Glad you’re so impressed with Eli I feel he doesn’t get the kudos he deserves partly because they’re all so brilliant❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

I start every day looking for new Voiceplay reactions - it's a bonus when I see someone reacting for the first time. Each member of the group records their part in their own in-home studio. When they do the video, they sing it live to make sure that they don't lose any of the facial/vocal elements. I hope you will come back to Voiceplay often, they are phenomenal! Subscribed in anticipation.

Layne Stein (vocal percussion) and Geoff Castellucci (bass) were some of the founding members of Voiceplay back in 1997, Layne was not the original beatboxer though, he took over that spot when the original beatboxer left. Every once in a while, you will hear an arrangement where he sings and he has a lovely baritone voice. Eli (his name is pronounced like 'Ellie, as in rhymes with jelly', his full name is Eliezar, not Elijah, thus the difference in pronounciation) has been a member since 2010. Cesar has been an official member for just under a year, but so far has proven a spectacular edition to their group. He and the group do say SEE-zer, not Say-ZAR when pronouncing his name, but since he is Puerto Rican, I have assumed that he has just adjusted to pronouncing it the way most Americans THINK his name should be pronounced. Layne and Geoff do almost all of the arrangements for the group. I have loved watching Geoff's videos talking about vocal techniques specifically related to singing low. He has stated in an interview that even if he had never reached a point where he could support himself professionally as a performer, he would be involved in music in some way, such as teaching and/or arranging. Jose was a member of Rockapella and has done a lot of touring in Hamilton, being the swing/understudy for a vast number of those roles, which can't be easy. Geoff just recently mentioned that he is also a natural director, and whenever they have brought him in as a featured performer, he can always be relied upon to make good suggestions as far as staging, costuming, makeup and camerawork, etc. I have an okay singing voice, but I'll be the first to admit I would be hopeless at a cappella. That ability to go from singing the main melody to harmony to supporting the rhythm background without being tripped up by what every one else was doing and yet being able to blend with the other voices as needed just amazes me.

@johndeeregreen4592

2 жыл бұрын

I am with you there; I would suck at a cappella... even though I have a 6 octave range (B -1-C6; one note below C0 to soprano C), I could never be able to use and access it the way Geoff can. Not having a frame of reference to sing to would have me stumbling over myself.

@youtubepup5301

2 жыл бұрын

@@johndeeregreen4592 I would love to be in an a capella group...maybe when I'm older cause I'm only 15 and honestly my dream is to be in Voiceplays group. But I know that's probably unlikely cause it seems they only have females as guests not permanent members..I do have my vocal range to like 5 1/2 octaves I think. (A0-G6). I'm still working on sliding in and out of subharmonics (so I guess that answers one of geoffs questions when he didn't know if females could do subharmonics) then again I don't really know what I am (meaning soprano, alto, contralto..etc.) but the only reason I think I would have a chance is because of my range at my age...and the fact that I just started learning low note about 2 weeks ago..

@timothybuell3314

2 жыл бұрын

@@youtubepup5301 Don't give up on your desire to be in an acapella group. There are many groups with female members, but you don't have to just be a part of an existing group. Find some girls (or guys, or both) and form your own group. Find some singers within your school choir that might be interested. Talk to your music teacher and they will likely be able to help you, both with finding singers, and with finding your voice.

@quasi8180

2 жыл бұрын

Hold the phone they're that old?

@patriciaschuman4205

2 жыл бұрын

@@quasi8180 Yeah, I think Geoff, Layne and Eli are all in their early 40's, Cesar is 31 or 32 I think???

Usually when Voiceplay features a guest artist, the guest artist does get a prominent part in the video with a good amount of solo parts as well as harmony parts. But this particular video was supposed to feature a high tenor that couldn't make it after all due to covid restrictions, so Eli had to step in as high tenor while Jose was called in to do Eli's original role as tenor. That is why Eli had such a prominent part in this video, he had to take all the guest artist parts. Which is why Jose has an unusual lack of lead vocals in this one. It pays off to have members that can sing multiple roles when needed 😄

@Guest.7289

5 ай бұрын

Damn I cant imagine this song without Eli doing those parts

@huldradraco

5 ай бұрын

@@Guest.7289 Yeah, I think it worked out for the best, actually. The original artist has a beautiful and powerful voice, but I think Eli's rock vocals added so much to this song. It made it the epic song it needed to be!

YOU JUST GOTTA WATCH THEIR "WICKED MEDLEY"!!!! Geoff did the arrangement. There are TWO featured artists (both women) and it is absolutely amazing! It's also one of their more recent performances. They have some GREAT songs that are even more recent, but if you want to see the full spectrum of their abilities, I believe Wicked is the best overall choice! Recent subscriber, btw.

