tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66988931414812030352024-03-13T08:43:00.232-07:00Strictlyconfidential2016Lloyd Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12824365609547164407noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698893141481203035.post-79896308137474834992016-12-10T12:27:00.001-08:002016-12-10T12:27:30.357-08:00Semi-FinalWell, here we are again, semi-final week. First time we see the celebs dance 2 dances. Did it affect anyone's performances? It did in my opinion:<br />
<br />
<b><u>Louise & Kevin</u></b><br />
<b>Tango - </b>Very few heel leads which no-one picked up on - disappointed as last week they all mentioned it to Danny. Her poise was too upright & she went wrong at the end. Good timing though. My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Samba - </b>Saved her worst dance until last. Not much bounce, very rough in places, not much hip action & some back knees were bent when they should have been straight. Good content.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b><u>Danny & Oti</u></b><br />
<b>Salsa - </b>Brilliant lead throughout. Good hips but not enough on his basic movements. Very slick & controlled.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>American Smooth - </b>Very romantic & elegant. Great synchronicity in the out of hold sections. Good rotation & roll on the natural turns. The last catch was amazing but didn't like the wrap lift - looked like it went wrong to me.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b><u>Claudia & AJ</u></b><br />
<b>Rumba - </b>Mature performance. Well controlled but not much basic content. Good leg & hip actions but a bit stiff in places.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>Quickstep - </b>Wow. Amazing control on poise with all of that speed & content. Well performed, good footwork & she kept her stride length matching his.<br />
My score - 10<br />
<br />
<b><u>Ore & Joanne</u></b><br />
<b>Quickstep - </b>Light, controlled, full of content. He kept his frame well & had good footwork. Just dropped his left arm a couple of times<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>Argentine Tango - </b>Pretty good. Sharp & precise but I felt it lacked a bit of connection in places for me. Great lifts but he lost balance at the end.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
In my opinion there was one celeb who struggled with learning 2 dances and that was Louise (AKA the judges favourite). Neither were her best dances & how Craig marked her Tango 9 but Ore's quickstep 8, I will never understand!!<br />
<br />
My 3 for the final - based on tonight - Danny, Claudia & Ore. Louise was weakest but doubt she will be in the bottom 2 and even if she is, the judges will save her.<br />
<br />
See you at the final!<br />
<br />
Lloyd x<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<br />
<br />Lloyd Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12824365609547164407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698893141481203035.post-70344541655384401082016-12-03T13:10:00.001-08:002016-12-03T13:10:21.508-08:00Week 11- MusicalsI've never really been a huge fan of 'themed' weeks & I have to say that this week was no different really.<br />
<br />
I liked the opening dance & it was nice to see the kids getting involved but I think Anton should stick to dancing!<br />
<br />
The performances this week:<br />
<br />
<b>Ore & Joanne</b><br />
Footwork not bad but needed more drive. A good frame & was light and lyrical. The extra dancers were a bit pointless though & got in the way on such a small floor with such big costumes.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>Judge Rinder & Oksana</b><br />
Flat footed & hips a bit forced at times. Knees too straight in places so a lack of bounce action in some figures. A good attempt at batucada's & good energy.<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Louise & Kevin</b><br />
Another demonstration of an American Smooth routine, just a quickstep version. Like last week, there was too much faffing around, out of hold. Lots of running around the floor & not enough proper quickstep for my liking. Her hold was a bit dodgy at times & her poise was too upright for most of it.<br />
My score - 8 (judges over marked in my opinion)<br />
<br />
<b>Claudia & AJ</b><br />
Brilliant timing & synchronicity with AJ. Great lifts & energy and a good performance. Just needed a bit more fluidity in her hips.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>Danny & Oti</b><br />
Firstly, I want his jacket! Secondly, what a nic change to hear a well sung track! He performed it well. Good leading & he looked confident & in control. He missed some heel leads but then so did she so she either doesn't know or doesn't care but if she wasn't doing them you can't expect her to make sre he was. Shame really as it was the stand-out dance of the night for me.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
My bottom 2 - Judge Rinder & Louise (but she won't be in the bottom 2)<br />
<br />
Until next week,<br />
<br />
Keeeeep dancing!<br />
<br />
Lloyd xLloyd Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12824365609547164407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698893141481203035.post-24233461827926915792016-11-26T13:33:00.001-08:002016-11-26T13:33:24.580-08:00Week 10Ok so this week was the return to the studio & the first ever Cha Cha Challenge! After the rubbish (in my opinion) published in the papers this week about a conspiracy to get rid of Ed, I very much expect he will stay in. How absurd to think the BBC bosses want him out - he's the reason a lot of people are talking about the show!<br />
<br />
