AIN'T NO SUNSHINE (Bill Withers bass cover) - GEOFF CASTELLUCCI *reaction/analysis*

[@SirHairless]

In case you missed it, here's my first ever reaction to Geoff's solo work kzbin.info/www/bejne/f326m35omtlkrc0

[@DravenGal]

It seems forever ago, yet a moment ago, doesn't it?😅 You know, you get this adorable little smile when Geoff goes high. It's so cute! I do the same thing, I think. I'll say it again-I think Geoff inspires more positive facial expressions than anybody else!😊

[@polshepherd]

what about reaction to :Spiritbox - Circle With Me ft. Tatiana Shmayluk of Jinjer - Live from Louder Than Life 2024

[@ilonadever8249]

This is when I realized that Geoff is not only a brilliant musician, but a wonderful actor as well. The heartbreak is so evident, makes us feel it, too. When Geoff turned 40, he started referring to himself as old and boring. The record player/gramophone turned up in at least half a dozen of his videos and is now part of the logo he puts at the end of each song. He said recently that it will show up again; I keep watching for it. I think the first time was in House of the Rising Sun. Great reaction!

[@janegreene2838]

Geoff's cover gives me a sadder feeling than the original. He really shows his dispair as if coming home, he finds "her" gone with all evidence of her presence.

[@brendaguerin5423]

I don't care for this I prefer the origional not so much vocal decoration

[@anjelikashaximardanova]

Превосходно! Geoff много не бывает! От просмотренного видео и Вашей работы, ощущение как от хорошей книги в дорогом переплёте! Большое спасибо, смотреть просто удовольствие! Браво Geoff, браво Sir Hairless! 👏👏👏

[@MarieDesJardin]

Thank you for adding your endorsement to Peter Barber's, that Geoff is a natural bass. I sometimes think he still imagines himself back at school, struggling to hit a C2. Always love your commentary and analysis. Happy 2025!

[@loveloochay]

Hello Sir ... 🔥🎼🔥 , yeppppp , total fire by Geoff. He didn't go all low , all the time which he could have. He optimized his complete vocal range to make this sweet as 🍯 Thanks for bringing us more Geoff Castalucci! 🧑‍🦲🌿🧑‍🦲🌿🧑‍🦲🌿

[@hwyla4416]

That ‘unsettling’ tone you mentioned is part of what I feel is so good in this cover. It really amps up the emotion of the song. And reminds me of someone ‘thrown for a loop’ - someone ‘lost’ due to what has happened. Which I feel is so appropriate to what Geoff seems to be conveying.

[@hwyla4416]

Also really love the way he is all over the place - high then low in unusual ways - kind of like a mind that is frenetic in thinking. Going from thought to thought quickly - fits the storyline.

[@bjspeck4337]

My husband and I saw Bill Withers do this as the lead-in for Blood Sweat and Tears at UF's stadium. It was glorious. I love Geoff's version and just don't tire of it. Thanks for your reaction and analysis.

[@gigi3242]

He sounds and looks tormented and miserable; perfect. Thanks for the analysis. Have a lovely week.

[@ronsbrat525]

This is the video that introduced me to Geoff 1½ years ago (2 in April). Immediately joined his Patreon. First Patreon I ever joined. 2 weeks later found out he was bass for Voiceplay. Watched their Dragonborn Comes video and immediately joined their Patreon. I am as huge a fan of them as I was back then. Maybe even more.

[@owl80]

Loved the video! I highly recommend Geoff's cover of Sixteen Tons as well, one of my favorites!

[@karenm5681]

This. Yes.

[@dorothyrosenberg1301]

Thank you for this analysis of one of my favorite Geoff solo videos. I love his range and vocal agility moving seamlessly between registers. When he spirals through several octaves in a phrase, I melt. His juxtaposition of higher Geoff with lower Geoff is another of my favorite Geoff techniques. Let’s just admit that his unique vocals are combined with incredible rhythm and arrangement skills (not that I’m biased).

