Ideas for Davis & White

[dorispulaski]

The version from SA was much more complex and I thoroughly enjoyed it, despite other comments about it not being very good.

s.

I saw the SA version live--the problem with it was that if you did get it, it came across as a heavy, heavy program about loneliness, depression, loss, and the futility of dreams. It left you sad and exhausted. Now if I were a sad and exhausted judge, I might not be so fast with the good marks, especially for a lower ranked team. It was a strange contrast with P&B's Craziness program which was a kind of perky & cartoonish descent into madness.

Now their Beyond the Sea exhibition was the best thing I saw at Skate America from any of the dancers. Just

 

[Tinymavy15]

You know I really liked the cuts of music that the Duchesnays used. They actually used some of the Eleanor's Dream- whereas I don't think Meryl and Charlie actually used any of the Eleanor's Dream piece in their program even though it's listed.

yes, they used "elenor's dream"....if it was not elenor's dream i don't know what it was, it wasn't elenor rigby... the pair spin begins it, and it carries on from there for at least 1:30.

I hated their "Eleanor Rigby", although they skated superbly. I thought the music was too depressing for the two bright and innocent kids. Plus, speed and twizzles don't dream... passion acquires sustained power.

Funny how beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I loved Davis and White this year because to me they showed the most connection to each other and to the music than their peers.

 

[dorispulaski]

For those who might want to compare the initial and final versions of Eleanor Rigby:

Skate America
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZp3mhRLfWM

Worlds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n6-EWTr0Hs

 

[silver.blades]

yes, they used "elenor's dream"....if it was not elenor's dream i don't know what it was, it wasn't elenor rigby... the pair spin begins it, and it carries on from there for at least 1:30.

They used a cut from "Because" not "Elenor's Dream". At least I think it was "Because"...

 

[~tapdancer]

I have to say after comparing the two programs (SA and Worlds), I prefer the Worlds version. I just like the flow so much better.

The SA version was intense and I agree with dorispulaski that it came across as heavy. To me (and I've only seen a video) they seemed almost exhausted at the end. Wheras, at Worlds, they powered through the dance, expressed it beautifully, and their connection was undeniable. I didn't want it to end! Felt the same way about Nationals, too.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...I'm totally in love with them and can sit for hours and watch videos of them! I just can't wait to find out what they're skating to next season.

 

[jyshin]

D/W are adorable to watch indeed. I just felt that they could have done better with different music selection and choreography that could enhance their storyline and its innate character. Despite of their beautiful skating, I knew in my heart that the program didn't sit quite well with 'me'... and I guess that was why I so strongly reacted when I happened to stumbled over Duchesnay's program. My light bulb went up!
Maybe Christopher Dean can help this team?...

Many Thanks to dorispulaski for introducing the Duchesnays and D/W's lovely Kevin Sapcey number.

 

[lmarie086]

Actually, I hope neither Meryl or Charlie changes their styles. The fact that Meryl and Charlie are so different makes this team so intriguing to me. They are like yin-yang -- Meryl is yin, Charlie is yang. Together, they are harmonious.

I was looking through the Nationals threads and came upon the above quote by all that. It may be a bit obvious, because of how their personalities come across, but what if Meryl and Charlie actually portrayed yin-yang in an FD? I think it could be a great concept for them.

Oh and I absolutely agree, jyshin; Christopher Dean would be a wonderful choreographer for them; I think he could give them just what they need.

 

[all that]

I was looking through the Nationals threads and came upon the above quote by all that. It may be a bit obvious, because of how their personalities come across, but what if Meryl and Charlie actually portrayed yin-yang in an FD? I think it could be a great concept for them.

I think that would be an excellent idea!

 

[franzlfan]

Yesterday I came across a great piece of music, I believe it was the theme of "The 13th Warrior". While I'm not sure if it's suitable for ice dance yet, but I kept imagining D/W skating to it...

Here it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDru06aCPzs

 

[cassieandcheetah]

Personally, I think Meryl and Charlie should do something like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikmnZLhl1wA&feature=related

I have a feeling Marina's saving a fast program like this for their olympic season while letting them mature as performers by giving them slower and more dramatic pieces for now.

 

[~tapdancer]

Personally, I think Meryl and Charlie should do something like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikmnZLhl1wA&feature=related

I have a feeling Marina's saving a fast program like this for their olympic season while letting them mature as performers by giving them slower and more dramatic pieces for now.

The only problem with rock and roll music is it sometimes is so fast paced, it can take away from real power and speed which Meryl and Charlie have an abundance of. I think even a weak ice dance team can look good skating to fast rock and roll. Not that I don't think it could work, but I'd rather see them do dramatic and strong music, it suits their skating better.

Personally, I never cared for that program of G/Ps...especially the middle part. Had some good moments but still, I just didn't really like it.

