I used to listen to Pentatonix a lot, but once I discovered VoicePlay, they have quickly become my absolute favourite artists. You can't really go wrong with any song they've done. I think someone else mentioned, but they are independent and do almost everything themselves. They are insanely talented. I'll be here for any reaction you do to their stuff.
I'm still a loyal Pentaholic, but there's room for PTX, VoicePlay, Home Free, Voctave, and many more. I've got a "favorite" in each group (my man in VP is Eli), but every member of the above-mentioned (including Adam Bastien, newest member of Home Free) is unique, versatile, and always surprising.
@@janeramirez8767 Adam B. is a perfect fit for taking over for Austin in Home Free. His voice is very much like Austin's. My favorite from Voice Play is Cesar. His expressions, voice & playfulness is the best thing that ever happened to Voice Play.
I love Pentatonix and I think they always sound great but they don’t have a base like Geoff. These guys are so underrated cause they have such unique voices that blend so well with one another!
I love how you take one look at Layne's fingering and say, "Yeah, he plays." Geoff had originally arranged this with a vocal part for the solo, but decided his friend's violin would play better. I really appreciated how well you knew the original so could comment meaningfully on the changes Geoff made to adapt it for a cappella. I really enjoyed your perspective and hope you do more VoicePlay reactions. I'll be here if you do! Peace
VP is an entirely independent group. Check the credits - lighting, production, sets, and almost all arrangements. They're supported by a very loyal group of patreons!
This video was seen by the band Chicago. They immediately called Voiceplay and invited them to appear with them at their concert last November. Their videos are very entertaining and you never know what they will do. Everything from classical to Disney and everything in between. 😊
Welcome to the VoicePlay rabbit hole! This video landed the guys an out-of-the-blue invitation to sing in concert with Chicago last year. The list of patrons at the end of the video are _just_ from a couple of their highest tiers. *ETA:* There have been many attempts to get them a Wikipedia page, but apparently somehow in over 25 years they've never been the subject of an article in a sufficiently reputable publication to satisfy the Wikipedia editors. Eli (pronounced like jelly), the guy in the middle with the rasp, used to sing metal, and there are some other VP covers where he gets his rock god mojo working even more than this one. Layne does indeed actually play the violin and he was legit playing that one when they filmed this, but it's a cheap prop that looks cool but doesn't sound that good; the audio they used is a track he recorded using his own instrument. Cesar, seated next to Layne, was tragically a bit underutilized in this particular arrangement, but he has a gorgeous sultry voice, emotes like crazy and routinely moves listeners to tears in some of their other covers, and he's no slouch in terms of range and power either. J.None, next to Geoff, is a former member who's currently doing a tour with the Navy, but joins them often as a guest vocalist, and a lot of us are hoping he'll eventually return for good (but they also have a constellation of other incredible artists they invite in to fill that fifth slot.) Geoff, the subterranean bass, has a five-octave range; he also has his own channel with fantastic covers which are _not_ done a capella, but he sings multiple parts and layers them. Some other VoicePlay works particularly I recommend are Creep, Valhalla Calling, Hoist the Colours, Seven Nation Army, Dream On and Carry on Wayward Son, but they have a long list of superb work going back many years; you really can't go wrong with anything in their channel that catches your eye. Liked and subscribed, looking forward to more!
Oh, I’ve watched them way more than 100 times 😂 These guys are amazing and I would love to see you react to more from them. You might also enjoy their covers of In the Air Tonight, Seven Nation Army or Carry on Wayward Som. For something a bit different, try Hoist the Colours! 😊
VoicePlay is such an amazing, underrated group. They are 100% independent, so all that you saw and heard came entirely from those 5 guys (and Geoff's wife, Kathy, their production manager)- they do their own arrangements, shoot and edit their own videos and handle the bulk of their production (with the exception of the final mix; like all good a cappella groups, they send their tracks to Ed Boyer for that). Being independent allows the guys much more freedom to experiment than groups like Pentatonix and Home Free, both of whom perform within set genres. With VoicePlay, you might hear Metallica one day, or Disney, or Stevie Wonder, or a medley of songs from the musical, Wicked. Or maybe it's a wordless, classical piece, with a trap beat thrown in midway. Queen, but disco? You never know what you're going to get, and these guys are talented enough to pull it all off. Geoff Castelucci (bass) and Layne Stein (vocal percussion) take turns creating the majority of their arrangements, although recently Eli (rhymes with 'jelly') Jacobson (rock tenor) has started contributing more in that area, along with the amazing lighting and effects work he provides most of their videos. During the pandemic the guys began to really lean into their video production, so that's when the quality and complexity of their video work started to change. This video was a relatively simple piece, but they have been known to go all out; they have worked on LED stages, set themselves into a world created by Unreal Engine, or performed on a set dressed with actual trees while in full costume with makeup and facial prosthetics. But best of all, these guys are still having fun, and don't take themselves too seriously, and this shows in their work. They frequently inject their performances with humor, and allow themselves to be a bit silly at times. They take the music very seriously, but what's the point of doing it if it isn't enjoyable? This isn't simply a job to them, but a passion, and it shows. Tl;dr- This is a rabbithole that is well wortth your time to run down. You're going to hear some amazing vocal work, some incredibly yummy, crunchy chords, and some innovative approaches to songs you thought were familiar. You'll also get to hear a few things you didn't think the voice could do. And one of the other nice things about VoicePlay- they love to collaborate with other artists, so you'll get introduced to a whole lot of talent. And if that isn't enough, that incredible bass vocalist, Geoff Castellucci, also has a solo channel which will blow your mind. You've heard just a snippet of him going low (although this isn't his lowest note), but you haven't heard how *high* he goes. Or what he can do on his own, with a ridiculous range and experience writing for 5 voices. He is a rabbithole unto himself.
@@janetdw Wow, thank you so much! There are a lot of people in the fandom who know a lot more about VoicePlay than I do, and many who explain them just as well; I just jump in when I'm able and not making the conversation redundant. But honestly, music is the one thing in life that I'll wholeheartedly proselytize, and I just try to summarize enough information about VoicePlay to get a reactor's attention, and then hopefully they'll get hooked so they'll use their influence to bring the group to more eyes. RUclips fame is fleeting, so best to keep fanning the coals!
I suppose everyone will write the same thing: you MUST check out more of their songs, like Valhalla, Seven Nation Army, My Mother Told Me etc. There are soooo many good ones :)
VoicePlay is one of the big 3 acapella groups, along with Home Free and Pentatonix. J.None is a former member, currently a member of the Navy, but will join them as a guest when on leave. l-r, Geoff, J.None, Eli, Cesar, and Layne, or in this video, Vio-Layne, yes he's playing the violin, lol. The instrument addition is a rarity. Used to be 5 members, but currently 4 and using guests. Earl Elkins, Jr, and Tony Wakim are other former members. Geoff and Layne do most of the arrangements, Geoff did this one, his wife Kathy is the production manager. The production company they work with is Patty Cake Studios, Layne and Tony run it. More to check out: Covers of "Oogie Boogie Song", Aerosmith's "Dream On", "We Don't Talk About Bruno" , and their latest "Total Eclipse of the Heart". Geoff also does solo covers on his channel, check out "16 Tons" , "Big Bad John" , "Monster Mash", and "Far Over the Misty Mountain Cold"
Geoff Castellucci is in a class by himself. His voice defies categorization. He claimed to be a deep baritone; but he’s developed such deep notes, that Peter Barber will die on the hill that Geoff’s a bass. Only problem is - Geoff’s incredible range allows him to sing anything.
Just one note: Eli's name is short for Eliezer, and pronounced like eliie. He's the ex rock tenor. And yes Geoff is amazing and has his own channel of low bass covers. (not a capella but he creates his own backing.). J.None, guesting here, was a full member until 2021 when he left to sing with the US navy singers. Yes, Layne plays violin, since age 4. Geoff has a five octave range: A0 to A#5.
And I believe that J is trying to get up there with Geoff. His last few minis were absolutely outstanding. He’s always had gorgeous tone in those high notes but his bass is so rich. It’s not as smooth as Geoff’s but it is a powerhouse.
