Blast

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: 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: 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: Blast From The Future
Review: I saw the show in New York and loved it. The DVD is of the London version which has been improved somewhat for the Broadway performance extended for six months, and new second cast that is now at Epcot.

Blast is of special interest to those who have an interest in Drum and Bugle Corps or Marching Bands. It is an example of what a drum corps can do with all the time in the world, a professional cast (almost all have degrees in either music performance, dance or music education) and a bottomless pot of corporate money. The performances are flawless and the show has been put together with a lot of imagination. This is likely a precurser of what we will be seeing in band and drum corps performances in the future.

The particular advantage of the DVD, in addition to the expected superb picture and sound are the several sections that have the director's voice-over explaining how the show was created. Several opportunities for alternate camera angles let you see the show in wide angle if you don'te want the more creative closups.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing!!
Review: I've saw the live performance from the front row, and it was amazing. While nothing can top the live performance for me, the DVD is a spectacular edition of the show! It shows the performance for different angles for the full effect. I knew I had to have it to keep that wonderful feeling of amazement with me that the show brought. I was a color guard (flag line) captain for 3 years and an instructor for 2, and I can ensure you, that these performers are the top of the line. It can't get much better that this (other than with seeing it in person). I totally recommend it to anyone who enjoys being amazed. I know people that aren't at all inerested in this sort of thing, and they were completely blown away. It's definitely worth every cent!

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: 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: 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.