BDCorno Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 I dont exactly post anonymously. I link my fb, lol. Its not like im hiding behind the anonymity of a screen name. Anyone that wants to look me up can. (And a couple hyper-sensitive fans from a couple corps have done just that over the years) If i were to meet them in person, would i bring it up first thing in conversation that i hated their 2010 show? Probably not. But if they asked me my opinion? #### right id give my opinion. Theyre big boys, they can take criticism. And fact is, year after year, regardless of what i think of their design, they do get their members to perform at a top level. That i will give them credit for, and is quite an accomplishment. Well, it's a breath of fresh air hearing you say something positive about BD (which you have a track record of NOT doing). I know Wayne, and I'm sure he neither spends any time at all on these forums, nor would ask you your opinion on their program. So you're safe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbg Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Well, it's a breath of fresh air hearing you say something positive about BD (which you have a track record of NOT doing). I know Wayne, and I'm sure he neither spends any time at all on these forums, nor would ask you your opinion on their program. So you're safe! I have said this before in another thread....but I think it would be fun to have a round table discussion of corps designers/instructors and have like a moderator read to them some of the crazy things people say in here.....I would love to see their reactions to all the nonsense that goes on in here 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjeffeory Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Ah, so the official definition of "crap" is now a simple majority. I did not realize that. No, but it a foundation for what might be considered crap, or at least a bell weather. You know you're not alone when you smell crap. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BDCorno Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 I have said this before in another thread....but I think it would be fun to have a round table discussion of corps designers/instructors and have like a moderator read to them some of the crazy things people say in here.....I would love to see their reactions to all the nonsense that goes on in here You don't believe me? LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BDCorno Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 No, but it a foundation for what might be considered crap, or at least a bell weather. You know you're not alone when you smell crap. Depends on how old you are. (pun not intended!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garfield Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 (edited) So when these longtime friends and collaborators at BD begin to put a design on the field, my guess is that they often finish each other's sentences. From this environment comes a musical and visual story. Not everyone sees it, but the story is there. It doesn't need explanation, you either get it or you don't. As I have said previously, if you went to see Count Basie and John Coltrane was also playing with his group, some would be put off by what they heard.....some would think Basie was too pop (a term not used then) and others would think Coltrane was the musical satan incarnate. When in reality, it's just different tastes. (Been wanting to engage you since I love it so! ) See, here is where that condescending tone of superiority comes streaming out of BD honks, Plan. I'm no Bacharach, but I've listened to a few drum corps shows in my life, so the connotation is that I'm too...<something!> to be able to figure out BD's high-brow presentation is condescending and a little insulting. I don't claim to know all music - at all - but I can piece together musical pictures on par with most music buffs. And I understand phrasing and nuance, too. Why don't I get it? OK, knowing that I'm not a BB expert I went back and listened to all the source music again for all of their pieces. Then I re-watched the Walnut, CA show. While I heard phrases and melodies that I could now recognize, I then tried to focus on the field to connect the tunes with the presentation to see this magical mystery picture you claim would tie it all together and take me on a journey. It was tough. I heard some lush opening notes and a few toe-tapping moments, but I didn't come away say "Oh, now I get it!" And no "journey". Why not? (More comments below) My real question is: What's the big mystery? OK, I can admit that the show eludes me, and I'm probably a BB numbskull. But why doesn't someone from the enlightened BD-honks group speak up and tell me the story so I can, at least, enjoy it from here? Instead of "It is what it is" and "either you get it or you don't", how about someone tell us what we're missing so we all can enjoy the show? If it's easy for you to say you "get it", it should be easy for you to tell me what I'm missing, eh? (Additional comments: Their drum line is SICK! Good God, if that's a mid-July book then the whole field better watch out in August. Ditto the guard, as usual. The kids work like made, the flow of the guard around the corps, and their execution while in block is (nearly) perfect. The colors and textures of the guard are top-notch. Horns, yea, definitely some power there again. And I did hear much more pleasing tones than last year. I tapped my foot several times and said "Wow!" a couple of times. I enjoyed the GE with the poles and their bases, and the angular "steps" they created. I thought the corps floated through and around the props very effectively. This is the most enjoyable BD show I've seen in 3 years even if I don't get the "picture" that Plan9 gets. And I'm no BD honk, that's for sure.) Edited July 11, 2011 by garfield 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garfield Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 I have said this before in another thread....but I think it would be fun to have a round table discussion of corps designers/instructors and have like a moderator read to them some of the crazy things people say in here.....I would love to see their reactions to all the nonsense that goes on in here I imagine they always say the same thing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plan9 Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 (Been wanting to engage you since I love it so! ) See, here is where that condescending tone of superiority comes streaming out of BD honks, Plan. I'm no Bacharach, but I've listened to a few drum corps shows in my life, so the connotation is that I'm too...<something!