PETER HOLLENS & AVI KAPLAN - BLACK IS THE COLOR... | classical musician's reaction / analysis

Join our KZbin community or Patreon to support the channel and for additional benefits!
/ @sirhairless
/ sirhairless
Sir Hairless reacts to Peter Hollens's "Black Is The Color"
As always, let me know in the comments of any songs or artists you'd like to see next, or anything else!
Check out my other acapella reactions at the playlist below!
• acapella
Check out my other reactions to Peter Hollens in the Peter Hollens playlist below!
• Playlist: Peter Hollens
Check out my other reactions to Avi in the Avi Kaplan playlist below!
• Playlist: Avi Kaplan
0:00 Preview
0:20 Intro
1:44 Reaction & analysis
19:33 Final thoughts
Special thanks to: Wadebowen Fan, Mary Hampton, *anon*, Anne-Marie Smith, Micah Olson, Shelley Oliver, Donald Quigley, Jas Pigot, Beverly Burch, William Flouro, Dónde está la biblioteca, Alisha Youch,Kat, Margo Bynon, David Bangston, Annette B, Margo Bynon, Dixie Burkhart, HDrider211, Rochelle Fisher, Laurie Reinertsen, Żaneta Kot-Skindel, Annika Ramhqvist, Anita Gupta, Ravyn, Russell McBride, Lana Simpson, Jewels, thisismetoday, G. Jazmin VG, Ms. Chuck Terry, Betsy Vondracek, Hans Flückiger, Nina Lopes, Kara L Joy, Coco Hol, peggy miller, Alan Hufstetler, Chris Hubbard, Jane McGee, Christopher Davis, Hitomi Ochiai, Dale & Carol Timberlake, Kat, Lisa Sharp, Emily D Civiletta, EmC, Becca Davis, Bettina Sade, Bonnie Deppen, Suzanne Damm O'Donnell, cofactorKarate, TJ in SC, Ellie Hartsfield, Panma, Amy Nance, B Sprak, Linda, NoNo, Dorothy Rosenberg, Nanci Flesher, Judy Williams, thisismetoday7423, Stephanie M, Chris Torkildson, Anna Kilvert, Tammy Kiernan, Margaret, Shelley, judith l, Eirene-Rose Skywalker, Megan Wheeler, Small Moments, Gerri Mesack, Paul Clark, Sally Kennett, Gerald, Stephanie Shifflett, Juliana Livingston
#peterhollens #blackisthecolor #avikaplan
==================
🔵 ATTRIBUTION 🔵
Hollens, Peter. BLACK IS THE COLOR. KZbin. Nov 19, 2014, • Black Is The Color Of ...
==================

[@PeterHollens]

well you just earned a sub, like and a patron from me my good dude! Hit me up on insta dms or on patreon ❤

[@venettaperry-sh7su]

Oh WOW! 😮

[@SirHairless]

Wow! Thanks so much, Peter - really appreciate it 🙌We all owe you and Avi a big thanks for this amazing work

[@gailseatonhumbert]

@@SirHairless so happy for you to get this acknowledgement from Peter. Bravo 👏👏

[@smallmoments957]

@@SirHairless Lol, I can hear you saying "What?!?" when you came across Peter's comment. I wish every artist that you react to could hear your beautiful analysis of their songs. Congratulations on getting your due props.

[@juliewade1393]

Omg how cool!!!

[@reginairvine3919]

I dont think I've ever seen Sir Hairless this emotional or overwhelmed by a song. What a joy to watch him fall in love with this masterpiece

[@Ten1brae]

Your reaction videos set the bar for what other reactors can only aspire to. Your expertise, attention to detail, authenticity... you demonstrate an amazing example of how someone can enjoy music with both mind AND heart. You help us all understand it better, which means we can really appreciate it more. You put more effort into your videos in a 30 second snippet than most reactors do in their entire video. You don't flaunt your intelligence, and you don't talk down to your audience. No wasted breath... your pauses for analysis are sensitively timed, and we can really enjoy the music along with you. Sir Hairless, you are a class act and we are grateful for your videos.

