Eli's voice is extraordinary. Another reactor did a very cool comparison where she played snippets from Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" and Sia's "Chandelier" and a few other women well-known for belting, and Eli is sustaining the highest note in "I Will Always Love You" for that *entire phrase*. The most ridiculous part is that he's figured out how to sing like this without damaging his voice.
When the world shut down in 2020 and VoicePlay couldn't tour, they really started to delve into these produced videos. The early ones were often of work that they did tour with, so there was minimal back end alteration needed. However, as time has gone on and these productions are how VoicePlay supports themselves, they've delved into more complex arrangements and videos. They will layer where it is necessary (like someone mentioning Geoff having the lead but his bass line is clearly still going in the background), but also where they want a fuller sound. It's not necessarily the entire piece as they are strategic in how they use it. There is also plenty of editing and effects utilized in these arrangements. It's usually Geoff or Layne that arranges the piece, and they will put together the first pass of the arrangement but send it off to Ed Boyer for the final mixing. This is not something VoicePlay has ever hidden or denied. They are quite up front about the fact that they use these tools for their arrangements. Having said all of that, it does not diminish how incredibly talented they are without all of those enhancements. If you would like to get a feel of what they sound like live, they do have some, admittedly not so great cell phone videos out there from people in audiences, but the singing is still just as great. There's Road Trip which was a sketch they did live all the time, and there's a proper video of that from when they were on the Sing Off tour. They also have a group of videos on their channel called ACA Top 10s. If they're all in the room together with a mic in front of Geoff and Layne, that means they set up the camera and recorded live, in room, in one take. Those will definitely give you an idea of how they sound without the extra production. As far as visually, they have been pushing the boundaries on that as well. Eli, who does all of their lighting for videos now, created the environments you see in this video in Unreal Engine, the software used to create video games. They then went to Vu Studios in Orlando where they were able to project these environments on these led walls and use their special camera to capture the video you see here. They are an amazing group of artists.
Warning, you're going to get too much information... J was a member of Voiceplay from 2018 until 2021 when he was recruited by the US Navy to sing with them. He is now lead singer for the Navy in the Pacific Northwest. He has been back four times to collaborate with Voiceplay while on leave. They are currently one man short, their high tenor left in 2020 for personal reasons. They have always collaborated with other artists, but now they do it all the time. Your best bet next is In the Air Tonight, also J None featured then, to break the mood, Drunken Sailor (comedy relief). The one emotive one is Cesar de la Rosa, he replaced J in 2021. For even more emoting, try their versions of I Can't Make You Love Me and Creep. And don't forget, Geoff has a solo channel. He sings all the harmonies, try I See Fire from the second Hobbit movie first.
I like to think that Cesar replaced Earl and they're waiting for J to come back permanently... their sound as five is absolutely wonderful, my fave combo.
@@DarthKoonstyle I hate to dash your hopes, but…nope. 😕 Earl was high tenor. Cesar is their baritone. Cesar can do high notes now and again, but he’s not going to be able to do a whole concert like that. He can’t cover Earl’s parts. Cesar is J’s replacement. J is not planning on returning as a full time member; he has said he considers the Navy as a career. People have locked on to a comment that J made and misinterpreted it. He did say it wasn’t goodbye forever and that he’d be back. And he has been. As a guest. He never said he planned to return as a full time member. Further proof that they aren’t looking for J to come back is that they tried to sign on a fifth. They talked to DeeJay Young about it, unfortunately the timing was bad as he had just committed and signed the contract to be in Hamilton. He couldn’t do both. I’m rather hoping they’re considering Anthony Gar…man…I can’t remember how his name is spelled. The kid that did Seven Nation Army and Golden Hour with them. He’s got some serious pipes and seems to be a solid fit. Or Omar.
