Vocal Coach Reacts! Voiceplay! Thriller! Halloween Week!

[@katthor7311]

Aww I've missed you reacting to VoicePlay. I was so happy I stumbled upon this. 🎃🧟‍♂

[@DTA-Music]

That was Cesar whose voice you said was so special near the beginning. So few reactors notice and comment on that, I really appreciate that you did!

[@SSTVocalCoach]

Oh I loved him, just wish i'd got his name right! :(

[@barbarakennedy2667]

It takes us all a little while to learn all the names.​@SSTVocalCoach

[@marshayoung9387]

Hi Sam, thank you for another great reaction to Voice Play. Please do a reaction video to Voice Plays cover of In The Hall Of The Mountain King. It's an incidental piece . No words but Voice Play kills it. Don't take you eyes off of what they are doing . Also follow it up with Their medley of classical music / no words it called Classical Chaos. Again don't take your eyes off of what they are doing. They all take turns stealing the book of spells. These guys have too much fun. They are both in line with Halloween.

[@ConnorSinclairCavin]

Black and red “main’ character: j-none Black and white with frizzy hair: caesar Tall long haired walking bass machine: geoff Tiny bald rock machine: eli Mr beatbox, with a carrot through his zombie head: lane

[@ilonadever8249]

This is the third MJ piece that they've done. Earlier this year they did The Way You Make Me Feel. It is on line for a Grammy nomination. No costumes, no makeup, but absolutely sublime! Voiceplay has a very large fanbase. Most of us are very supportive of reactors. Subscribed in anticipation of more Voiceplay. And Geoff started doing solo work during the pandemic. Just so ya know.

[@Flammedesnefs]

I really liked your detailed explanations. What I like about voice coach reactors is that they pay attention to each voice, and you didn't disappoint ! I'm very happy that you commented on Eli's superb riff on "end of your liiiife", most reactors don't even notice it (probably, to their credit, because they're caught up in the storytelling). You've reacted to very few songs by voiceplay, and I'm happy for you, because you still have so much to discover! XD To stay in the Halloween season, This is Halloween is a classic with fantastic voice acting, Ding Dong - Hide and Seek is very fun. For after, I would suggest Hoist the Color (unmissable), Nothing Else Matter (a sublimated classic), Seven nation army (ming blowing) or Creep (gorgeous and emotional).

[@thisismetoday7423]

So glad to see you reacting to VoicePlay again!! Thank you! ❤

[@EtherealForever]

Lovely reaction thanks - also learned something! They put so much work into these to entertain us - thank you Voiceplay! It's criminal to be so talented 😉🌹🕊

[@MiladyMacabre]

This cover has been in the works for several years, with Omar Cardona the original choice for collaborator, but they couldn't make the schedules work out. You're correct, J. None used to be part of VoicePlay - for example, you saw him as Sebastian in their Little Mermaid Medley. The man in the striped top is current VP member, Cesar de la Rosa. The tenor is Eli (pronounced Eh-lee)Jacobson. Makeup was by Rick Underwood and Renette Feren. The "progressive zombie infection" was Rick's idea. Having a carrot as part of Layne's zombie look was Geoff's idea. Kathy Castellucci is the zombie that bites Layne. It was her idea, during setup for the shoot, to have Layne kick "her" away. The doll Layne kicks resembles Kathy's character thanks to Rick Underwood's magic and is from Spirit Halloween. They call her Greta the Gruesome (actually, she's Little Greta and Kathy is Big Greta). Fun fact: once he becomes a full-fledged zombie, Geoff never blinks when on screen.

[@SSTVocalCoach]

@@MiladyMacabre thanks for the background info!

[@PandaBear221B]

I adored this reaction! I don’t know how you managed to create such a perfect balance between analyzing the technical aspects and noticing all the little nuances of the video/story. When I react to Voiceplay I either spend way too much time talking about the technique, or I get distracted by the video as a whole. But their work is so rich and complex, can you really blame me? Job well done! I can’t wait to see more.

[@SSTVocalCoach]

Thank you! I usually try and avoid music videos because I get wrapped up in what’s going on in the film 😅😅😅 it think because for the most part they are standing still I could focus a bit 😂😂

[@barbarakennedy2667]

JNone is well-known for his riffs and runs. He has such a versatile voice. Eli (Eliezar) is our Rock God with a wide voice range. He does a lot of voice work. Cesar is the newest member of Voiceplay and we are still learning some of his talents. I love what he has shown us so far. He brings the sass.