[@user-fb6ft3sg9q]

Well said. I totally agree

[@MaryShieldsPhD]

Yes!

[@anjelikashaximardanova]

Абсолютно согласна! ❤

[@SirHairless]

Wow, thank you so much for your kind words! When things are going tough, I will come back to this comment

[@myramegill7293]

​@@SirHairless yes, that was a master-class in analysis, Sir! I don't know how you can untangle all of those chord layers, it's mind-boggling to me. Congrats on earning the well-deserved kudos from Peter Hollins. 👏🙂

[@erinbackman1196]

There is something I just love of of the tone of Avi’s voice. Just so warm and beautiful

[@Dixieburk1]

When Avi gets in that lower register I can’t even hear him, I feel it in my bones.

[@dorrit_rosen]

This song gives me goose bumps every time I hear it. If you listen to Avi’s “He don’t love you right”, I’m confident that you’ll get goose bumps galore (no video, though).

[@deborahhardin]

I agree with you, the complexity of the music is outstanding, and their voices blend beautifully together. Avi's solo - just Wow, Amazing! Such a complicated arrangement, I enjoyed your commentary. Appreciate your reaction. 😊

[@charlottevan_8]

I knew you'd appreciate this one, and especially Avi's basso profundo that carries so much depth, resonance and agility.

[@charlottevan_8]

As an aside, this video from mid-2011 (just before he was recruited into PTX for The Sing Off) will give you a glimpse of Avi in his college (Mount San Antonio College in California) award-winning chamber choir performing Bruckner's "Christus Factus Est". Avi is easy to find, being the only male in the choir with a lot of hair and full beard. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHrRXqqDatiJg5I Years later, in a nod to this piece, he convinced Ben Bram to make the opening part the intro into Pentatonix's live performances of Imogen Heap's iconic "Aha!". Here's the preferred video of that song, taken from the audience in Singapore. Avi's low notes at one point took out part of the venue's speakers. And Mitch, functioning on a few cans of Red Bull to combat jet lag, gives an epic performance. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4WVf6Bqm76gf5Y

[@charlottevan_8]

Sorry, can't help myself. As you may know, Avi co-founded the A Cappella Academy in 2014, along with Ben Bram (longtime PTX producer/arranger) and Rob Dietz (composer/arranger) - an annual 10-day intensive vocal music camp for kids 12 to 18 from around the world, where they learn to hone their vocal skills, performance, theory, and specialties like beatboxing and bass singing (which Avi often teaches himself - as seen in this YT Short where his bass class, all under 18 - do "Hoist the Colors" kzbin.infobRcq_8DEZyc ). This other video, from 2016, was done at the talent show, where the students were able to show off their personal skills. Avi chose Byrd's "Ave Verum Corpus" to perform with this small group he'd taken under his wing. (He still loves the choral music he performed in school, as most of us who sang in school choirs also hold dear.) kzbin.info/www/bejne/qausp4aOprl1rM0

[@cathyboyce6457]

I always love your detailed and helpful posts, Charlotte ~ Warm thanks!

[@charlottevan_8]

@@cathyboyce6457 Doing that comes sort of naturally, as I have some background in music business PR and publicity from back in the day. I'm compelled to give backstories and information whenever possible. Can't help it, lol.

[@SirHairless]

Thanks Charlotte!

[@MS_Milly]

Thank you for showing your emotions while reacting. Such talented musicians

[@cathyboyce6457]

Yes, his open emotion is an asset to watching Sir Hairless!

[@tommieev5589]

I have a hope that these two work together again sometime. Their voices are so, so beautiful together. Thank you, once again, for helping me to appreciate this song even more greatly than I already did. Watching you listen to this was incredibly fulfilling.

[@InkWellideas]

I am again reminded how much we owe to "Sing Off", and the judges thereon, for the exposure of these artists to a wide audience. Peter was among contestants in 2010, and received encouragement from that year's judges.

[@staciemoisa4884]

I didn't know that -- wow!

