Bridgeport Reviews - Post them here!

[Jeff Ream]

Ray, it's more like I feel the need to post 7 or 8 disclaimers when I know I'm posting something that goes against the grain of public opinion. No interest in fighting. I'm a lover, not a fighter anyway. Maybe my wording was a little harsh in some cases and I tried to explain that I was exhausted (running on less than 3 good hours of sleep), so I apologize if you were upset by my opinions, but they're just that... opinions. If it makes you sleep better at night, go ahead and remember that it is fact YOU that knows everything about everything.

here's your error:

your reivew is your review. you don;'t have to post anything to defend it if you don't want to. In fact by doing so, you only fall into the trap others want you to fall into.

[Jeff Ream]

if I agree with Sayre or not ( and I wasn't at either show, so I have no say) he had the balls to come out and say what he thinks.

doing so has gotten him a ton of #### here and in other threads.

and this is why people do not do as many reviews, then people ##### because people don't do reviews.

gotta love DCP...they want their cake and they want to eat the baker too

[HBD]

Sayre,

Thank you for your very honest critique for all of the performing drum corps at the Bridgeport Show.

This was our first field performance of the season, and we are very proud of what we accomplished! In fact, I am extremely proud of our entire corps! And it's always very nice to receive a congratulatory handshake from the Ringmaster himself! Thank you, Tom Santa! That was a first!

I can assure you that any issues which emanated from the brass line in Bridgeport (as you pointed out) will most definitely be corrected by our next performance at the TOS in Bayonne, on Saturday, July 17th. That is a promise.

Also, thank you for mentioning the first standing ovation of the evening, but you neglected to mention that we received a lot more than just one. Just sayin'. : )

A BIG THANK YOU TO JAY MORLOT, AND THE BUSHWACKERS FOR THE USE OF YOUR PODIUM!!! IT WAS GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!

Thanks to the Barnum Committee for inviting us back to the show, and to my good friend, Ace Holleran, for his outstanding performance as show announcer, as always!!! I love his exuberance! Keep up the great work, Ace!!!

Congratulations to the Reading Buccaneers on their second victory of the season!!! I haven't seen anyone's show just yet, but I'm looking forward to doing so very soon!

And finally...thanks to all of the fans for expressing your feelings so fervently during our performance in Bridgeport! Your enthusiasm, and excitement helped to make our performance "one for the books" for the Bridgemen, and especially for this old drum major!

We had an absolute blast!

Have a great season, everyone!

Jim Jordan

Drum Major/Bayonne Bridgemen

Your welcome Jim

Jay

[HurcsGuyGD.]

I'm exhausted from traveling all weekend, so please excuse me not posting a full review. That being said, here are my quick thoughts from Bridgeport: (please note, I mean no offense to anyone, but I'm feeling brutally honest today) Also note: the weather was weird - kinda on again / off again all the way up til show time. And I was perturbed by the folks at the gate - none of whom could be bothered to point me in the right direction of an ATM. (Kinda sad since I needed to find one before I could give them $60 for tickets.)

The PAL Buccaneers were a tiny local exhibition unit. They field 8 or 9 horns and 3 or 4 drums with 2 kids holding flags. I love checking out these kinds of groups because it makes me feel good watching grass roots drum corps in a world that has all but forgotten its roots. I'll be honest - they struggled - a lot. But you know what? Shame on whoever designed a program for kids this young with such challenging arrangements. You should know better. Choose musical arrangements that are challenging (and require effort to improve) but achievable. It does no one any good to hear 8 players struggle through an arrangement of Russian Sailor's Dance that would make people with three times their experience sweat. I respect those kids for going after it and giving their all - but I hope those in charge get a clue.

Fusion was much improved from their debut at Wildwood last week. A lot of the major issues were more readable. One thing that needs to be fixed is that battery. It' been over three years and that's still a mess. A big part of what bugs me when watching Fusion this year is that they are really trying to push the envelope in show design, but don't have the horses to pull some of it off. Certain parts will eventually clean up, but overall, they are being very ambitious this year. The high point is that they are really reaching to "change perceptions" as they say. The weak point is starts and stops (visually) and the beginnings and ends of musical phrases. Additional stamina will help them surge ahead late in the season. But in order to get to the level they want, that battery really needs to get back to basics.

