Popular Post DrumManTx Posted June 24, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted June 24, 2016 (edited) Wow. WHAT an evening. I brought my mom with me. Band mom, very intelligent, and even though she doesn't have any training, she is pretty smart with her comments. So I'm gonna talk about the theater experience first, nothing about the shows. Theater Experience: Sound - Terrible. EVERYTHING sucked! There were pops when it even got kidna loud, and loud is relative because my theater had the audio turned WAY down. Couldn't hear the hornline most times over the synth, not sure if that was the corps fault or mic placement, given every show had mics right in front of the speakers for each corps sound systems, I'm willing to bet the latter. Terrible. Show reps on the map across America were cut off everywhere, ect. I really hope that was the theaters fault. Now that I have that off my chest! Oh wait. Some incredibly rude high school kids in my theater. Talking through EVERYONE, booing the Blue Devils any time they were shown, heard a few "Bluecoats Suck!" in there. I stared back at them a bunch, and I'm sure I was't the only one. Made it incredibly annoying and hard to watch at times. The Shows: Overall, what an exciting evening! 1 show that absolutely blew me away, 4 that I loved, and 1 that was disappointing. Thought scores were low, and I thought some spreads were interesting, but I'll get to that. I'll provide a 4 - 5 word impression, enjoyment rating, my score, my placement, and some brief comments from my mom who I brought with me. Boston Crusaders - Quixotic 6th Place - 60.450 The Impossible Dream (The Quest) from Man of La Mancha - by Mitch Leigh Man of La Mancha (I, Don Quixote) from Man of La Mancha - by Mitch Leigh Dulcinea from Man of La Mancha - by Mitch Leigh Suite española, Op 47 Asturias (Leyenda) - by Isaac Albéniz Quixotic - by Ryan George, Ellis Hampton, Marty O'Donnell Impression - Solid start with huge potential. The Show: Score does not represent it, but I think these guys are one to watch. I think they improved a TON after last years opening. Drill design and field coverage was leaps and bounds better, guard design and integration was outstanding, and I think I get the overall arc of the show for sure. I loved all the symbolism from Don Quixote in there, have been familiarizing myself with the source material, literary and music over the last few days, and I think they really did capture the essence and just overall arc of that story without telling one. I feel like the music book has tons of potential, the opening and closer are fantastic in that regard. The Quixotic section in the middle, I feel has tons to be developed. If you're going for chaos, GO ALL OUT! I feel like that is a part of the show that will grow and change til finals night, and could be really outstanding. And the closer, I loved, I think that will be something that is stuck in everyone's heads as the year goes along. The props. They look amazing, not sure if I like the fact that they don't move in unison when they are spinning, but you cannot argue they are not integrated and utilized throughout the program. Again, something I think will develop over the year. Overall, I liked the show quite a bit, and I think they have a great vehicle! Score aside. The Performance: I thought they sounded great overall, big moments were very full and lush. Percussion was rock solid, I think they could really grow throughout the year. I think the color guard was outstanding in parts, unfinished in others. Some work missing in the middle. But the color and presence they have is great, and they looked fantastic in the opening moments through the Asturias section. Great job! Comments from my Mom: She liked them overall. Really liked the uniforms and props. Recognized the Impossible Dream immediately. She did feel that the props did get in the way some, but she liked them. She thought the windmill and symbolism in the drill was cool. Overall, she enjoyed them. Personal Enjoyment out of 10 - 8 Potential Growth - As far as they can go, no ceiling. Personal Score and Placement - 63.95, 6th Phantom Regiment - Voice of Promise 5th Place - 63.450 Preludes for Piano, Op. 34, No.14 - by Dmitri Shostakovich The Chairman Dances - by John Adams Ave Verum Corpus - by Colin Mawby The Darkest Moment - by Rob Ferguson and Bret Khun Hymne Des Fraternises: I'm Dreaming of Home - by Philppe Rombi Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra - by Benjamin Britten Impression - Aimless, dated, with some moments. The Show: Will get through the negative first, I'm not saying it's fact, it's just my opinion, take it with a grain of salt. I make it made it my goal to be completely honest this year, and unfortunately that means I'm gonna have to say somethings about corps I want to love. Sorry. I'm