Drums Along the Columbia Review

[08ThunderBass5]

Tonight, I got to attend the only drum corps show in Washington State this year, Drums Along the Columbia held in Tri-Cities, WA. On Saturday, the Blue Knights were in town so I went and watched them all day from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Then yesterday (Sunday) I went and watched the Cascades, Troopers and the Blue Knights again. Today I watched SCV all day then went over to the show. Yes I got my drum corps fix and Yes it really made me wish I had marched this summer instead of staying home and doing nothing. Anyway, here's my review.

Oregon Crusaders- I heard the MIDI version of this show online back in December and I remember thinking, "Wow. I don't think this show is going to turn out that well". And to be honest, as I watched it live, I was not a huge fan. I'm not saying the members didn't work REALLY hard to get where they are and that is totally awesome! I just didn't like the show that much. Its called "Equilibrium". The hornline was between 30-40 I think. They managed to come up with a fairly decent sound from time to time but there playing overall was kinda weak. Visually, this show has a fair amount going on but it still needs cleaning. The front ensemble was pretty strong but the battery still has a way to go I think. They aren't locking in very well yet. Overall the show seemed like it was lacking some necessary detail work. Hopefully that comes soon. As they were leaving the field too, it was not a pretty site. I mean isn't technically part of the show but you mine as well look good as you exit but the horns went 3 different directions and just walked out of time. They had props but not enough to justify just walking off the field in every different direction. It seemed really disorganized. Overall, the audience wasn't too impressed by this corps. There was minimal clapping and no one was really diggin it which probably sucked for the performers. (those shows are not fun) Anyway, sorry to be so negative on these guys! I'm sure they're working hard!!

Cascades- I actually got to see these guys dress rehearsal last week and there full run yesterday. With that being said, there show tonight was WAY better than either of the other two runs they had. I talked to a bunch of the members though and they weren't very happy with there performance tonight; they said there last one in Portland was better. Anyway. I REALLY REALLY love the show these guys are doing this year. Its called "Beyond the Forest" and it was written VERY well! I think it has a ton of potential (I hate that word) these guys just still have some more work to do. The brass is around 40 people and they sound small. I also heard a lot of feet in there playing. Visually, theres a lot of cool stuff happening especially in the drum feature but it seems like they are having a tough time putting the music and visual together. There were also some individuals that had some marching issues including a horn player that took a fall. Doh! There were points in the show were I wanted MORE from the brass but it died out and it got really evident at the end of the show that they were tired. The drums were surprisingly impressive! They've got some timing/phasing stuff to work on but I thought they had a pretty good show; looked good in the lot too. There was one REALLY bad tear in the time though right before the bass feature and the bass drums made an awesome save and still nailed there solo but I got real worried for a second there! Speaking of bass drums, they sound nice tone wise, but I thought the tuning was too low imho. Also, I didn't dig the guard uniforms. Kinda look like...... idk an oompa loompa mixed with a tree lol. Not really that bad. Its just early on for them and they still have lots of cleaning to do etc. Its a young corps and there fighting a lot of stuff it sounds like but they have a really solid show to work with.

Troopers- Yeah troopers!!!!!!! I was really surprised by these guys! If you are at a show and the troopers are there, See them!!! Don't skip them for lots or something. The brass in this group is quite impressive and so is the drumline. This group is much stronger than past groups I think and they should have a great year ahead of them. They had a good balance of music/visual and kept the audience entertained. The brass had some great impact points that surprised everyone! I though they had a good balance and a good tone as well. The drums were playing very well too. There book wasn't as hard as other corps but they were playing the crap out of it! Again, I can't emphasize how impressed I was with these guys compared to what I've seen from them in the past. The show concept is pretty cool "Western Side Story". It was cool to hear random bits of west side story pop out in the show. They along with almost all the corps had a company front towards the end of their show but it wasn't as "Impactul" as some of the other ones. This corps did a good job leaving the audience with a good impression as you are seeing because I am having a tough time remembering the negative things. Go troop!

