August 1, Alton, IL

Thanks to Richard M. Stuemke on RAMD for this review!

What a disappointment... this show was changed to
a standstill exhibition due to wet field conditions.  Anyway, here is a
brief review of some of the corps....

Colts - After first seeing them at
DCM, I finally have come to like their music.  It is played extremely
well.  Colts have had a big improvement in the brass section this year. 
Very enjoyable performance.

Troopers - Hey, the Troopers really sounded
good.  This is the best brass line they have fielded in many a year.  I do
have one emotional comment - GO BACK TO THE STANDARD TROOPER UNIFORM!!!  I
hate the new uni's.

Phantom Regiment - LOUD IS GOOD!!! This was my 3rd
viewing of PR and I must say I like them better every time.  I sincerely
believe they have one of the finest hornlines around and in my opinion the
best musical arragements this year.  Did I say they were loud?  Man do
they sound good.  If they can clean it up in the next few days, they could
break into the top 4.  They have the show to do it.  Did I mention loud?? 
LOUD IS GOOD!!! Perscussion ensemble sounded tight and did an excellent
job.

Blue Devils - Man, what a downer!!  Talk about an emotionally flat
musically book.  They play very well and loud, but they still left me
cold.  Not only myself, but the rest of the crowd as well.  The soloist
were nothing special and actually detracted from portions of the musical
performance.  However, the drum line really is hot!!!  One thing though,
there is a real over use of the high stick flailing (for lack of a better
term, not being a percussion person), which after about the 2nd occurance
gets old fast.  They have on of the best drumlines I have seen.  They were
very clean musically, but I did hear several gacks from the middle horns
and the sops during several horn licks.

Most of these corps will be at
DCI Mid-America, so I have one more
opportunity to view them.

Seattle Web Factory

Web and Page design ©1995 Seattle Web Factory