The Christmas Attic
Encyclopedia
The Christmas Attic is the second album by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra
, a rock opera
, and the second installment of their Christmas Trilogy, the sequel to Christmas Eve and Other Stories
and the prequel to The Lost Christmas Eve
. This album contains a mix of vocal and instrumental songs.
The track "Christmas Canon
," one of the orchestra's most well-known songs, is a cover of Johann Pachelbel
's famous Canon in D Major, with lyrics added.
sends his youngest angel off on a second mission, asking him to "leave the one thing behind that would most benefit all of mankind." The angel goes down to earth and comes across a young girl who was troubled about the meaning of Christmas. He leads the girl to her attic and then to a trunk containing old letters and Christmas cards. Through the night she reunites old friends mentioned in the letters and discovers the magic of Christmas.
(*) indicates an instrumental
Original copies of the CD from 1998 do not contain "The World That He Sees." It was added to the lineup at a later date.
Back-Ups:
Choir:
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Trans-Siberian Orchestra is an American progressive metal band founded in 1993 by producer, composer, and lyricist Paul O'Neill, who brought together Jon Oliva and Al Pitrelli and keyboardist and co-producer Robert Kinkel to form the core of the creative team. Since then, TSO sold nearly 8...
, a rock opera
Rock opera
A rock opera is a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera. A rock opera differs from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are not unified by a common theme or narrative. More recent developments include...
, and the second installment of their Christmas Trilogy, the sequel to Christmas Eve and Other Stories
Christmas Eve and Other Stories
Christmas Eve and Other Stories is a rock opera and Christmas album by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The story is about a young man who wanders into a bar on Christmas Eve where he encounters a mysterious old man who tells him a tale about the magical effect of Christmas day on the human race...
and the prequel to The Lost Christmas Eve
The Lost Christmas Eve
-References to other media:"Back to a Reason " is a sequel to the Savatage song "Back to a Reason", on their 2001 release Poets and Madmen....
. This album contains a mix of vocal and instrumental songs.
The track "Christmas Canon
Christmas Canon
"Christmas Canon" is a Christmas song by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra from their 1998 album The Christmas Attic. It often ranks on the iTunes Top 100 Chart at Christmas time....
," one of the orchestra's most well-known songs, is a cover of Johann Pachelbel
Johann Pachelbel
Johann Pachelbel was a German Baroque composer, organist and teacher, who brought the south German organ tradition to its peak. He composed a large body of sacred and secular music, and his contributions to the development of the chorale prelude and fugue have earned him a place among the most...
's famous Canon in D Major, with lyrics added.
Story
It is Christmas Eve, and the LordGod the Father
God the Father is a gendered title given to God in many monotheistic religions, particularly patriarchal, Abrahamic ones. In Judaism, God is called Father because he is the creator, life-giver, law-giver, and protector...
sends his youngest angel off on a second mission, asking him to "leave the one thing behind that would most benefit all of mankind." The angel goes down to earth and comes across a young girl who was troubled about the meaning of Christmas. He leads the girl to her attic and then to a trunk containing old letters and Christmas cards. Through the night she reunites old friends mentioned in the letters and discovers the magic of Christmas.
Track listing
- "The Ghosts of Christmas Eve" – 2:15
- "Boughs of Holly" – 4:24 *
- "The World That She Sees" – 4:13
- "The World That He Sees" - 4:45
- "Midnight Christmas Eve" – 4:21 *
- "The March of the Kings / Hark the Herald AngelHark! The Herald Angels Sing“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” is a Christmas carol that first appeared in 1739 in the collection Hymns and Sacred Poems, having been written by Charles Wesley. This is not the version widely known today. A sombre man, Wesley had requested and received slow and solemn music for his lyrics, not the...
" – 3:52 * - "The Three Kings and I (What Really Happened)" – 6:29
- "Christmas CanonChristmas Canon"Christmas Canon" is a Christmas song by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra from their 1998 album The Christmas Attic. It often ranks on the iTunes Top 100 Chart at Christmas time....
" – 4:19 - "Joy / Angels We Have Heard on HighAngels We Have Heard on High"Angels We Have Heard on High" is a Christmas carol. The song commemorates the story of the birth of Jesus Christ found in the Gospel of Luke, in which shepherds outside Bethlehem encounter a multitude of angels singing and praising the newborn child....
" – 3:55 - "Find Our Way Home" – 3:45
- "Appalachian Snowfall" – 4:12 *
- "The Music Box" – 3:01
- "The Snow Came Down" – 5:43
- "Christmas in the Air" – 4:12
- "Dream Child (A Christmas Dream)" – 7:04
- "An Angel's Share" – 3:05
- "Music Box Blues" – 4:57
(*) indicates an instrumental
Original copies of the CD from 1998 do not contain "The World That He Sees." It was added to the lineup at a later date.
Personnel
- Paul O'Neill - Producer
- Robert Kinkel - Co-Producer
- Dave Wittman - Recording and Mix Engineer
Vocals
Solos:- Jody Ashworth
- Joe CerisanoJoe CerisanoJoe Cerisano, , is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and President of Outta' the Woods Records. He is often referred to as "possibly the most famous anonymous singer in America".-Early life:...
- Katrina Chester
- Marlene Danielle
- Thomas Farese
- Peggy Harley
- Daryl B. Pediford
Back-Ups:
- Latisha Jordan - Background Coordinator
- Peggy Harley
- Robert Kinkel
- Maurice Lauchner
- Al Pitrelli
- Jon Oliva
- Timara Sanders
- Zak Stevens
- Doug Thoms
- Yolanda Wyns
Child choir
Conductor:- Dan Moriarty
Choir:
- The Choristers, St. Bartholomew's Church, New York City
- Marilina Acosta
- Brendan Burgess
- Julian George
- Shoshana Frishberg
- Julia George
- Jack Gibson
- Nina Gottlieb
- Erick Hernandez
- Michelle Repella
- Anton Spivack
Orchestra
- Robert KinkelRobert KinkelBob Kinkel is a professional session keyboardist and music engineer most known for his role as a co-creater/co-producer/co-composer and touring keyboardist with Trans-Siberian Orchestra along with extensive studio work with the prog-metal band Savatage...
- Piano and Keyboards - Jon OlivaJon OlivaJohn Nicholas Oliva is best known simply as Jon Oliva and as founder of and lead vocalist for Savatage. He is the third of four children...
- Piano, Keyboards and Bass Guitars - Al PitrelliAl PitrelliAl Pitrelli is a guitarist, best known for his work with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Megadeth, Alice Cooper, Joe Lynn Turner, Asia and Savatage.-Early career :...
- Lead, Rhythm and Bass Guitars - Paul O'NeillPaul O'Neill (rock producer)Paul O'Neill is an American music composer, lyricist, producer, and songwriter.-Early years:A New York City native, O'Neill began playing guitar with a number of rock bands in high school and quickly graduated to folk guitar gigs at downtown clubs...
- Rhythm Guitars - Johnny Lee MiddletonJohnny Lee MiddletonJohnny Lee Middleton is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the bass guitar player for Savatage and Trans-Siberian Orchestra.-Musical beginnings:...
- Bass - Jeff PlateJeff PlateJeff Plate is a professional drummer and percussionist. He currently plays with the progressive rock group Trans-Siberian Orchestra and with thrash metal band Metal Church until their 2009 disbanding, although he is most remembered for his drumming for the band, Savatage on their albums since...
- Drums - Chris CafferyChris CafferyChris Caffery is a heavy metal guitarist who is best known for his work as a member of Savatage and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra...
- Rhythm Guitars