Musician Reacts To Pentatonix - Carol of the Bells - Christmas Under the Stars

[@lynn2574]

I can’t imagine not loving Mitch’s voice. I don’t care what he’s singing. It’s all gorgeous to me - low to high. But the most impressive thing to me with this song is that he didn’t pass out from lack of oxygen. 😃

[@JacobRestituto]

Nice!!!

[@abigailstarhawk4717]

ikr, I would definetly at least lose some words on the way so I can breathe 😂

[@patriciabeale1840]

Right! I love his high notes as well as low. That is Mitch, take it or leave it... Love him!!!

[@alynkuster5138]

This is the "when does Mitch breathe" song. They really love Christmas. I just saw them live in Michigan on the 16th. Fantastic.

[@JacobRestituto]

Amazing

[@maguetteka2292]

I personally think they pre-recorded this. What gave it away is the second verse right before bridge, you can hear Mitch's doubling with Scott in the background. And I watched it several times

[@taniareads8751]

This is one of my favourite Mitch centric songs - he really shines in this. And you didn't mention his amazing breath control! Great to see a live version of this.

[@JacobRestituto]

Love that

[@PtxXtp]

Yes he sings 9 counts of 6 before you can even hear him finally take a breath in the beginning.

[@susanb4213]

When Mitch gets REALLY high, I think his voice has an almost brassy timbre, which probably doesn't float everyone's boat. I think it's a LITTLE unfortunate that his lower register isn't featured more often, because it's BEAUTIFUL.

[@JacobRestituto]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@janetranslates]

A good example of that is "I Can't Help Falling in Love."

[@DerJensemann84]

Tbh I think Scott is the most underrated singer in this band - and he's my favourite because of it too. He holds it all together in my opionion ❤😍

[@LottieOfWales]

I love Mitch’s high voice and every voice in between.

[@JacobRestituto]

so good

[@marymichele340]

1. So, as a singer, could you tell when Mitch took a breathe? I am always breathless after this song because I can’t tell. 😂 2. Kirstin said once she has been wearing heals forever so I assume her diaphragm would be out of wack if she were wearing flats. 😂 3. I think Mitch sounds great all the time. 4. I love the quirky things you point out, so thanks

[@JacobRestituto]

Lol love that!!! Hahahaha

[@marymichele340]

@@awesomeRN2006 Thanks for the information!!!😀

[@juliagulley5213]

I love their Christmas music, but their original songs are my favorites

[@MariaGolay]

Can't understand how Mitch got through his whole part without taking a breath. He is one amazing singer! I love this performance so much. I finally got to see their Christmas tour so I witnessed this song in person. No words on how wonderful they are!!!!!

[@JacobRestituto]

So wild

[@EnosEugenius]

Because it's lip synced. That is the studio processed recording. Sorry to burst anyone's bubble.

[@marablemorgan8292]

They love Christmas and thrive on it!!!

[@janetlawson4482]

They do such an amazing job with this! This song does seem to be very much in Mitch’s comfortable range, thank goodness because I can’t figure out how he gets a breath in! I had only heard a countertenor in a concert that I was in as a teenager, the Choral Society of the Hamptons, and I didn’t care for it at all, I love Mitch’s voice, I love all of them!

[@JacobRestituto]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@LottieOfWales]

Mitch’s voice is magical to me. ❤❤❤

[@davinarathbun2693]

They love Christmas and music.

[@JacobRestituto]

Nice!

[@Karen-Campos]

My favorite part is 5:46 where the trio start the 3 parts. They’re each different yet blend so well. The sound engineer/mixer here did stellar work! The Matt & Mitch ending was superb!

[@JacobRestituto]

So goooood!

