You are not crazy. Kevin influenced this arrangement as an homage to his father's African heritage and his mother's Caribbean one. This is the most beautiful arrangement I've ever heard of this song.
Love this. My favorite Christmas Carol of theirs. Kevin helped arrange to represent his roots. His mom is Grenadian and dad is Nigerian.. Thx Eddie (hey I was first) 😎
MY FAVOURITE! Although always one eye tearing 😪 as this was played on my 18 month old nieces funeral per their parents wish - as she loved to dance to it. R.I.P. little angel .
My favourite singing-smiles of all time is when the choir turns ahh :') they totally made the song SOUND uplifting, to actually match the lyrics 😃 make you wanna go to adore baby Jesus even if one isn' t religioys 😋
This one and "Mary Did You Know?" are my two favorite Christmas songs from PTX. The pure unfiltered joy they're expressing is highly contagious! The African/Caribbean beat running through it is Kevin's influence as a tribute to his heritage, and it really takes a song that was always one of my favorites to a whole new level. Absolutely my favorite version of the song.
One reason Pentatonix's Christmas albums are best-sellers is that people are SO tired of hearing the same old Christmas standards and PTX's arrangements always make them fresh.
This is my favorite Pentatonix Christmas song, just a little bit ahead of "Mary Did You Know?" Good call on the African feel; my first time listening to this, after about 30 seconds, I found myself thinking "This totally has a Lion King vibe to it!" And when the choir comes in....and then that key change....chills every single time. Great reaction!
Very much african vibes, inspired by Kevins family. Kevin and Matt introduced it as african feeling and started to dance at some previous christmas tour! Wonderful vibes!
Hello Eddie! Thank you for doing this one. This is absolutely a masterpiece arrangement, great rhythm, great vocals, great ear candy. You said it "Best version ever". Makes me want to get up and dance every time - even in March. Just love how they all look so happy, singing and dancing. My favourite part is the point where Mitch looks like he will jump right out of the screen and dance right into my living room!
you are one of my favorite reactors bar none. This is the best version of this christmas song period. and yes it is definitely african-straight out of soweto.
This is a vibe! This is a jam! Very fun! So much moving and shaking with this one! Christmas in March! Love it! I'll listen to this one anytime! Very Lion King like! The choir is a nice touch! Thanks for PTX content!
Yaaasss!!! I’ve been waiting forever to hear you react to this one! It’s probably my favorite of their Christmas songs. Just shear joy from start to finish. The African beat was totally unexpected, yet so perfect for this. The first time I heard it I was shocked, then I had to listen again and again and again of course. The beatboxing and harmonies are stellar, and the addition of the choir just put it right over the top. Keep the PTX reactions coming! 💜
Great reaction! You are right, this arrangement is a masterpiece! It's one of my favorites too. I love the African/Caribean vibe. Plus, it is so joyful! Everyone, including the choir members, looks like they are really enjoying it.
I came late to discovering this one, too, and I share your view that it is one of their best! They make so many Christmas standards fresh and even exciting.
Hey Newfie....there's good news and bad news re Pentatonix. Bad news..they just cancelled their european tour and probably won't be doing new albums for a while. Good News is that is a result of the fact that Kirstie is pregnant (about 5 months) with a baby girl. Announced on Tik-Tok and she looks FABULOUS !!!
But they added an additional concert in Germany and I got tickets for it 🎊 The other locations near me were already sold out. Its still more than a year until the concert but I am already so excited.
Soulful church vibes as well. Highlighting another style and vibe for this song which works and makes this be an absolute stand out from their normal style
Your are one of the best reactors at picking up on Avi & Kevins little subtleties.....Avi's bass floats along all through out the song and he also sings in with the trio...(but he's never shown on camera) Kevin did the arrangements with an African feel in homage to his dad who is from Nigeria....I also hear a little bit of calypso ....Such a joyful rendition of a Christmas fav. Have you reacted to The First Noel? Avi has some great solo parts in it...and shows his upper register....love love love from Australia
Only PTX can take a stodgy old Christmas carol and make it a Dance track!!! Love this version. I have heard the African vibe is to honor Kevin's dad. You are not ( well you probably are ) crazy.
You are a good observer. Yes, African arrangement. You seem to catch many details. Good review. I agree; this version of the song is genius. What else can one say?
Thanks Eddie - I have to say, until I discovered PTX, I didn't have much interest in Christmas carols. Of course, PTX sprinkles magic dust on everything they do. :)