Tim's arrangement is fantastic, but I think the falling 'fall's and the bell tones stand out for me. But if my math is correct, baby-face Austin was only 28 in 2014.
That high 5-part chord just gives me the shivers. But my second favorite moment is just a little thing -- Austin doing that little run on the second-to-last "night", crinkling his nose, and then the very light but distinct 't'. I understand this is an arrangement Tim did in high school that he then "brushed off" and "polished up". I don't know how many changes he made for HF's version, but it's a pretty impressive arrangement for a teenager.
Believe it or not, Austin is 27 years old here! Even now, at 36, if he shaves his beard he looks a lot younger! He just has on of those faces! Handsome as ever!
Love the song, love the bell tones, love Home Free, but my favorite...when Austin sings. I love hearing tenors sing (sorry bass fans), so Austin (Rob & Adam, too) are my favorites. I would really like to hear your reaction to David Phelps singing O Holy Night. His best version is The Gaither Homecoming concert where he is wearing a green sweater. He's 54 rt now, and the video is at least 20 years old. Enjoyed your comments, and i just subscribed.
They're always going to have a 'country' sound simply 'cuz Tim is from Texas, Austin from south Georgia and Adam Chance (who took Chris Rupp's place) is from Alabama. In an interview, Tim said that when Austin first joined Home Free he'd say something and the others would look to him (Tim) to translate. Wishing you all the best in the New Year and keep on analyzing the music (esp. for the people like me who haven't a clue!).
When Austin was singing, and they hit that incredibly high chord, you will find Adam Rupp on top. He has an incredible tenor voice. You can hear it in How Great Thou Art and in Listen to the Music. And Austin’s crinkled nose after that last riff was precious. As always, I love hearing you go through the high notes while explaining what they just did. I’m so glad that you finally got to hear this. Have a blessed Christmas.
This is without a doubt one of my favorite arrangements of theirs. My favorite part is the Fall---Fall---fallfallfall on your knees. I've always loved it.
Through this song I came across these fantastic guys from Home Free two years ago and stayed with them until today. It is my favorite Christmas song. The song says "...I hear the angel voices..." - these guys really have voices like angels. Great reaction Peter!
I know all Home Fries already know how fabulous our guys are but I'm posting this everywhere. . Now on a note that tells how personally wonderful they are as people. I was supposed to see them in concert last night but the arctic storm hit and I couldn't go. I was crushed!! I'd been counting the days since they announced their concert. They posted a message on Instagram asking everyone to be especially safe coming to the show. I commented that unfortunately because of that damn storm my ride had to cancel and I couldn't go. They asked for my info and when I emailed it to them I got an email telling me they had added me to their guest list for the next time they're here. They are trying to help the fans who were unable to attend because of the weather. Most groups would just take the ticket money and say oh well. There is no group musically or personally better than HF. May we always be blessed with the beautiful music and phenomenal human beings that are Home Free!
I figure you already know this now, but Chris Rupp is Adam's brother and a founding member of the group. I love this song and any song that gives Adam the opportunity to show he can sing just as well as he can beatbox.
I was going to add this same information. Brothers Chris and Adam are from a small town in MN close to where I grew up and they are related to my aunt (married to my dads brother). Chris has some awesome stories about their early days when they traveled through MN singing at schools and small venues and traveling in their broken down van with no heat in the middle of winter and a snow storm. I just feel so close to them when the talk about the towns I grew up and live in now and the stories from before they were "famous". I just love all these guys and so proud of them and glad that Peter finally got to hear this song. I just found this channel and subscribed today and will listen to more analysis by you Peter especially on my hometown guys HF. :)
Have you already reacted to their version of Angels We Have Heard on High ? If you haven’t I think you would love it. Awesome arrangement and Tim’s running bass line is something to behold! Thanks for your great analysis!
I enjoyed the last half of Austin's solo. So much movement from the other singers. Oh Holy Night so easily lends itself to so many arrangement possibilities.
This is the very first song I ever heard from Home Free - perhaps 3 years ago. So naturally I went looking for more from them, and fell straight down the rabbit hole. My favourite parts? The bell tone section, and the cascading fall fall fall part.
I know way too much about bagpipes for someone who has never played them. The bag (traditionally a sheep's stomach) acts as a reservoir for air the pressure of which is controlled by the elbow, this allows a constant flow of air through the (normally 1 to 3, when 3 it's two tenor and one bass) drones and chanter while the player gets to inhale occasionally. Fun facts pipers like to tune their drones standing in a stairwell for the acoustics; badly tuned pipes are almost as excruciating as armature violin, and if you stand close enough to a troop playing great pipes the sound is loud enough to clear your sinuses. (or it sure as hell feels like it which is good enough)
Singing along with every part is how I rebuilt my voice after doing damage in the Marines. This selection was simply divine. My warm-up song is almost always "Man of Constant Sorrow" (easiest to flow between tenor and bass). It's less of a range variant than any of their other songs.
Much like you, I just came across this older Home Free video this holiday season. Even knowing all they are capable of, that last 30 seconds or so blew me away.
I love this version of this Christmas song. I gives me chills. My favourite Christmas song of Home Free is Do you hear what I hear because I love the harmonies & Tim's bass & Austin flying high but it's the subtlety of the beat boxing & the complexity of Adam Rupp's arrangement that gets me every time. Great reaction. It is your ANALYSIS that I come for. I learn so much every time. Merry Christmas to you and all your family 🎄
Great reaction & analysis! Favorite parts are the cascading "Fall..." and all the high notes & riffs at the end. I suggest you react to Home Free's Do You Hear What I Hear. Adam arranged it, and his arrangement is so unique and beautiful, complete with pit viper and heavenly angel voices!
