Murfreesboro Review Thursday

[Jacob]

Here's a review of how I thought things went in Murf. Thursday night this year. I've been a DCI fan since I was 7 months old - no kidding - parents took me to a show and I just sat there in my mom's lap with an awestruck expression and didn't move until the corps left the field. Guess I've been hooked ever since.

Anyhow - this was my first show since 2005 where I had a great seat so I was very pleased to see the corps from an excellent vantage point on the right side 46 yard line 3 rows in front of the judges platform area. So now to the review.

Music City - For a first year corps and starting their season at the end of July with this being one of their first shows ever, they handled themselves very well with that pressure. There is some good teaching going on with this group. I thought that their strong point was their drumline. They got some good response from the crowd after their features and they gave a sense of confidence that you didn't get from other parts of the corps. The brass line was a nice balanced sound for the most part and produced a good volume level for a group their size. Some memorable moments include their company front in which they take the risk and double time march forwards giving a great push of momentum to the end of the show as well as their double swing flag moment in the ballad ending with the tenors holding umbrellas. Good staging at those points. I'm excited to see how far this corps can grow not only this year, but in the years to come.

Jersey Surf - My first opportunity to see this corps in person. I was impressed first off by their color scheme - very unique design on their uniforms and it gives the corps proper a sense of character - a very whimsical character. That said, it was a hard match with that whimsical look and feel to have them playing Mozart. So there seemed a conflict of issues to me. It's a unique concept for the show - but some decisions should be made for the interpretation of the style of the music - are they going to be traditional and match that classical style? or should they revamp it and interpret it in a new way? To me, those questions weren't answered or communicated well because I wasn't sure how they were doing it and I think it hurts the overal aspect of the flow of the show. That said, I thought they used the syntesizers rather well in portions of the show - at one point they had a synth harpsichord sound which really fit in nicely to the texture of the mallet percussion feature. And using vocal "ahhs" was a good effect but they sometimes never lined up rhythmically with the rest of the corps. And that's a danger to writing rhythmic keyboard parts because the action of the keys can have delays with when the sound is produced and amplified - they weren't the only ones dealing with this issue either.

Pacific Crest - I enjoyed their show and thought that they had some very nice moments. Their overall sound was clearer than Jersey Surf so it sounded cleaner and more precise. That said, they need to take that sound and add some finesse and musicality to it - so some subtlety with dynamics and more phrasing should help this corps continue to improve as the season ends. The drill forms were mostly clear and they had a lot of variety within the forms. I felt a timing issue/tear at the beginning of the closer for about 10-15 seconds but it recovered after the impact moment. Overall a solid corps.

Troopers - I was so happy to see them back up to the quality they were when I was first introduced to DCI in the 80's. I always feel nostalgic when I see the Troopers and I think most DCI fans do too - those uniforms are so distinct and recognizable as only Trooper style. Their show this year provided me the first WOW moments of the night. I must admit, I hold a deep biased love of West Side Story, so anyone who does that automatically has favor in my book. And when iit's done well let's just say I am pleased. Troopers did it well. There were some excellent moments of staging and setup with the design - great use of silence in places to add effect. The sunbursts that the Troopers were so famous for back even in the 60's were used well here on 2 occassions I caught - and instead of it just being an old-fashioned move that they've always done so why not do it again - it really felt like a blending of old-world drum corps meets new world drum corps. And I think that's the Trooper's place in DCI right now. They've entered and embraced the "new world" of DCI while still keeping a door open to the "Glory Days" as many see them. I hope to see them in the Top 12 this year because they are capable of doing it.

Spirit - I think Spirit's show concept is an excellent way to entertain the crowd - which they certainly do. However, I do not think it will be a vehicle to help them move up in the DCI standings back to a finalist where they were a few years ago. That shouldn't be discouraged - you can tell that the corps enjoys performing this show to its fullest and they know that their job is to entertain the crowd. And they succeed. Their brass line was good as a whole - but individual sections were not as strong when featured. If there were some type of connective material between the Kansas songs I think it would help them a lot - because right now it feels like they say, "Here's a song, here's another, here's another, and one more...we're done." So while the show could be cohesive because all the music is the same genre and from Kansas, in today's competitive world it needs more than that to stay with everyone else.

Colts - The opening of the show is very nice - and you get the sense of the theme immediately - on the sea journeying on a boat across the ocean. Very engaging. Then past the opening I saw a great drum corps with a solid brass line, good percussion, and great guard performing something that didn't connect with that theme. And musically, all I felt like I was hearing was transitions - no music, or driving rhythmic patterns, just transitions to the next big hit. However, the last 90 seconds of the show was fabulously written - musically, visually it makes sense and definitely packs a punch. But that 90 seconds won't be enough I think to get them back in the top 12 again - but I could be wrong.

Madison Scouts - To me this was the 2nd show of the night after Troopers that had cohesive design from beginning to end. It made sense and would have had great effect if....execution were up to par. Comparatively, the corps is behind most of the others in terms of performance and execution. They have a lot going on and they aren't doing all of it to their best abilities yet - so if they can clean, polish, and tweak, then I think they will begin to not just creep up, but leap up in standings. The ballad for me was the weakest point in their show - not overly exposed brass writing, but the sound that came out wasn't good compared to the rest of the show - that and the ballad lacked dynamics and phrasing that most of the rest of the show has. But I think they will get it in the end. I hope so.

