Thanks to Darren R. Webb on RAMD for this review!
I thought I'd send in a show review since I spent two days there!
Buccaneers 54.3--not bad...soloists struggled all night with them. Drill
needs to use CG better. Drums were a mess.
Rochester Crusaders 60.0--They have a bunch of holes, but they didn't do
too bad for the situation. Tenor line is Awesome!
Syracuse Brigadiers 61.9--Nice new uniforms. Red coats and white pants.
They had posture problems (I hate that!!!). Horns play very controlled.
Westshoremen 69.8 (high percussion and CG)--They are big this year! They
have soem classic senior corps park and bark sections that will rip your
face off. Great soprano solo work from former Bluecoats soloist Jeff
Wilt (had to throw that Bluecoats plug in there!). They had a few
balance problems between horns and drums. Forms undefined throughout.
Rammin drum solo.
Empire Statesmen 72.1--Overall great horn and visual program. They are
solid from top to bottom. I hated their arrangement of Sing Sing Sing.
It is SSSSOOOOOOO square. Anyway, that was the only thing I didn't like
about them. CG is very good and the drill writer did a great job of
working them into the horn line.
JUNIORS
Jersey Surf 43.8--They aren't bad. Their drill is very low demand but
it's effective. The biggest problem is the horn line. They aren't even
close to being in tune. If they fix that they'll beat some people.
Boston Crusaders 49.2 (hello, I thought we in the East!) I don't like
the new uniforms...I guess they are better than what they had...kind of
drab and plaing if you ask me. The drill has very very low demand and
they do ok with it. They have a few holes still, and it causes some
major problems from time to time. The CG is tiny, and a mess. The CG
work is not done and I imagine this is really hurting them. Timing in
the feet was terrible all night, but most notably in the ballad. The DL
is a mess (sorry I'm being as honest as possible here). Darn near fell
aprt at one point. First Circle is really bad. It's slow for one thing
and they play it with absolutely no aggression. Overall, the
arrangements are bad, there are no dynamics in the show and some of the
sections are not done with the show.
Bluecoats 63.7--In three words I can sum up their performance: Opening
night jitters. It was their frist show and it kinda showed. I watched
them practice all day and they impressed me in several areas. The drum
line is good! ATTENTION: The Bluecoats have a drum line. They chunked
a few licks in the show, but in rehearsal they were playing theri butts
off. The drill is sloppy still. Definition problems. Foot and upper
body technique needs some work as well. They new uni's look fabulous!
They really project nicely. There are some definite lulls in the show.
They open up with a nice opener (obligatory soprnao high note) and power
hit. They go into a ballad section next backfield, which seems to go on
forever. The CG is featured early and often and they impressed me. Big
group 30 of 'em. All the work is done (which if anyoone knows this corps
is a minor miracle for July 1), and relatively clean. I still don't like
a bunch of John Sanchez's drill. Sometimes it looks like he wrote the
drill without looking at the music...check it out. They have soem cheesy
patriotic stuff that really isn't selling right now...give it some time
though. I didn't like the arrangemetn of Sing Sing Sing. It just
doesn't push. The end is VERY similar to last years and very loud. The
horn line is a little more aggresive than last year. I think they smell
a little blood. Overall, a great program that has so much to be added to
it yet. Look for them at DCI North or Mid America to catch some folks.
Crossmen 65.1 DISCLAIMER*** I was not the only one who HATED this show,
about 12000 other people in the stadium agreed.
Star of New Jersey you may take the field for competition. They cmae out
with shakos...looks good. They started playing a note here and a note
there, and then kept on doing it. That is the show. Drill is low demand
(which is pretty clean for July 1). They demonstrate terrific upper and
lower body seperation and control. The horns have a good sound but the
book is so damn uninteresting, who cares. Drum line--piss clean. Can
hang with anyone in the top12 as far as I'm concerned. They were louder
than the horn line on some of the big hits though. 9 man bass line is a
cool idea, but all they played was unisons and some easy variations. 16
man cymbal line was dirty tonight, but I expect that to improve. This
show needs some splash...color, excitement, anything. The whole
production lacks any impact. The horns are clean, but lack punch (only
42 of 'em right now). They'll be there in August, all that remains to be
seen is where. If they gets some horns they can remain in top 7. If not
we may have a new member to the bottom 4.