[@shelbychesnut99]

Thank you for your reaction. It seems to me, at times, Avi is looking right into my soul. I love this song.

[@scotty2307]

Peter Hollens began his KZbin channel doing composited harmonies. He sang all the parts, with a square window sowing video of him singing the corresponding part. He, in my opinion, is a master at creating these very complex multi part harmonies.

[@christorkildson6472]

Thank you for providing a microscope into these videos. Like using a microscope, you are providing insight and clarity into a world I cannot not see for myself.

[@betsyvondracek4009]

I love this song. Who better to sing it but the two on this video. It's beautiful. I will always love Avi. 💖R/A🎼

[@SirHairless]

[@iamkerok]

Love this one. Thanks again for explaining the details of why my hair stands on end....

[@jdb101585]

Awww, you need a cuddle while listening!

[@SirHairless]

[@kracine9582]

Love your teary eyes! They say more than your words.

[@susiepingleton3614]

Thanks Sir Hairless for taking the the time to lead us through! Very emotional!!!

[@beckyv3369]

I was so EXCITED when I saw your reaction posted. Great analysis. I get emotional when I hear this. I think you did too!!

[@quigleyd]

Peter's layering is mind-bending. I believe in Misty Mountain with Tim he had as many as 120 layers. Whether he did that here I can't say.

[@katetracton131]

I’m so glad you chose to react to this beautiful rendition. Peter is really good at choral-like arrangements, somewhat reminiscent of Eric Whitacre’s work - always exciting, and oh so technical. I have heard this recording many times, and each time I’m brought near to tears by its beauty. I enjoyed your breakdown very much.

[@gailseatonhumbert]

This was absolutely amazing when I first heard it never having ever heard Avi in anything other than the bass supporting role to the other singers in PTX. Loved his tone and how he and Peter's voices fit well together. Peter developed the multi-part visual style with Fifgen. Peter also mentioned that the only way he was able to fly from Oregon to Los Angeles and record with Avi in their studio was through his patreon support. Peter can be pretty amazing in his own right. He was on the SingOff the year before Pentatonix with a collegiate acapella group he put together On the Rocks at The University of Oregon. He is pretty hyperactive in his field. Among numerous collaborations a favorite of mine is with Lindsey Stirling in a Star Wars medley where his wife at one point plays a wookie 🙂

[@kmwwrench]

Absolutely love this one. So gorgeous.

[@kayecastleman6353]

This song moves me in a special way. All the dissonant chords, edgy enough to create tension, but still beautiful in an out-of-body way, take me beyond this realm. Their voices make me think of what "choirs of angels" might sound like. It's the perfect pre-meditation music to fashion an Elysian vibe. Thanks for transporting me once again! It's always great to hear your reactions, and this one connected heaven and earth. 💖

[@shirleymoffat3338]

Such a visceral/cerebral reaction! Only the very best sounds can exercise the mind whilst tugging on the emotions. Thank you for explaining why this song affects me like it does. What masters Peter and Avi are!

[@annicajakobsson]

I’d love to hear your day-long analysis of this song, there’s so so much going on all the time it’s hard to wrap your head around! Beautiful song and great reaction/analysis by you!

[@heatherhuard]

I will second that! Would love to hear all of what you were thinking while listening to this one.

[@SirHairless]

I'd probably stop speaking after a while as words wouldn't be able to do it justice

[@elainecourteau6231]

Loved your reaction. So complex and their voices are perfect together. The lyrics are so romantic. It’s almost religious. 🤗

[@beverlyburch4467]

Superb reaction and analysis, as usual. I still say that Peter is a master at arrangements. Beautiful song and beautifully sung by these two.

[@cottontopprintshop452]

Peter always has the most complex structures. It is stunning. I enjoyed this analysis very much. Thank you for this beautiful piece!

[@Maria...-mo5qm]

This video was an amazing new experience for me: from the touching performance by those lovely guys to your beautiful reaction & educational discussion on it. It’s a true privilege to be able to find in your reactions so many relatable emotions and, at the same time, to listen to your explanations on the rational reasons behind those sensations evoked by specific sounds. Thank you, Sir!😊

[@SirHairless]

[@heatherhuard]

Always enjoy your analysis I am always amazed by how much you can hear going on! Feel free to do a long form video of this. All your information is very interesting.

