Folsom Prison Blues (Geoff Castellucci) | Vocal Coach Reacts

Low notes, high notes, everything in the middle, this guy (Geoff Castellucci) can do it all. In this video we break down his cover of Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash. Get your bass boosted headphones, sit down, relax, and enjoy this reaction!
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• FOLSOM PRISON BLUES - ...
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[@nickhiggsthesinger]

Check out my other Geoff reaction video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eamZipt3r7J4oKs

[@sianne79]

When you mentioned standing in the middle of all that bass-y section, it reminded me of some vocal shenanigans . I was in a small ensemble during college, and singing mezzo at the time. I could usually sub in for tenor if needed, and if the lower end didn't go any further than a G or F 3. There were only 8 of us. And then some nightmarish medical stuff started up, sending my range down...To make a long story short, I lost a whole octave on top and picked up a whole new one on the bottom when I went tumbling down the stairs and landed in the basement wondering what the hell just happened - and I'm a solid baritone now (I guess that technically I landed in contralto-land but I'm inclined to think that anything under C3 is not a contralto note and 2.) half of the people have no idea what contralto is. but anyway i ended up on the men's half of the room smushed between the other baritone and the low bass - TRUST ME WHEN I SAY YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE LIKE THAT. Low bass dude was deaf in his left ear, so he sang out the right side of his mouth, meaning that his 300 ft tall tsunami soundwaves were being directed straight at the side of my head, hitting me first. The other baritone wasn't all that helpful either. Sledgehammer of SOUND right to the skull and I would stagger back from rehearsals dazed, disoriented, and temporarily deaf, trying to think of new and inventive ways to murder them both. SOUND. AAAAAAA WHYYYYYY. Felt like being assaulted with a goddamn jackhammer.

[@DravenGal]

Did you notice that the book glasses Geoff is wearing is a Johnny Cash biography?

[@yori5514]

His cover of "I see fire" is what you're looking for. One of his best ones showcasing his whole vocal range

[@MtheHell]

Absolutely! You literally took the words out of my mouth. 👍 It's my favorite song, when it comes to "Geoff's vocal range".

[@FrenZy2k]

Hmm... And "Sound of Silence"

[@DougRayPhillips]

And "Till Then"

[@user-kx3qz7bl8z]

And Wicked Game

[@timradde4328]

I agree.

[@jenniferwalker5980]

It was funny when you said "He sings high, low plays the harmonica, probably cooks." He does cook, he likes to. He also plays the piano very well. So talented, he could have left some talent for others.

[@carinarodebak9419]

Geoff just said in his latest interview, with Tara Simons Studio, that his ambition is to start s YT cooking channel. He IS the main cooker at home, who bakes his own bread etc. Bandmember Layne Stein, baritone/vocal percussion in VoicePlay is also a good cook. These guys are talented all around.

[@varunk.t8235]

Geoff Castellucci's Black bird cover has some good high notes, and it's one of my favorites from Geoff

[@iamsquatty]

Geoff is a freak of nature in the best way possible😂 and he IS the perfect man, according to voiceplays video "golden hour" 😂😂💜

[@Aurora-cv5to]

If you're curious... the first 3 Geoff's got their name/personality in Way Down - then he added Daryl (push-ups/bad boy Geoff) in Riders on the Storm. In this one, if you generally know their names, you can figure it out by the number on their shirts and a phone keypad. The different Geoff names (pre-Daryl) are common misspellings of his name.

[@hollyryalsgrubb1273]

His arrangement of Ain't No Sunhine is delicately done and so sensitive to interpreting the original.

[@batrn7236]

This video was actually filmed in a decommissioned prison in Florida that he rented. His film crew was just him and his wife, Kathy.

[@nickhiggsthesinger]

Yes - I meant studio recording as in audio 🙂

[@Froggyh63]

" I See Fire" and " Shenandoah" show his range remarkably well. Certainly worth checking out!

[@Denalicat]

So does his (and VP's) new drops.

