Blast!

Rating:
Summary: I shed tears
Review: My first experience with Drum Corps was back in 1996, and the first corps I saw were the Madison Scouts. Now, the opener and closer of this DVD, Bolero and Malagueña, respectively, totally brought me back to that day when I first saw the corps. These two performances are only smidgens of the true Blast! experience.

In a spectacle that brings together Star of Indiana's Brass Theatre in a whole new light, one will find themselves laughing, as well as being emotionally drawn out by the wonderful solos and performances by the actors. If you've ever marched or followed corps I'm sure you'll see familiar faces. I did, saw Andy Smart, former drum major for the Blue Knights. That was a great sight for me because I loved my time with the corps.

This DVD is well worth every dime I've spent on it, and in the three days I've had it it's been viewed 7 times. It's like there's a new goal in life for me, to partake in this experience, not as a viewer, but as a performer. Thanks Star and Blast!

Rating:
Summary: Spectacular! First-rate entertainment
Review: Score one for Amazon's "people who like this also like..." feature! I'd never heard of "Blast!", but upon ordering "Stomp Out Loud" it was recommended, and I clicked. I'm glad I did!

I do think that people who enjoyed "Stomp" will love "Blast!", but that doesn't mean that this show is a clone of Stomp by any means!

While boasting its fair share of excellent percussion, "Blast!" is much grander in staging and more of a melodic experience (with fabulous music choices) than the pure rhythmic blitzkrieg of "Stomp". I also doubt very much that you'll see a trombone player on a unicycle in Stomp anytime soon...

The staging and choreography are creative, flawlessly executed, and well-photographed. The musicianship is outstanding (and all the more astonishing given the complexity of the choreography), the musical choices and arrangements are delightful, and the sound reproduction on the DVD is first-rate. Fans of brass instruments will especially appreciate this disc.

I'm already ordering copies for friends.

Rating:
Summary: This is a GREAT show!
Review: I love this DVD. It really captures the excitement of the performance and behind the scenes life. I was introduced to Drum Corps by my friend who participated in his college years. I've seen a live performance at a local college on the football field. I also saw "blast" performed at UCLA at the Royce Hall Theatre. It is a HOOOOT!!!! Play it LOUD!!! 5.1 prefered!

Rating:
Summary: Watch this DVD and be blown away
Review: Can you throw a 10 foot pole high in the air and catch it at the exact same time as a dozen other people catch theirs? Can you play a drumset blindfolded? Or can you perform masterpieces by Ravel and Copland while holding up a 20 pound instrument, running backwards as fast as you can and all the while staying in perfect formation with the 50 other people on stage?

The performers in Blast! can. For anyone who has ever mildly enjoyed a marching band's halftime show, this performance will be incredible. Their repertoire includes favorites that can be easily recognized by almost anybody, such as West Side Story's "Gee, Officer Krupke" and masterpieces many bands don't dare to attempt, such as Ravel's "Bolero." But even the lesser known songs are entertaining, such as "Split Complementaries" where several performers with mellophones (marching french horns) twist and contort their bodies around eachother to form pure musical art.

Many people can play instruments, but few can march with them, and even fewer at this level. Throw in some dancing, incredible acting, and even some singing (the cast performs a joyful yet subdued rendition of Copland's "Simple Gifts") and you have some truly talented performers. I have seen this show twice on stage. How many shows have you seen get a standing ovation at the end of the performance? How about at the end of the first act before intermission?? Or how about in the middle of the first act???

Buy this DVD and be prepared to be blown away by the sheer talen of these performers. It is what "band nerds" (like myself) everywhere dream of becoming, but even those with little or no musical talent will find this show simply amazing.

Rating:
Summary: BUY THIS VIDEO NOW!
Review: I saw Blast! live on stage, and was thoroughly impressed by the whole thing. The performers (musicians and dancers alike) have an energy and spirit which is hard to capture fully on television or video. Although the VHS is nothing like the show, it is the very next best thing (still better than ANYTHING you will ever see again) and well worth buying. Sadly, as I live in the UK, I cannot watch this version of the show on my VCR. My only hope would be a DVD release, as I have a multi-region DVD player. People of America- You have no idea how lucky you are to be able to buy and watch this musical and performing arts phenomenon! I loved it, so will you!

