Beacon Theatre
NYC
Dec 9, 2003
Demonstrating what music might sound like if electric guitars and modern keyboards were around in Beethoven or Mozart’s time, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra warmed the Beacon Theatre with holiday spirit on its 5th annual tour of Christmas Eve & Other Stories.
Featuring a long-haired, tuxedoed cast of rock musicians, string players, vocalists and a narrator, Producer Paul O’Neill’s symphonic rock show fused elements of hard rock, Broadway, R&B and classical music to tell a story about the true meaning of Christmas.
Positioned against a backdrop of stars and more lights than a church organ has pipes, Trans-Siberian Orchestra performed fragments of holiday standards woven around original compositions, all tied to this season of giving. In this optimistic Christmas world where anything could come true, the music was magnificently unpredictable.
Snippets of Silent Night rang out underneath Roland V-Drums and guitars on "An Angel Came Down," a song sung by vocalist Rob Evan about an angel seeking out good deeds done on earth. The ensemble riffed through an instrumental rendition of "O Come All Ye Faithful/O Holy Night," with soaring guitars enhancing the drama on the highest notes. A Mad Russian’s Christmas, a deliciously psychotic instrumental composition opened delicately with Co-Producer Robert Kinkel’s keys, and then unleashed its dancing string sounds and swirls of energy.
Long Island violinist Mark Wood and guitarist Chris Caffery faced off against bassist Dave Zablidowsky and guitarist Tristan Avakian for a battle of the strings during Nutrocker, Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s rendition of Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s rendition of Tchaikovsky’s "Nutcracker Suite." Another powerful tune included, "Carmina Burana," inspired by the centuries-old writings of a Benedictine monk.
New Jersey soloist Joe Cerisano’s raspy delivery on the tune "Ornament," a melodic rock ballad about being lost, was more than moving. And "Old City Bar," a simple acoustic singer/songwriter number sung by Rob Evan again, also struck a chord throughout the theatre. Anyone who had ever spent a lonely night on a bar stool cheered when Evan sang, “For the rest of the night, no one paid for a drink.”
With a Dr. Seuss-like rhyming pattern, show narrator Bryan Hicks furthered the evening’s storyline in between songs: “It’s in every kindness that we give,” said Hicks about Christmas, “Each simple little act. It’s every gift we give and expect nothing back.”
The obvious highlight for the crowd was the blistering, heavy, instrumental, "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24," the song that inspired this show’s beginning.
“This song was inspired by the true story of a cellist who refused to be intimidated by the gunfire in his native city of Sarajevo,” said O’Neill. “His playing outdoors amidst the shelling all around him represented the defiance of the violence that tore the city to pieces only a few years after it hosted the Olympics.”
Trans-Siberian Orchestra was created in 1996 by O’Neill and writing partners, Kinkel and Jon Oliva.
“The marriage of rock and classical always seemed like a natural to me,” said O’Neill. “In my mind, the first hard rock/heavy metal star was Beethoven. The opening notes of his Fifth Symphony, ‘Da da da dum,’ if they had been written 20 years ago by Ozzy Osbourne for Black Sabbath, they would have fit right in.”
Originally published in The Aquarian Weekly Jan '04.
Video for "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24."
December 10, 2003
October 5, 2003
David Lee Roth - Review
The Beacon Theatre
New York City
David Lee Roth’s sixth solo tour hit the Beacon Theatre in New York City, and as much as I loved Dave with Van Halen, I have to confess, this night they were not missed. This was Diamond Dave’s party. As he put it, “Welcome to Club Dave.” Fans were treated to a night packed with hits from his solo work and the Van Halen years, as well as Dave’s signature quips and raunchy mischief.
Dave hit the stage with "Hot For Teacher" Backed by a great band, the tune demonstrated everyone’s musical chops and signaled where the night was going. With songs like Runnin’ With The Devil, The Cradle Will Rock, Just A Gigolo/I Ain’t Got Nobody, Yankee Rose, California Girls, and You Really Got Me, Dave really had us.
Wearing a black outfit that was a mix between cowboy and road warrior, Dave looked so great to a girl in the front row that she splashed her drink on his pant leg to get his attention. Dave quietly disappeared backstage and reappeared with a full bottle of Jack Daniels. After a quick nip, he held the bottle firmly between his legs and shook it, pouring it all over her. Once she was bathed in whiskey, the flirting started.
“Hey hot stuff,” said Dave. “Can I make a booty call this early in the show? You’re hot enough to make Michael Jackson quit the Boy Scouts.” To another woman he said, “You’ve done more for brunettes than Snow White.”
“Is everybody having a reasonable time so far?” asked Dave several times. Apparently so, because a slightly overweight, intoxicated fan leaped on stage to hug him. With slapstick delivery Dave announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen, a big hand for Sammy Hagar,” which brought roars from the crowd.
One of the best moments all night was right after curtain call when Dave came back with "Jump." Master Dave took a long stick and twirled it around his body just like you've seen a million times on Kung Fu Theatre. His serious and measured discipline was almost as impressive as his exciting vocal performance.
New York City
David Lee Roth’s sixth solo tour hit the Beacon Theatre in New York City, and as much as I loved Dave with Van Halen, I have to confess, this night they were not missed. This was Diamond Dave’s party. As he put it, “Welcome to Club Dave.” Fans were treated to a night packed with hits from his solo work and the Van Halen years, as well as Dave’s signature quips and raunchy mischief.
Dave hit the stage with "Hot For Teacher" Backed by a great band, the tune demonstrated everyone’s musical chops and signaled where the night was going. With songs like Runnin’ With The Devil, The Cradle Will Rock, Just A Gigolo/I Ain’t Got Nobody, Yankee Rose, California Girls, and You Really Got Me, Dave really had us.
Wearing a black outfit that was a mix between cowboy and road warrior, Dave looked so great to a girl in the front row that she splashed her drink on his pant leg to get his attention. Dave quietly disappeared backstage and reappeared with a full bottle of Jack Daniels. After a quick nip, he held the bottle firmly between his legs and shook it, pouring it all over her. Once she was bathed in whiskey, the flirting started.
“Hey hot stuff,” said Dave. “Can I make a booty call this early in the show? You’re hot enough to make Michael Jackson quit the Boy Scouts.” To another woman he said, “You’ve done more for brunettes than Snow White.”
“Is everybody having a reasonable time so far?” asked Dave several times. Apparently so, because a slightly overweight, intoxicated fan leaped on stage to hug him. With slapstick delivery Dave announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen, a big hand for Sammy Hagar,” which brought roars from the crowd.
One of the best moments all night was right after curtain call when Dave came back with "Jump." Master Dave took a long stick and twirled it around his body just like you've seen a million times on Kung Fu Theatre. His serious and measured discipline was almost as impressive as his exciting vocal performance.
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