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Concert Review: Trans-Siberian Orchestra – 4/27/11
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
4/27/11
Pensacola Civic Center in Pensacola, Florida
My second time seeing TSO and understandably the show was a bit scaled back compared to what they do on their winter tours. Oh, don’t worry, they still have the full orchestra and band, smoke, fire, lazers, video screens, etc. It was just a smaller stage than when I saw them back in 2009 and that’s not because the Civic Center couldn’t handle a full show. As far as I know, the “Beethoven’s Last Night Tour” is the group’s first non-holiday tour so while they can pack ‘em in during the holidays, they were probably just being cautious as to how well this tour will be received. I was actually a bit surprised to see them only making use of about a fourth of the arena. It was packed though so I would estimate around 3,000 people were there since the entire arena holds up to 12,000.
Obviously, being called the “Beethoven’s Last Night Tour”, the majority of the evening was devoted to the Beethoven’s Last Night album that was released in 2000 (which was their first non-holiday album). I have never heard that album in its entirety but I think anyone who is a fan of their holiday shows would also enjoy the music here. It’s all done in the same rock/metal/classical style, it just isn’t about Christmas.
I knew Beethoven’s Last Night probably wasn’t going to be the whole show and luckily it wasn’t. For the encore, things got a bit heavier as the band played a few numbers from Night Castle and also a few Savatage songs as well (“Sleep” and “Chance”). The Beethoven was filled with tons of great songs but I really like all the encore numbers just because they were much heavier and darker. That’s when TSO really showed their heavy metal roots and reminded you that without Savatage, TSO may have never existed.
As for the performances, of course everyone was spot-on all night long. The core of Trans-Siberian Orchestra is Savatage so there was Al Pitrelli & Chris Caffery on guitar, Jeff Plate on drums and Johnny Lee Middleton on bass. I gotta say it was great seeing Pitrelli live, that guy is a monster (as one point during the Beethoven part of the show, he stopped to play a little Hendrix). The last time I saw TSO it was Caffery & Skolnick. Also, another highlight was seeing THE Jeff Scott Soto in person. He played the part of Mephistopheles and what a voice! He also came out for the encore and sang “Another Way You Can Die”. Two other great vocalists I should point out are Rob Evan (who played Beethoven) and Andrew Ross. Narrator Bryan Hicks did a tremendous job as well.
All the other musicians were fantastic like violinist Roddy Chong and all the female vocalists were mind-blowingly good (and sexy!) as well. Everyone is worth mentioning by name but you must forgive me because I can’t seem to find any tour credits at this moment.
While the entire Beethoven album is littered with many great songs, I have to say the encore is what I liked best. I love it when TSO gets fast and furious and heavy and that did definitely that. And it’s a good thing they chose to close the show with a cover of Savatage’s “Chance” because that song is an absolute show-stopper. Everyone came out on stage and it was a great way to cap off the night.
