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What would happen if members of Savatage decided to write some Christmas songs? Easy: Trans-Siberian Orchestra. This "supergroup" is the brainchild of Jon Oliva and Paul O'Neill (respectively the leader-keyboardist and the producer of Savatage). They hired Al Pitrelli (Asia, Savatage) to play guitars, Robert Kinkel to help with keyboards, John Middleton (also a member of Savatage) on bass, and Jeff Plate on drums. Lead vocals are shared by six vocalists, while some of the backing vocals are handled by Savatage lead singer Zachary Stevens. Christmas Eve and Other Stories is a concept album: all the songs are built as chapters of a book, each telling part of a larger story. The plot here is of a young angel sent down to Earth to find and bring back to the Lord "the one thing that best represents everything good that has been done in the name of this day." The angel's quest takes him all over the world, through Russia and Sarajevo, until he finally hears the prayer of a father. This last piece is the strongest moment on the album and makes for a miniature story within the larger story. It is basically told in a trilogy of songs: in the first, "Ornament," we hear the father's prayer, explaining how he hasn't seen his daughter in many years. In "Old City Bar," the angel finds the daughter, standing alone outside a bar, and talks to the bartender who, out of a random act of kindness, takes all the cash from his register drawer and gives it to the girl so she can go home. The third song, "This Christmas Day," has the father praising God, thanking him for bringing his daughter back to him on this night of all nights. It is a very touching story, pondering the thought that "If you want to arrange it/This world you can change it/If we could somehow make this/Christmas thing last/By helping a neighbor/Or even a stranger." Musically, the band has taken some traditional Christmas songs ("O Come All Ye Faithful," "O Holy Night," "The First Noel") and mixed in some modern rock music. The result is stunning and very impressive. It is filled with energy that simply blows you away. The already classic "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24" is a gripping instrumental based on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" (although you might have to listen carefully to hear it). Fans of progressive music should like this one. And if you're into the more recent works of Savatage (like Handful of Rain or Dead Winter Dead) you'll really love this.
© Alex S. Garcia /TiVo
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Warren Wilson, Choir - Ken Williams, Vocals - Jon Oliva, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Piano - Paul O'Neill, Producer, Guitar, Writer - Franz Xaver Gruber, Writer - Mary Wooten, Cello - John Clark, Horn - Trans-Siberian Orchestra, MainArtist - OLIVA, Writer - Babi Floyd, Vocals - Latasha Spencer, Backing Vocals - Al Pitrelli, Bass Guitar - Danielle Landherr, Backing Vocals - Jeff Plate, Drums - Johnny Lee Middleton, Bass Guitar - Robert Kinkel, Keyboards, Piano, Co- Producer - Zak Stevens, Backing Vocals - Peggy Harley, Backing Vocals - Adrian Ross, Choir - Peter Valentine, Backing Vocals - Caroline Ross, Choir - Joseph Murray, Choir - Nancy Jackson, Backing Vocals - John Margolis, Vocals - Marlene Danielle, Vocals - Nigel Tangredi, Choir - Beth Butler, Choir - Cabiria Jacobson, Choir - Rachel Rosenfield, Choir - Jeffrey Stackhouse, Backing Vocals - Michael Fawcette, Vocals - Thomas Faresse, Vocals - Timothy Carosi, Backing Vocals
© 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Jon Oliva, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Piano - Paul O'Neill, Producer, Guitar, Writer - Mary Wooten, Cello - John Clark, Horn - Trans-Siberian Orchestra, MainArtist - Kinkel, Writer - Al Pitrelli, Bass Guitar - Jeff Plate, Drums - Johnny Lee Middleton, Bass Guitar - Robert Kinkel, Keyboards, Piano, Co- Producer - Reading, Writer