I love VoicePlay and I really liked your reaction/analysis to them! Hope to see more VoicePlay and Geoff Castellucci from you!

I think that you’ve found a new rabbit hole to go down! 😍 told you didn’t I 😂 Great review as usual, nice bit of technical info! Glad you enjoyed it, yeah, Geoff is amazing his singing and arrangement skills are totally amazing!

That was a great review! Your input was insightful and smart. Everyone in the group is so talented, and Cesar is a great fit! They have brought in some amazing performers as guests. So many recommendations - Wicked Medley, Bruno, Dragonborn Comes, Rich Man/Girl, We're Good, Enemy, & Dream On.

Eli is indeed pronounced to rhyme with jelly, ellie, and Cesar is like the Roman Emperors, stress on the first syllable. Geoff and Layne have been singing together since middle shcok, so over 20 years, and know each other in and out. Whoever they choose to join them on a song is always perfect. They choose well. So glad you like this, it's one of my favourites,.

One really cool thing about VoicePlay is how much creative control they have on their music. Geoff and Layne take turns handling probably 99% of the vocal arrangements, which is part of what gives them a distinctive sound and also what allows them to take some risks that other groups might not. Whoever arranges the song also takes lead on the video work. They source their own sites (sometimes using Pattycake Productions, a video studio that Layne co-owns with former VoicePlay baritone Tony Wakim), handle costuming and props, directing and shooting the video, as well as editing it. Eli does their lighting work, has helped with some video effects and also has had a hand in some arrangements. The degree to which they are hands on at every stage is one of the things I most respect about them.

This video deserves a Grammy Award. If Pentatonix's Daft Punk is worthy of a Grammy, this video is very much worthy of a Grammy.

I have no musical knowledge but from the moment I discovered VoicePlay, I was blown away by their myriad of beautifully tight harmonies. They are all incredibly talented but I'm a sucker for a bass, so love Geoffs solo work, where those great harmonies continue just all done by him! Loved the analysis, thank you! 🙂👍

This probably will always be my all-time favorite. I go to others occasionally especially when they’re first out but always return to this one. It is so layered and complex. Thank you for pointing out the shape of Eli‘s mouth. I’ve never heard it described as biting into an apple. But I’ve noticed often his mouth is a perfect inverted triangle. And I want wonder if that has to do with the magnificent tone he can reach. One thing that none of the reactors have commented on, at least that I have seen, is those last notes. Eli holds that note forever and then Geoff sings “die”for what seems like minutes.

Love this reaction! The sheer JOY on your face! You were smiling so much and so big, I found myself smiling back! 😄

It's not a party until Geoff drops the bass hammer.....

Geoff has talked from time to time about his vocal training. He spent a lot of time trying to run away from his bass voice and wanted to be a lead rock singer. So he has developed an amazing vocal range. Clearly, he has embraced his low voice now, and we are all the beneficiaries. He and Layne are also amazing musicians. They arrange most of the songs VoicePlay performs.

Eli can sing a baby to sleep at 7:00 and front a heavy metal band at 9:00. Truly amazing voice qualities.

Great reaction. Everyone in that group is a vocal chameleon. Truly amazing. While Geoff holds the low note at the end - check out Layne's expression as they finish. Those two have been playing off each other waay too long. Check out 'Just Sing' (with the captions ON) for a great overview of the amazing artists that have collaborated with VP over the years.

@shirleykarr560

2 жыл бұрын

Layne and Geoff have been singing together and playing off each other since choir in middle school. Sometimes they still behave like adolescents (said as mom of a 14- year-old boy). Have you seen clips of Geoff biting Layne's carrot? And notice that videos where Geoff is in full body makeup (Little Mermaid, Oogie Boogie, Kidnap the Sandy Claws) or pink shorts and floral print blouse (Bruno) are all arranged and directed by Layne. These guys crack me up.

The vocal blend between Eli, Cesar (it is Sea-zer) and featured singer Omar in Dream On is simply stunning. They move in and out of a very individual tone, to a blend where they sound like brothers. It's so charmed that there was a huge debate over which one actually hit that top note - since all of them are capable, and in that moment they sounded so much alike. Turns out it was Cesar - he had to tell us. Back in the day I believe most of their arranging was done collaboratively as a group. That's no longer the case; Geoff and Layne each do nearly 50%, with a little over for Eli or Rob Dietz to do one now and then. This arrangement was Geoff's. Over the last year Eli has picked up doing a lot of the visuals: most of the lighting/effects and sometimes set design. He also helps with the editing. Don't overlook their mini's - they are absolutely stunning. (Especially Crazy and I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire).