Phantom Regiment 74.8--this show has tons of velocity. No more than in
years past, but, I don't know the black kind of masks it if you ask me.
The Black unis are nice but I'm not sure they project very well. They
have strong drill definition for July1 and this is their strong point.
The DL was bad....yikes...really bad in a few spots, no fear it will come
together. CG uniforms don't blend well, but their choice of silks is
very nice. They use soem nice color schemes. My favorite were the blue
flags. I normally have not been impressed by the PR contra section, but
this year they have a nice rich sound (I tend to think they are on the
raspy and thin side in years past). They really struck me as a stregth
of this corps. Still one of the loudest corps ever. I thought the CG
show was overall, ineffective. Silent drill at teh end is cool, but not
even close to being clean.
Cadets of Bergen County 75.5 (high percussion) Oh my gosh....this is the
best color guard in the history of the activity. They are brutally
showcased throughout the show. Tons of movement. Incredible drum line.
Bass drumss...holy cow. Tenors...holy cow. Nice use of drum
sets...again. The horn line had some minor flubs tonight...heros and
chickens all over the place. Not a typical cadets show. Reminds of '91
Cadets only better.
Darren Webb
Bluecoats '90-'93
-------------------------
Thanks to Chip Frontz on RAMD for this review!
Rich, (and anyone else whose reading), I'd love to. I wish I had been
able to post last night while stuff was still fresh in my head, but was
impossible. So, in order of appearance:
READING BUCCANEERS (42.5, 5th Place DCA)
Reading needs like 20 more horn players, so the sound is small and the
players that are there are overblowing quite a bit so as to be heard.
With the clouds that were threatening Hershey, I thought their pit feature
"Rainmaker" could have been skipped :), but the skies remained closed and
we were able to enjoy a great evening of drum corps. Basically, Reading
plays a straight jazz program and needs to watch the DM and move the feet
in order to make it happen for them.
EMPIRE STATESMEN (72.1, 1st DCA)
Empire's theme is "The Big Band Era" and they are tight, loud and in tune.
They feature a complex drill and a sassy colorguard to complete the
package. The drum major, David Bruni is a showman all the way, quite
often playing to the crowd, and he and the corps elicited a great
response.
WESTSHOREMEN (69.8, 2nd DCA, DCA High Percussion and High Guard)
I saw Westshoremen two years ago in Hershey and was not impressed. So
this year I see them come on and think, "Too bad they have to go on after
Empire." And they grabbed me and said "Think again, junior boy!" They
had a great show and were really spurred on by the hometown crowd. The
brass line has a ways to go before they can catch Empire but they have to
be pleased with what's happened so far. The uni's are all black this
year.
SYRACUSE BRIGADIERS (70.0, 3rd DCA)
The Brigs have an enjoyable program, but they must have just added some
people because there was a lot of confusion out there which detracted from
the show. They have a real nice soprano soloist which doubles as a DM.
ROCHESTER CRUSADERS ( 62.8, 4th DCA)
Rochester has another small hornline, but do a good job with "An American
Crusade". They utilize these pyramid things which are sections of pipes.
I was down on the track, but the color guard (which also spins and tosses
quite well) get inside these things and move to different spots on the
field to form a picture. During a Mighty Fortress I recognized the
pattern as a cross. I enjoyed the show and the drum line playing Premier!
JERSEY SURF (43.8, 6th place DCE)
Jersey Surf is nice because you know they're a bunch of kids learning drum
corps, and they actually have a really nice full sound which is not going
to blow anyone away, but won't make them wince, either. The drum line
does an admirable job as well. This show will make an excellent addition
to any contest this summer, and it's equally nice to know that Jersey only
spends three days a week doing this and they can put out a quality
product. As one of their staff said after the show, "If we toured, we'd
have ten horns." I'm glad they've got more.