[@Lupin788]

To answer your questiion about Pentatonix and Christmas music, I think it's a combination of them really loving Christmas music and also being really good at arranging and performing Christmas songs. Their first full-length album, That's Christmas To Me, not only achieved double platinum sales in the U.S. and was the highest charting holiday album by a group since 1962, but it also spawned a #1 Holiday track ("Mary Did You Know") and won them their second Grammy Award for "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy". Their next Christmas album two years later, A Pentatonix Christmas, hit #1 on the Billboard 200 and also achieved double platinum status. Since their first Christmas EP PTXmas in 2012, they've been closely identified with the Yuletide season. Their arrangement of "Carol of the Bells" comes from that EP.

[@JacobRestituto]

Oh wow!

[@janetranslates]

This was hard for me to watch. "Carol of the Bells" was my introduction to Pentatonix, and I was stunned. I must have watched their official video 20 times before I could bring myself to look for other music by this amazing group that I had just "discovered." It was also the song that made me fall in love with Avi Kaplan. So tonight was my very first time listening to "Bells" without Avi, and I had been dreading it. I adore Matt, and think he was the perfect addition to PTX, but there are just a few songs and arrangements that are so "Avi" in my mind & heart that I didn't know how I could bear to hear them without him. I shouldn't have worried. As far as I can tell, Matt didn't try to change up the bass line and "make it his own," so to speak. He learned the bass part that Avi sang, and reproduced it perfectly, without trying to mimic Avi's timbre. Matt is so versatile and brings so much energy and joy to every PTX performance, but I think he knew that he needed to leave this one alone. There are only a few songs that I feel this way about (" Standing By" and "Light in the Hallway" are two) and I really appreciate the respect they showed us long-time fans by not changing this one. I loved it.

[@JacobRestituto]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@samnkacie]

Pentatonix and Home Free were both in Minnesota on Dec 18th, I went to see Pentatonix and they are absolutely phenomenal!! What a concert!

[@JacobRestituto]

Wow!!!

[@Wyndigayle]

I've listened to this so many times, and for a while I was thinking the same thing you did; that they were singing counter melodies. That, in itself, is not necessarily an easy thing to do. But I finally realized that it's not counter melodies. They (Mitch, Scott, Kirstie and Matt) are actually singing four different, yet similar melodies. That's even harder! It absolutely blows me away. It's just more proof of what amazing musicians they are in their arrangements and talent. :)

[@JacobRestituto]

:)

[@geriatricptxer2362]

This was their very first Christmas video back in 2012 so the've been singing this song for 9 years now. They must have performed this thousands of times. And, it's perfect every time.

[@JacobRestituto]

Wow!

[@zrebbesh]

Not many people know this but Carol of the Bells and Christmas Carol are actually the same person.

[@JacobRestituto]

Oh wow

[@jenniferyoung8551]

1. The heels Kirstie are wearing here are actually low for her, normally she wears higher heels, lol and 2. You need to check out their short clay-mation video they did a year or two ago about singing Christmas songs...very funny!

[@JacobRestituto]

Oh nice!!!!!!

[@danielcarter837]

I think Scott really likes Christmas music and has really driven it. Having said that I think they also want to be known for singing anything and everything. They are the best selling Christmas music group ever.

[@JacobRestituto]

Nice!!

[@pacio49]

PTX used the holiday season and carols to get America hooked on their brand of unique a capella music, and they were the first holiday album to hit #1 on the Billboard charts since the 1960's. They successfully translated the holiday attention into their current recording contracts and global tour popularity, but they remember that it was the holiday albums that gave them the foot in the door so to speak, so they remain true to their holiday carol origins. And their fans appreciate the fact that they bring a fresh new take and exciting new arrangements with their unique style and superlative performances to traditional and modern holiday favorites every year.

[@JacobRestituto]

Nice!

[@gailseatonhumbert]

One of their first Christmas carol videos. The story goes that it was supposed to be by a waterfall but lugging the generator they couldn't find it on location so eventually just picked a spot and they just stuck Scott in a hole so he wouldn't tower over everyone. This is the original arrangement with Avi's bass line.

[@JacobRestituto]

Oh wow

[@marykuettner752]

Mitch says the Christmas tour is his favorite tour. All of them talk about how much they love Christmas so I don't think they mind.