Set List:
Overture
Midnight
Fate
What Good This Deafness
Mephistopheles
What Is Eternal
Mozart and Memories
Vienna
Mozart / Figaro
The Dreams of Candlelight
Requiem (The Fifth)
The Dark
Für Elise
After the Fall
A Last Illusion
This Is Who You Are
Beethoven
Misery
Who Is This Child
A Final Dream
Encore:
Toccata – Carpimus Noctem
The Mountain
Sleep
Better Listen To This
Another Way You Can Die
Carmina Burana
Chance
Like this:
JON OLIVA’S PAIN – Festival
Jon Oliva’s Pain – Festival (2010, AFM records)
1. “Lies” … 6:19
2. “Death Rides A Black Horse” … 6:15
3. “Festival” … 5:00
4. “Afterglow” … 6:50
5. “Living On The Edge” … 5:11
6. “Looking For Nothing” … 3:05
7. “The Evil Within” … 5:15
8. “Winter Haven” … 7:39
9. “I Fear You” … 5:11
10. “Now” … 4:22
Band:
Jon Oliva – Lead Vocals, Piano, Guitar, Keyboards
Matt Laporte – Guitar, Hammered Dulcimer, Backing Vocals
Tom McDine – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Kevin Rothney – Bass, Backing Vocals
Christopher Kinder – Drums, Percussions, Backing Vocals
Additional Musicians:
Howard Helm – Piano, Keyboards
Casey Grillo – Percussion
Jason Blackerby – Percussion
Tom Morris – Guitar
Jim Morris – Guitar
Laurien Moahi – Guitar
Dana Piper – Guitar
Producer: Christopher Kinder, Jon Oliva and Tom Morris
Thanks to AFM I had a digital copy of this album at my disposal but didn’t bother listening to it because I wanted to actually buy the CD because I’m a fan of Oliva’s vocals and early Savatage albums. I’ve listened to it a number of times and have been sitting on this review for quite some time. I think Savatage itself is an acquired taste but there’s just something about Jon’s work outside of Savatage that I have a hard time getting into. I didn’t think Doctor Butcher was all that great and I felt the same about the debut JOP album ‘Tage Mahal. After that initial disappointment, I didn’t bother with 2006′s Maniacal Renderings. I had good intentions to pick up 2008′s Global Warning because the reviews were so positive but I never did. Well, I finally get around to picking up another “Pain” album and it’s actually pretty decent and I’m enjoying much more than the first release.
With the continued success of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, a reunited Savatage is unlikely anytime soon so by Jon’s own admission this is about the closest to Savatage as fans are gonna get in terms of sound, if not band members. I have to say that I agree when it comes to Festival, there are many Savatage worthy moments to be found on this disc.
Most of this album is very dark & heavy throughout, there’s not a lot of melodic, mid-tempo numbers and that’s a good thing in my book because that’s when Jon begins to lose me. The album only slows up for the ballad “Looking For Nothing”, goes mid tempo for “Winter Haven” (though that song starts to get a bit heavier towards the end) and “Now” sounds like a lost TSO song complete with orchestrations. The rest of the album features Jon’s trademark wail (with hasn’t lost a step over the years) and some nice heavy riffs. As with previous albums, many of these songs were developed with or based around ideas and recordings Jon had kicked around with his late brother Criss (along with a few unused TSO ideas too). The song “Festival” has parts going all the way back to 1979!
If we can’t have Savatage, Festival is a good consolation because the spirit of that band lives on within these songs.
The CD is an “enhanced” one, featuring live clips, video footage with Jon talking about the album, photos and wallpaper.
Highlights: “Lies”, “Death Rides A Black Horse”, “Festival”, “Afterglow”, “Living On The Edge”
JON OLIVA’S PAIN – ‘Tage Mahal
Jon Oliva’s Pain – ‘Tage Mahal (2004, SPV/Steamhammer Records)
1. “The Dark” … 5:11
2. “People Say – Gimme Some Hell” … 4:08
3. “Guardian Of Forever” … 7:44
4. “Slipping Away” … 4:29
5. “Walk Alone” … 4:32
6. “The Nonsensible Ravings Of The Lunatic Mind” … 5:31
7. “No Escape” … 3:23
8. “Father, Son, Holy Ghost” … 5:54
9. “All The Time” … 4:58
10. “Nowhere To Run” … 5:23
11. “Pain” … 3:13
12. “Outside The Door” … 4:00
13. “Fly Away” … 4:11
Band:
Jon Oliva – Vocals, Keyboards
Matt LaPorte – Guitars
Kevin Rothney – Bass
Christopher Kinder – Drums
John Zahner – Keyboards
Additional Musicians:
Steve Wacholz – Drums (“No Escape” and “Nowhere to Run”)
Producer: Jon Oliva & Paul O’Neill
This is the debut from Jon Oliva’s post-Savatage band and I was pretty excited to get this album. I think I picked it up about a year or so after its release, but I was becoming a big Savatage fan by that point. I’ve seen plenty of reviews claiming this to be basically be an unofficial Savatage album and I suppose that’s true, but it doesn’t hold a candle to earlier Savatage releases. Or so I thought when I first heard it. Honestly, I thought the album was garbage and I gave it only a few spins before throwing it into my ever-increasing pile of CDs soon to be forgotten.