[@thisismetoday7423]

Chilling and haunting

[@SirHairless]

[@ladykilgore2337]

Thank you for yet another amazing analysis! This arrangement is astonishing! I scarce have the words to describe how this song makes me feel, both musically and emotionally. Musically, the chords give me crazy powerful asmr. Emotionally, I have to say, as a women, to hear a man sing so reverently and tenderly about his lady love absolutely melts me. When it's done by Peter's and Avi's angelic voices... GAH! I need some smelling salts over here!

[@dagmar.6954]

Thanks for your analysis. This is a beautiful arrangement of this traditional folk ballad. Peter & Avi's voices really complement each other with the high & low tones. I enjoy his collaborations with other artists especially basses. Peter & Tim Foust have also done quite a few great songs together. In fact they recently released a duet album.

[@SirHairless]

Thanks! I've only seen Peter and Tim collab once, that was Sound Of Silence. Excited to see the others

[@evasecchi]

Absolutely wonderful! This song is one of my favorite collaborations. The first time I listened to it I made the same face as you, and it generated so many sensations in my body that are difficult to explain. They are two great talents and great artists. Excellent reaction 🙌🏻

[@grain3871]

Thank you sir. I love this song. And singers, of course. They are so talented. Good job, as always, sir)❤

[@michellemiles9966]

Thanks you so much for this one. It's been a favorite of mine since my first listening.

[@jenniferarted3652]

Unbelievable! Both the performance and your analysis.

[@reginairvine3919]

Omg I'm sooo glad you did this....its amazing!

[@cathyboyce6457]

This is simply beautiful! 💚 Always enjoy your reactions ~ It's fun to rewatch a video after hearing your analysis ~ Thanks!

[@staciemoisa4884]

Great reaction. Your facial expressions are so honest and real -- I love it! This song is an experience. When it ends, it leaves you breathless. Amazing.

[@vmcgriff]

I love your reactions! I remember when this one released… must have listened to it a dozen times in a row trying to catch all the different nuances and variations that are in this amazing arrangement. I agree with you, Peter and Avi‘s voices and tambers work so well together. Huge choir nerd through middle school, high school and college - also in several a cappella groups over the years… Pentatonix and Peter’s work was right up my street!! ♥️🙌🏻

[@cynthiamiller483]

Stunningly beautiful! Thanks for your analysis, as I enjoy learning about the complexities of Peter’s genius. 🎶 Cyd

[@r.p.8906]

Trop Beau! Super natural almost.

[@smallmoments957]

Another great analysis and reaction! Thank you!

[@juliewade1393]

Love this reaction. So complicated. When layering music for volume changes everything.

[@ninalopesbrasil]

They blend wonderfully together. That was magical! Great analysis as always 💙

[@elenahume8295]

AVIIIII IS FANTASTIC ❤❤❤

[@ronaldschweitzer1110]

I knew that this would be fantastic to watch you react to. You didn't disappoint! It is a masterpiece of music to me. Thank you so much.

[@valenciathequeen8994]

This version is hauntingly beautiful.❤

[@GrandmasGotGraceLW]