@@Gael4ce Eli got them high tenor notes now. I think that's why he started to shine more over the last two years, he rose to the challenge. But you're right. In my heart of hearts, I just honestly feel that their best sound is when Jay, Eli and Cesar are doing their things. Dunno if it's cuz Eli and Jay worked together for so long, or if it's just that easy cuz they're all S Tier Professionals.... I do honestly like them rotating a fifth person in though. It gives them flexibility in arrangements, and in all honesty, is one of the defining things of Voiceplay - - - Their collabs are legendary and allows them to arrange outside of the group planning for various others.... For example, The Wicked Medley I doubt would have been half as good if it was planned for a 5 man group, even if Rachel or Emoni were planned as an extra. Having the extra person has definitely made Geoff and Layne both much more flexible in how they arrange!
@@DarthKoonstyle Eli always had those high notes, he just didn’t have to hit them. The catch is doing a full concert in that area would be a problem, never mind a series of concerts. That would end up stressing his voice. I like being introduced to new singers via their guests, and I see your point…however… They can’t tour with a swarm of guests. They need a fifth to tour again. And I really really want to see them doing live concerts again some day. I saw them once; it was not enough.
Miracle of Sound was so imprest that they posted it on the VoicePlay channel and gave them ten alehorns out of ten for the most imaginative cover. I laugh so much at their newest silly cover of Drunken Sailor. J. None is a former group member. He left the group summer of 2021 and signed up for five years in the Navy. He is currently the new frontman for Navy Band Northwest. When he is home on leave he makes videos with the group.
Cesar is a true "Angel of Music" who could call the birds from the trees. He is really giving his all for these forceful power notes, and his face shows it. I especially love when he gives us the grit! But, in quieter songs, like Creep, his true voice shines.
VoicePlay often changes the rhythms of the original - almost always to make it much more complex and interesting, and I LOVE it! Layne's beatboxing is so creative. (The creaking door when J walks in is all Layne too!) Eli's tenor is GORGEOUS - but he's becoming increasingly crucial to their "look", too. This background was done by Eli, and increasingly he's the one designing the lighting, too!) That's Cesar standing between Layne and J None. Agree, his ability to convey emotion in his expressions and body is next level. He's the newest member, Cesar joined in 2021 after J None left.
So glad you’re giving Eli and Cesar their due; too many reactors only lock onto Geoff. Not that Geoff isn’t amazing, but he’s not the only amazing singer here. Eli has put physical chills down my back with those high belts of his; I live for him going off. As others have said, Cesar is the one you couldn’t name. Their voice is stellar, but their greater gift is the ability to give you the feels. All the feels. Cesar can serve you heartbreak, contempt, or whatever else he decides. I can’t listen to their version of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” because of Cesar’s performance. They made me ugly cry the first time I watched that vid and I just can’t unsee the heartbreak they was showing. 😢 If Cesar was drawing on a real memory for that, then I want to find the person that did that to them and break that person into tiny pieces. 😤 If you haven’t seen their cover of Seven Nation Army and In The Air Tonight yet, I’d recommend them. J is in the second one again. Seven Nation Army has a young kid with the most insane ability for runs that I’ve ever heard. He’s up in Eli’s territory and listening to them toss the lead back and forth is amazing.
That's Cesar De La Rosa, their newest member you're referring to. I think of him and Eli being in berserker mode for this song. Valhalla Calling is the followup to My Mother Told Me. In that video J None was a group member and Jose Rosario, Jr. was the guest singer. Here Cesar is the member and J is the guest.
Love your enjoyment and insights. Eli has a uniquely beautiful voice. Not just his range, but everything he can do with it. He can rock up in Beyonce territory, and then do a 50's smooth, sweet, goofy love song (Mermaid Medley). I would love to follow his voice acting (anybody got the background on that? Help!). Voiceplay is great at adding all the emotion. Fierce, maniacal? You got it. Then they do something like I Can't Make You Love Me. Total tears. Cesar is a perfect addition. Others can correct me (please), but they do almost everything themselves. the post production is sent to the Maestro Ed Boyor for the final polish.
Yes, the rap section was J.None. He was a regular member of VoicePlay, then enlisted in the Navy and has been singing with them. However, he comes back to do features with VoicePlay when it comes up and he is able.
