So . . . Tarja ROCKED the Fillmore at Irving Plaza, NYC, last night, April 29. By far the best show I’ve seen this year.
What a pleasure it is to witness a REAL singer perform. It’s amazing to hear a trained mezzo soprano soar over an ear-splitting band. Not to disrespect other singers, but come on, this is Tarja - the FIRST of the great female symphonic metal vocalists. To see a legend like her perform live – in top shape no less – is one of the events of the year.
And Doug Wimbish on bass? How does it get better than that?
Which brings me to another issue . . .
How is it that when I mention Tarja to the American metalheads I know, hardly anyone knows her? In fact, how is it that when I say she’s the ex-singer of Nightwish, hardly anyone has heard of them either? What gives? Is Nightwish an obscure band? No! Are Americans so stuck in their genre holes that they can’t see more than four feet in front of their faces?
To all the metalheads over 30: there HAS been great music recorded after 1995. Just thought I’d let you know. And to all the other heads stuck in replay-mode: expand your horizons and get with the program. You don’t have to like everything; but you should be trying to listening to as much as possible.
If we don’t make the effort, the bands won’t come over here and play. Then we won’t get to see incredible performers like Tarja. It’s all cause and effect. So buckle down and start hitting MySpace and Itunes like you mean it.
Yes, this is a bit of a bitch slap. Sorry If I hurt your feelings, but get over it. We don’t have the advantages the Euros have with their festival culture and the larger Continental fan-base. We really have to try stateside. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Hell, it’s better than working, right?
Tarja Turunen Website: http://www.tarjaturunen.com/index_en.php
Tarja Turunen MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/tarjaturunen
Video: Die Alive, from My Winter Storm
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