BOSTON CRUSADERS (49.2, 5th place DCE)
I thought they deserved a couple more points than they actually got, but,
to paraphrase, ours is not to reason why, ours is but to watch and cheer.
So my impressions, they've got a good show which the hornline needs to
clean up. They've already got a very nice middle number "Cathedral in a
Suitcase," which sounds full and lush.
CROSSMEN (65.1, 3rd place DCE)
So the corps which, like Washington, keeps on crossing the Delaware comes
out with shakos and a classical program this year. I really think once
they clean the hornline, they will do very very very well. The show is
well marched (at least from my fourth row vantage point, and the music is
accessible. The middle section of the Symphony for Brass and Percussion
is gorgeous and has a section where the brass plays in concert while
virtually the entire drumline forms a cymbal choir to accompany them. The
closer--ten bass drums--Mark Thurston--smash and destroy. As I said,
can't wait till they clean it.
PHANTOM REGIMENT (74.8, 2nd place DCE)
So I turn around from talking to the people behind me and looked at
Phantom Regiment assembling on the field and said "Oh my.....Contras!
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,...12,14!
Fourteen contras! Holy moly, fourteen contras!" Apparently the guy high
in the stands who shouted "Are the contras ready?" had the same emotional
reaction. The Phantom hornline hits you with a fabulous sound and the
drum book is above average for Phantom. They also move pretty fast and
furious in the opener. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini is sweet and
beautiful and will absolutely work for them. The pit has this great solo
section where about four or five keyboards play a complicated run up the
scale in absolute perfect unison. Then the contras and baris let you have
it to begin the finale. My favorite part of the show goes something like
this:
BAM! (absolute silence, no playing, AT ALL, for seven counts)
BAM! (again, silence)
BAM! (a rather portentous silence)
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADAAAAAAADAAAAAAAA
(crowd screaming in satisfaction)
I like it. It's very exciting and works well for me.
BLUECOATS (63.7, 4TH DCE)
I really enjoyed Bluecoats--they looked snazzy in their blue sailor hats
and the color guard was very tastefully dressed as the Andrews sisters.
The hornline was good, they need more lower sound IMO. In their letter
from home section, the guard was using flags decorated as "Letters From
Home" each with individual address and postmark. I thought it was a nice
touch. Overall, the program will be a crowdpleaser all season.
CADETS OF BERGEN COUNTY (75.5, 1st DCE)
As the Cadets entered the stadium, the rows behind and ahead of me started
grumbling "Props. Look at the props. Well they always have enough
props." Well, that may be true, but I haven't seen as FUN a show from the
Cadets, and it may be the most fun and poignant of this season. The
Cadets theme is "An American Quintet", all John Williams music, and they
open fast and furious as Cadets do. The second number "Born on the Fourth
of July", meant to express the pain of separation and going to war,
features absolutely gorgeous and moving guard work (and did anyone else
catch "Bring Him Home" from Les Mis at the end?) Blowing off Steam
includes more fast and furious drill with guard trying to outdo each
other, and then comes "Swing, Swing, Swing" where EVERYONE tries to outdo
each other. It's fabulous and fun, and the show concludes in a way that
satisfies old-style DC fans and nouveau fans as well. They may not win,
but I have nothing to complain about Cadets this year.
Well, I really enjoyed this show. The stands were full, there was a
feeling of occasion in the air, and I just soaked up the drum corps
atmosphere again. It's unique, let's not lose it. Hope this post wasn't
too long for all of ya...
-------------------------
Thanks to Jeff Wise on RAMD for this review!
Hershey was interesting. Rainy, rainy and then rainy. Bluecoats practiced for
around 6 hours during the day, with many interludes of, guess what, rain.
Yankee Rebels also used the field for practice as well as Boston.
The field held up, the weather did too for all the shows and then, guess
what, it rained in retreat and then it rained some more. No encore from
Cadets, but the Statesmen stuck around to play loud (ahhhh, senior corps).
