Tommy T-Bird Posted July 26, 2004 Share Posted July 26, 2004 OK, not the best seats, but not horrible in that stadium. Not a complete review, just some of my thoughts and observations. If you want my creds, read my sig. DCA CorpsVets: Nice hornline! I appreciate playing in tune, and you did. A few holes in the drill, which affected some forms. Good job by the soloists. They have some work to do to tighten up that show, but I thought the score was about right. I had them around 75. Should be right in the thick of it by DCA Cabs: After reading all the hype, I was very excited to see them. Sorry gang, I was left disappointed. Hornline has a very nice sound, playing a difficult book. Drill is a big problem. Lots of velocity is great, but only if you execute. Very sloppy at times, and not very confident. I hope you can pull it together before Scranton, because the show has all of the ingredients to be a winner. Bucs: Wow, do these guys look young! From what I have read on The Planet, they have improved leaps and bounds. There is some struggling in the soprano book, as I only counted 14, but a nice overall brass sound.Lots of individual errors that could have put them over the top, mostly in body/horn angles,IMHO. The guard prop/holder thingies are a huge distraction. From the time they set them up, stringing a rope across the field, to the couple of times that they move them, they were pulling my attention away from the corps. Nice job overall. Brigs: Look somewhat smaller than in years past (horns). First 2/3 of the show were pretty good, but drill and music in the closer were kind of hesitant. The show didn't WOW me as in the past. Nice solo work in the ballad. The show kind of left me hanging. I am sure that there will be some work and changes by DCA's. Overall, I thought that there was a lot left to be desired, for this point in the season. Didn't get the chill I expected. DCI Capitol Reg: Sorry, nature called, so I missed this show. Only heard bits of it, and the brass sounds nice. Cascades: Very impressed! Super hornline, lots of movement and a fine drumline. I was expecting much less and was very surprised! Now for the downer. The moving tympani is very distracting. There was a big rip when the tymp player was in the back right corner. I appreciate that you are trying something different, but to me, it wasn't worth it. Bring him closer, move him once, and get on with the show. Crossmen: I enjoyed this show. Espescially liked the opener. Nice job! Madison: Strong opener, nap time middle, strong closer. I don't like this trend (started by the Cadets, I think) of a showcase tune, with the drumline standing on the back sideline. Also, the trademark pinwheel was awful. I was disappointed, overall. SCV: Let me start by saying, I am NOT a huge SCV fan. A few years, here and there, but overall, I am a BD/Scouts fan. That being said........... HOLY CRAP!!!!! These guys hit it at the start and do NOT stop! Hornline had the most sonority of the evening. What a great top to bottom sound! And, the movement and velocity of the drill is amazing. Drumline was dirty at times, but will hopefully clean up a couple of spots.(This coming from a brass guy!) Based on this show, the wife and I both thought SCV was the clear winner. BD: My boys, the reason for the 5 1/2 hour drive. The show is kind of cool, with the train effects and all that. I liked the drumline marching around the 50 in a wedge for a bit. A little "throwback moment". Brass is excellent, as usual. Some of the runs these kids play are just awesome. Drill was nowhere near SCV, and that is not something I usually pay a lot of attention to. The show just didn't WOW me like I expected. USMC: What can I say that hasn't already been said? The best of the best, the cream of the crop! I listened to the "Esprit" CD on the way home, because I wanted more, more, more!!!! Excellent job by these fine young men and (4) women! Final thoughts: August 17 is gonna be one for the ages! Based on what I saw last night, and what I have been told about Cavies and PR, it is gonna be a dogfight! I think it will come down to whomever really "pops" a show, because these corps are really close. Congrats to all the corps who entertained tonight, and to 5 Star Brass for an outstanding evening of family fun!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayH Posted July 26, 2004 Share Posted July 26, 2004 Nice review Tom. An honest one (unbiased) that I like to read. Not full of hype, just the facts as you saw them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott414 Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Nice review Tom. An honest one (unbiased) that I like to read. Not full of hype, just the facts as you saw them. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> a honest review. Not many reviews can be totally unbiased as Tom's review was Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msjbari Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Very nice review Tommy. I hope you will do it more often. I saw SCV tonight in Buffalo and they blew me away. I have always loved SCV, but tonight I probably saw the best corps they ever put on the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Ream Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 i gotta agree on SCV dude. nice seeing ya! