Blast!: An Explosive Musical Celebration

Starring:Blast
Studio: Pbs Paramount
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential video
If your favorite part of a football game is when the marching band takes the field, then you're going to love Blast. Think of the most rousing, in-sync band that you ever saw, turn them way up, add cool costumes and a black-and-white checkered stage with colored spotlights, throw in a good helping of the Stomp vibe, and you've got Blast.

Color is the theme that threads the different musical pieces together. Beginning with Ravel's Bolero, the audience is pulled into this new music/dance/theatre experience as the band takes the stage marching, twirling, and weaving. The performers aren't simply musicians--they dance, sing, act, and play their brass and drums. "Loss," in the Blue section of the color wheel, is particularly touching. Even the flag team--a very sexy and talented flag team--is represented. The Green section melds into a sober and lovely rendition of "Simple Gifts," then concludes quietly with Copland's Appalachian Spring. In the black light of "Battery Battle," you're pulled into the rhythm of the lone drummer, then dueling snare drums, and finally a row of energetic, blindfolded drummers who never miss a beat. "Medea" combines movement and music in a dramatic interpretation of Samuel Barber's piece, and, set to a dance-club beat, "Lemon Techno" is a flurry of yellow flags, poles, and sensuous movement. A spectacularly sultry "Malaguena" drenched in red ends the program.

Amazon.com essential video

If your favorite part of a football game is when the marching band takes the field, then you're going to love Blast. Think of the most rousing, in-sync band that you ever saw, turn them way up, add cool costumes and a black-and-white checkered stage with colored spotlights, throw in a good helping of the Stomp vibe, and you've got Blast.

Color is the theme that threads the different musical pieces together. Beginning with Ravel's Bolero, the audience is pulled into this new music/dance/theatre experience as the band takes the stage marching, twirling, and weaving. The performers aren't simply musicians--they dance, sing, act, and play their brass and drums. "Loss," in the Blue section of the color wheel, is particularly touching. Even the flag team--a very sexy and talented flag team--is represented. The Green section melds into a sober and lovely rendition of "Simple Gifts," then concludes quietly with Copland's Appalachian Spring. In the black light of "Battery Battle," you're pulled into the rhythm of the lone drummer, then dueling snare drums, and finally a row of energetic, blindfolded drummers who never miss a beat. "Medea" combines movement and music in a dramatic interpretation of Samuel Barber's piece, and, set to a dance-club beat, "Lemon Techno" is a flurry of yellow flags, poles, and sensuous movement. A spectacularly sultry "Malaguena" drenched in red ends the program.

It's easy to see why Blast is a PBS favorite. It's an amazing new type of performance--one that every high school marching band member will want to emulate. Included here is a 25-minute documentary, Music in Motion: The Making of Blast, which takes you behind the scenes to the conception of the show and into the ensemble's homes and lives as they perform in London's West End. --Dana Van Nest

Customer Reviews:

Good if you like Blast.......2007-06-12

I bought this to show my students in band class at the end of the year. I enjoy this type of thing but when I saw it through there eyes, I realized that some parts of it are boring or seem weird. When I show it now, I skip through various parts. There are some dazzling displays of virtuosity and fans of Blast will definitely enjoy it. Those who like marching band will also enjoy it. The typical "man on the street" may not get into it.

VEY GOOD .......2007-05-07

This is GREAT Musical video i enjoy a lot IT'S GREAT, FINE, VERYGOOD AND MORE

Another Gem.......2007-01-18

I am a veteran marching member of the Drum and Bugle Corps fraternity.
I also had the extreme honor and pleasure of being instructed by Mr. Jim Mason and marching with his brother Marty in the Madison Scouts. Blast is the greatest testament to the talents of the Drum Corps fraternity.

BRAVO!

You thought this was good..........2006-02-16

You should see it live. One reviewer earlier mentioned that the DVD is a teaser, it may be to those who have seen the show, but to the uninformed, the DVD makes a great prepper.

Energy and Precision.......2006-02-15

This is simply the best DVD I have ever seen. I have seen the stage production, and the only thing missing from the DVD is the trumpet slide malfunction I witnessed (the tuning slide for the third valve flew off and landed on the side of the stage during some of the high speed movements. As a former trumpet player and drum major I may be slightly biased, but think about what they did...

Take the best few members of each marching bands in a couple counties and put together a Drum and Bugle Corps. Then let all the corps from across the country compete throughout high school and college, honing their skills. Many of them acquire degrees in music along the way. Then take the best members of those organizations who have just been kicked out because they are too old (over 21!) and put them on stage.

They are absolutely amazing, and are as capable physically as musically. One role (and there are several performers who have to be able to perform it) marches a route that comes towards the center of the stage while playing, takes their instrument down long enough to do a one-handed walkover, and resumes playing while still being in step with the rest of the group.

There is no other disc I watch as often as this. I came here to replace a disc that was burned when a friend's house was totalled.

Happy marching!!

Average customer rating:

Good if you like Blast
VEY GOOD
Another Gem
You thought this was good...
Energy and Precision

Blast! An Explosive Musical Celebration
Starring: Blast
Manufacturer: Pbs (Direct)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Ballet & Dance | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

All | PBS | Specialty Stores | DVD | Video
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Blast: An Explosive Musical Celebration
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ASIN: B00005A45N
Release Date: 2001-05-08

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Good if you like Blast.......2007-06-12

VEY GOOD .......2007-05-07

This is GREAT Musical video i enjoy a lot IT'S GREAT, FINE, VERYGOOD AND MORE

Another Gem.......2007-01-18

You thought this was good..........2006-02-16

You should see it live. One reviewer earlier mentioned that the DVD is a teaser, it may be to those who have seen the show, but to the uninformed, the DVD makes a great prepper.

Energy and Precision.......2006-02-15

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