And so, with little specific attention paid to scores, here is a review of
the junior corps show at the Hershey Spectactular (opening music please):
Jersey Surf
Missed them. Sorry, but I ran into some alumni (ex-girlfriend) and I didn't
get into find seats. But, I'm told they're fiedling 75 members and had beaten
Suncoast earlier in the week.
Sixth - 43.something
Boston
Allright, I admit my seats were awful, way out in endzone land on the righ, and
so from this vantage point, Boston first looked like a red version of BD. But
as the show moved on, I got a better look an the uniforms, and I'll say I like
them -- a nice update to what they had.
Sadly, that's about the only really good thing I have about Boston. The
show is probably difficult and they have many, many problems marching in
complex meters. Especially the bass line. Also the bass line has problems
marching on a football field.
The horns, as in years past, play fairly well, they know how to play the
horns with quality better than Glassmen (is that saying much?). I can't say a
whole lot about the overall percussion, again because of my seats and also
because I know as much aobut percussion as I do about quasars.
The drill continues on from last year (some of you'll remember I didn't
like last year's drill much) and it places very little, very little demand on
the individual marcher. Crowd comments around me were liking the music and the
overall show concept, but wondered what happened during Boston's winter season.
The horn line was small, 40-something, and the guard was microscopic,
mauybe about 12 to 15. This was not good simply because the guard was not able
to add much complement to the show. Also, my friend the dentist, mentioned
that there appeared to be many holes in the drill and Boston should either
condense the drill or fill them. (we're talking double digit holes).
Fifth 49.something - Boston needs much help if they want to make quarters
Crossmen
Shakos. It hit much the same as when Star changed from Aussie's to shakos in
1986. So, let's keep in mind that particular comparison and talk about the
rest of the show.
I tried scrambling the letters in Crossmen to see if they could spell
Star, and well they don't, but someone in the organization must think so,
because this is (at this point) a minor-league Star. School for Scandal by
Barber.
Sure, the music is going to be similar. But is there something about
Barber's music that says "hey, let's have the horn line dance around and do
body movements to help interpret the music."? I don't get it.
Guess what the guard wears... Yep, black body suits. But, I'm not going
to complain much, because at least Xmen aren't sitting on the floor
cross-legged and playing nursery school songs.
The first part of the show is allright, it's not stellar, and yes it's
still early for them. The Star comparison are evident throughout the whole
show, from horns to drums to guard, IMO.
The huge cymbal thing is interesting, but sparsely used and not as
effective as maybe Xmen'll make it a few weeks from now. Now, the bass drum
thing is really cool. I liked that a lot and apprarently so did the corps.
Because, from the point of which they pick up the 279 bass drums (okay,
it's only like 10) the show goes into a semi-overdrive. It actually gets
difficult and challenging, they actually march difficult stuff and play. It's
not good, yet, but at least it's got something you can sink your teeth into and
look forward to in a about a month.
Still, overall the show's kinda weak and the hornline in struggling with
the book and the whole program is struggling, again IMO, to understand the
concept and how to sell it.
Third - 65.something - the point spreads around them were just about right
Bluecoats
Uniform changes. They wear little army private type hats (sorta like the
MickeyD's type things, only nicer) and white pants and a sash with a
buckle-type thing. The guard from a distance looks like something from a
League of Their Own and yes, it's a '40s type outfit.
Canton's first show and it showed. The cymbal line sounded like they were
still in last year's show at times. But, the opening 45 seconds as a whole
presents a wonderful first impression.
The hornline is markedly louder than last year (and I'm told they're
patiently being brought along in the loud department so expect more loud soon)
and at times the sound is, well like those neat-o Canton lines of years gone
by. The whole show is a treatment about the environments surrounding the 40s
and the advent of war.
Canton has decided to attempt to present a literal and abstract approach
to presenting these ideas. The result is a highly, highly entertaining show
which should please all types of fans. Actually, I thought it was kind of a
fun show too. Meaning, I'm ticked that I was born too late to be able to be
out there playing it.
