Customer Reviews

The Christmas Trilogy (3CD/DVD)

5 star:		(151)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This set is the one to buy if you like Trans-Siberian Orchestra(TSO). My only complaint is that Amazon doesn't label the DVD that comes with it, they just call it an extra DVD, I thought it'd have behind-the-scenes info and stuff like that, so I bought TSO's DVD movie, The Ghost Of Christmas Eve, the only problem with that is, the "extra DVD" in this trilogy is in fact The Ghost Of Christmas Eve. So, if you, like me, want to buy all the discs that TSO has out, then don't buy The Ghost Of Christmas Eve separately, it comes with this trilogy.

Hard rock. Christmas.

These simply don't seem to go together. After all, Christmas music is usually fluffy, syrupy stuff about decking the halls, trimming the tree, and spending time with your family, et cetera. They play it in malls, and after a few hundred chirrupy renditions of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," you're ready to gnaw the tinsel off the walls.

But Trans-Siberian Orchestra breaks all the rules of Christmas music. Producer Paul O'Neill and Jon Oliva teamed up to create this trilogy of hard-rock, orchestral Christmas albums, which bring back the splendour and beauty that every Christmas album should have, but few do.

The three albums -- "Christmas Eve and Other Stories," "The Christmas Attic" and "The Lost Christmas Eve" -- are each a self-contained story, with a little booklet that tells the story that each song accompanies. These stories almost border on goop (mentally challenged children, sad angels, loneliness on Christmas) but never goes over the border. It sounds cliched, but occasionally it will wring a tear from your eye.

If it were just about hard-rock carols, this would be interesting but not really worthwhile. But there is a surprising innocence and awe in this music. No, it probably WON'T change your life, but it is truly unique. O'Neill and Oliva don't shy away from religious stories, and the baroque flavour of their arrangements gives it the feel of something timeless that was only recently dug up.

It also pushes some musical boundaries -- it's not truly prog, metal, classical, new age, or hard-rock. Instead, it mixes roiling guitars with sparkling bells, angelic vocals with bombastic fury, classical orchestra with languid basslines. It could use a bit less of the power-metal vibe, but once you get used to it, it shouldn't be a problem.

Christmas music has become stale over the years, with singers recycling the same old bland tunes. But Trans-Siberian Orchestra's "Christmas Trilogy" brings vibrancy, energy, and a kind of rockin' sweetness back into holiday music. Enchanting.

This 3 cd 1 dvd set is well worth the money.The music is just so very good,it seems like it would be as if God himself directed this prodution.The power, passion and musical talents of all these people is astounding.It brings the true message of Christmas front and center although it is such good music it could be listened to year round.Buy this you will like it, I sure have.

I got some of the Trans Siberian Orchestra music last year. My whole family liked it. My 7-year old grandson fell in love the the DVD and took my copy home with him. Their music is very uplifting for my wife and myself who are past middle age!

The music is very good, I have no issues with the quality of the download or the albums themselves. I Thought this was a great deal because I was under the understanding that the $27.99 that I spent was for three mp3 albums and a DVD file, just like the hard copy version offered. I even read the reviews to confirm it. All of the reviews for the mp3 download referenced the DVD. After I downloaded the album, I realized that instead of the DVD file I got a lame video book. So for two dollars more I could have gotten the hard copies of the CDs and the DVD that they are charging 9.99 to download or ship to you. If I had it to do again, I would have gone that route.

In my cheap skate mind I have been tricked into spending $8.00 more for the product that I originally wanted. Now it is not such a good deal. The labels and the fact the they mix the reviews together are very misleading. If the hard copies and the mp3 set are different products, why do they have the same reviews? The way that this mp3 set was market is very disappointing.

I have every CD that TSO has made along with the DVD. Our family makes sure that we attend their concert every year no matter if we have to travel 2-3 hours to see it. It can not be explained, you have to see it live. It is the most wonderful show. We have taken both of our daughters and their families down to our grandchildren. The children sit there with their mouths open at the music and light show and singers and musicians. They love it. At the end of the first show they went to, our little granddaughter was standing on her seat clapping and yelling MORE,MORE! My husband and I are 57 and 59 years old and won't miss any of their shows. They are the best!

From the minute the first note of the first cd strikes out of your speakers, you are going to be not only impressed but hooked!
Classic tunes given a superb modern lift combined with fanstastic new scores make this set a must have for anyone who likes easy rock. Do not let the name fool TS Orchestra fool you....this is not an orchestra you might expect:-)
I never thought I would see rock fused with classical instruments so well.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra is the most meaningful use of Christmas-themed music that I have ever had the pleasure to hear. This collection, which includes much of their studio work and a phenomenal DVD, is the perfect introduction to the world of TSO, that you'll find yourself listening to all year round.

TSO's music satisfies the 'theme-album' classical prog-rock lover in me (in the tradition of ELP, ELO, Yes and others), but more importantly, it gives the gift of putting the magic back into Christmas music. I had tears in my eyes when I first viewed the DVD, which gives you an idea of how they perform their shows, in the form of a touching story coupled with unbelievable performances.

The only thing better than having this collection would be to see their shows. Their amazing light show/stage productions easily pick up where Pink Floyd left off, and I never thought this was possible. It goes beyond that, and takes you back to your childhood, when the fantasy of lights, sounds and storytelling was still met with awe and wonder. It's ageless, timeless, and yet a product of modern technology that anyone of any age will find fascinating.

A must for all TSO fans. If you are not a TSO fan you will be. The music is inspiring and a great alternative to the same old christmas stuff. You will find that you could listen to this all year round.

A combination of classical orchestra and modern rock blended over three Christmas Eve story lines makes this a must have for your collection. I love it!