Another excellent Voiceplay cover featuring Ashley Diane is IF I WERE A RICH MAN/GIRL. Your reaction/analysis are informative and fun. I wonder what you'll think of this one.
I’m so happy that Eli is stepping in to head his share of projects this year. Although the didn’t do the arrangement, he did give Rob an idea of the layout and sound that he wanted. He used a handheld camera to film the B roll sequences, with Layne’s help for the lighting. He pulled Cesar in to do the costuming. All to aid in his emotional storytelling for the song. The Spanish was taken from a very popular duet in Latin America. It’s not an exact translation, but the meaning and feeling is similar. (For example, Cesar’s last section - the title line - literally translates to total eclipse of love.)
Both Cesar and Ashley are originally from Puerto Rico, so the Spanish comes naturally to them. There was apparently a version of this song that was very popular there, done in Spanish as a duet, so this version from VoicePlay is a natural outgrowth of both that and Ashley and Cesar's heritage. This is another one of VoicePlay's videos where the visual component is so interesting and distracting, it's difficult to actually pay attention to the vocals that are happening! Rob Dietz has co-arranged a number of VoicePlay songs with both Geoff and Layne, and arranged a number of their minis/shorts - including the original short of this song that they did! He was in the crew of The Sing-Off (as were Ben Bram and Ed Boyer, a couple of names you may be familiar with from the a cappella videos you've reacted to) where VoicePlay competed in season 4, and I'm guessing that's where they met him.
Great Analysis. I would 2nd the request for a review of "If I were a rich man/girl" I know that I might be dating myself, but did anyone else notice the "saved by the bell" shirt that Cesar is wearing???
My son loved to saved by the bell and I immediately thought of that series when I saw the outfit and then that they were in the arcade having the first date vibe going on. One reactor said “oh look he’s got a shirt like Screech!”
Your face when they changed to Spanish was great! lol I love the analysis and commentary that you always add to songs. I will also request If I were a rich man/girl.
The Spanish version of this song was very popular in Poerto Rico, where Cesar and Ashley came from so they included a bit of that in this. I find this very emotional, but then I did with the original too. Ashley has appeared in If I Were a Rich Man/Girl, and Running up that Hill, and several short videos.
This went into my list of favorites immediately. I love it so much. And not just because I'm an 80s kid, and Cesar is wearing a "Saved By The Bell" t-shirt. I love that he gets such a big part and his voice blends with Ashley's like chocolate and caramel!💙
Running Up That Hill is another amazing cover VP did with Ashley Diane & ofc being theatre kids they did their video with a Stranger Things theme since it was the resurgence of Kate Bush's original from the 80s. It's pretty aca-awesome 😂
Thank you!! The Spanish inclusion was from a different version that was sang as a duet. I think this was such a creative addition and I loved the overall arrangement and the video theme and story as well. Already looking forward to the next one!!
Off the top of my head, Ashley also joined the guys for "If I Were A Rich Man" which is definitely worth a listen :) Still awaiting Home Free's cover of "In The Blood", however. Keep up the good work, mate, you're still one of my favourite reactors 👍
I’ve been waiting for your reaction to this one since the day it was released! I love VP’s version very much. It rocketed up among my top three favorites. It’s just rich, beautiful, flawless. Ashley’s voice is a perfect addition here and we get to hear more of Cesar than usual. Perfect key changes!
In case you don't know, Rob Dietz is one of the three cofounders, with Ben Bram and Avi Kaplan, of A Capella Academy. I'm so glad you loved this arrangement. Also, thank you for not objecting (after the initial shock) to the Spanish. I'm not Puerto Rican by blood or birth, but I've lived here for almost 52 years now, and I remember when this song was on the radio in both languages. Lissette's version hits me emotionally every bit as hard as Bonnie's. And of course, it's nice to hear Cesar and Ashley in Spanish. By the way, I assume you're aware that the English original was written by Jim Steinman! His songs were always packed solid with lyrics. (Making Love out of Nothing at All, Read 'em and Weep, Two out of Three Ain't Bad, It's All Coming Back to Me Now, I Would Do Anything for Love But I Won't Do That)
@@SirHairless My husband got a job offer. Twenty-five years later, when our youngest child left the nest, I started my own career. Eighteen years later, when my husband died, I stayed here. It's home.
I have ALWAYS adored this song....abd each time i listen to VoicePlays version my love for it grows even more. I feel so heartbroken by the end each and every time as if i was the one left alone (happily married over here for a long time)...but they make it feel so real! Great reaction as always. Love to hear your analysis and see your brain work.