Carolina Gold was a pleasant surprise last night. I didn't know what to expect as I was thoroughly disappointed with last year's show and didn't feel they should have made the Sunday show. (Again - my opinion, sorry.) However I was excited when I saw their battery tracking parts of the show in the lot outside the stadium. The battery (though small) is rather tight, particularly the bass line, and they add a lot to the program. The guard performs well. I get the play on words with "primary suspects" and the use of primary colors. The program is engaging to the average listener, although some of the Bernard Herman stuff (ala 200 Blue Devils) may be a bit out of their league right now. And I say that, mostly because they only had 19 horns. As their horns get a little more endurance, and the show is finished, they could really upset some of the "primary suspects" at the Class A Finals.

Bushwackers had an up and down evening. There were elements that improved from Wildwood, but I feel like they may have come into town looking to really make a statement and got a little carried away. The control they showed in their debut waned from time to time and exposed some rough parts. The show is developing rather well though, and the crowd was digging "Voodoo." The corps just needs to remember to perform the way they are capable of and they will do just fine. There are still a few more sets (maybe 4-6?) that they need to get on the field yet, and then it'll be time to clean, clean, clean. Bush is notorious for picking up steam as the season rolls on. Right now they are a good shot for the 6-8 spots, however if history holds true for them, there is good potential for a return to the top 5.

The Bridgemen got the first big standing ovation of the night. They were loud, but sloppy. Of particular note was the one soprano player who looked like he just joined the corps that day. He spent half the show with his horn down running around the field, moving through halts, nearly causing collisions, and just being a big-time contributor to the slop factor. Enough about that. The music was good (mostly) but got a little out of hand from time to time. Look, I know it's alumni corps and you're not getting a score, but learn how to toe the line between UGFL and downright crass.

Les Dips never made it because of troubles at the border. Too bad - I was looking forward to seeing them as they're one of the units I hardly ever get to see. Will have to catch them Labor Day weekend I guess.

Bucs had improved on a lot of the things that I was griping about after Wildwood. Stamina seemed improved towards the end of the show. No major collisions. Either there was more detail added to the beginning of the show, or it was stuff I just didn't see the first time. Either way, it helped the big picture. One thing I still can't get past is the drum line. Despite being very good, they have a fair amount more dirt this year than last year and are still receiving ridiculously high marks. Doesn't add up from where I'm sitting. Also, color guard performed VERY well Saturday night. I agree that Reading is still the best corps out there so far, but the point spread is silly. More on that later.

Hurricanes have been quiet all winter, so I was really waiting to see what they would bring to the table. Their show does not disappoint. Musical selections are enjoyable and executed well. There are some minor problems with the marching that I expect will be resolved quickly. There was one near-disaster when some of the bass drummers collided which sent bass #2 (the drum, not the player) rolling across the field. The player made the right call and stepped out of line for a few counts to get the drum back on and get back into his spot. A good recovery that could otherwise have ended really bad. The battery is remarkable this year and I had slightly over Reading (what?! they're THAT much cleaner!) And I'm sorry, but this color guard is the best one. PERIOD. Reading's was really good, Hurcs = BEST.

Cabs were all kinds of bad last night. I mean no disrespect, but I'm not sure what happened between last week and this to make things that were good last week, so dirty a week later. It really bummed me out because I was expecting them to take a big step forwards, and felt they went backwards a little bit, regardless of what the judges saw. Cabs (especially drum line) please CALM DOWN!!! It really felt like they were coming out so fired up that they just got carried away and made silly mistakes, or just lost control of dynamics, articulations, body movements, etc. Same thing seemed to happen to Bush this week, so maybe they were just over-hyping. Point is, I know they are better than what I saw last night, and I hope that's the show I see next time.

There was a fife & drum group (sorry I missed where they were from) that was on while I was trying to tend to my screaming child. What I heard was excellent stuff. That sort of entertainment is not usually my cup of tea, but they're style and performance level made them more engaging to a casual fan such as myself.

The final exhibition was the hometown Park City Pride, who always put on a great show. Their performance of timeless drum corps classics always seem to strike a chord with the older generations and some of the younger folks alike. Again, I apologize for not being able to review them properly, but I had a baby to deal with.

