Opera Singer Reacts to Post Modern Jukebox feat Morgan James | Take Me to Church | MASTERCLASS |

[@blueisback3683]

Morgan James has some great videos out there where she is talking about how she might use a 60-40 mix here and a 30-70 there, she is that good. If you love Morgan and haven't gone down that rabbit hole, go for it, it's a very enjoyable journey. Truly one of the best female singers of our time, very few can match her

[@estebanarce3446]

This is an analysis, this is a reaction! This how you tech people of artistry, this’s how you give artists credit for their talents and hart work! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼Than you, thank you Jess!!! You are THE best! And Morgan James… and the pianist… the arrangements… the singing technique… just Love, LOVE every second of this performance and toy reaction, Jess, wow! Emotions all around!!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@joehohmann6015]

Morgans voice has me at the edge of sobbing sometimes I can feel so much emotion from her. Amazing isn't good enough to describe her. 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@jamesbull6266]

Morgan James went to Julliard and trained in opera, but decided to go more the Broadway musical route for awhile after graduating. I would suggest you react to "Dream On," also with Post Modern Jukebox, and duet she does with Haley Rhineharts, the Beetles, "Dear Prudence." What an incredible and insightful analysis you did. This is the first time I remember you really getting into the words and their meaning as conveyed by the varied technique. I learn so much from each of your reactions! (By the way, I am always moved by the whole song- she is the only one I've heard sing it, but the differences between each of the final "amens" is stunning).

[@russlong5114]

@jamesbull6266 - FYI, Jess has already reacted to Morgan's "Dream On." If you haven't seen it yet, it's well worth your time to do so.

[@georgelynch6139]

It’s performed the exact same way on their live shows, the interaction between Morgan and her joyful inebriated audience is superb, she is at her best before a audience

[@WonderfulWorldOfStuff]

I love Morgan James she has so many amazing vocals with PMJ. Love the way she has this vocal which has this seamless gradient rise & falls.

[@glennsaoit8846]

Lady, you are so freaking cool. This particular song analysis hit my soul

[@bi1iruben]

Having enjoyed this performance previously, your analysis fascinating in its breadth and depth, but also leaves me appreciating the performance all the more. Thank you for the almost half hour of emotional connection and the continuous smile I’ve had after a long day at work.

[@jessicasopranonotes]

Such a fantastic comment to read! I’m happy you enjoyed the video and it made your day brighter 😊

[@michaellambert5223]

Dang she just owned that!🥰

[@jeffstumpf9129]

This reminds me of “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen, which also has all kinds of religious language and imagery but is about worldly cravings and indulgences. I am very religiously spiritual but I recognize good art when I see it, and masterful singing and songwriting when I hear it. Thanks for the analysis of this performance.

[@winterknight4176]

Morgan has covered “Hallelujah” kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5DInKeXlLGtiZI Another good cover by Morgan is "Human" originally by Rag'n'Bone Man, kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5jYfWtvatyBldk

[@stevenmeyer9674]

@@winterknight4176 her version of "Hallelujah" is the one disappointment of all the other covers MJ has performed. Most of her covers have become my favorite, even more than the original. I guess even the best is entitled to one clunker.

[@abrown1301]

Leonard Cohen also did a song called "You Want It Darker" which is even more religious in tone (and not in a good or complimentary way). I freaking love that song.

[@Galantus1964]

Im so happy you did this i watched you for the first time back when you reacted to Morgan and PMJ doing a cover of Aerosmiths " Dream on " Morgan is so INSANELY good

[@Crespwnian]

Morgan is just a joy to listen to, another cover she did that is amazing to check out is her rendition to "Elvin Bishop - Fooled around and fell in love" which is yet again done with such grace and skill.

[@bethdietz7559]

Can’t wait! This is on of my all time favorite performances!

[@carr0760]

I love hearing another vocalist talk about the same process that I teach my students. Take the text away from the music for a moment and figure out how you would actually say it. Where is the emphasis? What feels natural? Then put it back in the music and make it work. Most songwriters don't consider prosody when setting lyrics to music and it makes our job more difficult as singers. The solution to that is to examine how you would say the words. It's such an important step.

[@jessicasopranonotes]

I couldn’t agree more! It’s a game changer in artistic development and performance

[@russlong5114]

@@jessicasopranonotes - You didn't mention this, but did you notice that Morgan brilliantly sang this song while sitting down?

[@austins1016]

Love that it’s Morgan James. Wish it was her broadway bucketlist video 🫤

[@nathanfisher1826]

Yes😊

[@supertuscans9512]

Morgan James has some set of pipes on her, really interesting reaction.

[@johnb2044]

Morgan and Doug have a fan for life from me .....