Rating:
Summary: Not just for band geeks
Review: Unfortunately, I must disagree with all the reviewers who write, "If you're in marching band, you'll love this DVD!" That is such limited praise that it almost insults the performers. Truth is, Blast! cuts across all lines of musicianship -- and nonmusicianship. I took my parents, my wife, and my 4-year old daughter (none of whom can toot a single note) to see the mini-version at Disney's California Adventure (Bolero, Land of Make Believe, Malaguena), and they were blown away.

When we got home, I rented the DVD, and my daughter was up and dancing around throughout most of it. She told me afterward that she wants "to play a horn like that." Later she confided that she wanted to learn to "play the drums like that," too. I suppose there is little praise that is higher than that. To inspire another to take up the art that you have just presented.

Get this DVD. When the touring company comes to your town (or nearby), go see it. You and your nonmusician friends and family will not be disappointed.

So, why just four stars? I tive the performance 5 stars and more. The DVD lacks in sufficient special features. The insightful commentary track covers just 4 numbers out of 20. The "Making of Blast" featurette is better than most that you find on movie DVDs. There are more interviews with the performers here. Still, I would love to have seen more footage of show preparation and behind-the-scenes stuff.

Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: I have been in both marching band and drum corps and watched groups like the Blue Devils, Santa Clara Vanguard, Phantom Regiment and others and this group blew them all away. The American cast's show (which I saw on stage live) is not as good as the British cast's so I highly recommend the DVD but if you get a chance to see Blast live on stage DO IT!

Rating:
Summary: Visual Music
Review: Ballet, modern dance, marching bands, drum and bugle corps, flag dancers, bell ringers, army drill teams and more are what you can expect from this original and fascinating visual display of music.

This collection of music and movement does its best to avoid classification. There is simply nothing like it. Imagine seeing the following:

A drum team with the precision of Riverdance
A trombone player riding a unicycle
Dancers dancing with giant blades of grass
Colorful flag throw across stage in musical precision
Officer Krupke done in a way that makes West Side Story look dull
A xylophonist playing while chasing his instrument
Drum rolls so fact the sound like bees
Beautiful ballet and precision dance while playing instruments
Swords and rifles used for dance and as drumsticks
Blindfolded drummer who change drum sets without missing a beat
Some of the best horn playing around
A dozen tubas gyrating to a rhumba beat
More more more...

There are two themes that thread through all of the productions. The first is the use of color. Flags, lights, costumes and props take the production through the rainbow. The second is that these performers really love what they are doing. Just look at their faces.

The camera work is well done. Angle change to show what is going on without being to spastic like in Lord of the Dance. There is even an intermission where several performers join the audience and use stools for drums.

My only complaint is that some numbers are actually several pieces in a row without their own separate tracks. So when watching the drum battle, if you want to see the precision blindfolds, you will have to watch the pieces before it (at least until you set your own bookmarks).

My whole family really loves this one from my wife and myself to my one-year-old and my four-year-old. The visuals are gripping and unbelievable. While the music itself is great, anyone who just gets the CD is really missing out.

Rating:
Summary: EXPLOSIVE!
Review: This is probably one of the most difficult reviews I have ever written. Due to the fact that words CANNOT describe what this show is about. I read the other reviews, and could not believe it when someone didn't give it 5 stars. This surpasses 5 stars.

The filming, performances, musical pieces, and creative vison of this show is exceptional. These amazing performers are perhaps the best in the world at their "craft". These aren't just talented folk who showed up for an audition and landed a "part". These are the people who set the standards for excellence. A lifetime of practice and preparation obviously went into this.

It is about showmanship, discipline, art, creative vison, centered around astonishing musical performances.

The visuals of the guard work are simply awesome. Much of the second half features the guard.

The live show is also great. The DVD doesn't compare to live but it is still very exceptional. Splurge and get the great seats, you will not be disappointed.

The DVD also has features like reverse camera angles.

Finally, I also love how this DVD/ Live show is exposing more people to the beauty, talent, and dedication of Drum Corps.

Rating:
Summary: Yeay for Blast!
Review: Blast! is one of the coolest things I've ever seen in my life. I'm a bit of a music nerd as it is, but I watch at least pieces of the show all the time - you know, a couple songs at a time. I LOVE "Land of Make Believe" and "Split Commentaries". Also, coming from a colorguard person, the flag-/rifle-/sabre-work & dance will blow you away. LOVE IT ALL!