I much prefer what-you-see-is-what you get heavy metal of their earlier years over the dramatic, melodic stuff they would later go on to do. From Streets onward, they’re just a totally different band to me that I have no interest in, so expectations were high for ‘Tage Mahal now that Oliva was on his own (even if O’Neill hung around as producer).
Looking back, it isn’t as bad as I remember it being because there are a number of bright spots. The problem I have with the album really boils down to Paul O’Neill, I think. The album is too melodic and there are too many slow spots and it’s just overproduced and too majestic sounding for its own good at times. I’ve read later Savatage described as “Broadway metal” and I guess that fits because this album is a follow-up of that era of the band and not their earlier sound. It has that TSO vibe to it, which is fine for TSO but I’d rather Oliva got back to his heavy metal roots for this one.
Call it thumbs in the middle for this one. A few songs show some heavy metal fire, but the rest is a bit pompous and bloated.
Many of these songs were fleshed out from incomplete works that Jon had worked on with his brother, the late Criss Oliva.
Highlights: “The Dark”, “People Say – Gimme Some Hell”, “Slipping Away”, “The Nonsensible Ravings Of The Lunatic Mind”, “No Escape”
TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA – Night Castle
Trans-Siberian Orchestra – Night Castle (2009, Atlantic Records)
DISC 1
1.”Night Enchanted” (5:46)
2. “Childhood Dreams” (4:25)
3. “Sparks” (6:00)
4. “The Mountain” (4:53)
5. “Night Castle” (3:57)
6. “The Safest Way Into Tomorrow” (4:57)
7. “Mozart And Memories” (5:16)
8. “Another Way You Can Die” (3:54)
9. “Toccata-Carpimus Noctem” (4:01)
10. “The Lion’s Roar” (4:35)
11. “Dreams We Conceive” (5:12)
12. “Mother And Son” (0:40)
13. “There Was A Life” (9:35)
DISC 2
1. “Moonlight And Madness” (5:04)
2. “Time Floats On” (3:37)
3. “Epiphany” (10:56)
4. “Bach Lullaby” (0:49)
6. “Father, Son & Holy Ghost” (6:48)
7. “Remnants Of A Lullaby” (3:10)
8. “The Safest Way Into Tomorrow (Reprise)” (1:43)
9. “Embers” (3:53)
BONUS TRACKS
10. “Child Of The Night” (3:29)
11. “Believe” (6:12)
12. “Nutrocker” (4:07)
13. “Carmina Burana” (2:44)
14. “Tracers” (05:47)
Selected Musicians:
Jay Pierce, Tim Hockenberry, Jeff Scott Soto, Rob Evan, Jennifer Cella, Alexa Goddard, Valentina Porter – Lead Vocals
Paul O’Neill, Chris Caffery, Angus Clark, Alex Skolnick, Al Pitrelli, Dave Wittman – Guitars
Chris Altenhoff, Johnny Lee Middleton, Dave Wittman – Bass
John O. Reilly, Jeff Plate, Dave Wittman – Drums
Robert Kinkel, Jon Oliva, Luci Butler, Shih-Yi Chiang, Derek Wieland – Keyboards
Roddy Chong, Anna Phoebe – Violin
Producer: Paul O’Neill & Robert Kinkel
After having seen TSO in concert, I was pretty hyped up on them and bought this album when it came out. They played a number of these songs during the second half of the concert and I loved it because many of these numbers are dark and certainly heavier than their usual Christmas-inspired songs. Sadly, I don’t think this side of TSO will catch on if crowd reaction was any indication on the night I intended. The first act was Christmas, the second act was entirely from this album, I believe, and a small number of people walked out once it was apparent the holiday music was over.
Points to mastermind Paul O’Neill and the rest for having the guts to try something different again and not rely on Christmas. A TSO Christmas album is basically guaranteed to go platinum, but I think gold is a nice goal for this particular album.
