Trans-Siberian Orchestra was formed in 1996 by Paul O'Neill who immediately approached long time friends and collaborators Robert Kinkel and Jon Oliva (Savatage, Doctor Butcher) to form the core of the writing team. While producing and writing for a number of years with various rock groups Paul was always looking for ways to make the music have greater emotional impact. He tried to write the music that was so melodic it didn't need lyrics. And lyrics that were so poetic that they didn't need music but once you put the two of them together, the sum of the parts would be greater than the whole, and you couldn't imagine them apart. Once he'd done this, he was still looking for a way to take it to even greater heights and he realized that putting the songs within the context of a story would give it a third dimension that would make that additional emotional impact possible. Hence, he started writing not just albums, but rock operas.
CHRISTMAS EVE AND OTHER STORIES (1996) LAVA
Post Script
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Line-up: Paul O'Neill - Rhythm Guitars Robert Kinkel - Piano & Keyboards John Middleton - Bass Jon Oliva - Piano, Keyboards, Bass Guitars Al Pitrelli - Lead, Rhythm and Bass Guitar Jeff Plate - Drums Mary Wooten - Cello Solo John Clark - French Horn Solo Vocal Solos: John Margolis, Marlene Daniele, Michael Fawcette, Thomas Faresse, Ken Williams, Babi Floyd Vocal Back-ups: Zak Stevens, Nancy Jackson, Peggy Harley, Latasha Spencer, Danielle Lander, Jeffrey Stackhouse, Timothy Carosi, Peter Valentine Child Choir: Anthony Piccolo (Conductor), Joseph Murray, Adrian Ross, Nigel Tangredi, Warren Wilson, Beth Butler, Cabiria Jacobson, Rachel Rosenfield, Caroline Ross |
Trans-Siberian Orchestra might be a somewhat odd addition to my collection. They are by no means a heavy metal act. They are not even hard rock. In fact, they don't even have a steady line-up. Trans-Siberian Orchestra is the brainchild of producer/songwriter Paul O'Neill. It is his vision to take the concept of rock operas to a wider audience. So he takes the best musicians he sees fit, and put them together with the best vocalists for the parts, and he creates music that defies labeling. 'Christmas Eve And Other Stories' is of course a concept album. What it is all about can be read by clicking on the album cover. The music is orchestrated, symphonic rock with choir arrangements. Imagine a whole bunch of classic Christmas tunes played with electric guitars. My initial interest in Trans-Siberian Orchestra lies of course in the fact that most of the members from Savatage have contributed either musically or vocally. Heck, the whole idea for this concept started out with the tune "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24", which is also featured on the Savatage album 'Dead Winter Dead'. 'Christmas Eve And Other Stories' is not so grandiose as I hoped it would be. There are far too many instrumental tracks featured, and vocally it is not as strong as it could have been. I mean, a track like "O Holy Night" usually gives me Goosebumps when sung right, but here it doesn't impress me much at all. It is a fine album to put on as background music during the Christmas season. But I rarely sit myself down to listen to it as I would most of my other CD's.
My CD is signed by various members of Savatage.
THE
CHRISTMAS ATTIC (1998) ATLANTIC/LAVA
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Line-up: Paul O'Neill - Rhythm Guitars Robert Kinkel - Piano & Keyboards John Middleton - Bass Jon Oliva - Piano, Keyboards, Bass Guitars Al Pitrelli - Lead, Rhythm and Bass Guitar Jeff Plate - Drums Chris Cafferty - Rhythm Guitars Vocal Solos: Jody Ashworth, Joe Cerisano, Katrina Chester, Marlene Danielle, Thomas Faresse, Peggy Harley, Daryl B.Pediford Vocal Back-ups: Latasha Jordan (Coordinator), Peggy Harley, Robert Kinkel, ;aurice Lauchner, Al Pitrelli, Jon Oliva, Timara Sanders, Zak Stevens, Doug Thoms, Yolanda Wyns Child Choir: Dan Moriarty (Conductor), Marilina Acosta, Brendan Burgess, Julian Drabik, Shoshana Frishberg, Julia George, Jack Gibson, Nina Gottlieb, Erick Hernandez, Anton Spivack |
The first Trans-Siberian Orchestra CD, and more so the show, was a great success in the US. They were even featured on TV, playing at ,amongst others, the Letterman show. So 2 years later Paul O'Neill and the gang are at it again. Another Christmas story (read it by clicking on the album cover), and even more musicians and vocalists. 'The Christmas Attic' doesn't stray much from the original idea, and I don't see it as better or worse than it's predecessor. It's cool to have at least a couple of Christmas albums even I can enjoy.
BEETHOVEN'S
LAST NIGHT (2000) LAVA/ATLANTIC
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Line-up: Paul O'Neill - Rhythm and Acoustic Guitars Robert Kinkel - Piano & Keyboards Johnny Lee Middleton - Bass Jon Oliva - Piano, Keyboards, Bass Guitars Al Pitrelli - Lead, Rhythm and Bass Guitar Jeff Plate - Drums Chris Cafferty - Guitars Dave Wittman - Drum, Guitar and Bass inserts Vocal Solos: Jody Ashworth (Beethoven), Jon Oliva (Mephistopheles), Guy Lemonnier (Young Beethoven), Jamie Torcellini (Twist), Sylvia Tosun (Fate), Zak Stevens, Dave Diamond and Doug Thomas (The Muses) Vocal Back-ups: Danielle Landherr, Marni Elliot, Sylvia Tosun, Robert Kinkel, Jon Oliva, Guy Lemonnier, Jody Ashworth, Doug Thoms, Christian James Child Choir: Dan Moriarty (Conductor), Jacob Ashworth, Evan Maltby, Sebastian Perez, Caroline Ross, Mikhail Kofman, Adrian Ross Violins, Violas & Cellos: Todd Reynolds, Paul Woodiel, Mary Rowell, Laura Seaton-Finn, Denise Stillwell, Mark Wood, Mark Ferris, Garo Yellin, Jonas Tauber, Dorothy Lawson |
Initially the Christmas concept was meant to be a trilogy. But suddenly Paul O'Neill decides to venture away from that idea, and make a concept about Beethoven instead. And I for one applauds that thought. You can only make so many interesting albums about Christmas. To me 'Beethoven's Last Night' is Trans-Siberian Orchestra'a finest moment so far. The concept is much more interesting (read the story by clicking on the album cover), and there aren't too many instrumental tracks. The characters involved are also better defined in that the particular vocalists portray different characters. Having Jon Oliva as Mephistopheles is of course a splendid idea! So I would recommend this album as a start to get to know this odd rock-orchestra.
Jon Oliva guest appearances:
Seven Witches - 'Xiled To Infinity And One'
Rough Silk - Symphony Of Life
- 'Watching In Silence' (as writer)
Chris Caffery - 'W.A.R.P.E.D.'
Chris Caffery - 'Pins And
Needles' (as writer)
Chris Caffery guest appearances:
Doro - 'Fight'
Circle II Circle - 'Watching In Silence' (as writer)
Eidolon - 'The Parallel Otherworld'
Joe Cerisano guest appearances:
Liberty N' Justice - 'Soundtrack Of A Soul'
Kelly Keeling guest appearances:
Liberty N' Justice - 'Independence Day'
Related artists:
Savatage, Doctor Butcher, Jon Oliva's Pain, Chris Caffery, Circle II Circle, Metalium, Megadeth, Widowmaker, Alice Cooper, Metal Church