SUBTLE yet POWERFUL!! | Shenandoah - Geoff Castellucci | Acapella Reaction and Analysis

Thank you so much for accompanying me through another incredible cover by the incomparable Geoff Castellucci!
As always, make sure you:
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[@candilunsford2878]

This one hits you in the feels. It's his bari-tenor that gets me here. Geoff just does NOT have a lane.

[@tammymoseley1348]

I've said it before, and I will say it again. Geoff (and Tim, Avi, Chance and Matt) does have a lane. Its just that his lane is the ENTIRE highway.

[@DravenGal]

Babbling in tongues, incoherent speech, helpless gestures, blissful looks, jaw dropping...all perfectly normal reactions to a Geoff Castellucci video. P.S. I couldn’t WAIT to see you react to the “riv-er” part! Well, to the whole video, really.

[@donnam5891]

Oh I agree. Was waiting for the 'riv-er' reaction too. I love this version so very much. I feel some songs are just universally beautiful & this is one of them. & Geoff's version is divine. Chills & tears. Great reaction. Hello from Australia.

[@MiladyMacabre]

Not only is he so musically talented, he's an amazing actor - the piano used for the video shoot was a full step flat and it was HORRIFYING! And it didn't show on his face at all!

[@officialmortius]

WOW! That’s a crazy fact!

[@athlov]

Fun fact: The "studio" that Geoff records in is actually his office in his home. He does the majority of his own editing, then sends his final edit to his mix engineer, Ed Boyer, for the final product. He's a very talented, yet humble man. I absolutely adore him.

[@marshayoung9387]

This is the same room Voice Play did the song Warriors, I think.

[@athlov]

@@marshayoung9387 Some of the parts were done in Layne's studio. Geoff and Layne tend to do their parts in their own home offices. The others go to one of those two places.

[@Broomrider1492]

I cried. I remember when Tennessee Ernie Ford sang it on his show back in the '60s. Geoff did this one for Kathy.

[@Trickpants]

6:55 I took a sip of water at the wrong time! Did not expect you to turn into a Sim for this reaction, but well, I don't blame you. It's beautiful!

[@eiricmacbean]

Are you thinking of a sforzando? with the accent? The only way I can concentrate on theory when hearing Geoff is to catch it on the 10th time, at least. Your flappy hands bring me joy, because I do that, too!!

[@royj.mattice]

That's it! I was trying to remember it too.

[@JackyBurnsides]

Since you asked for comments, screw it, here's what's on my mind after seeing this. Watching these has become a favorite of mine, I am a casual enjoyer of music, and Geoff has become one of my favorites recently, but you breaking down certain parts of the song make me notice things i normally wouldn't, and makes me enjoy said songs even more. Keep up the excellent work!

[@dorothyrosenberg1301]

Your analysis was spot on. Simple but at the same time complex - without one over the other.

[@diekatze1337]

😍🤯😭 How are we expected to process all the emotions during one song!? 😅 I really appreciate some details you spotted 👍🏼

[@FLNatureGuy]

Stunningly beautiful rendition of this song. Fun to hear your thoughts. I am still floating.....

[@Jasper_Tree]

I’d never heard this song before, and the first time I heard it on Geoff’s patreon I genuinely cried it’s so beautiful. Thank you for reacting to it 😊

[@embran8486]

Then you're in for a treat looking up other covers. Honestly there aren't many done bad. Many people realise you don't go all out and keep it tender. I was relatively new to it too. Geoff based his on Tennessee Ernie Ford version. I can recommend Peter Hollens, Chanticleer and opera singer Nathan Gunn (the latter recommended by KZbinr bass singer Peter Barber)

[@paula0721]

Geoff + Piano = Plenitude, Perfection, Paradise. I could hear you sing for all eternity... 🙌 OMG I love him! ❤

[@paula0721]

It's a real shame that you can't monetize the videos reacting to Geoff, so I thank you even more for continuing to make the videos anyway. ❤

[@christinestromberg4057]

Incomparable is the word. It's so beautiful. Brings so many people to tears, including me.

[@natasharivera7976]

to me, him doing this song means a lot to me since I've grown up listening to this.

[@stephaniescott6834]

You are SO funny when you're tired! This is one of my mom's favorite all time songs. The opening reminds of when she and I would sit around our piano playing and singing this song. We never sounded like Geoff, of course! I think this song highlights his incredible range and the texture of his voice.

[@idaengest4069]

Loved the part where you just start rambeling sounds😂 im still laughing

[@CynicalTesuji]

Oh, I knew you were going to love this one! This is a song I knew from the years my daughter took chorus in middle and high school. She sang it nearly every year, generally for district assessments, and I remember thinking at the time that it was a pretty, if kind of dull song. But as usual, Geoff has taken something fine in its own right, and transformed it into something absolutely sublime, true to the original but altered enough to not only showcase his vocal talents but also enhance the original composition. The man is so terrifically gifted, and we are so terribly lucky that he shares those gifts with us. I truly do believe he is one of the best vocalists/arrangers alive right now.