© 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Warren Wilson, Choir - Ken Williams, Vocals - Jon Oliva, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Piano - Paul O'Neill, Producer, Guitar, Writer - Mary Wooten, Cello - John Clark, Horn - Trans-Siberian Orchestra, MainArtist - Babi Floyd, Vocals - Latasha Spencer, Backing Vocals - Al Pitrelli, Bass Guitar - Danielle Landherr, Backing Vocals - Jeff Plate, Drums - Johnny Lee Middleton, Bass Guitar - Robert Kinkel, Keyboards, Piano, Co- Producer - Zak Stevens, Backing Vocals - Peggy Harley, Backing Vocals - Adrian Ross, Choir - Peter Valentine, Backing Vocals - Caroline Ross, Choir - Joseph Murray, Choir - Nancy Jackson, Backing Vocals - John Margolis, Vocals - Marlene Danielle, Vocals - Nigel Tangredi, Choir - Beth Butler, Choir - Cabiria Jacobson, Choir - Rachel Rosenfield, Choir - Jeffrey Stackhouse, Backing Vocals - Michael Fawcette, Vocals - Thomas Faresse, Vocals - Timothy Carosi, Backing Vocals
© 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Jon Oliva, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Piano - Paul O'Neill, Producer, Guitar, Writer - Mary Wooten, Cello - John Clark, Horn - Trans-Siberian Orchestra, MainArtist - Al Pitrelli, Bass Guitar - Jeff Plate, Drums - Johnny Lee Middleton, Bass Guitar - Robert Kinkel, Keyboards, Piano, Co- Producer
© 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Jon Oliva, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Piano - Paul O'Neill, Producer, Guitar, Writer - Mary Wooten, Cello - John Clark, Horn - Trans-Siberian Orchestra, MainArtist - Al Pitrelli, Bass Guitar - Jeff Plate, Drums - Johnny Lee Middleton, Bass Guitar - Robert Kinkel, Keyboards, Piano, Co- Producer
© 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Jon Oliva, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Piano - Paul O'Neill, Producer, Guitar, Writer - Mary Wooten, Cello - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Writer - John Clark, Horn - Trans-Siberian Orchestra, MainArtist - Kinkel, Writer - Al Pitrelli, Bass Guitar - Jeff Plate, Drums - Johnny Lee Middleton, Bass Guitar - Robert Kinkel, Keyboards, Piano, Co- Producer
© 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Warren Wilson, Choir - Ken Williams, Vocals - Jon Oliva, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Piano - Felix Mendelssohn, Writer - Paul O'Neill, Producer, Guitar, Writer - Wesley, Writer - Mary Wooten, Cello - John Clark, Horn - Trans-Siberian Orchestra, MainArtist - Babi Floyd, Vocals - Latasha Spencer, Backing Vocals - Al Pitrelli, Bass Guitar - Danielle Landherr, Backing Vocals - Jeff Plate, Drums - Johnny Lee Middleton, Bass Guitar - Robert Kinkel, Keyboards, Piano, Co- Producer - Zak Stevens, Backing Vocals - Peggy Harley, Backing Vocals - Adrian Ross, Choir - Peter Valentine, Backing Vocals - Caroline Ross, Choir - Joseph Murray, Choir - Nancy Jackson, Backing Vocals - John Margolis, Vocals - Marlene Danielle, Vocals - Nigel Tangredi, Choir - Beth Butler, Choir - Cabiria Jacobson, Choir - Rachel Rosenfield, Choir - Jeffrey Stackhouse, Backing Vocals - Michael Fawcette, Vocals - Thomas Faresse, Vocals - Timothy Carosi, Backing Vocals
© 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Jon Oliva, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Piano - Paul O'Neill, Producer, Guitar, Writer - Mary Wooten, Cello - John Clark, Horn - Trans-Siberian Orchestra, MainArtist - Al Pitrelli, Bass Guitar - Jeff Plate, Drums - Johnny Lee Middleton, Bass Guitar - Robert Kinkel, Keyboards, Piano, Writer, Co- Producer - John Oliva, Writer
