a really really fun surprise...

i had a really unexpected treat last weekend when my friend missy asked me to join her at a trans-siberian orchestra concert...i had of course heard the version of "carol of the bells" they do and loved it, but i really did not know what i was getting into. having seen mannaheim steamroller a couple years ago (cheesy but enjoyable), i didn't know that a "christmas" show could be a tried-and-true rock concert. truly i tell you, this show was incredible. not that i have been to a huge number of rock concerts, but i have seen supposedly one of the best, green day--but in terms of effects, people being suspended from the ceiling, lighting , and pyrotechincs, TSO was so much cooler than i can even describe. i am also no expert on musicality, but i can tell you that they were just so so so skilled. about every song i thought it was the finale because it just kept getting more and more elaborate--and then all the sudden they said it was time to really start "blowing things up!" more reflectively, it was not only wildly entertaining but also incredibly appropriate--i mean, if you think about what "joy to the world" truly means, there may not be a better way to describe the power of that than with an electric guitar. so, just throwing it out there that if these guys are ever coming your way, DO NOT pass up the chance to see them live...thanks again SO MUCH missy! (ps--there are some pretty good youtube videos of their concerts if you want to get an idea).