October 25, 2008

killin' time

Okay, this happens way more often than I'm comfortable admitting:

I'll follow a link or otherwise end up at YouTube watching a TSO video, and being me, I spend a butt-load of my morning sitting in my pj's watching video after video. I'm a TSO addict (I even have a t-shirt that says so!), and I have an addictive/compulsive personality. Translation: my house could burn down around me, but so long as I have a connection to the internet, nothing can tear me away from the awesomeness that is the Trans-Siberian Orchestra!

So to save you some time and surfing, I've grabbed a few to post here. Although, by all means, spend a little time there yourself. You may want to set a timer first, though.

First vid is of one of my favorite tunes, and includes a lot of elements of the live show that make it so incredible. The lights, the pyro, the production. And just cause I'm a big ole 'mo doesn't mean I don't love me some 80's style hair tossing. I'm not being sarcastic.



This is some footage I found of the New Year's Eve show in Cleveland this past tour. We weren't on the floor, but it gives a good perspective of what to expect when you celebrate TSO-style. They don't do a "little" anything. It was amazing!



This is probably my favorite song, at least live anyway. On the album the song is sung (sang?) by a children's choir, which is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me sometimes. But live, it has a harder edge and is performed by an absolutely outstanding performer named Jennifer Cella. Same thing with Christmas Canon, actually. It was originally a buncha kids singing it, then gained such popularity in the shows with Jen singing the edgier rock version that they re-leased it as Christmas Canon Rock. Love it!



We have to wait until December 30 for them to come to Cleveland this year. Some people gripe that it's "not the same" after Chrismas, but to that I say "Phooey!" I'd watch TSO's Christmas show in July.

...and we got floor seats this year!!!


Edit: I forgot to mention, they shook things up a bit this year concerning the bands. For those that don't know, there are actually two touring companies, and East and West, so they can cover the whole country in such a limited time period.

That being said, the violin and bass player from the East company are playing West this year, while the "Westies" will be playing with our crew. I'm excited, as the bass player will now be one of the founding members (basically the original Savatage crew is playing East this year, for those in the know). The violin player that normally plays East (Mark Wood) is awesome in his own right, but this year we've got Anne Phoebe, who is extremely high energy (been known to kick a guitar player from time to time), so I'm excited about getting to see her.

We'll also be treated, apparently, to an additional violin player on both tours. The rest of the string section is comprised of local musicians in every city. Should be an interesting addition. I smell dueling violin solos....

Unfortunately, the aforementioned Ms. Cella has taken the year off. I'm sad, as she's my favorite, but I'm also excited to see what all the "newbies" will be bringing to the table.

Shit! That wasn't an edit, that was a whole 'nother post!!!

October 1, 2008

just checking in

I know some of you are as addicted to blogs as I am, so I just wanted to pop in and say "hi".

There really hasn't been a whole lot to write about as of late. I have my frustrations and such (that never stops), but nothing I've really felt like opening up about.

I guess I just feel that I owe it to the people who frustrate me to keep my mouth shut until we have a chance to work on it. Pretty strange position for me to be in, considering the rants I've posted in the past, I know.

How sad is it that I only post when I'm angry or upset? Maybe if I learn to share my happy thoughts, I'll have more of them? Who knows?

I used to love to write. About me, about other people, or about completely made up characters. I just don't have it right now though.

I know we constantly evolve in this life, and right now I feel like I'm in a cocoon. I have no idea what I'm going to be when I get out of it, but right now it's frustrating because I can't control it. I have no idea what the end result of the process will be. I also have no idea how long I'll be stuck in this thing before I can stretch out again.

All right, enough prose. The dog hair doesn't seem willing to jump into the vacuum cleaner by itself, so I need to go help it along.