The more I listen to Jack’s Lament, the more I come to see it as one of my Geoff Castellucci favorites. It’s just an incredible arrangement and character showcase

It is not just that his voice is deeper than Danny Elfman's it is also because according to Geoff he allways thought this song could use a bit more bass.

@js_musicmedia8981

9 ай бұрын

He leans into that really well

I wish more reactors would pay some attention to Cesar. It seems like he only gets really short moments to shine and always immediately followed by something else that’s amazing and it seems like his bits just get passed over. It’s frustrating because he really is quite outstanding, both as an actor and singer. And this time his part is a great transition from Eli’s high to J.None’s baritone-he matches the high and then drops to baritone to lead in to J.None (and I know this is the arrangement, but he still handles it really well). That part where he says “then tell me, Maria, why I see…” could be played conversationally, like “tell me what you think” or it could be sort of an accusation-“tell me why God is letting this woman get to me (it’s HIS fault)”. I think Jonathan Young plays it with a bit more anger here (I’ll have to go back and watch). Anyway, I have to say I like this BETTER than the original. It’s all about opinion, but you’re right, it’s iconic. Good analysis. WRT Jack’s Lament-I’ll leave it to you to analyze the music-you do a really good job of it. It struck me when I watched this that Geoff’s best acting seems to happen when he’s able to use his whole body. He really does an amazing job here. I love this piece.

@js_musicmedia8981

9 ай бұрын

I love all of their voices, which is why Cesar stands out to me so much- The fact that they found somebody whose vocal skills stack up to those of the longtime members of VoicePlay is awesome! I Can’t Make You Love Me is one of my VoicePlay favorites and I think it’s an awesome showcase of Cesar’s vocals in the first half of the song. Also, Jonathan Young’s cover of Hellfire is probably my favorite besides the original, so I’m glad you mentioned that! And I agree with your assessment. Geoff’s acting is always incredible, but it’s as if he turned it up to an 11 for this video

@lkayh

9 ай бұрын

@@js_musicmedia8981Maybe it’s just that Geoff loves to gear up in costume and “do theater.” He’s always good, but in pieces like this where he can move around and use his whole body, he shines. Agree-I don’t know who all they auditioned, but Cesar was an amazing pick. Agree about “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” It’s not my favorite song (no fault of theirs-I just don’t really like depressing songs), but Cesar was amazing. Also agree that they’re all fantastic. Eli is not only a standout vocalist, but he’s an amazing actor. There are some great actors who just play themselves in each story (a great example from older movies is Jimmy Stewart-he was amazing, but in every movie, he was still Jimmy Stewart), and there are actors who somehow disappear into each role and can be someone entirely different (Gary Oldman-he’s almost unrecognizable sometimes). I see glimpses of the latter when Eli gets to act. It’s rare and I really admire it. There are no slouches in Voiceplay, either as singers/musicians or as actors.

J None and Cesar had a beautiful melody when the sun caught in her raven hair. Just before the guard watch for Cesar's air guitar and riff. The guard is Tony Wakim. I love where the background vocals of Kyrie Eleison come in meaning God have mercy at the same time that Geoff sings God have mercy on her, God have mercy on me. I am enthralled with it, knowing the evilness, mesmerizing and utterly unforgettable. I do love this one too.

@js_musicmedia8981

9 ай бұрын

It’s a masterwork 😌

Prior to the beat drop, except during his solo, Layne is singing bass.

@js_musicmedia8981

9 ай бұрын

Hey that’s kinda cool. Thanks for the nugget :)

Two most outstanding performances.

Lots of people do reaction videos, but knowledgeable analysis of the music is so rare. I really appreciate you sharing your insights on VoicePlay and Geoff videos!

I love how in depth your reaction/analyses go, thanks for doing these! I feel like I learn a lot from you even tho I'm a total newbie to music theory, and you point out details that we might not understand but that make these songs that extra bit more interesting and awesome, so thanks for sharing these videos! These songs were a treat, these guys are excellent!

@js_musicmedia8981

9 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment! I’m glad you enjoyed 😌

Your reaction doesn't show up in searches, might want to add the artist names so people can find it 🙂

@js_musicmedia8981

9 ай бұрын

Good catch, thanks!

After listening to Hellfire so often, I think Geoff's part is the person that he presents and feels he is. J None is the part that is praying to Maria to protect him from succumbing to Esmerelda, Eli's part is black or white - either come be with me or destroy her, Cesar's blaming God. In VP's The Lion Sleeps Tonight, both J None and Cesar hit some high notes, Cesar's are new to him- C6 and D6.

So, do you think Hellfire is written in Mixolydian mode? (I tend to write a lot in Mixolydian) Regardless, I find it to be a very interesting piece of music. I absolutely ADORE Geoff's cover of Jack's Lament!

@js_musicmedia8981

9 ай бұрын

Hmm you had me go listen to the original again. I don’t hear indications of mixolydian, but it’s a very intricate conversation between the major and minor modes :)

Did we hear a Bb0 in the background at 14:24 when Geoff sings “Now gipsy it’s your TURN” or is it a Bb1?