CrossmenAlumni Posted December 18, 2006 Share Posted December 18, 2006 If you're looking for which show sounds the most like the Pat Metheny Group (as much as a drum corps can sound like a guitar-based jazz fusion group), the conversation begins and ends with the 1998 Crossmen. Compare the Klesch/Hannum/Ancona arrangements to what you hear on the live The Road To You CD and it's stunning how close to the original they are. The '91 show gets props for its drumline, and deservedly so, but I actually prefer the '98 percussion BOOK because the pit parts are superior...that '98 pit is the best the Crossmen ever had. Period. It's unfortunate that the snareline had too many injuries to overcome in '98 or else we'd be talking about (arguably) the best Crossmen drumline of all time. Throw in that amazingly dynamic '98 color guard, and you've got your winner right there. The '91 color guard just can't hold a candle to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geddy Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 My biased opinion is '91, of course.. The video doesn't nearly do justice to how much the drumline moved during that show (while playing that incredibly fun book) - but I know.. I'm still trying to find a high camera version of that show.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlbionNY Drum Line Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 MBI 05 ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CorpsLife Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 Yes but witch show did Pat Metheny like? I remember him saying that Boston did a fantastic job playing it when BAC got to open for him in 1995! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peerno Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 (edited) If you're looking for which show sounds the most like the Pat Metheny Group (as much as a drum corps can sound like a guitar-based jazz fusion group), the conversation begins and ends with the 1998 Crossmen.Compare the Klesch/Hannum/Ancona arrangements to what you hear on the live The Road To You CD and it's stunning how close to the original they are. The '91 show gets props for its drumline, and deservedly so, but I actually prefer the '98 percussion BOOK because the pit parts are superior...that '98 pit is the best the Crossmen ever had. Period. It's unfortunate that the snareline had too many injuries to overcome in '98 or else we'd be talking about (arguably) the best Crossmen drumline of all time. Throw in that amazingly dynamic '98 color guard, and you've got your winner right there. The '91 color guard just can't hold a candle to that. For those of you who don't know Gary Cuzzocrea, let me just tell you that (to me) HE is one of the first things I think about when I think Crossmen. Soooooo, for him (as someone who marched in 91 Crossmen) to tell you that the best Metheny show ever belongs to the Crossmen from 1998, folks... ya gotta believe him. The work that Thom, Mike Klesch and Jim (and Colin McNutt don't forget) put into that show... I mean, Hannum said it himself... he'd been waiting more than 10 years to put that show on the field. First Circle was probably some of Hannum's finest writing (115 to the end, whoa). Jim Ancona was masterful as always...and Colin was responsible for most if not all of the opener (Third Wind) except for the drum feature. I mean this show was quality. So, for us as members that year...it was all we could do to keep up with the show...and we did have many injuries in the snareline (but we still held our own against the rest). For me, obviously, the answer to this question is 1998 - listen to the CD. 1991 may have been a bit more raw and exciting... but as a whole package...1998 is it for me. Chris Perna Crossmen Snareline 97-98 Fan of Gonzo since 1997 Edited December 19, 2006 by Peerno Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRiddell83 Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 The '91 corps is a thing of legend.... Yet I picked Crossmen '98. I just happen to prefer the arrangements and visual package of that year. Plus a few buddies of mine were in that line. It's really interesting to compare the arrangements of 'Third Wind' from both Crossmen shows to see two fairly different approaches to the tune. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Ream Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 My biased opinion is '91, of course.. The video doesn't nearly do justice to how much the drumline moved during that show (while playing that incredibly fun book) - but I know.. I'm still trying to find a high camera version of that show.. you biased? :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
show_mellow Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 I love 1991 Crossmen. Absolutely amazing... No doubt about it. But 1998 Crossmen is actually my favorite drum corps show of all time. Definitely the best Metheny show. I can't help but watch it all the time and listen to the sick mello runs and eerie mello lines. The sweet pit, amazing guard... I actually got to chat with Doug Ballard (marched mello that year) one time about the show. I told him my favorite part was at the end of the show after the drum break... The mellos are marching slowly across the middle of the field in a triangle with an eerie slow line and tension is building as everyone else is marching fast and the pit is goin after it... Then all of a sudden... BAM!!! Everyone comes in with a huge hit and the mellos have this sweet run. Doug said he almost couldn't hear himself at finals because the crowd was already on their feet screamin' so loud! Then this high sop note and energy builds and then...oh man... Awesome show. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_S Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 My favorite Metheny selection was Crossmen's Heat of the Day in 2002. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomR Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 yeah, if we're not talking total shows, I choose Crossmen 02. Heat of the Day was awesome, and combined with Strawberry Soup, that was just a really cool show. ~>conner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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