Turning back the clock a couple of years ago, a Tarja show was my first assignment aboard the good ship MetalTalk. It now feels that I have come full circle as I delve into the delicacies on the Finnish soprano’s latest live release, Circus Life.
Tarja – Circus Life – Live In Bucharest
Release Date: Out Now
Words: Sophie James
This double CD/Triple LP set captures a truly special, career-spanning, one-off event, performed ‘in the round’ within the resplendent surroundings of Circul Metropolitan București immediately prior to the pandemic.
Featuring 16 musicians, including brother Toni on vocals as well as legendary Living Colour bass ace Doug Wimbish, the evening has been so beautifully captured. Not a second of the lavish arrangements seems overcooked, underdone or out of place.
What makes it all the more remarkable is that it was recorded in just one take. What was played is what you hear. No re-recordings, no overdubs, no special effects, just pure, raw magic.
Previously available in a selective format, the Bucharest show now gets a warranted standalone release as Circus Life.
From the moment the applause ripples through the arena upon her entrance, one senses the ambience and the affection those in attendance possess for their heroine. Think if you will ‘An Audience with….’. It is that perception that permeates throughout.
With 18 tracks weighing in at 1 Hour and 45, it would be most indulgent, not to mention tedious, to list and remark on each in turn. Therefore, my observations will be restricted to my personal standouts.
“Welcome to my Mystique Voyage. An inner trip to fantasy, freedom and love. A conquest of fear, lonesomeness and dislike. Welcome to my world.”
The narrative intro of Mystique Voyage sets the scene for all which follows. With a mid-paced tempo, it is a sound engineer’s dream to ensure all levels are optimised. Simply an enchanting excursion of operatic vocal, symphonic pathos and accordant guitar.
“Oh, how does it feel? Now when there’s no way out, you married your own hell. Couldn’t get out of your own mind.”
The momentum, not to mention acerbic commentary, intensify on the self-deprecating but utterly cathartic Diva with the protagonist unfolding her multi-octave range.
You & I is simply a showstopping love song, one that demands attention and respect. In musical theatre this would deserve and certainly receive a rapturous standing ovation.
“București are you with me?”
The first time one hears the audience get actively involved is on the equally expulsive and rhythmic Love To Hate. The way in which the guitars and piano alternate and/or synchronise elevate this into a truly special piece.
The funky guitar/bass intro sets up the propelling cadence of Demons In You, while Never Enough, on the other hand, is a weighty, totally uplifting and addictive anthem whose rhythms intensify as they gallop towards a thrilling climax. Cue mass chants of “Tarja, Tarja!”
Falling Awake provides some divergence, possibly due to its origin as a Joe Satriani collaboration. An appetising blend of the contemporary and the symphonic.
To put it in footballing terms, with the game already won in the first half, Disc 2 sees the assembled virtuosos not so much relax but spread their wings and, for want of a better term, ‘showboat’ as they skip joyously from one passage of meticulously executed artistic expression to another.
Teasing an enthralled and rapturous audience on a multitude of levels, one can only imagine the sensations induced within the devotees.
I Feel Immortal induces an almost dreamlike state before its ascent, while within the whimsical pathos of I Walk Alone, one can feel the anticipation rising as it builds into pure operatic magic.
The bolero intro and trailing rhythm of Victim Of Ritual hints at a malevolent undercurrent teasing those gathered.
Well beyond the point of having the audience in the palm of her hand, Innocence epitomises the collective groove. The delicate orchestral centre section provides a fragile counterpoise prior to its reignition into an expansive swirling centrepiece.
Die Alive, Tears In The Rain, and Dead Promises all possess a celebratory feel, but Until My Last Breath radiates an aura of unadulterated triumph as the performance steams towards the finale.
“Make me believe, I must go on. Life is a warning, don’t want to risk it anymore.”
The grand piano makes a statement intro for the seductive yet foreboding storytelling that is Shadow Play. Its refrain befitting the climactic piece de resistance, which leaves the audience in rapture.
This performance can be seen to consolidate her position as (arguably) the Queen of Symphonic Metal. It is indisputably the sound of an artist at the absolute peak of their powers.
Each piece is so sumptuously arranged and executed, without severe self-restraint, I could analyse each in microscopic detail ad infinitum. Suffice to say that this recording captures the event so impeccably.
Circus Life is a work that needs to be given one’s full attention, possibly in an isolated environment, to truly appreciate its allure and musical, not to mention emotional depth. It really is difficult to transpose the majesty of this work into words.
Mid-set, an exuberant attendee clearly exclaims, “Tarja, we love you!”.
On this form, one would echo that sentiment 100%.
Circus Life – Live in Bucharest is out now via earMusic. I am certainly in the market for the accompanying BluRay.
Tarja – Circus Life – Tracklist
Mystique Voyage
500 Letters
Naiad
Diva
You And I
Love To Hate
Demons In You
Never Enough
Falling Awake
I Feel Immortal
I Walk Alone
Victim Of Ritual
Innocence
Die Alive
Tears In Rain
Dead Promises
Until My Last Breath
Shadow Play