going to start off with my biggest issue, and it seems this is shared. The visual program, I'm trying to be nice, but it looked.......really weak. The way things were spaced, staged, flow, form design, ect. just seemed VERY amateur. I thought the drill was fine last year, and God knows why they got rid of Thompson, but I was shocked to say the least. I thought the guard was pretty solid, but the way they were staged just framing the corps over half the time, save the section between the two ballads, was not integrated at all. This looked like drill from the 1990s. And with how much that plays into today's scoring, that will NOT cut it. That was the biggest issue I had. I feel like the way the music book flowed, was weird. I'm fine with them having more than one ballad, but the pacing going from a ballad, to a drum feature, to a ballad just made the show feel so long. Theme. I understand what this show is supposed to be, but I did not see that at all, save some designs on the flags and what I think were a few drill hints at the past? It just felt like they were playing nice pretty music and spinning pretty flags. It just felt, directionless. I don't know, maybe they have stuff planned to flesh it out, maybe I will think it's a great homage to the corps, but right now thematically I did not understand the presentation. So some good things, I'm sure everyone thinks I'm a Phantom hater now and will despise anything they do. I thought the opening hit was great, really reminded me of 1996 in a way, very dark, lush, and powerful. Thought the second ballad was very beautiful, really great soloists. Closer could be really fun come August. I want to like this show, if you believe me. Drill design just doesn't cut it for me at all, and the pacing of the show is really strange. The Performance: Overall, really solid. I think this is where they opened up a three point gap over Boston. Some really great moments from the low brass that had me buying the show at times, and percussion was solid. Color guard seemed really good, some great costuming and equipment for them. Overall, nice! Comments from my Mom: My mom didn't know anything going in, so I found it interesting when she said this: "It was nice, but it feels like they aren't from today, it looked dated compared to the one before them". Her words, not mine. If you hate on my mom I'm coming for you. Personal Enjoyment out of 10 - 5 Potential Growth - I think they could really develop it, but I think there are some visual issues and pacing that could keep them from progressing a ton. Personal Score and Placement - 64.55, 5th The Cavaliers - Propaganda 5th Place - 65.400 Music for The Funeral of Queen Mary - by Henry Purcell Symphony for Band "West Point - by Morton Gould Elegy for Dunkirk - by Dario Marianelli Lollapalooza - by John Adams Impression - Old Cavalier swagger, modernized. The Show: 2nd favorite of the night, hands down. I liked it Monday night, LOVED it tonight. I think they were incredibly smart in what they did. Picked a show theme that would be easy and fun to flesh out, and brought back some classic Cavaliers and modernized the hell out of it. The stuff from the funeral for Queen Mary sounded A LOT like how it was used in "A Clockwork Orange", I feel like that is TOTALLY where it came from for this show. That opening hit, holy ####. The we aren't machines quote fits withe the corps, their identity, and the theme. Perfect. Loved the dark, almost angry tone of this show. Thought the West Point piece was really nice, though I hope they develop it a little more, a little thin at times. But that section is all. about. that. guard. Holy rifles! Talk about some great guard integration and staging, this was totally inspired by 2010, but done in a way that didn't feel like a copy. Get in line, catchy, executed really well. The ballad, going to be one of my favorites of the year, of the modern era maybe. Love the source for the mic'd material, sad it cut out some. I think the singing stuff from the Dunkirk piece fit in SO well with the wartime propaganda feel to this section. And that hit in the ballad, WOW. So emotional and dreary, beautiful. Lollapalooza. The snares walking up all bad ### playing AND doing drum speak form the microphones was pretty fun to watch, fun! Trombones were hella fun in this part, great way of utilizing them with the intent of the original music. The ending of this is crazy, maybe a bit TOO much right now, but I thought the modern political ads from Berine, Hillary, and I'm SURE there are some GOP ones in there as well, along with store ads, ect., and I think even saw a Tilt one in there! Clever. It just builds, and builds, and builds, and builds, and builds. LOVED the coke ads layering in on top of that until it just explodes at the end. The ending is pretty raw and overwhelming, but