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean1 Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 thanks for the review Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImissButchandGeorge Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 OK, not the best seats, but not horrible in that stadium. Not a complete review, just some of my thoughts and observations. If you want my creds, read my sig.DCA CorpsVets: Nice hornline! I appreciate playing in tune, and you did. A few holes in the drill, which affected some forms. Good job by the soloists. They have some work to do to tighten up that show, but I thought the score was about right. I had them around 75. Should be right in the thick of it by DCA Cabs: After reading all the hype, I was very excited to see them. Sorry gang, I was left disappointed. Hornline has a very nice sound, playing a difficult book. Drill is a big problem. Lots of velocity is great, but only if you execute. Very sloppy at times, and not very confident. I hope you can pull it together before Scranton, because the show has all of the ingredients to be a winner. Bucs: Wow, do these guys look young! From what I have read on The Planet, they have improved leaps and bounds. There is some struggling in the soprano book, as I only counted 14, but a nice overall brass sound.Lots of individual errors that could have put them over the top, mostly in body/horn angles,IMHO. The guard prop/holder thingies are a huge distraction. From the time they set them up, stringing a rope across the field, to the couple of times that they move them, they were pulling my attention away from the corps. Nice job overall. Brigs: Look somewhat smaller than in years past (horns). First 2/3 of the show were pretty good, but drill and music in the closer were kind of hesitant. The show didn't WOW me as in the past. Nice solo work in the ballad. The show kind of left me hanging. I am sure that there will be some work and changes by DCA's. Overall, I thought that there was a lot left to be desired, for this point in the season. Didn't get the chill I expected. DCI Capitol Reg: Sorry, nature called, so I missed this show. Only heard bits of it, and the brass sounds nice. Cascades: Very impressed! Super hornline, lots of movement and a fine drumline. I was expecting much less and was very surprised! Now for the downer. The moving tympani is very distracting. There was a big rip when the tymp player was in the back right corner. I appreciate that you are trying something different, but to me, it wasn't worth it. Bring him closer, move him once, and get on with the show. Crossmen: I enjoyed this show. Espescially liked the opener. Nice job! Madison: Strong opener, nap time middle, strong closer. I don't like this trend (started by the Cadets, I think) of a showcase tune, with the drumline standing on the back sideline. Also, the trademark pinwheel was awful. I was disappointed, overall. SCV: Let me start by saying, I am NOT a huge SCV fan. A few years, here and there, but overall, I am a BD/Scouts fan. That being said........... HOLY CRAP!!!!! These guys hit it at the start and do NOT stop! Hornline had the most sonority of the evening. What a great top to bottom sound! And, the movement and velocity of the drill is amazing. Drumline was dirty at times, but will hopefully clean up a couple of spots.(This coming from a brass guy!) Based on this show, the wife and I both thought SCV was the clear winner. BD: My boys, the reason for the 5 1/2 hour drive. The show is kind of cool, with the train effects and all that. I liked the drumline marching around the 50 in a wedge for a bit. A little "throwback moment". Brass is excellent, as usual. Some of the runs these kids play are just awesome. Drill was nowhere near SCV, and that is not something I usually pay a lot of attention to. The show just didn't WOW me like I expected. USMC: What can I say that hasn't already been said? The best of the best, the cream of the crop! I listened to the "Esprit" CD on the way home, because I wanted more, more, more!!!! Excellent job by these fine young men and (4) women! Final thoughts: August 17 is gonna be one for the ages! Based on what I saw last night, and what I have been told about Cavies and PR, it is gonna be a dogfight! I think it will come down to whomever really "pops" a show, because these corps are really close. Congrats to all the corps who entertained tonight, and to 5 Star Brass for an outstanding evening of family fun!!! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImissButchandGeorge Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 great review! very on point and accurate while being critical, too - something DCW seems to lack. I have to disagree with USMC. they just get more and more boring every time I see them, and they usually play too long. rah, rah, rah, Sousa March, crowd on feet, clapping in time, standing O - please stick a knife in my back. BD are just amazing, but yes, the ending leaves you wanting more. have we been conditioned to a Madison ending every time? pinwheel was a joke, by the way. I was half expecting the Cabs to run on the field and join in. Cascades and Capital Regiment made you go - wow! (considering that they're near the bottom.) Bucs could really give Empire/Brigs/Cabs top three a scare. SCV stole the show. brilliant and powerful. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ech2os Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 While I love your screen name and the fact that you have the nuts to say what you did about the USMC, I have to disagree about Seattle and Capital Regiment. All those corps sound the same to me. BD was awesome, not sure why Madison Pin Wheel was a joke, but to each his own. I would also point out that the Marines aren't there to impress anyone so to speak. I am sure they are stacked across the board and probably have a few sop players that could make quick work of the two from BD, but that isn't the point. They aren't out there to win a championship and showboat.........not their "style". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ech2os Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Nonetheless, I love your candor and wish there was more of it on DCP. (I also realize that I have just opened myself up for a possible litany of criticisms about my post):) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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