[@MxCAT7]

12:00 my guess as to what you meant would be sforzando? short powerful hit and immediately taking it back to the base volume, often piano for maximum effect

[@wilkvanburen]

I'm wondering if he intentionally staggered the onsets of harmonies to mimic the sounds of lag and acceleration of water flow in a river as it widens and narrows...? I wouldn't put it past him to arrange it this way and kind of "text paint" it for that purpose....

[@carolfranklin]

Glad you enjoyed this. As soon as this came out I thought it was the most beautiful thing I'd heard & when standing Geoff sings I get teary every time. Each new Geoff song becomes my favourite & this definitely hasn't broken that tradition!

[@tracyz9155]

This is beautiful and deceptively simple in arrangement. The vocals are so well placed and the harmonies are very interesting. I love this one too. Did you mean a Sforzando?

[@chrismorin1318]

This is another song that we didn't know we needed. Tim Foust also did another one that makes me so happy. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow/Stay! These guys are just killing it with their solo projects as well as collaborating with other artists and still performing with their a capella groups! I'm loving their creativity!

[@officialmortius]

WYSLMT/Stat is my the cover on the reaction slate! It’ll go live this Saturday (or yesterday if you’re a Trinity patron or nights 😇)

[@marshayoung9387]

I notice that since Earl left the group he was in a video put out by Tim Foust. I wonder if he has turned his back on Voice Play or if he will ever come back. It's a shame either way.

[@Itsmebaileygee]

Geoffs cover of this makes me want to cry . And when he goes up, instead of staying in low bass.... I just wanna cry. 😢

[@gabrielangel1923]

its a song about a river. the way he sings it reflects a rivers flow, rolling and eddying. that's why you have that half second delay to the harmony sometimes. you felt it, look at the way your hands and shoulders where moving while you listened. that's why Geoff is a master. he sang the river into being with the song. i have heard such things rarely, mostly with the train song, done with a harmonica. the style is rare but powerful when achieved, and he nailed it. he brought the song into being.

[@megancooper1710]

His cover of BlackBird is a must listen. It’s one of my favorites

[@eacigoel]

I really like that you are every time you react to Geoff totally surprised and shocked. I heard it the first day he released it to his Patreons, so I knew he would get you 😁

[@randiskye4444]

I knew (as we all did) that this one would get you in all the right places! As far as the distribution company Geoff uses, he addressed this recently, it happens automatically, so he has no control over the copyright claim except to change distributors. He and VoicePlay both appreciate the reactors helping get the word out. Loved your reaction, as usual. You are so refreshing and I enjoy the things I can pick up musically along the way. BTW-I just became a Full Windsor Patron of yours, so as to tangibly support your efforts.

[@billparrish4385]

I see a Mortius video, I click the video, then I click the Like, then I watch it!

[@cindybarber5197]

Yay, I knew you would like this one. I keep calling it a balm to my soul, it's just so beautifully arranged and performed. I have sung this song in choirs in the past and it holds a special place for me already, but Geoff added another level for me. Great reaction as always!

[@alysaere]

I love all the solos we get to see Geoff on the piano.

[@tommyhg32]

I love singing this song in the Barbershop Style, but this arrangement is so beautiful. Geoff is a musical genius.

[@Juilene1965]

LOL ...Total Mortius Malfunction at 6:57!!!! This is such a beautiful arrangement...but then, when is a Geoff arrangement anything but amazing?

[@lkayh]

Yay!!! Glad to see you again! I’ve been waiting to see what you think of this. Will edit to add if I think of anything to say. Already liked-I don’t have to wait to the end to know I’ll like it. Does one company own all Geoff’s songs? I did not know that. Anyway, great review. You always pick up on things I hadn’t noticed yet.

[@maeco7]

They don't really own his songs - it's a distribution company for his music, but it's not the same as being signed to a label. VoicePlay uses a different distribution company and I think they're a little more relaxed about the copyright claims.

[@edithdavis2848]

I like it even if he left part out. Love his tenor range. I grew up with Tennessee Ernie Ford singing this. The song's a love song and very simple from the 40s.

[@joymed987]

Actually, it dates back to the early 19th century and has several sets of lyrics.

[@TennesseeTwinsReact]

I would have failed music theory. All the talk about music terms are way over my head but just enjoy Geoff's genius self.

[@par500dragon7]

As always, Geoff does a stunning job. I saw it the day it premiered, and bought it immediately!

[@alexwalker8440]

Such a smooth voice, yet so powerful!