What do you mean Eli is the EX rock tenor!!??!!?? Has he left the group? Please say no. Cause if it's yes, imma go cry in the shower. Then dissociate,.... then go cry some more. A lot. ❤
@@lauragraves4342 No he hasn't left the group, I meant that he has previously fronted rock groups. He is still has a rock tenor voice but as far as I know not a regular rock band member.
@@christinestromberg4057 Thank you. That's a relief. I knew he used to be in rock bands, but had a mini heart attack anyways the way I read your comment. 💗💖💝
There are loads of recommendations for this group and you would not be disappointed with any of them. Carry on wayward son, dream on, and seven nation army come to mind. Also FYI the bass singer (geoff castellucci) does his own solo work. Mind blowing is an understatement. Check out house of the rising sun, 16 tons, don't mess around with Jim, and big iron. "One more thing" These guys love to do it up around the holiday season. Keep a lookout for their Halloween and Christmas releases. I haven't been disappointed yet. I'm hoping this year they do a Layne Heavy little drummer boy, but we'll see. Layne is the vocal perc. Nickname Violayne because of the violin he sometimes captivates us with. Check out Warrior, and the lion sleeps tonight. I've rambled enough. Great reaction and welcome to the rabbit hole. 😁😁😁
You must do their version of Valhalla Calling. You won’t be sorry. The rabbit hole is so worth it. We won’t even mention Geoff, the bass singer’s non acca solo channel. You ain’t ready for that. ❤
Voiceplay is very much worth exploring more. Almost impossible to see live now, but they pour all their creative energy into making incredible videos and acapella recordings. Everything they tackle is high quality , however, they are the kings of any genre or group on Halloween themed songs. So October is a fantastic time to consider their nightmare before Christmas songs, hall of the mountain king, ding dong, or classical chaos
Glad you found Voiceplay. They do everything. Now I love everything they do, and I am not alone in that. They go all out with set design, costumes, acting and everything as well as superb arrangements and vocal talent. J. used to be a member of the group and we fans are always glad to see him with these guys, however everyone who collaborates with them are just as talented. I love how much unknown talent we have, and how most if not all of the time these unknowns are way more talented then the folks that are famous.
Discovering VP through this cover is the equivalent of finding Queen through Bohemian Rhapsody.... In the Air tonight, Dream On, Warriors, Seven Nation Army, the list is almost limitless. Layne does play violin as does JNone. After hearing this, I can't hear the guitar solo without thinking of violin...
You might want to know who's who - On your left with long hair is Geoff Castellucci a bass with 5 octaves from A0 to Bb5, J None used to be a member before being recruited into the US Navy for his vocal talents -range as bass in the Navy to tenor, in the center is Eli (like jelly) Jacobsen who joined VoicePlay in 2010 but had been in a few rock bands before joining, Cesar de la Rosa is the newest member with lots of sass with baritone to high tenor at C6 and D6, Layne Stein beatboxer, baritone, and violinist from the age of 4 aka VioLayne, he's only added the violin 3 times since they started the group in 1997 and that was Warriors (Imagine Dragons) J None also did some on his violin for Warriors, this one which when Chicago heard about it, listened and invited VoicePlay to join them in their Chicago and Friends Concert last Nov 17-18 - they couldn't believe Geoff's low notes either. The stage manager wanted to know where they wanted the drum kit. Eli just pointed at Layne and said, "He's it." The most recent violin is The Lion Sleeps Tonight where they were doing a short in the mall outside Pattycake Productions studio and were having so much fun that they made it a full length video but in the vertical format for the minis/shorts. They've done a post-apocalyptic trilogy over 3 yrs starting with Warriors, moving on to Dream On (Aerosmith), and Seven Nation Army (White Stripes). Geoff and Layne are the remaining original members, Mykal (baritone) headed for a musical acting career, Earl Elkins (high tenor - hear him in VPs Queen in 5 Minutes) left the group for personal reasons about 4 yrs ago. Tony Wakim (their baritone around early 2010s to 2016-7) who wanted to get into productions so he and Layne bought a studio. Most of VoicePlay's and Geoff's solos are done there. J None is 3 yrs into a 5 yr stint in the Navy but comes back to sing with VP as often as he can get leave. Some of my favorites - In the AIr Tonight (Phil Collins), Hoist the Colours (Pirates of the Caribbean), Creep (Radiohead), Dragonborn Comes Skyrim, Valhalla Calling (Miracle of Sound), Hellfire (Hunchback of Notre Dame), Halo theme (watch it all to learn a bit about early VP), Little Mermaid (a delight), Tennessee Whiskey (Chris Stapleton), Drunken Sailor, In the Hall of the Mountain King (Greig 1875), Classical Chaos w/ Rachel Potter, Wicked (Broadway), and so many more like Carry on My Wayward Son (Kansas), Oogie Boogie song (Nightmare Before Christmas), come join the rabbit hole.
Voiceplay is a fantastic acapella group. Everything they cover do absolutely amazing. Acapella is allowed 1-2 instruments as long as they're in view. Voiceplay rarely uses anything other than their voices. Exceptions are "Warriors", "Lion Sleeps Tonight" where Layne plays the violin (VioLaye) and "Hoist The Colours" where Cesar shakes a keychain of keys to replicate shackles. Left to right.... Geoff Castellucci+ bass, arrangements. J None - guest, baritone, former member. Eli (el Lee) Jacobson - tenor, rock tenor, lighting, arrangements, AI design. Cesar De La Rosa - baritone, tenor. Layne Stein - vocal percussion, baritone, arrangements, co-owner of Pattycake Productions. Voiceplay is known as both The Mountain Kings of Halloween and The Theater Kids of Acapella because they love to dress up and perform. All of them have performed in shows at various theme parks in Orlando. Especially Disney World and Universal Studios. I recommend"In The Hall of The Mountain King ". Then "Classical Chaos". The first they do the classical music In The Hall of The Mountain King as monsters (Grundels). The second they bring them back to do a 12 piece medley of classical music. But no matter what you choose to do you can't go wrong. They never disappoint. They're latest video is "Total Eclipse Of The Heart". Geoff Castellucci has his own channel as well where he does solo with instruments. He clones himself 3-4 times for harmonies. Each with their own name, personality and range.... Jeff, Jeoph, Goff and Daryl. He also dresses up in his videos sometimes. I recommend doing "Ghost Riders In The Sky". Then "Unshaken" where he brought back his 4 clone ghost riders before they died and chased cattle. His latest video is "Imagine" by John Lennon. All his videos are fantastic as well. Welcome to the Voiceplay rabbit hole 🐰
Now these guys are mesmerized as well by the Geoff, the baritone who´s bass voice is on the level of classical bass singers in fullness...and since high school wanted to be a rock tenor! So like Eli in this. He now accepts his calling, referring to himself as bass-baritone. ^^
Thanks for covering this. There are a bunch of Voiceplay videos that are absolutely amazing. Some of my favorites are Hellfire, Hoist the Colors and Oogie Boogie Song.
This cover actually got them noticed to perform with Chicago last November! Because they have been down a fifth member since 2021, they have not been on tour since before the pandemic, and have now mostly dedicated themselves to making music videos on a once per month basis.
So glad you enjoyed it! Voiceplay made what the fans call the Apocalypse Trilogy - Warriors, Dream On, and Seven Nation Army. Warriors has both Layne and J.None playing the violin (I think it's only a total of 3 times in all their covers). Voiceplay never uses instruments or adds anything that you don't see shown. If you're gamers, you might also enjoy The Dragonborne Comes (if you think Geoff is low here...) or Halo. The composer of Halo was interviewed by the Charismatic Voice and loved the cover.
Nothing, NOTHING is better than watching a reaction to Voiceplay for the very first time and seeing the joy in your faces that I feel every time I watch one of their videos. Halfway through watching your reaction, I hit the notification bell. I'm sure others have made suggestions, but I'd also try "Queen in 5 Minutes", "True Colors", "Hoist the Colors", "My Mother Told Me", and the apocalypse trio: Imagine Dragon Warriors, White Stripes Seven Nation Army, and Aerosmith's Dream on.
