Metalhead reacts to GEOFF CASTELLUCCI - "16 Tons - Bass Singer Cover"

[@DravenGal]

All chest voice too. The guy is frickin’ unbelievable! And so incredibly hot! I try not to mention that, because I don’t want to sound shallow but this video topped my limits. Four Geoffs, in tank tops and jeans, and the singing, and the tools and the notes and...and...and...um, where was I? Errrr...Great reaction!

[@dianadonnell]

Oh yes.... drooling....

[@devinwhite5064]

Damn straight this guy is attractive, vocally and physically as well. The Tanktop and Jeans look will never not be good looking.

[@laundrygoddess4]

This was such a great rendition. Kept the integrity of the original but added some Geoff magic.

[@martinrodriguez3990]

exactly

[@alyssadaniels7841]

Per Geoff himself, there weren’t any subharmonics in this cover; he did the whole thing in his chest voice!

[@FINFOXBOX]

Omg does that mean he can sing this anywhere at anytime!?

[@kz300f]

@@FINFOXBOX yeah man, he can hits a F#1 anytime

[@FernyBass]

@@kz300f Not really, he said he was at A1/G#1 daily. He uses Light Trauma for notes lower than that.

[@karinbrouwers3809]

@@FernyBass What is Light Trauma?

[@FernyBass]

@@karinbrouwers3809 Geoff explained it on one of his videos, he bassically said that the day before recording a really low note like a G1 or F#1, he would tire his voice out by belting songs and the next day his voice would be lower. He did say that it’s not something that you should do often because it could cause permanent damage and he seems to be taking a break from it himself. We haven’t heard a G1 or F#1 from him in a while.

[@bdustin65]

Originally recorded by Tennessee Ernie Ford in 1947. This is the stuff my parents listened when I was a kid in the 1970s. Thank you for the memory (rebooted).

[@alhasse6576]

1955 for Tennesse Ernie Ford. Though Ford's was more famous, it was originally written and recorded by Merle Travis in 1946 and released in 1947.

[@catwhowalksbyhimself]

@@alhasse6576 Yup, Ford was just a cover, although more famous than the original by far.

[@AnneEloiseOfCNY]

1956, I was in first grade, and loved this song. The version I knew was Tennessee Ernie Ford's. But also check out ZZ Top and Jeff Beck's version. It rocks!

[@louf1025]

He never fails to impress with his vocal range.

[@SheriffJackCarter]

Sixteen Tons was originally written in 1946 and released by Merle Travis in 1947 but didn't gain widespread popularity until covered by Tennessee Ernie Ford in 1955. So yeah, this cover is from a song originally written 75-YEARS prior. Sixteen Tons is one of my mother's favorite songs growing up so I played Geoff's version and it completely floored her. The fact that he can make the song his own while paying homage to the originals makes it and excellent cover.

[@jamiem4941]

Loved it, both your reaction and Geoff Castellucci! He is such an impressive artist. His videos are spot on, and his voice is amazing. Thank you so much!

[@thomasarussellsr]

Yup, it takes a lot, and I mean a lot, of control to vibrate your vocal folds that slow and hit the note pitch perfect. These guys have to practice a whole lot with an instrument that is tuned perfectly or a tuner that can read pitch that low perfectly. Not to mention really work on their breath control. It takes a lot of air to get the volume to be audibly heard on notes that low, without amplification (a microphone, amp, and speakers) Our three main guys, Geoff, Avi, and Tim, don't even require autotune, and sound just as good in concert according to fans that have witnessed them there.

[@noerartnoe]

I've seen videos of both Avi and Tim blowing out speakers because the setup wasn't prepared.

[@super_siri]

@@noerartnoe repeatedly.

[@super_siri]

Thomas yeah, people don't really understand how much harder it is to sing low. It's easier to injure yourself singing low as well.

[@thomasarussellsr]

@@super_siri yeah, I'm hovering at a low baritone with some low bass reach. Do to 40 years of smoking I have COPD and don't have the breath to push the air for strong bass, but can hit into the 1st octave. I have hit D#1 on pitch several times in chest voice, but wuth my restricted air it is barely audible unless it is in a quiet or sound controlled room.