[@nightthornkvala94132]

Cesar De La Rosa is the one is the black/white stripes. J. None is the one in the red, the last to survive. He's a former member of VoicePlay who left for a 5 year stint singing for the navy and comes back to the fold when on leave. I like to think that he's just on hiatus and will be coming back as a full member in a few years. The bald one is Eli Jacobson and his name is pronounced like Ellie. The beatboxer, the bite victim is Layne Stein, known as VioLayne since he plays the violin in two or three of their videos; Metallica's Nothing Else Matters for instance. And then of course their's their bass singer Geoff Castellucci, pronounced like Jeff. The doll Layne kicked away after getting bitten was the doll Greta the Gruesome made up to look like the floor crawling zombie that did the biting. She was played by their production manager Kathy Castellucci, Geoff's wife.

[@BetsySchiller-sj2sm]

Just found you! What a great reaction! Subscribed and looking forward to more Voiceplay. Whatever you choose is great. They actually did do Man in the Mirror 😊 I love Nothing Else Matters. It's brilliant ❤

[@janetdw]

Great reaction - and I learned something. You explained the larynx positioning very well. I have no musical training but I watch a lot of reactors and I always learn something from the good ones.😊 If it helps at all, all but one of the changes have been in the baritone slot. Earl, their laser high tenor, had been with them from their beginning up until 2020 and that position has not been filled. The baritone slot was filled by Tony Wakim from about 2010 to 2018. J came in after that and stayed until 2021. He was recruited by the US Navy to sing and he’s about halfway through a five-year hitch. He often comes back as the feature because he’s no longer a permanent part of the group . When he left Cesar de la Rosa (in the striped shirt) filled that position. They are now using that open position to bring in a lot of featured artists, many of whom appear more than once. It’s especially confusing if you knew of J when he was a permanent member and now he’s a featured member. (I think a lot of us just think of him as on vacation.) But it does give them the ability to bring in all kinds of voices. A favorite of mine is DeeJay Young (amazing runs) who was featured in their other Michael Jackson covered this year the way you make me feel and is sublime. It’s been considered for a Grammy nomination which thrills all of us. The other one that’s being considered is the cover of Hellfire from the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

[@cherylsmith3291]

❤Love Voiceplay and your analysis

[@hollyryalsgrubb1273]

This reaction is tops! So are VoicePlay so I am looking forward to seeing more.

[@cherylrobinson2597]

If you’re looking for examples of Voiceplay’s vocal agility, check out Tennessee Whiskey. Otherwise there’s nothing you probably won’t enjoy

[@Aurora-cv5to]

Hall of the Mountain King (#1) then Creative Chaos (#2) aren't properly Halloween, but they feel a bit like it. They'd be great adds - creativity is off the charts.

[@annel6265]

Love your voice! Thank you for the expert and fun comments on VoicePlay's version of Thriller. Enjoyed it a lot!

[@SSTVocalCoach]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jackyfriedman1963]

Beginning left to right... Geoff Castellucci - bass, arrangements. Solo channel. J None - guest, former member. US Navy Chorus. Eli (ellee) Jacobson - tenor, rock tenor, lighting, arrangements. Cesar De La Rosa - baritone, tenor. Layne Stein - beatboxer, baritone, arrangements, co-owner Pattycake Productions. Geoff's wife Kathy was the zombie. Greta the Gruesome bought from Halloween store) was the doll. Made up to look like Kathy's zombie. Geoff arranged this one. Which means he did everything from concept to KZbin except intricate makeup, cameras and audio mixing.

[@rahelmeyer2750]

From left .. Geoff Castellucci J. None Eli Jacobson Cesar De La Rosa Layne Stein

[@SSTVocalCoach]

What!? Noooooooo! So “featuring J. None” just means he’s taking the lead on this song? Isn’t he already *IN* Voiceplay?? I’m so confused!

[@jcandrews308]

​@@SSTVocalCoachJ.None used to be a full time member but left a few years for the US Navy. He still features quite regularly with the group.

[@SSTVocalCoach]

@@jcandrews308 that’s why I was confused! 😅😅

[@barbarakennedy2667]

​​@@SSTVocalCoachhe is currently in the Navy but appears as a guest whenever he gets leave. We hope he will return as a full member again after he gets out of the Navy.

[@FLNatureGuy]

First time watching your reaction, Sam. Really enjoyed your thoughts. Amazing VP video. So, so good. So much skill on display. Check out Geoff Castelucci's solo work "Jack's Lament" from the Nightmare Before Christmas! It was a sensational performance with incredible range demonstration. Hall of Mountain King from VP would be a great choice.

