The 1985 version is probably the most compelling from a design and performance standpoint. It seems lightyears ahead musically and visually from the mid-seventies while retaining greater fidelity to the original score compared to the 2010 effort whose liberties are not that effective in my opinion.
Whenever and wherever I hear Rhapsody in Blue I always think of Madison 75, because that’s when I fell in love with drum corps. The arrangements got better, the instruments were different (not necessarily better), and the musicians got much better. In 75 drum corp was a local activity and anyone who found play a scale could probably make the line. Kids were not flying across the country for camps. In fact I believe Madison in 75 was still associated with the Boy Scouts.
We were still associated with the Boy Scouts in 1988. When I marched as a 16 year old kid from the Madison area, I was given an "Exporer Scout" card and membership!
It's ALL good. But I feel fortunate and old enough to say I saw the 76 show in Atlanta at Tech's Bobby Dodd Field and listened to the show on the record! The show was astounding at the time. Seeing this compilation, I think it holds it own with the shows of today. Kudos to all those who gave us these moments.
Nothing touches 1985 in my mind. Scouts made it a full production number that year after a "Ballet in Brass" opener. Starting with Morgan Larson's gliss from A below low C up 2 octaves and then later up another, the soprano line (trumpets) shined. Listen to them just after 13:14 to hear them create pure perfection over the ensemble at 13:30ish. The rifle line was unparalleled and the front line keyboards were the same unit that scored a perfect 100.00 at solo and ensemble competition. Watch for the "playing under the leg" moment. All of these performances were excellent. But as a 1985 Jr. Scout, I will always be biased on this issue!
@@justinclement2707 I'm c/o '01, and I never marched DCI, unfortunately. Life took me in another direction, but there will always be a part of me that wonders what it would have been like. I marched for Furman University, which means I was under the direction of Jay Bocook, so I had a direct connection to The Cadets, but too old, by the point I was good enough, and life moved on anyway, lol
a valve/rotor soprano. Precursor to the 2 valve sopranos of the 70's. Were made in key of G and F. Terrible to keep in tune, but a hornline of these really was loud!!!
All horns were valve/rotar until 77, after that horns were still in G and had two valves. My last season was 80 and I don’t know when DCI switched from bugles to band instruments and what you see today. On RUclips you can find recordings of Anaheim Kingsmen from 73, Santa Clara from 75, and The Muchachos from 75 (disqualified for over age members). Listen carefully to how cleanly the sopranos played runs and they were doing it using two hands (left thumb turned the rotary right thumb the piston).
What I love about the Scouts is they have always placed greatest emphasis the power brass sound...I love the sound and precision of 75 and 76 but the 80's version has more visual impact and probably better video and sound based on technology. The 80's corps also had the advantage of the sideline percussion sections which was far better than the 70's carrying those instruments. The dci of today places for more emphasis on visuals and costume changes and drama...i actually prefer the older crops style. Generally the Scouts haven't keep up with the modern style and while I appreciate all the spectacle of the modern form I really prefer the emphasis on brass and percussion and a little less glitz and acting of today's style.
Uhhh... None of the above. Phantom Regiment in 2005 with JD's incredible arrangements and the Corps' incredible performance levels blows all these away.
1975. that 60 man hornline and perfect GE Scores. sound was amazing drill that went along with it was great
The 1985 version is probably the most compelling from a design and performance standpoint. It seems lightyears ahead musically and visually from the mid-seventies while retaining greater fidelity to the original score compared to the 2010 effort whose liberties are not that effective in my opinion.
75 sure was spectacular to watch on tv but that 85 drumline wow. Good stuff there.
The cold attacks at 9:12...the sky-hi but controlled sop at 13:27 and the sop quartet at 14:46...1985 by a long shot on those awesome G bugles.
With each year they performed this classic musical piece I said, "they couldn't possibly surpass that version," but I was wrong! Madison is AMAZING!
I felt the same way!
Nah... 2010 was just not the calibre of the previous two tries.
85 Scouts without doubts.
LoL, nice rhyme!
