Thank you, DobrinFan, for putting all those links together
Somebody else will have to tag the music 
I believe there is a few not in this thread yet.
You're welcome
Ashley Wagner SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAk3mihxv7w&feature=youtu.be
)Battle of the Samba for the AA ladies: Ashley vs Adelina.
As samba goes, I quite like the music edit for Adelina's version.... it is sensual, modern and full of potential. I like the initial drum beat alot (not just any drum, but it is clearly a modern electric drum, liking the new age salute the old.) Problem is Adelina continues to ignore the music and rhythm so completely for the first half when it can be done so easily with specific cues in both the drum beats and the lyrical phrasing, where it's more sensual (it needed that build up to make the next bit make sense), until the all too obvious section when she finally wake up and then finally acknowledge the beat (traditional drum and other percussion instruments all chimed in), and even that didn't quite gel for the rest of the program apart from the 30 seconds burst rapid step mode which was fun but not enough skating. Half of a program that that doesn't acknowledge the music enough does not make a substance program nor good choreography/ interpretation, especially in a Samba program. Given how many times she has performed this already and her 2nd season of this exhibition program, this has much to improve.
Ashley's Samba however was on point from the moment of 'get go'. The attention to detail in her body movements and commitment to the rhythm. She embrace the beat more and although she is not 100% there yet (close though), but this is a great early season effort since the movement of COP skating has its natural limitations. There's enough variance and exuberance in the sway of the hips, pelvic movements, the twitch of the shoulder blades extension from the core to outer limbs, even the improvisational sound track seems more authentic and true to the free spirit of Samba. If it is to improve, perhaps it can look a bit more spontaneous (or fake it to seem spontaneous) to be even more immersive with the beat. Unlike other music, Samba should not just about skating to the beat, acknowledging the beat but 'feel' the beat, and be one with the beat. It needed that sort of loose, earthy, hot, mature woman unwinding exuberance quality. It is a gritty rustic rhythmic street dance of the people, the soul of the lefties, the exhibitionists, carnival, of the free spirited, not one of those ostentatious dressing up hobbies for rich housewives just want to have bit of fun in their boudoir performing to the mirror or for a limited privileged audience. The Latin spirit is better conveyed with Ashley's version to my mind. If i was to be picky, I only wished she has gone for something more exciting and fun in her costume... but it seem to reflect the taste of her choreographer more? Nice midriff though... Whoohooo go and kill it by season end Diva!!
Now thinking about exuberance... Radionova should consider do an awesome Samba in a year or two. Oh boy... talk about a natural fit! Sometimes I did think about nicknaming her Flirtinova!
Battle of the Samba for the AA ladies: Ashley vs Adelina.
As samba goes, I quite like the music edit for Adelina's version.... it is sensual, modern and full of potential. I like the initial drum beat alot (not just any drum, but it is clearly a modern electric drum, liking the new age salute the old.) Problem is Adelina continues to ignore the music and rhythm so completely for the first half when it can be done so easily with specific cues in both the drum beats and the lyrical phrasing, where it's more sensual (it needed that build up to make the next bit make sense), until the all too obvious section when she finally wake up and then finally acknowledge the beat (traditional drum and other percussion instruments all chimed in), and even that didn't quite gel for the rest of the program apart from the 30 seconds burst rapid step mode which was fun but not enough skating. Half of a program that that doesn't acknowledge the music enough does not make a substance program nor good choreography/ interpretation, especially in a Samba program. Given how many times she has performed this already and her 2nd season of this exhibition program, this has much to improve.
Ashley's Samba however was on point from the moment of 'get go'. The attention to detail in her body movements and commitment to the rhythm. She embrace the beat more and although she is not 100% there yet (close though), but this is a great early season effort since the movement of COP skating has its natural limitations. There's enough variance and exuberance in the sway of the hips, pelvic movements, the twitch of the shoulder blades extension from the core to outer limbs, even the improvisational sound track seems more authentic and true to the free spirit of Samba. If it is to improve, perhaps it can look a bit more spontaneous (or fake it to seem spontaneous) to be even more immersive with the beat. Unlike other music, Samba should not just about skating to the beat, acknowledging the beat but 'feel' the beat, and be one with the beat. It needed that sort of loose, earthy, hot, mature woman unwinding exuberance quality. It is a gritty rustic rhythmic street dance of the people, the soul of the lefties, the exhibitionists, carnival, of the free spirited, not one of those ostentatious dressing up hobbies for rich housewives just want to have bit of fun in their boudoir performing to the mirror or for a limited privileged audience. The Latin spirit is better conveyed with Ashley's version to my mind. If i was to be picky, I only wished she has gone for something more exciting and fun in her costume... but it seem to reflect the taste of her choreographer more? Nice midriff though... Whoohooo go and kill it by season end Diva!!