© 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Warren Wilson, Choir - Ken Williams, Vocals - Jon Oliva, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Piano - Paul O'Neill, Producer, Guitar, Writer - Lowell Mason, Writer - Mary Wooten, Cello - John Clark, Horn - Trans-Siberian Orchestra, MainArtist - Babi Floyd, Vocals - Latasha Spencer, Backing Vocals - Al Pitrelli, Bass Guitar - Danielle Landherr, Backing Vocals - Jeff Plate, Drums - Johnny Lee Middleton, Bass Guitar - Robert Kinkel, Keyboards, Piano, Writer, Co- Producer - Zak Stevens, Backing Vocals - Peggy Harley, Backing Vocals - Adrian Ross, Choir - Peter Valentine, Backing Vocals - Caroline Ross, Choir - Joseph Murray, Choir - Nancy Jackson, Backing Vocals - John Margolis, Vocals - Marlene Danielle, Vocals - Nigel Tangredi, Choir - Beth Butler, Choir - Cabiria Jacobson, Choir - Rachel Rosenfield, Choir - Jeffrey Stackhouse, Backing Vocals - Michael Fawcette, Vocals - Thomas Faresse, Vocals - Timothy Carosi, Backing Vocals
© 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Warren Wilson, Choir - Ken Williams, Vocals - Jon Oliva, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Piano - Paul O'Neill, Producer, Guitar, Writer - Mary Wooten, Cello - John Clark, Horn - Trans-Siberian Orchestra, MainArtist - OLIVA, Writer - Babi Floyd, Vocals - Latasha Spencer, Backing Vocals - Al Pitrelli, Bass Guitar - Danielle Landherr, Backing Vocals - Jeff Plate, Drums - Johnny Lee Middleton, Bass Guitar - Robert Kinkel, Keyboards, Piano, Co- Producer - Zak Stevens, Backing Vocals - Peggy Harley, Backing Vocals - Adrian Ross, Choir - Peter Valentine, Backing Vocals - Caroline Ross, Choir - Joseph Murray, Choir - Nancy Jackson, Backing Vocals - John Margolis, Vocals - Marlene Danielle, Vocals - Nigel Tangredi, Choir - Beth Butler, Choir - Cabiria Jacobson, Choir - Rachel Rosenfield, Choir - Jeffrey Stackhouse, Backing Vocals - Michael Fawcette, Vocals - Thomas Faresse, Vocals - Timothy Carosi, Backing Vocals
© 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Jon Oliva, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Piano - Paul O'Neill, Producer, Guitar, Writer - Mary Wooten, Cello - John Clark, Horn - Trans-Siberian Orchestra, MainArtist - Al Pitrelli, Bass Guitar - Jeff Plate, Drums - Johnny Lee Middleton, Bass Guitar - Robert Kinkel, Keyboards, Piano, Co- Producer
© 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Warren Wilson, Choir - Ken Williams, Vocals - Jon Oliva, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Piano - Paul O'Neill, Producer, Guitar, Writer - Mary Wooten, Cello - John Clark, Horn - Trans-Siberian Orchestra, MainArtist - Babi Floyd, Vocals - Latasha Spencer, Backing Vocals - Al Pitrelli, Bass Guitar - Danielle Landherr, Backing Vocals - Jeff Plate, Drums - Johnny Lee Middleton, Bass Guitar - Robert Kinkel, Keyboards, Piano, Co- Producer - Zak Stevens, Backing Vocals - Peggy Harley, Backing Vocals - Adrian Ross, Choir - Peter Valentine, Backing Vocals - Caroline Ross, Choir - Joseph Murray, Choir - Nancy Jackson, Backing Vocals - John Margolis, Vocals - Marlene Danielle, Vocals - Nigel Tangredi, Choir - Beth Butler, Choir - Cabiria Jacobson, Choir - Rachel Rosenfield, Choir - Jeffrey Stackhouse, Backing Vocals - Michael Fawcette, Vocals - Thomas Faresse, Vocals - Timothy Carosi, Backing Vocals