[@Aarlecchino]

Geoff is apparently an *excellent* cook and loves housework 🤣

[@janetdw]

He learned to play the harmonica when he worked at Universal Studios. They were doing The Blues Brothers and he had to learn to play the harmonica for that show although he only got to play Elwood a few times but even the understudies have to be ready to go on. He and his wife worked at Universal for quite some time. They were Frankenstein and his Bride in the Beetlejuice’s Rock’n’Roll Graveyard Review for over 10 years. Halloween is his favorite holiday. It is also the favorite holiday of VoicePlay which is his cappella group. They just released their Halloween offering for the year which is a cover of Hellfire from the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Today he released his cover of Jack’s Lament from Tim Burton‘s nightmare before Christmas. He gets pretty high in that one. VoicePlay has done four songs from that movie previously and I believe there’s only one or two left. To hear his highest note so far, try watching his mini of Peaches. He gets to channel his inner tenor in that one. He has a five octave range although he obviously does not use all of that at any one time. He has gotten all the way down to an A0 in the cover of Enemy and has hit a B0 a few times in both their cover of the HALO theme song and Valhalla Calling. Since it is the spooky season, you might check out VoicePlay’s cover of Oogie Boogie where he gets pretty high and recorded their first occasion of using a subharmonic in one of their videos. And he slides down to an E1 in that.

[@saddlebag]

His cover of the song “High and Dry” is predominantly in his higher range if you’re interested in checking out that.

[@nickhiggsthesinger]

Oooh thanks! I will definitely check that out. I have a lot of his content on my list, but it takes a bit of time to get it done. More on the way!

[@saddlebag]

@@nickhiggsthesingerYou’re welcome!

[@christinestromberg4057]

Yes he does all those things, plus he plays all the music, does the arranging, filming, editing, and just about everything else except the final mix. :) And he's a beautiful human being. He learned to play the harmonica when playing one of the Blues Brothers in a production. Oh and yes, he does all the cooking at home. A couple of suggestions that are a bit different, Shenandoah, and Till Then. You'll see what I mean. Another artist you may not know yet is Sam Ryder. His Tiny Riot gives an idea of who he is.

[@nickhiggsthesinger]

Thank you so much!

[@Traci2000]

I agree with the suggestions for "I See Fire." It shows off his range really well. Plus it's just beautifully done. Also, don't miss his new one, "Jack's Lament." It's freaking amazing. Like, seriously amazing. ❤

[@Broomrider1492]

Geoff and his clones. L to R Jeff, Geoff, Daryl, and Jeoph. The numbers on the shirts are from the telephone and spell their names. Geoff also plays guitar and piano. He in fact also cooks. He rented a whole prison cell block for this video. He tells you this at the end of this video that you missed. He and his wife Kathy did this on their own. Geoff just released his new Halloween video. Jack's Lament from The Nightmare Before Christmas. In VoicePlays' cover of Valhalla Calling Geoff hits B0.

[@eclipsedgaze]

Goff Also shows up from time to time, (he & Daryl switch off OR both participate). And yes, they all have different personalities, which we as fans obviously love and appreciate. If you want to see Goff check out his "Way on Down" cover. To see all 5 together, check out his cover of "Ghost Riders" (also a great Halloween selection 🎃).

[@nightthornkvala94132]

@@eclipsedgaze I love his video for Ghost Riders in the Sky!

[@candilunsford2878]

His latest release of Jack's Lament from The Nightmare Before Christmas showcases his talent even better. He gives a Broadway quality performance. He is the absolute King of Halloween. He can sing from B0 (Vahalla Calling) to the 5th register--Ab I believe. And he actually does cook well. LOL

[@ghitarjones5576]

Agreed, I was just about to make this comment

[@anitawright7169]

Geoff is awesome! I am surprised you have not done a reaction to another acapella group called Home Free. They do this song as well as so many others. They have originals. Their bass (Tim Foust) is very good friends with Geoff. They have collaborated a few times. Love your reaction!

