Of Beethoven, Bodyguards, and Really Big Hair

Confession: I have now seen the Trans-Siberian orchestra in concert five times. And I intend to see them again this year at their winter concert for concert number six. I saw them last week during their spring tour of "Beethoven's Last Night" and I've just gotta say it was my favorite concert yet. Jeff Scott Soto (a musical crush o' mine) played an epic Mephistopheles complete with the creepiest evil laugh ever and midnight-black nails. I had to fight back tears as Rob Evan (Beethoven) sang "What is Eternal" (waaaay better than the album version, in my opinion). And something hilarious and unexpected to all parties involved occured: One of the girls was singing this really powerful, raw song from the Gutter Ballet about how run down she was from dealing with her current lot in life. Se began singing "I don't care" over and over in this really gut-wrenching way. Right after about the 5th "I don't care," this guy in the audience screamed, "BUT I CARE FOR YOOOOUUUU!" The audience, the band, and the great Al Pitrelli(who was playing acoustic guitar) all lost it, but she kept a straight face and kept on singing. I have no idea how she did that. But alas, the song was over for the rest of us.
After a mix of the complete "Beethoven's Last Night" with some songs from Gutter Ballet and their newest album, "Night Castle," I was a happy camper. I had another good concert to tuck away into my musical memory box.
Aaaaaannnndddd then, to make the concert even more memorable, I met them. After 5 concerts, I can now say I have met a good portion of the members of TSO.

While I did not have a conversation with each of them, I did talk with about 2/3 of them. Vitali, the Ukrainian keyboardist, told me, "I like ze curly hair. It looks veerry nice." I tried to get the nerve to ask him and Mee, the new female keyboardist, how long it took them to get the fast movement of Moonlight Sonata up the full speed, but instead I just stuttered and stumbled my way through the line. And then, there he was, with his massively big hair and black nails. I was face to face with Jeff Scott Soto. His first words: "I like the hair" as he picked up a piece of his own hair. I fought to keep from collapsing while trying to form complete words. "Thank you. I like yours too."

(There are two things JSS could have said to me that would have made my life. One was "Marry me." The other was "I like the hair." Seriously. I'm not making this up.)

After JSS, came Andrew Ross, who seemed a little perturbed at being forced to wait on us to sign autographs. I just smiled and told him, "Y'all did great" which I'm sure he already knew. I guess that was better than, "Fix the attitude, pretty boy." But other than his smelly attitude, everybody else was genuinely nice. I vaguelly remember some of the girl singers and meeting Roddy Chong, the fiddle player, but I was still spinning from my encounter w/ Mr. Soto. (I'm telling you, I am a huge fan.) I should mention that throughout this process, my friend asked me to take some pictures of her, which triggered some bodyguard to tell me not to take anymore picutres till I got to the end of the line- which was funny, because the people behind me were going waay slow, so the band in between had nothing to do. At the end of the meet-and-greet line came the one and only Mr. Al Pitrelli (yes, the same Al Pitrelli from Megadeth). My friend asked him if he had ever had someone ask him to sign a ketchup packet. Apparently he had not, as he and the girl next to him began laughing hysterically, exclaiming how cool it was to sign it and how ketchup was totally their favorite condiment. He told my friend to come around to the other side of the table and asked me to take a picture of them (which I did, even though the bodyguard gave me what might possibly be the worst look I have ever received from anyone I've not known by name. Really, it was so bad, I cropped him out of my pictures.). Al then told me to walk behind the table to take a picture with him, too. (See? Super nice!) I met Mr. Bodyguard face to face and he started scolding me. I simply pointed to Al and said, "He told me to." He had no response and left me alone. Turns out, it pays to have connections.
And so, without further ado, my proof that I a) met TSO and b) completed Task 51 by meeting another celebrity and not offending him or her this time.


(From left to right) One of the female vocalists whose name I do not know, me, the one and only Al Pitrelli.


Me and Jeff Scott Soto

Ode to Perfect-haired Guitarists

Two nights ago I went to a Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert (Task 42). This was my fourth TSO concert, but I left feeling just as awed and shocked as the first time I saw them in 2007. This was the closest I've ever been to the stage though. My mom and I sat on the fifth row and could see their sweat, eyeliner, eyecolor, and inside jokes. I even remember seeing the conductor/guitarist say something to one of the singers, which made her lose her composure to the point she couldn't finish the song without laughing. But there were other singers covering for her. It was pretty funny.

Some might argue that Beethoven would roll over in his grave if he heard TSO's rendition of Moonlight Sonata or Requiem. I disagree. He was a rebel, an envelope-pusher. TSO is the same- they take timeless genius, such as Beethoven's music, and push the boundaries a bit more, all the while remaining true to the music. The viruosity of each musician's technique is jaw-dropping. I am still shocked by the perfection shown by the organ/piano player from the Ukraine (Vladamir?). He took perfect technique up a notch by adding personality. I had never heard the 2nd portion of Moonlight Sonata played that way before, and I will never hear it the same again. As a piano player, musician, and music-affecianado (or however on Earth you spell that), I am forever changed.

On a more superficial, fangirly note: the long-haired guitarists, bassists, and vocalists in their rock-tuxedos and chains made me giggle. One of the vocalists, Jeff Scott Soto, (a long-time favorite of mine) has super-long curly hair. During one of his epic solos, my mom leaned over and said, "You two could do a duet with your hair." Yeah...
And then he sang a song which almost made me cry called "Dreams We Conceive." Which brings me to my next point:

TSO is for all people. Granted, I would not recommend bringing your 6-month old to a concert. (Believe me. It happens.) And, some people might need to be briefed that this is not your stereotypical orchestra (TSO is listed under "Metal" on iTunes). I think the people behind me had no idea what they had gotten themselves into... But the music, the lyrics, the storyline behind each album and within each concert resonates with all different walks of life. As an artist soul, I often find myself getting lost within each album, crying over a lyric, and mesmerized by a new take on a familiar melody.

So, all of this to say, if you get a chance, go see them. You won't regret it.