Santa Clara Vanguard- I am having trouble finding the words to describe their show/performance. I have never seen a drum corps perform so musically, and so artistically before. This performance was way more than a drum corps show. They actually sold it as a ballet on the field! This show already is one of my all time favorites. I was just left speechless by the end of the show. It gave me goosebumps, chills, watery eyes, the works!! I loved every second of it! For those who don't care for this show this year.......I kind of understand but at the same time I don't! This show is going against the stereotypical drum corps shows these days and I think its awesome!!! So what if the first half doesn't have any park/bark blasts etc!!! They are performing like crazy out there and not to sound cheesy but you can actually feel the passion they are putting into there playing. You really can! These guys love what they are doing. Anyway, the brass was my favorite group of the night. They had a beautiful warm full sound coming out of there Yamaha horns. It took 3/4 of the show for them to open up (company front) but from a design standpoint the wait is well worth it and excellent writing! Andre there brass guy is doing GREAT work! This horn line is seriously awesome. There drum line is equally impressive! They are playing some crazy crazy stuff! There drum feature left all the percussion guys in the audience speechless as they played four-strokes way too fast/clean. haha. Sick bass feature too. Tenors- A+. Cymbals- Epic. Front Ensemble- Nice. They added a measure to the end of there drum feature also to make it more conclusive which I liked. They also have added a ton of visual stuff to the whole show since the last webcast. So for those that predicted there strategy for visual this year was to start simple and build up; you were right I think. The show is coming along beautifully and I am having a hard time understanding why people are hating on this show! If you haven't seen it live, it is a whole different show live than online; it really is!

Blue Knights: I got to watch these guys rehearse for 2 days and saw two rehearsal full runs and their performance tonight. In conclusion, I dig this show! Musically, I love this show a lot! Russ Newbury, the brass arranger (whose from pasco, the show site) did an awesome job with this show! Out of their shows I've seen the last 4 years, this is easily my favorite. There horns sound really nice too! Not quite as solid/warm/full as scv but still a great sound. So the highlight of this show for me was the horns and the music overall! I think the drums are playing cleaner then they are getting credit for because there snares have a really fat wet sound so it automatically makes them sound dirtier. There book is harder than troopers, but not as hard as scv. I got to meet the bass line (really nice people!) and they are playing some really cool/challenging stuff. The snares I think can all play there parts individually, they are just having a tough time putting it together as a line. I think they'll clean up though; its just a thick sound. The blue knights biggest downfall in my opinion was there visual work. They have a VERY ambitious visual book this year (more than scv i'd say) but right now its REALLY dirty! They spent five hours straight on Saturday doing just visual work and more on Sunday but they still have a long way to go. There issues range from shapes not locking in, to people's feet actually getting out of phase/step. So overall musically these guys are on the right track but their visual show is really really holding them back from excelling.

This was an awesome show! I feel like I got my money's worth for sure out of this show. I should add that the show coordinators did an awesome job putting it on. Everything from housing site accomidations/hosting to advertising, to the actual show. I was really impressed. They packed the place too! It wasn't sold out but probably close. Anyway, I'm going to be posting a bunch of pics etc. online soon. What a great weekend :)

[NWdrumcorps]

Jeff - "There" = "Their" for most of your review. Thanks for the recap, but PLEASE spell check in the future to make your reviews sound more credible.

[prodigal bari]

Jeff - "There" = "Their" for most of your review. Thanks for the recap, but PLEASE spell check in the future to make your reviews sound more credible.

Didn't make any difference in the credibility to me...good review! And...live and learn, newbie.

[NeutralNovice]

NWDrum... as if you've never made a mist... ah nevermind, not worth my time. Anyway, thank you for the detailed review, I really appreciate people like you taking your time to share you're experiences.

Hey, NWDrum, welcome to the board. Would you like to correct my "you're?"

[08ThunderBass5]

Oops my bad on the spelling lol

[08ThunderBass5]

Do you not like the Oregon Crusaders because you competed against them last year or because they do not have a good show? The comments about field exiting are petty at best.

Oh no! I really did not mean it that way!!!! Even though we competed last year I would never rag on a corps just for that reason. They had an awesome show last year and they work very hard! I know a bunch of people who marched there last year and some this year. I myself have even attended some of their camps there before but it was too far to travel at the time so I had to stop going. The reason the review was negative was just because their show didn't quite do it for me. As far as the field exiting thing goes, I guess I either didn't do a very good job describing it or I'm just being too picky. I don't know. For me anyway it just stuck out and looked bad. Just one of those things I guess. It would have bugged me no matter what corps did it though. It wasn't just because it was O.C.. But I am all for supporting ANY drum corps regardless of competition etc., especially in the Pacific Northwest!! Sorry if I gave a bad vibe there.

[08ThunderBass5]

Oh and I took a bunch of pictures the past three days at the rehearsals leading up to this show (Drums Along the Columbia) I'll post the pics from the actual show as soon as I can.

Blue Knights- 7.4.09

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1023...mp;l=c739856d74

Cascades, Troopers, Blue Knights- 7.5.09

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1023...mp;l=e9491e077f

Santa Clara Vanguard 7.6.09

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1023...mp;l=3e9dce380a

Even though they are albums on facebook you can still view them even if you don't have an account; they are public albums.