I think when it is refined, it'll be fantastic. Great job Cavaliers. And also, welcome back Mr. Hinshaw! I thought you were solid in 2012, no one was going to follow Gaines well, and I'm glad you are getting a second chance, because I think that's the most Cavalier looking drill since 2011. The Performance: Man, they are coming in hot this year! I don't think anyone was anticipating that spread to the Cadets on opening night. Brass, best since 2011 in the early season. Percussion, best since 2011 in the early season. Guard, best since 2011 in the early season. I have to give it to the guard, I felt like I was watching pre 2012 again. INCREDIBLY fun, masculine, and entertaining. And they could spin too. I think the men from Rosemont know they have a great package, and will grow this thing into a freakin BEAST. Great job gentlemen, loved you tonight. It's hard not to like the Cavaliers, but it's been awhile since I LOVED them. Comments from my Mom: She recognized a bunch of ads, the speeches, and the coke on at the end. She said it was really overwhelming at the end, but she said that was probably the point. Thought there should be more green on the uniform, needed color. Personal Enjoyment out of 10 - 9.5 Potential Growth - Really solid start, but tons of room for growth. Personal Score and Placement - 66.95, 4th The Cadets - Awakening 3rd Place - 66.950 Pines of Rome, mvmts I and IV - by Ottorino Respighi Wine-Dark Sea - by John Mackey Turning - by John Mackey Impression - Dirty now, dangerous later. The Show: So Monday night, I had some serious doubts, some remain but aren't serious, others dissipated all together. Plumes helped some with the drill, but still looked a tad muddy. Think an off grey would have looked good. But the show. I think I get it now, Monday night I was seriously struggling to find anything about statues coming to life, but tonight I saw some, and see huge potential where that'll obviously come in. I think right now the front half and back half, Respighi/Mackey do feel a tad disjointed, but it's not huge and not a permanent one. Man, the Pines of Rome opening is going to be amazing on finals night. One of my favorite uses of Trombone this year. Great start to the show. The Pines of Rome stuff feels done, know it's not, but I feel like they really capture what is probably joy, wonder, and that kind of stuff a statue would experience coming to life. The guard stuff on the stage feels a little forced, it's like "HERE IS OUR GUARD THEY ARE BETTER PLEASE NOTICE THEM", glad they added work getting to their spots, makes it better. Some KILLER drill in here, drum feature comes to mind. Thought some of the electronic patches they picked are pretty hokey, closer as well, but not that bad. The end of that section is bonkers fast, and the fact it's the first time they REALLY let loose with that Cadets style, heightens it. Nice! Turning, in running for my ballad of the year. WOW. I feel like I also got this section after not getting it on Monday night. I think the guard stuff is interesting, they just need to sell it more. The climax running onto the stage, guard ripping at members, wow. Now I love the stage, what a huge, emotionally charged, fantastic moment. Hello August GE! Closer. Definitely felt the most under developed, so I assume more thematic additions are forthcoming. Pretty straight forward marching and playing til the very end. Glad muscle man got some clothes and wasn't just flexing, made me feel REALLY uncomfortable Monday night, haha. I think the trumpet soloist is incredible, and boy does he sell the statue pose. Violin had some technical issues out of her control? Regardless, think she adds a great ambiance to the show. The Performance: Dirty. Score showed it. But honestly Cadets fans, entertain me here. Wouldn't you rather have this now, than get to two weeks before championships and absolutely sputter out again? I think they have TONS of changes and additions coming, planned or not, and we know they can play and march, it'll get clean. I think HOW clean will determine if they get in contention or not. Brass is really solid, think they are struggling a bit with demand right now, but really solid. Percussion, WOW. Think the announcers said it best. No one plays on the move like them, easy Stanford contender. Front ensemble was amazing, shout out to a friend I know on Marimba. GET IT! I think the guard is leaps and bounds better designed compared to last year. I don't think it's as advanced as others around them, but it works, and I think if it gets clean, will work really well. Glad to see them trying more dance, characterization stuff. You need that in this show! Comments from my Mom: She said Cruella Deville called, she wants her dalmatian fur back to the plumes. Haha, she's funny. But she said that she thought the concept was