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Hello again. Our second show of the season and tonight we get to look at one
of the top corps in Blue Devils. We also get to see Madison, and Boston, and
Southwind for the first time this year as well. First lets take a look at the
scores by the judges.
| Tarheel Sun | 71.5 | 8th |
| Southwind | 75.7 | 7th |
| Magic of Orlando | 78.8 | 6th |
| Boston Crusaders | 82.1 | 5th |
| Carolina Crown | 85.0 | 4th |
| Madison Scouts | 89.0 | 3rd |
| Glassmen | 90.5 | 2nd |
| Blue Devils | 93.9 | 1st |
And now my review in order of appearance.
Southwind. My score: 73 -
7th
This was a good start for the evening. I really like the way Southwind is handling
things in the horn line. The midrange is fairly clean, and the sops are decent.
The drum line is playing well, but they can get a bit mushy here and there.
For a corps that took a year off, they look pretty darn good. And I think the
musical arrangements are very nice. This is a great show, and I can only hope
it makes top-17.
Tarheel Sun. My score: 71
- 8th
Amazing that the judges agreed with me on this one. When I saw this show in
Durham it was pretty raw, but I liked it then and I like it even more now. Much
of the strain on the upper brass is almost totally gone, and the midrange is
immensely cleaner. The marching is clean and the forms much better now. But
even though I thought they did much better this time around, I still would put
them behind Southwind. There is still just a bit of cleanup that can be done
in the closer for the brass sections. I was worried that the jump to Open class
might have been premature, but the corps is doing well, and I think they are
starting to really lock in a spot as a member corps.
Magic of Orlando. My score:
78 - 6th
I thought Magic would have a larger spread over Southwind. The last time I saw
Magic, they had problems supporting in the brass section as the show went on.
This time they didn't and the show really rocked. The horns are getting tighter,
and I like the drum line. Plenty of work to go if this show want a place on
Saturday, but it can be done.
Boston Crusaders. My score:
80.5 - 5th
I have to say I kind of flipped this one over as I reflected back on the show.
At first thought I was going to say they had beat Crown, but then I realized
that as good as Boston was, Crown has a better horn line. The rest is almost
a wash between the two corps. I think M&M would go to Crown, GE to Boston, Horns
to Crown, Drums are a wash. That being said, this is the best I have ever seen
Boston and that includes finals weeks. They are surely contending for a spot
on Saturday this year above all others. All they have to worry about really
is how Colts, and Bluecoats are doing. Its a smashing show, and the slight toss
of minor bits of Conquest are neat.
Intermission. My score: 31.4 - Ugh
Well, just about the time Boston was getting off the field, a lightning storm
started running its way across the area, so we had a delay to let the storm
pass. It was also requested that the stands be cleared. The lightning was impressive
visually, but the volume was either not there or very muffled. As lightning
storms go it was great, because it stayed away and didn't force a standstill
or end the show. So after our extended break we finally get to move on.
Carolina Crown. My score:
81 - 4th
The horn line is good, better than Boston, and the drums are tight. I like the
visuals and the guard is impressive. The more I hear the show the more it grows
on me. The drill is clean, but there were a couple of problems caused by wet
turf. Not like 84 Cadets at Ypsilanti though (was it Ypsi', or somewhere else?
It was the big Midwest show), where a stumble during the Z pull dropped 6-10
guys and put one in a cast. This is a very well designed visual show, and Crown
is really pulling out all the stops. This show was also much better this time
around.
Madison Scouts. My score:
86 - 2nd
Yes, YES, YES!!! Lets see, what do we give Madison? GE!!! And drums!! The horn
line is loud, but they are not as clean as they have been in years past. But
who cares? When you watch Scouts all you want is an awesome show and they do
not disappoint. This show has just about everything, great visuals, guard tossing
rifles like matchsticks, some good drill, an in your face brass line, and a
drum line that smokes. I enjoyed this show a LOT!
Glassmen. My score: 85 -
3rd
Okay, change of pace here. In Durham they were the best out there, but they
didn't have to follow a hot GE show like Madison. For the first 2/3 to 3/4 of
the show I was impressed with the ability of the brass line, but the show just
sat there. Finally at the end it started to come alive. I can't believe the
Glassmen horn line is that good, but they walked all over Madison. But Madison
had everything else that Glassmen lacked, so I don't agree with the placement.
Glassmen's drill I think may be more difficult than Scouts, but Scouts march
the cleaner show.
Blue Devils. My score: 92
- 1st
Okay my mistake. Give all the awards to Devils. This is a very clean horn line
that plays some good stuff. I thought it would be a bit more toe tapping than
it turned out considering what they were playing. But I like what they do with
Tango, and the closer is cool, although I like a bit more swing in a swing rhythm.
The drill is great and I thought the visuals worked well with the show. Part
way through the show Leah told me she thought she would go deaf. Now that's
a horn line. :^)
Well, since the storm had put the show so far behind, it was a drum major retreat only, and there was not encore. I was hoping to hear Devils play something like When a Man Loves a Woman after the show. But I have since heard Devils are playing Legend of the One Eyed Sailor instead as their finale song. So until my next email when I review Winston-Salem, See ya!
Brian Schriber
Crossmen 84-85
The 'Original-Every-Night' T-Shirt Guy
bschribe@vnet.net
Thanks to Brian Schriber for directly emailing this review!
Editorial notes:
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