The roots of TSO are found in Savatage, a traditional heavy metal band that gradually progressed into a symphonic metal act. Savatage's rock operas, starting with STREETS, began the experimentation with what would become TSO culminating on the track "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)" from DEAD WINTER DEAD. This track was a minor hit for the struggling band, and demonstrated that there might be an audience for the symphonic metal approach to holiday themes.
The concept for a band playing Christmas carols in a rock opera style was not received warmly by the industry, but quickly proved a success with adults as well as young people. In the recording studio, Trans-Siberian Orchestra uses a full 60-piece orchestra and a choir.
As of 2004, their touring band included 14 vocalists, 14 musicians, and 2 narrators. Trans-Siberian Orchestra released their debut album Christmas Eve and Other Stories in 1996, and it remains their best-selling album. Their 1998 release The Christmas Attic was similarly a concept album with a Christmas theme. In 2000, they released their first non-Christmas album, Beethoven's Last Night. Beethoven's Last Night is a concept album about Ludwig van Beethoven's last night on earth, during which he meets Mephistopheles (possible Satan, or one of his underlings).
After a few years of touring, they returned to the studio with another full-length album, Lost Christmas Eve, and the accompanying DVD/3-CD release The Christmas Trilogy, which contained all three of their Christmas albums to date.
During their winter tours of 2005 and 2006, the band had announced that they were working on the new album, set to release later that year (this was said both years). During the summer of 2007, the official myspace for TSO stated that they were recording, with the expression 'inspired'. Finally, on October 27, 2007, the long awaited new album (and second non-Christmas) arrived "Night Castle". The album is another concept album, spanning 2 cd's, and is the telling of the story of a soldier's experience during the Killing Fields of the Khmer Rouge. As always, it's about faith, hope, fate and the inherent belief that there is good in all people. The album was received with mixed reviews, from the praise of the band's fans, to the near burning of albums by those that are less than receptive to the album. Along with the songs for the story, the album also includes 4 tracks that are not part of the story, and yes, it features the band's rendition of "Carmina Burana (O Fortuna)", performed as a preview by the band during their winter tours, as well as one cover of a Savatage song.
http://www.trans-siberian.com
http://www.nightcastlealbum.com
http://www.myspace.com/tsoofficial
Christmas Jazz
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Lyrics
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Read some notes off a music page
And added a little bit of jazz
A sound that never seems to age
The above lyrics from Trans-Siberian Orchestra's song Christmas Jazz describe the addition of jazz music to a Christmas song. The guitarist and bass player read music notes off a sheet and added their own jazz style to the track. Jazz music is known for its improvisation and unique instrumentation, and it's a sound that never gets old. In the context of this song, the addition of jazz gives a fresh and modern twist to traditional holiday music.
The lyrics also hint at the collaborative nature of music-making. A guitarist and bass player working together to create a new sound embodies the spirit of collaboration and creativity that is often present in music-making. The act of reading notes off a page and improvising upon them is a skill that takes years of practice to cultivate, and the resulting music can be truly magical.
Line by Line Meaning
Then a guitarist and a bass player
Following the previous musical act, two musicians armed with a guitar and a bass guitar step up on the stage to perform a musical composition.
Read some notes off a music page
The guitarist and bass player retrieve sheet music containing the musical notes they will play during their performance.
And added a little bit of jazz
The two musicians incorporate elements of jazz music into their performance, adding a dash of improvisation and syncopation to the melody.
A sound that never seems to age
The incorporation of jazz into the performance creates a timeless sound, one that never goes out of style despite the passing of years and changes in musical tastes.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL O'NEILL, PAUL F. O'NEILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind