CHRIS CAFFERY – 20 Years Of The Music Man

When you’ve played pivotal roles in both Savatage and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, your solo work has some major shoes to fill. Fortunately, Chris Caffery has never been one to shy away from a challenge. With Chris Caffery – 20 Years of the Music Man, Caffery celebrates two decades of musical evolution by offering fans a carefully curated, two-disc retrospective of his solo career. Released June 13th through Metalville Records, this 21-track compilation is more than just a “greatest hits” package — it’s a heartfelt, hard-hitting, and at times deeply emotional portrait of a musician who has always worn his heart on his fretboard.

Two Decades of Riffs, and Reflection

From the opening riff of “The Jester’s Court”, it’s clear that Caffery isn’t just reliving past glories — he’s reinvigorating them. The production is clean yet heavy, giving new life to tracks pulled from solo albums dating back to Faces (2004) and Pins and Needles (2007), all the way through to 2018’s The Jester’s Court. Fans of his darker, edgier tracks will immediately be drawn to songs like “Pisses Me Off (radio edit)” and “S.O.T.S. (Sick Of This Shit)”, both of which highlight his ability to marry aggression with melodic sophistication.

The true gems, however, are the previously unreleased cuts. “Do You See What I See Now” is a brand-new track that finds Caffery both introspective and inspired, bridging his classic sound with fresh energy. “I Miss You Sometimes” , “Last Time”, and “Then She’s Gone” are emotional, beautifully arranged pieces that might just become fan favorites, not only for their rarity but for their depth and sincerity.

There’s also a strong sense of musical range here — from the neoclassical flair of “Preludio” to the haunting holiday piece “What Child Is This”, to the almost prog-metal intricacy of “Edge of Darkness”. While the tracks span multiple eras and sessions, they are unified by consistently strong songwriting, virtuosic guitar work, and Caffery’s unmistakable voice — both musically and personally.

A standout moment comes in the emotionally powerful “Your Heaven Is Real”, dedicated to Caffery’s mother and his late mentor Paul O’Neill. It’s these personal touches that give this collection its soul, reminding us that Caffery’s solo work has always been more than a side project — it’s a deeply personal outlet for storytelling through sound.

Final Notes

20 Years of the Music Man isn’t just a celebration of Chris Caffery’s solo career — it’s a testament to the power of perseverance, creativity, and passion in heavy music. With top-tier production, a thoughtfully chosen tracklist, and a healthy dose of unreleased gold, this release serves both as an ideal entry point for new listeners and a satisfying treasure chest for longtime fans.

For anyone who’s followed Caffery through his time with Savatage, TSO, or Spirits of Fire, this collection is not to be missed. And for those just discovering the “Music Man,” there’s no better place to start.

Essential Tracks: “Do You See What I See Now,” “Your Heaven Is Real,” “The Jester’s Court,” “Then She’s Gone”

Here’s to 20 years of solo fire — and hopefully 20 more to come.

20 Years of the Music Man – Tracklist

*CD 1*

1. The Jester’s Court
2. May Day
3. Music Man
4. Pisses Me Off (radio edit)
5. Do You See What I See Now – new song unreleased
6. Edge Of Darkness
7. Fright Knights
8. S.O.T.S. (Sick Of This Shit) – only released as a single
9. Forever We’ll Be
10. What Child Is This
11. Glitter – only released as a single

*CD 2*

1. Seasons Change
2. My Light – only released as a single
3. I Miss You Sometimes – prev. unreleased
4. Last Time – prev. unreleased
5. Your Heaven Is Real
6. Why
7. Y.G.B.F.K.M.
8. Preludio
9. Abandoned
10. Then She’s Gone – prev. unreleased

Check out “Pisses Me Off” of of 2004’s Faces.