🎀 .. bravo , bravo Sir Hairless. You discovered so many chords that I was curious about. I really enjoyed Caesar throughout. The harmonies were everywhere but it flowed like water. Ashley is just excellent !! Thanks Sir for guiding me through the ebbs and flows. 🎀
Back in the day I always felt this song sounded like it might have been Bonnie Tyler covering a song by Meat Loaf. I learned much later it was written and produced by Jim Steinman 🫣 This version grows with each listen, I didn't love it as much as I was impressed on the first listen. Good analysis as always, thanks ❤
I enjoyed quite a lot VoicePlay’s (et al.) nice arrangement of this beautiful classic! I think the inclusion of the dear ‘Portuguese-sister’ language in some parts of the song and the vintage aesthetic of the video were very cool surprises that added an extra touch of smooth nostalgia :) And, of course, the cherry on top of it all was your amazing reaction/analysis; muchas gracias, Sir!
Ashley's alto is gorgeous, I haven't heard her do that tonality for a full verse before. The first thing she did with them was If I Were a Rich Man/Girl. She is a friend of Cesar, he introduced her to them. I expected Geoff to drop the octave on the last note. Great reaction, totally understand your mental health breaks. 😉😉😉😉😉
Always enjoyed their twist in theses classical hits. Those details in the arrangement are the most interesting part for me, and adding some Spanish in it is a nice touch!! Rob Dietz has some really interesting and great arrangement in VoicePlay's videos. Hopefully you got a chance to analyze some in the future!! Great analysis!!
Ashley and Cesar were young whose parents lived in Puerto Rico before both families moved to Florida so they come by Spanish easily. Love the falling in love to start in the video and so sad when they were sometimes faded out. I knew Spanish 60 yrs ago, not so much now but I love the sound of Spanish. Check out VoicePlay's The Lion Sleeps Tonight where you will hear/see Layne being VioLayne and Cesar had 2 new notes, C6, and D6.
really interesting breakdown on it and teaching me rudimentary music theory. if you want to here Ashley's immense range you should definitely breakdown Voiceplay's If I Were A Rich Man
At the end, when Cesar shifts to Spanish the lyrics are altered. The Spanish word for heart is corozone and doesn't flow as nicely so it was changed to love "lamor".
According to Cesar, the Spanish Duet version was especially popular in Puerto Rico, where both he and Ashley are each originally from. I do not believe it was sung by Bonnie Tyler. They did use the wording (in Spanish) directly from the duet version rather than translate it themselves. By the way, the short VP did is not with any Spanish. And was done in a totally different shoot and their usual 'shorts' location of the mall hall in front of PattyCake. This arcade is obviously elsewhere in the same mall.
Pentatonix covered Total Eclipse in shortened form when they appeared as Sushi Roll in The Masked Singer. Because of the format of the show, they were not singing a cappella (other than sneaking in the last 25 seconds of the song), but had instrumentation backing them. Still I thought their arrangement and performance were stirring and remarkable. ua-cam.com/video/16XNgMkEi7w/v-deo.html Someone put together all of their performances from the show as well. ua-cam.com/video/tczA85QxXGw/v-deo.html
Here’s another great version of Total Eclipse of the Heart on the Masked Singer to react to. Enjoy! ua-cam.com/video/16XNgMkEi7w/v-deo.htmlsi=QRHBCq8fUaR85pM3
Interesting. So far that's my reaction as well. Including this reaction it's my third listen. First, I'm a rabid VP fan. There's been a few VP and Geoff C covers I've had to have several listens for them to grow on me. Obviously I have favorites. This is one I'm still thinking about. I'm old enough to remember the original when it was released and loved it. I also loved the story behind it (not the story the original video told). I read it was a vampire love story. The original is dark and somber but, powerful and passionate at the same time. VP is telling a different story (not even taking the visual of the video into consideration). This is bright, playful even cheerful at moments. I'm going to have to listen enough to get my mind to accept this different story I think, to appreciate the musicality.
It's funny how the same song can hit people so differently. I don't find this one playful or cheerful when you take the video out of it, and even with the visuals I find it gets sober pretty quickly once you realize all the fun and games are just memories of happier times.
I had always hated this song because I don't like Bonnie Tyler's voice. Voiceplay covers this beautifully, and having Layne singing for about half of the song was great. Ashley Diane is fantastic, as usual.
