Very good analysis. I've always loved this live version, and now I know why! Lol On a somber note, you perhaps have read how Anthony Burger passed away at the age of 44. He was special. This live performance at Carnegie Hall not long after 9/11 shows the talent of the Gaither Vocal band...and David doing David things...So good. m.ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tuVEPi4hjHY.html
Seeing David live is beyond incredible, this is how he sounds every time, I've seen him dozens of times and he never breaks, he's never straining, he will adjust octaves if he's having a difficult night, but he never sounds bad.
You gave David the BEST compliment! That he was telling a story and you were listening to the words. That's the purpose behind his gospel singing... to present the message in such a way that people are led to listen.
David wrote End of the Beginning. This is what I call Southern Gospel, not just religious music. There is a lot out there that would/could fall under the religious umbrella. I don’t pretend to understand your breakdown of all the musical info. I am not musical, can’t read music, can’t sing, can’t carry a tune in a bucket with two handles. Another gospel singer that I love is Ivan Parker (he sings in many of the Gaither Homecoming videos). His performance of Midnight Cry is absolutely incredible.
Seriously, man, I really enjoy your unique take to his performances. You are obviously very gifted in musical theory, and I just love the respectful attitude, even to the point of researching the other artists and what they bring as well. You're not over -the-top top or boring in these reactions, it comes off as original and genuine. Class act!
Wanted to pile on. I could not agree more! Discovered your channel BECAUSE I search for reactions to David and saw your first reaction. You so OBVIOUSLY do your research! I was pleasantly surprised that you called out Anthony, Guy, and Bill. And you acknowledged the meaning of raising hands (basically, a sign of surrender to God). Anyway, I ramble and MORE than piled on. Great reactions!! 🤙🏼
I have a rather extensive background with classical and opera music and I have yet to hear a better tenor anywhere than David Phelps. At 54 he is still going strong.
I agree with you Ellie. I just wish he wouldn't interrupt the song. Makes it hard to stay focused on the song and more importantly, David, whom I have followed since he first started with Gaithers.
I agree with you too Ellie. I also have that background and David is one of the best tenors around. I did see a comparison of Nessun Dorma with many recent tenors including Pavarotti and he still impresses. Find his Nessun Dorma and enjoy.
No, David did not write this, though he does write a lot of his music. He also does a lot of his own arrangements. David does love jazz, and it comes through in a lot of his arrangements. His album "It Must Be Christmas" is jazz oriented all the way through. David tells a story how he and Anthony first performed "O Holy Night" at some function at the request of Mark Lowry. It was done off the cuff, and David says all the guidance he gave Anthony was basically, "there's a key change here, and when I hit this note, keep rolling until I come off of it." That's how that arrangement was born.
I think Walt Harrah wrote this song. He did write "End of the Beginning" which there is a video of him singing it in Carnegie Hall. David does arrange a lot of the songs he sings.
It’s worth mentioning that David, in his most recent album “GameChanger,” sings a D5 in his song “Song For Sinners.” I love his arranging/composition skills! Here’s the link: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7aY4w1OXbsU.htmlsi=-pZYBWmaf6LYENdN
He really doesn’t have a normal tenor voice. He definitely has a God’s gifted tenors voice! I’m an old lady and I’ve been listening and appreciating beautiful music my entire life and I’ve never heard a singer give a more flawless performance than David. And he gives all the praise to God. He’s a very humble man.✝️♥️
"THANK YOU BRO!" I'm SO glad I Subscribed to your Channel! Just hearing David's angelic voice drives all my cares away! 🤗 "I Have Nothing" is a secular song that Whitney Houston made popular. If you're familiar with Whitney, her fame is legendary across all music genre's. David Phelps does a recent cover of "I Have Nothing", and is able to sing this in the same key as Whitney's! Thanks again!
David describes himself as a music stylist. He always changes the songs he sings to fit his style. I appreciate his expertise in doing this. He absolutely brings every song he sings to life. His expressive qualities are excellent! I do believe he is singing with a track. Anthony Burger is such an expert on the piano that he usually will add his flourish to these tracks. Thank you for your reaction to David Phelps. I challenge you to react to more of this amazing singer!
