After an outstanding dinner at Liuzza's on a cold and rainy night in New Orleans, we went to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert at the New Orleans Arena.
First, Liuzza's: Patsy had a shrimp remoulade po-boy that she is still raving about this morning. I had a very messy, quite delicious roast beef po-boy. Pure heaven. I miss New Orleans food, particularly the po-boys, and especially Liuzza's. What we get on the NorthShore just isn't the same.
About TSO: We've seen them three years in a row now. I can't say that they get better every year but they surely get bigger every year. This is an enormous production. Love the HD flat screens but could probably do without the flames and the blinding lights and maybe they could cut down on the narration and chit chat a little. Would also like to see them do a better job getting the music mixes right (Leads a little more in the foreground, singer's microphone turned down a little, etc). It was still a great show. We had decent seats last night except for having a stairway between us and the stage. The audience's constant traipsing back and forth on the stairs blocked our view too much of the night to suit me. Katie, Lars, and Amy had better seats in the same section. The stairs were behind them in relation to the stage. It was all Christmas music and Night Castle music this year. No covers, no special guests. Catch them if you can.
New Orleans needs a better concert venue, one that is big enough to attract the good shows but not so big that it swallows them (SuperDome), one that is also built for great sound and where all of the seats face the stage.
Speaking of New Orleans, ESPN's Wright Thompson wrote a lovely tribute to New Orleans and the Saints. Fabulous read.
we opted not to go this year as they were in Mpls in Nov and we had other stuff going on. I think we will go again next year. I love their performances. Does make ya wonder why people are up and walking around during a performance(annoying).... glad you had fun. Your dinner sounds delish too.
I get the fumbling and stumbling at the beginning of a show. The lights go out and it's fairly easy to lose your bearings in unfamiliar surroundings. It was also a long show so one or two up and abouts are inevitable but this activity went way beyond that. The dinner at Liuzza's was outstanding. Make sure you try them next time you're in town, Nancy. Fun place, very inexpensive.
Okay, Holidays are over so I can finally breathe! I liked the TSO show okay. I wish I would have remembered the binoculars. We had good seats, but I like to see the performers expressions which me and my old eyes can't do without some help. It wasn't at all what I expected. The laser lights were spectacular! The flames were cool, but extremely warm where I was, I'd hate to be sitting close to the stage, or on the stage for that matter! I didn't care for the narration throughout; found that speaker hard to understand. The New Yorker MC was not at all what I expected for the front man of this fabulous show. And last but not least, New Orleans audiences are embarrassing! Come on, ONE 'who dat' was plenty! Lars loved the show, but Amy and I said once was enough.
I didn't mind the narration the first time but I don't need it every time any more. If they can't eliminate it, they surely could reduce it. Patsy was disappointed this year so we probably don't need to see them for a few years. I forgot my binoculars, too. I intended to bring them.