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The Nose

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Posts posted by The Nose

  1. So I was recently at the Lewisburg show and I decided to bring along a relative of mine to show them what this activity was that I enjoyed so much.

    This person has seen another drum corps show that I took them to a few years ago, but is definitely not a drum corps expert. Outside of marching band halftimes this person rarely sees the marching arts, but is a big supporter of music in general. I did my best to explain the basics of the drum corps medium to them. So I would say that this review is from the eyes and ears of a general person who doesn't know the sheets, but does know what entertains them. I thought it was interesting enough to include here. This is my paraphrasing of what our conversation was after the show had concluded. Again this is not my review but rather that of someone else to give an outsiders perspective.

    Bushwackers - They are small, but I can see what they are doing. I think their show would sound better if they had more people. They have a very interesting show and I get the concept.

    Hurricanes - Deep sound with some interesting music. Very colorful presentation. Interesting idea for a show although a little harder to follow and it doesn't flow like some of the other shows. Not the best "high points" as compared to the other corps.

    Empire Statesmen - Oh my goodness! Loved the entertainment value. The story was awesome to follow which made the show much more enjoyable. Familiar music with a lot of big impact and wow moments. Colors were very nice although the "flags" (color guard) could have been better. Very fun to watch.

    Buccaneers - A very nice program, however noticed a few drops from the "flags" (color guard) that took away from some of the high moments. Good sound overall and the marching was very good. Show flowed fairly well but didn't tell as good of a "story" as Empire.

    Caballeros - Loved the mask ideas and the color change in the "flags" at the end. Interesting concept of a show, using different masks throughout the show and different sounds and tempos throughout. Marching wasn't as good as some of the others. Extremely big sound and beautiful solo.

    Their prediction of the outcome

    1. Empire

    2. Cabs

    3. Bucs

    4. Hurcs

    5. Bush

    Again leave the flames at home, these are not my thoughts but I thought it was interesting to see what the "general public" would think about the shows this year. Good luck to everyone the rest of the way.

  2. Before you did your mad scientist calculations, you should have taken note of the word "Variations", although playing Malaguena and or Pictures of Spain more than once every four years also seems excessive, no? If you would add in Malaga and all the other songs based on the phrygian mode that sound remarkably like Pictures of Spain, I think you would get a result more like 70 - 80 % of the time.

    BTW, you wouldn't happen to know a guy named Dale Bari would you? :tongue:

    I think with his newest additions he only has to count to two instead of his usual calculations!

    Also I didn't notice any licks from Malaguena or Pictures at all in this years show, but then again it was the first time I'd heard it outside of what they'd put on youtube.

  3. They have been playing shows that are variations of Kershner's "Pictures of Spain" or "Malaguena" for the better part of the last four decades, maybe longer. (I don't go back farther than that.) It's been done MANY times, including the last two years. I will admit the closer was much more contemporary sounding. Kinda like an Arturo Sandoval chart. (I liked that part of last year's show too.)

    Hmm let's see the years that Cabs have played Pictures of Spain or Malaguena in the last 4 decades

    2008(M), 2002(P), 1996(M), 1995(M), 1994(P), 1991(P), 1990(M), 1985(M), 1984(M), 1981(M), 1980(M).

    So in the last 40 years both of those songs have been played a total of 11 times (or 27.5% of the time) In the last 10 years, its been done twice (pictures once and Malaguena once). In the time you've mentioned they also played non latin stuff mixed in such as the 1812 overture, Sabre Dance, Night on Bald Mountain etc.

    Sure if this were 1997 I'd probably agree with you, that (Malaguena especially) was overplayed by the Cabs in recent memory. However (like it or not) if you want the Cabs to play Egyptian Music, or West Side Story you're going to get years like they had in 2005 (scores and support in the crapper) and 1993 (the one year uniform change) respectively. One could make the argument against a number of certain corps who have overplayed certain charts through the years (Bucs Russian Sailors Dance, Hurcs Mag 7, Empire My Way, Sky New York New York etc.) but no one mentions them, it's always Cabs who get the ****, ****, **** same old **** **** **** same old ****, treatment.

    I applaud the Cabs for doing something VERY outside the box for them, with the exception of the Rumps (which again I think plays into their identity theme).