[@oberladyElise]

@@dorothyrosenberg1301 no need to apologize for that! He is remarkably gifted and of course one never achieves this level of success without passion for what they do and hard work.

[@smallmoments957]

This is a great song and I really enjoyed Geoff's version, along with the visuals. Excellent r/a, thank you! Now I have to go rewatch your video of I See Fire.

[@asemlagnestal]

Thanks for another breakdown of solo Geoff! This is one of my all time favorites by him. You did a good job as always. 😊👍

[@Sarah83_loves_bass]

I love every part of Geoff's range, but when he shows nearly all of it in one song and there is humming... I'm sold 😂🙈 This cover was my favourite for a long time, but as he seems to get better and better, it's difficult to have a favourite 🫣 Thank you for your reaction and analysis, it always makes me appreciate the music even more 🫶🏻 Can't remember if you did "Song of Durin" by Geoff, it's beautiful and is a real vocal -coaster ❤ And yes, Geoff said multiple time that he considers himself a "baritone with a bass range" 🫣🙈 And then I hear him talk and think: "Yeah Geoff, for sure, if you are not a bass, than no one is" 😉🤫

[@SirHairless]

Stay tuned for Song of Durin That may or may not be my next Geoff reaction

[@Sarah83_loves_bass]

@SirHairless awwww... that would be amazing 🤩 I'm always really excited for your VoicePlay and Geoff reactions, but now even more so 👏🏻

[@vdoyne]

@@SirHairless Wonderful...one of my favorites! Kathy did a lot planning for that one. In the video description, she is listed with Geoff under Creative Direction, as well as the normal Production Manager credit. She paid a lot of attention to detail.

[@nancymunroe3672]

One of my favorite songs EVER!! I got to see Bill Withers perform it live in Denver, Colorado back in the early 70s. Geoff did a beautiful job!!! ❤

[@SirHairless]

Amazing! I bet that was a show you'll never forget

[@lkayh]

Another terrific reaction. I actually met Bill Withers-didn’t know who he was at the time, which amused him. He was very kind to me. A few weeks later I saw him on TV performing “Lean On Me” and realized I knew and loved his music- it was a head-smack moment. LOL. Anyway, I think this is a great tribute. Your analyses are always so good! And yes-all you have to do is hear Geoff talk. Despite his beautiful timbre in the baritone (and tenor) range, the man is a natural bass.

[@Maria...-mo5qm]

Gorgeous performance followed by a classy analysis, thank you! I totally agree with the parallels you drew between the general ‘tribal’ vibe we get from Geoff’s opening in this arrangement and Avi’s ‘Change on the rise’ :)

[@ChristineCornish-l9z]

Always love your expert reactions. This is one of if not my favourite Geoff covers. His arrangement just effects me deep inside - just so emotional. Thanks so much

[@Shahar3798]

Who says Geoff is not a natural bass?!? Blimey, the man is a walking subwoofer! But his high voice is so rich and textured, too. ❤ Love your Yellowstone jacket. I hope you were able to catch the series finale.

[@Gael4ce]

lol, Geoff says. He keeps insisting he’s a baritone with a good range. Peter Barber did an interview with him where they discussed it. The man’s single biggest flaw is that he’s entirely too humble.

[@SirHairless]

Apparently he did! Soz Geoff I'm disagreeing with you on this one 😅 Thanks! I've never watched that (guessing it's a TV show?)

[@Shahar3798]

@SirHairless Hahaha I assumed you were a fan based on your jacket. It was a good show. A little rough, but good.

[@pattithompson1455]

I love your channel! You keep introducing new artists to me. Thank you !

[@EtherealForever]

Love hearing higher register Geoff. Interesting that he chose to keep the bass limited for this one... has a different emotional impact. Thank you for this! ⚘️🕊 PS: the venture "into Geoff's mind" was great and possibly quite accurate!

[@ribica0903]

Today I'm the first, yupii. I love Geoff's deep voice, I get goosebumps every time. And what's better than one Geoff - 4 Geoffs.