Anyway, enough of my ranting!:<br />
<br />
<b>Danny & Oti</b><br />
Probably the best Samba from a male celeb ever. Yes, I know he's had dance experience but Samba is technically an incredibly hard dance with the bounce actions, hip actions, rhythm changes and unique techniques not found in any other dance. It's hard for an experienced Latin dancer to master, let alone a non-latin dancer (which he is!). He had great hip actions, good leading skills, good content, hs batucada were really good, as were his cruzado walks. The slow section at the start was really hard to control as it shows up everything but he nailed it.<br />
My score - 10 (I apologise to anyone who listened to me on BBC Radio Kent this morning! I said I rarely give out 10's but I think he deserved it tonight)<br />
<br />
<b>Ore & Joanne</b><br />
Good modern twist on a Paso. I liked the drama. Good shaping & arms, very powerful & well danced.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>Louise & Kevin</b><br />
I have an issue with this (and Craig). To me, this was more of an American Smooth waltz. In that entire dance there were only 12 bars in proper ballroom hold (I counted them!). A contra check, a bit of basic, pivots & 2 sets of dodgy open impetus' does not a proper waltz make! Yet not one of the judges mentioned it. Craig tore Natalie off a strip for doing the same in her Rumba with Greg but didn't comment on it tonight? What she did dance was nice with good rise & fall but she missed some heel leads.<br />
My score - 8 (sorry but that's me being honest)<br />
<br />
<b>Judge Rinder & Oksana</b><br />
HIps a bit hit & miss & his forward walks he was picking up off the floor instead of pushing into it. Wasn't keen on the 'broken' wrist on his free arm (again something I'm surprised Craig didn't mention).<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Ed & Katya</b><br />
Oh dear. The first week I watched him & struggled to find something positive, The story didn't work, he was stompy & stampy. His frame was all wrong & he had no neck for most of it. Not his best dance.<br />
My score - 5<br />
<br />
<b>Claudia & AJ</b><br />
Her best yet. Incredible lifts, strong, controlled, well performed, powerful & sharp. On a down side he's starting to get on my nerves a bit. I know he's young but in my eyes he's coming across as a bit 'look at me'.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>Cha Cha Challenge</b><br />
I have to say that the camera angles were terrible & made marking it almost impossible. They needed a static shot to help us compare them as a whole.<br />
My scores:<br />
1st - Danny<br />
2nd - Louise<br />
3rd - Ore<br />
4th - Claudia<br />
5th - Judge Rinder<br />
7th - Ed<br />
<br />
My bottom 2 this week - Ed & Judge Rinder. I have to say that on this week's performances, I think Ed does actually deserve to be in the bottom 2 (but still not sure he will be)<br />
<br />
Until next week,<br />
<br />
keeeep dancing!<br />
<br />
Lloyd xLloyd Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12824365609547164407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698893141481203035.post-8620881467744917122016-11-21T14:19:00.002-08:002016-11-21T14:19:35.561-08:00Week 9 - BlackpoolWas it me or was the audio a bit off this week? It seemed like they were all talking out of sync?<br />
<br />
Anyway - my views this week:<br />
<br />
Firstly, great opening number. Was nice to see a traditional performance.<br />
<br />
<b>Claudia & AJ</b><br />
Off time for most of it - seemed like she was struggling with the speed. She was too stiff & had no hip actions on the rock. Mistake at the beginning but flicks weren't too bad.<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Ore & Joanne</b><br />
Fast but well controlled. Did well to cover the floor. Very good continuous fleckerl. He just needed a bit more sway on the natural turns.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>Louise & Kevin</b><br />
Good show dance but not enough Paso for me. Chasse capes & Twists but not much else really. Good passion & drama & good lines. After my comments about Craig not marking Greg's Rumba for performance & he seemingly punishing him for the choreo, I will mark her performance & technique.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>Danny & Oti</b><br />
Was I the only one who noticed 3 mistakes? First he was out of sync with Oti in the beginning, then he missed a move when on the table & when he got off the table he was briefly on the wrong foot & had to correct it. Apart from that it was really good.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>Ed & Katya</b><br />
Typical Ed - rough technique which is just on the right side of OK but very entertaining. Needed sharper flicks but timing was good.<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Greg & Natalie</b><br />
Not bad, quite light & energetic. He had to re-set his frame a couple of times & was on the wrong foot in the leap. I disagree with Craig regarding the power & height on his chasse's. He is not used to a sprung floor. The height was slightly too much but I think it was due to the floor bouncing him more than he was used to.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Judge Rinder & Oksana</b><br />
Timing was ok for most of it. Good hips but felt it was a little bit tame for me. Good lifts though.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
My bottom 2 - Ed & Claudia<br />
<br />
I have seen the dance-off & I personally would have put Greg through. They both corrected their previous mistakes but I think Greg was softer & more controlled & she was still too stiff and lacked technique compared to him.<br />
<br />
Until next week<br />
<br />