@janetdw

2 жыл бұрын

And it is note worthy in Dream On, that Eli is considered Tenor/ high Tenor, Omar the same but Cesar is technically a baritone! These guys have enormous ranges and it always just stuns me.

@patverum9051

2 жыл бұрын

In fact it is pronounced Say-zaar in Italian, so she's correct and you're wrong.

@Aurora-cv5to

2 жыл бұрын

@@patverum9051 I am reporting the way Cesar asked for his name to be pronounced. If you think he's pronouncing his own name wrong, that's on you.

@CapriUni

2 жыл бұрын

And just a little comment: the Omar in their "Dream on" cover (and it's the Aerosmith song, BTW), is also Jose Rosario's little brother.

@janetdw

2 жыл бұрын

@@CapriUni Are you talking about Omar Cardona? He is EJ Cardona’s (Voctave) brother who has also appeared with VoicePlay. I don’t believe he’s related to Jose.

I loved your reaction! Don't know if you noticed because it was mixed in with all the other awesomeness, but at 3:02 Geoff slides (I believe) three octaves up. They are all amazing! Please go down the Voiceplay and Geoff rabbit holes. I enjoyed listening to your technical knowledge.

One of my favorite parts of this that's often missed, after the layered "yo-oh-ho-oh-o", is when Geoff starts low and slides way up. I think another reactor pointed it out to me, I missed it 3 times

LOL you are in for SO much of a ride. You will find the Dragonborn Comes and My Mother Told Me from Voiceplay then you'll lookup Geoff alone and find Misty Mountains, then Blackbird where he shows a solid 5 octave range. Welcome to the fun. Great review, hope to see more of this content!

They blow me away. I used to sing in an a capella septet (couldn't ever find a good bass). They make me want to sing again.

Their cover of "if I were a rich man" is AMAAAAAAAZING!

You would also love their Skyrim Dragonborn Returns performance. They are always in constume and so dramatic.

Ugh so good. Can we take a moment to bask in that deep deep note that sailed flawlessly up into the rafters on the same breath from Geoff? They're all incredible

Jose is a member of Rockapella, so he certainly has the experience to step in on what was - in this case - short notice. He has sung with them before, and actually sang in high school productions with Cesar. But VoicePlay has the ability to arrange for and choose many different artists and blend them seamlessly into the group. Recently, AleXa (winner of American Song Contest) let them know she would like to work with them. The arrangement for Enemy was already about finished so the collab came together quickly, with AleXa taping her part using green screen in South Korea, and of course their parts were recorded and filmed on green screen in the Orlando area. After Eli and Layne finished their arduous editing, the finished video was released recently and is amazing. You’d never know they weren’t all together for the taping.

"Wicked" is another, more recent, Medley from Voiceplay.

You HAVE to listen to their Wicked medley. It's next-level good !!!

Please react to their "Wicked Medley" next.

I don't know if you have seen Voice Plays doing just sing they bring in a lot of people from the sing off it's a fantastic performance.

Great reaction love Voiceplay this is one of my favourites

I love their cover of We Don't Talk About Bruno from Encanto

You should listen to their version of Wicked, absolutely mind-blowing. Great reaction!

Have you heard of Voctave? Their Disney Princess medley is really good!

Jose Rosario has worked with them before...he is a broadway singer who appeared in Hamilton. Geoff and Layne (two of the original members) do almost all the arranging. Geoff is arguably the lowest bass out there, he has hit a B0 in concert. He has a full 5 octave range, and Layne can cover the bass if need be...they are a weird, unique, group. They like to add guest vocalists on their stuff... Have fun with this group...they are very, very, special. Geoff has his own solo channel and is spectacular being his own Acapella group.

Geoff’s run up near the end was sick.

The last note of Geoff's must be sub-harmonic, surely!!?? They're a phenomenon!

You should really check out Geoff's solo work too. His latest song, Ain't No Sunshine, is a masterpiece!

I love your reaction and the joy that appears on your face !

i love how u speak your pronunciation every word that you said i can understand i just want listen you every day 😍

So some other songs that showoff their range, dragonborn-oogie boogie-my mother told me-dream on

I just love VP's and Geoff's channels. I simply can't get enough. They are the most interesting singers/musicians/arrangers/producers on KZread to me right now.

one of my favorite groups. Would love you hear your thoughts on "If I were a rich man" featuring ashley diane

Have a watch and listen to their performance of "Oogie Boogie Song" for a demonstration of Geoff's vocal range

More voice play I'm new here love your personality great job

I sleep to this song. I listened to it over 43,500 (according to Spotify) times last year, Jan through Nov. And I still listen to it all night as I sleep.