Regiment 2005! I’m in LOVE with JD’s arrangement!
1985 Madison is easily my favorite version
14:46 you can really see how much they love playing
Whenever and wherever I hear Rhapsody in Blue I always think of Madison 75, because that’s when I fell in love with drum corps. The arrangements got better, the instruments were different (not necessarily better), and the musicians got much better. In 75 drum corp was a local activity and anyone who found play a scale could probably make the line. Kids were not flying across the country for camps. In fact I believe Madison in 75 was still associated with the Boy Scouts.
We were still associated with the Boy Scouts in 1988. When I marched as a 16 year old kid from the Madison area, I was given an "Exporer Scout" card and membership!
It's ALL good. But I feel fortunate and old enough to say I saw the 76 show in Atlanta at Tech's Bobby Dodd Field and listened to the show on the record! The show was astounding at the time. Seeing this compilation, I think it holds it own with the shows of today.
Kudos to all those who gave us these moments.
My fave was Royal Airs in 1962.
1985 with the two-valved G horns sounds best imo
Nothing touches 1985 in my mind. Scouts made it a full production number that year after a "Ballet in Brass" opener. Starting with Morgan Larson's gliss from A below low C up 2 octaves and then later up another, the soprano line (trumpets) shined. Listen to them just after 13:14 to hear them create pure perfection over the ensemble at 13:30ish.
The rifle line was unparalleled and the front line keyboards were the same unit that scored a perfect 100.00 at solo and ensemble competition. Watch for the "playing under the leg" moment.
All of these performances were excellent. But as a 1985 Jr. Scout, I will always be biased on this issue!
Might be showing my age a bit, but when I hear "DCI" and "Rhapsody in Blue" the first show that comes to mind is Phantom Regiment 2005: Rhapsody.
Not showing your age (well MAYBE, lol). But I'm almost 40 and still agree.
@@Eye_of_the_Tyler 36 here. 2005 was my second season marching in DCI.
@@justinclement2707 I'm c/o '01, and I never marched DCI, unfortunately. Life took me in another direction, but there will always be a part of me that wonders what it would have been like. I marched for Furman University, which means I was under the direction of Jay Bocook, so I had a direct connection to The Cadets, but too old, by the point I was good enough, and life moved on anyway, lol
What even IS that bugle at 3:38? I’ve never seen one like that before! Looks cool!
a valve/rotor soprano. Precursor to the 2 valve sopranos of the 70's. Were made in key of G and F. Terrible to keep in tune, but a hornline of these really was loud!!!
All horns were valve/rotar until 77, after that horns were still in G and had two valves. My last season was 80 and I don’t know when DCI switched from bugles to band instruments and what you see today.
On RUclips you can find recordings of Anaheim Kingsmen from 73, Santa Clara from 75, and The Muchachos from 75 (disqualified for over age members). Listen carefully to how cleanly the sopranos played runs and they were doing it using two hands (left thumb turned the rotary right thumb the piston).
There’s just something special about the ‘75 version imo. ‘85 is great but I just love the original. Such a classic.
What I love about the Scouts is they have always placed greatest emphasis the power brass sound...I love the sound and precision of 75 and 76 but the 80's version has more visual impact and probably better video and sound based on technology. The 80's corps also had the advantage of the sideline percussion sections which was far better than the 70's carrying those instruments. The dci of today places for more emphasis on visuals and costume changes and drama...i actually prefer the older crops style. Generally the Scouts haven't keep up with the modern style and while I appreciate all the spectacle of the modern form I really prefer the emphasis on brass and percussion and a little less glitz and acting of today's style.
I think Madison Scouts did it better
@11:44 is the best part. 1985 by far the best.
Love watching the rifle line leading up to that part. Great line.
Uhhh... None of the above. Phantom Regiment in 2005 with JD's incredible arrangements and the Corps' incredible performance levels blows all these away.
when you click on the video because the 2010 trumpet soloist is your band director:
logan this account no
75
The “real” G bugles version sounds best to these ears.
2010, 85 close second
1976 was the best
1975 - - - OG!