I have to ask your opinion of something Sir H. I love VP but I have a big problem with their arrangements. I haven't listened to all of their covers so I can't say it happens on all of them but most of their songs have that moment where everything basically stops so that Geoff can hit a huge low note. Now I'm a lover of basses but I just find it annoying when it comes out of nowhere and adds nothing to the song. There are lots of songs they've done where those big lows hit perfectly but so many of them where it's just like...showing off and adds nothing. Other acapella groups (won't name any names, you know who I'm talking about) have basses that are just as awesome but when the song doesn't require those moments they just stay in the background and hold down the foundation. Just wanted to know what you think.
It's an interesting point! I think you can view it in 2 ways: • Its disruption of the flow is worth it • Its disruption of the flow isn't worth it That's for each individual viewer/listener to decide
Check out my previous VoicePlay reaction next 🎵ua-cam.com/video/3U945NUBVrA/v-deo.html
Please please please do a reaction video to Voice Plays cover of Eleanor Rigby. It is beautiful.
Another excellent Voiceplay cover featuring Ashley Diane is IF I WERE A RICH MAN/GIRL. Your reaction/analysis are informative and fun. I wonder what you'll think of this one.
Agreed!!!
Agreed!!! I was gonna suggest this ...
Yes!
This one is so good!
I’m so happy that Eli is stepping in to head his share of projects this year. Although the didn’t do the arrangement, he did give Rob an idea of the layout and sound that he wanted. He used a handheld camera to film the B roll sequences, with Layne’s help for the lighting. He pulled Cesar in to do the costuming. All to aid in his emotional storytelling for the song.
The Spanish was taken from a very popular duet in Latin America. It’s not an exact translation, but the meaning and feeling is similar. (For example, Cesar’s last section - the title line - literally translates to total eclipse of love.)
Both Cesar and Ashley are originally from Puerto Rico, so the Spanish comes naturally to them. There was apparently a version of this song that was very popular there, done in Spanish as a duet, so this version from VoicePlay is a natural outgrowth of both that and Ashley and Cesar's heritage.
This is another one of VoicePlay's videos where the visual component is so interesting and distracting, it's difficult to actually pay attention to the vocals that are happening!
Rob Dietz has co-arranged a number of VoicePlay songs with both Geoff and Layne, and arranged a number of their minis/shorts - including the original short of this song that they did! He was in the crew of The Sing-Off (as were Ben Bram and Ed Boyer, a couple of names you may be familiar with from the a cappella videos you've reacted to) where VoicePlay competed in season 4, and I'm guessing that's where they met him.
Thanks! Didn't know that about Ashley
Also that Rob Dietz was in the crew of The Sing-Off
Great Analysis. I would 2nd the request for a review of "If I were a rich man/girl"
I know that I might be dating myself, but did anyone else notice the "saved by the bell" shirt that Cesar is wearing???
@bcfrit5103 I totally agree about If I Were a Rich Man/Girl
I agree about both "If I Was a Rich Man/Girl" and Saved by the Bell! All this video was missing was one those gigantic phones 😂😂
My son loved to saved by the bell and I immediately thought of that series when I saw the outfit and then that they were in the arcade having the first date vibe going on. One reactor said “oh look he’s got a shirt like Screech!”
Your face when they changed to Spanish was great! lol I love the analysis and commentary that you always add to songs. I will also request If I were a rich man/girl.
The Spanish version of this song was very popular in Poerto Rico, where Cesar and Ashley came from so they included a bit of that in this. I find this very emotional, but then I did with the original too. Ashley has appeared in If I Were a Rich Man/Girl, and Running up that Hill, and several short videos.
This went into my list of favorites immediately. I love it so much. And not just because I'm an 80s kid, and Cesar is wearing a "Saved By The Bell" t-shirt. I love that he gets such a big part and his voice blends with Ashley's like chocolate and caramel!💙
I always learn so much from your commentary.
Just lovely and the Spanish was amazing...then Jeff! Jeff is a bass unicorn.
Running Up That Hill is another amazing cover VP did with Ashley Diane & ofc being theatre kids they did their video with a Stranger Things theme since it was the resurgence of Kate Bush's original from the 80s. It's pretty aca-awesome 😂
Thank you!! The Spanish inclusion was from a different version that was sang as a duet. I think this was such a creative addition and I loved the overall arrangement and the video theme and story as well. Already looking forward to the next one!!