[@SirHairless]

[@MelodieRose727]

This might be my favorite of his covers. I listen to it every day. ❤❤❤

[@vdoyne]

Thanks for another reaction/analysis to Geoff's solo channel work. You help me understand why I enjoy Geoff's arrangements so much. Talented man!

[@vdoyne]

Most of us agree about Geoff being a natural bass, but he claims to be "a baritone with access to lower notes." Peter Barber tried to convince him that baritones don't have generally access to those particular low notes in an online interview with Geoff on Peter's channel. Geoff seems unconvinced. Geoff also said in an interview that he doesn't think that anyone meeting him and hearing his speaking voice would guess that he sang bass...he got a chuckle and a "You don't think so?" from the interviewer. In subsequent analyses of Geoff's vocals when he does something ridiculously low, Peter will stop and repeat that he believes Geoff that is a true bass and says emphatically, "I will die on that hill." As long as Geoff keeps singing for us, he can call himself anything he wishes vocally! I know that Geoff has done rather long KZbin interviews with Peter, Elizabeth of The Charismatic Voice, and Tara Simon. Haven't seen any others to date and I seem to remember that all three are, or have been, amongst his patrons.

[@Broomrider1492]

Geoff and VoicePlay have no worries with copy rights. They want everyone to be able to watch/share and enjoy their videos.

[@SirHairless]

Thank you to Geoff and VoicePlay

[@coletedeux]

Bill Withers released this song the year I graduated high school - 1971

[@pamdehlin7088]

I never get tired of Geoff. He's such a creative man.

[@monairen86]

You're in for a ride; Sir Hairless. Hope you liked it. Oh, btw; Happy New Year. Looking forward to more of your insightful reactions!

[@SirHairless]

Happy New Year to you too!🎆

[@michellejones4911]

Great job friend!! I get to sing bass in our ladies barbershop group but usually don’t have many actual words! lol! Just a lot of “dum dum” and “doo doo” so I always cherish if I ever get to sing the melody line with real words!! 🤣 Thank you for your great insight into another cool song! Blessings from Louisiana!

[@JaneKibbey]

I like it. Much more raw expression in this version of what I consider a classic. 😊

[@shirleykarr560]

As with so many covers Geoff has done, solo and with VoicePlay, l get a better sense of the story the lyrics tell in his/their version than the original. Withers was great, or the song wouldn't be standing the test of time. But the original always struck me as too uptempo for the story in the lyrics. Geoff's interpretation makes me feel the anguish. Withers wrote it after watching Days of Wine and Roses, about two alcoholics who are bad influences on each other. (Hence the presence of two wine glasses.) This video marked a turning point where Geoff started acting more in his videos. Emoting! I think some of Cesar's sass and expressive nature is infectious. For the emotional 180 from this, watch Way Down, where Geoff covers Elvis and JD Sumner in the same song. Not exaggerating, i screamed in glee the first time I watched it. Way Down is also notable because it's when his clones got official names. (Goff, Jeoph, and Jeff.) Be sure to watch all the way until the Patreon list scrolls. 😊

[@scottbenda9931]

Great review. Enjoying your content

[@masafilipovic7629]

thank you Sir for the reaction and analysis! your every video teaches me something new ❤

[@JanisMCarney]

You always add depth to my enjoyment of Geoff's works. Thank you.

[@Aurora-cv5to]

Geoff commented that his positioning of this emotionally was "extreme hangover."

[@thisismetoday7423]

I love this cover and I often wonder what goes through Geoff’s mind when he arranges but also coming up with video concepts. On Patreon he shared a “previs”, a pre-visualization video he did for a VoicePlay cover. Basically shooting the video before hand at home to see what shots he needed and he used stuffed animals to play the guys. And he played the original demo he did so it was him singing the parts with midi instrumentation. It was really interesting!! In this arrangement and video I feel a rollercoaster of emotions like you would feel right after someone leaves you. Different feelings and moods, highs and lows sometimes hitting you all of a sudden out of nowhere. And when he’s sitting in the chair the sunshine is behind him so he can’t see it. I don’t know if that was purposeful but I would like to think it was.