Keeeeep dancing!<br />
<br />
Lloyd x<br />
<br />Lloyd Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12824365609547164407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698893141481203035.post-43082386351904625522016-11-13T14:40:00.001-08:002016-11-13T14:40:25.797-08:00Week 8So I'm writing this having watched the show on Sunday evening due to a busy weekend but I promise I haven't watched the results show yet or looked to see who went out!<br />
<br />
The performances:<br />
<br />
<b>Daisy & Aljaz</b><br />
Good lifts but didn't like the music. Not much basic salsa. Needed more flex in the knees to help hr hip rotation.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Greg & Natalie</b><br />
Powerful & very well lead. Kept in character all the way through. He needed more shaping in his upper body & lost the width in his frame during his pivots.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Judge Rinder & Oksana</b><br />
Well danced with very good footwork. Good timing but needed more CBMP as he was a bit square in his frame when outside his partner.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Ore & Joanne</b><br />
Romantic & nicely danced. Excellent arms & leading. Just a bit upright & 'out' of his hips at times. Good leg actions mostly though.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>Ed & Katya</b><br />
Still very entertaining. Lifts all risky but worked quite well, considering he almost dropped her in a previous attempt at lifts! Not much salsa & no hip action but do still like watching him.<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Claudia & AJ</b><br />
Fluid, good rotations, good poise. the natural part of her double fleckerl was off time with him so she had to change feet by missing a beat at the end to get herself back on track.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Danny & Oti</b><br />
Nice dance. fast, precise & impressive choreography. I personally liked the aggression as I thought it worked with the story line. He lead the whole dance well too.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>Louise & Kevin</b><br />
Great music, great performance. Well danced & good timing. Only issue for me is that American Smooth rules state that only 40% is allowed to be out of hold and that was much more than 40% out of hold.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
My bottom 2 - Ed & Daisy ( I know I scored Daisy the same as others but I think she was weaker overall)<br />
<br />
I'm off to watch the results show now! lol<br />
<br />
Until next week<br />
<br />
Keeeeep dancing!<br />
<br />
Lloyd xLloyd Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12824365609547164407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698893141481203035.post-33497199339199836652016-11-12T02:51:00.001-08:002016-11-12T02:51:48.502-08:00Week 7So, Laura & Oti in the dance-off then. I'm surprised but not shocked as we are at the time in the series where the entertaining ones are voted in & the middle-board couples are in the dance-off. As much as they are fun to watch, I think it's time for Ed & Judge Rinder to say their goodbyes.<br />
<br />
As you can tell from the above, I've had an incredibly busy weekend & not written this until after the Sunday programme but I promise that I made my notes very late Saturday night/Sunday morning.<br />
<br />
My notes on the performances:<br />
<br />
<b>Danny & Oti</b><br />
He certainly bounced back. Great energy, good flicks, good tricks. Just lacked hip actions on the rocks as his back step was too big.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>Daisy & Aljaz</b><br />
Quite pretty but needed a bit more sway & she lost her neck into her shoulders. Her fleckerl after her contra check was also a bit off time.<br />
My score -8<br />
<br />
<b>Ore & Joanne</b><br />
Not bad but needed more hip rotations. Good lifts, good energy & good partnering.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>Ed & Katya</b><br />
Better than expected. Good energy, good timing & his frame wasn't bad either. Light on his feet but needed more drive on the more basic figures.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Laura & Giovanni</b><br />
Welcome to the Giovanni show, folks! He could have got her to at least attempt a Batucada rather than letting her just stand there while he did 2! And then all the spins at the end? Not her best dance, needed to finish her lines & she went wrong at the beginning. Not much bounce action either.<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Judge Rinder & Oksana</b><br />
Pretty good. Frame a bit loose through some of the jumps. Good rhythm & he coped with all of the content. His foot work on lock steps was wrong.<br />
My score- 8<br />
<br />
<b>Louise & Kevin</b><br />
Fabulous, passionate, sharp & powerful. Amazing timing & a brilliant ending drop.<br />
My score - 10<br />
<br />
<b>Greg & Natalie</b><br />
Good rotation, smooth & good floor coverage. Fleckerl was good but a bit big. Just needs to pull shoulders back & down to avoid hunching.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Claudia & AJ</b><br />
Awful music (yet again). A bit smooth at times but good core strength a expected. She was on the wrong foot at one point.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
My bottom 2 - Ed & Laura<br />
<br />
Until next week<br />
<br />
Keeeeeep dancing!<br />
<br />