VoicePlay is not averse to using some techniques that some other a cappella groups eschew, including layering. There are some songs where it's obvious they are doing it (Oogie Boogie's Song has places where Geoff is singing lead while his bass line is very prominent underneath). So it's possible there was some layering going on in the section you highlighted. I know Pentatonix has their "wall of sound", where you'd swear it was a full choir singing until you hear them do it live, so it could be either way. It does sound like there's some post-production effects going on in that section to me. The singer with the "super expressive" face is Cesar de la Rosa, the newest member of VoicePlay - he joined after J. None left for the US Navy. He is known for his expressive singing, as well as his facial expressions - he looks like he's going berserker in parts of this one to me! Another excellent song where you get to hear Cesar a little more clearly is I Can't Make You Love Me, a song where he sings lead in the beginning. He really makes you feel the pain and heartbreak of that song, both with his expression and his singing. I'd recommend it highly - but have tissues ready!
So glad to see people get on the voiceplay journey. Some fun ones to do when you have time: The Dragonborn comes, What do you do with a drunken sailor, Friends on the other side, basically everything they work on.
That’s why I’ve stayed a patreon for going on four years now. Higher levels include q & a sessions and sometimes even chats with them. And it’s a total blast. When money got tight during the pandemic, I dropped my tv streaming services to keep my higher patreon tier with both VoicePlay and Geoff’s solo channel. I realized I got more entertainment for my money from them than the tv. The behind the scenes videos have made me lol every single time.
They out do themselves every time! I cannot stop watching this, it is amazing!! Geoff hits 3 B0's! Eli has become the Asgardian god of rock, Layne is a beatboxing god, Cesar has become a Berserker, and J None has shown us that rap indeed belongs in acapella! And Miracle of Sound gave this 10 out of 10 raised ale horns!! Great reaction! This from the Assasins Creed Valhalla video game, but that rap is all J None!!
VoicePlay often does little stories in their songs, and there are a few different series of songs. Vikings = My Mother Told Me (Ft. Jose Rosario Jr.) --> Valhalla Calling Pirates = Hoist the Colors --> Drunken Sailor (Jose returns in this one as well) Apocalypse = Warriors (Earl was in this one, as is the debut of Layne's other musical talent!) --> Dream On --> Seven Nation Army I have developed a set of recommendations for introductions to VoicePlay. 1) In the Air Tonight ~ We get to see everyone shine and show off what they are known for, but without any one performer feeling like they completely dominate the song. Only the aforementioned other musical talent of Layne is missing, but it does appear in.... 2) Nothing Else Matters ~ You talk about wanting to see/hear Eli shine as VP's "Rock God", then this is a great one for that. 3) We Don't Talk About Bruno ~ Gotta represent their Disney covers and this one was so good, Disney themselves invited VP to perform it at a private event! Also Disney Princess Geoff. ~ ~ Could Potentially swap with the Little Mermaid Medley as both are great. 4) This is Halloween ~ VP are the Theater Kids of A Capella and the Kings of Halloween. This song puts both on full display and it is clear they were just having a blast. ~ ~ Could Potentially swap with Oogie Boogie's Song, though that one is definitely more Geoff-led than TIH as he plays Oogie Boogie. I highly suggest making sure the subtitles are turned on. 5) The Lion Sleeps Tonight ~ Their first release of 2024 and a perfect representation of the VoicePlay "Brand of Dumb". If you though This is Halloween was a little ball of fun (and it is), then this one will have you grooving in your chair and bopping along to the beat. You can watch the video over and over and still find new details that will bring a smile to your face. As for Geoff's solo works, I don't have as defined a list. Some personal favorites are Ghost Riders in the Sky, Sound of Silence (I saw you reacted to Pentatonix's cover of it and I can guarantee that Geoff's is very different), and Monster Mash. I would suggest watching Far over the Misty Mountains before I See Fire, as you can really see how much better Geoff has been getting.