Now - let me make some bold observations. I think the judges have lost their minds over the past two shows. There was NO WAY ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH that the Cabs should have beaten the Hurricanes last night. There was also NO WAY ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH that the Hurricane's guard should have been any other place except numero uno. Fpor the record, hear were my scores (using the same sheets as the DCA judges):

Bucs.........80.225

Hurcs........76.325

Cabs.........73.225

Bush.........70.350

Fusion.......64.150

Gold..........63.325

Again - these are just my un-biased, un-filtered, un-censored opinions. Take them with a grain of salt. Please do not take offense at them, I don't mean to p*** anybody off, but I think the good 'ol "everyone was great" reviews don't really do much for anyone.

PS - don't bother sending me hate mail or flaming me on here - I simply don't care.

Thanks for the honest review. I do not have a problem with the plecements at all. The Bucs were the clear winner. I'm not going to bother discussing the gap. Also, I have a few friends in the Cabs so I thought it was worth mentioning that they worked in a few new very experienced / talanted drummers over the past two weeks. I don't expect the drum issues you mentioned will be a problem over the next week or two. I'm thinking they only need another weekend to fully absorb the show and jell with the rest of the battery.

As far as my home team goes, I think it's safe to say that the demand they are imposing apon themselves speaks for it's self. They performed that crazy show above and beyond what I expected for thier first time out. I admit that I was worried that this level of demand may work against them 2 weeks ago after I checked them out back then. I am glad that my feelings were wrong. I'm ok with a 6 tenths gap between hurcs and cabs.

My only issue of the night was bucs snareline. At times they sounded like a paper bag being stepped all over on by a football team

Just so you know, I am only giving my thoughts as a fan. I retired from drum corps years ago and do not wish for my words to reflect in a bad way towards my former corps.

Edited June 29, 2010 by HurcsGuyGD.

[pete china]

I'm with Fallon on this one and I guess the massive drum corps resume' this person feels the need to showcase (none of which impresses me ) gives the license to comment on all aspects of these shows.

[lovindrumcorps]

I mentioned his in the other forum but find its as relevant here as well:

I think the usefulness of this thread has run its course. Point is.. some where there, most were not. The old school DCA vets who clearly have an axe to grind from some issue that happened 30 years ago can't seemed to stop living in the past and judging corps based on bitter bias of which no one in the current corps have a clue what your talking about. The message you people are leaving on here for all to read is the the old Sr corps persona that most DCI kids are told they want no part of is all valid. So when you ask the question why does DCI think little of DCA... simply read your own posts.

It would be nice that at some point the young ladies and gentlemen who are currently competing in the DCA can come on here and read about their corps and their competition WITHOUT the old school bitter vets from a by gone era hijacking their threads and starting the same arguments all over again.

There may be issues with DCA and the adjudicators, but there is far more wrong going on here where everyone can read it with all of you. Put it to bed already and help support the people who are sweating for your enjoyment.

[HurcsGuyGD.]

I mentioned his in the other forum but find its as relevant here as well:

I think the usefulness of this thread has run its course. Point is.. some where there, most were not. The old school DCA vets who clearly have an axe to grind from some issue that happened 30 years ago can't seemed to stop living in the past and judging corps based on bitter bias of which no one in the current corps have a clue what your talking about. The message you people are leaving on here for all to read is the the old Sr corps persona that most DCI kids are told they want no part of is all valid. So when you ask the question why does DCI think little of DCA... simply read your own posts.

It would be nice that at some point the young ladies and gentlemen who are currently competing in the DCA can come on here and read about their corps and their competition WITHOUT the old school bitter vets from a by gone era hijacking their threads and starting the same arguments all over again.

There may be issues with DCA and the adjudicators, but there is far more wrong going on here where everyone can read it with all of you. Put it to bed already and help support the people who are sweating for your enjoyment.

I agree. Us drum corps fans do not deserve an open forum to exchange honest thoughts with eachother.

Edited June 29, 2010 by HurcsGuyGD.

[lovindrumcorps]

I agree. Us drum corps fans do not deserve an open forum to exchange honest thoughts with eachother.

You know, my mom used to take things away from me as a kid because I may have abused my rights to use them. If the thoughts on here are honest, the vast majority of the people who post on here have some anger issues. Maybe mom needs to make an intervention.

[Jeff Ream]

my problem is people want reviews, then when they see something they don't like or agree with...even if they weren't there...they jump all over the reviewer.

then reviewers stop reviewing.

and people ##### that no one reviews

[BOSMarcher]

my problem is people want reviews, then when they see something they don't like or agree with...even if they weren't there...they jump all over the reviewer.

then reviewers stop reviewing.

and people ##### that no one reviews

THIS!