WONDERFUL reaction! Thank you VERY much! These are two of my VERY favorite singers in the world. My favorite (since last April) is Dan Vasc. Peter used to be in that spot, but he's a VERY close second, at this point. Before I knew about Peter, Avi was my all-time favorite. So...really...the three of them kind of just move around in my head a LOT. Having Peter and Avi together on one screen is super fantastic! Peter has actually appeared in a short cameo on one of Dan's videos, as well (I'll Make A Man Out of You). I'm SO happy to hear you talking about the overtones. I haven't searched to see if you've ever reacted to Avi doing examples of the overtone singing he can do. As for Peter, well...there's not much he CAN'T do, through the magic of not only his own VOICE, but through his wonderfully-layered arrangements. As for Dan, I've tried to explain to people who wonder about a great-grandma in her 70s, who loves to listen to "metal" music. The thing is, when I was younger, I really did NOT listen to a lot of it, because some of the early stuff, simply tore my head apart, and the harmonics some of those "singers" produced made me want to THROW BREAKABLE THINGS at them. With Dan, when he sings, and the GORGEOUS harmonics start to open up in my head, all I want to do is melt into them, and stay there forever. (If/when you react to Dan's version of "Music of the Night," there's a certain place where I believe you'll understand what I mean.) Peter produces much the same thing, though not always in a single layer (which is perfectly fine...he HEARS the sounds, then produces them through layering). Listening to THIS song, puts my whole body into overdrive, and I could listen to it forever. Oh, and for all three of them, one thing I'm always telling people is, "WATCH THE EYES!" All three of them use their faces in ultra-expressive ways, which is very, very effective, because they all FEEL the music they are making, and the essence travels outward, through their expressions, and through their eyes. They all, also, use frequent body movements -- each of them in their own ways -- that also help the emotive content feel so alive. Again...thank you very, very much for this reaction, and I'm so excited for you to have the chance to get to know Peter! I've been one of his patrons since 2015 (with a short gap when I had to cut out all of my Patreons for a bit, to get through a bad financial time).

[@rayofsunshine72cz]

This song is a masterpiece! They are amazing together! I always have a chills and goosebumps throughout the whole song. Anyways, I love to see your reactions to the music and listen to your analysis. You are the best 👍💯

[@thewrenchreviews9986]

A true masterwork, by two true artisans.

[@mjreid30]

What an amazing analysis!

[@anjelikashaximardanova]

Sir Hairless! Спасибо большое за эти чистые эмоции! Отличное исполнение, очень объёмное звучание, очень очень приятно слушать а с помощью Вашего анализа "услышать"! Вообще супер! ❤

[@martiwalsh2069]

Peter Hollins did Misty Mountains with Tim Foust. That is worth a listen.

[@AliciaMoore-Morada]

I don't know all the technical aspects, but I have always had the same kind of visceral reaction to this! Thank you for the lesson so I better understand what I'm hearing.

[@SaleBSGN]

goosebumps

[@marlyceandersen8864]

Beautiful reaction! We did see a little of what you were feeling. So emotional. Thank you.

[@janeramirez8767]

I listened to you. I really did. Until you started the music again, and then I couldn't hear you anymore. I listened again, and I did follow most of your analysis, but for the first time. it didn't matter. All that mattered was the ineffable beauty that Peter and Avi created, and the emotion that you and I (and 476+ other people) felt as we listened. None of my business--but what kind of pain did Avi go through that made him take this off his own channel? Thank God that Peter still makes it available.

[@rlhcat7662]

I'm so glad you reacted to this. They are both wonderful singers and arrangers, and it must have been such a pleasure for them to do this together. This was done about 6 months before Avi announced that he was leaving PTX. It helped a lot, once we heard about it, to know that he would still be creating such beautiful music aside from PTX. A few other Avi favorites are Quarter Past Four (his original), Hey Ya! (Outkast Cover, done with a group included multiple times on his first album, The Sequoias), and Sweet Adeline Part 2 (original). Love to see your reaction to any of those.

[@SirHairless]

Thanks! All of those are on my list for the future at some point 👌

[@gillianmorris4981]

Absolutely jaw dropping talent! Their voices are fantastic, as is the arrangement. Your analysis is also fantastic, such an in-depth exploration of the harmonies etc. Thank you very much for sharing 😊

[@venettaperry-sh7su]

Gosh! This rendition is rather heavenly. Makes you want to get down on your knees and start to pray. You were so clearly moved by it Sir - I find your reaction contagious! As for your super detailed analysis, it's just amazing! Brilliant stuff! Thank you! 👏🙏❤

[@SirHairless]

[@lleldridge1]

Thanks for another great breakdown/reaction. I've always loved this arrangement, haunting and beautiful. If you're interested, I would highly recommend Peter Hollens' cover of I See Fire. It's quite amazing; a wonderful arrangement and lots of vocal layering. PS: Peter did an interview with The Charismatic Voice and I believe he mentions something like 100 vocal and body perc layers in that one.

