Trav.

I agree with you about the USA being the one with the most salutes this year.....the finale was just not long enough.....I agree! I am still waiting though, for a finale LOADED with salutes, like this memorable finale by Italy on June 6th 1998 (IPON). I will NEVER forget this finale for as long as I live. I have never seen so many salutes in my life during a finale and to be honest with you, I think that this was definitely the evening when I fell in love with salutes! My heart was just pounding in my chest and my eyes got watery in just a split second as they bombarded the Montreal sky and invaded my ears, eyes and soul!

I just GOT to see another finale like this......and this time, I will have my digital camera ready!

Pierre

Pierre,

I still wish that you had seen a finale like IPON in 1998 or of last year! Oh well. But I'm sure that we will see one similar to that one day!

As for U.S.A, definitely one of the most enjoyable shows, not to mention the loudest, this year. I love those salutes!

I don't know about you, but I was deafened for almost 30 minutes after the show till I got home. That's always a good sign. Reminds me of some of those displays back in 1994-1996. There was also a few very loud ones from 1990-1993, as I recall. However, the loudest display I've ever heard till now was France of 1993!

See you, Pierre!

Trav.

Trav,

You have such an excellent memory when it comes to past firework displays, my friend! It proves how much you love pyromusical shows!

Yes, the USA display was really loud this year and I loved the fact that it was! I like when I can feel the fireworks in my chest. When the finale is really intense, long and loaded with salutes, I immediately start to scream, as I am transported into a state of pure excitement. I am just glad for you, that I was not standing beside you on June 6th 1998 when Italy's IPON displayed my all time favorite finale......I could have damaged your hearing permanently.....LOL......but I would not want this to happen to you!

Take care.

Pierre

Pierre,

First off, thank you for your kind remarks. Now that you mention it, I did remember a lot of those shows back then! However, I also remember that I used to scream a whole lot more back then! I think the finales were more intense, in general, back then. I don't think it's the perception of that I was a newcomer to the competition back then since 1990 and thus it "felt more powerful. Trust me, some of those finale were simply crazy, like the one in 1995 by U.S.A. There was also one in 1992 that I recall. France of 1993 was incredible. Boy, there was a lot. Also, Italy of 1994 was crazy, but there was a huge storm that day! And yes, I can never forget Spain in 2001..............................my God....I think you would have fainted after some of these that I'm talking about, Pierre! I was telling Enkil about this the other day! I should start a thread about this!!

Anyways, I can imagine when you scream, but I don't think you did much screaming this year. However, a finale always feels more intense when everyone around you screams and it also makes you want to join in! That's what I do when things appear to be getting out of control! But maybe your voice needed a break! But yes, the U.S.A show was powerful and probably the most intense this year, too! The finale was mediocre, but at least it was loud and sort of continuous. Canada's performance was also to my likings in terms of intensity, but had a poor finale and it went over to 10:35, but I don't mind. The longer the better, right?

Regards,

Trav.

Hey Trav,

You are right. I did not scream much during finales this year Like you, I always join in, whenever people start to scream around me during an intense finale. It makes the experience even more fun.

Yes, Canada's finale went over to 22:35........a long one, but nothing worth remembering though I love long finales (yes, the longer the better )of course, so can you imagine a 5 minute long finale, with a long build up, intensifying more and more, with salutes here and there at first and then, as the finale goes on, barrages of thunderous salutes getting bigger, louder and more frequent? A finale that would end with the sky filled with rockets exploding everywhere at an incredible pace, with deafening salutes, making it possible for everyone to read in total darkness, with people screaming their lungs out while Pierre is jumping, screaming and crying with pure pleasure!

Man, I look forward to next season already......bring on the intense finales that we crave for so much!

Pierre

Pierre,

Once again, sorry for the late reply! I must have kept you waiting!

Anyways, I know what you mean. I wish I could have done more screaming like I did for France and Sweden. All I can say is that finales aren't what they used to be, especially when we look at a year like this. Sometimes I get that same feeling as Enkil. Is the concept of intense finales forgotten? I sincerely hope not. However, with the changing technological advances are increasing as the years go on, one's impression and perception instantly turn towards more intense finales. However, in the past, I always had doubts, for some reason. Despite finales, however, we can clearly many indications on how much the competition has evolved since 85 and since I've been attending since 1990. There are now so many new ideas that require massive complexity in order to execute vast numbers of effects in order to get a certain impression to deliver to the audience. Even now, for example, there are many new things that are integrated to the displays. My point is that the competition is at a new level in power and idea. This is important and different, obviously. But I can't say the same for many finales in recent years.

And Pierre, you're correct, my friend! A 5 minute finale would drop us dead! However, according to my memory and Paul's report, the U.S.A finale in 1995 was incredible and felt like 5 minutes. I really wish you had seen that one! Also, it would be nice if you had seen the finale from Spain in 2001!

And yes, I can imagine you when a finale is out of this world! I also can't wait until next year! Indeed, lets bring on those intense finales.

Regards,

Trav.

Trav,

Your last comment brings me to ask you a question. Is it possible for you to make a list of your top 5 favorite finales of the Montreal competition? I am not sure if I could make such a list, but I know for sure that my favorite one is the one by IPON SRL, back on June 6th 1998 (Italy)........by far!!! ;-)

Maybe we could start a thread...as you suggested a few weeks ago.

Pierre

Pierre,

I'd be glad to make a thread about this! But, in the meantime, I'll post my personal top 5 finales since I've been attending the competition. This is not in a particular order:

1.Italy-1994
2.Spain-2001
3.U.S.A-1995
4.France-1993
5.Spain(Caballer)-2004

Trust me, there's wayyyyyyyyyyyyy more than this!

I'll be starting a thread about this! Thanks for the reminder, Pierre.

Trav.