Welcome to the wonderful world of VoicePlay. I have subscribed to hopefully see more Voiceplay reactions. Geoff Castellucci the bass has a 5 octave range and is amazing and he also has his own cannel. For VoicePlay, I would recommend: "Dream On", "Seven Nation Army", "Black Hole Sun", "In the Air Tonight", "Hoist the Colors", "Drunken Sailor", "Hellfire" and my favorite VP song is "Valhalla Calling". For Geoff, I would recommend: "Far Over the Misty Mountains Cold", "I See Fire", "Sound of Silence", "You Don't Mess Around with Jim", "16 Tons", "Jacks Lament" and "Unshaken".
Thank you guys for an awesome reaction to Voice Play. They are known as The Theater Kids of a capella. Please do a reaction video to Voice Plays cover of Dream On originally by Aerosmith. Voice Play knocks it out of the ball park.
Layne Stein, the beat boxer is actually a classically trained violinist. J. None the featured artists is the man sitting next to the bass singer also plays violin and they take turns in their cover of warriors. He was their baritone until he left to go into the Navy. Geoff, the alien bass,has a 5 octave voice range and his own channel (not a capella). On his channel all vocals are him and most, if not all, the instruments are him (usually using plug-in through his keyboard but, sometimes the guitar or harmonica which he also plays) definitely worth checking out as well.
I love when new people discover Voiceplay for the first time!! If nobody else has done so yet, let me introduce you to our boys!!! Left to right...we have Geoff Castellucci..human subwoofer with 5 octave range, killer arranging skills, his own low-bass solo channel, and perfect hair. Next to him is J. None...former full member of Voiceplay but currently in the navy. He guests with them whenever he can and has that absolutely silky smooth R&B tenor/baritone. In the center, we have Eli (pronounced "Elly" like jelly) Jacobsen. Absolute insane rockstar tenor that can't be beat! Cesar De La Rosa..the baby of the group with his beautiful baritone/tenor that can make you cry one second, then all his sass will crack you up the next. Finally, we have Layne Stein (AKA VioLayne)..the beatboxer of the gang, but also has the sweetest singing voice that we so rarely get to hear. He and Geoff do the majority of the arranging...about 50/50..but Eli has dipped his toe in and arranged a few songs as well. Currently they are a 4some with various guests for the 5th spot. Enjoy your journey down the most amazing rabbit hole in music!
Great reaction guys. They used to tour extensively, until Covid shut the world down. Oddly enough, they were on one of the cruise ships that couldn't dock after the pandemic hit. They were stuck for s couple of weeks. Subscribed in anticipation!
Ah, one of my favourite covers from my joint-favourite acapella group! Glad you enjoyed it (yeah, there are some people who don't, amazingly). I won't add to the inevitable mountain of suggestions, I haven't seen a bad suggestion in the comments yet!
The bass, Geoff Castellucci, isn’t just known for how low he can go but how smooth that tone is. Layne does indeed play the violin and has since he was very young. He plays the entire time during their cover of Warriors, originally produced by Imagine Dragons for a league of legends tourney. In that one J is also still with the group and does a little bit of violin as well. It is one of my favorites even though I had never heard the song before (or at least noticed it - I’m really really old). Others have given you some really good suggestions and I’d like to add a few. Since you are instrument based musicians, you might check out either their In the Hall of the Mountain King or Classical Chaos. Both of those are based on classical orchestral pieces and it’s all done by voice. They each feature a different female guest artist. They both show their slightly insane side since the beatboxer arranged and produced that one. Usually if there is one with a lot of humor and Geoff is either embarrassed or really pushed it’s a Layne arrangement. I also noticed that no one has recommended my new favorite. They released a cover of Michael Jackson‘s You Make Me Feel So Good about a month and a half ago. In that one they are featuring DeeJay Young who has appeared with them a few times. Deejay is a multifaceted performer- he was in touring in Hamilton for a while , appeared on The Voice, and has his own channel. DeeJay has a beautiful high clear tenor and was the perfect voice for this cover. Obviously even I’ve heard this song before but I’m not a huge fan of that whole pop time in musical history. I do really like their version however because they’ve slowed it down and made it jazzy and sexy. I subscribed and I hope that you do more VoicePlay and Geoff. They are very underrated because they don’t have a record producer advertising for them. They want total control over what they do and they pay the price by not being as well-known as the other big groups. One more thing: if you really like bass you should check out The Bass Gang as well. Four bass singers that met over the Internet during Covid and up until last year none of them had met. Three of them were able to get together this year but the fourth member was not able to leave Egypt. But they are used to having to deal with difficulties so they made it work. Their cover of Aladdin’s Arabian Nights is one of my favorites that they’ve done. They also are known for bringing in a lot of collaborators, most of them very deep basses as well. You might want to change the settings on those headphones before you listen to too much of them!😂
You really can't go wrong with Voiceplay, and I hope to see more of them on your channel! That said, I highly recommend scrolling through their catalog and finding arrangements that you and your audience would like to see. ❤❤❤❤
Oh, fantastic! This is the song I keep showing people to drop them into the brilliance that is VoicePlay! While THIS song isn’t 100% a cappella, the majority of their work is. Geoff (that bass singer!), however, does his own thing on his solo channel which is also not entirely a cappella but IS incredible. I hope you guys dive down the rabbit hole, more eyes on this group is always a plus to me.
There are a lot of acapella fans out here. These guys are great and they have a lot of really great stuff. Pentatonix and Home Free are two other really amazing acapella bands that you and your audience would love.
This absolutely should be a rabbit hole, both Voiceplay and the individual work of Geoff Castellucci. Geoff is such a vocal beast that his solo work rivals that of the group in terms of vocal range and visuals
I know I’m late, but I loved your reaction, and I have a feeling that Voiceplay’s rendition of the Halo theme would be right up your alley. The whole thing is really spectacular and Geoff hits a B0 note you’ll feel in your bones.
Subscribed in hopes of seeing more VoicePlay reactions. May I suggest Valhalla Calling, Hoist the Colors, or (my favorite) Creep. All are absolutely wonderful. For Geoff I recommend Far Over the Misty Mountains Cold to start. Enjoy!
Fantastic version of this classic song and you guys reacted just perfectly. First-time listeners to Geoff , the bass singer, are always flabbergasted . I know I was!. I don't think he makes anything but great music. Looking forward to some more Voice Play on your channel. This is my first time seeing you guys. Will return........
I clicked because of VP! They are one of my favorite a cappella groups! This is one of my favorites since I’m a Rocker at heart ( my first music love lol). They did such a brilliant cover and made it their own. I watch every reaction of it that shows up on my feed! I really love how you two reacted to the whole thing and the different members’ talents! I will smash the subscribe button after leaving this comment! I hope you react to more VP! There is so much to check out! They’ve covered so many genres! There’s something for everyone and anyone.
I Love how y'all couldn't stop pausing at the beginning then just got absolutely CAPTIVATED by the magic that is Voiceplay and almost made it through the whole thing until the violin solo :D
Voiceplay is very talented. They do mostly covers and medleys of various genres. Currently, they have the four mentioned singers with a special feature to best fit the song they're performing. They just came out with a Michael Jackson cover with DJ Young as the feature. DJ's vocals and mannerisms are very similar to MJ. You'll enjoy most of their covers. Also, Geoff Castellucci has his own channel since the pandemic shut down their touring events. He performs some great low bass covers. But, because it's only him, he uses some instruments (many he plays himself) showing off his 5-octave range. Wonderful music.
Fantastic reaction guys! Welcome to the world of VoicePlay! Oh, and you've barely scratched the surface of the range of the bass, Geoff Castellucci! I would suggest checking out VP's cover of "Valhalla Calling" to see how low he can go. AND he also has a solo channel, and his range will BLOW. YOUR. MINDS. _All_ male voices you hear singing are him. Oh, and it's funny you made that "NO DOGS ALLOWED!" reference from "Snoopy Come Home." One of Geoff's biggest influences in his singing style is Thurl Ravenscroft, and he's the one who sang that line! (I don't know if he voiced the "Or birds!") Thurl also did the song in the animated Grinch show, and was the voice of Tony The Tiger, among lots more, including some songs Geoff does low bass covers of!💙 P.S. Sorry about the political line from earlier, I tried just to copy the blue heart from it, as I can be lazy.😅
I really enjoyed your reaction to Voice Play- thanks! I am now a new subscriber looking forward to more reactions to Voice Play and Geoff Castellucci (deep bass singer) solo channel.
