July 20, Winston-Salem, NC

Thanks to Brian T. Schriber on RAMD for this review!

  OC actually started pretty good but just couldn't keep the sound up. Still 
as an exhibition it was ok. The judge bellowing through most of the show was 
the big turn-off. After the show I asked if he could at least lean back a bit 
so he wouldn't talk through the corps while recording thoughts. Nice guy, 
contrary to what we usually think, cause he actually worked at being quieter 
during the following shows.

  Crown had a little problem with the upper brass tonight during the Enya 
tune. Mostly a big improvement over what I saw at Rocky Mount. Still I think 
that upper brass problem was just a tip of some horn instability this 
evening. Bottom line though is that Crown is humming toward top-12. Have to 
see if they can sustain to the end, but they looked sharp just about 
everywhere.

  Magic was great! I liked the show much more this time around when it is 
clean. They really powered past Crown this evening. The music was really in 
sync for them and the brass was better controlled through the second and 
third movements. Still working on the fine balance in some portions but a 
very hot show.

  Bluecoats started nice, slowed during the middle of the show and then just 
kinda stopped. Got some nice applause and the announcer GAFFED in thinking 
they were done. It was just a real long pause before they ripped our face off 
with Sing, Sing, Sing. What a way to end a show. Got the crowd up and at em.
Pretty obvious that no changes in order so far. Tight drums and good horn 
work. Drill was not bad, but overall the show needs something in the middle 
section because it drags GE wise, and music wise. Still liked it.

  Crossmen came out and I hoped they could pick up a bit on the two corps 
ahead of them Crown and Magic. The horns showed mostly good balance but lost 
it on occasion. The drums were tight as usual for Crossmen, but not as tight 
as I would have hoped. The drill was very good. I actually had them just 
barely (by .1) over Magic but could see a tight race between those two. 
Almost 2 pts is too much in my opinion. Crossmen were much closer to Magic.

  Phantom. What more needs be said. Favorite corps almost every year. Drill 
wise they were good but I saw a couple of problems in some gating. GE was 
good but not like last year. All in all a very nice performance. I liked the 
drums this year and the Brass is still the same Phantom Brass we all know. I 
had tehm pegged for 85.2 so I was surprised a bit to hear they were better.

  Cadets do some really strange stuff this year. Great marching, when they 
march, and I thought the poles/tress/etc were Ok without being too much. 
However they had a couple of problems with drill going around the poles 
tonight. No, nobody hit anything, but I saw a couple of times the drift of a 
player out of form so he would miss a pole. Cadets were doing fine until 
Swing, Swing, Swing. WOW!! This was hot. Whether they marched or not it was 
pure GE with a Capital OHMYGOD! The drum kits juggling the drummers was about 
as awsome as that incredible monkey move last year by BD. Horn line was nice 
But I think Phantom had them there. All in all I had Cadets just behind 
phantom by .1. I knew that Cadets probably also won thought so I was not 
surprised to hear them win. The margin though is wrong. Phantom was on Cadets 
tail tonight.

Its late and I have rambled on way too much for this tired bod. Now I can 
crash, as opposed to 20 min ago when I couldn't because I was driving. I like 
low insurance rates. Have fun and see ya in the horse race at Buffalo.

         ? The T-Shirt Guy
Talisman-O- Brian Schriber    Crossmen 84-85
         |   bschribe@cybernetics.net



Thanks to hugebare@aol.comHug E Bare on RAMD for this review!

Cadets- WOW!  The hornline is starting to really cook.  Middle voices are
much more apparent.  Guard is still great.  Scary to think of the
potential with 3 weeks to clean this show Devs!

Phantom- Great show, but still lacking from past two year's standard.  I
expected more from them.  Disappointing guard uni's.  Too much park 'n
blow.  Nice drumline.

Bluecoats-  Great visual corps.  Uni's look fantastic and horns sound
nice.  Great horn book.  Can't remember last time I felt this emotional at
a show.  What I remember corps being like!

Magic-  Good hornline wasted on a dull book.  Note the numerous repeats of
phrases and horn licks (mellos).  Marching demand isn't there...where are
the points coming from???

Crossmen- Have improved since last viewing.  Closer nearly fell apart
hornwise.  GE not there. Crown will catch them again.  Guard is good, nice
silks.  Drums exciting as always.

Crown- A bit ragged tonight due to changes.  Hornline wasn't aggressive
enough to play this book tonight.  Needs a boost of confidence and the eye
of the tiger for next 3 weeks!

Nite Express- Hornline started strong then grew tired.  Nice little drum
corps.  Often hard to pick out melodies in the YES horn book.  Still an
enjoyable show.

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