My reaction to Geoff Castellucci's cover of Don't mess around with Jim- Jim Croce

Happy to be back reacting to the amazing Geoff Castellucci. #1mannzopinion #voiceplayreaction #geoffcastellucci #dontmessaroundwithjim #jimcroce #coversong

[@DarleneCheatham]

It’s Kro chee Geoff Jeoph. Goff Jeff and Darryl

[@Denalicat]

I love Jim Croce 's music and I fully approve this reimagining of this classic. Great reaction.

[@1MannzOpinion]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@hwyla4416]

I think the major difference in Geoff's arrangement was dialing back the guitar considerably and pushing the percussion up into your face with the Stomps and Claps. And he (of course) sings it lower. That change in the instrumental part really pumps up the testosterone in this and gives us a darker, more powerful song. Jim Croce (pronounced Crow-chee) was more folksy story-telling. And it had a boppier, bouncy vibe. Geoff's has a GROOVE and a bit more menace. He has said he was looking to make it more of a 'fight' song. And he really accomplished that. This is the guys from "16 Tons" gone to the Dark Side. I also really love the way he came in with a different (higher) register for 'Slim'. With Croce, I never had the feeling that 'this' is a different person. That it was all the same narrator and not even sure he was there to see the fight. 'Slim's' higher tone kind of implies a bit of youth and naivety when he enters. It's no wonder that the chorus warns him about 'messing around' with Jim. They underestimate him. Something I really never noticed in the original. I mean, I knew he won, but it really wasn't clear how he did if Jim was so tough. Here I can see that Jim didn't take him seriously enough. One last little detail - I had totally forgotten that we used to call convertibles 'drop-tops'

[@1MannzOpinion]

That detail about the higher register for Slim is genius and one I hate I missed on my first listen

[@gilliandrysdale5306]

Daryl and you don’t mess with him!❤

[@Broomrider1492]

True That. Even Geoff doesn't mess with Daryl.

[@1MannzOpinion]

🤣

[@ekramer2478]

Five times the fun!

[@jackyfriedman1963]

Lineup... Jeff, Daryl, Geoff, Goff and Jeoph. Although Jeoph and Daryl are basses, so the 2 that sang tenor/baritone on the right are Goff and Jeff. In Unshaken they are.... Goff, Daryl, Jeoph and Jeff. No Geoff. I had Jim Croce (crow chee) cassette with this and many more of his other hits. The guy had an amazing voice. Not as as Geoff of course😊.

[@1MannzOpinion]

Thanks for clearing that up 😂

[@ilonadever8249]

This was at the top of the charts in '72 when it was done by Jim Croce. He died the following year. The scat that Geoff included at the end was done much earlier in the original. I love everything that Geoff does, but this one was extra good!!

[@MiladyMacabre]

The usual lineup for the Geoff clones is, from left to right, Goff, Daryl, Geoff, Jeoph, and Jeff. Jeoph and Jeff each take a solo. This song was recorded by Jim Croce (pronounced CRO-chee) in 1972 (he followed it up with Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown). The original, despite being about a deadly fight in a 42nd Street pool hall in NYC, was very bright and bouncy, so Geoff "darkened" it down a little. This was filmed by Geoff and Kathy with at "a random studio in Orlando" as the PattyCake Production's studio was busy. This video was fueled by peanut butter and jam sandwiches.

[@MtheHell]

I think, a new addition (from the production side) is the nearly regular panning of the camera, isn't it? Normally we have more static shots of the 'whole group', and cuts to a closer portrait style of single Geoffs. Here there are more camera movements and short zooming passages - or it's just more remarkable to me here than in other videos (I didn't do a research or comparison, but it's my impression) :)

[@1MannzOpinion]

I feel like I've seen it a few other times but I didn't really research either. Maybe it is something relatively new.

[@katrinakhalatians2776]

Missed your reactions always make me smile, My birthday was this past Sunday

[@1MannzOpinion]

Happy Birthday! Sorry I'm late!

[@katrinakhalatians2776]

thank you and no worries better late than never

[@sarabethwhite]

❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊

[@1MannzOpinion]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@JAYCEETAYLOR]

crO-CHee

[@Badger77722]

Pretty much all of Jim Croce's (CROW-chay) hit songs (this one, Bad Bad Leroy Brown, Operator, Time In a Bottle) were stories set to music. If you're not familiar with his work (and you're really making me feel old right now!), it would be worth your time to listen to some of his songs. His career was cut really short by his death in an airplane crash.

[@1MannzOpinion]

Don't feel old, When I say old I just mean anything not current, even the 90's. I've just somehow missed most of his work. Perhaps I will look back at it. Thanks!

[@Badger77722]

@@1MannzOpinion It's just that I heard Jim Croce's music as a teenager and now most of the reactors I watch have never heard of him. THAT'S what makes me feel old!

[@1MannzOpinion]

@@Badger77722 I had at least heard of him, just wasn't sure about pronunciation. Being from the south I can't really trust how anybody says anything around here to be correct. 😂

[@christinestromberg4057]

I believe it's pronounced as Croh-chee. First Geoff was in the bass range, Geoff 2 was higher, baritone or tenor? So not all the same. But this was a bop.

[@1MannzOpinion]

It was indeed a bop!

[@thomasbarone9557]

Listen to the song and save commentary for end

[@1MannzOpinion]

no 👍

[@galadballcrusher8182]

Well .. try metal band Sabaton , every song they do tells the storry of either a battle or a unit. They into military history

[@1MannzOpinion]

I'll give it a listen!

[@Jaster832]

People either pronounce it Crow Chee or Crow She. If you say either one fast enough no one can tell which one you're saying so you can have it both ways if you're smart.

[@1MannzOpinion]

😂Good point

[@breygon1]

It is pronounced CROW-she.

[@1MannzOpinion]

Thanks!

[@1MannzOpinion]

I managed to miss twice😂