This was a fun reaction, and I'm glad you gave VoicePlay's cover of Nothing Else Matters a chance on your channel! Looked like you had a good time! It's always fun to see people's first reaction to VoicePlay, and especially when those people are musically knowledgeable and can really appreciate some of the things VoicePlay does in their videos. They are one of the top tier a cappella groups operating these days, and since they are one of the older groups performing, they've got quite a bit of experience in the field, even though some of their members are quite young. VoicePlay started out right from high school in the mid-to-late 90s, so they've been around longer than either Home Free or Pentatonix, the other two biggest names in a cappella currently. Geoff Castellucci (the amazing bass) and Layne Stein (the vocal percussionist/beatboxer/violin player) are the only original members still with the group - when you've been around as long as they have, some personnel changes are bound to happen. Because of those changes, while VoicePlay is nominally a 5-man group, in recent years they've been down to 4 permanent members (as their bio mentioned), with the 5th person being a featured artist. In this case, J. None is a former member of the group, who was recruited by the US Navy(!) to sing in their choir, and is about midway through a 5-year enlistment - he comes back to sing when he can get leave. But VP hasn't limited their featured artist to only men - they have a number of female artists who also perform with them regularly. Their most recent video (Total Eclipse of the Heart) features Ashley Diane, who has appeared with them in several videos and numerous shorts/minis. I hope you'll continue to see what VoicePlay (and Geoff Castellucci, who has his own solo channel) have to offer, and I'll be here if you do!
I'm always stunned by acapella groups. There are so many great groups. Pentatonix, Voice Play, and Home Free being the best known. You HAVE to listen to some of Geoff's solo work. His version of 16 Tons, the old song originally done by Tennessee Ernie Ford back in the 1950s, is breathtaking.
This is such a great introduction to the most delightful independent acapella group in the business. They arrange every cover with such respect for the original yet manage to bring something different to make it their own. And they do almost everything themselves. Amazing is the best term for VoicePlay. You'll like Dream On and of course Valhalla Calling is not to be missed. Actually, everything they put forth is high caliber.
Please RUN down this rabbit hole. These guys are amazing and varied. I love all three of the top a Cappella groups, so I love seeing reactors find them for the first time. Enjoy this new journey!
Welcome to VoicePlay! I really appreciate the musical knowledge y'all bring to the table on a reaction like this, and I hope y'all will check out some more VP. 😁
I just subbed as well. I am hoping for more a cappella reactions. Voiceplay is one of my favorite groups, but there are quite a few very good groups out there these days. I am impressed by your fun and professional style.
Modern a capella is a huge rabbit hole that ain't your daddy's barber shop quartet. The trinity is VoicePlay, Pentatonix, and Home Free. You react to them and their fans will come running.
VP is amazing! I had not seen you guys before - but I watch many reactions to VP - and if you guys continue - you will gain a lot of us! VP has soo many great songs! They change featured artist often. Eli (tenor - rhymes with Jelly) has a rock-god voice! J None has some rap in Valhalla Calling. Cesar has some Spanish lines in Total Eclipse of the Heart. Layne is Beat box master that only twice had broken out the vio-Layne - and is amazing! When he sings solo, the angels cry! You will like the cover of Creep and Seven Nation Army. If you like the bass - Geoff Castalucci has some of his own stuff where he sings with himself and has done Monster Mash and Ghost Riders in The Sky - among others. Lots of stuff here - and we love new reactors going down this rabbit hole!!
Yep! That's VP ... and oh my what a rabbit-hole it is! VP... they've really stepped-up their game in the last so many years, and damn it's good. --- And I'm Country btw! : ) Be Safe
Now it's time to jump down the Home Free rabbit hole. Tim Foust is a 5-octave range Bass. Jeff, Avi, and Tim are all friends. Home free covers all types of music. From country to Motown to Sea shantys plus their origionals.
Layne Stein (percussion, baritone) did play violin there, but they don’t usually pull out instruments. Kevin Olusola was known for beatboxing while playing cello before he joined Pentatonix, so that’s an interesting common thread between the two groups.
They take something that is all instruments - classical music - and make it totally vocal and make it so fun with firstly In The Hall Of The Mountain King and then Classical Chaos. Their Halloween videos are great. Then they have serious songs like Aerosmith's Dream On, White Stripes' Seven Nation Army. Then another rabbit hole, the bass singer, Geoff Castellucci, has a solo channel where he has layered his voice for crazy harmonies as he sings songs like S&G's Sound Of Silence, and "dusty old" songs like Big Iron, 16 Tons. You only appeared on my channel because of this reaction. VP supporters are loyal and friendly and love watching reactions.
Subscribed! I _love_ VoicePlay, and I had the best time watching this. Would love to see more, and specially recommend either their Seven Nation Army or Dream On.
Can't wait to see more VoicePlay!! They have so many genres to chose from. Hope you check out Sleeping in the Cold Below, Whiskey in the Jar, Hoist The Colors, Warriors (for the first Violayne song), Just Sing (captions on are a must!) and Seven Nation Army. Oh, and Creep and In the Air Tonight... and so many more. Thanks for the reaction!
Wow! Nice to see that you guys are discoverig this only now. The way you did this made me subscribe (the algorythm knows that I will at this point in time listen to all reviews of voiceplays version of this). Looking forward to what else you shell do - and reserve recommendations to a time when i know more of your stuff.
I love seeing people reacting to VoicePlay for the first time! Great reaction, guys! ❤ If you wanna see a more theatrical piece from them, check out their Viking epic called "Valhalla Calling." They also did a killer version of "Hoist the Colours" if you prefer a pirate vibe. Both are amazing!
I used to listen to Pentatonix a lot, but once I discovered VoicePlay, they have quickly become my absolute favourite artists. You can't really go wrong with any song they've done. I think someone else mentioned, but they are independent and do almost everything themselves. They are insanely talented. I'll be here for any reaction you do to their stuff.
I second that comment 💯%
@@stephnichall ❤️
I'm still a loyal Pentaholic, but there's room for PTX, VoicePlay, Home Free, Voctave, and many more. I've got a "favorite" in each group (my man in VP is Eli), but every member of the above-mentioned (including Adam Bastien, newest member of Home Free) is unique, versatile, and always surprising.
@@janeramirez8767 Adam B. is a perfect fit for taking over for Austin in Home Free. His voice is very much like Austin's. My favorite from Voice Play is Cesar. His expressions, voice & playfulness is the best thing that ever happened to Voice Play.
I love Pentatonix and I think they always sound great but they don’t have a base like Geoff. These guys are so underrated cause they have such unique voices that blend so well with one another!
I love how you take one look at Layne's fingering and say, "Yeah, he plays." Geoff had originally arranged this with a vocal part for the solo, but decided his friend's violin would play better. I really appreciated how well you knew the original so could comment meaningfully on the changes Geoff made to adapt it for a cappella. I really enjoyed your perspective and hope you do more VoicePlay reactions. I'll be here if you do! Peace
VP is an entirely independent group. Check the credits - lighting, production, sets, and almost all arrangements. They're supported by a very loyal group of patreons!
Yea it shows ..
This video was seen by the band Chicago. They immediately called Voiceplay and invited them to appear with them at their concert last November. Their videos are very entertaining and you never know what they will do. Everything from classical to Disney and everything in between. 😊
Welcome to the VoicePlay rabbit hole! This video landed the guys an out-of-the-blue invitation to sing in concert with Chicago last year. The list of patrons at the end of the video are _just_ from a couple of their highest tiers. *ETA:* There have been many attempts to get them a Wikipedia page, but apparently somehow in over 25 years they've never been the subject of an article in a sufficiently reputable publication to satisfy the Wikipedia editors.