The problem I have with TSO is that I think they do too many slow and soft numbers. I don’t like those at all, I zone out. Heavy and faster numbers like “Night Enchanted” and “Another Way You Can Die” are really fun though and I think those two songs maybe some the heaviest songs they’ve done yet as they flirt with heavy metal. “Night Enchanted” is a great way to kick off the album and let people know “this isn’t Christmas”. I’m sure there’s some concept behind this album, but I don’t really care about it. In fact, when it comes to concept albums, the more the story is thrown into my face, the less I care about the album.
In what (I think) is a first, TSO covers Savatage: “The Mountain” is a reworking of “Prelude to Madness” from Hall of the Mountain King, bonus track “Believe” is from Streets: A Rock Opera, parts of “The Lion’s Roar” were taken from “Temptation Revelation” also from Streets: A Rock Opera, “Mozart and Memories” was originally “Mozart and Madness” from Gutter Ballet.
The packaging features some pretty cool illustrations from Greg Hildebrandt. I recognized the artwork from the concert and this album thanks to his days illustrating the Marvel Masterpieces trading card series back in the ’90s!
The first disc is definitely my favorite of the two. That’s where the faster, heavier, harder songs lie. Disc two is almost entirely ballads, though all of the bonus tracks are really good.
Definitely a good album, but it’s an exhaustive listen with way too many slow moment. I wish they would release a 100% symphonic rock album and leave the ballads at home. I would also love for Jon Oliva to sing a tune as well since he helps write a lot of the music anyway.
Highlights: “Night Enchanted”, “The Mountain”, “Night Castle”, “Mozart and Memories”, “Toccata-Carpimus Noctem”, “Moonlight and Madness”, “Child of the Night”, “Nutrocker”, “Carmina Burana”, “Tracers”
Concert Review: Trans-Siberian Orchestra – 11/02/09
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
11/02/09
Breslin Student Events Center at MSU in East Lansing, Michigan
Though I own a TSO album, I never really got into it, but I sure did try to given the Savatage connection. Trans-Siberian Orchestra has always seemed like a group that would be more fun to see live and after last night’s amazing show, that is 100% confirmed. And what better night to go than on my birthday?
This was probably the best concert experience I’ve ever had. The place was a sellout, but TSO definitely brings in a different demographic than Avenged Sevenfold, KISS or Motley Crue does so I didn’t have to worry about any idiots getting on my nerves.
Sometimes when you go to shows, the sound isn’t so well. I’ve seen plenty of rock bands perform with the guitar way too much in the mix and they’re basically all you can hear but last night everything just about perfect. No screeching guitars, no bass or drums that rattled your ears so much you get vertigo, everything was spot on for the most part, but funny enough — I thought the guitars were a tiny bit low in the mix. Other than that minor quibble, guitarists Chris Caffery and Alex Skolnick were amazing all night.
I know people are going to want to know the set list from me, but I can’t tell you that. I’m not familiar enough with their music and I can’t find any other recent set lists online to get an idea, but the first half of the show focused on Christmas and the majority of the second half featured many songs from their latest album Night Castle.
As much as I loved the Christmas stuff, there were quite a few ballads in that portion that kind of bored me. Most of the second half was amazing though, the show got darker and heavier. After the Christmas portion was finished, a number of people began leaving. I guess those old-timers just wanted Christmas music, but you’re only getting half your money’s worth! For a rock/metal fan, the second half was definitely the best.
The stage production was amazing too, probably the best concert I’ve ever seen. Lasers, smoke, “snow”, tons of video screens, flames (green, orange and blue!). It was a great spectacle. I was surprised by how much they were able to fit into Breslin.
Overall, whether you’re a fan of Christmas, symphonies, hard rock or all of the above — TSO is a great way to spend the holidays and fantastic way to get your fix. Highly recommended. I believe this is at least the third year in a row they’ve come to Breslin, if they come again next year, I’ll be sure to be there.