[@DougRayPhillips]

This song goes back to the 1940s. The most well-known version was by Tennessee Ernie Ford, around 1958. Link below. 19th Century mining companies would create whole towns for workers and their families. Houses, stores, schools. The miners were paid partly in "script" which could only be spent at the Company Stores where the prices were pre-set. So it's easy to see how you might work every day and still get further behind. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIPLYYSfjd6Nic0

[@ilesalmo7724]

These practices eventually caused the invention of workers-unions

[@BSGNative]

Not just 19th century - company stores lasted well into the 20th century. I live in the mountains of southwestern VA - coal mining country. Both my grandfathers as well as my father & several uncles worked in the mines. Both my parents grew up in the "coal camps" - small towns that were built up around the mines. My dad worked in the company store before going underground. Heck, I worked at a coal mine (at, not in) for almost 17 years. Your description of the payment in scrip (not script) & the company stores is accurate. Payment in scrip went away, probably in the 40s, but the company stores hung around for awhile longer. Tennessee Ernie Ford is from Bristol, TN - which about 50 miles from where I live. I remember watching Tennessee Ernie on TV when I was a kid. Loved his version of this song.

[@Broomrider1492]

I remember watching the Tennessee Ernie Ford Show on my parent's small B&W TV in the early '60'.

[@rtj6874]

@@BSGNative And yet, this is what all the union-busters want to bring back.

[@dawnemami3089]

I love this cover ... the video is a work of art and his harmonies are awesome. By the way AVI dropped anew song recently too. 👍🏻😀

[@super_siri]

Jase: "How do people's voice boxes do that?" Me: talent, years and years and years of practice, with a leaning to physically built that way already.

[@evanbowen4221]

His cover of take me home country roads or high and dry should be next

[@blackdevildog6416]

Originally recorded by Merle Travis in August of 1946 and first released by him on his album in July of 1947.

[@TheNeilBlack]

You've never heard 16 tons?! I'm glad Geoff could introduce you to such a classic song.

[@KorvidRavenscraft]

DUUUUUUUUUDE!!!! voiceplay has a new song out, My Mother Told Me (heard on Assassin's Creed, and the tv show Vikings). Geoff goes OFF!!!!!!!!

[@Diane_Phoenix]

Like you, Geoff is my second favorite bass Check out Bluebird. And BTW Avi has a brand new song out!

[@mooses-n-gooses9712]

Your reactions to bass make me smile! This guy has a crazy deep voice. You might need to do more ptx! That's what got watching your channel originally . You're awesome man. Rock on!

[@TheGutterFrog]

The song was originally done by Tennessee Ernie Ford. Great bass of his time. Jeff does a wonderful job on the song.

[@alhasse6576]

Originally written and recorded by Merle Travis in 1947, Tennesse Ernie Ford later made it more famous in 1955.

[@stokerboiler]

Merle Travis wrote it in 1947. That same year labor agreements changed. Wages and coal prices went up and by time Tennessee Ernie Ford recorded this one in 1956, a third of all coal miners were out of work and the scrip/company store system had vanished.

[@j.m.74]

When Geoff got to the part about the star boss saying "Well, bless my soul" I thought it was the voice of Tony the Tiger for just a moment, then came to my senses and my brain reminded me that actor passed away some years ago.

[@Finderup16]

I will never tire of your reactions to the bass guys 😁😁

[@deannaunruh6116]

Please please please do the new PTX 90s Dance Medley!! Sooooo good!!

[@gailseatonhumbert9199]

He really is channeling the Tennessee Ernie Ford version. It is a great song. It's really old. The company store was a real thing in the late 1880s through the 1930s. Alot of labor strikes, violence and all until it got changed.

[@clffliese26]

Sixteen Tons was written in the 40s by Merle Travis and made famous in the 50s by Tennessee Ernie Ford. Geoff's voice is perfect for this song. His voice is, absolutely, mind bending. Truly incredible.

[@chonkycatcrochet]

He just released Far Over The Misty Mountains Cold and it is INSANE some of the bass he gets.

[@charlietango261]

Love both the Tennessee Ernie Ford and Johnny Cash versions of this song, but this one is my favorite

[@theoxley]

For a bass singer.....his upper scale is awesome, he has incredible range.