 

[all that]

What about G&P's Jive OD from '98?
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q0FEmW_2L0
There's no way a weak dance team could look good skating to that.

 

[~tapdancer]

What about G&P's Jive OD from '98?
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q0FEmW_2L0
There's no way a weak dance team could look good skating to that.

Ha! No weak team could even DO that dance!

I'm just saying that rock and roll can mask poor technique sometimes. I don't know, do judges really like rock and roll? I know G/P had great success with it and other teams as well, but I wonder really how the judges look upon it. Is it easier? Could be, sometimes. Other times, unforgiving, because of the pace of the dance. I guess I'd have to really like the music for it to work well for me.

 

[cassieandcheetah]

Ha! No weak team could even DO that dance!

I'm just saying that rock and roll can mask poor technique sometimes. I don't know, do judges really like rock and roll? I know G/P had great success with it and other teams as well, but I wonder really how the judges look upon it. Is it easier? Could be, sometimes. Other times, unforgiving, because of the pace of the dance. I guess I'd have to really like the music for it to work well for me.

I guess I didn't mean just rock and roll, but something lightning fast for D/W. Because I think slower, ponderous music puts them at a disadvantage when they're compared to more expressive teams like virtue and moir, and they're so athletically strong, why not do something more athletically demanding? I think it suits their presonalities better too, but JMO. I honestly think had it been an olympic season Marina and Igor would never have had them dance to "eleanor rigby". While it was well received in the end, I think most people agree that it wasn't a perfect fit for them, and there could have been other pieces of music out there that would have suited them much better.

 

[franzlfan]

I on the other hand, think that maybe something more dramatic, dignified and imposing will suit them. I agree that they may have the disadvantage when presenting more soft and tender music, but they still can do it. Like Anissina&Peizerat can do excellent free dances to "Man in the iron mask" as well as "Romeo & Juliet".

 

[~tapdancer]

I on the other hand, think that maybe something more dramatic, dignified and imposing will suit them. I agree that they may have the disadvantage when presenting more soft and tender music, but they still can do it. Like Anissina&Peizerat can do excellent free dances to "Man in the iron mask" as well as "Romeo & Juliet".

Agree. It's funny, though, I thought they did a great job on the middle section of "Eleanor Rigby"...when Charlie was done on one knee looking up at her, when he was on his back over her knee (fantastic!), I thought the looks and touches between them was very tender and they expressed it well. At Nationals, Susie W commented on how this dance seemed to bring out their expression towards one another that she hadn't seen before. I agree with that.

Personally, I think they are capable of anything and I just hope Igor and Marina really bring out their awesomeness this coming season!

 

[cassieandcheetah]

Agree. It's funny, though, I thought they did a great job on the middle section of "Eleanor Rigby"...when Charlie was done on one knee looking up at her, when he was on his back over her knee (fantastic!), I thought the looks and touches between them was very tender and they expressed it well. At Nationals, Susie W commented on how this dance seemed to bring out their expression towards one another that she hadn't seen before. I agree with that.

Personally, I think they are capable of anything and I just hope Igor and Marina really bring out their awesomeness this coming season!

Yes, I loved that part as well. Btw, no one has mentioned the fact that the song played during that portion is not eleanor rigby at all. It's an instrumental version of their song "Because."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWkZ9ZQyVzw

 

[~tapdancer]

Yes, I loved that part as well. Btw, no one has mentioned the fact that the song played during that portion is not eleanor rigby at all. It's an instrumental version of their song "Because."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWkZ9ZQyVzw

As a long-time Beatle fan, I knew that from the beginning. But since everyone kept calling it "Eleanor Rigby-Eleanor's Dream" I just went with it.

I always loved "Because"...beautiful song.

 

[ae9177]

D/W are indeed lovely to watch, they have excellent techniques and presentation, but they need to build up their own signature style, I just haven't seen their 'it' factor yet.

 

[~tapdancer]

D/W are indeed lovely to watch, they have excellent techniques and presentation, but they need to build up their own signature style, I just haven't seen their 'it' factor yet.

Really? Cause I sure have. I love their speed, power, and technical skill, I think their connection on the ice is improving with each performance. I love their striking contrast in looks...Charlie's blond awesomeness and Meryl's dark, classic beauty looks. I was so impressed with their season this year, it may have started out a little rough but they worked hard and by Nationals they were so on their game. I think they really stepped it up from 2007 in terms of maturity and presence on the ice. They still have room for improvement but they have all the tools they need, I think they are really going to train hard and I pray that they stay healthy and focused and have great programs.

It's funny but the biggest reason I love them so much (as opposed to having a lukewarm feeling for Belbin/Agosto) is because they have an "it" factor that I can't really define. I just loved them from the first time I ever saw them skate.

I hope they draw you in this year!