Rosenzweig Arts Center at 501 Main Street. Christmas shopping,
anyone?
Briefly
... The Mississippi State
University Lyceum Series presents “Gypsy” tonight at Lee Hall
Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. ...
... The MSU Jazz Band
is in concert at Lee Hall Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m. ...
...
West Point's Center Stage Auditorium hosts the University of
Alabama's “Hilaritas” Dec. 1, 7 p.m. Tickets are $15, on in
Columbus at WCBI, in Starkville at Giggleswick, and in West
Point at Petal Pushers ...
... Christmas with the Aaron
Neville Quintet comes to Tupelo's BancorpSouth Arena Dec.
11, 7:30 p.m. $75 VIP tickets include an exclusive preshow
party and premium seats; other tickets are $30 and $40. Call
(662) 841-6573 or visit http://www.bcsarena.com/
...
Jan Swoope can be e-mailed at MSJANS113@aol.com or
reached at 327-7820.
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