[@jinxgirl5]

My first time encountering Geoff's low notes (and still my favorite moment) was from "My Mother Told Me" by VoicePlay ft. Jose Rosario Jr. Never heard a human sound so much like a digeridoo XD My fav casting of Geoff's voice is the Oogie Boogie song, with all those highs and lows, but that note he holds in My Mother Told Me still hits me in the gut every time!

[@j.f.fisher5318]

Good stuff. Speaking of rattling, I played this for my gf in her car and the speakers couldn't remotely handle the bass - they just rattled when he got low.

[@thesweetone8968]

It was originally done by a man named Tennessee Ernie Ford. Big hit back in the early 50s. Worth a listen

[@dianadonnell]

Was the most known one back then, but its earlier.

[@karenjarrett8904]

I absolutely love listening to Geoff singing this song. Ummm gives me shills. Fantastic..

[@wendycranston7281]

It was Tennessee Ernie Ford that originally sang this. I don’t think anyone else has done this song. Geoff did phenomenal. He brought this song to this generation ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@donnarector2810]

Love this one, Home Free Do you hear what I hear you gotta listen to it

[@pamkowaski1608]

Geoff is fantastic as always

[@dwaggystar6979]

Considering the way mine companies treated their people... the song pretty much talks about how crappy they got paid and made them owe more and more so they could never leave

[@KurNorock]

That's stupid. You can always leave. Even back when this song was written. Nobody was forcing anybody to work anywhere they didn't want to work. If you work at a mine, or at Wal-Mart, or wherever and don't think you are getting paid enough, then leave. Go get another job that pays more. Nobody is "stuck" anywhere. It is up to you to take charge of your own life.

[@andrewwestfall65]

@@KurNorock Yeah, they did force people to stay. They didn't pay in money, but company credit. Luckily the company also owned all the stores (and the church, library, utilities, and homes), so you could purchase things with company credit. They lured people in with sign-on bonuses and offered room and board for your family, however it was designed to be not enough to live on at the end of the day. So you would quickly end up in debt to the company, so if you wanted to leave, you had to pay the company what you owed them because you did legally owe them real money. This was before cars were common, so you had to work somewhere within walking distance too. When the owners of these companies died, they would use steel slabs and fill the grave with cement because workers were so likely to desecrate the body out of spite. The government eventually had to step in and break this stuff up and this is part of why we have labor laws today. Also, these jobs need to be done, and there are limited ways to make money and if you aren't making much money then you can't up and go somewhere where they make more money because that costs money to do. Have you bought a home or even rented an apartment? If you show up without a penny to your name and go, "Left the last place because I couldn't get a job that paid enough, but I'll definitely get a job here that pays more," you'll get laughed out of the room

[@KurNorock]

@@andrewwestfall65 What a bunch of BS. That is some serious revisionist history you have going on there. 99% of the time, the company credit was optional. You could choose to get paid in cash OR company credit, or some combination thereof. Most people chose the credit because it usually had more value. You could buy more at the company store with credit than you could buy at a regular shop with cash. And no, the company didn't own everything. Especially the churches. And yes, SOME people went into debt with the company by buying more than they could afford. Just as people do today with credit cards. That is their own fault for not living within their means. It wasn't that the company "designed" a system to keep people poor. It was that the company and the person being hired engaged in a consensual and legal contract. The employee would provide labor, and the company would provide a certain amount of pay, which was agreed to by the employee. There was no steel tycoon running down the streets with a gun saying "You there! You will work for me for $5 a week or else!" And even if a person made bad decisions and ended up in debt to the company, that didn't mean the person was unable to quit their job. The company didn't care where the money came from, they just wanted the debt paid. So if you went into debt at the coal mine, you could absolutely quit, go get a job at the steel mill, and pay use those earnings to pay your debt to the coal mine. Also, people weren't stuck only working at places they could walk to. It's not like cars are the only mode of transportation that was ever available throughout all of human history. The horse exists too. People took carriages pulled by horse to and from work. A lot of people even just stayed at on-site accommodations for the week and went home for weekends. Again, all by choice. And besides that, cars WERE more common than you let on. The period we are talking about here lasted until the mid 1930s. There were cars all over the place by then. The Model-T was released in 1908, making cars affordable and accessible to the majority of people.