Eli (pronounced like jelly), the guy in the middle with the rasp, used to sing metal, and there are some other VP covers where he gets his rock god mojo working even more than this one. Layne does indeed actually play the violin and he was legit playing that one when they filmed this, but it's a cheap prop that looks cool but doesn't sound that good; the audio they used is a track he recorded using his own instrument. Cesar, seated next to Layne, was tragically a bit underutilized in this particular arrangement, but he has a gorgeous sultry voice, emotes like crazy and routinely moves listeners to tears in some of their other covers, and he's no slouch in terms of range and power either. J.None, next to Geoff, is a former member who's currently doing a tour with the Navy, but joins them often as a guest vocalist, and a lot of us are hoping he'll eventually return for good (but they also have a constellation of other incredible artists they invite in to fill that fifth slot.) Geoff, the subterranean bass, has a five-octave range; he also has his own channel with fantastic covers which are _not_ done a capella, but he sings multiple parts and layers them.
Some other VoicePlay works particularly I recommend are Creep, Valhalla Calling, Hoist the Colours, Seven Nation Army, Dream On and Carry on Wayward Son, but they have a long list of superb work going back many years; you really can't go wrong with anything in their channel that catches your eye.
Liked and subscribed, looking forward to more!
try geoff's own channel he has don some really good covers
Oh, I’ve watched them way more than 100 times 😂 These guys are amazing and I would love to see you react to more from them. You might also enjoy their covers of In the Air Tonight, Seven Nation Army or Carry on Wayward Som. For something a bit different, try Hoist the Colours! 😊
VoicePlay is such an amazing, underrated group. They are 100% independent, so all that you saw and heard came entirely from those 5 guys (and Geoff's wife, Kathy, their production manager)- they do their own arrangements, shoot and edit their own videos and handle the bulk of their production (with the exception of the final mix; like all good a cappella groups, they send their tracks to Ed Boyer for that). Being independent allows the guys much more freedom to experiment than groups like Pentatonix and Home Free, both of whom perform within set genres. With VoicePlay, you might hear Metallica one day, or Disney, or Stevie Wonder, or a medley of songs from the musical, Wicked. Or maybe it's a wordless, classical piece, with a trap beat thrown in midway. Queen, but disco? You never know what you're going to get, and these guys are talented enough to pull it all off.
Geoff Castelucci (bass) and Layne Stein (vocal percussion) take turns creating the majority of their arrangements, although recently Eli (rhymes with 'jelly') Jacobson (rock tenor) has started contributing more in that area, along with the amazing lighting and effects work he provides most of their videos. During the pandemic the guys began to really lean into their video production, so that's when the quality and complexity of their video work started to change. This video was a relatively simple piece, but they have been known to go all out; they have worked on LED stages, set themselves into a world created by Unreal Engine, or performed on a set dressed with actual trees while in full costume with makeup and facial prosthetics.
But best of all, these guys are still having fun, and don't take themselves too seriously, and this shows in their work. They frequently inject their performances with humor, and allow themselves to be a bit silly at times. They take the music very seriously, but what's the point of doing it if it isn't enjoyable? This isn't simply a job to them, but a passion, and it shows.
Tl;dr- This is a rabbithole that is well wortth your time to run down. You're going to hear some amazing vocal work, some incredibly yummy, crunchy chords, and some innovative approaches to songs you thought were familiar. You'll also get to hear a few things you didn't think the voice could do. And one of the other nice things about VoicePlay- they love to collaborate with other artists, so you'll get introduced to a whole lot of talent. And if that isn't enough, that incredible bass vocalist, Geoff Castellucci, also has a solo channel which will blow your mind. You've heard just a snippet of him going low (although this isn't his lowest note), but you haven't heard how *high* he goes. Or what he can do on his own, with a ridiculous range and experience writing for 5 voices. He is a rabbithole unto himself.
I just wanted to tell you that you’re one of my favorite commenters. You give such great comments that the best I can usually do is say me too.
This is a great introduction to one of my favorite groups! Well written!
@@janetdw Wow, thank you so much! There are a lot of people in the fandom who know a lot more about VoicePlay than I do, and many who explain them just as well; I just jump in when I'm able and not making the conversation redundant. But honestly, music is the one thing in life that I'll wholeheartedly proselytize, and I just try to summarize enough information about VoicePlay to get a reactor's attention, and then hopefully they'll get hooked so they'll use their influence to bring the group to more eyes. RUclips fame is fleeting, so best to keep fanning the coals!
Thanks for this info!!!
Yall are gonna love geoff in voiceplay and also solo. Definitely check it all out! 😊💜
LETS GO!!! VOICEPLAY!!!
I NEED MORE!
I suppose everyone will write the same thing: you MUST check out more of their songs, like Valhalla, Seven Nation Army, My Mother Told Me etc. There are soooo many good ones :)
And just for fun--and to see their range--We Don't Talk about Bruno and Classical Chaos.
VoicePlay is one of the big 3 acapella groups, along with Home Free and Pentatonix. J.None is a former member, currently a member of the Navy, but will join them as a guest when on leave. l-r, Geoff, J.None, Eli, Cesar, and Layne, or in this video, Vio-Layne, yes he's playing the violin, lol. The instrument addition is a rarity.
Used to be 5 members, but currently 4 and using guests. Earl Elkins, Jr, and Tony Wakim are other former members. Geoff and Layne do most of the arrangements, Geoff did this one, his wife Kathy is the production manager. The production company they work with is Patty Cake Studios, Layne and Tony run it.
More to check out: Covers of "Oogie Boogie Song", Aerosmith's "Dream On", "We Don't Talk About Bruno" , and their latest "Total Eclipse of the Heart".
Geoff also does solo covers on his channel, check out "16 Tons" , "Big Bad John" , "Monster Mash", and "Far Over the Misty Mountain Cold"
Nothing wrong with being a distant 3rd place
@@sean1849 Please, stop with the hateful comments already.
Layne, the beat boxer has played the violin since he was 5 years old. Voiceplay fans call him Violayne and love it when he makes a rare appearance.
Wow a wannabe Kevin just with the Violin instead of Cello.
@@sean1849 No wannabe Kevin about it. Layne is a wannabe to no one.
@@marshayoung9387 You can tell yourself that if it helps you sleep at night.
@@sean1849 LOL
@@marshayoung9387 To each their own I guess. A nice civil arguments in the comment section is always enjoyable.
I am always here for VoicePlay or Geoff reactions! VoicePlay is my favorite acappella group. Geoff Castellucci's solo work is also great.
Geoff Castellucci is in a class by himself. His voice defies categorization. He claimed to be a deep baritone; but he’s developed such deep notes, that Peter Barber will die on the hill that Geoff’s a bass. Only problem is - Geoff’s incredible range allows him to sing anything.
I've heard Peter LOL. Personally, Geoff can call himself anything he wants as long as he keeps arranging and singing for us 🙂
Just one note: Eli's name is short for Eliezer, and pronounced like eliie. He's the ex rock tenor. And yes Geoff is amazing and has his own channel of low bass covers. (not a capella but he creates his own backing.). J.None, guesting here, was a full member until 2021 when he left to sing with the US navy singers. Yes, Layne plays violin, since age 4. Geoff has a five octave range: A0 to A#5.
And I believe that J is trying to get up there with Geoff. His last few minis were absolutely outstanding. He’s always had gorgeous tone in those high notes but his bass is so rich. It’s not as smooth as Geoff’s but it is a powerhouse.
What do you mean Eli is the EX rock tenor!!??!!?? Has he left the group? Please say no. Cause if it's yes, imma go cry in the shower. Then dissociate,.... then go cry some more. A lot. ❤
@@lauragraves4342 No he hasn't left the group, I meant that he has previously fronted rock groups. He is still has a rock tenor voice but as far as I know not a regular rock band member.
@@christinestromberg4057 Thank you. That's a relief. I knew he used to be in rock bands, but had a mini heart attack anyways the way I read your comment. 💗💖💝
There are loads of recommendations for this group and you would not be disappointed with any of them. Carry on wayward son, dream on, and seven nation army come to mind. Also FYI the bass singer (geoff castellucci) does his own solo work. Mind blowing is an understatement. Check out house of the rising sun, 16 tons, don't mess around with Jim, and big iron.
"One more thing" These guys love to do it up around the holiday season. Keep a lookout for their Halloween and Christmas releases. I haven't been disappointed yet. I'm hoping this year they do a Layne Heavy little drummer boy, but we'll see. Layne is the vocal perc. Nickname Violayne because of the violin he sometimes captivates us with. Check out Warrior, and the lion sleeps tonight.