New subscriber here. I loved your reaction to VoicePlay and hope you stay in the Rabbit Hole with us!

Welcome to the Voiceplay and Geoff rabbit holes

best reaction of all the reactions of this video/song...i love learning from you...

I'm sure Bethany would indeed grow up to the task singing and harmonizing with an acapella group. Experience in groupd singing is key factor but also commitment, effort put into it, how good that person using her own voice, how smart she is. Only need an eyepatch. And a parrot. Just sayyyin' Cheers from Hungary!

Wonderful reaction, enjoyed every moment!

I’ve only seen three of your videos so far (the two-part reaction to Home Free and this one), and I just subscribed. You mentioned in one of the videos having seen a number of their songs. I just want to mention that while a lot of reactors don’t like doing videos they’ve already seen because it’s not an honest reaction if you already know what to expect, some have done ones they’re familiar with and focused more on analysis rather than reacting. At least one of them tends to block the screen when doing that to focus more on the sound, and has even picked up on things he had never noticed before while watching the video. I’d love to see you cover more Home Free and VoicePlay videos, whether reacting or analyzing.

Also go hear them doing them, My Mother Told Me.

ooohhhh...my dear....Eli always pleases the pallet

What a pleasure and breath of fresh air you are Bethany! That smile must positively melt people around you.

Love your reaction. Thank you

I really enjoyed your insights about her voice development. I suggest that you try "A Song for A" it was written for her to sing by Nico Cartasio. The lyrics are from Robert Burn's poem from the late 1700's. A beautifully sung Scottish poem with cinematic orchestration. It was released as the last track on Nico's album.

I know there are other groups, but the Trifecta seems to be Pentatonix, Home Free and VoicePlay. They all have different feels where Pentatonix is more Pop/Synth, Home Free is more Country/Soul and VoicePlay more Theatrical...but all three do all genres and are absolutely amazing. I think Pentatonix started paving the way to modern acapella but all 3 (and others) are just fantastic.

Thank you for a wonderful reaction

Their Oogie Boogie is even better.

Can't wait to see more Voiceplay reactions! Maybe even some Geoff solo work as well!

Bravo Bethany, It was a very nice video

I think you'd really enjoy their versions of We Don't Talk About Bruno and the Wicked Medley!

A celebration of voice. This performance just sweeps you along with it.

If you loved this one, check out their cover of" Dream On". It will blow your MIND!

I’m really into low bass singers. My first love was Avi Kaplan, that’s why Geoff is my favorite but…but: Eli is really something. His voice, his textures, those growls here and there. Phenomenal.

Have you done their 'My Mother Told Me'? Or see how Ceasar can use his voice in the Halo theme. There's a bit at the end that gives a bit of group history too.

Jose is also featured in their My Mother Told Me vid, which was my favourite until they released this one.

Aside from being blown away by this performance, I entirely agree with you appreciation that their guest "featuring" singers are so well integrated into their ensemble approach where every member gets to shine. But in response to your final self-depreciating comment, it would be fantastic if you could invite them to work on a song together to see the process (as an outsider) of how they integrate new singers - the challange has been raised (LOL)

You should watch their cover of Aerosmith's Dream On! It's amazing! 💕

Here for VoicePlay - subbed!

These guys are amazing

I believe you would really enjoy their rendition of The Dragonborn Comes. These guys are usually considered the third side of the a capella triangle right now. As far as visual part of production goes they are the top group.

I agree a cappella groups aren't getting their due. The Sing Off went a long way to bring back the music genre from barbershop days of yore. The show introduced us to Pentatonix and Home Free along with a number of other notable groups. We need an all star Sing Off with groups of today. The market success of these groups spawned interest in a number of other very talented groups such as Voice Play and Voctave to name a few. These groups have jumped on the the self marketing methodologies afforded by KZread or Patreon that have allowed them to bypass industry filters and nonsense that prevents the listening audience from embracing new music. I'm floored Country Music hasn't embraced Home Free better particularly after they recognized Pentatonix collaboration with Dolley. I believe it's past time for the Grammy's to establish a category for a cappella. In fact, if they want to see a viewership increase, I'd suggest highlighting various groups throughout an awards show related to introducing the new category. That would be much watch TV!

My dear, I think it's time you get back to VoicePlay and Mr. Castellucci, there is so much incredible content to choose from. Your reactions to them as well as all the rest is phenomenal. Love your channel!

Excellent reaction, thanks. I really appreciate it when reactors can share their knowledge and do some analysis as the song progresses. I absolutely agree that Cesar was a great addition to the group. Watching him here, in the _Halo_ theme, and in _We Don't Talk About Bruno_ -- we see an incredible range in both song and performance.

