Musician/Producer Reacts to "English Man In New York" (Cover by Sting) by The Big Push

[@steveakhurst7845]

Growing up I loved the police version, Sting was special, This version I loved more

[@ChrisLawton66]

I know this is a Sting solo song. When did the Police do it?

[@BayouMaccabee]

​@@ChrisLawton66 I'm wondering the same thing. I'd love to hear a Police version if it's out there.

[@097534]

​@@ChrisLawton66police didn't do this, was a Sting solo I'm sure

[@GJStone-tf7vl]

"Bong Bong" is a great one by them...

[@alimac1469]

One of my very favorite Big Push songs and the dog is a bonus❤

[@StrateleStudios]

Hahaha yes!

[@annaspurlock439]

Bongo Bong and I Shot the Sheriff/Road to Zion/Hip Hop are my two favorite Big Push live cover performances

[@annaspurlock439]

FYI those two performances are totally live one-shot single performances

[@bensaunders6696]

Bongo Bong gets my vote!

[@brandymoran9646]

Bongo Bong is so much fun! A great version!

[@rosetintedglasses72]

I love how comfortable doggo is 🎶

[@woodywoodman2319]

Also... Bongo Bong cover is Awesome!!!

[@rebeccarose7405]

The Big Push’s “Bongo Bong” cover is amazing! The busking performance of “I Shot the Sheriff/Road to Zion/Hip Hop is also a winner.

[@PeteFindsObscureStuff]

Great version. Thanks for reacting my friend. Have you seen Bongo Bong (Manu Chao cover) by the boys yet?

[@woodywoodman2319]

I'll say it again... he's On His OWN LEVEL!!! No One Compares to him!!!

[@timgrodesky4694]

Wow. He is such a solid player and impresses me each and every time I see him. Really deserving of all the accolades and his musicianship is really a remarkable thing. Loved this one and look forward to more! Made my morning! Thanks Jeff.

[@anniedh600]

The giveaway for me the first time I saw it that it was not one take was, of course, the dog. One minute the dog is starting to get inquisitive into REN’s strumming - like he was going to stick his face right in, lol - such that I imagined he needed to be pushed back. Then, like magic, the dog was laying down next to him all mellow.

[@mldkenny]

Just amazing what these guys achieve, simply brilliant! Bongo Bong is another killer track, Loving your journey.

[@dawnpatterson8708]

I loved this cover.

[@riittasihvonen2011]

They started posting their busking videos of their street performances on KZbin. Amazing how active Ren Gill is despite of the enourmous pain he is suffering due to the lyme disease.

[@seth1455]

those busking videos aren't new they're years old

[@reeniemartins6639]

Nice reaction! Can't go wrong with him, but Crutch ft. Bibi is my Ren song of the week. I keep thinking I've heard all his different styles, then I find something that I haven't heard/seen yet that blows me away again.

[@peterkoeppl1186]

nice rendition of a classic

[@jeremybyrd8555]

Great reaction Sir. If I may, can I request Bongo Bong Cover from these fine Gents?

[@cherylrobbins715]

REN’s song. Fire. On his Freckled Angel album is really good music. Subbed

[@iandavison3704]

This song was written and dedicated to Quentin Crisp a Gay English Raconteur who left the UK because it was illegal to be gay in London (UK) at the time .

[@docdurdin]

I knew you would love this.

[@cherylmack1260]

I loved the vibe.

[@TobiiRheaStarr]

I love this it’s one of my favourite TBP songs, love Rens outfit in this too! They’re telling tales though, there’s only one Englishman in New York as Ren is Welsh and Romain is French 😝 Ren is so insanely talented in everything he does. Every song is my favourite song 😂 there literally isn’t one bad song. I particularly love the I Shot The Sheriff mashup by TBP, the Wade in The Water mash up, War Pigs mash up. Too many 😂 Nice reaction! 🖤

[@Biempje]

Thank you for your great reaction!

[@StrateleStudios]

Thank you so much! 😊😊😊

[@Biempje]

@@StrateleStudios ❤

[@eileentaylor1691]

jenny screech and violets tale really brill!!

[@StrateleStudios]

‘‘Twas awesome! Musician/Producer Reacts to "The Tale of Jenny & Screech (Full)" by Ren kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3SZqmeLhNifhJo

[@ironkim3998]

Love this version. Nicely done ❤

[@freeman6147]

6:45 Why not multiple cameras and even post-production zoom-ins and jump cuts? But maybe they did throw in a few post-performance retakes for good measure. Either way, the result is great.

[@MissMeKate]

Ren was born in Wales and Romain is French so they're not quite Englishmen in the Sting sense, which may account for the title shift. 😊 Sometimes with the live stuff he uses multiple cameras and audio sources, some fixed and some mobile, which are then edited together. So the video and audio match 'live'. (He did this for Hi Ren, for example. Though the closing monologue was a separate take.)