[@ronsbrat525]

This was actually filmed at the Indian River Correctional Institute in Vero Beach Florida. The owners plan to eventually turn it into an algae farm. Until then they rent it out. The AC was off so it was 90° inside. And being in Florida it was 80° outside. They had to take frequent car ac breaks to cool off. Always watch to the very end with Geoff and Voiceplay. Especially Geoff. The numbers on his shirts match the numbers on a phone keypad and spell each of their names.... Jeff, Geoff, Daryl and Jeoph. Goff was probably the one clapping in the balcony. The other two are new. Geoff learned how to play the harmonica in 2014 when he played Elwood Blues from the Blues Brothers movie a few times at Universal Studios Orlando. At the same time he was Frankenstein in the Beetlejuice Graveyard Review at Universal for 10 years. His wife Kathy (then GF) was Bride of Frankenstein. They married in 2007 and had their son in 2017. Most of his school years he was in choir. In middle school he was tenor. In high school he could sing tenor until puberty hit and his voice lowered to baritone. Has been lowering and deepening ever since. Halo Theme video (Voiceplay ) was the first time he did B0. Has done it may times since thanks to their beatboxer, Layne. Layne arranged Valhalla Calling. He had Geoff at B0 90% of the time with a couple lasting 15 seconds. That's one of the ways you can tell a Geoff arrangement from a Layne arrangement. Mostly all lows = Layne. Mixed = Geoff. All of their Halloween videos are done by Layne. I recommend In The Hall of The Mountain King. And by Pattycake Productions I recommend Villains Haunted Mansion and Bump In The Night. Both Layne and former member, Tony arrangements and originals. Along with many others they did. Another of my favorites from them is the Villains Lair series. At present they're at season 2 episode 4 That's All. Layne and Tony are working on episode 5. If you love Disney their channel is the one to go to.

[@lorriredmon8212]

He's got a impossible range! All his shirts are different, and the numbers are too! Did you see that VoicePlay just dropped a cover of Hellfire? Geoff what just showing off. They all were. It's gobsmacking! Thanks for this.

[@nickhiggsthesinger]

He’s amazing! Stay tuned for more Geoff and more reactions 🙂

[@marctompkins3001]

Geoff harmonizes with his brothers perfectly!

[@umarae27]

Congrats on your well deserved 100,000!! Fantastic review of this incredible artist! " is he perfect? Yeah "

[@nickhiggsthesinger]

Thank you very much!

[@DavideBaroni]

I'd suggest "I see fire", from "The Hobbit - The desolation of Smaug". He sings in all octaves of his range (well... Almost 😁), with more prevalence in the high register than usual. And it's freaking good. It's the "sequel" of "Far over the Misty Mountains cold", which is about a couple years old. Nice reaction and breakdown. 🙂 A couple Easter Eggs in this video: - the Geoff on the left, he's reading Johnny Cash's autobiography. - the numbers on the shirts are all different, and, if you check them on a phone keyboard, they spell the names of the "clones" (yes, they have names), Jeff, Geoff, Jeoph and Daryl. Just subscribed in anticipation of more a cappella stuff (BTW, check "The Bass Gang", they're incredibly talented as well, although they live at the 4 corners of the world and never met in person 'til last August, when three of them met in Czech Republic. The 4th, who lives in Egypt, saw his visa cancelled at the last moment and couldn't join the rest of the group. But they are releasing a 4-part series of videos, "May the bass be with you"... First has been "Arabian Nights", then "Be prepared", they are connected somehow. 🙂🙂) See you next time!

[@BarronessM]

According to the descriptions of Ghost Riders in the Sky, the clones are Goff, Jeoph, Jeff, and Daryl. Which, with the exception of Daryl, are mispronunciation/mispellings of Geoff by assorted reactors lol.

[@DavideBaroni]

@@BarronessM You're right, but I was referring to the four Geoffs in this particular video 🙂. And I was mistaken in the order, they are, left to right, Jeff, Geoff, Daryl, and Jeoph. Goff was probably on holidays, or maybe he's one of the three at the upper level at the end of the video 😁.

[@user-xx5io7rk5d]

Everything! Listen to his everything. I currently have his latest, Jack's Lament, on repeat. He's all over the scale on that one. The set and acting is superb as well. So good!

[@bjspeck4337]

Try Geoff's solo from a month or two I See Fire (The Hobbit 2 the Desolation of Smaug), and today's is Jack's Lament. VoicePlay dropped Hellfire yesterday. What an embarassment of riches. His range in Hellfire is incredible.

[@nickhiggsthesinger]

Wow ok I will check it out - thank you!