© 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Warren Wilson, Choir - Ken Williams, Vocals - Jon Oliva, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Piano - Paul O'Neill, Producer, Guitar, Writer - Mary Wooten, Cello - John Clark, Horn - Trans-Siberian Orchestra, MainArtist - Babi Floyd, Vocals - Latasha Spencer, Backing Vocals - Al Pitrelli, Bass Guitar - Danielle Landherr, Backing Vocals - Jeff Plate, Drums - Johnny Lee Middleton, Bass Guitar - Robert Kinkel, Keyboards, Piano, Writer, Co- Producer - Zak Stevens, Backing Vocals - Peggy Harley, Backing Vocals - Adrian Ross, Choir - Peter Valentine, Backing Vocals - Caroline Ross, Choir - John Oliva, Writer - Joseph Murray, Choir - Nancy Jackson, Backing Vocals - John Margolis, Vocals - Marlene Danielle, Vocals - Nigel Tangredi, Choir - Beth Butler, Choir - Cabiria Jacobson, Choir - Rachel Rosenfield, Choir - Jeffrey Stackhouse, Backing Vocals - Michael Fawcette, Vocals - Thomas Faresse, Vocals - Timothy Carosi, Backing Vocals
© 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Warren Wilson, Choir - Ken Williams, Vocals - Jon Oliva, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Piano - Paul O'Neill, Producer, Guitar, Writer - Mary Wooten, Cello - John Clark, Horn - Trans-Siberian Orchestra, MainArtist - Babi Floyd, Vocals - Latasha Spencer, Backing Vocals - Al Pitrelli, Bass Guitar - Danielle Landherr, Backing Vocals - Jeff Plate, Drums - Johnny Lee Middleton, Bass Guitar - Robert Kinkel, Keyboards, Piano, Writer, Co- Producer - Zak Stevens, Backing Vocals - Peggy Harley, Backing Vocals - Adrian Ross, Choir - Peter Valentine, Backing Vocals - Caroline Ross, Choir - John Oliva, Writer - Joseph Murray, Choir - Nancy Jackson, Backing Vocals - John Margolis, Vocals - Marlene Danielle, Vocals - Nigel Tangredi, Choir - Beth Butler, Choir - Cabiria Jacobson, Choir - Rachel Rosenfield, Choir - Jeffrey Stackhouse, Backing Vocals - Michael Fawcette, Vocals - Thomas Faresse, Vocals - Timothy Carosi, Backing Vocals
© 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Warren Wilson, Choir - Ken Williams, Vocals - Jon Oliva, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Piano - Paul O'Neill, Producer, Guitar, Writer - Mary Wooten, Cello - John Clark, Horn - Trans-Siberian Orchestra, MainArtist - OLIVA, Writer - Babi Floyd, Vocals - Latasha Spencer, Backing Vocals - Al Pitrelli, Bass Guitar - Danielle Landherr, Backing Vocals - Jeff Plate, Drums - Johnny Lee Middleton, Bass Guitar - Robert Kinkel, Keyboards, Piano, Co- Producer - Zak Stevens, Backing Vocals - Peggy Harley, Backing Vocals - Adrian Ross, Choir - Peter Valentine, Backing Vocals - Caroline Ross, Choir - Joseph Murray, Choir - Nancy Jackson, Backing Vocals - John Margolis, Vocals - Marlene Danielle, Vocals - Nigel Tangredi, Choir - Beth Butler, Choir - Cabiria Jacobson, Choir - Rachel Rosenfield, Choir - Jeffrey Stackhouse, Backing Vocals - Michael Fawcette, Vocals - Thomas Faresse, Vocals - Timothy Carosi, Backing Vocals
© 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Warren Wilson, Choir - Ken Williams, Vocals - Jon Oliva, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Piano - Silverstein, Writer - Paul O'Neill, Producer, Guitar, Writer - Mary Wooten, Cello - John Clark, Horn - Trans-Siberian Orchestra, MainArtist - Kinkel, Writer - Babi Floyd, Vocals - Latasha Spencer, Background Vocals - Al Pitrelli, Bass Guitar - Danielle Landherr, Background Vocals - Jeff Plate, Drums - Johnny Lee Middleton, Bass Guitar - Robert Kinkel, Keyboards, Piano, Co- Producer - Zak Stevens, Background Vocals - Reading, Writer - Peggy Harley, Background Vocals - Adrian Ross, Choir - Peter Valentine, Background Vocals - Caroline Ross, Choir - Joseph Murray, Choir - Nancy Jackson, Background Vocals - John Margolis, Vocals - Marlene Danielle, Vocals - Nigel Tangredi, Choir - Beth Butler, Choir - Cabiria Jacobson, Choir - Rachel Rosenfield, Choir - Jeffrey Stackhouse, Background Vocals - Michael Fawcette, Vocals - Thomas Faresse, Vocals - Timothy Carosi, Background Vocals