[@EG-cm5th]

The stuffed animal thing sounds like it was fun to watch lol

[@SirHairless]

Very interesting! Everything sounds very calculated and well-thought-out

[@FLNatureGuy]

One of my favorites, for sure and now with your analysis, I love it even more. Well done.

[@oberladyElise]

I was surprised by this, I have listened to quite a few of his solo works, but missed this one. “Darker” perhaps for me perhaps more than the original, but I really enjoyed the arrangement, the video as well, it certainly contributed to the mood . Geoff’s solo work never disappoints. Your reaction/analysis is insightful and helpful as always!

[@Badger77722]

As always, appreciate the informed and informative R/!, Sir Hairless! Others may have mentioned this, but JIC: You mentioned how much you enjoyed Geoff's higher singing. Geoff has said that when he was in school, he REALLY wanted to sing tenor, like many of the popular bands of the time who would use a high (sometimes screaming) tenor voice as the lead. Sadly for Geoff (but good for us!), his voice really didn't develop in that way, but he always worked on his upper register to make it better - and still does today!

[@SirHairless]

Haha I can believe that because it was the same with me, and a singing teacher at the time my voice was breaking said I would be a tenor based on my voice at the time. Oh how wrong they were

[@judithboulden3456]

My go to sleep song every night. As well as High and Dry and 'Till Then. It sounds like he is singing about a woman, but it is apparently actually about alcohol or drugs. Perhaps addiction is addiction. I very much enjoyed your reaction to this song by Geoff. Thank you. ❤

[@cherylsmith3291]

❤ your analysis. Your research always amazes me!! Great job.

[@SirHairless]

Thank you!

[@DravenGal]

I think this is 100% how Geoff feels about Kathy! And you can't convince me otherwise.😅 I never cared much for this song (I didn't dislike it, just not really into it), but I like Geoff's version. I'm not sure that means much, though, I think listening Geoff's purring voice, I'd like just about any song, save one. There is one song I despise with every inch of my being, but since some people may like it, I won't knock it here. It just has some seriously creepy lyrics. What? You want a hint? Okay, if you've ever seen the horrible movie "Hollow Man" (sorry Kevin Bacon, it was a stinker), well the song lyrics could be describing that movie. I'm going to go listen to more Geoff now.😊

[@hollyryalsgrubb1273]

True; Geoff's arrangements are so engaging. Good point about part of his unique flavor. And I swear sometimes his arrangements are so good that when I hear the original, I think; wait - that's wrong..... he's subversive like that.

[@rdyer8764]

No apologies necessary. Those of us who were alive and enjoying the music of the early 70s deem the experience absolutely worthwhile! :)) The Carpenters, Three Dog Night, James Taylor, Nilsson, to name a few, and of course your favorite...The Beach Boys. This is my favorite of Geoff's solo works. It's all about contrasts. The word that most expresses the look of this video, and one you used often in your description, is rich, which contrasts the emptiness of her absence. His voice feels almost weary, like missing her is exhausting. The color palette of the set (just like your studio) being yellows, browns and amber reminds me of caramel - and her sweetness. And while the music is fuller than the original, the lyrics feel more lonely and bleak. Whoever she is, I am missing her very much.

[@rodneybrumbelow1702]

Love your reactions! I love the detail you give with your analysis, but also love your emotional reactions (facial expressions and verbal reactions) when you hear some of the crazy things these marvelous artists show just how talented they are. There are some reactions I have been looking forward to for quite a while. Pentatonix 90's Dance Medley and The Prayer, as well as Rob Lundquist and Austin Brown singing Nessun Dorma.

[@aussiebloke609]

17:59 Rather than "mushy", I tend to think of it more as "blurred", where the overall effect is still there, but it's hard to separate it's components cleanly.