Thank you sir! I like to watch reactions where I learn something. You are sharing your knowledge and experience and it is appreciated! I call myself a “why guy”. I want to know why……whatever, and I so much appreciate your talking about the arranging. Whoever does arrangements for Home Free has a “full tool box” of instruments to choose from. Thanks again! Keep it up.
Peter, before I saw Home Free on The Sing Off on December 2013 earlier that year I found this video of Home Free. Austin was appx. 26-27 years old and Tim was 30-31 years old. Thanks for breaking down this video (for lack of words). This video is appx. 10 years old. Happy New Year!
Yes. A bagpipe plays a note at all times. You cannot stop the sound like you can with other instruments. So we spend a lot of time on a drone, especially when a different instrument would have simple cut out.
This was the first song Tim arranged many years ago. He didn't know how to write it out, so he sang each part to someone else and they wrote it for him. Amazing how good he was at such a young age.
What a beautiful arrangement! Although I've listened to Home Free sing this quite a few times, it's never gets old. The location is stunning and serene and your analysis is so informative. After your reaction, I went back to the original video and enjoyed it all the more. Thank you Peter!
I don't know if you've heard David Phelps sing this, but if not his version is world class. The most moving performance I've ever seen. The live version as part of the Gaither tour...
Apart from the super rich context and analysis (ANALYSIS, all caps), thanks also for putting in all the graphics. I have no musical knowledge, and that extra effort is makes the hanging out all the more valuable to us, your audience.
Great reaction and analysis, Peter! Always fun watching you break down what's going on with Home Free. Speaking of great fun, I thoroughly enjoyed you and @JenniferGlatzhofer singing together!
I'm adding a second comnent with the hope that you will consider reacting to Home Free singing with Peter Hollens ""Amazing Grace", and also their new cover of Charles Kelley's "The Driver". Incomparable storytelling!
As someone who knows NOTHING about chords, notes, etc. I love your videos that explain the intricacies of the music that Home Free puts out. I go by what my heart, ears and gut feels, and THAT tells me it is good music. Love your analysis Peter.
Thanks for teaching me how to better appreciate this piece of music. I like how you use your voice to explain what these guys are doing. It saves so much time and many unnecessary words to demonstrate what you’re referring to. Is there anything wrong with adding what emotions you feel during a vocal analysis? Perhaps that’s beyond the scope of analytic commentary. So I’m asking sincerely. Your perfect pitch, while being incredible, helps me to rapidly comprehend the points you’re teaching. I wish you God’s best in your career!
Ah! My favorite Christmas song of all time! I'm kinda partial to Perry Como's version (my grandfather loved him!), but Home Free's version is beautiful! And it makes it all the more so hearing your praise and analysis! Thanks Peter! Merry Christmas! 🎄🙏
Hello, new subscriber here. Thank you for reacting to this amazing performance, and thank you for analyzing! I have seen many reactors with music backgrounds maybe make one remark on something technical or a certain chord, then just go back to gushing about how good it is. Not that I don't gush about our boys, I do. A LOT. However, when I watch a reaction by someone who sings or studies music, I want the technical stuff! I want to know what chord that was, where the dissonance is and why it works. You give ALL of that, with sufficient explanation without going TOO professional, so we novices can understand too. So, thank you!
I believe Tim arranged this. Someone said that he did it when he was 19. I think it’s a beautiful rendition. Love the church. They filmed Angels We Have Heard on High there as well. Love Home Free. Good analysis. Yes, I love the bell tones. Have a wonderful Christmas.😍
Glad you did this reaction - I don't have any musical talent but absolutely love to hear your analysis and learning what I don't know but why I appreciate this talented group.
Oh btw, I forgot to make a request in my previous comment. Now that you've heard and reacted to Pentatonix sing "How Great Thou Art", please do the same for Home Free's amazing cover of this beautiful hymn. Not only is the arrangement brilliant imo, but the backdrop is visually stunning! I think you will be blown away! Thanks Peter, and I hope you "have yourself a merry little Christmas"! 🎄❄️🌟
This song was my first introduction to Home Free--and they've been my favorite musicians ever since! Love it when these guys voice the harp/bell tones🔔 Besides the unbelievable harmonies--and gorgeous church backdrop--getting to hear Adam Rupp actually singing is a real treat ❣️🎼🥰🎶❤️
Sirens in Center City. How weird hahaha. Was not that bad when we lived in Oxford Circle, but it was at least 3 times per hour in West Philly. Man I miss Philly hahaha.
Austin's a Georgia boy and it comes through in his hot accent. (fangirl here) The guy in the cowboy hat is Chris Rupp, brother to beatboxer Adam and co-founder of Home Free in 2000. He left in May of 2016 to do other projects, solo and with others. He sings with Cypress Fyre. Chris and his sister Tristin make up on-half of the group 7th Ave.
I have always enjoyed their version. It is just as amazing now as it was when I first heard it. My favorite is Do You Hear What I Hear. It's arranged by Adam Rupp. I makes you sit up and pay attention with all their the different voices. It's beyond amazing. Check it out
Home Free can sing in such a way that it really touches you. Not too many techniques, but mostly pure singing with such beautiful songs. The great lead with the amazing background vocals so it sounds perfect. Austin's father has sung in the "Southern Gospel Quartet" and I think Austin got quite a bit from that.😉
Austin traveled around with his Dad during summers & any free time singing with the group at churches,etc. He got introduced to it early. Also according to info I have this song was done in 2014 which would have made Austin 28 at this time.
Oh heavenly Home Free. Great analysis. Loved it. Love just hearing you talk. Also loved your duet with Jenn. That was stunning hearing your voices together and such great facials on both of you. Merry Christmas Peter.