really cool, just needed to be done more. She said the show looked really hard. Personal Enjoyment out of 10 - 8.5 Potential Growth - Dirty start, but the potential pay off is huge. Personal Score and Placement - 68.95, 3rd Carolina Crown - Relentless 2nd Place - 69.2 The Good, The Bad and The Ugly - by Ennio Morricone Ecstasy of Gold - by Ennio Morricone Medea's Dance of Vengance - by Samuel Barber Journey of The Lone Wolf - by Simon Dobson El Tango de Roxanne - by Sting, Craig Pearce, Baz Luhrmann, Mariano Mores Equilibrium - by Paul Lovatt-Cooper Il Triello (The Trio) - by Ennio Morricone Impression - The title says it all. The Show: I love the bones of this one a lot more than last year, and if they layer like that, watch out. God, the arranging Michael Klesch has done this year is sublime in a few parts of this show already, this being one of them. The way he blends Ecstasy of Gold and Medea together is nothing short of masterful. The sound effects over it are pretty fitting for sure. It’s so lush, and the tension that just builds and builds into that massive brass hit, both musically and visually is just, well Relentless. Haha. Talk about some incredibly unrelenting visual and musical responsibilities in the next section. Some very 2012 esque drill in this section, and the guard integration into it is just fantastic. Love the weaving of Medea into this again, great stuff. The brass feature in the middle when it gets tight, ooh. Chills. Fits in really well too. When the guard jumps on all flags and integrates throughout the corps before that big push, it’s eye candy. Really intense stuff here. I’m pretty surprised at the amount of people who seem confused/don’t get the arrangement of El Tango De Roxanne. If you listen to the source, it’s one of the more faithful to the originals pieces I’ve heard in a while, it’s nice to hear a corps play all of something and not just 10 seconds before moving onto one of a million other pieces. Mr. Trombone soloist, my hat is off to you. Bravo, you sound like a million bucks! The playfulness and aggressiveness of this section is just……..so fun and exciting. The guard stuff with the pairs and stools is just a blast to watch, they picked up where they left off last year. Great drum feature in the middle, and when they hit that thing full corps, it’s just SO good. Love it. Trombone wailing over the corps as it ends is just fantastic, sounds like the mic went out. Ballad is very interesting. A lovely arrangement of a song we all know, beautiful mid voice writing over the melody, and the guard just keeps on tossing away for DAYS. I remember Sunday night when they finished up with Hallelujah, I thought there was more, and them going into the Trio stuff as part of the ballad was SO unexpected and took me left when I thought we were doing a right and a uturn. Took me by COMPLETE surprise. This is another one of those masterful arranging moments I was talking about. Fantastic. Okay, so I love 80% of the show if you break it into five parts. Closer needs to grow on me, particularly the section before the end where Medea comes back in. Kinda disappointed there wasn’t more of Equilibrium if I’m honest. The brass feature in the middle of all of this is INSANE, but I feel like this part of the show happens pretty quick without a lot going on besides that and the fantastic finale. That needs to be fleshed out a lot more. There is a low brass moment that stays on one note right before the Medea that could be a lot more exciting. Once they get to that though, they set the world on fire. Story was easier to follow with the camera shots tonight, and I think will be really good once they really flesh it out. If they flesh it out like last year, watch out. The Performance: I thought they were cleanest of the night, especially visually. Field looked empty, maybe in a good way, after Bluecoats got done. Really crisp forms at time, great marching too. Brass was incredible as always, they sound a tad gassed out at the end, and the two big run moments will definitely improve, but fantastic as always. Percussion is definitely improving! I agree with Dennis though, the ones ahead of them are just amazing. Think they'll be around 5th or 6th again this year, but more because of who is ahead of them this time rather than because they are dragging. HEY TIMPANIST! WELCOME BACK! :D Hope you're healthy. Color guard. OMG. Definitely a Zingali contender again, not huge on the silks in the closer, but that is literally my only complaint. Comments from my Mom: She really liked them, having watched Moulin Rouge with her a few times, I knew she would love Roxanne! She said they seemed like they did a good job of blending modern stuff and old school stuff. She loved them, loved the guard costuming! Personal Enjoyment out of 10 - 8.5 Potential Growth - Clean, great