[@karenponchak5304]

if you want a fun analysis of this, David K Reacts did one with Angie Woolard (Confessions of a Chord Junkie) that is one heck of a dive into both the arrangement and the video.

[@vdoyne]

While Sir Hairless is concerned about the length of his videos, David's are much, much longer! We enjoy the in depth analysis both of them provide. We're here for it all!

[@janetdw]

DK just covered PattyCake Productions original Into the Storm with Jessica Vosk who played Elphaba on Broadway. I learned so much. If you haven’t seen it, it is stunning and I’m not even a Wicked fan. I read the book and I just found it so damn depressing, but I might have to watch the movie after seeing what Layne and Tony did. Oh, and Kathy has a cameo as the 1939 Wicked Witch.

[@lasuz2268]

I think you would appreciate Geoff’s cover of Shenandoah…and I know the rest of us would love to hear your analyses! ❤ Thank you for all of your reactions.

[@dieweisealte-llumia7148]

There‘s no need to apologize for calling this song (and those who where already in this world when it came out) old. Old is nothing bad or negative it’s just old 😊 and I like being old - well if I didn’t I probably wouldn’t have called my Chanel „the wise old woman“ 😂

[@EG-cm5th]

Not a criticism, just an amused observation: I’m actually one of the few people who hadn’t heard this song until I heard Geoff’s cover, so it’s funny to me when everyone says that everyone knows this…I knew *of* it prior to hearing Geoff’s cover but I hadn’t ever listened to it. :P (still haven’t heard the original…should probably get on that at some point) Yes, I live under a rock when it comes to music 😆 my dad has some specific “must-hear” songs he’s shown me (stayin’ alive, some Elvis Presley songs, the carpenters, etc…) but he doesn’t usually branch out beyond stuff he’s already been playing my whole life so there’s a LOT of music that slipped through the cracks that I hear people say “everyone knows” :P My siblings have helped me fill in that gap a bit but I’m still pretty in the dark when it comes to a lot of “really well known” music

[@olabergvall3154]

I think now I must watch Days of wine and roses, which was the inspiration for this song originally. To see if I get it. Plus, Jack Lemmon was a great actor. Anyway, good video again, Sir ❤

[@SirHairless]

I'll need to watch it! Over the Christmas break I watched 'Some Like It Hot' twice

[@rdy3357]

With the comment, “If you have it, why not flaunt it “ Geoff singing Way Down should be on your list of songs to analyse soon. Please.

[@janete5874]

Sir hair less, you are a handsome man. I love to see your comments, your voice, handsome man!

[@R989D]

I love this version. I’m pretty sure this was my first foray into Geoff. Have you ever heard “The lighthouse family”’s cover of ain’t no sunshine (1999)? Different in the fact it very much has reggae r&b vibes.

[@SirHairless]

Never heard of them

[@betsyvondracek6039]

Pretty good !! 🤗 ❤️R/A🎼

[@totoro123]

My personal theory is the “she” refers to his wife’s hearing (loss). The use of distortion and the cuts into the sound reminded me of what it’s described as to lose some hearing and the melancholia of the whole tone and uncertainty of how long she will be able to hear….

[@janetdw]

I hadn’t thought about the hearing loss. I did think that it was a projection of how he would feel if Kathy ever left him for longer than to go to the store. But that’s a really interesting theory. Good pick up.

[@annlidslot8212]

Hi, Thank you for the insight. It doesn't feel like having songs with only three accords, is unusual. At least from the 60's forward. At least that's my impression, and I may be wrong. Mr. Castellucci is doing a lot with this, and get those three accords sound fantastic. With all these brilliant bassi profondi around I sort of wished that they could all step into Sarastro or any Wagner anyone care to name, as it's the rarest voices according to the statistics I've seen. Not that it's bad what they now, Quite the opposite really. Just hearing what his and other low voices could do with Sarastro, and in Boris Godunov, primo uomo or anyone else of the bassi in that piece. Yummy. But I realize that we have to keep up with the times, and even so I'll keep wishing, even though I haven't stepped foot in the Opera house since my last lesson there, 10 years ago, Immuno-compromised as I am. We just didn't know back then. Yours, Ann

[@bar9092]

I wonder if Geoff thinking he's not a natural bass is more a product of the age he started singing at and the sound he preferred and wished to emulate than it is of his natural range. He may have trained the midrange of his voice early on and found going lower a challenge by the time he wanted to try it. Or...he's absolutely correct. He's a baritone who's trained his voice extensively to go both higher and lower. He has mentioned talking in the range you want to sing in until you become comfortable in that range and then start singing in it.