[@davideastham]

I agree, there is no 'audio track' that they are playing over. It's done with multiple cameras and then edited together. Great review none the less😁

[@Codex7777]

He's at least partly English. His dad's English. I don't know about his mum. Although nothing to do with nationality, he has a definite English accent and has lived his adult life in England. I'm not saying he IS English, I'm pretty sure he describes himself as Welsh and British but he could definitely fit the bill of being an Englishman in New York. :)

[@laluba3603]

Now, since you already have moved on to The Big Push, I am eager to see what you say about them street busking. The Big Push - " Wade in the Water / Nina simon / Trouble so Hard. It includes Feeling good too but it is not included in the title. And of course also I Shot the Sheriff / Road to Zion / Hip Hop. Bongo Bong is another good one.

[@Bonjovicrzy]

Ren’s first band was Trick The Fox they have a few videos but you can see even at a young age Ren had talent and you can also see how much he has grown

[@Night_Parade]

I love rensdays !!! Thanks, this is so much fun.

[@pauldurrant8907]

Wade in the water from the big push is so good as is there cover of paint it black

[@sch7194]

Love this Ren journey...I'm here for it 🔥🙏🔥

[@seth1455]

Just watched this again, this time with my headphones on and really enjoyed the "sounds", not just the song. Didn't even like the song much years ago when Sting did it. I think this is largely due to the quality of the sound on offer (yes I know it's compressed You Tube), not all reactors get it right and at least to my ears, it makes a huge difference. The tone of Ren's guitar at the start of I shot the Sheriff is exceptional and definitely a favourite.

[@StrateleStudios]

Thank you so much. Ya every video I react to gets a little love during editing. Thanks for noticing.

[@salishseamermaid]

Would love to see you react to Ren and Sam Tompkins together. Their busking video of Earned It/Man's World/Falling is phenomenal, as is their original song Blind Eyed (there are several versions to choose from and all are good, but the sound mix is best in the Music Crowns Session).

[@pamquick600]

Yes! The Music Crowns Session of Blind Eyed by Ren and Sam Tompkins is the Best, and then The Angry Carpark Attendant version should be seen right after that for comparison and to see the Fun they are having! It is Definitely filmed live and on the spot!. I know you will love Both of these version of Blind Eyed!

[@martinrobinson936]

Glad to hear you mentioned the spectrum of vocals and the effective room of engagement sound which I love.

[@StrateleStudios]

Thank you, Martin!

[@dropbarracuda]

Happy Rensday! Another great reaction, I'm loving the Ren journey. For LIVE performances, please consider listening to The Big Push's medley of 'I Shot the Sherriff/Road to Zion/Hip Hop' (the one with nearly 8million views). It's some of Ren's best playing & singing IMHO.

[@dropbarracuda]

NOTE: this is the 4th time I've posted this comment today, except this is the 1st one without a direct link. For some reason the ones with links keep getting removed.

[@StrateleStudios]

@@dropbarracuda Thank KZbin for it's aggressive "spam protection / safety feature". This seems to be a common issue that people run into. If you want to give me the full title I can search whatever keeps getting removed.

[@dropbarracuda]

@@StrateleStudios thanks for responding back, yeah it's The Big Push, "I Shot the Sherriff/Road to Zion/Hip Hop". it currently has 7.7 million views, and really showcases Ren's talents across a broad spectrum. And thanks again for these reactions, I watch a lot of Ren reactions, and yours stand out for their content and genuine nature.

[@StrateleStudios]

@@dropbarracuda Thank you so much and to make up for YT frustrating the hell out of you, I'll do this one for you for next RENsday. How does that sound?

[@dropbarracuda]

@Stratele Studios that is AMAZING! There are a couple of versions of I Shot The Sherriff, but it's the one with I Shot the Sherriff/Road to Zion/Hip Hop; in the thumbnail, Ren is wearing red suspenders. Just made my whole week man, thank you!!