[@Julian-1111]

Incredible version, thankful for your insights on it. A very Emotional cover , needs to be watched to fully appreciate. Cheers from San Diego

[@DWilliams-ce8nb]

Big fan of Soprano Notes! Hope she gives us her Haley Reinhart/PMJ ''Creep'' reaction soon. More than 110 million views on HR/PMJ's Creep. Wouldn't be surprised if that reaction helped this channel kick the subscriber count over a well-deserved 100K!

[@abeldiaz3877]

This is an amazing performance and your analysis was on point as usual. This is also a fine example of how anyone can mix-up the words in the lyrics, and how not to let that affect the performance and keep it going gorgeously. I bet not many people realized the little mistake.

[@LyhusBlue]

She intentionally changed the lyrics tho, it wasn't just a mix up. She changed all the shes to hes because the original is sung by a man. I also believe the "only then I am human, only then I am free" to "am I human" and "am I free" change was also intentional, to give the lines more strength.

[@abeldiaz3877]

@@LyhusBlue that's not what I'm referring to. Those are not slips of the mind.

[@LynzeGenX]

Love your reaction/analysis. Morgan moves my heart and soul in this. When she hits that first AMEN I always kinda stutter breathe and tears come ... Every single time. I have a different take on the lyrics, unless i misunderstood what you were saying. The part about Sunday being bleak. The song leads me to believe she and "he" still go the church every Sunday to sit in a service they dont agree with its foundation but go anyway. But the the service, the hypocrisy, the message is always dark fear provoking, essentially poison. I live in the bible belt and have had that experience many times until I found a church I attend now.

[@PK--ITA]

She's great, and not just in this performance. Such a tiny, tiny body and SOOOO GOOD voice 😍😍 Hi Jess!!

[@JeshuaSquirrel]

I think this song is where she gets closest to her full power. All that voice is such a small person. Wow.

[@michaelkarnerfors9545]

In the chat when Elizabeth Zharoff (@TheCharismaticVoice) was premiering a reaction the PMJ video, Morgan revealed that this instance was the first time ever that she and Scott did this song together. So, if you listen closely, you can hear that Scott is following Morgan, listening to her song and playing after that, noticeable at the start of the chorus, and especially so at the last one, where Scott waits for her to do "Take me to..." and them - bam - fortifies her "church" Also, the line "born sick, commanded to be well", is from Fulke Greville's poem "Mustapha", that starts: "Oh, wearisome condition of humanity, Born under one law, to another bound; Vainly begot, and yet forbidden vanity, Created sick, commanded to be sound." ...and, yes, it is indeed an attack on the church. The poem goes on... "It is the mark or majesty of power To make offences that it may forgive;" Also, did you catch the spoonerism at 22:37? ;)

[@larryc3860]

PMJ "discovers" so many great vocalists, Haley Reinhart, Morgan James, et al.........Scott Bradlee, the pianist, arranges most, if not all, the covers...... Morgan was classically trained at Julliard, has Broadway musical experience and is a tremendous talent.....

[@ericzeichert511]

There are other opera singers who do reactions (imagine that) and you are all about the enunciation and there is no surprise there. As an outsider watching an opera, I don't understand Italian, or French, or German, to the performers have to convey ths story by their presentation. You have to be able to know if they are in love, or going to battle, or preoccupied or whatever based on their emphasis and body language. This reaction is like Juliard orientation class, and I love it.

[@FlatulentBreeze]

Scott is PMJ, he does all the arranging and picks the players. Morgon is one of his best picks. I see you saw Dream On so I would recommend All About That Bass with another of Scotts best picks Haley Reinhart and a third singer named Ariana Savalas.

[@Kabby-ur7pd]

Thanks!

[@jessicasopranonotes]

You bet!

[@seth1455]

I'm not religious but there is something about the word "Amen" it's such a powerful word. Morgan James & PMJ do a 70's soul version of "Maps", so different than the original but I love it

[@Storkus100]

Morgan and Shoshana are besties. If you want your mind blown, check out her album "She is Risen". Its an all female version of "Jesus Christ Superstar" with Sho as Judas and Morgan as Jesus.

[@Maiko100876]

Morgan is amazing and her hero is Aretha Franklin. Her voice is as powerful Jennifer Hudson, and she went to Juliard and probably had the same teacher as Alicia Keys. Morgan is on tour right now.

[@cristiancastro326]

Excelente tu reaccion, saludos desde Costa Rica, pura vida !!!

[@davidscroggins7728]

Oh my gosh, I missed you girl !

[@nineboneable]

I understood the song to be about a loving couple in the church for years and one of them dies; this song is the survivor's memories, feelings and thoughts.

[@TheCyancheese]

My favourite part is how she changes it up by shifting the chorus up above the verse in pitch instead of shifting it down like the original does. It makes you feel… lifted somehow, like you’re getting closer to god or even going to heaven. I’m an atheist yet I felt religiously moved by her version.