The staff's design for the most part is nicely done (and I'm told the
judges were expecting a fastball and got a curve). There are some little lulls
and things that didn't connect to the crowd, but it was the first show and they
were a little nervous and reall, not everything is entirely in. Besides, I
think maybe they were interested in seeing how people would react to what's
there so they could make some changes based off of that.
The crowd seemed a little confused at times, but people around me
mentioned how much better it came across than previous year's, so it goes I
guess. This show has much potential in it, much like Xmen, if it can be
cleaned and sold by the members.
Fourth - 63.something - seems low, but the judges squashed scores tonight
Phantom Regiment
A staffer told me about some of the changes to this show and PR being the only
corps I've seen twice this year, I was interested to see the results. And
well, the changes were good.
Phantom seems much more comfortable with the show and the performance
level is up. The drill stills has them running all over the place and they're
starting to get the hang of it.
It's still a show that will take a bit of time to grow on you, but it's
got it promising points. The guard still disappears at times and the contrast
between the them and the horn/drum line is not what it could be. When they
pick up the white frame things in the ballad, this becomes apparent.
The white frames are still quite effective. Once more, it gave me a
somewhat 3D illusory effect. The hornline still had some difficulty playing
the show.
The changes, I was told, was from the jingle stick part in the drum solo
on out to the end. From what I can recall, it comes across, both musically and
visually much more effectively.
PR has some potential, I'm not so sure anymore if it's top 2 potnential or
even top 4, but if they can pull a late season surge, then maybe they could
surprise some people. Once more, my biggest problem is lack of contrast,
mostly in the visual aspect of guard to the rest of corps.
Second - 71.high arounf .7 behind Cadets, very surprising
Cadets
Wow. This paragraph is an semi-open letter to the Cadets and George Hopkins.
The 1995 Cadets are pushing the creativity envelope in a wonderful way, they're
attempting to evolve the activity in exciting ways and it's got really great
potential for doing that. And guess what, they're doing it without reeds, and
band instruments and without electronics and amplification. See, it can be
done, the activity CAN move forward positively as it is. DCI does NOT need to
go into woodwinds and electronics simply to be more creative. And the more Mr.
Hopkins and his staff come up with shows like '95 Cadets the more they prove
that point.
So, you think I liked this show? One huge negative though is that it
takes way too long to set up the field. Heck, I was waiting for a little crew
to bring out a tarp and cover the entire field. Also, the abstractual back
field scene props seem overkill. The lightposts and the bench and stuff fit in
nicely, but projecting a city scene from the back didn't add anything.
Last year the Cadets showed attitude on the field from the whole corps.
This year they continue that and kick butt. The guard is good enough to beat
many, many guards in August. They rock. A few comments noted though that the
guard is almost always segmented and seems to winter-guardish.
If you don't really know the music, well don't worry. You'll like it,
it's good stuff, both brass and percussion (a very hip tenor section). The
drill does seem to stay within the confines of the light-post boundaries, but
it's also effective to say the least. There were times when I got the illusion
that the form actually went THROUGH the park bench around the center X.
This show just gets better and better. Both from a loud and exciting
standpoint to a nice and emotional standpoint. Really, the most descriptive
thing I can say is that if you live within 4 or 5 hours of where the Cadets are
doing a show, go see it.
Previously, I thought BD was going to do a 1994 and just storm through to
Preview and coast on to a ring. Now, BD had better have one helluva show,
because this 95 Cadets show is easily one of the most entertaining, challenging
and pleasing shows in a while.
First - 73.point something
Lastly, I was pleased with the score range, because it seemed as if the judges
were trying to place the corps where they belonged point-wise on July 1, 1995
in Hershey, PA. Not where they belonged with respect to the DCM show yesterday
or the DCW show five days ago. More of this kind of scoring would help keep
all this scoring hub-bub to a minimum.
Which means Preview is going to be a heck of a show. And so, there it is,
as usual, these are my opinions as fed to me by my largely underused brain and
are in no way influenced by anyone else (including Donny Allen, even though
he's been watching over my shoulder).
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