Definitely creative and wasn't expecting it at all! Didn't know Ashley also had native Spanish speaking roots Yeah the theme was great🕹
Thank you for another in-depth musical reaction
I think you would enjoy their cover of "If I Were a Rich Man/Girl" with Ashley. Very cool arrangement!
Off the top of my head, Ashley also joined the guys for "If I Were A Rich Man" which is definitely worth a listen :) Still awaiting Home Free's cover of "In The Blood", however. Keep up the good work, mate, you're still one of my favourite reactors 👍
This one will be within my next few HF reactions (...I think)
Thanks 😊
Ah thank you for this - as per usual very enjoyable and informative! Ashley has a beautiful voice. 🌹🕊
I’ve been waiting for your reaction to this one since the day it was released! I love VP’s version very much. It rocketed up among my top three favorites. It’s just rich, beautiful, flawless. Ashley’s voice is a perfect addition here and we get to hear more of Cesar than usual. Perfect key changes!
In case you don't know, Rob Dietz is one of the three cofounders, with Ben Bram and Avi Kaplan, of A Capella Academy. I'm so glad you loved this arrangement. Also, thank you for not objecting (after the initial shock) to the Spanish. I'm not Puerto Rican by blood or birth, but I've lived here for almost 52 years now, and I remember when this song was on the radio in both languages. Lissette's version hits me emotionally every bit as hard as Bonnie's. And of course, it's nice to hear Cesar and Ashley in Spanish. By the way, I assume you're aware that the English original was written by Jim Steinman! His songs were always packed solid with lyrics. (Making Love out of Nothing at All, Read 'em and Weep, Two out of Three Ain't Bad, It's All Coming Back to Me Now, I Would Do Anything for Love But I Won't Do That)
Wow! What made you move to Puerto Rico?
@@SirHairless My husband got a job offer. Twenty-five years later, when our youngest child left the nest, I started my own career. Eighteen years later, when my husband died, I stayed here. It's home.
Interesting tidbit about the A cappella Academy. Thanks for sharing!
I have ALWAYS adored this song....abd each time i listen to VoicePlays version my love for it grows even more. I feel so heartbroken by the end each and every time as if i was the one left alone (happily married over here for a long time)...but they make it feel so real! Great reaction as always. Love to hear your analysis and see your brain work.
🎀 .. bravo , bravo Sir Hairless. You discovered so many chords that I was curious about. I really enjoyed Caesar throughout. The harmonies were everywhere but it flowed like water. Ashley is just excellent !! Thanks Sir for guiding me through the ebbs and flows. 🎀
🎀🎀🎀
Back in the day I always felt this song sounded like it might have been Bonnie Tyler covering a song by Meat Loaf. I learned much later it was written and produced by Jim Steinman 🫣
This version grows with each listen, I didn't love it as much as I was impressed on the first listen.
Good analysis as always, thanks ❤
I enjoyed quite a lot VoicePlay’s (et al.) nice arrangement of this beautiful classic! I think the inclusion of the dear ‘Portuguese-sister’ language in some parts of the song and the vintage aesthetic of the video were very cool surprises that added an extra touch of smooth nostalgia :) And, of course, the cherry on top of it all was your amazing reaction/analysis; muchas gracias, Sir!
Thank you for another informative analysis.
Love the video and love the reaction. Thanks
Thanks for another great analysis of VP. I somehow missed that they dropped this one so I’m going to have to go listen to it.
This one was a lovely surprise by VoicePlay.
Great additional information covered in the analysis. Thanks.
Ashley's alto is gorgeous, I haven't heard her do that tonality for a full verse before. The first thing she did with them was If I Were a Rich Man/Girl. She is a friend of Cesar, he introduced her to them.
I expected Geoff to drop the octave on the last note.
Great reaction, totally understand your mental health breaks. 😉😉😉😉😉
I was surprised at the alto, because I always think of that run she does in Rich Man and that was really up there!
If you'd like to hear more of Ashley, please check out the short video of Time Warp; it's hilarious!
Even a satisfyingly crunchy final chord.
I love this arrangement and the video is so beautiful
Always enjoyed their twist in theses classical hits. Those details in the arrangement are the most interesting part for me, and adding some Spanish in it is a nice touch!! Rob Dietz has some really interesting and great arrangement in VoicePlay's videos. Hopefully you got a chance to analyze some in the future!! Great analysis!!
