Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Josh and I went to a concert of theirs last night. We've heard some of their music before, so we were really excited to get the tickets and hear some early Christmas music. Overall, I'd give it a B+, and here's the reason why. The beginning and the end were A+, but the middle stuff was plbt! The beginning was awesome. They played traditional Christmas songs but with their own flair. There was a storyline too, which I only partially followed. The narrator had a wonderful bass voice and it boomed through the arena. They used lasers and moving lights and even fire to enhance the program. The guys must get so worn out when they play, cause they were running across the stage and moving to their own beat. We heard familiar tunes like God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Joy to the World, Carol of the Bells, and Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

The stuff we didn't like was in the middle. They had these soloists, and I didn't like their voices. Besides, I couldn't understand what some of them sang, cause they were just screaming into the microphone. There were two soloists that I did like, and these men had really good voices. There were also these girls that sang too, and danced, so they reminded us of go-go dancers or something. The songs in the middle were still Christmas ones I think, but they weren't traditional. They were ones they made up, and it seemed like every other one was about someone in a bar on Christmas Eve. I guess it went along with the story they were telling. Oh, there was this one soloist who sang for like 10 minutes! Every time we thought he was done, he start up on another verse. We clapped when he finished, mainly because we were glad he was done :)

One of the guitar players introduced the band. He donned a Buckeye jersey too, so we all cheered of course :). There were 2 pianists, several guitarists (one had a double ax), a violinist (who had a glow-in-the-dark violin), and a drummer. He had a solo section and he was awesome! He played so fast and precise--I wish I had rhythm like that. Anyway, there aren't too many in this "orchestra," but they also used local musicians in the program, so there was a stringed section that added to the sound. I think their name is kind of deceiving, cause they aren't really an orchestra. They are a rock band with a piano and violin, plus the extras the locals they use when they travel.

The second part of the program wasn't Christmas songs. They did some modern ones that I didn't recognize, except for Rolling Down the River--I knew that one. They also did some classical pieces, like Canon in D and Flight of the Bumblebee. So overall, we liked it, except for those soloists in the middle. We definitely got our money's worth, cause it was three hours long! And we didn't pay an arm and a leg for tickets, so we were glad about that, seeing as we didn't like all of it.

It was quite loud, of course, and we were a couple rows from the back, but we had no problem seeing. I'm glad we were so far back, cause once they started, I thought, Hey, is this good for the baby? So I was a little worried about that at first, but Josh assured me that it wasn't bad. But he gave me his coat to put over my belly to muffle the noise anyway :) I did look up some stuff online today, and it said, don't make a habit of going to loud concerts when you're pregnant, and I don't plan to, so I feel a little better. The sounds I hear aren't as loud as the baby hears. And speaking of the baby, he decided to move a couple times! That's right, I felt him twice. The first time felt like a flutter, and I know I felt that a couple weeks ago when I was directing choir practice. At that time, I wasn't sure if that was the baby, but my suspicions are confirmed. The second time he moved it was more like a kick. I could almost imagine his little foot kicking me, probably in protest over the noise :)

Oh yeah, the other day, I bought a handful of outfits for my little guy, and I've been told by both grandmas that I'm not allowed to buy anymore clothes for him :). Don't worry, I've run out of coupons, so I won't be running out to the store anytime soon :)