Former Nightwish lead vocalist and subsequent solo star Tarja Turunen has released her greatest hits live show as Circus Life, via earMusic.
Recorded in January 2020, in Bucharest, Romania, the Circus Life show was one of a kind when the singer performed in a very special in the round format. Two hours of powerful music featuring a setlist that spanned her career, Circus Life was recorded in one take, 100% live – No re-recordings, no overdubs, no special effects. Just pure, raw music.
One of the most iconic songs in Tarja’s solo career, ‘I Walk Alone’ has been released as the latest single from the album – Reimagined, but originally released as the lead single from her 2007 debut solo album My Winter Storm, the song remains a powerful declaration of independence, strength, and identity—and has become an unshakable pillar in her live repertoire.
“’I Walk Alone’ was one of four tracks that I picked from the over 500 demos sent to me by the label for my first album My Winter Storm. I fell in love with it straight away and the chorus really grabbed me. There is a lot of positivity in the track. It is also where I got the idea of calling all my fans and supporters My Winter Storm. They have always been there and still are, and despite the title, I do not feel that I walk alone, and I never am because you are always there,” said the singer.
The single is available here.
The recording features 16 accomplished musicians, including her brother Toni, a diverse ensemble from various stages of her career, it was an extraordinary event. All songs were provided with new arrangements just for this concert, making the show a unique experience for the long-time Tarja fan, as well as the first-time listener.
Originally included as bonus content in the strictly limited and sold-out Mediabook and Box Set of Tarja’s 2022 Best Of: Living The Dream, the Circus Life concert is now available as a stand-alone limited 2CD+Blu-ray Digipak, featuring the full two-hour live show on both audio and video. It will also be released as a limited black 3LP Gatefold edition, including an LP-sized booklet and a Blu-ray softcase – It is available here.
A digital photobook is now available to accompany Circus Life, offering an atmospheric visual journey through the powerful live moments of Tarja’s celebrated concert. Featuring a carefully curated selection of photos from on stage, the photobook captures the emotion, energy, and artistry that define Tarja’s performance. It is available here.
Originally featured on her 2016 album The Shadow Self, ‘Diva’ was issued as the first single from the album – A dramatic and powerful anthem that quickly became a fan favourite and one of Tarja’s classics played on tour. Out now as a single here, this rendition, is sad to showcase “Tarja’s signature vocal mastery, theatrical presence, and the grandeur of her live shows”.
“There is a lovely memory behind ‘Diva’”, said the singer. “We were in Antigua and walking around the local harbour when we saw this old boat stored outside the water and that quickly inspired me to write a pirate themed song. I playfully described the last walk of the ‘Diva’ on the hip before being pushed out by the rats on board. Any resemblance to reality is pure coincidence.”
CD1 features: ‘Mystique Voyage’, ‘500 Letters’, ‘Naiad’, ‘Diva’, ‘You And I’, ‘Love To Hate’, ‘Demons In You’, ‘Never Enough’, ‘Falling Awake’.
CD2 features: ‘I Feel Immortal’, ’I Walk Alone’, ‘Victim Of Ritual’, ‘Innocence’, ‘Die Alive’, ‘Tears In Rain’, ‘Dead Promises’, ‘Until My Last Breath’, ‘Shadow Play’.
The vinyl side split is: Side A: tracks 1-3, Side B:4-6, Side C: 7-9, Side D: 10-12, Side E: 13-15, Side F: 16-18.