I've rambled enough. Great reaction and welcome to the rabbit hole. 😁😁😁
I love when someone finds VP the first time. Definitely an enjoyable rabbit hole
You must do their version of Valhalla Calling. You won’t be sorry. The rabbit hole is so worth it. We won’t even mention Geoff, the bass singer’s non acca solo channel. You ain’t ready for that. ❤
Voiceplay is very much worth exploring more. Almost impossible to see live now, but they pour all their creative energy into making incredible videos and acapella recordings. Everything they tackle is high quality , however, they are the kings of any genre or group on Halloween themed songs. So October is a fantastic time to consider their nightmare before Christmas songs, hall of the mountain king, ding dong, or classical chaos
Glad you found Voiceplay. They do everything. Now I love everything they do, and I am not alone in that. They go all out with set design, costumes, acting and everything as well as superb arrangements and vocal talent. J. used to be a member of the group and we fans are always glad to see him with these guys, however everyone who collaborates with them are just as talented. I love how much unknown talent we have, and how most if not all of the time these unknowns are way more talented then the folks that are famous.
Discovering VP through this cover is the equivalent of finding Queen through Bohemian Rhapsody.... In the Air tonight, Dream On, Warriors, Seven Nation Army, the list is almost limitless.
Layne does play violin as does JNone. After hearing this, I can't hear the guitar solo without thinking of violin...
You might want to know who's who - On your left with long hair is Geoff Castellucci a bass with 5 octaves from A0 to Bb5, J None used to be a member before being recruited into the US Navy for his vocal talents -range as bass in the Navy to tenor, in the center is Eli (like jelly) Jacobsen who joined VoicePlay in 2010 but had been in a few rock bands before joining, Cesar de la Rosa is the newest member with lots of sass with baritone to high tenor at C6 and D6, Layne Stein beatboxer, baritone, and violinist from the age of 4 aka VioLayne, he's only added the violin 3 times since they started the group in 1997 and that was Warriors (Imagine Dragons) J None also did some on his violin for Warriors, this one which when Chicago heard about it, listened and invited VoicePlay to join them in their Chicago and Friends Concert last Nov 17-18 - they couldn't believe Geoff's low notes either. The stage manager wanted to know where they wanted the drum kit. Eli just pointed at Layne and said, "He's it." The most recent violin is The Lion Sleeps Tonight where they were doing a short in the mall outside Pattycake Productions studio and were having so much fun that they made it a full length video but in the vertical format for the minis/shorts. They've done a post-apocalyptic trilogy over 3 yrs starting with Warriors, moving on to Dream On (Aerosmith), and Seven Nation Army (White Stripes). Geoff and Layne are the remaining original members, Mykal (baritone) headed for a musical acting career, Earl Elkins (high tenor - hear him in VPs Queen in 5 Minutes) left the group for personal reasons about 4 yrs ago. Tony Wakim (their baritone around early 2010s to 2016-7) who wanted to get into productions so he and Layne bought a studio. Most of VoicePlay's and Geoff's solos are done there. J None is 3 yrs into a 5 yr stint in the Navy but comes back to sing with VP as often as he can get leave.
Some of my favorites - In the AIr Tonight (Phil Collins), Hoist the Colours (Pirates of the Caribbean), Creep (Radiohead), Dragonborn Comes Skyrim, Valhalla Calling (Miracle of Sound), Hellfire (Hunchback of Notre Dame), Halo theme (watch it all to learn a bit about early VP), Little Mermaid (a delight), Tennessee Whiskey (Chris Stapleton), Drunken Sailor, In the Hall of the Mountain King (Greig 1875), Classical Chaos w/ Rachel Potter, Wicked (Broadway), and so many more like Carry on My Wayward Son (Kansas), Oogie Boogie song (Nightmare Before Christmas), come join the rabbit hole.
Welcome and please join us down the VoicePlay rabbit-hole! Thanks for the great reaction!
Voiceplay is a fantastic acapella group. Everything they cover do absolutely amazing.
Acapella is allowed 1-2 instruments as long as they're in view. Voiceplay rarely uses anything other than their voices. Exceptions are "Warriors", "Lion Sleeps Tonight" where Layne plays the violin (VioLaye) and "Hoist The Colours" where Cesar shakes a keychain of keys to replicate shackles.
Left to right....
Geoff Castellucci+ bass, arrangements.
J None - guest, baritone, former member.
Eli (el Lee) Jacobson - tenor, rock tenor, lighting, arrangements, AI design.
Cesar De La Rosa - baritone, tenor.
Layne Stein - vocal percussion, baritone, arrangements, co-owner of Pattycake Productions.
Voiceplay is known as both The Mountain Kings of Halloween and The Theater Kids of Acapella because they love to dress up and perform. All of them have performed in shows at various theme parks in Orlando. Especially Disney World and Universal Studios.
I recommend"In The Hall of The Mountain King ". Then "Classical Chaos". The first they do the classical music In The Hall of The Mountain King as monsters (Grundels). The second they bring them back to do a 12 piece medley of classical music.
But no matter what you choose to do you can't go wrong. They never disappoint.
They're latest video is "Total Eclipse Of The Heart".
Geoff Castellucci has his own channel as well where he does solo with instruments.
He clones himself 3-4 times for harmonies. Each with their own name, personality and range.... Jeff, Jeoph, Goff and Daryl.
He also dresses up in his videos sometimes.
I recommend doing "Ghost Riders In The Sky". Then "Unshaken" where he brought back his 4 clone ghost riders before they died and chased cattle.
His latest video is "Imagine" by John Lennon.
All his videos are fantastic as well.
Welcome to the Voiceplay rabbit hole 🐰
VoicePlay cannot be put in a box... they sing all genres and styles, from rock to pop, Disney to Broadway. And they do it impeccably!
Welcome you have only begun!!!!!!😊 VP THE BEST RABBIT HOLE 😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤
Now these guys are mesmerized as well by the Geoff, the baritone who´s bass voice is on the level of classical bass singers in fullness...and since high school wanted to be a rock tenor! So like Eli in this. He now accepts his calling, referring to himself as bass-baritone. ^^
Thanks for covering this. There are a bunch of Voiceplay videos that are absolutely amazing. Some of my favorites are Hellfire, Hoist the Colors and Oogie Boogie Song.
This cover actually got them noticed to perform with Chicago last November! Because they have been down a fifth member since 2021, they have not been on tour since before the pandemic, and have now mostly dedicated themselves to making music videos on a once per month basis.
Great reaction like watching reactions to Voiceplay. This guys are pretty amazing.
Few suggestions to check out next
Dream On
In The Air Tonight
So glad you enjoyed it! Voiceplay made what the fans call the Apocalypse Trilogy - Warriors, Dream On, and Seven Nation Army. Warriors has both Layne and J.None playing the violin (I think it's only a total of 3 times in all their covers). Voiceplay never uses instruments or adds anything that you don't see shown.
If you're gamers, you might also enjoy The Dragonborne Comes (if you think Geoff is low here...) or Halo. The composer of Halo was interviewed by the Charismatic Voice and loved the cover.
@@letheardaw Yes, Halo most definitely.
Watching people listen to Geoff Castellucci's ear-throbbing low notes for the first time is one of my favourite pasttimes
They are the real thing! Check out their cover of Tennessee Whiskey.
Nothing, NOTHING is better than watching a reaction to Voiceplay for the very first time and seeing the joy in your faces that I feel every time I watch one of their videos. Halfway through watching your reaction, I hit the notification bell.
I'm sure others have made suggestions, but I'd also try "Queen in 5 Minutes", "True Colors", "Hoist the Colors", "My Mother Told Me", and the apocalypse trio: Imagine Dragon Warriors, White Stripes Seven Nation Army, and Aerosmith's Dream on.
You commented that you like humor: Maybe check out their covers of Drunken Sailor, We Don't Talk About Bruno, and/or Little Mermaid...
Welcome to the wonderful world of VoicePlay. I have subscribed to hopefully see more Voiceplay reactions. Geoff Castellucci the bass has a 5 octave range and is amazing and he also has his own cannel.