I forgot to mention the thing that had me start that comment (That's ADHD for ya!). The way I have always seen the story for this song in particular is that the Lone Viking (J.None) is off "Fighting" on his own (AKA singing with the Navy) but is always welcome back with his clan (VoicePlay) who will "fight" by his side whenever he needs them. Visual Reinforcements of this idea: J.None starts out alone on on the beach, looking at ships on the water. ~ Very easy Navy reference (yes, Vikings were known for their ships too but that many at once? Feels intentional.) When Jay enters the longhouse and the way he just so easily fills the empty slot in the group's visual presentation/blocking reinforces this "Jay fills the missing spot" motif. Also implies that the group was just waiting for him to return to step out into battle themselves. The other members are then behind Jay on the beach when they "return to the battle" and it is not until he has their backing that he busts out the impressive rap, trusting they have his back if he goes into this berserker rage-esque performance.
Geoff has 3 B0s with extension. Miracle of Sound gave this cover 10 raised alehorns out of 10. Best cover. Please check out their latest - Drunken Sailor. That fellow you are talking about is Cesar De La Rosa. You should hear him in I Can't Make You Love Me with VoicePlay and EJ Cardona, also Creep!
They all have 5 octave ranges, not just Geoff. Eli is definitely the Rock God, but it was Cesar who hit Tyler's high note in Dream On, and J None hit the high scream in Panic!. The three of them can all sing baritone all the way up to first tenor. Geoff starts lower of course. Layne actually has 6 octaves if you count sound effects. He's hit A0 as the last note of the song as an inhale note in SH-Boom, which is one note lower than Geoff at the beginning of this one, and a C#6 in ACA Top 10 Disney Villains doing a cat meow during the Aristocats section.
The guy who wrote Miracle of Sound was inspire by The tv Show Vikings, Norfolk and The Assassin Creed Game Valhalla which has Norse Mythology eg Loki, Thor, Odin just to name a few the gods.
I love VoicePlay and Geoff soloworks as well. All the singers in VP are incredible talented in their various ways and I never tires of listen to them. But if you want to explore a rock vocalist of the caliber of Eli, I recommend checking out Tommy Johansson. You've seen him as guitarist in Sabaton, but there he is only doing back vocals. Besides playing in Sabaton he also fronts his own rock band Majestica, former ReinXeed, since 20 years and has a very successful solochannel to where he releases covers of various genres, mostly metal. His guitar hero is Gary Moore and he is a great interpreter of Moore music. Listen to Tommy in his cover of Steelhearts She's Gone or his cover of Phantom of the Opera where he covers both parts ie also Christine, getting up there and you hear a voice equal to Eli in versatility. Last week he covered Bohemian Rapsody himself, vocals, piano, guitar( he's a multi instrumentalist as well) doing Mercury justice.
If you want to hear Jay feature a bit more isolated listen to friends on the other side. Much more entertaining if you know princess and the frog. The other recommendation I normally make is queen in 5 minutes
You have got to react to voiceplay cover of Metallicas nothing else matters. It is absolutely exquisite. You will not be disappointed and it's also got jnone
I highly doubt you'll hear this song live. This was Geoff's hardest song and he had to trash his voice for five hours so he could sing that low for the whole song.
I always have goosebumps and that means a lot for me, I love you for your work ❤❤❤ "I see Fire" by Geoff Castellucci x 4 even brings me to tears, it's perfect!! definitely listen!!!! 🥹🙌🙌🙌🫶
mans was just casually holding the lowest note on a 5-string bass guitar for like 18 seconds 💀
Eli's voice is extraordinary. Another reactor did a very cool comparison where she played snippets from Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" and Sia's "Chandelier" and a few other women well-known for belting, and Eli is sustaining the highest note in "I Will Always Love You" for that *entire phrase*. The most ridiculous part is that he's figured out how to sing like this without damaging his voice.
They sound incredible, I've never heard them before. Glad that has been fixed.
Cesar will make you cry with his face in creep. You really feel the words and meaning.