Please react to David Phelps singing: End of the Beginning (also he wrote) Let Freedom Ring(with the Gaither Vocal Band live at Carnegie Hall) I Have Nothing (Whitney Houston’s cover)
I'm so glad to see you do another reaction to David Phelps he's one of the greatest singers. I would really love to see what you think of his recent recording of Whitney Houston's I have nothing. You can watch him nail a D5 like it's nothing. He was 52 years old when he posted the video. I know you'll love it.
Very informative analysis! I like David’s subdued “O Love that will not let me go” solo - begins a capella. Yes, his live performances are great - we’re going to a backyard BBQ at David’s place in April. He and his wife are sweet people.
I don't know if it is true or not but I read once that David Phelps' unique voice tone amd range is in part because he has thicker vocal cords like a baritone but they are arranged like a tenor. It is supposedly why even when he is singing very high up at a c5 or higher (an f5 in one of his songs) it still feels warm and somewhat soft and can be decieving to people not realizing how high he's actually singing. His one daughter also seems to have a similar vocal tone with lots of breath and warmth to it. Also his breath control is incredible when you consider he is an asthmatic. Which shows how much work he puts into his vocal technique.
Check out Moonlight by David. Set to Moonlight Sonata. David lyrics of course. He actually has baritone vocal cords. So naturally a baritone. But lifelong training to have that voice. Another song I really like is The Dream. David wrote it and does music arrangement also. Thanks for reacting. Happy New Year
The scriptures tell us to lift up holy hands to God….it is a feeling of I surrender! Try it and you will see. It humbles you! The song is about the last two chapters of the Bible!! Read them! Gives us such hope!!!
Excellent! Really enjoy your analysis of David Phelps who really does have a unique voice, I could listen all day He's very good at storytelling a song. Looking forward to more of David from your channel😊
I like the fact that you analyze all sorts of different types of music. I like just about everything. Music moves me but for Rap ( please don’t judge me)
He can sing! Your unique reactions disecting arrangements has brought some interesting subscribers to your channel who, in turn, bring new and interesting singers to me. I really enjoy your channel.
David Phelps .. best tenor on the planet!! I really enjoyed your reaction.. learned a lot ..Check out Just As I Am ..Let Freedom Ring (Gaither Vocal band)
David had a sister who passed away after a battle with breast cancer - they sang together often - listen to their duet from his concert 'classics ', entitled : 'YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE. Anthony Burger, one of the greatest pianists of all time, passed away during a concert with 'The Gaither Vocal Band , on a Gaither Cruise - the message of this song is the blessed hope we have in an eternity with Christ where all suffering, sadness and tears are forever gone
I certainly do appreciate your reacting to David Phelps! You give a unique and musically educated perspective. David performs with his heart and soul and has maintained his vocal mechanism impeccably. At 53 he is still hitting those sustained C #. Please react to his Nessun Dorma!
Great reaction! Yeah, David is really unique in the warmth of his tone. One of my favorites that you'd enjoy is The Dream. It has a lot of different elements musically. Others... We Shall Behold Him & I Have Nothing are also incredible. If you'd like to hear him do some awesome harmonies, the Gaither Vocal Band performing Let Freedom Ring is phenomenal.
David Phelps is also a trainned pianist. He probably wrote the song on the piano. He is a vocal arranger as well. I am not sure if he arranges the instrumentation. I am pretty sure he just lets Anthony Berger do what he does on piano.
good observation. David has a lot of baritone qualities to his voice. very dark and full-bodied baritone timbre, that he amazingly carries into the range where tenors usually lose their tonal quality, and become "too bright".. he has unique vocal in that aspect, its not simply due to perfection of technique. he has one of the kind voice
David Phelps singing I've Just Seen Jesus is simply amazing, He and Lana Ranahan hit notes I didn't know existed. God-given talent speaks for itself. Love your reaction comments, especially the explanations of what is happening musically.
