Search - Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 8/31/2019...

Outstanding Christmas music minus Ossie Davis!

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Elizabeth B. (bethieof96) from NINETY SIX, SC
Reviewed on 11/8/2013...

I love this DVD. We watch it every year right after Thanksgiving, it will put you in the mood for Christmas. The filming of it was great and I seriously love the last song on it "SHE'S COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS".
If you have never watched then I would suggest you do. It is well worth the money. We were able to pick it up at a used DVD store. I give it an A+.

3 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.

Melissa S. (lilbookie) from DUNNELLON, FL
Reviewed on 11/30/2011...

This DVD is beautifully done and well worth the watch. In recent years, when I wasn't able to make it to a Christmas Eve Service, I would watch this. Michael Crawford's 'O Holy Night' is beautiful.

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Robert S. (radonfish) from ROGERS, TX
Reviewed on 12/25/2007...

huh?

0 of 9 member(s) found this review helpful.

Spectacular, Phenomenal & Astounding......

C. Pol | Ontario, Canada | 01/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Trans-Siberian Orchestra. One great band, one amazing concept. This DVD contains music taken from the bands first two albums. (Christmas Eve and Other Stories & The Christmas Attic.) The DVD contains a nice mix of the bands original music + a great little story intertwined to go along with it. The story is that of a run-away girl who, to escape the cold one night enters an abandoned theater. Inside she meets The Caretaker, played by Ossie Davis. While inside he introduces her to an amazing show only the likes of angels (actually the spirits and ghosts of the theater) could have performed. The show is that of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. In the act they are joined by Jewel singing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," and by Michael Crawford singing "O Holy Night." The Caretaker uses the imagery of the show to help the girl to change her life. Such songs as "Good King Joy," "Music Box Blues," "This Christmas Day," and "Christmas Canon" are performed to wonderful amazement. As well, on some songs the band is joined by a beautiful children's choir. Hearing them alone will bring a tear to your eye. Some complain about the length of the DVD. Sure, it may only be 46 minutes long, but it is a 46 minute adventure that is well worth it. The disc lacks in the special feature area, but there is a complete discography and a bonus track; the `Timeless Version' of "Christmas In Sarajevo." I highly recommend this DVD. The T.S.O. have done an excellent job of telling a story while showing the kind of music they produce. The tale is heart-warming, the music is emotionally intense and this is one DVD that is good any time of the year. And the best part is that you can share with others besides the ghosts on Christmas Eve."

Better than Manheim Steamroller

Just Bill | 12/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I know a lot of people like Manheim Steamroller, but in my opinion, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is a lot better. I went to
see them in Dayton on November 24th and they know how to put on a
show. This video brings back memories of that concert. From the
beautiful Jewel singing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" to the Broadway legend Michael Crawford singing "O Holy Night", the only
flaw in this video is that it's too short. It's over before you want it to be. Ossie Davis did a great job as the caretaker and the lovely Allie Sheridan did a good job as the runaway girl. All the smiles she had on her face as she watched TSO remind me of the smiles I had watching them perform in concert. This video
is a must have for anyone who loves rock and roll and Christmas music. The video also features the breakthrough music video of
Christas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24. I was almost in tears during the song "This Christmas Day". I highly recommend this video."

Buy the DVD for great Christmas music

zboat | Oregon, USA | 12/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great DVD. I love it. It is better than their live performance. How can this be when other reviewers say they don't compare? Well that's just it, they don't. Let me explain.

I attended TSO's live concert in Portland Oregon. First, know that there are TWO TSO orchestras! According to a TSO spokesperson, their concerts were so popular they split the band in two and created two orchestras so they could give more concerts. This is not necessarily bad, just interesting.

Above all else, TSO is a hard rock band with a heavy metal bent. They perform what is called symphonic rock. But for their traveling band they have only one lead violinist and pick up extra strings locally, and they have no children's choir. In the Portland show the total symphonic component was only about seven or eight strings, mostly violins, which were mostly drowned out by the guitars and keyboards. Their DVD contains a much larger symphonic orchestra with brass and other instruments besides strings.

Their live show is a rock concert. Period. That means very, very, ear-damagingly loud sound popular at rock concerts. Still, their show is very good. The laser light show is excellent and you don't get this on the DVD. Live shows have an energy, enthusiasm, and atmosphere you just can't get on a DVD. So why is the DVD better?

· Better sound mixing. The symphonic element plays a greater role and you can actually hear it distinct from the guitars and keyboards.
· Better sound quality, if you have a good quality 5.1 sound system. You can play it at your choice of volume level and hear the various components, including the vocals, more clearly and distinctly than at the live show. This DVD begs to be played loudly.
· Better (or at least more) talent in the form of Michael Crawford (O Holy Night), Jewel Kilcher (Hark the Herald Angels Sing,) Tony Gaynor (Good King Joy,) and Daryl Pediford (Music Box Blues.)
· You have a front row seat.
· You can watch it anytime and as many times as you want.

The DVD is a music video. If you're looking for a "Christmas movie" you're better off with "A Wonderful Life" or "A Christmas Story." This DVD does have a story line but it is weak, undeveloped, and not believable, but who cares? It provides a nice thread to tie the songs together and also manages to elicit a tear or two at the end. Ossie Davis does a wonderful job as the "caretaker" narrating the story.

In the live concert the female singers especially do what I call "shout-singing." This effect has its place but you always give up musical quality when you shout instead of sing. The DVD has pure and beautiful singing, no shouting.

Michael Crawford's "O Holy Night" (not performed in the live show) with the children's choir is the most powerful and moving rendition of this song I have ever heard anywhere, bar none. Play it loud and try not to be moved! It's more powerful than Josh Groban's version, and I like Josh. It is worth having this DVD just for this performance alone. But wait, there's more.

The DVD also contains TSO's wonderful signature masterpiece piece, "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24.)" This is a high energy, powerful variation of "Carol of the Bells." They perform this in their live show of course, but the stronger symphony presence makes the DVD version far superior. It's wonderful and worth having this DVD just for this performance alone. But wait, there's still more. (I sound like Ron Popiel pitching his Showtime rotisserie oven!)

You also get TSO's other signature piece, the incredibly beautiful "Christmas Canon" based on Pachabel's "Canon in D." They don't do this version in their live show either. They perform a rock version that is barely recognizable. It's worth having this DVD just for this performance alone, also.

So bottom line? Go to a live performance of TSO for a good and fun rock concert. Buy the DVD for great Christmas music and show the whole family will enjoy for years."