[@andrewwestfall65]

@@KurNorock The company credit was sometimes optional, but not always, the company would cut your wage if you went with government money and they gave you better treatment for using it. Sometimes they wouldn't even accept cash at the company store, so it's about as optional as buying food is, because mining towns were especially out of the way and there were no established supply line except what the company had so there were rarely any other stores. Even if there was, this was how you bought work supplies. However you could catch a train into town, or use mail order to pick up the supplies, it was typically cheaper to purchase like this, but between shipping costs and your slashed wage it was exactly cheaper or better that way. Depending on the town, yes they owned everything,, even the churches. Sometimes that was the reason the company town was made, the owner wanted to make their own little separate world. Not everyone went into debt, but it wasn't uncommon. Much more frequently, you just barely broke even by the time you actually got your wages. And no, they didn't force you to start there, they did the same thing low paying jobs do today. They offered what looked like a good deal to people that had little, and then did as little as possible before they were caught and forced to behave legally. Because even before adding labor laws, this stuff was found to be illegal. Yes, you could have them garnish your wages, assuming you could afford the move, but there's no guarantee you're actually getting more money or that you wouldn't just end up in debt because your wage of "barely enough to survive" is being cut by another company Depends on the situation, you could ride into town. A lot of the factory jobs were feasible, but they would treat you poorly and give benefits for moving into town. It's also an added expense. As is staying at the on-site camps. With mining towns, options were more limited because they were in the middle of nowhere This is why you think I'm slinging a bunch of historical revision, you have no clue what you're talking about. This stuff started in the 1870s, it died in the 1930s. You're looking at shit 60 years late. It died in part because the Model T made it so much easier to commute. They also made it illegal to bust unions and deemed company script unconstitutional around that time. As soon as the company was forced to obey laws and workers had a say, the whole thing fell apart. That's all it took, the workers having the option you say they did. As soon as that was a thing they could do, it died.

[@KurNorock]

@@andrewwestfall65 That's a long winded way of saying "Some people weren't responsible with their money, so it is the company's fault for not paying them enough." I am not saying that none of those companies were ever perfectly fair. But you are in fact pointing at the exceptions and pretending like they were the rule. Corruption always exists in every system. It isn't as if the unions were themselves were perfect examples of morality. As soon as the unions got any power themselves they used and abused it to even greater harm than the companies they were fighting. To this day unions keep wages down, unemployment up, and costs of goods and services high. And of course there was no guarantee. There is no guarantee of anything. And maybe that fear did stop a lot of people from quitting their job and finding something else, but that was THEIR decision. The company didn't force them. As they say, no risk, no reward. If you aren't willing to take risks, you will never get the type of rewards that people who take risks get.

[@mariacargille1396]

My brothers are "deep bass guys" as they say, and have gone around singing this song for months.

[@duncanholness3477]

Damn. Just DAMN.

[@hummingbird9221]

That was my reaction!

[@kellywilliams364]

You need to hear his cover of High and Dry to hear his FULL range.

[@Samurai8700]

JASE!!!! You NEED to react to Geoff doing Misty Mountain!!! It's INSANE!!!!

[@willsouthwell8364]

When you get time, I definitely recommend his cover of Take me home, country roads. He uses both high and low ranges. Its amazing!!

[@srennielsen680]

No one still not noticed the difference in "hands" between this excellent version and the original.

[@bdustin65]

Love the new green screen production. 😜

[@theloneranger8725]

Yeah, it's cool. Must be Jase rolling in all that money he's making!

[@skyeblackheart456]

there are few people that can truly hit that subharmonic level and Geoff and Avie are the ones I love to listen to the most. I don't hear it from Avie as much now because of him not being in pentatonix (him leaving was the last I watched them so Idk if he came back)

[@janemcginnis-glynn9234]

Heard Geoff sing Blackbird by the Beatles? Another great one.

[@christinakyleloves]

Missed you Jase!! This was a good one. Love the new green screen set up!!

[@SanderTeunissen]

Geoff just released a cover of Country Roads a couple weeks ago

[@spideydew20]

1) Missed you. Haven't seen you pop up on my feed in quite some time. 2) I freaking love your reactions to low notes from Avi, Tim, and Geoff. Makes me laugh every time. 3) Well done, as always.