There is a compilation of David's high notes called UPPER BELTED NOTES BELTING COMPILATION ( G4-F#5) on a channel called The Bass Freak if you want to watch or react to some clips of his chest voice. The End of the Beginning is a great song, I Have Nothing, and He's Alive are fantastic just to start. I'd maybe wait to watch or react to He's Alive during the Easter season. It showcases David's storytelling ability as he sings the story of Jesus's resurrection through the eyes of the apostle Peter. The Lifeboat, I'll Fly Away...gosh I could go on and on. But if you want to check out the Gaither Vocal Band, their harmonies are superb. Oh What a Time features Guy Penrod who is an excellent singer also, but David goes higher in that performance than in No More Night. AND... Anthony Burger is playing. Let Freedom Ring at Carnegie Hall I believe is an outstanding performance by all, but Mark Lowry is replaced by Russ Taft, another one of Bill Gaither Homecoming performers. If you are enjoying this style of Gospel (southern gospel) I highly recommend this rabbit hole of Bill Gaither and his entourage. There are different types of Gospel, Southern Gospel is just one of several. If you want to see the origin of Amazing Grace , there is a fun story about that too...Jesse Dixon is his name I believe. So happy you reacted to my favorite singer. I didn't expect you to after O Holy Night to be honest. I hope I've helped introduce a new genre of music you enjoy. Look forward to next David Phelps/ Gaither Vocal Band/ Homecoming performers. If you want to explore another band, The Hoppers are fantastic with Shouting Time in Heaven...a real toe tapper. And The Crabb Family is another great band. Jason Crabb sings with so much conviction. Anyway, thanks again for another entertaining and informative reaction
I really appreciate your in-depth analysis and understanding of David's skill sets. He was trained at Baylor University in Belle Canto and his teachers encouraged him to go the opera route since he loved it and was so talented. But, he felt called to sing gospel. He HAS TO re-arrange everything and he absolutely loved acapella and 4 four part harmony. Music is a life to David, not just a calling. When he arranges, he does so for all instruments. His major is voice and his minor in piano so he's quite talented. Thank you again! Blessings
He is telling a story: Jesus is the Great I Am (fully God)and the message is a day is coming where there will be no more suffering…over there is a mansion prepared just for me…John 14… Believe in Christ and you’ll experience it!
So I have been a huge fan of David since 1997 just after he joined the Gaither Vocal Band. I could sit here and answer most of the questions you had about him, but I think you would enjoy having them answered by the man himself. Look up a RU-vid video series done on the channel called "New York Vocal Coaching" The series is "The Journey of a Legend". It is really good and very informative. For the next song you react to by David, I highly recommend "I Have Nothing". In it, David Hits an incredible note at the age of 52 that really surprises people who aren't lifelong fans. Great react.
Yes! Reaction to David's "Just As I Am", please. (which he did compose) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-N-n6HNgSuXw.html BTW, Bill Gaither wrote "No More Night"
Thank you for analyzing this performance and with your music theory comments during the piece. He does have an amazing voice and brings a new meaning to gospel music. I will be at his concert next weekend in TN.
The late Anthony Burger was a master pianist, and won back-to-back keyboard artist of the year accolades in the American Gospel and popular music industries for many years. In "Oh Holy Night," David (Phelps) asked Anthony to play the sustained chromatic keyboard runs for effect the night the of the concert, in Alabama. David, as noted, is not only an incredibly skilled tenor, but a composer, arranger, and pianist himself (though he rarely plays while singing). Sadly, Anthony (who had a history of cardiac issues) died while sitting at the piano during a cruise ship performance in late February of 2006.
Thanl you so much for your reaction From a musical standpoint i love how you break down what you are hearing and what you feel would be normal progression of chords and also enjoying the vocals. I also like that you are respectful toward the lyrics and although might not understand what it is discussing based on the music and vocal production see the passion it the performance. I would love to see you react to "Let Freedom Ring" By the Gaither Vocal Band live at Carnegie Hall and it includes David Phelps, Bill Gaither, Guy Penrod and Russ Taff. I think the harmonies and message of this song are gorgeous.