You’ve got a treat waiting for you when you do Ashley’s other collab with vp - Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill…
She really, really pops off in If I Were a Rich Man/Girl 😅
Ashley and Cesar were young whose parents lived in Puerto Rico before both families moved to Florida so they come by Spanish easily. Love the falling in love to start in the video and so sad when they were sometimes faded out. I knew Spanish 60 yrs ago, not so much now but I love the sound of Spanish. Check out VoicePlay's The Lion Sleeps Tonight where you will hear/see Layne being VioLayne and Cesar had 2 new notes, C6, and D6.
really interesting breakdown on it and teaching me rudimentary music theory. if you want to here Ashley's immense range you should definitely breakdown Voiceplay's If I Were A Rich Man
Thank you, sir ❤
Thanks again Sir Hairless for you insightful analysis of VP's most recent release.
At the end, when Cesar shifts to Spanish the lyrics are altered. The Spanish word for heart is corozone and doesn't flow as nicely so it was changed to love "lamor".
There's a popular duet version which is in Spanish.
According to Cesar, the Spanish Duet version was especially popular in Puerto Rico, where both he and Ashley are each originally from. I do not believe it was sung by Bonnie Tyler. They did use the wording (in Spanish) directly from the duet version rather than translate it themselves.
By the way, the short VP did is not with any Spanish. And was done in a totally different shoot and their usual 'shorts' location of the mall hall in front of PattyCake. This arcade is obviously elsewhere in the same mall.
Thank you for this VP reaction. Why do I suspect your mind has been blown? Projection….
Pentatonix covered Total Eclipse in shortened form when they appeared as Sushi Roll in The Masked Singer. Because of the format of the show, they were not singing a cappella (other than sneaking in the last 25 seconds of the song), but had instrumentation backing them. Still I thought their arrangement and performance were stirring and remarkable. ua-cam.com/video/16XNgMkEi7w/v-deo.html Someone put together all of their performances from the show as well. ua-cam.com/video/tczA85QxXGw/v-deo.html
13:43 hey, Carol of the bells! 😊
Haha all about context
I enjoyed your commentary but this won't be replacing Bonnie Tyler on my playlist.
Here’s another great version of Total Eclipse of the Heart on the Masked Singer to react to. Enjoy!
ua-cam.com/video/16XNgMkEi7w/v-deo.htmlsi=QRHBCq8fUaR85pM3
Thanks! (Although I can't watch it as this is on my list for a future reaction 😅)
❤
@sirhairless, which cover version is your current favorite? Your comment about only listening to the cover in recent years has me intrigued :D
You're the first person to ask, was wondering if anyone would
ua-cam.com/video/niw1YpOEwf0/v-deo.html
Thanks, heading off to listen to this version now @SirHairless 😊
Interesting. So far that's my reaction as well. Including this reaction it's my third listen. First, I'm a rabid VP fan. There's been a few VP and Geoff C covers I've had to have several listens for them to grow on me. Obviously I have favorites. This is one I'm still thinking about. I'm old enough to remember the original when it was released and loved it. I also loved the story behind it (not the story the original video told). I read it was a vampire love story. The original is dark and somber but, powerful and passionate at the same time. VP is telling a different story (not even taking the visual of the video into consideration). This is bright, playful even cheerful at moments. I'm going to have to listen enough to get my mind to accept this different story I think, to appreciate the musicality.
It's funny how the same song can hit people so differently. I don't find this one playful or cheerful when you take the video out of it, and even with the visuals I find it gets sober pretty quickly once you realize all the fun and games are just memories of happier times.
🎉😊 nice!!!
I had always hated this song because I don't like Bonnie Tyler's voice. Voiceplay covers this beautifully, and having Layne singing for about half of the song was great. Ashley Diane is fantastic, as usual.
I have to ask your opinion of something Sir H. I love VP but I have a big problem with their arrangements. I haven't listened to all of their covers so I can't say it happens on all of them but most of their songs have that moment where everything basically stops so that Geoff can hit a huge low note. Now I'm a lover of basses but I just find it annoying when it comes out of nowhere and adds nothing to the song. There are lots of songs they've done where those big lows hit perfectly but so many of them where it's just like...showing off and adds nothing. Other acapella groups (won't name any names, you know who I'm talking about) have basses that are just as awesome but when the song doesn't require those moments they just stay in the background and hold down the foundation. Just wanted to know what you think.
It's an interesting point! I think you can view it in 2 ways:
• Its disruption of the flow is worth it
• Its disruption of the flow isn't worth it
That's for each individual viewer/listener to decide
@@SirHairless100% worth it in my opinion!
💓🎵🎶💓
So crazy how different people feel about music. This sort of made me confused. Not a fan of this cover.