© 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Warren Wilson, Choir - Ken Williams, Vocals - Jon Oliva, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Piano - Paul O'Neill, Producer, Guitar - Mary Wooten, Cello - John Clark, Horn - Tradional, Writer - Brian Scott Bennett, Writer - Trans-Siberian Orchestra, MainArtist - Babi Floyd, Vocals - Latasha Spencer, Background Vocals - Al Pitrelli, Bass Guitar - Danielle Landherr, Background Vocals - Jeff Plate, Drums - Johnny Lee Middleton, Bass Guitar - Robert Kinkel, Keyboards, Piano, Co- Producer - Zak Stevens, Background Vocals - Peggy Harley, Background Vocals - Adrian Ross, Choir - Peter Valentine, Background Vocals - Caroline Ross, Choir - Joseph Murray, Choir - Nancy Jackson, Background Vocals - John Margolis, Vocals - Marlene Danielle, Vocals - Nigel Tangredi, Choir - Beth Butler, Choir - Cabiria Jacobson, Choir - Rachel Rosenfield, Choir - Jeffrey Stackhouse, Background Vocals - Michael Fawcette, Vocals - Thomas Faresse, Vocals - Timothy Carosi, Background Vocals
© 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Album review
What would happen if members of Savatage decided to write some Christmas songs? Easy: Trans-Siberian Orchestra. This "supergroup" is the brainchild of Jon Oliva and Paul O'Neill (respectively the leader-keyboardist and the producer of Savatage). They hired Al Pitrelli (Asia, Savatage) to play guitars, Robert Kinkel to help with keyboards, John Middleton (also a member of Savatage) on bass, and Jeff Plate on drums. Lead vocals are shared by six vocalists, while some of the backing vocals are handled by Savatage lead singer Zachary Stevens. Christmas Eve and Other Stories is a concept album: all the songs are built as chapters of a book, each telling part of a larger story. The plot here is of a young angel sent down to Earth to find and bring back to the Lord "the one thing that best represents everything good that has been done in the name of this day." The angel's quest takes him all over the world, through Russia and Sarajevo, until he finally hears the prayer of a father. This last piece is the strongest moment on the album and makes for a miniature story within the larger story. It is basically told in a trilogy of songs: in the first, "Ornament," we hear the father's prayer, explaining how he hasn't seen his daughter in many years. In "Old City Bar," the angel finds the daughter, standing alone outside a bar, and talks to the bartender who, out of a random act of kindness, takes all the cash from his register drawer and gives it to the girl so she can go home. The third song, "This Christmas Day," has the father praising God, thanking him for bringing his daughter back to him on this night of all nights. It is a very touching story, pondering the thought that "If you want to arrange it/This world you can change it/If we could somehow make this/Christmas thing last/By helping a neighbor/Or even a stranger." Musically, the band has taken some traditional Christmas songs ("O Come All Ye Faithful," "O Holy Night," "The First Noel") and mixed in some modern rock music. The result is stunning and very impressive. It is filled with energy that simply blows you away. The already classic "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24" is a gripping instrumental based on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" (although you might have to listen carefully to hear it). Fans of progressive music should like this one. And if you're into the more recent works of Savatage (like Handful of Rain or Dead Winter Dead) you'll really love this.
© Alex S. Garcia /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 17 track(s)
- Total length: 01:02:03
- 1 Digital booklet
- Main artists: Trans-Siberian Orchestra
- Label: Lava - Atlantic
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 1996 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
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