When the world shut down in 2020 and VoicePlay couldn't tour, they really started to delve into these produced videos. The early ones were often of work that they did tour with, so there was minimal back end alteration needed. However, as time has gone on and these productions are how VoicePlay supports themselves, they've delved into more complex arrangements and videos.
They will layer where it is necessary (like someone mentioning Geoff having the lead but his bass line is clearly still going in the background), but also where they want a fuller sound. It's not necessarily the entire piece as they are strategic in how they use it. There is also plenty of editing and effects utilized in these arrangements. It's usually Geoff or Layne that arranges the piece, and they will put together the first pass of the arrangement but send it off to Ed Boyer for the final mixing. This is not something VoicePlay has ever hidden or denied. They are quite up front about the fact that they use these tools for their arrangements.
Having said all of that, it does not diminish how incredibly talented they are without all of those enhancements. If you would like to get a feel of what they sound like live, they do have some, admittedly not so great cell phone videos out there from people in audiences, but the singing is still just as great. There's Road Trip which was a sketch they did live all the time, and there's a proper video of that from when they were on the Sing Off tour. They also have a group of videos on their channel called ACA Top 10s. If they're all in the room together with a mic in front of Geoff and Layne, that means they set up the camera and recorded live, in room, in one take. Those will definitely give you an idea of how they sound without the extra production.
As far as visually, they have been pushing the boundaries on that as well. Eli, who does all of their lighting for videos now, created the environments you see in this video in Unreal Engine, the software used to create video games. They then went to Vu Studios in Orlando where they were able to project these environments on these led walls and use their special camera to capture the video you see here.
They are an amazing group of artists.
Warning, you're going to get too much information...
J was a member of Voiceplay from 2018 until 2021 when he was recruited by the US Navy to sing with them. He is now lead singer for the Navy in the Pacific Northwest. He has been back four times to collaborate with Voiceplay while on leave.
They are currently one man short, their high tenor left in 2020 for personal reasons. They have always collaborated with other artists, but now they do it all the time.
Your best bet next is In the Air Tonight, also J None featured then, to break the mood, Drunken Sailor (comedy relief).
The one emotive one is Cesar de la Rosa, he replaced J in 2021. For even more emoting, try their versions of I Can't Make You Love Me and Creep.
And don't forget, Geoff has a solo channel. He sings all the harmonies, try I See Fire from the second Hobbit movie first.
I like to think that Cesar replaced Earl and they're waiting for J to come back permanently... their sound as five is absolutely wonderful, my fave combo.
@@DarthKoonstyle I hate to dash your hopes, but…nope. 😕
Earl was high tenor. Cesar is their baritone. Cesar can do high notes now and again, but he’s not going to be able to do a whole concert like that. He can’t cover Earl’s parts.
Cesar is J’s replacement. J is not planning on returning as a full time member; he has said he considers the Navy as a career. People have locked on to a comment that J made and misinterpreted it. He did say it wasn’t goodbye forever and that he’d be back. And he has been. As a guest. He never said he planned to return as a full time member.
Further proof that they aren’t looking for J to come back is that they tried to sign on a fifth. They talked to DeeJay Young about it, unfortunately the timing was bad as he had just committed and signed the contract to be in Hamilton. He couldn’t do both.
I’m rather hoping they’re considering Anthony Gar…man…I can’t remember how his name is spelled. The kid that did Seven Nation Army and Golden Hour with them. He’s got some serious pipes and seems to be a solid fit. Or Omar.
@@Gael4ce Eli got them high tenor notes now. I think that's why he started to shine more over the last two years, he rose to the challenge. But you're right. In my heart of hearts, I just honestly feel that their best sound is when Jay, Eli and Cesar are doing their things. Dunno if it's cuz Eli and Jay worked together for so long, or if it's just that easy cuz they're all S Tier Professionals....
I do honestly like them rotating a fifth person in though. It gives them flexibility in arrangements, and in all honesty, is one of the defining things of Voiceplay - - - Their collabs are legendary and allows them to arrange outside of the group planning for various others.... For example, The Wicked Medley I doubt would have been half as good if it was planned for a 5 man group, even if Rachel or Emoni were planned as an extra. Having the extra person has definitely made Geoff and Layne both much more flexible in how they arrange!
