August 1, Atlanta/Jonesboro, GA

Thanks to Brian Greer on RAMD for this review!

5.      Spirit of Atlanta       66.2

        They are decent. I certainly still love the corps and it almost 
brought a tear to my eye that they have almost finished this season. They 
haven't quite improved to the point that I had expected them to, but 
maybe all that is really important is that they finish the season in one 
piece. I am now convinced that it would've been a better thing for the 
corps to be competing in Division II right now where they could be 
significantly more competitive. A champion in Division II that gets 
whipped by all the Open Class Corps is still respectable, meanwhile an 
Open Class corps that gets beat by all the others plus at least one 
Division II isn't exactly going to be filling auditoriums with 
prospective members. Look at Crown, they knew what they could handle, 
they developed a strong program and recruited tons of members, so that 
they were able to make the transition. Planned growth. Spirit never plans 
things that well it seems.

4.      Southwind       69.0

        They have made a lot of improvements with their brass sound. It 
wasn't really brash at all this time (first time since back in '93 that I 
didn't think they were overly brash). This show still just seems a bit 
too bland for me! They just sort of play through the show, with a nice 
little bit here and there, but it didn't really excite me. I think that 
if Spirit were able to pull it together before Buffalo, they could pass 
Southwind.

3.      Glassmen        83.7

        WOW! I don't believe it. I had accustomed myself to never enjoy a 
Glassmen show. I have seen this corps perform at least once a season for 
several years now and never really liked a single show. Tonight 
everything has changed. (Although I think this bit of a warm-up played to 
the stands, with drill, should be against the rules, and I thought it 
*was* against the rules). Nevertheless, they rocked. I knew from the 
opener that this show was going to be good. I never thought this corps 
was capable of such a great show. I guess that just shows what I know 
about the G-Men.

2.      Bluecoats       84.6

        What a great show! My enjoyment of this show was hampered by the 
100 or so "fans" who had to walk up and down the steps and in front of 
everyone during the first 2/3 of the show. Would it suprise anyone to 
know that I wanted to grab them and pummel them? :). On a more serious 
note, they were very good. They have come a long way. That entire 
organization appears to be very top-notch. I have a lot of respect for 
the Bluecoats corps from top to bottom. 

1.      Cavaliers       92.8

        Mars is a great tune. I loved listening to the 1985 show just for 
Mars, but this one is a lot better (I mean a LOT better). I enjoyed this 
show a lot more than I enjoyed Cadets' show when I saw it a bit earlier 
in the season. These guys were very good. There were a few moves that 
were still dirty (although only slightly dirty). I'd love to see these 
guys pass those Cadets in the next 12 days!

        
America The Beautiful : I THOUGHT IT STUNK! To hell with this mass corps 
bull. I want to hear each corps play a special signature piece and then 
march off of the field. One thing I didn't like about 1993 was the fact 
that we (Spirit) didn't play Georgia enough at retreat. I would have 
really been upset if I had to play that everynight. 

Yeah, it was a nice piece, and it did sound good when they all kicked in 
and got loud, but frankly, I would rather hear each corps play a special 
song. What will happen in Buffalo? All 12 play this piece and NOT play 
songs as each one leaves the field? Talk about boring! At least 2/3 of 
the Finals fun is each corps partying as it plays a song and leaves the 
field! Think of Bluecoats '94! What a JAM! "America, The Beautiful" just 
wouldn't do it for me.

At least the Cavaliers did a standstill that was incredibly loud and just 
plain old KILLER! And they did play "Over the Rainbow" (or whatever that 
piece is called...:) ). It would've been nice to hear something else from 
the 'Coats, Glassmen, and Southwind too, but I guess that doesn't make 
sense to the "powers that be." At least Spirit came back out and played 
some things. I wish they had worked up the 'real' "Georgia", but why 
would they? Since they'd never get to play it anyways! 

If they plan to play this at Finals, everyone should revolt. The idea of 
a Finals without SCV playing "Send in the Clowns" should be against the 
rules!

Brian.

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