[@JacobRestituto]

Love that

[@6906Gaming]

Props to Matt, he is sounding better all the time.

[@JacobRestituto]

Legit

[@georgeharrison318]

I appreciate your candor, I think it’s both. I think they love the Christmas music and it’s choral aspect but they also are very passionate about their original music. I think the thing is business wise the Christmas season brings in the currency that they can use to fund their passion projects. I also think their PR and label puts more time and promotion into their Christmas music bc it’s where most “non-super fans” know them. So I think it’s a circular thing where they love it but it also business wise is their moneymaker. I’m a huge fan and don’t mean to offend them at all. I love their holiday music, but I wish their originals got the same love and promotion from their label.

[@JacobRestituto]

Ahh ok!

[@williamhallam2449]

They’ve been asked about it. They love Christmas, and they feel holiday music lends itself very well to a cappella.

[@JacobRestituto]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@edsartistry]

I agree this is awesome and especially trying to pick out when and where Mitch takes a breath. If he wasn't to be a singer he should have been a long distance swimmer. That guy has aliene lungs. I love when Matt was talking about how difficult it is to stay on your own track and not get caught up in someone elses part. He did a great job of connecting in with the others. I think if you can handle this song with this group, you can probably handle anything.

[@JacobRestituto]

agreed!!

[@richardfranz3180]

I believe Mitch is breathing through his eyelids ala Nuke Laloosh in Bull Durham.

[@JacobRestituto]

Hahahaha

[@jewleenelson1002]

I saw another comment on another reaction to this song where it was suggested he clearly just absorbs oxygen through his pores! Lol He’s so crazy talented!

[@hsinghuiwang2593]

It’s definitely not going to hurt if a band can solidify a place in holiday season, reaching out to national audience and have secured incomes from Christmas tours.

[@JacobRestituto]

True!

[@queenofgreen83]

I agree with you about when Mitch gets so high in his vocal range. While it’s incredibly impressive, I don’t actually find it pleasant to listen to. One exception to that was The Prayer. He managed to get up in the clouds without it sounding at all shrill.

[@JacobRestituto]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@ellenhulslander2897]

I think they genuinely love Christmas, but have also seen great success with it. So why not? Also, except for last year they had done several Christmas tours. The easing of stupid covid restrictions have allowed them to finally get back to performing just in time for the season. I sometimes think you get so caught up in the technical aspect that you miss a lot of the musicality and flow of the performance. I sincerely hope you go back and listen just for pure pleasure, and just take it all in.

[@JacobRestituto]

Oh good to know!

[@tqueen6719]

Always love your PTX reactions. Thanks for your expertise and positivity.

[@JacobRestituto]

Thanks!!!

[@davidbangtson3109]

Yew, Jacob, we long ago picked up that you love music theory! Great reaction as usual!

[@JacobRestituto]

LOL thanks

[@tiffanymonet53]

I feel like it's a mix between the two. Loving Christmas music and all the joy and nostalgia that comes with it and society seeing them as the songs they listen to on Christmas. It doesn't help that RCA only ever really promotes and pulls out all the stops for them during the holidays. There's been plenty of songs and albums in the past couple years that I feel like could and should have done better but it doesn't sell as well as their Christmas music does. So they run with it.

[@JacobRestituto]

That’s a good point about RCA

[@sirwadsontoast5928]

Watching this I felt like I had to take a breather for Mitch 😅. Idk how he does it without running out of oxygen.

[@JacobRestituto]

Lolll

[@feathersandspikes2166]

Great great analysis! Merry Christmas.

[@JacobRestituto]

🙏🏼

[@Miobambino]

In my opinion, they reinvented Christmas songs and brought them into the 21st century. I wouldn’t say they’re pigeonholed per se; they just love Christmas. I love to rehear the Christmas classics with a PTX twist. I all so agree that this is a strange Christmas song. It always scared me. It’s always the dark part of the movie!❣️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@JacobRestituto]

very cool!!