[@annebiebrich9155]

I just really love Ren's voice ! This version is better than the original ! MO

[@tsumichama]

If you want to go through Ren's collabs, maybe try "Humble" next? With Eden Nash. Doesn't have a live version though, I don't think, but it's a great song

[@periurban]

Regarding the video editing, I have some experience of just the kinds of cuts you mention, and it is possible that the audio is edited at the same time as the video. This requires an ensemble that can replicate the performance tempo to within a few beats per minute, which is absolutely possible. I think that's what Ren is doing here. So, you shoot the performance (say) three times, and record the audio at the same time, so that you have three complete performances each with video and audio synchronized. You put all three on the timeline of your video editor on three different channels, and align each of them in "near sync". Obviously, they won't sync exactly, but since you are cutting from one to the other, and they are all at the same tempo, you can create a final edit that works perfectly. You can even seamlessly crossfade audio to avoid any small glitches. The main advantage of this method is that you are actually capturing everything live, in so far as the visuals you see are coherent with the sound. It prevents any difficulty with post event synch as well, which is actually a lot harder to achieve than the method I've described here. Another big advantage is that you have three performances to choose from, and you can edit the best parts of each one, making an apparently "live" performance that never happened! I've done these kinds of edits a few times, so I can verify it works - much to the astonishment of the guys I was working with, who didn't think it could be done!

[@StrateleStudios]

Ah!!! Thank you so much for sharing this, that makes total sense. Wow, that’s a lot of editing work.

[@periurban]

@@StrateleStudios I was looking at the video again, and I think they probably did 3 or 4 takes, each of which had a static long view and one roving camera. Yes, it's a big edit, requiring lots of experimentation and not a few compromises, but the end result can be quite spectacular (as it is here!)

[@StrateleStudios]

@@periurban what a great way to end up with a dynamic video yet keeping the integrity of a live performance. 👏👏👏

[@WhisperWolfe]

That's so fascinating, @periurban! How long can that take to finalize? It sounds like it would be more than just a few hours. We watch music videos and forget about the videographers and video/audio editors.

[@periurban]

@@WhisperWolfe It depends on how complex the shoot is. With 3 takes it's not horrendous. Just a lot of decisions to be made. It helps if the talent knows the technique, because they can play to it. So, Ren or his director may have planned all the shots in advance, moving cameras to capture close ups and so on.

[@reviewandreactionvideoswit7200]

Love his love of the police

[@supertuscans9512]

Great review, nice to see you bringing your specialist skill sets to the table- a lot of people can’t do this!👍

[@StrateleStudios]

Thank you so much! 😊😊😊🫶

[@manusince52]

You do a great reaction,thanks a lot

[@bosbornefischer]

Bongo Bong and their cover of I Shot the Sheriff/Road to Zion/Hip Hop are both great, but I would suggest their cover of Guns of Brixton--where the do The Clash better than The Clash--or Swan Song, which is a Big Push original that is unique because Ren and Romain switch harmonies (Ren goes high and Romain goes low, with Gorran in the middle). Totally different feel.

[@Bonjovicrzy]

Very nice review ,,, I love that you wait to the end of video and love to hear your input musically to be honest anything the band does live in the street corners are incredible War Pigs is tight to the other members of the band is Romain Axisa, ( Guitar Solo) Gorran Kendall (Bass)and Glenn Chambers (drums) Another person Ren does duo with is Sam Tompkins in the streets their song Mad World Ren vocals is outstanding so is Sam’s

[@StrateleStudios]

Thank you! Oooo I need to see that one too!

[@AlSnoopsReid]

I don't know if you'll read this after the video has been out for two weeks but, to answer your comment regarding the use of "Englishman" and not "English man", the terms Englishman, Scotsman, Welshman, Frenchman, Irishman etc, are the correct nouns in common usage of the English language.

[@StrateleStudios]

Yes, that’s why I was asking why did Ren named this “English Man”. The original version has it as one word but Ren split it up into two words so I was curious if there was some significance to that. 😊

[@seth1455]

What next? I'll add my voice to "How to be Me" with Chinchilla live version. Or failing that "Crutch" with Bibi I'm enjoying the journey of Ren's day with you.

[@debrashrider4062]

Below the video you will find out who filmed this one. My guess would be Samuel, but it could have been Luke.

[@gabbymcclymont3563]

Only 3 men and 1 dog, great set up for a band.

[@hansjohansson7111]

Nice reaction as always. I suggest War Pigs by The Big Push.

[@pamquick600]

YES!! War Pigs is Fantastic!! Again, look for the version in which Ren is wearing red suspenders. I'm surprisesd War Pigs hasn't received more recommendations for you because it is truly an exceptional performance by Ren and The Big Push. I'm 76 and I have never before encountered a performer/lyricist/producer and all around Genius like Ren. Ren is a phenomenon. I can't Wait to see your reaction to War Pigs!!!

[@Bonjovicrzy]

Thank you ,, Happy Rensday I love this too, Their street performance is to die for My favorite song by them Sweet Little Lady the acoustic live version , there is 2 Versions both are excellent but the acoustic version is better it awesome the harmonica is killer the regular version is English punk but I have both on my playlist

[@DuelerDog55555]

Nice reaction! Please do Ren in The tale of Jenny and Screech. FULL video. You will love it

[@StrateleStudios]

I did, it was awesome!!!