Lloyd xLloyd Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12824365609547164407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698893141481203035.post-53164459918752871512016-10-29T13:53:00.002-07:002016-10-29T13:53:29.964-07:00Week 6 - HalloweenSo, Lesley & Daisy in the dance-off last week. Unexpected. I got a long, ranting message from a very disgruntled viewer slating me for making that decision & being told that they had lost 2 viewers & I hope I was proud of myself; only to then get a huge apology when they realised I wasn't actually anything to do with the show & was just a lowly dance teacher. Make me chuckle though!<br />
<br />
This week's performances:<br />
<br />
<b>Louise & Kevin</b><br />
Awful, awful music. Who, on God's green earth, ever thought that a Beyonce song would make a good Charleston? And who the hell agreed with them?!?! The dance itself was pretty good, good swivels, nice amount of energy & she performed it better than usual.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>Judge Rinder & Oksana</b><br />
I didn't think there was enough 'proper' Paso for me. The costume made it difficult to see his lines. Quite powerful in places but a bit camp in others!<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Claudia & AJ</b><br />
Nicely danced but this is her second attempt at a Foxtrot (having done American Smooth foxtrot a couple of weeks ago) so I was expecting nothing less. When a lady dances a foxtrot, her backward steps should not have a foot rise & she kept coming up onto her toes. However she did great heel turns & there were nice lifts. Good poise & hold and well acted too.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>Anastacia & Brendan</b><br />
Soppy flicks from both of them, in fact I didn't think he was much better than her tonight (maybe he's still under the weather). She was a bit flat footed at times too but well performed.<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Danny & Oti</b><br />
Shame about the massive error. Good performance & the bits he did right were actually very good technically. I liked the contemporary feel to it too.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Laura & Giovanni</b><br />
Her best yet. Good passion, great content, nice staccato. Nice hold & poise. She held the contra check well when he broke hod towards the end - that's hard to do, especially on a sore ankle. I have to disagree with Craig regarding her thumb. It should not be in his 'pit' as he called it. That's outdated. It goes where she had it, for a couple of reasons. From a lady's point of view do you really want your thumb in a sweaty armpit? From a man's point of view, I can assure you, we do not want a finger nail in our fleshy armpit, thanks! No doubt, after his comments, I will be correcting my ladies who think he knows better over the next couple of weeks, like I did last year!!<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>Ore & Joanne</b><br />
Nice dance again. Swivels were ok to me. Shame about the missed lift. Lots of content & good performance.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Greg & Natalie</b><br />
Ok, prepare to be ranted at! Nice routine, very powerful & masculine. Very well acted. Good lines, just needed to use his hips more. Now for the rant: granted there were only about 4 bars of 'proper' rumba in there but these days you will be lucky to get that much at international competitions. Craig was totally out of order giving him a 4. If he couldn't see the rumba & mark it as such then he needs to get out to top level comps more often & get up to date. He also should not have penalised Greg for choreography he didn't like. He should have marked Greg on his timing, performance & skills in that dance as a leader & performer, and that alone was worth more than 4. The man is an idiot.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Daisy & Aljaz</b><br />
Not a bad Paso. Nice & strong. Good routine. I prefered her arms when they were free rather than holding her dress as she had more powerful shapes then.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Ed & Katya</b><br />
Love him or loathe him, he did ok tonight. Quite good technique in places & not bad lines although a bit camp in places. Nice free arms & good level of proper figures. He kept mouthing the rhythm though which I'm surprised Craig didn't mention.<br />
My score - 6<br />
<br />
My bottom 3 this week - Ed, Anastacia & Craig (he needs sacking after tonight's comments!) Don't hold your breath to see Ed in the dance-off though.<br />
<br />
Until next week,<br />
<br />
keeeeeeep dancing!<br />
<br />
Lloyd xLloyd Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12824365609547164407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698893141481203035.post-80505651587998613942016-10-23T04:13:00.002-07:002016-10-23T04:13:39.269-07:00Week 5So Naga went last week and the racism row continues. Think this is all media hype, I really don't see 'Strictly' viewers as the racist type. And this week Laura was injured so didn't dance & got a bye to next week. Like it or not, those are the Strictly rules!<br />
<br />
On to this week's performances:<br />
<br />
<b>Judge Rinder & Oksana</b><br />
The trout mouth was back this week! Not a bad dance, flicks a bit floppy but good hip swing in places. A bit flat footed & suzie cues needed more swivels but good energy.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Lesley & Anton</b><br />
Needed to flex knees & pull top line back & raise chin. Well performed as usual. Some heel leads missed. Great content, she did well to remember as much as she did.<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Greg & Natalie</b><br />
His left elbow was too high. Not enough pressure into the floor so lack of knee action resulting in no hips. Free arm a bit lacking too.<br />
My score - 6<br />
<br />
<b>Anastacia & Gorka</b><br />