bones, and could be a beast if they layer masterfully again. Personal Score and Placement - 70.05, 2nd Bluecoats - Down Side Up 5th Place - 69.700 jose/beFORe JOHN5 - by Aurél Holló The Heat of the Day - by Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays Raga Raja - by Project Trio Udacrep Akubrad - by Avner Dorman The Great Gig in the Sky - by Pink Floyd Todo Tiende - by Ojos de Brujo Impression - Two words. Game changer. The Show: As soon as I heard their description before getting to the theater, and watching some of the Motionhouse stuff, it is really easy to see where they got the inspiration for this show, it's uncanny. Go watch some of their stuff, if you don't get this show, that will help you . TONS. Where do I begin? As soon as I saw the uniform, I knew we were in for something absolutely crazy. And those props, WHAT?! The opening of this show, is just freaking fantastic. The clapping was really clever, I love the Spanish flair to this show. As soon as they slid down the slides for the first time, my theater lost it. And when they ran out, even more, and you could hear the crowd go nuts on the cinecast. Heat of the Day, just builds and builds and builds into that DISTINCT Bluecoats sound and openness in the chord and brass. I knew it was special as soon as they hit that first impact. The spread of the corps at the beginning is pretty impressive from a listening environment standpoint, ESPECIALLY in a dome, and they freaking nailed it. THE FRONT ENSEMBLE STAGING IS STUPID. BUT THEY DID IT. How the hell they can play that well spread that wide is beyond me. Amazing job ladies and gentlemen. The next section, grooves for DAYS. So much happening, it's SO dense visually, I need to see it a bunch more times. Drumline, Rarick. Thank you so much. Your arranging the last few years has been sublime. I think this is the first time I've thought early on that they could really have a shot at the Stanford, they are picking up where they left off for sure. Wow! Those four trumpet soloists, when they get the intonation and small things locked in, that is going to be FANTASTIC! Tons of great screamers this year, something that seems like was missing in DCI the last few years overall. They are back. The running up and down the slides thing was brilliant, reminded me of The Cadets ballad last year. Great Gig in the Sky. A touch shorter than I would have liked. But the climax is just an explosion of color, musically and visually EVERYWHERE. It's so overwhelming and stimulating and amazing. Again, once the soloists tighten it up, they will sound AMAZING. Loved the trombones, subtle, but the tone and color they added just added to the rainbow of musical colors this ballad was. WOW. That was everything I wanted it to be. Closer, fun fun fun. This was probably one of my favorite pieces of source music and it was just as fun in context. Every single section of the corps shines here. Then you start adding Trombones, other mic'd brass......OH MY GOD, it just builds and gets noisier and crazier, and just explodes at the end. I know this is placeholder, but if this is the first draft, the final one might make my freaking head explode. I was going to complain that one of my favorite parts of Heat of the Day got left out, and then they came in BLASTING with it and I was in Heaven. Wow. Just stunned. I forgot to mention the guard contribution in color, exciting work, and character. Fantastic job. Slides. REALLY cool, they look amazing, and I think for the most part their utilization and creativity is sublime. I do hope they continue to experiment and try new things on them, don't wanna get stale! Also just making the transitions with them look more organic. Other than that though, fantastic job. Again. Drill. WOW, hardest, most complex, most dense, best staged, best designed stuff they have EVER done. SO many layers to that to watch and dig through. A few years ago as a Bluecoat fan if you woulda told me that I would be saying that kind of stuff about their guard and visual design, I woulda called you crazy. This is the most progressive show I have ever seen. The Uniforms: Feel like this deserves its own section. I think it's freakin brilliant. There is no way they could do the type of body, sliding, acrobatic type stuff they do in this show in a traditional uniform. They needed something that could breathe, flex, and work in this show. And I think they do. I think the visual aesthetic fits VERY well with the theme. They look like a dance company. I can totally understand hating these things, they are incredibly wild. But if you're into this kind of thing and open.........you probably love them just as much as I do. The Performance: Not a single freaking weakness. Color guard contribution is huge, and they looked really solid. LOVE THE SILKS! Brass, that is the tightest