@@DarthKoonstyle Eli always had those high notes, he just didn’t have to hit them. The catch is doing a full concert in that area would be a problem, never mind a series of concerts. That would end up stressing his voice.
I like being introduced to new singers via their guests, and I see your point…however…
They can’t tour with a swarm of guests. They need a fifth to tour again. And I really really want to see them doing live concerts again some day. I saw them once; it was not enough.
Miracle of Sound was so imprest that they posted it on the VoicePlay channel and gave them ten alehorns out of ten for the most imaginative cover. I laugh so much at their newest silly cover of Drunken Sailor. J. None is a former group member. He left the group summer of 2021 and signed up for five years in the Navy. He is currently the new frontman for Navy Band Northwest. When he is home on leave he makes videos with the group.
Cesar is a true "Angel of Music" who could call the birds from the trees. He is really giving his all for these forceful power notes, and his face shows it. I especially love when he gives us the grit! But, in quieter songs, like Creep, his true voice shines.
Everything about this cover and video is awesome, but I LIVE for the intensity of Cesar's facial expressions.
VoicePlay often changes the rhythms of the original - almost always to make it much more complex and interesting, and I LOVE it! Layne's beatboxing is so creative. (The creaking door when J walks in is all Layne too!) Eli's tenor is GORGEOUS - but he's becoming increasingly crucial to their "look", too. This background was done by Eli, and increasingly he's the one designing the lighting, too!) That's Cesar standing between Layne and J None. Agree, his ability to convey emotion in his expressions and body is next level. He's the newest member, Cesar joined in 2021 after J None left.
So glad you’re giving Eli and Cesar their due; too many reactors only lock onto Geoff. Not that Geoff isn’t amazing, but he’s not the only amazing singer here.
Eli has put physical chills down my back with those high belts of his; I live for him going off.
As others have said, Cesar is the one you couldn’t name. Their voice is stellar, but their greater gift is the ability to give you the feels. All the feels. Cesar can serve you heartbreak, contempt, or whatever else he decides.
I can’t listen to their version of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” because of Cesar’s performance. They made me ugly cry the first time I watched that vid and I just can’t unsee the heartbreak they was showing. 😢
If Cesar was drawing on a real memory for that, then I want to find the person that did that to them and break that person into tiny pieces. 😤
If you haven’t seen their cover of Seven Nation Army and In The Air Tonight yet, I’d recommend them. J is in the second one again. Seven Nation Army has a young kid with the most insane ability for runs that I’ve ever heard. He’s up in Eli’s territory and listening to them toss the lead back and forth is amazing.
That's Cesar De La Rosa, their newest member you're referring to. I think of him and Eli being in berserker mode for this song. Valhalla Calling is the followup to My Mother Told Me. In that video J None was a group member and Jose Rosario, Jr. was the guest singer. Here Cesar is the member and J is the guest.
Eli is a Rock tenor!
Love your enjoyment and insights. Eli has a uniquely beautiful voice. Not just his range, but everything he can do with it. He can rock up in Beyonce territory, and then do a 50's smooth, sweet, goofy love song (Mermaid Medley). I would love to follow his voice acting (anybody got the background on that? Help!).
Voiceplay is great at adding all the emotion. Fierce, maniacal? You got it. Then they do something like I Can't Make You Love Me. Total tears. Cesar is a perfect addition.
Others can correct me (please), but they do almost everything themselves. the post production is sent to the Maestro Ed Boyor for the final polish.
Yes, the rap section was J.None. He was a regular member of VoicePlay, then enlisted in the Navy and has been singing with them. However, he comes back to do features with VoicePlay when it comes up and he is able.
VoicePlay is not averse to using some techniques that some other a cappella groups eschew, including layering. There are some songs where it's obvious they are doing it (Oogie Boogie's Song has places where Geoff is singing lead while his bass line is very prominent underneath). So it's possible there was some layering going on in the section you highlighted. I know Pentatonix has their "wall of sound", where you'd swear it was a full choir singing until you hear them do it live, so it could be either way. It does sound like there's some post-production effects going on in that section to me.
