Whole Lotta Hoekstra

 Smiling with a rock star

TSO Evening – Manchester 2016

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Ghosts of Christmas Eve Winter Tour 2016.

Evening Show, SNHU Arena, November 26, 2016.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra 2014

I wasn’t where I’ve grown accustomed to, but I was there

On stage these pros all showed up, but do they really care

 

As usual I polled those around me, some had, others new

I smiled and waited, hoping they’d engage and feel it too

 

Before the lights went dark I thought of my TSO friends, 

And I wondered who was here, where all that ails, mends

 

I thought of moments passed and ones I may have missed

I pondered on how these people remember their set lists

 

From one note to the next I can be lost, completely

Taken on a journey that caresses the senses sweetly

 

Light from the arena vanishes and the crowd is heard

Anticipation just like show one, even on my 23rd

 

Then there’s the production, the stirring voice of Bryan

His stories invoke emotion and tears without trying

 

Somewhere between shadows and the light sings Dustin

Change happens, I learned a while back, these I trust in

 

And what Trans-Siberian stage would be complete

Without the sounds and antics from the one David Z

 

Oh how I have enjoyed the voice and presence of Rob Evan

A voice sent to us, a gift rarely heard this side of heaven

 

Sir Russell Allen and Autumn on the same song, what a blend

The Three Kings & I, with a little bit of Kashmir at the end

 

Like a flash Roddy Chong is here, there, and everywhere

Smiling all the while playing precious notes that fill the air

 

The lights are amazing and the fire I feel from end to end

Georgia and Natalya, their aura and vocals transcend

 

Music Box Blues, and the this new take from Lisa Lavie

Don’t stop singing Lisa, can I hear more please? Oui Oui!

 

The snow comes down, we hope it heals our imperfect scars

Time, moving in a straight line, Robin leaves his mark, sparks

 

Then, this song when all other sound in the room just leaves

Someday I hope she will sing it twice, please Ms. Reeves

 

The constant, the ever present, but often times hard to see

Jeff Plate, the heartbeat of thunder, play a solo just for me

 

On keyboards, Ms. Kim and the incomparable Mr. Wieland

Playing perfection, together, though each on an island

 

My ears tell me, look at the frantic pace, but a smile on his face

Nothing missed, the sound I know, Joel shreds it with grace

 

For you newcomers, yes, this orchestra plays and sings

They even use local players each show to help on the strings

 

Paul didn’t play this show, but when arena doors open

His presence is felt and broken pieces feel whole again

 

Back to the Palace it began for me, I first saw Chris Caffery

He can sing, he can play, and leads the ceremony of mastery

 

The seats are empty, the stage coming down, and the lights are low

Why are fans still upstairs, the show ended more than an hour ago

 

See there’s a bunch of tables all set in a row, the band sitting there

The fans line up just to meet their heroes and friends, TSO cares

Advertisement

Performance within a Performance

There’s a certain part of me that I hope never goes away. As a matter of fact, I wish it would continue to grow so that I may more effectively share it with others for the remainder of my days. I am talking about the feeling of Christmas morning, the appreciation of the season, the reason for Christmas, and my love for the old Christmas carols. Yes, even in my 40’s I still get excited about Christmas, excited about the season, about the old, and about the new. It’s a wonderful time of the year, and if I never got another physical present for Christmas, I’d still be happy and blessed if I could just experience the songs, the sounds, the gathering of loved ones, and of course my yearly visit with my old friends of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.