08-14-2016, 11:16 PM
For many years I was a big advocate for a “best of” type show, so naturally I was pretty excited over the prospect of last year’s show. The show was still great last year, but that first half and the whole story line just didn’t sit well or flow right for me. It felt very disjointed and something just felt off. A few things off the top of my head to fix the first half:
1. New opening!!! No more T&D/Winter Palace opening. That is getting extremely stale. Would really like to see Mountain Labyrinth worked in there for something fresh. It’s funny, in 2011 I wasn’t a big fan of “Who I Am?” but I would gladly accept its return. “Mountain Labyrinth” would be a great opener (yeah I know folks think it is too dark, but “Night Enchanted” was not?). Maybe “Who I Am” into “Mountain Labyrinth” as they like to showcase the vocalists from the start.
2. Work on the narration as something was lacking. Not that Bryan and Philip didn’t do a great job, but it needs to be beefed up.
3. The transition from MBB to First Snow was awkward for me. I can’t put my finger on it, but during each of the 5 shows I saw last year that was my “WTF was that” moment. Two awesome songs on their own but not back-to-back or going MBB to First Snow. I was really looking forward last year to hearing First Snow again, but it really didn’t work in the context of the story.
Am I disappointed that they decided to do the Ghosts of Christmas Eve again this year? Somewhat. I get it though, it’s a business decision that is made well above most of the band members’ heads. I just don’t know why they would not do CEAOS this year. I have heard the rumblings and grumblings that they just felt the Ghosts show would be more profitable, lucrative, and successful. Again, I understand this is a business at the end of the day.
The second half I thought was great last year, but could use the addition of maybe 2 more songs, preferably a vocal being one of them.
1. New opening!!! No more T&D/Winter Palace opening. That is getting extremely stale. Would really like to see Mountain Labyrinth worked in there for something fresh. It’s funny, in 2011 I wasn’t a big fan of “Who I Am?” but I would gladly accept its return. “Mountain Labyrinth” would be a great opener (yeah I know folks think it is too dark, but “Night Enchanted” was not?). Maybe “Who I Am” into “Mountain Labyrinth” as they like to showcase the vocalists from the start.
2. Work on the narration as something was lacking. Not that Bryan and Philip didn’t do a great job, but it needs to be beefed up.
3. The transition from MBB to First Snow was awkward for me. I can’t put my finger on it, but during each of the 5 shows I saw last year that was my “WTF was that” moment. Two awesome songs on their own but not back-to-back or going MBB to First Snow. I was really looking forward last year to hearing First Snow again, but it really didn’t work in the context of the story.
Am I disappointed that they decided to do the Ghosts of Christmas Eve again this year? Somewhat. I get it though, it’s a business decision that is made well above most of the band members’ heads. I just don’t know why they would not do CEAOS this year. I have heard the rumblings and grumblings that they just felt the Ghosts show would be more profitable, lucrative, and successful. Again, I understand this is a business at the end of the day.
The second half I thought was great last year, but could use the addition of maybe 2 more songs, preferably a vocal being one of them.