Although—ahem—Chris did his in front of a crowd, under the lights, and in one take.
Posted by: Carlos | Jul 25, 2009 4:44:16 PM
Okay. I read the guy's put-down of Bliss in the You Tube comments and I get it. Bliss is technically less gifted, using three balls instead of five and Garfield describes his performance as a "parody."
That said, I still like Bliss better, probably because of the music, but also because I saw it long ago and it captured my imagination as nothing else had before.
Some people used to complain that Pablo Casals was always grunting and making extra noise when he played the cello. He would audibly pop the strings against the neck just before bowing, some said, in order to give the pitch a micro-adjustment. These noises showed up on his recordings in the old days. I got to see him conduct once (he stopped playing in America after the Kennedy recital for political reasons) and during the performance he could be heard humming and vocalizing along with the music.
I like what Fred Astaire said: "The higher up you go, the more mistakes you are allowed. Right at the top, if you make enough of them, it`s considered to be your style."
And Spencer Tracy: "Come to work on time, know your lines and don't bump into the furniture."
I far prefer Jason's version. There is really no comparison.
Many of the moves that Jason did were harder than Chris' entire routine. With lighting, a crowd and in one take.
The difference in skill is immeasurable and that translates into how much pleasure I get from it. It is pretty much the difference between hearing Beethoven's Symphony Number 5 played by middle schoolers compared to being played by the New York Philharmonic.
Posted by: thatguy | Jul 26, 2009 2:23:08 AM
You didn't notice all the camera cuts?
Posted by: Carlos | Jul 26, 2009 7:12:05 AM
Chris Bliss' version had more style, even if he only used 3 balls. Style counts. Jason Garfield's routine was more technically proficient, but it was boring.
Posted by: Harlan | Jul 26, 2009 9:25:17 AM
Clearly both jugglers have amazing talent. But just for the record, I am a classical musician, and Chris Bliss gets my vote. His was the more meaningful, original interpretation.
Posted by: Steve | Jul 26, 2009 10:10:21 PM
For style and substance, read up on Anthony Gatto, who beats these guys artistically and technically every day of the week.
Above is a cut version of his act, done dropless in an unfamiliar/uncontrolled location. There is not even an unplanned wobble over a full 9 minutes...
Posted by: PK | Jul 26, 2009 11:16:52 PM
I am surprised about the low-brow conversation on who is best. Chris wasn't competing, that I am aware of.
So some smarty pants 1 ups Chris. That means what?
I watched all of chris bliss video because he was having fun and with the moment.
The muscle guy was fast and god and I watched about 2 minutes of it.
Class and character always beat out sheer mathmatics on who did what the most, highest, longest, hardest, etc.
If someone can do six does muscle man becomes usless garbage?
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Comments
Oh dear, apparently this is not amazing juggling.:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDBmXnGaxMI
(whatever)
Posted by: waa | Jul 25, 2009 4:04:41 PM
Both brilliant.
Although—ahem—Chris did his in front of a crowd, under the lights, and in one take.
Posted by: Carlos | Jul 25, 2009 4:44:16 PM
Okay. I read the guy's put-down of Bliss in the You Tube comments and I get it. Bliss is technically less gifted, using three balls instead of five and Garfield describes his performance as a "parody."
That said, I still like Bliss better, probably because of the music, but also because I saw it long ago and it captured my imagination as nothing else had before.
Some people used to complain that Pablo Casals was always grunting and making extra noise when he played the cello. He would audibly pop the strings against the neck just before bowing, some said, in order to give the pitch a micro-adjustment. These noises showed up on his recordings in the old days. I got to see him conduct once (he stopped playing in America after the Kennedy recital for political reasons) and during the performance he could be heard humming and vocalizing along with the music.
I like what Fred Astaire said: "The higher up you go, the more mistakes you are allowed. Right at the top, if you make enough of them, it`s considered to be your style."
And Spencer Tracy: "Come to work on time, know your lines and don't bump into the furniture."
Just call me a curmudgeon.
Posted by: John Ballard | Jul 25, 2009 4:54:47 PM
I far prefer Jason's version. There is really no comparison.
Many of the moves that Jason did were harder than Chris' entire routine. With lighting, a crowd and in one take.
The difference in skill is immeasurable and that translates into how much pleasure I get from it. It is pretty much the difference between hearing Beethoven's Symphony Number 5 played by middle schoolers compared to being played by the New York Philharmonic.
Posted by: thatguy | Jul 26, 2009 2:23:08 AM
You didn't notice all the camera cuts?
Posted by: Carlos | Jul 26, 2009 7:12:05 AM
Chris Bliss' version had more style, even if he only used 3 balls. Style counts. Jason Garfield's routine was more technically proficient, but it was boring.
Posted by: Harlan | Jul 26, 2009 9:25:17 AM
Clearly both jugglers have amazing talent. But just for the record, I am a classical musician, and Chris Bliss gets my vote. His was the more meaningful, original interpretation.
Posted by: Steve | Jul 26, 2009 10:10:21 PM
For style and substance, read up on Anthony Gatto, who beats these guys artistically and technically every day of the week.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efvlwmcg_M8
Above is a cut version of his act, done dropless in an unfamiliar/uncontrolled location. There is not even an unplanned wobble over a full 9 minutes...
Posted by: PK | Jul 26, 2009 11:16:52 PM
I am surprised about the low-brow conversation on who is best. Chris wasn't competing, that I am aware of.
So some smarty pants 1 ups Chris. That means what?
I watched all of chris bliss video because he was having fun and with the moment.
The muscle guy was fast and god and I watched about 2 minutes of it.
Class and character always beat out sheer mathmatics on who did what the most, highest, longest, hardest, etc.
If someone can do six does muscle man becomes usless garbage?
Posted by: Crabby | Jul 27, 2009 10:30:49 PM
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