[@rmac1042]

You’re right it IS a canonic treatment!

[@JacobRestituto]

:)

[@Karen-Campos]

When the record label dropped them after winning The Sing Off, they went to KZbin with covers. They found a huge positive response to their Christmas music so that naturally led to albums. Building skills & confidence led them to writing originals. But they all love Christmas music. Scott said in an interview that he has a list of 200 songs in his Memos App to possibly use in the future! He definitely is that ring leader! This tongue-in-cheek video they made 2 years ago is SO funny if you haven’t seen it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6fXZIONrZpqjbs

[@JacobRestituto]

Love that!!!!!

[@TheMarysilveus]

Mitch's voice is so incredibly thin. It seems so effortless and his range is amazing. The song is based on the Ukrainian folk chant "Shchedryk".

[@JacobRestituto]

Oh cool!!!!

[@dawnpatterson8708]

This is also known as "the song where Mitch doesn't breathe". Of course, not possible. But, there are very few moments when breathing wd be possible. Pretty darn amazing.

[@JacobRestituto]

So impressive!

[@anniek4681]

Christmas music is just perfect for the kind of harmonising they do. So they just like to do it. And it's called carol of the bells because it was made for different tuned bells. So you had persons sounding theyr bells on differnt times in the song. So it was a group effort. Penthatox sing it much faster than the original with bells is played.

[@JacobRestituto]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@cherylwilson8743]

I think it's a bit of both, they love Christmas but we also link PTX to Christmas. I know for me personally, as soon as December hits, PTX xmas songs are played non-stop.

[@JacobRestituto]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@samanetha89]

I genuinely think they just love Christmas, they have hits regardless and concerts outside of the Christmas season, and I personally listen to all their music not just their Christmas music, having said that, I adore their Christmas albums but I'm a Christmas junky so 🤷‍♀️

[@JacobRestituto]

Love that!

[@barbarabishop9362]

You have a single "reactions" playlist. It's over 2.5 THOUSAND items deep. So I can't/won't go looking through it to check out your list of previous PTX reactions to see if you ever reacted to their 2013 video for Carol of the Bells that includes Avi instead of Matt. You might want to at least listen to a bit of it to be struck by how amazingly near-identical they sound to their 8-year-old video. You will also be struck by how damn YOUNG they all look. Mitch was just 21 and still had his high-school haircut, and was at least 25 pounds heavier. Scott didn't yet have the beard, and stood in a declivity in the ground which made him roughly the same height as Avi. Kirstie's hair was dark brown and she looked cute as a bug in a rug, and Kevin ... I see no difference. Kevin never changes. Like Scott's hair. It's high on my list of favorite pieces of their Christmas music, along with Little Drummer Boy and Thank You. I love watching you react to PTX.

[@JacobRestituto]

Thanks for the idea

[@hoolahoops2112]

To answer your question, I think even though they love Christmas and it's music, they definitely got stuck in this Christmas band image. People outside the dedicated fandom mostly know them for their Christmas songs and think of them as a Christmas band. Which is very unfortunate, because their stuff outside of Christmas is so great as well! Their record label (RCA) doesn't give them half as much promotion for their normal stuff outside of Christmas. It's like they don't exist. It's sad.

[@JacobRestituto]

True!!

[@janetlawson4482]

I like your song at the beginning and the end, BTW❤️

[@JacobRestituto]

Thank you so much Janet

[@RamenNoodle1985]

Kirstie wears the skyscraper heels, cause she's 5' 4". Scott is 6' 4" and the rest are around 5' 10" or 11".

[@JacobRestituto]

Lol

[@Malannelene]

Oh I love tierce de picardie, too! One of my favourite musical devices

[@JacobRestituto]

:)

[@robinmcdaniel6821]

Talk about hard on the diaphragm. Try out Superfruit Let it go. Mitch sings Do you want to build a Snowman? - bent over

[@JacobRestituto]

Snap!!!

