We have been both fans and supporters of the incredible Trans-Siberian Orchestra since we first heard the signature tune on Savatage’s “Dead Winter Dead” CD so long ago. Our yearly coverage of their show continues below, but we did not get to take any photos of the group in action. Hopefully the article sparks your own interest in attending and trust me its always well worth it.
Artist: Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Venue: Continental Airlines Arena (East Rutherford, NJ)
Date: 12/21/2006
Label: Lava Records
The Holiday season would not be complete without my attending at least one of the area performances of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and by now the group is no longer a mystery to anyone. If you have listened to radio, seen videos and commercials on TV or watched YouTube.com, you have a very clear picture as to who they are and what they do. They have been around ten years now and this year would find no Madison Square Garden show and instead they would perform at both the Nassau Coliseum and the Continental Airlines Arena for the first time. We attended the Continental (or Meadowlands) show for all your eighties rockers, our vantage point would give us a very easy and complete view of the stage and its effects. After the opener of “March Of The Kings” the groups Narrator enters the stage and begins the tale of “Christmas Even And Other Stories”. If this sounds familiar then you are not imagining things for the beginning of the TSO show always follows format and performs their debut release in practically its entirety. It’s a formula that has worked for them, and no one really seems to complain. Over the last couple of years also the group has had some new members in its sometime rotating cast of players and after all these shows and numerous performances I am happy to say that both Jay Pierce and James Robert Lewis are incredible additions to the family. Historically, Jay replaced Daryl Pediford who passed away while Lewis fills in the space where Joe C. used to perform. Once again the players were in top form and this is to be expected for the core musicians in this East Coast Company have been the same for many years with Skolnick, Caffery, Kim, Kinkel, Plate, Z., and Wood. The amount of shows and years of professionalism they all bring to the table have them all making this look quite easy and a whole lot of fun.
Continue reading Trans-Siberian Orchestra @ Continental Airlines Arena (12/21/2006)