Nicely danced. A bit of gapping & needed to pull ribcage up. Good routine, nice & light. Did well with a new partner.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Louise & Kevin</b><br />
Need to keep feet on the floor when taking a step. She was picking up so not enough hip action for me. Good musicality. Classy but didn't think there was much chemistry there.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Ed & Katya</b><br />
A shame about the lift but he did well not to drop her. Too ambitious if you ask me! NOt bad control on the foxtrot but needed more drive. Other lifts were quite good.<br />
My score - 6<br />
<br />
<b>Ore & Joanne</b><br />
Romantic. Good footwork and rise & fall but his left side of his frame moved a lot & his left arm kept going up & down. Did well to hit the right frame after breaking away & reconnecting into the standing spin. Good control & no gapping.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>Daisy & Aljaz</b><br />
Very original & classy. Not much basic movements but what she danced of them she did well. Good lifts too.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Danny & Oti</b><br />
Some hip actions forced (the first forward walks) but some were ok. He lead well but needed more knee actions at point to help his hips. Sometimes over danced but was one of the better male celeb rumbas.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Claudia & AJ</b><br />
A few errors & looked a lot like she was only just keeping up with the content & the speed. It was a routine he did for him rather than her, in my opinion. A bit fantic & stiff in places.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
My bottom 2 this week - Ed & Greg but doubt Ed will be in the dance off as he seems popular.<br />
<br />
Until next week<br />
<br />
Keeeep dancing!<br />
<br />
Lloyd xLloyd Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12824365609547164407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698893141481203035.post-14249749698856188212016-10-16T04:58:00.001-07:002016-10-17T09:28:34.395-07:00Week 4Ok, I will quickly mention that I think the judges made the wrong decision. Neither Laura nor Tameka should have been in the dance off but out of the 2 of them I thought that Tameka's dance was more polished in the dance off.<br />
<br />
Anyway, on to this week's performances:<br />
<br />
<b>Greg & Natalie </b><br />
He was a bit stompy & needed more hip rotation. A bit hectic in places & a bit aggressive for some reason. Good lifts though.<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Laura & Giovanni</b><br />
Her chin is too high & had a bad left hand. Her head was too far back (that's not how to create a good posture). Good energy though & kept up with the routine well.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Anastacia & Brendan</b><br />
Not a single judge mentioned the heel leads! So, therefore there was not enough hip action for me. Nice ronde though & spins seemed a bit more controlled. Good arms.<br />
My score - 6 (would have been 7 if there were no heel leads)<br />
<br />
<b>Claudia & AJ</b><br />
Needed more drive for me. Good attempt at heel turns but struggled with the syncopated double reverse spin section. Good top line though.<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Ed & Katya</b><br />
Oh dear, Ed decides to put an entire series worth of mistakes into one dance! He was also the most camp matador I've ever seen. I did see some Paso figures like a La Passe which he did the proper steps in. Very stompy but oddly still very watchable?!<br />
My score - 5<br />
<br />
<b>Naga & Pasha</b><br />
Much better this week. She got more of the routine right & a lot was solo work. Better performance level too. Good energy & I disagreed with Craig, I like a Charleston to be 'informal' & slapstick.<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Louise & Kevin</b><br />
Wrong music to do a foxtrot any justice. Lots of training footage of heel turns but I didn't see her dance one?! Loses top line on occasion but good arms & styling. Good footwork too.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Danny & Oti</b><br />
He's good! Great energy, good frame, tons of content. Nice to have proper music too! Good flight across the floor. Just a bit of gapping at times.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>Daisy & Aljaz</b><br />
A bit stilted at times, needed more hip action. Romantic & good delayed forward walk action in her opening outs.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Judge Rinder & Oksana</b><br />
His natural turns needed sway & his fleckerl was under rotated. He got most heel leads in but needed more drive. Awful music again.<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Lesley & Anton</b><br />
This woman astounds me. Amazing energy, no errors, great swivels, good lifts. Understandably started to flag towards the end.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Ore & Joanne</b><br />
Smashed it! Incredible technique. The new top dog of this series and the one to beat. I instantly watched Jill Halfpenny & Jay's jives to compare & I think Ore's was better. More flicks & kicks than Jill's and a lot more solo work than Jay's<br />
My score - 10 (I know it's only week 4 but credit where it's due!)<br />
<br />
My bottom 2 - Anastacia & Ed<br />
<br />
Until next week......keeeeep dancing!<br />
<br />