[@cocohol3513]

Love this collaboration! Thanks, for a great analysis and reaction. Cheers!

[@KaaSerpent]

One of if not my absolute favorite performances from both Peter and Avi.

[@SirHairless]

It is amazing I've been listening to it on repeat for days now

[@venettaperry-sh7su]

So have I 🎶 🎵 ❤

[@ChibiChula]

I loved watching you get so obviously emotional while listening to this song. It's so hauntingly beautiful. I clearly remember being stunned the first time I heard it and I still get goosebumps when I hear it even now. Thanks for helping me appreciate it even more. 🥰 BTW, I remember Peter sometimes has a habit of noting how many layered tracks it took to create a song in the description of the video, even in the video itself at times. It goes up to the hundreds sometimes. It's been a while since I checked out his work but I seem to remember one where there was well over 200 tracks. I also recall him doing a song with Lindsey Stirling, whom you've seen perform with Pentatonix before. I can't remember the name of the song (I'm terrible at remembering the name of anything honestly, lol) though I remember it had a sort of video game (RPG/MMO style) theme to the video which was cool. I'm sure someone will point you to it eventually if you do more Peter Hollens reactions. 😅👍

[@guadalupejazminvilaguillen4786]

Peter creates literally magic. He's been on KZbin for ever. Avi is alright. Peter has a crazy range.

[@loveloochay]

🍭🍭 .. wow , this is certainly a treat for the ears !! Great choice to examine two stellar singing voices. It sounded like 63 voices .... and I think you could have spoken about the layers for 47 minutes, Sir Hairless. It was very beautiful from start to finish 🎼🧞‍♂️🎼 .... I shouldn't exaggerate , you could have spoken about the intricacies for 59 minutes. Fine with me .. I like learning about great music. Rock on Sir .... I am waiting for "Misty Mountains Cold"

[@SirHairless]

[@debbiepenny465]

As you have said, this is a very complicated arrangement, but I am not even close to your level of understanding. However, the words/music moved me……. As I SEE, MOVED you. As a musician, you can surely appreciate the intricacies of ALL you have explained, but I LOVE HOW, and WHAT this POETRY DID for you ( and by extension, ME). As a Master once said, I may sing however many ranges, but I want to bring MAGIC to your life. Fantasy, and otherworldly BEAUTY is not a bad thing, in this often crazy and chaotic world! These wonderful men did this! How magnificent, if relationships could be, even in part, like this song…..❤🇺🇸

[@alisonwebre1]

Great!

[@mooses-n-gooses9712]

I love this one! I knew you would have a hay day with it. Haha. Another fantastic, entertaining, informative reaction. Thank you again, Sir.

[@camillegreco6269]

Sir Hairless, if you only knew how much joy you give me, as you’re listening to the music, and I see your mind hard at work. It’s wonderful!

[@SirHairless]

[@agustinalamour6925]

Que bellas voces y las armonías hermosas , tu reacción es muy genuina.❤️

[@stephaniegeer1691]

Peter is AWESOME!!! And Tim is ALWAYS AMAZING!!😃🎶❤✌

[@dorothyrosenberg1301]

Peter Hollens is a master arranger and solo a cappella singer. My personal favorite of his many covers is his solo rendition of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” Peter’s duets introduced me to Tim Foust. Their covers of “Greensleeves” “Bridge over Troubled Water” are great. Thank you for this reaction.

[@tanyanguyen3704]

Not to diminish him, but peter doesn’t do the arrangements.

[@bettinasade9385]

Not my Favorit Song but IT IS a great one. i Just Love his voice, Avi's of course too I can see...

[@mjbsen]

Beautiful

[@flyngalan]

Thanks for your intricate disections! They are so useful and remind me of when I was an Eton College chorister back in the 60's. ❤

[@SirHairless]

Thank you! We've probably sung from the very same stalls

[@gustavsson5277]

Would love to see your reaction to Peter's version of I See Fire. It's just him doing all the harmonies with himself and I think it's amazing. I really love the video as well

[@juliewade1393]

Thanks!