[@SirHairless]

I hear you. While defining a voice part by range certainly helps (and is usually accurate), I believe it's more the timbre of the voice that gives someone their voice type. Geoff's timbre is that of a bass, even if he can sing far higher and even if he's more comfortable singing in that register Another great example is David Phelps, who can sing higher than most tenors in his chest voice - but I still think he's a natural baritone Just listen to Geoff speak, and I don't think anyone can dispute that he's a natural bass Very interesting what he said about speaking in the range you want to sing in though, definitely makes sense!

[@terib470]

I enjoy your reaction/analysis to music, question, do you enjoy music personally without the analysis or is it so ingrained you do it automatically?

[@SirHairless]

A bit of both! I can't help doing it naturally in the sense that my brain/body just naturally 'feels' things (like a nice inner part, or a chromatic bassline etc.) whenever I listen to music. Completely involuntarily But taking a real deep dive into the harmony, arrangement etc is the more hardcore side of analysis that I do in these videos 😅

[@huldradraco]

Geoff can't stand songs that are repetitive, be it in melody or lyrics, or even structure (he often adds bridges to songs that don't have one), he gets bored with them very quickly. Which is why he arranges them with so much variation when he covers repetitive songs. It brings out a lot of creativity in him, making a lot of us wonder what a true full original would be like!

[@janetdw]

In a few of the songs where he’s written bridges, the bridge is actually my favorite part. I would love for him to do some original compositions. He’s clearly got the talent for it, he just has to find the time.

[@huldradraco]

@@janetdw agreed, I still haven't come across any of his original bridges that aren't my favorite part of the song!

[@annek7262]

I love Geoff's cover of this song. Which I honestly think is hilarious, since I am not fond of the original. Bill Withers' voice is wonderful, but I dislike the song and the "story" of the song. The running joke for Geoff's version is that this is Geoff if Kathy goes grocery shopping. 🤣

[@amberfuchscia709]

💞💕💞💕

[@mariahaggmark9619]

💕🎵🎶💕

[@tricialong8251]

Did you know his wife lost her hearing? She is a singer too. He's posted a video about it.

[@SirHairless]

😔

[@EG-cm5th]

If you want to watch that video (inside or outside of reactions, doesn’t really matter), it’s pretty interesting! It’s a little bit sad, since it’s so personal to them, yet he still was able to approach it with humor and make it…I don’t necessarily want to say “fun,” maybe “engaging” would be a better word? Anyway, I was really glad to see that they were willing to talk about it and whatnot; being hard of hearing myself (since childhood, I’m not old lol), I always feel a connection with others who experience hearing loss, and it makes me glad to see people who are willing to talk about it, especially in a matter-of-fact manner.

[@Swan-yo6hn]

😊

[@JustMe-vk4fn]

What's his range, Sir Hairless? Seven Octaves?

[@SirHairless]

Haven't heard his falsetto before really! Which would make a big difference But unless he can sing in whistle tones, his range is probably around the 5 octave range (and again depending at what point we cut off the lower register as he keeps descending lower and lower 😅)

[@timgray3790]

A lot more great songs to go but the Beatles blackbird is amazing

[@SirHairless]

🐦🎶

[@ShirleyLane-i2w]

Good reaction. Are you sure your IQ isn’t a thousand?

[@SirHairless]

Oh yes, I'm extremely sure 😅 I'm just a regular guy giving his thoughts on the music