What is amazing is that both Layne and Geoff share the arrangements almost 50/50. If they are arranging the music they also do the costuming, staging, makeup, camera work, video as well as pre-mix audio. Eli has taken on the lighting duties, as well as video backgrounds/green screens, etc. In their newest song, Enemy featuring AleXa (KPop singer from S Korea). She did her singing, and dancing (video and audio) there in S. Korea and Eli incorporated her video into the group's video for a final presentation. Superbly done. I enjoyed listening to you and hope you will do more reactions/analysis for VoicePlay's work. Some outstanding songs: Warriors, Dream On, Friends on the Other Side (features J. None on leave from his choir job in the US Navy to take the lead in this), Dragonborn Comes Skyrim, Halo, one of their songs from the Season 4 Sing-Off is Road Trip which is funny and really good. Also includes Tony Wakim (who left VP to start up Pattycake Production Studio that VP often uses and Layne has half-interest in) and Earl Elkins, who left to spend more time with family, and has Geoff, Eli and Layne.

"Enemy" and "Dream On" are the current latest.

Thank you for the great reaction, VoicePlay and Geoff Castellucci are my favorites. If you want to see a very interesting and beautiful singing check out Lucy and Martha Thomas singing the prayer, so so beautiful. Thanks again Bethany

They are Eli like El E and Caesar like Julius.

I’m glad to see you react to these guys. I love it when someone who understands what these guys are achieving reacts to them. If you want to see a bit more of Cesar in the lead, check out the Voiceplay Minis channel. I’m just so impressed with what he’s bringing to the group. And yes, Eli has a fantastic, very versatile voice and while every one of these guys is a great actor, Eli is extraordinary. His characters are so different in every song, and he can totally change his face just with a few small shifts in his expression. Anyway, I hope to see you do more-and also, by the way, a newer a capella group, The Bass Gang, is releasing four new songs-two have already been released, and two more to come. There are some really extraordinary singers in the group, and they’re bringing in featured guests who are incredible. Please check them out!!

A more up to date one is their cover of Dream On. Omar Cadona is the guest singer in that one who also fits their group really well and has worked with them before. Also, I have been watching a few of your videos and can I make one suggestion: I noticed you saw Floor Jansen from Nightwish in the Phantom video. Go watch the original singer Tarja and Marco sing it during their concert from 2012 (I think it was?) Andrew Lloyd Webber said it was his favorite off Broadway version and it is phenomenal (Marco steals the show imo)

This is why love to listen to Home Free as well as Voice Play they are polar opposites when it comes to their arrangements probably why they are such good friends in real life they have worked together on different projects and I really think that you should check out two things one is Hillbillies V hillbillies singing survivor and the other one is Home Free with the Oke ridge boys singing Elvira produced by Geoff from Voice Play. Loved your reaction.

i'm not a vocalist, just a brass musician, but i love the music voiceplay creates! i try to incorporate the amazing stylistic and tonality in what i play, but will never get close to their amazing works. will never stop trying tho!

Stupendous! Voiceplay should be cast in a musical 🔥

You definitely need to watch some of Geoff's solo videos!!!!

they can also be called a beatboxer it is a 90's term for the same thing

You have to check their phantom of the opera one!! It's so good

Would love to hear your reaction/analysis of I Can't Make You Love Me (Bonnie Raitt)

A great performance is by Ringmasters doing “Notre Dame Medley”

A group you need to check out is The Bass Gang. They are a group of 4 young bass singers - the youngest is 18. As basses seem to improve with age I think there is a great future for these guys - they are already very good. Also they live spread across the globe so they do everything remotely from each other and then one of them mixes and edits the final results (they take turns).

If you want to hear great bass from Geoff & great drums front Layne please do a reaction video of Voice Plays version of Carry On My Wayward Son. They won't disappoint you. The entire group are amazing with the runs as & harmony as well.

You should also check out their cover of "If I Were A Rich Man/Girl", featuring Ashley Diane (who also has an amazing voice).

I really like VoicePlay, but the best part was your smile ❤

You picked the best song by these guys 👍🏻

Geoff arranged Home Free’s “Elvira” if you’re interested 👀👀

If you like this one, then you sure must do a reaction on the Boogie song by Voiceplay.

If you want to see a range that will amaze you react to Tim Foust's solo version of Will You Still Love Me/ Stay. Tim has a 5-octave range that will amaze you. Also, I would recommend reacting to Austin Brown's solo from the musical Les Mes. These acapella groups are amazing, but they just love what they do.