    Again I'm not promoting the Cabs should have won, I have NEVER said that. What I am saying is that the idea that a show about the identity of a corps, who has always played Latin music is NOT going to be Latin, is completely ludicrous.

    As someone else said, PLEASE get back to the reviews so that I don't think I'm crazy and saw something that no one else saw!

  4. Cabs were strong, but it all seemed a little too familiar (Kinda strange considering they are playing an original show!?!) Bush was "unusual" as usual. I bet they will make a run for the Top 6 if the fill out the corps. Fusion was probably the surprise of the night - Best early season show from them to date by far.

    Besides a few "Rump" quotes (which since the show is apparently about finding an identity would make sense) what did you say is too familiar?

    Does this mean that Bucs shouldn't be playing Classical music, or they shouldn't be playing Phantom's 08 Ballad (sounds pretty familiar to me). Or how about Empire, maybe they shouldn't bring out the American flag and fire extinguishers. Heaven forbid the Renegades don't play something dark. If a corps choice of music dooms them before it even starts then why even bother performing in the first place. To be honest this is probably the most closed minded statement I've seen posted here.

  5. All due respect to your opinion, and not having witnessed the show myself....the caption recaps have the Bucs with a COMPLETE caption/subcaption sweep. The show was judged by a very respectable crew. It would just seem to me that based on this, there could have been no doubt who won the show. Perhaps everyone is just getting plain fatigued by the Bucs constantly winning....

    If you didn't see it then how can you say that "everyone is just getting plain fatiuged by the Bucs constantly winning". I'm on record as saying I loved Bucs show in 2005 and I think that they've deserved to win the last few years. However you seem to not be able to check your opinions at the door. I don't think many people were saying that Cabs should have won by 5 points, but that Bucs were not THAT much better than Cabs. Like I said I would have had no problem with Bucs winning IF the scores were closer. I have a problem with OBVIOUS "reputation scoring" for a first show.

  6. I agree with a lot of what the previous poster said.

    Sitting in the crowd and hearing "This is gonna be close" coming from Bucs Alumni in the stands and after hearing 75 for Cabs hearing "Ok 76.15" as a potential score, EVERYONE I believe was shocked at the spread between Bucs and Cabs. As the previous poster pointed out I thought it was going to be a toss up for who was going to win the show. After seeing the spread I literally have to ask myself if there is any way that anyone could possibly beat Reading this year? To me, having watched Reading's shows since 2005 this is the closest anyone has come to knocking them off at any show I've been to (and I've been to a lot). To have them down 5 is absolutely insane. As a fan who enjoys competition I would like to ask DCA at what point does competition come into play when it comes to scoring. Having completely no bias towards either corps I would have had the corps divided by less than a point. If Reading had won by less than a point, I would have agreed. Had Cabs won by less than a point, I would have agreed. But to say there was 5 points different between them is telling me "I should just save my money and stay home because if the 1995 Madison Scouts came out they would not beat Reading". What is it going to take for someone to beat them, because honestly at this point, I think it is absolutely impossible.

  7. I would say that anyone who was at the Secaucus indoor show would disagree with some of the comments made in this thread. When the announcer says "sounds like a winner" and the standing O at the end seemed never ending, I guess that means they should just pack it in for the year.

    Predictions before we see ANY corps on the field are stupid and pointless and lead to posts like the ones I'm referring to, which are also stupid and pointless.

    And for what it's worth I really enjoyed Reading's show last year.

  8. After doing some researching I found the website with the link the the Holyoke Parade. After jumping through parts of it I believe I found the 3 corps that (I believe) were the only ones there.

    http://www.wgby.org/parade/index.html

    Cabs 4:19 - 9:13

    Bush 53.33 - 54.52

    Hurcs 108 - 110

    Might I add myself to those that are quite impressed with Cabs progress so far this season. Bush sounded strong (the commentator over exaggerated their hornline numbers though), and I believe played the same version of Danny Boy as Cabs. Hurcs also sounded nice, right about where I thought they might be.

  9. It's a shame that the decisions of the previous administration essentially put this corps (especially the marching members who had nothing to do with it) behind the eight ball. I'm very glad that they've put out a quality product every year even after "Bingo-gate". Hopefully they will use this time to regroup and come back strong in 2011!

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