[@SirHairless]

Thank you, Julia. Always very much appreciated 🙏 Glad you enjoyed

[@SirHairless]

Check out my first reaction to Peter (with Tim Foust) here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoOmh6Ghj8SFeNk

[@theresadeuschle8500]

I tried this one, a little too tough to hear all the parts you're picking out, but it was fun listening to your expertise. Even though I'm missing a lot, your analysis was fascinating. Thanks.

[@SirHairless]

The parts are blended so well, and their voices blend so well together, that the parts are pretty tough to pick out! Thanks for giving it a watch 😊

[@kmwwrench]

I forgot that I wanted to talk about FifGen. They also did quite a few Home Free videos before leaving the video production business to become full-time musicians. Reilly and his wife MacKenzie Zamber now produce originals and covers under the name The Hound and the Fox. They have a very 60s folk sound. I would recommend their collabs with Adam Chance from Home Free on Wayfaring Stranger (on his channel) and Sound of Silence (on their channel). Just one more enjoyable rabbit hole.

[@MaryShieldsPhD]

Thank you for your heart and insight. So happy to see you coming back to Peter Hollens! You''re going to love the rabbit hole... Some of my favorites: Shenandoah is probably my all-time favorite. He does a second version with Anna Gilbert. I love them both. Another all-time favorite is his cover of "I See Fire" from the Hobbit. It's haunting. All of his Hobbit/LOTR songs are amazing, and he does a spectacular arrangement of Misty Mountains with Tim Foust. Then there's his Amazing Grace with Home Free. Another favorite is Loch Lomond: both versions, one with David Archuleta. There are so many Peter and Tim collab's, in all kinds of genres, and they're all great: Bridge over Troubled Water; You've Got a Friend; Greensleeves. Actually, you can't go wrong with any song Peter does, but I think start with I See Fire.

[@SirHairless]

Thanks for all the recommendations! All are on my list for future reactions 🎶

[@MaryShieldsPhD]

@@SirHairlessYay! I had a few details wrong above. Corrected now. I can't resist adding a couple more ideas: The Parting Glass. Again, two versions: one on his own and one with the Hound + the Fox. Homeward Bound, which he did with a choir of 300+ kids. His medleys are a lot of fun (and also great arrangements). Two more favorite collabs with Tim Foust: Fire and Rain and Blackbird. When you get to Christmas, there are a whole list of songs to add. However, his original December Song (written with Anna Gilbert) is wonderful.

[@cardbuddy4988]

I appreciate your points on dissonance because I find that there are certain songs that a particular section can either grate on my nerves or bring tears to my eyes. Do you believe that there are certain notes, or combination of notes that can bring forth unexplained emotions?

[@cardbuddy4988]

Actually, after listening to more of your analysis, I see that you know exactly what I’m speaking about.

[@SirHairless]

100%. Music is so powerful and at its most powerful moments there's precisely a 0% chance of explaining how it can affect you

[@karajoy581]

Great song, full body chills the whole time, really awesome! This might not be a popular opinion but I think Avi really shines in an ensemble vs his solo work because his voice is just so delicious in chords and with other singers. That probably doesn't make any sense, some voices just pull song a together like peanut butter while some other voices are like the jelly. It's like he's made to be the gooey center of a song. I hope they team up more! Great reaction! But you gotta check out Geoff's solo stuff, I'm positive now you'll love it. Try his Blackbird cover or Ghost Riders in the Sky, that one has some super yummy filthy chords, but they all do. Or Wicked Game might be an interesting comparison to Diana Ankudinova's version.

[@jasgem76]

I think this might be my favourite of your reactions so far. Just out of interest, do many people skip the analysis? Because they're really missing out if they do.