[@cherylmack1260]

I shot the sheriff and hip, hop by The Big Push.

[@dropbarracuda]

I've commented twice on this video with a recommendation, why are they being deleted?

[@Codex7777]

The performance is live but they use 3 cameras. The main one being handheld. You asked about the significance of the title. The song's about Quentin Crisp, a famous wit and raconteur. He was flamboyant and openly gay, in London in the 1920s through to the early 80s. In his earlier life he was constantly harassed and beaten up but would never back down from being proudly what he was, a flamboyant, effeminate, gay man. He'd deliberately be over the top and had a razor sharp wit, which didn't always help him. He became really famous in the 70s, when 'The Naked Civil Servant', a film about his life, starring John Hurt, was released. He moved to New York in the early 80s. Hence the song. :)

[@StrateleStudios]

Thank you for that information. What I was a asking about was why did Ren break title into two words (“English Man”)which is different from Sting’s one word title (“Englishman”). I was wondering if there was some significance to that.

[@Codex7777]

@@StrateleStudios Ah... Not sure about that one. It could be a simple mistake. I've noticed occasional spelling mistakes on some of Ren's videos that include onscreen lyrics, so it could be as simple as the person who makes them sometimes forgets to spellcheck. :) If it's deliberate, I'm not sure what the meaning would be. Ostensibly the meanings are identical, though there are slight connotations of 'gentleman' loosely associated with 'Englishman'. Perhaps Ren doesn't want to be a gentleman? :)

[@StrateleStudios]

@@Codex7777 hahaha! Well Ren is certainly a gentleman in my book through and through 😃

[@linmonash1244]

All three are really good Guitarists AND Singers, but this one made me revise my initial view of Ren's mastery of his voice! So skillful and flexible, especially transitioning so seamlessly between lead and harmonising lines. Beautiful. LOVED this Cover. { Soooo disappointing that The Big Push broke up just before Ren's rise pulled them into a bigger spotlight! Fingers X'd they'll find a way to get back together for a few performances / ann. Somehow!?}

[@Hammill33zfg]

Better than the original!!

[@MissyGail4eva]

ooh, please, please, puh-leaseeee do Humble and Oceans featuring Eden Nash! And then Ren's remix with Venbee...you will not be disappointed..lol, like that's even possible with Ren. 🌈ᥫ᭡

[@catherinerobbins3887]

As a producer hes a genius right?????

[@StrateleStudios]

He is indeed 👏👏👏

[@Courtneyp85]

Please react to Chinchilla- 1:5 live

[@horsehollerer]

Another great reaction, thank you. Confession: I have always absolutely detested this song. This is easily the least offensive version I have ever heard, and I appreciate that they did a great job and that it sounds good to everyone else ... but I hate the song so much. There are maybe 20 Big Push busking performances, live videos and original tunes that are a million times better than this imho. Anything Ren does live outside is stunning. I just saw his live improv of Steve Wonder and Michael Jackson (with Sam Tompkins) and it was just stunning (as well as raw!)

[@horsehollerer]

Questionably-fascinating fact: Several years ago, I went to a party in a New York apartment recently owned by Sting ... it still contained most of his furniture (including the tantric bed lol) and his room-to-room central audio system, all of which he had abandoned and sold with the apartment. However, I still hate the song. 🤣

[@seth1455]

wouldn't say I hated it but if I never heard it again I wouldn't be disappointed . I laughed at your "least offensive version" I think it's harmonies remind me of barber shop quartet style singing which is truly a crime against humanity

[@Zalentsia]

Englishman/men singular and multiple. Uk had LOADS of accents like usa 🤣 you wouldn't understand anyone from Buckie in Scotland, I'm very English but understand the deep south of UK to usa with accents, as lived around them all most my life worldwide. Keep educating 👋 ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ This is an ending sig. That's added to all posts to inform you that I've got brain damage and a lot of other issues. It's not part of the post I'm making or replying to. It's a warning if you want to try and reply and chit chat, as I'm in bed 24/7 most days, ADHD & OCD are not fun when you can't get to the park with your granddaughter to burn off energy. I'm 53, nearly 54 female, who once lived an exciting life. WARNING ⚠️! (* gives direction, typo fixed and words missed/added. I have brain damage as I died in hospital in august 2016, and it gave me mild brain damage. Also got EDS x2, ADHD, PTSD, EUPD, HCM, OCD etc. with the rest of the alphabet Google medical acronyms, it will help, oh, and that was before I medically died (coughed my spleen up in Aberdeen royal infirmary and bled to death).

[@StrateleStudios]

Hi Xanshea! I was commenting on the difference between “Englishman” and English Man”. I was curious why the title of RENs song was different than Sting’s in that respect. 🫶