Blue Knights - I love the Blue Knights - what I love about them is how predictable they are going to be. I can always bet that I will watch them and see a beautiful show with some very intracate design, amazing body movement, and excellent playing - but never walk away with a memorable moment. (The only exception to that with me is their 2006 show with the mallet feature and the corps swirling around one guard member...anywho). Their show was full of the finesse and command of performance we hadn't seen yet. Some people complain that BK has no personality with their corps -I disagree. I think their personality is an understated, simple, artistic personality that sometimes hints at a darker side underneath...think the shy quiet kid who sits by him/herself reading books and drawing in a sketch pad. Not your class president or class clown, but without him/her the school wouldn't be complete. That's how I feel about BK.

Blue Stars - Another nostalgic moment for me. Because I remember seeing Blue Stars as a Div III corps struggling to field 40 kids - and here they are dominating the field. What a show and what performance level!!! I felt a great sense of personality from the corps - especially the guard with this show. I was reminded immediately of the Cadets show from 1995 when they did the Homefront show. Excellent narrative line and story line throughout. What I wish they had continued however was the impact on the factories - the opener was the only part of the show that really stuck with that idea of working in the factory during WWII - then the war broke out - then it ended and we partied and celebrated but remembered those who had lost their lives. It is a very touching show - but not entirely original. It also might have been good to explore even more sounds of the factory to use throughout the show - with the synthesizers it makes for a great chance to add some extra music effect. Still - I loved the show and I was teary-eyed at times - beautiful arrangement and harmonization of TAPS at the end of the ballad.

Santa Clara Vanguard - HOLY COW!!!! This was my favorite show and performance of the night. I have seen Martha Graham's original choreography for the ballet music on a video with her performing it - and I can say that SCV has not only honored her with this show, they truly embody her. What a perfect show for them. I always think of SCV as the "British Royal Guard" of DCI - where they are so stoic and intense when you see them, but they radiate a power and energy when the perform that gives you chills. They have that in truckloads this year with this simple, yet ridiculously complex show. It was hard to find errors going on - I'm sure the judges did - but I let myself sit back and enjoy it and didn't worry about that. The sound was incredible and perfect for the music - visually when I first watched it online, I didn't feel the visual effect had the demand they needed, but I truly feel they have got it in the show when all things are combined. Outstanding visuals from both the guard and the hornline. I would LOVE to see this show on top in 2 weeks - which might just happen.

Carolina Crown - I have watched this show online several times and I really enjoy the contrasts that they bring to the field when they change styles and mindsets (changing sides of the street I guess to the greener side). For me, this was the MOST difficult and demanding show put on the field. And it is still not being executed to the level that Cavies and SCV are doing which is why it is currently behind them. If Crown can wrestle control of this show and make it look effortless, then there will be some good news for them in Indy. The most memorable moment for me was a crescendo in the ballad into a hit from Somewhere - started in the mallets soft and slow, then continued to build through the hornline until BLAM!!! It was probably the closest thing on earth to ascending into Heaven.

Cavaliers - I've also watched this show several times online - I will admit that I am not a big Cavie fan - I'm not a hater of them, but since around 2003, I have just come to expect the same thing from the Cavaliers and I'm usually not disappointed. But because I never get anything new from them, I'm never as excited to see them as I am other corps. That said, I was pleasantly surprised by their offering this year. I think musically they have some strong things going for them now - especially percussion. Brass is better than it has been in the last 2 years - but not up to SCV's level. Visually of course they do things that are just excellent and so clean and effective. But what I think lacks is their musical book this year - their new brass arranger does some great things, but he had a tough act to follow - and Saucedo's style of writing fit so easily into the corps image and performance - now they are lacking a personality and will have to find themselves again. It reminds me of the early 90's Cavaliers - where you had some sheer excellence especially visually and percussion - but musically not as memorable. Saucedo provided them with that memorable sound and writing style - so either they try to mimic his writing or go in a new direction. I'm for the new direction - and I wish them the best because I know they will be performing their best.

That's my Thursday review - I might do a Friday one too - but not right now. I hope you enjoyed it. And please feel free to disagree with anything I said. That's why they are opinions.

[bandbuck]

Great read. Would love to hear your comments on night #2!

[Contra Mom]

Thanks for the review! I'm glad that Crown sent you close to heaven! lol :-) Love that brass, but I'm slightly biased of course!

[PeeWee]

Thank you for your review.

I haven't seen a corps performance live since July 4th (Pasadena), so I have to live vicariously through those of you who write reviews on here, at least until I hit Indy next week.

I agree with the assessments I've read in this forum about BD and Cavies this year. Their shows just don't "grab" me.

I honestly think Holy Name Cadets (good name for their 75th Anniversary) have the energy and demand to take it all this year! I can't find a weak or boring part in their show.

I love SCV, of course, but just don't think their repertoire has the "energy" of Cadets.

I also love the Bluecoats this year! I don't understand why they're scoring so low, but...that's probably why I wouldn't make a good DCI judge. Audience appeal goes a long way with me, and Bluecoats have it!

Good luck to all corps in Indianapolis next week! And thanks again for the reviews. :-)