[@uwbadger79]

In answer to your question, I think it's both. They really enjoy the Christmas songs but I also think they have been "pidgeon-holed" as a "Christmas Group".

[@JacobRestituto]

Ah ok

[@AmigosdeAbdullah]

Como se explica q a ellos se les escucha igual de bien en vivo q en estudio por dios, es a todos

[@katm4335]

I can't believe you didn't even catch that during that whole first part, Mitch did it in 1 breathe......1 freaking breathe. And yeah if Mitch were not in PTX I probably wouldn't listen to them, without he and Scott together, it doesn't work. As for your question some of them Really Love Christmas (tall blonde guy who's usually in the middle lol) some of them can take it or leave it. They've done pretty much all of it. Even though they call Evergreen a Christmas Album, most of it is not Christmas music. But its all awesome, so who cares. And as for Kirstie singing in those heels, Mitch is usually wearing heels just as high, he an Kirstie are roughly the same height....and I think it's rarely that he sings in a flat shoe.

[@JacobRestituto]

So amazing

[@sannalopperi-vihinen233]

Something I didn't know until the current war in Ukraine: Carol of the bells is a Ukrainian song that is not originally about Christmas at all. It's called "Shchedryk, shchedryk" and written by Mykola Leontovych.

[@JacobRestituto]

Oh wow!

[@carolynl.higgins6206]

Wow! As amazing as Matt is here, you can only mistakenly point out an "error" that wasn't. You're the only reactor I've watched thus far without a positive word about Matt's awesome performance... More about you, cameras, Kirsti's shoes, your preferred range for Mitch, and a blip for Kevin and Scott. You're usually good -- this one fell short for PTX's incredible execution of this difficult song.

[@JacobRestituto]

Sorry to hear that!

[@arsenelupin4888]

Matt did great in here as well.

[@JacobRestituto]

Totally

[@jennyfield266]

Scott has said many, many times that Christmas is the ideal arena to showcase a cappella, I mean imagine Christmas carolers, they didn't go around with band, right? So they love showing what they can do to turn classic, but let's admit, mostly boring holiday songs into amazingly refreshed versions.

[@JacobRestituto]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@evanirvana500]

I must respectfully disagree regarding mitch and not liking his high notes. Considering his prodigious range is his fame and how high he can reach is his bread and butter to say that part isn't as good is like saying you don't like avi's low notes. Mitch is a tenor, arguably counter tenor, you can't rob him of half his ability.i think his entire range is perfect and considering the reactions of those artists he's blessed with that vocal ability, most others do as well.

[@JacobRestituto]

I think it’s impressive but it’s not my preferred:)

[@maureenl5255]

Kirsti always wears really high shoes. I imagine she is very petite. Standing next to Scott she probably feels very height challenged. I remember wearing those plarforms as we called in the 70's. I can't believe I wore them. They made me over 6' tall! My brother who is 6'1" said why am I looking in your eyes all of a sudden, I said look at my shoes.

[@JacobRestituto]

Amazing

[@ClaireBarn]

They make other album's, too!

[@JacobRestituto]

😃🔥

[@lauriep2018]

I feel like the only one, but I prefer Mitch’s lower register. It’s beautiful

[@JacobRestituto]

:)

[@abbycareyyy7755]

Wearing heels is helpful for posture and diaphragm use my music teachers in college would encourage wearing heels while performing :))

[@JacobRestituto]

Wow!

[@olabergvall3154]

Hey JR... If you feel this is an odd Xmas song you'd be right. It's kind of a classic, but still a little bit under the radar. Originally a Ukranian song from over 100 years ago, it was set to English lyrics (totally rewritten in fact) in the 1920's I believe, as "Carol of the bells" by an American whose name escapes me now. The original ptx video is my favourite but this performance is stellar ☀️

[@JacobRestituto]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@celiachristman104]

Kirstie is 5'2" and she has always been insecure about being so short compared to the rest of the group. That is one reason she wears heels. It is not a canon. They are singing melodies, sort of like counter melodies to each other. I think that's why Matt suggested how hard this was to sing.