[@HannaGhost]

God rest ye merry gentlemen by Geoff Castellucci. It's amazing.

[@reflexxuns767]

I subbed because you reacted to Geoff. What songs of his should you listen to? I would say......., yes. All of them. And listen to his group, Voiceplay! Awesome, all the way around! Thank you for your reaction.

[@Ctlife1986]

Blackbird is one of my favorites of Geoff. It absolutely amazing

[@CookWithIsaac]

With how you really pay attention to details, I would highly recommend either Creep or Valhalla Calling from Voiceplay. They are both masterfully made!

[@nickhiggsthesinger]

I will add them to the list, thank you so much!

[@hollyryalsgrubb1273]

And I particularly love their version of I Can't Make You Love Me.

[@nightthornkvala94132]

Their Valhalla Calling got 10 out of 10 raised ale horns from the writer and original performer Miracle of Sound (who has 3 different versions of the song; solo, duet, & trio. Plus his duet partner has a solo version himself. I have all five on my play list.

[@rmdewberry2482]

Can't get enough Geoff! He really did right by this iconic song.

[@nickhiggsthesinger]

You’re so right!!

[@lonejensen5798]

Best reaction to Folsom Prison Blues with Geoff ever 🙂

[@Cordelia53]

This was sooo good. I loved all the easter eggs in it as well. The numbers on their shirts are not random. If you look at the numbers on the phone the spell out the Geoff clones name. Also, near the end there are 3 more Geoffs on the second floor. The book Jeff is reading is Johnny Cash's autobiography. Just so much to see. Great reaction!!

[@tobyhenderson4637]

Look at The Bass Gang - May The Bass Be With You Volume 3. Its incredible!!!!

[@oxoelfoxo]

good cook, really nice guy, perfect, lol i can't separate this song from Johnny Cash Geoff fans out in force in the comments!

[@hwyla4416]

Thanks for the little info on singing higher! I appreciate you working it in. My voice seems to be getting lower as I age (65 now), but all my life I've sung soprano and so all the songs I know are in that 'part'. Suddenly having to leave that behind for alto is difficult especially if it's not something I'm putting practice into. I'd love to get back to comfortable feeling high notes. Will give it a try. And FYI - this actually was not filmed in a studio. He is on location for this. It's an actual decommissioned prison. Now, the sound we hear was recorded elsewhere (his studio), but he did also still sing here. It's just not the sound we hear. And you're right, it probably would have been a bit echo-y.

[@aenorist2431]

I see fire. By far his best solo work. Your face when the second dwarf from the left starts singing .... its gonna be good. Or maybe bad. I sure contemplated hanging up my singing hat, as he clearly has solved the activity.

[@DravenGal]

I want to see you react to ALL of Geoff's videos. I'd also like to have you listen to some of his narrations. Being the season for spooky, you could start with some of his Poe. Creepy stuff!

[@CarinRuff]

I always find myself wanting more high Geoff. /heresy

[@jinsei3468]

Apparently he is a really good cook.....he just did an interview where he talked about how much he enjoys cooking lol....

[@nickhiggsthesinger]

That’s amazing 😂

[@HahnJames]

Congrats on reaching 100k ...well, now 106k+ subscribers!

[@par500dragon7]

If you check out Vahalla Calling, you'll hear him hit a B0.

[@nickhiggsthesinger]

Insane!!! I’ll check it out, thanks

[@eclipsedgaze]

He also hits a B0 in the Halo cover (which also features an OG member of the group coming back to do a feature).

[@DougRayPhillips]

Geoff has some "How to sing really low" commentary vids on his channel. In the first one, he says he uses a combination of three techniques. One of which he learned from Tim Foust of Home Free.

[@nightthornkvala94132]

Ahhhhh. That explains a lot. I've seen Austin Brown doing that lip drill in one of their BTW videos. Thank you.

[@SimiusAtheus]

Nick, In a recent interview with another reactor, Jeff mentioned that he enjoys cooking and is, evidently, really good at it. So, there ya go...

[@bkm83442]

Even in this video, Geoff uses only part of his vocal range. His video "I See Fire" is a good example of nearly his full range.

[@adambryant2876]

His cover of House of the Rising Sun is amazing!