[@christineschutten248]

I know it can be confusing but J.None is the guy in the black and red. He used to be part of the group but then he joined the Navy. Sometimes he comes back to sing with the guys. The striped shirted fellow is Cesar. He's such a great actor as well as singer 😊

[@lauriehallcolemandowns7364]

So glad you're reacting to this! They do such a great job on this! J None is the one who takes the first solo line (he's sort of the MJ part.) Cesar is in the stripes, he's the adorable, sweet-voiced bari-tenor who can go as high or higher than Eli, but Eli does it with more power, I think. Eli really is an amazing rock tenor. Geoff is the tall sexy Bass machine and he also arranged this. Layne is Mr. Beatbox, but he can sing beautifully too and does about half of the arrangements, although Eli is beginning to do some too. One of my observations about them is that they usually don't use much vibrato, but the have a nice spin to the voice without heavy vibrato, and this allows for a much better blend. Now that doesn't hold for whomever is taking a lead because there rest are supporting their performance and the lead can be freer to allow some vibrato like J None does when he takes his solo lines. Geoff's lines that Vincent Price did in the original, were great, the whole production was FABULOUS! You are a GREAT reactor with such insightful analysis! I'm so glad I found you! I hope you analyze many more of their things!!

[@vdoyne]

Subscribed for more VoicePlay (or Geoff's solo work). Thanks.

[@ronsbrat525]

Left to right..... Geoff Castellucci - bass, arrangements, solo channel. J None - guest, baritone, former member, sings with Us navy chorus. Eli (ellee) Jacobson - tenor, rock tenor, lighting, arrangements. Cesar De La Rosa - baritone, tenor. Layne Stein - beatboxer, baritone, arrangements, co-owner Pattycake Productions (studio).

[@tiffymcconkey]

RIP Vincent Price Geoff did him justice

[@judithboulden3456]

Glasgow, the one place I want to go. My grandmother's family home until they came to the US. She was the first one born here. I have one of the trunks with which they came across the ocean.

[@SSTVocalCoach]

If you get the chance you should visit! It’s a very friendly place 😊

[@CynicalTesuji]

Have you had the opportunity to listen to VoicePlay's cover of Metallica's 'Nothing Else Matters'? That's a phenomenal track, and quite different from the more theatrical performances you usually feature from them on your channel.

[@MiladyMacabre]

@@huldradraco Oops -- my bad - I had the right song in mond but the wrong title - took it down.

[@Levi-k9p]

Hello! Sorry, this isn't related to this video but I wanted to ask if you were going to do another video on Ensemble Stars?? I really enjoyed the previous ones.

[@SSTVocalCoach]

Hey! Yes I plan to as soon as I can fit it in ✌️✌️✌️

[@bjspeck4337]

How did you guess my name? Superstition is good and I love Phantom of the Opera.

[@Juli-AnnaGoldsby]

voice play as zombies 🧟‍♀

[@ShadowPerson11]

🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

[@scottrogers7242]

The whole vibe of this reaction was ruined by you not knowing the names of four out of five members of Voiceplay. Why do a reaction at all? This is not the "Geoff" show, as you seem to be "fan girling" about. He has his own channel for that. Voiceplay is an ensemble. Cesar, the one you keep saying is J. None in the striped shirt, has been with the group three years now. And God, constantly referring to Eli as "the bald one" over and over is ignorant. Do your homework beforehand.

[@karenponchak5304]

The whole vibe of my watching this was ruined by your comment. That's not a VoicePlay fan response to a reactor. Even I'm aware this channel has rarely reacted to VoicePlay. I'm shocked by your rudeness.

[@SSTVocalCoach]

@@scottrogers7242 my brother in Christ, my whole thing is trying to know as little as possible so I’m going off of absolute first vibes. I know Geoff’s name because like you say he has a separate channel and I’ve had it drummed into me by hundreds of comments. I realise I’ve annoyed you and that wasn’t my intention but you’re picking up an attitude that I categorically don’t have with them. I love them collectively, and find your animosity to me pretty left field, but hope your day gets better and you’ll know to avoid my videos in the future ✌️✌️✌️

[@MarilynLloyd-f6c]

I love Voiceplay and really enjoyed your reaction to this. It's sometimes a little hard to keep track of all the names as they've changed a few over the years and have a number of different collaborators. 😊

[@janetdw]

@@SSTVocalCoach He is trolling. Every once in a while he’ll show up and it’s never anything positive. It is always some random little bit of whining because it didn’t go his way. Feel free to ignore him the rest of us try very hard to. But quite frankly every time I see his name my blood boils because it’s never anything positive.

[@EnsembleStantePede]

​@@janetdwl think that sums it up pretty good. Thanks for your comment about this 'Scott', as mine would have been a lot more caustic & a mood spoiler 😜