For VoicePlay, I would recommend: "Dream On", "Seven Nation Army", "Black Hole Sun", "In the Air Tonight", "Hoist the Colors", "Drunken Sailor", "Hellfire" and my favorite VP song is "Valhalla Calling".
For Geoff, I would recommend: "Far Over the Misty Mountains Cold", "I See Fire", "Sound of Silence", "You Don't Mess Around with Jim", "16 Tons", "Jacks Lament" and "Unshaken".
Thank you guys for an awesome reaction to Voice Play. They are known as The Theater Kids of a capella. Please do a reaction video to Voice Plays cover of Dream On originally by Aerosmith. Voice Play knocks it out of the ball park.
Layne Stein, the beat boxer is actually a classically trained violinist. J. None the featured artists is the man sitting next to the bass singer also plays violin and they take turns in their cover of warriors. He was their baritone until he left to go into the Navy. Geoff, the alien bass,has a 5 octave voice range and his own channel (not a capella). On his channel all vocals are him and most, if not all, the instruments are him (usually using plug-in through his keyboard but, sometimes the guitar or harmonica which he also plays) definitely worth checking out as well.
I love when new people discover Voiceplay for the first time!! If nobody else has done so yet, let me introduce you to our boys!!! Left to right...we have Geoff Castellucci..human subwoofer with 5 octave range, killer arranging skills, his own low-bass solo channel, and perfect hair. Next to him is J. None...former full member of Voiceplay but currently in the navy. He guests with them whenever he can and has that absolutely silky smooth R&B tenor/baritone. In the center, we have Eli (pronounced "Elly" like jelly) Jacobsen. Absolute insane rockstar tenor that can't be beat! Cesar De La Rosa..the baby of the group with his beautiful baritone/tenor that can make you cry one second, then all his sass will crack you up the next. Finally, we have Layne Stein (AKA VioLayne)..the beatboxer of the gang, but also has the sweetest singing voice that we so rarely get to hear. He and Geoff do the majority of the arranging...about 50/50..but Eli has dipped his toe in and arranged a few songs as well. Currently they are a 4some with various guests for the 5th spot. Enjoy your journey down the most amazing rabbit hole in music!
Great reaction guys. They used to tour extensively, until Covid shut the world down. Oddly enough, they were on one of the cruise ships that couldn't dock after the pandemic hit. They were stuck for s couple of weeks. Subscribed in anticipation!
Ah, one of my favourite covers from my joint-favourite acapella group! Glad you enjoyed it (yeah, there are some people who don't, amazingly). I won't add to the inevitable mountain of suggestions, I haven't seen a bad suggestion in the comments yet!
Welcome to the VP rabbit hole!!!❤ Now watch Dream On or Seven Nation Army !
Yes, we have all watched the videos a 100 times!
Voiceplay has a mash up of twenty one pilots with Kurt Hugo Snieder. Out of the box!
I second this!
The bass, Geoff Castellucci, isn’t just known for how low he can go but how smooth that tone is. Layne does indeed play the violin and has since he was very young. He plays the entire time during their cover of Warriors, originally produced by Imagine Dragons for a league of legends tourney. In that one J is also still with the group and does a little bit of violin as well. It is one of my favorites even though I had never heard the song before (or at least noticed it - I’m really really old).
Others have given you some really good suggestions and I’d like to add a few. Since you are instrument based musicians, you might check out either their In the Hall of the Mountain King or Classical Chaos. Both of those are based on classical orchestral pieces and it’s all done by voice. They each feature a different female guest artist. They both show their slightly insane side since the beatboxer arranged and produced that one. Usually if there is one with a lot of humor and Geoff is either embarrassed or really pushed it’s a Layne arrangement.
I also noticed that no one has recommended my new favorite. They released a cover of Michael Jackson‘s You Make Me Feel So Good about a month and a half ago. In that one they are featuring DeeJay Young who has appeared with them a few times. Deejay is a multifaceted performer- he was in touring in Hamilton for a while , appeared on The Voice, and has his own channel. DeeJay has a beautiful high clear tenor and was the perfect voice for this cover. Obviously even I’ve heard this song before but I’m not a huge fan of that whole pop time in musical history. I do really like their version however because they’ve slowed it down and made it jazzy and sexy.
I subscribed and I hope that you do more VoicePlay and Geoff. They are very underrated because they don’t have a record producer advertising for them. They want total control over what they do and they pay the price by not being as well-known as the other big groups.
One more thing: if you really like bass you should check out The Bass Gang as well. Four bass singers that met over the Internet during Covid and up until last year none of them had met. Three of them were able to get together this year but the fourth member was not able to leave Egypt. But they are used to having to deal with difficulties so they made it work. Their cover of Aladdin’s Arabian Nights is one of my favorites that they’ve done. They also are known for bringing in a lot of collaborators, most of them very deep basses as well. You might want to change the settings on those headphones before you listen to too much of them!😂
Voiceplay tends to be called the theater kids of the acapella world.
You really can't go wrong with Voiceplay, and I hope to see more of them on your channel! That said, I highly recommend scrolling through their catalog and finding arrangements that you and your audience would like to see. ❤❤❤❤
Just perfection
Oh, fantastic! This is the song I keep showing people to drop them into the brilliance that is VoicePlay! While THIS song isn’t 100% a cappella, the majority of their work is. Geoff (that bass singer!), however, does his own thing on his solo channel which is also not entirely a cappella but IS incredible. I hope you guys dive down the rabbit hole, more eyes on this group is always a plus to me.
The VoicePlay rabbit hole is well worth falling down…as is Geoff’s solo work. Welcome to the party, pals.
There are a lot of acapella fans out here. These guys are great and they have a lot of really great stuff. Pentatonix and Home Free are two other really amazing acapella bands that you and your audience would love.
"Math humor." If I hadn't already been subscribed that comment would have absolutely won me over. Now I just like you guys even more.
Welcome to the Voiceplay rabbithole. Go deeper and you will never be disappointed😊
This absolutely should be a rabbit hole, both Voiceplay and the individual work of Geoff Castellucci. Geoff is such a vocal beast that his solo work rivals that of the group in terms of vocal range and visuals
I know I’m late, but I loved your reaction, and I have a feeling that Voiceplay’s rendition of the Halo theme would be right up your alley. The whole thing is really spectacular and Geoff hits a B0 note you’ll feel in your bones.
Another set of reactors call that low one Geoff's brown note.
Subscribed in hopes of seeing more VoicePlay reactions. May I suggest Valhalla Calling, Hoist the Colors, or (my favorite) Creep. All are absolutely wonderful. For Geoff I recommend Far Over the Misty Mountains Cold to start. Enjoy!
Geoff the bass has his own channel that will blow you away
Fantastic version of this classic song and you guys reacted just perfectly. First-time listeners to Geoff , the bass singer, are always flabbergasted . I know I was!. I don't think he makes anything but great music. Looking forward to some more Voice Play on your channel. This is my first time seeing you guys. Will return........
I've been listening to them for several years now, and Geoff never ceases to amaze me.
I clicked because of VP! They are one of my favorite a cappella groups! This is one of my favorites since I’m a Rocker at heart ( my first music love lol). They did such a brilliant cover and made it their own. I watch every reaction of it that shows up on my feed! I really love how you two reacted to the whole thing and the different members’ talents! I will smash the subscribe button after leaving this comment! I hope you react to more VP! There is so much to check out! They’ve covered so many genres! There’s something for everyone and anyone.
I Love how y'all couldn't stop pausing at the beginning then just got absolutely CAPTIVATED by the magic that is Voiceplay and almost made it through the whole thing until the violin solo :D
Voice play has a huge number of songs. Geoff Castellucci sing his deep bass as well as all the way up to tenor. All the men are extremely talented.
Voiceplay is very talented. They do mostly covers and medleys of various genres. Currently, they have the four mentioned singers with a special feature to best fit the song they're performing. They just came out with a Michael Jackson cover with DJ Young as the feature. DJ's vocals and mannerisms are very similar to MJ. You'll enjoy most of their covers. Also, Geoff Castellucci has his own channel since the pandemic shut down their touring events. He performs some great low bass covers. But, because it's only him, he uses some instruments (many he plays himself) showing off his 5-octave range. Wonderful music.