and best sounding I think they have EVER sounded early on, they sounded incredible. MELLOS! God they can rip all over the place, they sounded like a million bucks in the opening minutes. I think their approach to balance, tone, and blend is by far my favorite in DCI today. Balanced, with just a touch on the bottom end. Sounds AMAZING. Those huge chords sound so full, open, and just sublime. Percussion. Holy crap. The front ensemble listening responsibility is insane. And they handled it amazingly. Tons of fantastic ethnic percussion in there, and they sound awesome. Drums, like I said, first time I've felt like they could take the Stanford trophy. Bass drums, my hat is off to you 5 ladies/gentlemen. As a bass player, they made me wet my pants. Comments from my Mom: She said this is the future, and it's really cool. Loved the color guards flags and the uniforms (surprised!). She thought they were incredibly exciting and really fun. Her favorite. Message to the Bluecoats: Thank you. Thank you for finding an identity in 2014, and not letting go of it. Thank you for pushing yourselves and the activity with your shows. Thank you for being progressive, but entertaining as HELL doing it. Thank you for keeping us in mind too. Thanks for making me remember why I have been a Bluecoats fan since 2009 when they gave me my first live DCI experience. I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOU LIVE!!!!!!! Personal Enjoyment out of 10 - 11 Potential Growth - I have no idea where this show is headed. SOLID start, it could win. But regardless, I don't give a........thing. This is the craziest, wildest, most fun thing I have ever seen on a football field and for that reason alone I really don't care. I hope they can win, but if they don't no tears lost. That will just be icing on the cake. Personal Score and Placement - 72.05, 1st Conclusion: Thank you to all the members on your hard work, I have had a blast watching drum corps and my respect and enjoyment for it only continues to grow. There was something in every show tonight I really enjoyed, and I can't wait to see each show develop and grow in to August. I can't wait to see what this season has in store! Edited June 24, 2016 by DrumManTx 20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Posted June 24, 2016 Share Posted June 24, 2016 (edited) derp Edited June 24, 2016 by Lance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrumManTx Posted June 24, 2016 Author Share Posted June 24, 2016 (edited) . Edited June 24, 2016 by DrumManTx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrumManTx Posted June 24, 2016 Author Share Posted June 24, 2016 derp Derp acknowledged. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cappybara Posted June 24, 2016 Share Posted June 24, 2016 Wonderful review DrumMan! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrumManTx Posted June 24, 2016 Author Share Posted June 24, 2016 Wonderful review DrumMan! Thanks! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Lancer Posted June 24, 2016 Share Posted June 24, 2016 (edited) Don't worry about Bluecoats getting stale. The staff keeps adding and changing things up. This performance was even different from what I saw Tuesday! Edited June 24, 2016 by Jurassic Lancer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Lancer Posted June 24, 2016 Share Posted June 24, 2016 Oh, and fantastic review! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrumManTx Posted June 24, 2016 Author Share Posted June 24, 2016 Don't worry about Bluecoats getting stale. The staff keeps adding and changing things up. This performance was even different from what I saw Tuesday! Oh I don't think they will. :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloofanboy95 Posted June 24, 2016 Share Posted June 24, 2016 Love your review! I really agree with a lot of what you said. I'm really excited for you to see Bloo live because it's sooo different. I went to many of the apring training camps and got to attend the last one before they left for Indy and my God.... It's unfortunate that people are already saying that they don't implement the ramps much. The DCI multi-cam only showed a little bit and to me there was only one shot that highlighted the effectiveness of the ramps. There are some fun uses of those ramps that were not seen on that recording :(. Also the audio from the theatres really undermined the surround sound that the Bluecoats deliver in person. It's honestly unreal especially with the pit spread out and their brass can support it. Last thing is during the camps they were experimenting with future show changes (I won't say anything). The only thing I can say about the future add ons is that the Bluecoats will never be stale the summer. I'm rooting for them all the way! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.