How Will Davis & White compare to Belbin & Agosto this season?

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I'm not the best person to judge Dance. I like to see joyous dancing more than I like to see sturm und drang dancing but I know there is more to it than that.

B&A seem to me to be capable of both. So I do not see Davis/White overtaking them this season.

Joe

 

[sillylionlove]

We haven't really talked about Belbin and Agosto this season. It should be interesting to see how they do. Does anyone know what music they are doing their free to?

I agree joe...I don't see anyone in the US overtaking them this season...but I suspect some will come close.

 

[cassieandcheetah]

We haven't really talked about Belbin and Agosto this season. It should be interesting to see how they do. Does anyone know what music they are doing their free to?

I agree joe...I don't see anyone in the US overtaking them this season...but I suspect some will come close.

Yes, I would love to see Meryl adn Charlie overtake B & A, but it probably won't happen this season...Maybe in two years or so? They just need to gain more in maturity and chemistry. Also sometimes I fear that they're not as physically matched as B & A are for each other because Meryl's considerably shorter than Charlie, but that in turn allows them to do amazing lifts, so...I'm definitely watching out for them again this season!

 

[Kwanford Wife]

The thing I like about Belbin & Agusto is that they actually look like a couple on a dance floor. Davis & White, while very talented, are simply another ice dance couple. I hope dance continues the trend of very different couples leading the pack... the Bulgarians are special, B&A are special, the French are special and the Canadians are special - all in that they are unique and different from anything I've ever witnessed. Throughout most competitons, I wouldn't be surprised by any results because they all bring such interesting programs to the table.

Davis & White and the new Russian team both look like at best poor imitations of great teams and at worst, more of the same. Is this maturity? Possibly. And maybe B&A will be outshone by the youngsters in the next couple of years. But as of right now, I'd have to say no. Granted, I'm not ice dance expert but I do know what I like...

 

[all that]

We haven't really talked about Belbin and Agosto this season. It should be interesting to see how they do. Does anyone know what music they are doing their free to?

B&A are skating to a medley of Chopin pieces for their FD, while D&W are skating to a mixture of the Beatles' Eleanor Rigby and Because for their FD.

Of all the Shpilband teams, I think B&A will be on top this year. Whether they can remain at the top after this year, though, is questionable.

 

[layman]

B&A are skating to a medley of Chopin pieces for their FD, while D&W are skating to a mixture of the Beatles' Eleanor Rigby and Because for their FD.

Chopin seems a strange choice for Belbin/Agosto...too serious...how will Belbin make her Oh face?

Belbin/Agosto always do cheery, up-beat numbers rather than storm and stress numbers...I have a hard time picturing them skating to Chopin.

Chopin would work better for skaters with strong body-line, softer knees and better glide to the edges than I see from Belbin/Agosto. I can picture Lang/Tchernyshev, Bourne/Kraatz, Gregory/Pethukov (especially when they were working with Lininchuk), and Virtue/Moir skating to Chopin but not Belbin/Agosto.

Comparing Belbin/Agosto with Davis/White, I actually think Davis/White have better posture, better line and just look more finished (more polished) than Belbin/Agosto. Plus, I think Davis/White are just a little bit faster and they have better twizzles (than Belbin/Agosto).

I think both teams are evenly matched.

 

[sillylionlove]

I can't see B&A skating to Chopin either!!

 

[all that]

Maybe B&A are trying to move in a new direction? I agree that it is quite a radical change, but maybe it could work. Both Tanith and Ben indicated at the end of last season that they wanted to spend the summer working on improving their skating skills and take their skating to the next level. If they were serious, then skating to Chopin would be a good way to do that.

 

[Ptichka]

"All that", I agree with you. B&A had an almost unprecedented success with a rather limited style. Last season was their wake-up call. This being mid-way through the Olympic cycle gives them the freedom to experiment with new approaches. I, for one, can't wait to see it!

 

[Tinymavy15]

I think that Davis and White have SO much talent. Thier twizzles are the best of really anybody in the top five at worlds this year and they mathc eachother well. Things they have to work on is thier expression... Belbin and Agosto really sell every minuite of thier programs, somthing Davis and White could work on a little bit. I see Belbin and Agosto coming out on top in thier meeting this season, but down the line... who knows?

