Were You There?
December 23, 2001
Trans Siberian Orchestra Christmas Tour

I have just returned home from the TSO concert at the Beacon Theatre in NYC, and though I have now seen 15 of the shows in 12 venues, I have held off posting my 'review.' I have to include some of me in it, and that has not ever been easy for me. However, this needs to be written, so here I go.

I am not, never have been, and most probably never will be a fan of the 'rock' genre. I am an old dog, and you know we do not learn new tricks easily, if at all. It is loud, it has a fantastic light show, it is ROCK, and it is a new world for Robert Evan to visit! He sings, he prances (yes 'prances') around the smoky stages as if he had been there for a long time. This consummate talented performer fits right in. He has a range of more than THREE octaves in the number from "Beethoven's Last Night" (maybe even 4 octaves). His voice, his eyes, his demeanor takes on the darkness of tormented genius as he sings this aria. His lyric ability shows in his presentation of the 'Angel' segments of the concert, and his 'Christmas in the Air' brings the show to a close with panache, and the roar of the audience!

Have you perhaps, dear readers, decided that I have enjoyed myself? Ahh, yes. I have enjoyed the travel, enjoyed the people, enjoyed the music (yes!), and enjoyed watching Rob find a new way to present himself to a new audience, with the easy grace and incredible talent we have always gotten from him.

Objective, perhaps not. True, definitely so.

Linda Russak