[@erikhirschfelt5066]

I love that Jase is catching up on the bass line lol Jase I got so many more suggestions hit me up.

[@saffronmeadow2469]

I'm laughing so hard at your Geoff Face, at the end. lol

[@annkirstinejrgensen8543]

Have you ever heard Paint and his After ever After? This is insane!!

[@erikagingrich1947]

That song was originally sung by Tennessee Ernie Ford!!!! A long time ago!!!!

[@steby123]

Written by Merle Travis in the thirties I think.

[@diamondrosealkire7997]

The original was done by Tennesse Ernie ford. Also known as thePeapicker. Also done by Jimmie Deanas early as the 50s

[@tiagobarata8204]

Just ser his new country roads cover!!

[@draco5176]

listen to the ring of fire cover from home free, absolutely amazing

[@michaelheynsdyk3369]

Hi Jase. Mad props to you from Australia. Love the Acapella Reactions that you cover on your channel. I bet that a lot of your fans have asked you if you do a reaction to Voiceplay ft. Jose Rosario Jr "My Mother Told Me"; the bass notes in this song are sick and the percussion track is on fire. Sorry if this spoiled the song for you, Jase but I think that you will still love this song regardless. 🤘☺️🤘🇦🇺

[@katycolpitts9515]

Y'all should watch his Big Bad John video. It's out of this world AMAZING!!!

[@sandreawhite7534]

This was amazing.

[@bobharp3492]

Rec voice play my mother told me. It's a Viking hymn awsome Geoff. Is a God the teacher of bass love the show remember more voice play

[@sylviawagers]

Love Geoff's voice. He has an amazing range. I would like to hear Nathaniel Rateliff's SOB. Good luck with the disc golf shop. It's so much fun to play even if I can't play very well. BTW new patreon here. I love the variety of music I hear.

[@daos219]

Dude, I know how you love bass. You've gotta check out "Bang!" from voiceplay, their 5th for that song, DJ Young is an amazing tenor, but Geoff pops off like crazy a couple times.

[@breannegary9395]

If you love this one, you need to check out his Far Over Misty Mountains Cold cover

[@caleb1450]

The original person to sing 16 tons was *tennessee" Ernie Ford

[@leeanne7169]

Tennessee Ernie Ford...go check out he singing that song. I think it was from the 50s...it's also awesome!

[@kellybrowndclac5329]

Gas House Gang did a great version of 16 Tons!

[@uncle_thulhu]

This is specifically about coal mining. A lot of the mining companies paid their workers in company scrip, which was only good at the company store. Plus they had to pay the company rent for their homes, so basically they spent their lives in debt to the company.

[@jillianmyerly4517]

Awesome reaction as always! I just rewatched your Sabaton reaction video. Might I recommend either Alestorm or Skiltron as a few bands to try next? Alestorm is a Scottish pirate metal band, and Skiltron is an Argentinian folk metal group that incorporates bagpipes and Celtic music into their songs.

[@heidibowie549]

Watch Joe vs the Volcano - it is the opening song and how I was introduced to it! The movie is the best of the Tom Hanks/ Meg Ryan movies, too! (IMO)

[@jmwangi24]

I've missed you Jase. Please do the PTX 90s medley. Much love from Nairobi.

[@christopherbritton1840]

Avi Kaplan "Song for the Thankful" should be the next song/video. His newest release is such a beautiful song. Nothing super low, but beautiful song and cool video too. We all know you love Avi.

[@gailseatonhumbert9199]

What else to do? Well Avi came out with a new one "Song for the Thankful" warning though it is not heavy bass but very interesting. Larkin Poe I would recommend "Preaching Blues" or "She's a Self-made Man" (everybody needs a little slide guitar in their life). The Rag N Bone Man (Avi gets compared with him alot in the UK) "Human" or a new one I really like "Anywhere Away From Here" collab with Pink.

[@katrinabrandauer5637]

So so very good!