The singer with the "super expressive" face is Cesar de la Rosa, the newest member of VoicePlay - he joined after J. None left for the US Navy. He is known for his expressive singing, as well as his facial expressions - he looks like he's going berserker in parts of this one to me!
Another excellent song where you get to hear Cesar a little more clearly is I Can't Make You Love Me, a song where he sings lead in the beginning. He really makes you feel the pain and heartbreak of that song, both with his expression and his singing. I'd recommend it highly - but have tissues ready!
So glad to see people get on the voiceplay journey. Some fun ones to do when you have time: The Dragonborn comes, What do you do with a drunken sailor, Friends on the other side, basically everything they work on.
Hanging out with these guys would be an absolute blast...
That’s why I’ve stayed a patreon for going on four years now. Higher levels include q & a sessions and sometimes even chats with them. And it’s a total blast.
When money got tight during the pandemic, I dropped my tv streaming services to keep my higher patreon tier with both VoicePlay and Geoff’s solo channel. I realized I got more entertainment for my money from them than the tv.
The behind the scenes videos have made me lol every single time.
They hit every note spot on and perfect enunciation so we can understand every word - Awesome. Like your reacti9on, thanks .
They out do themselves every time! I cannot stop watching this, it is amazing!! Geoff hits 3 B0's! Eli has become the Asgardian god of rock, Layne is a beatboxing god, Cesar has become a Berserker, and J None has shown us that rap indeed belongs in acapella! And Miracle of Sound gave this 10 out of 10 raised ale horns!! Great reaction! This from the Assasins Creed Valhalla video game, but that rap is all J None!!
I agree-Eli is amazing!
VoicePlay often does little stories in their songs, and there are a few different series of songs.
Vikings = My Mother Told Me (Ft. Jose Rosario Jr.) --> Valhalla Calling
Pirates = Hoist the Colors --> Drunken Sailor (Jose returns in this one as well)
Apocalypse = Warriors (Earl was in this one, as is the debut of Layne's other musical talent!) --> Dream On --> Seven Nation Army
I have developed a set of recommendations for introductions to VoicePlay.
1) In the Air Tonight ~ We get to see everyone shine and show off what they are known for, but without any one performer feeling like they completely dominate the song. Only the aforementioned other musical talent of Layne is missing, but it does appear in....
2) Nothing Else Matters ~ You talk about wanting to see/hear Eli shine as VP's "Rock God", then this is a great one for that.
3) We Don't Talk About Bruno ~ Gotta represent their Disney covers and this one was so good, Disney themselves invited VP to perform it at a private event! Also Disney Princess Geoff.
~ ~ Could Potentially swap with the Little Mermaid Medley as both are great.
4) This is Halloween ~ VP are the Theater Kids of A Capella and the Kings of Halloween. This song puts both on full display and it is clear they were just having a blast.
~ ~ Could Potentially swap with Oogie Boogie's Song, though that one is definitely more Geoff-led than TIH as he plays Oogie Boogie. I highly suggest making sure the subtitles are turned on.
5) The Lion Sleeps Tonight ~ Their first release of 2024 and a perfect representation of the VoicePlay "Brand of Dumb". If you though This is Halloween was a little ball of fun (and it is), then this one will have you grooving in your chair and bopping along to the beat. You can watch the video over and over and still find new details that will bring a smile to your face.
As for Geoff's solo works, I don't have as defined a list.
Some personal favorites are Ghost Riders in the Sky, Sound of Silence (I saw you reacted to Pentatonix's cover of it and I can guarantee that Geoff's is very different), and Monster Mash.
I would suggest watching Far over the Misty Mountains before I See Fire, as you can really see how much better Geoff has been getting.
I forgot to mention the thing that had me start that comment (That's ADHD for ya!).