SAVATAGE – Power of the Night
Savatage – Power of the Night (1985, Atlantic Records)
1. “Power of the Night” … 5:12
2. “Unusual” … 4:23
3. “Warriors” … 4:00
4. “Necrophilia” … 3:35
5. “Washed Out” … 2:13
6. “Hard for Love” … 3:57
7. “Fountain of Youth” … 4:28
8. “Skull Session” … 3:18
9. “Stuck on You” … 3:06
10. “In the Dream” … 4:10
Band:
Jon Oliva – Vocals, Keyboards
Criss Oliva – Guitars
Keith Collins – Bass
Steve Wacholz – Drums
Producer: Max Norman
This was the band’s third release and it really signaled the changes to come over the band’s next two releases. I can definitely hear similarities here to what I believe is their best effort — 1987′s Hall of the Mountain King.
Also, “Hard for Love” is a fairly commercial effort, giving another taste of the future when the band would follow this release up the very next year with the mainstream hard rock sounds of Fight for the Rock. Not that I’m complaining though, it’s a darn catchy piece of almost hair metal. The rest of the album does not follow that format, it’s power metal through and through.
Though respected, this album generally doesn’t seem to rank amongst the best of the Savatage albums. I’m not sure why. There’s some filler here but “Power of the Night”, “”Warriors”, “Unusual” and “Necrophilia” are classic Savatage tracks.
Highlights: “Power of the Night”, “Unusual”, “Warriors”, “Necrophilia”, “Hard for Love”, “In the Dream”
SAVATAGE – Gutter Ballet
Savatage – Gutter Ballet (1989, Atlantic Records)
Track Listing:
1. “Of Rage and War” … 4:47
2. “Gutter Ballet” … 6:20
3. “Temptation Revelation” … 2:56
4. “When the Crowds Are Gone” … 5:45
5. “Silk and Steel” … 2:56
6. “She’s in Love” … 3:51
7. “Hounds” … 6:27
8. “The Unholy” … 4:37
9. “Mentally Yours” … 5:19
10. “Summer’s Rain” … 4:33
11. “Thorazine Shuffle” … 4:43
Band:
Jon Oliva – Vocals, Piano
Criss Oliva – Guitar
Chris Caffery – Guitar, Keyboard
Johnny Lee Middleton – Bass
Steve Wacholz – Drums
Produced by: Paul O’Neill
A great & worthy follow-up to the excellent Hall of the Mountain King. This would be Savatage’s final album before they got too smart and serious for their own good (in my opinion) starting with 1991′s Streets: A Rock Opera.
Supposedly, “Thorazine Shuffle” was a “bonus” track for cassette and CD pressings of this album.
Highlights: “Of Rage and War”, “Gutter Ballet”, “When the Crowds Are Gone”, “She’s in Love”, “Hounds”, “Summer’s Rain”
www.savatage.com
www.myspace.com/savatage
SAVATAGE – Hall of the Mountain King
Savatage – Hall of the Mountain King (1987, Atlantic Records)
Track Listing:
1. “24 Hrs. Ago” … 4:56
2. “Beyond the Doors of the Dark” … 5:07
3. “Legions” … 4:57
4. “Strange Wings” … 3:45
5. “Prelude to Madness” … 3:13
6. “Hall of the Mountain King” … 5:55
7. “Price You Pay” … 3:51
8. “White Witch” … 3:31
9. “Last Dawn” …1:15
10. “Devastation” … 3:37
Band:
Jon Oliva – Lead Vocals, Piano
Criss Oliva – Guitar
Johnny Lee Middleton – Bass, Backing Vocals
Steve Wacholz – Drums
Robert Kinkel – Keyboards
Produced by: Paul O’Neill
My favorite Savatage release and one of my favorite albums ever. It was the first Savatage album I tried and that was because it was the cheapest Savatage album I could find at FYE one day. I think it had the “NICE PRICE” of $9.99. Score!
I was blown away by this album and I still am to this day. Creepy and atmospheric, nothing before or since by the band has come close to this release, IMO.
My favorite track is “Hall of the Mountain King” where Jon Oliva really goes insane.
Highlights: Everything, one of the best albums I’ve ever heard
