best and worst music pics of the year (so far)

[Artemis]

Ok, we've seen (and heard) enough of the programs ... anyone have thoughts about music choices?

Some of mine in the thumbs down category:

~ Takeshi: I'm hugely disappointed in his LP music, The Mummy. I understand he wanted something "strong and masculine" while he concentrated on his jumps this year, but his artistry has taken a serious nosedive as a result. His strength is that he can interpret music other guys can't.

~ Jenny Kirk's LP: Ick. I love ABBA when it's sung, but few pop groups translate well to "light pops symphonic" (borderline Muzak), and this particular arrangement is drek.

~ Emanuel Sandhu's LP: Competing with Plushy on who can string together the weirdest collection of tunes. (Actually, I may be being to harsh -- I dislike the opening music of his LP, but it gets better at the end.)

~ T&M's LP: Cotton Club. I love this music ... it just doesn't suit them, IMO. I can't recall ever seeing Russians do a good interpretation of swing.

And in the thumbs up category:

~ Jenny Kirk's SP: The Princess Diaries. Lovely.

~ Michelle Kwan, both programs. Once again the class of the field when it comes to music choices.

~ Sasha, both programs. Both are overdone pices of music (esp. Malaguena), but she makes us forget that in the way she skates them.

~ Jeff Buttle's LP: I'm a sucker for Elgar. Actually I'm having to project a little on this one, since his Skate Canada performance was so disappointing, but I could see the potential there.

[spiralsrfun]

I'm just going to comment on the ones I feel strongly about one way or the other so far this season.

Thumbs up:

Michelle - The SP music "The Feeling Begins" is exotic and sexy. Can't wait to SEE the new SP, but apparently it's a winner. Her LP arrangement choice for "Aranjuez" is both fun and flowy. A lighthearted choice after a string of dramatic LP music choices. This is the first time I've liked both her SP and LP music (in the same season) since 1998-99.

Sasha - Yes, "Malaguena" is probably the most used piece ever in skating, but Sasha's SP is wonderful and Sasha's style really captures the drama of the music. "Rach 2" is one of my favorites...what can I say. Sasha's LP has some beautiful moments and her skating and the music blend nicely.

Sandhu - His SP of "Safri Duo" choices (especially A Gusta) is absolutely wonderful. The best mens SP of the season so far IMO. Exciting and very creative!

Jenny Kirk - I also like her soft and elegant SP to "The Princess Diaries." A nice change for her...showing off her new found soft & elegant style.

Ann Patrice - "Madame Butterfly" is a beautiful choice for AP's LP..lol.

Brian Joubert - His SP to Pink Floyd's "Time" was very refreshing.


Thumbs down:

Takeshi - What were you thinking with "The Mummy." This piece was so overused in the 99-00 season. This selection is a big let down after his beautiful LP to "Aranjuez" last season.

Stanick Jeannette - His LP choice of "L' Enfant Pure" was both painful to watch and listen to at Skate Canada IMO.

Michael Weiss - His LP band-aid of "Malaguena" and "Aranjuez" is very questionable. I don't get it.

Brian Joubert - While I loved his SP, I did not like the music choice for his LP..."The Untouchables." (I may need to see this again though)

Jenny Kirk - I have to get used to ABBA music being put to an orchestral movement, like her LP choice, from the broadway musical "Mamma Mia." Until I can get used to it, it will remain strange and scary to me.

Irina Slutskaya - Her new SP to "Victory" is IMO a step back to the days she was the little Russian folk maiden on the ice a la 98...when I listen to it, that's all I could think of. I'm also not looking forward to another overly dramatic operatic LP choice in "La Traviata" but I'll reserve judgement until I hear her version.

[icedtea]

Thumbs down:
Michael Weiss would benefit from giving anything by Metallica back to Beavis and Butthead. Major baaaaad choice.

I love the concept, but HATE the arrangement of Jenny Kirk's Abba songfest. I feel like I'm trapped in an elevator.

I'm not crazy about B&A's Elvis-theme music either.

I'll have to come back later with my 'Thumbs Up' list....I want to revel in my negativity. It's been that sort of day.

:P

[Artemis]

Originally posted by spiralsrfun
Thumbs up:
Sandhu - His SP of "Safri Duo" choices (especially A Gusta) is absolutely wonderful. The best mens SP of the season so far IMO. Exciting and very creative![/B]

I love it too ... the only reason it wasn't on my "thumbs up" list was that the program is recycled from last year. But he didn't get much milage out of it last season, so I'm not really against him using it this yer.

[Alexeiskate]

Thumbs Down
I have to agree on Honda's program and music. It did nothing for him at Skate Canada. I also dislike the last few seconds of his program where he stood in one place and threw in some upper body motion. What was that about ?

I didn't like Kirk's long program music either. When I think of ABBA, I think of light, frivolous, fun... but Jenny's music was bland. Like someone said, almost remind me of elevator's music.

Weiss's long program music is too much of the same thing he has been doing for the last couple of years. What ever happened to the freshness and coolness of a Satanna ?


Thumbs Up
Yag's short program. It was fun, sexy, fresh...did I mention sexy :) WOW. How are Tarasova and Nikolei able to come up with brilliant short program choreography year after year ? It's amazing.

[cocanuts]

Thumbs Up
Jenny Kirk LP-I realize all of you hate it, but I love Jenny's LP music and coreography!!!!! I really love her this year although she wont make worlds.
Jenny Kirk SP-I love this program as well!!!! very elegant!!! like i said, i love jenny this year.
Sasha Cohen SP-WOW!!!!!! this is perfect and the best!!!!!
Emanuel Sandhu SP-What can i say.........i love it!!!!!
Elena Liashenko LP-Great music and expression!!!!
Michelle Kwan LP-lovely and free!!!!
Viktoria Volchkova LP-I love the music, and the expression is improved
Kalsevich and Parchem SP-Love it!!!!!!!!

Thumbs Down
Emanuel Sandhu LP-i just don't like it!!!
Lumila Nelidina LP-what an awful skater!!!!! i never want to watch her skate again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jennifer Robinson LP-Get some expression and feeling!!!!!!
Totmiana and Marina LP-Doesn't work and she has no expression or feeling!!!
Fumie Suguri SP and LP-Horrible presentation especaially in comparison to last year. I hate the LP music composition/order of the music

[thvudragon]

Thumbs up

Emanual Sandhu's SP and LP. I really like the Sarah Brightman part in the LP. Anyone who has seen the movie "The 5th Element" knows what I'm talking about.
Michelle - Excellent music choice. She could skate to anything.
Sasha - Her music fits her very very well. It may be tired, but she skates the heck out of it.
AP McDonough - I like it for a dumb reason. Her music was on the Simpsons once. I guess the connection has drawn me towards it.

In between
Sarah - Her music is only okay. I also hope she can improve her skating in her LP. It looks like she's trying to put in too much.
Jenny - ABBA is better in lyrical form
Totmiana and Marina - Music seems awkward. They do skate well though.

Thumbs down
Victoria V- I hate how the music switches back and forth between the two selections.
Takeshi - First toilet paper, now duck tape. What's next?
Jennifer Robinson - I can't believe how boring her skating is. How can anyone enjoy watching her. I can't believe someone actually called her underated.

[Scott]

well I do have to say that I like Jemmy Kirk's Abba program. I think thst she skates very elegantly to it. I don't think that the compilation of the abba songs into an nstrumental presentation can be considered muzak. Her involves a full orchestra, strings and all! Maybe I am getting old but I really enjoyed the program. Well done, Jenny.