Semi Finals Open Thread

[perc2100]

I was REALLY hoping Cavies would take down BD tonight, but after watching BD, that hope was completely unrealistic.

True. Like everyone else I have my personal preferences regarding who's show I like better (I actually REALLY like Cavaliers show this season), but watching Blue Devils you can't deny their incredible consistency and Championship level performance.

[saxfreq1128]

Haha, okay. Here it is. Hope this one makes sense too. It made sense to me.

I finally understand Crown's show. It took a lot of viewings, but in just watching the guard, I get it now. It's not about a second chance at winning at all, if you really watch it and pay attention, you will see that (I know this will sound corny), but it's more about a second chance at love. If you know the back-story to last year's ending, Peter runs back to his own life, having to leave Tinkerbell behind in the fantasy world. Now fast forward to this show. Same character as before, and at the beginning of the show, with the Mahler, it's the fight between the two lovers, namely as we see the female lead tempted by the second male lead. ending with the first male lead striking down the female lead. Transition into the next part and Danzon, and it's her search for new love. Go to Nimrod, and she's found a new love, but still is conflicted about her old love. Enter again the Mahler Resurrection, and it's the fight between her two potential new lovers. We reach the first ending, and she chooses wrong, going back to her old love. The show rewinds, and she goes to the other love, with the Promise of Living playing signaling her right choice. But the real twist is that Promise of Living also signals Peter returning to claim his love, and the two go off into their own world. See, it makes sense now?

Thankfully I don't seem to have to be able to follow all of that to be able to enjoy the show. Cool reading, though.

So what's your interpretation of BD?

[WestCoaster]

I heard some wide drags at 1:50 .. and a rouch accel at 4 mins.

Listen again and pay attention to the quads. They can't even play 16th notes together.

There's all kinds of other stuff too.

As far as being one of the top 2 in 88, I want some of what you're smoking. The cleanest line out there (and the one I think deserved the ring) was BD, by FAR. SCV was also awesome. It gets fuzzier after that, but Garfield wasn't in the same class as those two at least.

There's a related judges tape you can check out too...lotsa mistakes on there (and again, I LIKE the Cadets...if you listen to the 89 tape that's also in the sidebar it is FAR superior).

[2000Cadet]

True. Like everyone else I have my personal preferences regarding who's show I like better (I actually REALLY like Cavaliers show this season), but watching Blue Devils you can't deny their incredible consistency and Championship level performance.

And that's the great thing about BD. From the seat I was in tonight, everything was just on freakin point. And I gotta say, their jazz-run technique is absolutely impeccable.

[supersop]

Listen again and pay attention to the quads. They can't even play 16th notes together.

There's all kinds of other stuff too.

As far as being one of the top 2 in 88, I want some of what you're smoking. The cleanest line out there (and the one I think deserved the ring) was BD, by FAR. SCV was also awesome. It gets fuzzier after that, but Garfield wasn't in the same class as those two at least.

There's a related judges tape you can check out too...lotsa mistakes on there (and again, I LIKE the Cadets...if you listen to the 89 tape that's also in the sidebar it is FAR superior).

I agree that BD had the best line that year. I agree that SCV was very good as well. Those were both slam bam ty maaam shows. In your face throw down and serve it up on a platter. Garfield was none of those things. It was Copland. Agreed, 89's line was sick (and got shafted come finals ...... I have copies of the tapes so I'm all good). I can't stay up and play tonight.

ME NEED SLEEPY!!!!!!!!

[fsubone]

Thankfully I don't seem to have to be able to follow all of that to be able to enjoy the show. Cool reading, though.

So what's your interpretation of BD?

No, you don't need all of that stuff to get the show, I could have fit it all into one short sentence- "It's a second chance at love". See, I did it, but I wanted to really elaborate on it to get explain the theme as much as I could.

Oh, I've posted my thoughts on that show elsewhere, but there's no discernible theme, so nothing to write about that show. Sorry. But I've been very vocal with my thoughts and opinions if you find yourself in the Q-Finals thread, in the same post as my synopsis of Crown.

[bstar82]

With all the complaints about the judges and their bias for/against certain corps, will there ever come a day where the judging panel would have no affiliation with any corps in their past? It seems like DCI needs to set up some type of system i.e. background check of potential judges and their credentials. Nearly every judge has either marched or has been employed by some type of drum corps. It makes sense that these are the people that are the most qualified and willing to become judges, but at the same time their evaluations cannot ever be considered equal across the board. One judge earlier this year was being raked across the coals for her numbers in some early season shows. I knew her from 24 years ago marching drum corps and she has been judging D2 and D3 corps for around 5 years or so. This was the first time I noticed her judging on a WC level and her numbers were way off both directions according to most people on here. But I knew there was no way she would be judging 1/4's, semis or finals on the WC level. I noticed Dick Saucedo judged open class this week. Could he ever judge Cavaliers fairly or any other corps he has worked for?

Even as far back as 30 years ago, people were complaining about politics with Dave Bandy, Mike Deangelo in the 80's and Sandra Opie who have been accused of playing favorites. Should DCI go outside of their comfort zone and find educated people who do not have a previous corps affiliation and try and hire them to take on such a difficult job? It would probably take a lot more money to train them and to keep them employed compared to what we have today. It is a thankless job and I applaud my friend for doing her best, but I would never want to be in her shoes so to speak. It reminds me though of when I worked as a pit boss in a casino. There's a famous saying among card and dice dealers. You don't deal according to company policy as much as you deal to whoever is your boss that shift. It is a stupid but very true statement. I guess corps have to perform in the same manner, to whomever is on the judging panel each night. How they are ever expected to reach their peak by this manner, I'll never know.

[perc2100]

And that's the great thing about BD. From the seat I was in tonight, everything was just on freakin point. And I gotta say, their jazz-run technique is absolutely impeccable.

For sure. I was the Fan Network stream with a couple of VERY talented/experienced visual instructors: one a former Vis Caption Head that has won more Championship rings to fit on only one hand with a TON of High Vis awards, the other a tech who also has his fair share of DCI Championships. While they are hyper critical of everything visual due to their background (and also SUPER competitive and don't compliment/hype shows that aren't executing at a high level: high meaning near Championship level) they were both impressed not only with the visual design but the incredible execution. Agree with you whole heartedly about their jazz-run technique, and generally think they put on a visual clinic tonight (and probably Thursday as well).

[WestCoaster]

I agree that BD had the best line that year. I agree that SCV was very good as well. Those were both slam bam ty maaam shows. In your face throw down and serve it up on a platter. Garfield was none of those things. It was Copland. Agreed, 89's line was sick (and got shafted come finals ...... I have copies of the tapes so I'm all good). I can't stay up and play tonight.

ME NEED SLEEPY!!!!!!!!

Hey, before ya go...

link to copyrighted material removed

Incredibilishiously clean beats begin at 1:40. Enjoy.

[perc2100]

Life must be simpler when you can answer your own questions.

And when you're naive enough to either 1) not understand things and have to resort to insults since you have zero basis/ability to formulate evidence that supports your point, or b) when you are so blink to your bias you refuse to try to rationally think through a program