> to be able to figure out BD's high-brow presentation is condescending and a little insulting. I don't claim to know all music - at all - but I can piece together musical pictures on par with most music buffs. And I understand phrasing and nuance, too. Why don't I get it? OK, knowing that I'm not a BB expert I went back and listened to all the source music again for all of their pieces. Then I re-watched the Walnut, CA show. While I heard phrases and melodies that I could now recognize, I then tried to focus on the field to connect the tunes with the presentation to see this magical mystery picture you claim would tie it all together and take me on a journey. It was tough. I heard some lush opening notes and a few toe-tapping moments, but I didn't come away say "Oh, now I get it!" And no "journey". Why not? (More comments below) My real question is: What's the big mystery? OK, I can admit that the show eludes me, and I'm probably a BB numbskull. But why doesn't someone from the enlightened BD-honks group speak up and tell me the story so I can, at least, enjoy it from here? Instead of "It is what it is" and "either you get it or you don't", how about someone tell us what we're missing so we all can enjoy the show? If it's easy for you to say you "get it", it should be easy for you to tell me what I'm missing, eh? (Additional comments: Their drum line is SICK! Good God, if that's a mid-July book then the whole field better watch out in August. Ditto the guard, as usual. The kids work like made, the flow of the guard around the corps, and their execution while in block is (nearly) perfect. The colors and textures of the guard are top-notch. Horns, yea, definitely some power there again. And I did hear much more pleasing tones than last year. I tapped my foot several times and said "Wow!" a couple of times. I enjoyed the GE with the poles and their bases, and the angular "steps" they created. I thought the corps floated through and around the props very effectively. This is the most enjoyable BD show I've seen in 3 years even if I don't get the "picture" that Plan9 gets. And I'm no BD honk, that's for sure.) [/quote/] Hey G, Well in the simplest terms (not you...the terms....pay attention! ), it wasn't meant to condescend or create an elitest tone. What I meant to say is that there is no need to over analyze the 2011 BD show. There are some 3D type visuals on the field, some typical BD guard toys, a house or parts of a house scattered around and then we wander through a wonderful cross-section of BB's works. No enduring message other than "a house is just a house, until the things that make it a home are present." And is there any song more benign then "wives and lovers"? Come on! No need ot overthink to get it, just like Cavies and CC's shows this year, a visual romp. No magical mystery picture to see....just some of pop americana's best melodies (and more thtan a few memories for some of us), great marching, lush music that resolves and kind of a beginning and end. What does it matter? Who cares! Just like COG, Kenton suggested: "You're not supposed to understand it, you experience it with your subconscious." If the oldsters would have listened to BD10 they would have heard many old BD classic refrains splashed across the program, weaved into it, reflected and then distorted, like images you see as you look up at the skyscrapers (ie COG). Laura was the reward for taking the ride and in the end the grounding in its brief reprise. Now, tell me what Cavies and CC's shows are about this year. Come on tell me! Quick! To me they're just great visuals and great music, a little insanity (like BD08) but nothing designed to leave you some kind of conclusion. A little like Rock & Roll. So when I say "get it", it's like saying "don't fight it, just experience it".....and leave the redeeming stuff to PR. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlamMan Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 When I first heard BD was doing Burt Bacharach, I thought uh-oh, this could be a mistake. When I first saw them live, I thought this IS a mistake. I saw them live 3 times. This show was bland elevator music. This show was really lame. No high points. As of tonight, they have tried to spice it up, at least a little. It does suck less. I spoke to one of the top 5 directors about 2 1/2 weeks ago about BD's show. He basically said that yes it was elevator music with some jazz runs thrown in. And that the audience doesn't get the building the house (is not a home) thing with the props. I thought to myself, it can't that bad. Then, when I saw them for the first time live, i realized it was that bad. It's a shame, because I really liked their show the last 2 years. If BD doesn't win this year, it will be because of the Bacharach theme and Wayne Downey's arrangements, i.e. tonight, they were .5 behind Cadets in GE music. How much did they lose the show by? About 5 tenths. Wayne Downey has had lot of great years. But, I think he's losing it. Who picked the Bacharach theme? He (they) needs to go. Maybe it's time to get some fresh blood in there next year. As for salvaging this year, maybe they should dump the entire show in the middle of the season, like Madison did in 76. They almost pulled it off. This is nothing against the kids in the corps or the cleaning staff, they are doing the best they can with what they have to work with. This show is a waste of some superb talent. This years Blue Devils show gives me hope that musicality & melody will return to the drum corps field. This is a throwback show full of enjoyable music that is memorable. I hope BD wins it all this year. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Boo Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Hey G, Well in the simplest terms (not you...the terms....pay attention! ), it wasn't meant to condescend or create an elitest tone. What I meant to say is that there is no need to over analyze the 2011 BD show. There are some 3D type visuals on the field, some typical BD guard toys, a house or parts of a house scattered around and then we wander through a wonderful cross-section of BB's works. No enduring message other than "a house is just a house, until the things that make it a home are present." And is there any song more benign then "wives and lovers"? Come on! No need ot overthink to get it, just like Cavies and CC's shows this year, a visual romp. No magical mystery picture to see....just some of pop americana's best melodies (and more thtan a few memories for some of us), great marching, lush music that resolves and kind of a beginning and end. What does it matter? Who cares! Just like COG, Kenton suggested: "You're not supposed to understand it, you experience it with your subconscious." If the oldsters would have listened to BD10 they would have heard many old BD classic refrains splashed across the program, weaved into it, reflected and then distorted, like images you see as you look up at the skyscrapers (ie COG). Laura was the reward for taking the ride and in the end the grounding in its brief reprise. Now, tell me what Cavies and CC's shows are about this year. Come on tell me! Quick! To me they're just great visuals and great music, a little insanity (like BD08) but nothing designed to leave you some kind of conclusion. A little like Rock & Roll. So when I say "get it", it's like saying "don't fight it, just experience it".....and leave the redeeming stuff to PR. You make too much sense to be allowed on DCP. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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