Lloyd xLloyd Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12824365609547164407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698893141481203035.post-85205097309759925602016-10-08T14:57:00.002-07:002016-10-08T14:57:37.492-07:00Week 3Ok, before I go into this week's performances, lets talk about the elephant in the room... the fall out from last week's vote off. In any 'normal' dance competition, if you are injured & can't dance you have to pull out (or get disqualified for not dancing). However, this isn't a 'normal' competition. At best it's a saturday night entertainment show, at worst a popularity contest. No-one should put their long term health at risk for a TV show. Whatever you think about the way it was handled, they made the right decision (in my view) in not allowing her to dance (just think of the law suit it she had really hurt herself second time around!) Also, I know they were close in the judges marks but I still think that it didn't make any difference & Melvin would (and should) have gone home.<br />
<br />
Anyway, onto this week:<br />
<br />
<b>Daisy & Aljaz</b><br />
Pleasant & good choreography (not much basic though). She still needs to pull back her top line a fraction & her head line was a bit wrong & looked a bit stiff.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Anastacia & Brendan</b><br />
Romantic & classy. Needed a bit more drive & she also needs to pull her top line away from her partner more. Good fleckerl though.<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Danny & Oti</b><br />
Did a good dance to terrible music - it wasn't the right tempo, timing or phrasing for a Paso! Good stance & shaping, good synchronicity. Probably one of the best male celeb Paso's I have seen in a while. Just a bit flat for me in places (like Len's beloved Coup de Pique).<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>Lesley & Anton</b><br />
I like her but shame about the mistake. Very light & quick. Good performance but poise needs soe work (even though it oddly worked in this character!)<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Will & Karen</b><br />
Great twist to a Salsa. Good mix between styles. Good energy & lifts but I'm with Len, needed more salsa content for me.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Naga & Pasha</b><br />
Better but still too many mistakes. Looked like he was dragging her around at some points. Good head transitions & good drama though. Needed more heel leads.<br />
My score - 6<br />
<br />
<b>Judge Rinder & Oksana</b><br />
Shame about the mistakes. Good swivels, good lifts & energy. Pleasantly surprised by the flip at the end!<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Ore & Joanne</b><br />
More her style - she likes show dances more. Lovely performance. Light, smooth, good control & frame. Very nice but just needs to watch the position on his right hand on her back, it went across to the other side of her spine a couple of times.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>Laura & Giovanni</b><br />
Good energy. Annoyingly, I couldn't see the synchronicity as the camera only concentrated on one of them at a time! Very sexy, good timing & I liked her hips. Little bit too much attack at times & legs were a bit too stiff in places.<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Greg & Natalie</b><br />
Better ballroom then last week. Excellent lifts & good romance & chemistry. 1st foxtrot section was better than the 2nd. In the second section his frame was weaker & it definitely looked like his bum was stuck out to me!<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Claudia & AJ</b><br />
Amazing speed & control. Great swivels & lifts. Just lost timing with AJ in one small section but this dance played to her athleticism. Good to see her starting to perform it too.<br />
My score - 9<br />
<br />
<b>Tameka & Gorka</b><br />
Not bad. Timing & performance were good but again she needs to pull her top line off of her partner. Needed more heel leads too.<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Ed Balls & Katya</b><br />
I admit it, I love Ed Balls! (not literally, just as a performer!) He might not be the best dancer but by golly he throws everything into hi performances! Not bad samba steps but great character. The 'pot stirrer' - the continual spins they did - is very difficult to lead for the man.<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Louise & Kevin</b><br />
The freestyle stuff was good but the Cha Cha Cha sections were too bouncy with not enough hips due to her being a bit too bent knee'd. Good control & timing though.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
My bottom 2 - Naga & Judge Rinder - due to the amount of mistakes.<br />
<br />
I will just say that I don't think Ed should be bottom. Craig clearly has an issue with him. Ed didn't go wrong & performed it with 100% commitment. Naga, Lesley & Judge Rinder all made mistakes & Ed's technique (particularly for a Samba) was no worse than theirs.<br />
We will see what the voting public think tomorrow!<br />
<br />
Until next week<br />
<br />
Keeeeep dancing!<br />
<br />
Lloyd x<br />
<br />
<br />Lloyd Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12824365609547164407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698893141481203035.post-70454504458286760502016-10-02T12:30:00.001-07:002016-10-02T12:30:22.797-07:00Week 2Firstly, apologies for the lateness of this blog post! A child-free night away meant that I didn't get to watch the show until Sunday afternoon! I promise that I've written this before seeing anything to do with the results show!<br />
<br />
So, this weekend we got to see all 15 couples & compare them. The only difficulty was trying to compare 8 different dance styles! So I did what any good judge would do and marked them on their individual merit.<br />
<br />
The performances:<br />
<br />
<b>Ore & Joanne</b><br />