[@billystautzenberger261]

Sixteen Tons was done in the 60's by Tennessee Ernie Ford but could be older

[@jeremiahschorn202]

Jase you might consider sound dampeners on your non green wall. Voice echos

[@JCGver]

Some people say a man is made out of gore Well a student is just a credit score A credit score and a mind that's spry A future that's bleak, a bank account that's dry You take sixteen credits and what do you get? Close to your degree and deeper in debt St. Peter don't you call me cuz I must stay I owe my soul to Sallie Mae

[@austinmoulton490]

JACE!!! Geoff recently put out a cover of Country Roads! It’s nutty! You should check it out

[@rafaelchiarato8413]

Awesome!! Bro, go see his cover of Take Me Home, Country Roads!!!

[@RepentantDrContra]

If you like bass, you might want to listen to ' Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair - Avi Kaplan & Peter Hollens'

[@jmbmusic1]

How about checking out Tomi P again. You already reacted to him once but he has so much more stuff on his channel. I definitely recommend his cover of „Hellfire“. More Bass than you‘ll ever need. Seriously, your ear drums will be obliterated!

[@cinthiagoch]

You should check this Brazilian singer, Dan Vasc, in a metal cover of Toss a Coin To Your Witcher. Best cover of that song I've ever seen! Not a bass or anything, just some awesome metal music!

[@oliw2793]

He's just done a cover of Misty Mountains from The Hobbit. If you thought this cover was brain rattling, you need to listen to misty mountains and see what brain rattling really is

[@Internetguy_L337_90D]

those who have natural low voices are born with a slightly longer vocal cord than the rest i have heard.

[@DeborahWade1]

Tennessee Ernie Ford. "Sixteen Tons"

[@SweetSlytherinGirl-Jennifer]

Are those even still notes down there???? Lol! Love the looks on your face!!

[@russellleitschuh8315]

check out his cover of take me home country roads

[@jessicadean9388]

You have to check out voice plays newest song My mother told me !!! I mean Vikings and Geoff what more do you need :)

[@Dicemann555]

Hey man, nice video. This video was how I stumbled upon your channel. Can't wait to watch more. As a fellow metalhead, do you think it would be as intriguing as I would, to hear Geoff try to do some growls and screams? I feel it would be super interesting if he could learn to do it properly (which I'm sure he could with some practice)

[@nikalice2068]

This song was about the deplorable conditions of the lives of miners: When they worked, they weren't paid- they were given tickets to exchange for food and lodging (by places owned by the same people they worked for). It didn't matter how hard they worked, the dangers that mining exposed them to, etc. This is why the current existence of Labor Laws are so important. Those laws are supposed to be posted where anyone could see it and employees need to be aware of their rights as human beings who happen to work for a business.

[@LerRhann]

This song is about coal mining. Long ago a coal company would build a small town around their mine. The workers would live in company owned houses. They would get paid in vouchers only good at the store owned by the company. This was never enough to live on so the store would extend them unlimited credit. That is what the song is about.

[@margiestevens2384]

Coal miners were paid in script that was only good at the company store. They lived in houses provided by the company but if the miner was injured or killed his family his family was immediately homeless. A day’s quota was frequently around 8 tons but 16 tons was frequently used as harassment for new hires, or someone a boss was unhappy with. Not paying with cash kept miners from going to rival companies.

[@Olibaby12]

Hey guys, did you know that Geoff said that he did the whole thing in his chest voice? I might be the first one to tell you, he is such a charming human being and he didn't need subharmonics in this song, did you know that?

[@draco2500]

I recommend you check out Great Big Sea Chemical Worker's or Ordinary Day both really good songs.

[@retiredslamjamm]

Tennessee Ernie Ford did the most popular version, although many have done this song.

[@stormdancer0]

Tennessee Ernie Ford originally sang this.

[@sjenny5891]

The song was written about a time when coal mines paid their employees with store credits. So they literally owed their souls to the company.

[@michaelfitzgerald9166]

YOU WANT GREAT GEOFF LISTEN TO "MY MOTHER TOLD ME"

[@johnwilliams5301]

I would love to see you react to this song sung by Jeff Beck and ZZ Top

[@1812Katy]

It wasn't Avi but still very good.

[@MommaMysty]

Hey Jason have you heard of Voice Play? An A Cappella group.... Check their Nightmare Before Christmas :)

[@franklong5656]

Erin Tennessee Ford sung this song