[@marctompkins3001]

Folsom County Blues? Never heard of it!

[@AngieCurl]

There are 2 new Geoff songs… Released today and yesterday… check out Voiceplay’s and Geoff’s channels. 😊

[@trishaurvan9439]

Shenandoah please! Its so beautiful and one of my favorites. Please and thank you

[@lightfootlee8682]

jacks lament, ain't no sunshine, and Blackbird if you're looking for a good example of his High range Blackbird is a really good one. the other ones I mentioned are just awesome. :)

[@mikewilson8145]

I may be late but for covers to listen/react to here is 3 songs. Geoff Sound of silence, Voiceplay Nothing Else Matters, HomeFree Man of Constant Sorrow.

[@reallollabunny]

he IS a good cook. in fact, cooking is his favourite hobby :D

[@aussiebloke609]

Funny how you mention Geoff's "probably a good cook" - he recently did a short of himself and Layne doing an ersatz cooking competition. Evidently, he _is_ a good cook. 😁😁😁

[@tevvya]

Have you noticed how the glasses in the shirt on the far-left Geoff appear and disappear. I wonder how many have noticed that.

[@Amprae]

Yes he can cook, he has some shorts on his channel of him cooking with his kids

[@AndieO]

I See Fire blew me away. Think you'd like it. ❤❤

[@chlistens7742]

i think Shenandoah is a good Geoff higher range song. a hint in his titles if it says LOW BASS singer .. it will have super lows in it.. if it says Bass singer it has less low bass in it

[@mercedesgilbert1570]

Geoff Castellucci Ain't No Sunshine Cover also do Home Free Man of Constant Sorrow

[@cslapler007]

Haha the funny thing is he actually is a really good cook, loves to cook 😅

[@tinaferguson4965]

Try his rendition of Blackbird.

[@AwakeLazarus]

You'd enjoy voiceplay's cover of Encanto. There's a special surprise in the video.

[@tinxonfski]

Please react to Voces8 - Ne irascaris domine / Civitas sancti tui!

[@jackchisnall9316]

Try The Sound of silence or Blackbird.

[@angiesnellgrose5919]

High and dry!!!!!

[@mariamoore9813]

if you havent already listen to geoff sing high and dry

[@loganbloom6191]

You should listen to the SpongeBob characters AI cover of silver stallion

[@lasuz2268]

Just in case you didn’t listen to his comments at the very end of this video he comments on how much it costs to rent a prison for a shoot….

[@caroline6544]

Hm..first, of course, I like Geoff. Got to know him through Voiceplay and found his first solo covers very impressive. But now after some time, I noticed that his newer ones feel a bit boring and always the same for me. That's the reason why I haven't listened to his music for a long time, sadly. I can understand that he wants to show off his talent and his range. And for people who are just getting to know him, that's impressive, but it is certain that in every song he includes three to four very low notes and one section where he sings higher to showcase that as well. I have the feeling that a lot of his character and creativity is lost because of this, and I hope that at some point he will manage to shake off the image of the "deep bass of an acapella band" and create solo music separate from this role. (like Tim Foust or Avi Kaplan) That's for example why I appreciate PTX so much. In the beginning, they also showcased Avi's low notes or Mitch's high notes as "Jokers" in their arrangements to gain attention...but today this isn't the case anymore. They focus more on creative and unique arrangements and group dynamics. Because they don't have to "show off" anymore if you know what I mean... It's not that it's not okay to display a singer's talent, but if it happens too often, it can seem a bit needy. This may be an evolution that many junger acapella groups are going through, and that this is developing with a more solid fan base and experience. (And this is of course only my opinion, and regardless of this, I am a big Homefree and Voiceplay fan :) Hope this comment doesn't sound too negative

[@veronicathunander4579]

I’ve been a VoicePlay and Geoff fan for 4 years and I’m not the least bored by neither the high nor the low notes. I love their arrangements! I, on the other hand, find Home Free less interesting and Pentatonix most often even boring, even though I definitely recognise their talent and know that some prefer them, some like all three equally much. So I don’t think it’s about showing off, I think it’s totally subjective, we just have different taste in music. And VoicePlay is not a young group, they started in 1997…