 

[skamper23]

I just love Davis and White and can't wait to see how the season goes for them..I think they've really grown into a great dance team! here's a sneak peek at their new FD Eleanor Rigby/Because http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rmrvQH55QE


Belbin and Agosto have their good points, but I'm just not the biggest fan of them.

 

[cassieandcheetah]

I just love Davis and White and can't wait to see how the season goes for them..I think they've really grown into a great dance team! here's a sneak peek at their new FD Eleanor Rigby/Because http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rmrvQH55QE


Belbin and Agosto have their good points, but I'm just not the biggest fan of them.

It's tough to find a favorite, to distinguish one team from another, because all the routines have become so standardized and broken into required elements because of the new judging rules....My all-time favorite really is Pekarek and Silverstein because I loved their spontaneity and chemistry, and it breaks my heart to remember that they had to quit so early before they reached their potential. There's something about D and W that appeals to me so, but looking at this video I'm a little disappointed because I'm recognizing many of the lifts and steps and arm movements from last year...Oh well, that's how it goes I guess. Like B and A's cartwheel lift I got so sick of, lol!

 

[sk8addict]

Yes, I would love to see Meryl adn Charlie overtake B & A, but it probably won't happen this season...Maybe in two years or so? They just need to gain more in maturity and chemistry. Also sometimes I fear that they're not as physically matched as B & A are for each other because Meryl's considerably shorter than Charlie, but that in turn allows them to do amazing lifts, so...I'm definitely watching out for them again this season!

I think they can give B&A a run for their money. B&A had their confidence shaken last year and will be recharging this season. I bet they see D&W in their rearview mirror.

 

[cassieandcheetah]

oh and thanks for the sneak preview skamper23! and sk8teraddict, do let's keep our fingers crossed!

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Thanks for information on the music of these two teams.

Chopin's music is very delicate. The waltzes are light and airy almost for one couple to dance in the moonlight - not like Lehar's more grand ballroom type. Likewise, the mazurkas, polonaise, and preludes are not for peasants to dance but for the Polish aristocrats of that era. All of this should be light an elegant.
Will B&A get that? After all their hyper dancing, it will be a stretch. Good luck to them.

The Beattle's "Eleanor Rigby" is, to me, like a Peabody (if anyone remembers that dance) - fast forward with sharp turns. Normally, it would be a dance to hype the vamp but in this case the lyrics would make it very lonely and sad. 'Because', if that's the same song sung by Jussi Bjoerling and Deanna Durbin when I was a kid, is a song of prayer and hope. Will D&W get these tunes?

It kind of gets my full interest up. Not so much for who is better, but what each couple can do with these music choices.

Joe

 

[london_calling]

'Because', if that's the same song sung by Jussi Bjoerling and Deanna Durbin when I was a kid, is a song of prayer and hope. Will D&W get these tunes?

I think the song they are skating to is the Beatles' "Because."

 

[Mathman]

Judging from the clip, the mostly orchestral Eleanor Rigby they are skating to seems a lot darker and full of storm and stress than the Beatles' version, which was merely resigned and sad. Lots of cello.

This is a beautiful team to watch, IMHO. I like their youthful earnestness (everything seems so important when you are that age).

 

[Mathman]

The thing I like about Belbin & Agusto is that they actually look like a couple on a dance floor.

By a couple, do you mean a "couple"? Why do you and I disagree on everything having to do with sex? To me, Belbin and Agosto give off more brother and sister vibes. Even when they are trying hard, like their tango last year, to me it was a lot like two kids playing grown-up. (But Green Acres rocked!)

Actually, I like that about them. They are not the same old, same old, staring smolderingly into each others' eyes.

Davis & White, while very talented, are simply another ice dance couple.

Oh, goodness no! Just ask my granddaughter (age 6). Charlie White is the MAN! His hair alone....

(However, what he really needs, according to the young expert, is Alissa Czisny for a girl friend.)

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Judging from the clip, the mostly orchestral Eleanor Rigby they are skating to seems a lot darker and full of storm and stress than the Beatles' version, which was merely resigned and sad. Lots of cello..

Maybe they are trying to show V&M that they can do sad, too. :yes:

Joe

 

[hockeyfan228]

Just ask my granddaughter (age 6). Charlie White is the MAN! His hair alone....

(However, what he really needs, according to the young expert, is Alissa Czisny for a girl friend.)

Ah, Harpo Marx and Audrey Hepburn...