[@nonchalantd]

♥

[@joeseay2883]

Morgan takes us to Church but you take us to school Professor Jessica.! I can't leave one of your classes if I needed to !

[@jessicasopranonotes]

Thank you! Love this comment 😍

[@tylerhackner9731]

Love it

[@reedhaley15]

Hope you understand that the pianist is Scoot Bradlee, the arranger and leader of Post Modern Jukebox and responsible for these iconic version of songs we view.

[@RevenTon73]

i almost died from this piercing voice ......

[@JimJack-ng9yi]

The piano player is Scott bradlee, founder of postmodern jukebox

[@christianmontealegre6804]

When I saw the video for the song, my heart broke into a thousand pieces. As an ex-Mormon proud gay man, this song is my queer anthem. I love your videos, I’ve learned so much!

[@jeffstumpf9129]

Morgan studied opera at Juilliard.

[@capstan50g]

I adore Jess's analysis and insights. She's so professional and loves music. This song, however, is not for me. Looking forward to your next reaction, J!

[@hikerJohn]

Maps - Vintage 1970s Soul Maroon 5 Cover ft. Morgan James

[@michaelsharpe4217]

Please react to Morgan James singing Barbie Girl

[@johnc8066]

Well, since you asked for more PMJ suggestions, Haley Reinhart's version of Creep. Plus, she was sick when she did it but nailed it in one take. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2TPd2WneqZlmdk&start_radio=1&rv=WDL9IYP8EFM

[@joehohmann6015]

As much as I think that Morgan owns this song I would absolutely love to hear Adam Lambert do it. He's the only one IMO that can come close to this version.

[@nineboneable]

Check out K.D. Lang's 2005 rendition (experience) vs. Pentatonix (and others) rendition (performance) of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. 🧐🙃

[@dennisswainston411]

Welcome to the Morgan James Fan Club! Now on to "All About that Bass" with Casey Abrams, Haley Reinhart, Morgan James & Ariana Savalas (Telly's daughter) kzbin.info/www/bejne/l33Ri2SEhtJlq80 , Haley Reinhart, Morgan James & Ariana Savalas "Burn" Sydney Australia - kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2aoY3yppN-LeLM then "Maps" kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpiykJ-uic2WZ68 and "I Really Don't Care" kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5XHm4Kfe8ijb7s . Morgan and Haley cover "Dear Prudence" kzbin.info/www/bejne/rafCiZuwrNudr8k is also a must! Then down the rabbit holes of Morgan and Haley's other tunes on-line. You will not be disappointed...

[@alduval]

I really enjoyed your analysis on the singing and the arrangement. Can you comment on how the singer and the arranger work together to craft the song? I believe Scott Bradley is Post Modern Jukebox's arranger and often the piano player. I would advise anyone wanting to listen to more PMJ to browse their extensive catalog so one doesn't miss one that isn't sung by the more recommended PMJ singers., but if you asked me to narrow down to just one song, What is love, sung by Casey Abrams (kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqa0goJ_o8d5bpo ) Also if you want to see Morgan James in front of a live audience here are two performances, kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWmxc52Ln96omJo and kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHymnmWKrdJ6qNE

[@tirallala1]

👉Suggestion: Jess, you don't believe it - At The Mask Singer Russia Diana Ankudinova (Russian contralto) sings an aria (soprano) from the opera 'Prince Igor' by Alexander Borodin (first performed in 1890). - Улетай на крыльях ветра/ Fly on wings of wind - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmbMipiXgt2lfqM In English, the aria was included as 'Stranger in Paradise' in the 1953 musical 'Kismet: A Musical Arabian Night'.

[@nici1782]

I was expecting a reaction but instead got way more than I bargained for. Full dissection…

[@AllroundSam]

Dimash- Stranger!

[@drdwatkins]

She did train in singing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5qndqCEn7iKd5o

[@carr0760]

Yeah... She went to Juilliard and studied opera.

[@TheSimJoh]

02:51 You say "she (Morgan James) is excellent at speech delivery" - yet you needed closed captions on. I don't get it?

[@michaeloreilly2533]

Great analysis with respectful integration of some of the key tenets of Christian mythology.

[@JimJack-ng9yi]

Morgan is a graduate of Julliard who trained in opera. Morgan can't sing many different genres , especially musical theater which she has done 😂Broadway a few times

[@sakarijoenvaara1304]

As a Pride month is going on I must disagree that this is not about all ppl, but gays targeted and it is very obvious also in the original MV.

[@KylinNicole11]

I hate to keep being the annoying one…not really…because you need to react to Jessi J when she was on The Singer in 2018. Killing Me Softly is my favorite, but she did Whitney, Prince, Celine, and many more covers to choose from. You will not be disappointed

[@graemeblackburn7511]

Great reaction again, but still no Amira. Very disappointed. Promises, promises. Still a sub, hanging by a thread. Cheers Graeme.