[@JacobRestituto]

Oh wow! And thanks!

[@Ophidimancer]

It's not a canon, it's more like a classical counterpoint. It's my favorite part of the song! 5:47

[@JacobRestituto]

Nice!!!

[@shart1842]

Love your reactions and heading to listen to your music next!! Can’t wait to see what you thought of home free live too!

[@JacobRestituto]

Thanks so much! Posting tomorrow!

[@paulinejane9742]

I can’t believe you just said you don’t like Mitch’s voice. Ok that’s crazy

[@JacobRestituto]

I prefer his voice in his lower register

[@susanb4213]

I think they do love singing Christmas music. However, they make a lot of money off of their Christmas albums, and let's face it, they need to make a living. I'll bet that financially, Christmas is their bread and butter.

[@JacobRestituto]

Oh cool!!

[@marablemorgan8292]

Breathe, Mitch...

[@JacobRestituto]

lol

[@kristindunstan172]

I really enjoy your analysis of these songs. PTX is very good, but I personally prefer the Home Free style. I know you love them both and I'm not trying to change your mind. Just personal preference.

[@JacobRestituto]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@InkWellideas]

wow

[@JacobRestituto]

!!

[@Joodster]

I swear...Mitch must have gills or the ability to breath through his skin. I don't think he takes a breath in this. :D

[@JacobRestituto]

LOLLLLz

[@KarenSchulz-t6o]

Listen to O Holy Night

[@JacobRestituto]

thanks!

[@rugr82day]

They are pigeon-holed by society just by being an a cappella group and so Top 40 and Pop Radio tends to ignore them. Even when they perform at the Grammys it's never on the main stage. I would say they have capitalized on becoming a Christmas staple because it greatly increased their popularity and their earnings. One of their Grammys is for a Christmas song and they often toured twice a year prior to the pandemic. They would tour in the summer with any new album or EP release and they have Christmas tours almost every year even if they don't release a new Christmas album.

[@JacobRestituto]

Oh wow!

[@ginawhitfield6797]

You're the Only person I have ever heard say they Don't like Mitch's voice. I've heard you sing and I gotta say. His voice is Way Better then yours.

[@JacobRestituto]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion 😃

[@cherylfrady4602]

When does Mitch breath?? 😂

[@JacobRestituto]

Legit

[@deennaemilio]

Kirstie is very pregnant in this video.

[@JacobRestituto]

🎉

[@llmllm]

You are one of the very few who doesn't like Mitch's timbre..I think he has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard..I can tell you don't care for Mitch..you hardly ever say anything about him..but speak a lot about the others..Mitch is unique..one of a kind..with so much talent..way more than a lot of musicians..You didn't even say anything about his breath control for this song..he doesn't sound like he's taking a breath..disappointed in your bias against Mitch..

[@JacobRestituto]

I’m sorry to hear you’re disappointed, ❤️ just doing the best I can 🙏🏼

[@perrystevenson6364]

JACOB.....could compare this version to the one with avi in it.....I'd like to hear your insights on the subtle differences.

[@JacobRestituto]

Thanks for the idea

[@howardbarnett6452]

It's a fugue.

[@scottboyd9383]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[@JacobRestituto]

😮

[@BiasWordSmith]

worst voicle adviser

[@JacobRestituto]

I’m Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the video 🙏🏼❤️

[@pacio49]

PTX used the holiday season and carols to get America hooked on their brand of unique a capella music, and they were the first holiday album to hit #1 on the Billboard charts since the 1960's. They successfully translated the holiday attention into their current recording contracts and global tour popularity, but they remember that it was the holiday albums that gave them the foot in the door so to speak, so they remain true to their holiday carol origins. And their fans appreciate the fact that they bring a fresh new take and exciting new arrangements with their unique style and superlative performances to traditional and modern holiday favorites every year.

[@JacobRestituto]

:)