The way I have always seen the story for this song in particular is that the Lone Viking (J.None) is off "Fighting" on his own (AKA singing with the Navy) but is always welcome back with his clan (VoicePlay) who will "fight" by his side whenever he needs them.
Visual Reinforcements of this idea:
J.None starts out alone on on the beach, looking at ships on the water. ~ Very easy Navy reference (yes, Vikings were known for their ships too but that many at once? Feels intentional.)
When Jay enters the longhouse and the way he just so easily fills the empty slot in the group's visual presentation/blocking reinforces this "Jay fills the missing spot" motif. Also implies that the group was just waiting for him to return to step out into battle themselves.
The other members are then behind Jay on the beach when they "return to the battle" and it is not until he has their backing that he busts out the impressive rap, trusting they have his back if he goes into this berserker rage-esque performance.
Everybody and their mother are all up in arms about Geoff BUT thge oscar goes to Ceasar and Eli they became Vikings
Geoff has 3 B0s with extension. Miracle of Sound gave this cover 10 raised alehorns out of 10. Best cover. Please check out their latest - Drunken Sailor. That fellow you are talking about is Cesar De La Rosa. You should hear him in I Can't Make You Love Me with VoicePlay and EJ Cardona, also Creep!
They all have 5 octave ranges, not just Geoff. Eli is definitely the Rock God, but it was Cesar who hit Tyler's high note in Dream On, and J None hit the high scream in Panic!. The three of them can all sing baritone all the way up to first tenor. Geoff starts lower of course. Layne actually has 6 octaves if you count sound effects. He's hit A0 as the last note of the song as an inhale note in SH-Boom, which is one note lower than Geoff at the beginning of this one, and a C#6 in ACA Top 10 Disney Villains doing a cat meow during the Aristocats section.
VoicePlay has done a ton of wonderful songs, but I think this is my favorite.
Norseman vibe. Viking is a verb, lol!!!!
The guy who wrote Miracle of Sound was inspire by The tv Show Vikings, Norfolk and The Assassin Creed Game Valhalla which has Norse Mythology eg Loki, Thor, Odin just to name a few the gods.
I love VoicePlay and Geoff soloworks as well. All the singers in VP are incredible talented in their various ways and I never tires of listen to them.
But if you want to explore a rock vocalist of the caliber of Eli, I recommend checking out Tommy Johansson. You've seen him as guitarist in Sabaton, but there he is only doing back vocals. Besides playing in Sabaton he also fronts his own rock band Majestica, former ReinXeed, since 20 years and has a very successful solochannel to where he releases covers of various genres, mostly metal. His guitar hero is Gary Moore and he is a great interpreter of Moore music.
Listen to Tommy in his cover of Steelhearts She's Gone or his cover of Phantom of the Opera where he covers both parts ie also Christine, getting up there and you hear a voice equal to Eli in versatility. Last week he covered Bohemian Rapsody himself, vocals, piano, guitar( he's a multi instrumentalist as well) doing Mercury justice.
If you want to hear Jay feature a bit more isolated listen to friends on the other side. Much more entertaining if you know princess and the frog. The other recommendation I normally make is queen in 5 minutes
Awesome reaction.
Glad you enjoyed it!
@@ShawkaReacts
Always enjoy Voiceplay and Geoff Castellucci 😉😁
You have got to react to voiceplay cover of Metallicas nothing else matters. It is absolutely exquisite. You will not be disappointed and it's also got jnone
the rap part is Janone
This was made in 95 degree heat and 90 percent humidity. They sweat like stuck pigs.
Have you reacted to Beast in Black? Talk about ridiculous vocals, you would love it guaranteed. I suggest Blind and Frozen.
Please alwayscplay the outro of VP videos.
I highly doubt you'll hear this song live. This was Geoff's hardest song and he had to trash his voice for five hours so he could sing that low for the whole song.
I always have goosebumps and that means a lot for me, I love you for your work ❤❤❤
"I see Fire" by Geoff Castellucci x 4 even brings me to tears, it's perfect!! definitely listen!!!! 🥹🙌🙌🙌🫶