[@janetdw]

I was waiting impatiently for you to get to that end part, about 14 minutes into your reaction. I went back and re-watched to pay attention to everything else you said because I wanted to see you react to that beautiful interlude. The whole song was gorgeous, but wow, when he/they went into that section, it took my breath away. To me, that dtum, dtum, dtum sound reminds me of the sounds of a piano- that plucking of a string followed by the note itself. Zherrie liked that crescendo/ de-crescendo portion too and had a fairly comical demonstration of that effect.

[@birthenryzend662]

thank you for sharing your reaction....

[@marshayoung9387]

I love your reactions when it comes to Voice Play.

[@GryphonDes]

Been waiting for you to get to this one -- and it did not disappoint!!

[@bjspeck4337]

Simply beautiful.

[@greybenauer9803]

Shenandoah is my fav song Geoff was done solo by far. 11:05 it’s a Caesura. 🥰❤️

[@greybenauer9803]

I think don’t quote me on that

[@creationsbychancecan]

This is originally by Tennesse Earnie Ford, and yes, you may cry. It is my all time favorite song

[@eriklind8489]

awesome reaction Mortius.....once again...Geoff just does wonders to make a great song even better.

[@tinajensen3450]

You are spot on that was incredible beutyful, song with so much felling and soul. A master piece ❤️👌. Greatings from denmark

[@hollyryalsgrubb1273]

Beautiful

[@marshayoung9387]

Geoff, the master of arranging, a musical genius ❤️.

[@MelodieRose727]

Loved your reaction to this one! You point out such wonderful details!

[@bewilderedbear7690]

Love your reactions! A video I recommend if you haven't seen it already is Voiceplay's Cover of Cant Help Falling In Love, it's phenominal :)

[@dorisdonnell8791]

Geoff is a musical genius! And I feel you so much in your reactions! I babble helplessly too! I believe that is normal mortal behaviour when in the presence of divinity 🤣

[@sebastianaugusthy5648]

You helped me see the beauty in this song. Thanks.

[@BergenholtzChannel]

I would watch you just to see your reactions, but then I get the treat of learning some music theory, too. Double treat.

[@gilliandrysdale5306]

you in the middle “an dab dum duh duh do” that’s easy for you to say! 😄 and your hands were directing a plane taking off! I guess you liked it? have a great night ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Tired Mortius is even more entertaining than normal, in my opinion 😄

[@poodleladylady5686]

thx

[@tschlaak]

Love, love, love this!

[@BiasWordSmith]

He’s a god of voice. We literally walk with him. No one. I mean that.

[@erinromary2796]

I love watching you.

[@markc65]

Thanks for opening up my ears to the make up of a song. 👍🏻

[@joelhicks5468]

loved this version

[@AlwaysAndForever7]

10:32 the moment Geoff broke Mortius lol 12:10 for the short hit and release notes maybe you’re referring to staccato?

[@thewrenchreviews9986]

fist was a sforzando..then later some syncopation.

[@Starrynightdiner]

Nice!

[@deeeevooooon8737]

I think sforzando? May be wrong tho

[@lkreinmiller-author]

I don’t think Geoff has any style except amazing.

[@maxschwartz9174]

The consonant you were struggling with is very close to a dental t, try putting the tip of your tongue right at the base of your upper front teeth and build the air pressure a little bit before vocalizing

[@officialmortius]

Fascinating! Thanks for sharing!

[@brirelan473]

Nice! (thumbs-up emoji)

[@veronicathunander4579]

Nice! 👍 😁😉

[@crazyloverofcats]

Geoff once again hits it out of the park. I love this song, and he did such a lovely job on it!

[@davidporay510]

Need to check out Tim Foust - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow/Stay

[@officialmortius]

Just recorded it yesterday! It’ll be up for Patrons tomorrow, and general public on January 29th. Spoiler alert, it almost kills me 😋

[@brendawitters542]

Listern to Geoff Castellucci doing Misty Mountain Cold.....

[@edithdavis2848]

It's ( I'm bound away)

[@Seriphina]

Is the term you're looking for sfortzando? (I'm sure I spelled it wrong.)

[@chris_h606]

It’s crazy the amount of people who don’t know this song, we sang it in chorus just as a warm up. Geoff dose it so much better though!!!

[@jeremyclitheroe1545]

Sforzando?

[@alisonlambert3387]

Or fp on some music we have at band

[@TheQuadFather45]

I think peter hollens cover of this song is still my favorite version.

[@edithdavis2848]

Yes Peter Hollens is good,. Have you heard Tennessee Ernie Ford Sing this.

[@TheQuadFather45]

@@edithdavis2848 No i haven't. I've only heard a couple versions. But i love me some TEF.

[@catalystguitarguy]

Sforzando