Sorry but I think her choreography is letting him down. Too much disco & not enough proper figures. He was dancing 'out of his hip' as I call it so wasn't into the floor enough, therefore no hip action (also due to the fact that he was flat footed). He had a lot of timing issues too. Good performance though & would probably do better with a different pro.<br />
My score - 6<br />
<br />
<b>Claudia & AJ</b><br />
He is dumbing his dancing ability down to her level instead of trying to get her to dance to his (my coach would go mad if I did that!). A bit too much faffing at the start & needed more rise & fall. She also needs to wait to be lead instead of trying to do it herself, she was ahead of him a couple of times.Poise quite nice, especially during pivots at the beginning.<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Will & Karen</b><br />
Those trousers were awful & maybe he wouldn't have pulled a muscle if he wasn't wearing baseball boots! He lost the routine quite a bit, was too flat footed & didn't have much energy. I wanted to pull his trousers up the whole way through! He also needed more doing with his free arm. Disappointed.<br />
My score - 5<br />
<br />
<b>Lesley & Anton</b><br />
Really liked it! Good character, good energy & not a bad technique either! Good leg actions too so had some hip movement.<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Greg & Natalie</b><br />
He really needs to get his pelvis forward. That would allow him to get his shoulders back & down & open his chest. It would also sort his weight out to stop he being so ploddy. Hated the music - no way was that a Tango. I also disagree with Bruno, a Tango should not glide. The description of a walk in Tango from the technique book of the IDTA requires the feet to be picked up & placed with speed, not glided across the floor.<br />
My score - 5<br />
<br />
<b>Tameka & Gorka</b><br />
He's gone down in my opinion. After the pull through the legs he was so intent on being on time, he let her struggle up from the floor on her own. Not a very nice thing to do, especially from the pro dancer. Good energy & not bad swivels considering the shoes she was wearing! Good performance.<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Laura & Giovanni</b><br />
A bit too much out of hold for my liking. Needed more rise & fall and drive. Poise not bad but needs to get her back a fraction more. Good arms out of hold, quite romantic.<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
<b>Melvin & Janette</b><br />
Bad poise, kicking like a kick boxer instead of a dancer & stompy. Bad music too. Nothing else to be said really. Didn't like it.<br />
My score - 4<br />
<br />
<b>Louise & Kevin</b><br />
This lady has surprised me. Lovely synchronicity with Kevin at the start & excellent arms. Poise lovely but lost it occasionally. Good fleckerl but the whole thing needed heel leads.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Anastacia & Brendan</b><br />
Liked it but she looked in pain bless her. A bit under stated but a good performance. Spins not great but better than last week.<br />
My score - 6<br />
<br />
<b>Ed & Katya</b><br />
I really liked it! He didn't go wrong, he had good timing, he had a good character & great performance level. Full of energy, just a shame he didn't have the swivel action. I disagreed with Craig I'm afraid, it was very watchable. Good lifts too.<br />
My score - 6<br />
<br />
<b>Naga & Pasha</b><br />
Needs more knee action & energy. No performance level really but not bad timing. Shame about the mistakes again.<br />
My score - 5<br />
<br />
<b>Judge Rinder & Oksana</b><br />
Good lifts & performance but still a bit frantic at times. Needs more drive & his footwork was a bit rubbish. Also not sure of his mouth actions, looks a bit like a fish gasping for air!<br />
My score - 5 (almost a 6 if he calmed down a bit)<br />
<br />
<b>Daisy & Aljaz</b><br />
Sorry but I disagree with the judges. It was a bit flat for me. Weak leg actions which were highlighted by her dress. Think she may be this year's judges favourite?<br />
My score - 6<br />
<br />
<b>Danny & Oti</b><br />
That contraption is called a topline frame. I have one & they are great to train poise properly. The dance was nice. Good posture, good floor coverage but needs to stop 'spotting' when he turns. Missed heel leads so he wasn't as smooth in places as he could have been Good natural dancer though.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
My bottom 2 for the last 2 weeks combined - Naga & Melvin.<br />
<br />
Before I go can I just ask, what's wrong with having traditional music for a Tango instead of the rubbish they are playing at the moment?!<br />
<br />
Right, I'm off to watch the results show!<br />
<br />
Until next week<br />
<br />
keeeeeep dancing!<br />
<br />
Lloyd x<br />
<br />
<br />Lloyd Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12824365609547164407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698893141481203035.post-6209024204625309932016-09-24T12:52:00.003-07:002016-09-24T12:52:47.039-07:00Week 1, Episode 2Well we thought last night was good, but tonight was even better! Ed Balls isn't abysmal!<br />
<br />
I have to quickly say that I still wonder at all of the dances they make the celebs perform on week 1. Paso Doble & Tango? Give them a chance!<br />
<br />
Part 2 of the performances:<br />
<br />
<b>Louise & Kevin</b><br />
Best so far. Really liked these 2. Great energy, excellent timing & did a lot of it solo - very brave! Tons of content too. Good work, Kevin! Think she is one to watch.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Melvin & Janette</b><br />
Not good. Not much content, too much mucking about in the middle of it. Flat footed so no hips. Good energy though.<br />
My score - 5<br />
<br />
<b>Daisy & Aljaz</b><br />