Fantastic reaction guys! Welcome to the world of VoicePlay! Oh, and you've barely scratched the surface of the range of the bass, Geoff Castellucci! I would suggest checking out VP's cover of "Valhalla Calling" to see how low he can go. AND he also has a solo channel, and his range will BLOW. YOUR. MINDS. _All_ male voices you hear singing are him.
Oh, and it's funny you made that "NO DOGS ALLOWED!" reference from "Snoopy Come Home." One of Geoff's biggest influences in his singing style is Thurl Ravenscroft, and he's the one who sang that line! (I don't know if he voiced the "Or birds!") Thurl also did the song in the animated Grinch show, and was the voice of Tony The Tiger, among lots more, including some songs Geoff does low bass covers of!💙
P.S. Sorry about the political line from earlier, I tried just to copy the blue heart from it, as I can be lazy.😅
I really enjoyed your reaction to Voice Play- thanks! I am now a new subscriber looking forward to more reactions to Voice Play and Geoff Castellucci (deep bass singer) solo channel.
Welcome to the VoicePlay rabbit hole!
You'll love Dream On and Seven Nation Army...
Great reaction. More VoicePlay please!! ❤
This was a fun reaction, and I'm glad you gave VoicePlay's cover of Nothing Else Matters a chance on your channel! Looked like you had a good time!
It's always fun to see people's first reaction to VoicePlay, and especially when those people are musically knowledgeable and can really appreciate some of the things VoicePlay does in their videos. They are one of the top tier a cappella groups operating these days, and since they are one of the older groups performing, they've got quite a bit of experience in the field, even though some of their members are quite young.
VoicePlay started out right from high school in the mid-to-late 90s, so they've been around longer than either Home Free or Pentatonix, the other two biggest names in a cappella currently. Geoff Castellucci (the amazing bass) and Layne Stein (the vocal percussionist/beatboxer/violin player) are the only original members still with the group - when you've been around as long as they have, some personnel changes are bound to happen. Because of those changes, while VoicePlay is nominally a 5-man group, in recent years they've been down to 4 permanent members (as their bio mentioned), with the 5th person being a featured artist. In this case, J. None is a former member of the group, who was recruited by the US Navy(!) to sing in their choir, and is about midway through a 5-year enlistment - he comes back to sing when he can get leave. But VP hasn't limited their featured artist to only men - they have a number of female artists who also perform with them regularly. Their most recent video (Total Eclipse of the Heart) features Ashley Diane, who has appeared with them in several videos and numerous shorts/minis.
I hope you'll continue to see what VoicePlay (and Geoff Castellucci, who has his own solo channel) have to offer, and I'll be here if you do!
check their cover of Aerosmith's Dream On
Yes, here for the Voiceplay!
I'm always stunned by acapella groups. There are so many great groups. Pentatonix, Voice Play, and Home Free being the best known.
You HAVE to listen to some of Geoff's solo work. His version of 16 Tons, the old song originally done by Tennessee Ernie Ford back in the 1950s, is breathtaking.
This is such a great introduction to the most delightful independent acapella group in the business.
They arrange every cover with such respect for the original yet manage to bring something different to make it their own. And they do almost everything themselves.
Amazing is the best term for VoicePlay. You'll like Dream On and of course Valhalla Calling is not to be missed. Actually, everything they put forth is high caliber.
I love Voiceplay too.
Subbing in the hope of more Voiceplay/Geoff solo reviews.....
Please RUN down this rabbit hole. These guys are amazing and varied.
I love all three of the top a Cappella groups, so I love seeing reactors find them for the first time. Enjoy this new journey!
Welcome to VoicePlay! I really appreciate the musical knowledge y'all bring to the table on a reaction like this, and I hope y'all will check out some more VP. 😁
Gosh I love VP and am glad you enjoyed them too. New subscriber here, looking forward to checking out more of your videos ❤.
Oh, you guys have entered the ear candy zone. Toss in some Pentatonix, Home Free, and Voctave.
I just subbed as well. I am hoping for more a cappella reactions. Voiceplay is one of my favorite groups, but there are quite a few very good groups out there these days.
I am impressed by your fun and professional style.
Voiceplay has so many great tracks that I actually forgot about this one. Thanks for the reminder and the amazing reaction.
I finally know what this song is about. Thank you for playing for this. Very profound lyrics. WOW
Modern a capella is a huge rabbit hole that ain't your daddy's barber shop quartet. The trinity is VoicePlay, Pentatonix, and Home Free. You react to them and their fans will come running.
VoicePlay is my family's favorite group, and Geoff Castellucci is our favorite solo singer.
Superior musicianship across the board!!
VP is amazing! I had not seen you guys before - but I watch many reactions to VP - and if you guys continue - you will gain a lot of us! VP has soo many great songs! They change featured artist often. Eli (tenor - rhymes with Jelly) has a rock-god voice! J None has some rap in Valhalla Calling. Cesar has some Spanish lines in Total Eclipse of the Heart. Layne is Beat box master that only twice had broken out the vio-Layne - and is amazing! When he sings solo, the angels cry! You will like the cover of Creep and Seven Nation Army. If you like the bass - Geoff Castalucci has some of his own stuff where he sings with himself and has done Monster Mash and Ghost Riders in The Sky - among others. Lots of stuff here - and we love new reactors going down this rabbit hole!!
Reactors usually come across VoicePlay via Pentatonix and or Home Free.
I would love to watch you going down the A Cappella rabbit hole 😊
Subscribed for more Voiceplay! Great reaction guys.
You guys should check out VoicePlay's 'Whiskey in the Jar', another Metallica great!
Yep! That's VP ... and oh my what a rabbit-hole it is! VP... they've really stepped-up their game in the last so many years, and damn it's good. --- And I'm Country btw! : ) Be Safe
Lets goooooo >:))) happy you took my request. Thank you!
#VOICEPLAY #HOMEFREE #THEBASSGANG YES THEY'RE STILL TOGETHER
Subscription because I love watching folks fall in love with VP, and they have a great back catalog! ❤️🎶
Love these guys!
Now it's time to jump down the Home Free rabbit hole. Tim Foust is a 5-octave range Bass. Jeff, Avi, and Tim are all friends. Home free covers all types of music. From country to Motown to Sea shantys plus their origionals.
Layne Stein (percussion, baritone) did play violin there, but they don’t usually pull out instruments. Kevin Olusola was known for beatboxing while playing cello before he joined Pentatonix, so that’s an interesting common thread between the two groups.
They take something that is all instruments - classical music - and make it totally vocal and make it so fun with firstly In The Hall Of The Mountain King and then Classical Chaos. Their Halloween videos are great. Then they have serious songs like Aerosmith's Dream On, White Stripes' Seven Nation Army.
Then another rabbit hole, the bass singer, Geoff Castellucci, has a solo channel where he has layered his voice for crazy harmonies as he sings songs like S&G's Sound Of Silence, and "dusty old" songs like Big Iron, 16 Tons.
You only appeared on my channel because of this reaction. VP supporters are loyal and friendly and love watching reactions.
Subscribed! I _love_ VoicePlay, and I had the best time watching this. Would love to see more, and specially recommend either their Seven Nation Army or Dream On.
Can't wait to see more VoicePlay!! They have so many genres to chose from. Hope you check out Sleeping in the Cold Below, Whiskey in the Jar, Hoist The Colors, Warriors (for the first Violayne song), Just Sing (captions on are a must!) and Seven Nation Army. Oh, and Creep and In the Air Tonight... and so many more. Thanks for the reaction!
This is a great one to start with! Here's hoping that you guys find time to check out more of their stuff!
Wow! Nice to see that you guys are discoverig this only now. The way you did this made me subscribe (the algorythm knows that I will at this point in time listen to all reviews of voiceplays version of this). Looking forward to what else you shell do - and reserve recommendations to a time when i know more of your stuff.
I love seeing people reacting to VoicePlay for the first time! Great reaction, guys! ❤
If you wanna see a more theatrical piece from them, check out their Viking epic called "Valhalla Calling." They also did a killer version of "Hoist the Colours" if you prefer a pirate vibe. Both are amazing!
Another Voiceplay cover you’d enjoy is “Black Hole Sun” ala cyberpunk