[@SirHairless]

Thank you I don't know of people who do skip it (at least no one has actively told me that), but I include this to avoid the rare comments that question why I speak and don't just play the song in full without pausing. So it's a way of offering such people a chance to continue with the music

[@quigleyd]

Just as an aside; I listened to this with my Status ANC 3 Earbuds and I have to say they are amazing. I have Super EQ headphones that don't produce bass as magnificently as the Status Earbuds.

[@SirHairless]

I've not heard of these!

[@kathymchugh689]

You should try Home Free's Brothers In Arms. There's no percussion; just 5 part harmony. It's gorgeous.

[@bettinasade9385]

I don't know how much tracks he layered in this one but in the 'Skyrim Theme with Lindsey ' He put 120. He did the Same without Lindsey and it was still near 100... Some of the Songs hast around 50... As far as i know...

[@SirHairless]

[@trismische5044]

You should listen to Peter Hollens and Tim Foust's version of Misty Mountain from the Hobbit.

[@sharonfauber9253]

Could you please explain why Avi Kaplan’s “Otherside” just fascinates me. I just get lost

[@pweiner7597]

I love Nina Simone’s rendition of this song.

[@babybalrog]

you mention Hose of the Rising Sun, you need to listen to Geoff Castellucci version

[@susiemilligan7220]

(For the Nth time) I am not a musical expert, but I wish the song had ended on a major chord. It would sound more like the old traditional song it is. Or am I wrong? It wouldn't be the first time!

[@SirHairless]

Hard to say as the true original song is not known (from what I found online, anyway)! I like the minor ending personally - I think it leaves us with a more melancholic feel, one of longing and more reliant on hope. A darker sentiment than a happier major ending would give Especially in this arrangement, which I still can't get over

[@sallymaria]

FifGen made a lot of acapella videos, and set a lot of the expectations for artists multi tracking themselves - the box videos. They also made a lot of Home Free's early videos as well. In about 2016 two of the three of them. husband and wife Reilly and McKenzie Zamber, switched from making videos for other people to making their own music as the Hound and the Fox. They're still part of the Home Free family, though, and they've done a number of collabs with Adam Chance and Tim Foust, as well as Peter Hollens.

[@annmoomau881]

so, this video was posted to the tube 9 years ago, while he was still with PTX. Just sayn, he was free to branch out and do lovely projects, even while still PTX. He had good reasons for leaving the group, stress, etc, but those that say he needed to leave in order to do his own thing, just not true. Great song, and great review.

[@kbogue5690]

The fact he needed to leave is very true. This was a song written by someone else. He now does the writing, arranging etc by himself. He wanted to have the time to create things that were meaningful to him and did not have the time to do this while constantly touring, recording, making appearances, while with the group. He also needs the freedom to have the time to take care of his mental health and spend time with his family. He couldn’t accomplish this while with the group and left. Every individual is different and while other members of the group may be able to do all of this while with the group, Avi could not.

[@cocohol3513]

There is a big difference between doing a cover song in collaboration with someone and writing, composing, and arranging one's own music with complete editorial freedom

[@gailseatonhumbert]

I disagree. There were 2 projects done only during the 6 years Avi was with Pentatonix. This one and the Ring of Fire he did with Homefree to help them with sales of their first album after SingOff. I also find it odd that that is your comment on this amazing collaboration.

[@annmoomau881]

@@gailseatonhumbert not sure what you are saying here. I said he did this project while he was with PTX, is this not correct?

[@gailseatonhumbert]

​@@annmoomau881I disagree with your criticism regarding Avi and found it very gratuitous mentioning it connected to this collaboration.

[@TheFirstAntarie]

Before I event start the video, I have been listening to and singing this song since I was a literal kid. I am somewhat offended that we are using Nina Simone as a reference rather than the many folk musicians that have performed it over the years, but that might just be me. 🤷‍♀ ---- Having now watched the video, and as someone who likes Avi (I went to see him in London), I really don't enjoy this version. It is overcomplicated, to the point where the original melody is lost and it sounds like a completely different song. They have lovely voices, but why even use the original title if none of the original features of the song are maintained and only the lyrics are kept? I couldn't even finish the video, it was just painful. I am sorry, but it's 100.000% a no from me.