Very romantic. Good poise but could be slightly further back, it was held well through the pivots. Good stride and rise & fall.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Danny & Oti</b><br />
Good timing & energy. Very clean with good hips & rhythm. Best cha cha cha so far.<br />
My score - 8<br />
<br />
<b>Tameka & Gorka</b><br />
Paso on week 1 is just wrong. A hard dance for this early but at least she go it out of the way on a week she cant get voted out! Awful music, awful camera work. A good attempt but a bit soft in places for me, probably due to the music. Good performance though.<br />
My score - 6<br />
<br />
<b>Anastacia & Brendan</b><br />
Well performed, very flexible & good rhythm. Great body control but a shame about losing balance on the spin which seemed to out her off a bit.<br />
My score - 6<br />
<br />
<b>Ed & Katya</b><br />
Well, I'm staggered! Good frame (better than some of the others!), excellent footwork (sorry Craig but I saw a lot of rising on his toes!). He does need to work on his fall though. Soooo much better than I expected - I will have to eat humble pie on the radio show on Saturday morning! He just needs to drop his shoulders a bit. Totally agreed with Len's comments.<br />
My score - 6<br />
<br />
<b>Claudia & AJ</b><br />
I wish they wouldn't train in trainers! It doesn't help with feeling the floor & must be against health & safety as they stick to the floor & can cause injury! A bit stilted & agree with Len (again!) that they need to stop with the gymnastics. She needs to express more & let go a bit. He seemed a bit camera hungry to me - maybe that will calm down when he settles into it.<br />
My score - 6<br />
<br />
<b>Will & Karen</b><br />
Not bad. Lost a few steps in one part. Good drama & performance. Not a bad poise & good foot speed. He needs to keep his knees flexed at all times - came out of them a few times.<br />
My score - 7<br />
<br />
I won't give a bottom 2 this week. I'm going to wait until next week.<br />
<br />
I have to say that I think this is already shaping up to be a brilliant series. Some really good first performances.<br />
<br />
Until next week,<br />
<br />
keeeep dancing!<br />
<br />
LloydLloyd Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12824365609547164407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698893141481203035.post-53273950531539928882016-09-24T05:06:00.000-07:002016-09-24T05:06:57.438-07:00Week 1 - Episode 1Well, here we are again! Another, year, another Strictly & another Strictly Confidential! I'm also excited to announce that as well as writing this blog I will also be live on BBC Radio Kent every Saturday morning (from next week) as their weekly Strictly 2016 reviewer! So no you can here my views first hand as well as read them!<br />
<br />
Nice to see this year's line-up it looks like we may have a good season!<br />
<br />
On to tonight's performances:<br />
<br />
<b>Laura & Giovanni</b><br />
Well performed & not a bad opener. She needed sharper & stronger leg actions to help with her hip movements. She lost her timing a bit towards the end too.<br />
My score - 6<br />
<br />
<b>Naga & Pasha</b><br />
Needs to keep her chin & eyes up which would help her poise. A lady should never have her chest on the man's chest so she needs to pull up more. She had nice arms out of hold, She missed her section with the double reverse spins. Also needs to work on rise & fall which will help the whole thing look softer & needs to soften her supporting knee on her Same Foot Lunge & Contra Check actions. She did have a good body contact with Pasha (until she went wrong!)<br />
My score - 5<br />
<br />
<b>Judge Rinder & Oksana</b><br />
Well performed but a bit frantic. Good spotting on his first spins but went downhill from there for me. His cha cha cha technique was very bad. Flat footed & heel leads with no pressure through the floor. All the 'performance' worked as a good distraction from his dance ability.<br />
My score (for his technique) - 5<br />
<br />
<b>Lesley & Anton</b><br />
Needs to get her shoulders down. She had good head placements though. Her footwork was pretty good, as were her heel turns. She also had the beginnings of rise & fall.<br />
My score - 6<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Ore & Joanne</b><br />
Sorry but didn't see what the judges saw. Don't get me wrong, he was quite good (unlike those trousers!) but I think he needs work. His poise is all off. Needs to get his pelvis forward & open his chest but pinching his shoulder blades together, he is way too hunched. Due to her desire to always be centre of attention, the beginning was far too long with too much faffing. The music stopped him creating the passion for a tango. He has potential though.<br />
My score - 5<br />
<br />
<b>Greg & Natalie</b><br />
Pigeon toes are not good for Jive (or any latin really). Kicks were floppy & he lost a bit of the choreography at one point. He was light for a big guy though and it was quit energetic. Not bad for a non-dancer.<br />
My score - 6<br />
<br />
I will just like to get a couple of things off my chest from the outset. Already the camera angles are not letting me see what I need to see technically. Too much moving about. The guys 'new' style trousers for latin (tight with belts) are awful & help to show off bad leg lines.<br />
Finally, why are they calling it a Cha Cha and not a Cha Cha Cha? If I called it a Cha Cha in front of my coach she would crucify me!<br />
<br />
Anyway, I will be back tonight for the next episode. Until then,<br />
<br />
keeeeeep dancing!<br />
<br />
Lloyd xLloyd Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12824365609547164407noreply@blogger.com0