Trans-Siberian Orchestra Winter Tour 2007 Concert Review

Should you have any doubt that the holiday season is upon us, check out the entertainment section of your local newspaper or check the internet. If you see tour dates for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert you will find your answer: yep, it's Christmas time. And what a way to celebrate the season. TSO is renowned for putting together one the most anticipated concert tours of the year. Touring with two troupes of musicians; the West Coast and East Coast they essentially only tour 2/12 months from November to January. If you go to the show you are destined to have a rocking good holiday time. The show however is not your typical 'Holiday' show. There is a theme during much of the concert. You won't hear "Let It Snow," "Rudolph," or any other of the pop holiday fair. But you may hear some of the traditional Christmas carols, usually as instrumentals done up the rock'n'roll way. If you're a fan and have the CD's you already know the basic premise. It is certainly original by rock standards. The synopsis in lyric form which usually vocally opens the show: "An angel came down / One night to the earth / A mission from God / To find out the worth / Of everything that / His children had done / Since that winter night / The birth of His son."

Though you may not think you aren't familiar with Trans music, guess again. If you watch television at all during the holiday months then you're sure to have seen the beer commercial with the house decorated in an elaborate display of lights that dance perfectly to the tune "Wizards In Winter." Yes, that is the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Bravo to the owner of the house. I have to say, I'm glad I'm not your neighbor and I'm glad I don't pay your light bill. It is rather festive though.

Paul O'Neill, the magical wizard in this land of Christmas OZ has always been an original. All of Trans releases (3 Christmas CD's and Beethoven's Last Night) have been fan favorites for years. Trans is one of the few bands that can be heard on traditional rock radio as well as those that cater to holiday music this time of year.