David Phelps is, as you now know, a uniquely gifted vocalist. He is also a prolific composer and arranger, and his live concerts are out of this world. I'd love for you to react to his composition "Just As I Am" (live recording). A more recent release of his is "Dead Man Rising" which is of another style altogether. Enjoy!
Love that youre reacting to one of the greatest male singers alive!! I love the Gaithers, and I love David. Did you kmow he did a cover of Whitney Houston's 'I Have Nothing'? You should absolutely react to that - it's amazing! ✨
Thank you for the wonderful critique of David! Truly a gift from God. To see him in person is amazing. Even at 50+ his voice is as good as 25 years ago. The Gaithers Homcoming concerts showcased the greatest gospel singers in history.. you will be blessed às i could see on your face as David was singing. Well worth your time.thank you again!
David is my favorite!! You should listen to Dead Man Rising. Just recently released. He has only gotten better with age!! My favorite singer in the World!! Enjoy your reactions.
The song was actually written by Walt Harrah. Though it has been recorded by many people, no one performs it better than David Phelps. The Lord has clearly blessed David with a phenomenal voice and he uses it to glorify God.
It was explained that with O Holy Night --that you played before (Album "Christmas in the Country", 2000) David asked Berger to just follow along as he sang. This was not the case here, however, insofar as I know. The O Holy Night was earlier than No More Night. Obviously he lost some weight and let his hair grow longer. "NO MORE NIGHT" "Album (DVD) title is "Heaven." in the year, 2003. I hope you so "Let Freedom Ring." (2002)
David is truly and amazing singer. Always powerful and always gives a little special 'extra' to what he's singing. Anthony Burger was my favorite Pianist. Grew up listening to him at concerts. We lost him, unfortunately, when he died on stage performing on a cruise with the Gaither Vocal Band (which David was a part of). So glad you've been introduced to them. I enjoy your analysis.
I just love this song! It was cool to see you react! A suggestion I have is “Jerusalem” by the Hoppers and/or “Alpha and Omega” sung by some in the Gaither Vocal Band (David Phelps sings in that one too)!
PS/ You could probably call Bill Gaither or Mark Lowry. I say this, because reportedly a voice coach or someone that was checking out his vocal chords, said that there is something unique. (I have a hundred and some DVDs and Cds by Gaither and his various friends and employees. Thus all the info below.) You seem so very sincere, I wanted to see this one again. So, I might as well mention 'Let Freedom Ring,' and his very own, and rather unusual 'The End of the Beginning.' There is another that fascinated me titled, 'More then Ever." It is really different and I am not sure that anyone else could make it work the way he did. He also did a great job on a song with a familiar title, (but not what I expected) -Just as I Am. For what it is worth to you, I really appreciate the quality and respect of your responses.
Yes, gospel music is definitely about telling a story. You are very right about that. Gospel music (and all Christian music, no matter the genre) is about relating the Word and the love of God. In this song, the lyrics tell the story of what happens at the Second Coming of Jesus, as depicted in the book of Revelation.
David can go higher than C#5. He has hit F5 before. He regularly hits D5. He has special vocal cords. They are baritone cords with a naturally occurring “defect” that allows him to have the high range he does. That’s why he doesn’t have the high pitched voice normally associated with tenors. Guy Penrod can also hit those high notes. He has hit D5 on videos before.
David Phelps doing a cover of “I Have Nothing.” You’ll enjoy the arrangement and change of harmonies as it only uses a cello and piano for the accompaniment. 😉 I’d love to hear your music theory knowledge on that, the instrumentation will make you smile.
I think the reason the chords are so different and unisual is because he's singing about heaven and it's going to be different and unusual.The music reflects that. This is one of my favorite songs. I'm glad you critiqued it. :)
One of David Phelps greats is his accapella of Ave Maria/The Lord’sPrayer. OUTSTANDING!!! From this same concert he sings You’ll Never Walk Alone. The lady singing with him his his older sister in the final stages of cancer and one of last times they got to sing together. I’m having trouble sharing the link but I’m sure you will find it. He is all decked out in a spiffy tuxedo.
He started as a baritone with Classical training in his teens. With techniques and practice he regularly goes to D in his mixed voice and occasionally does up to E.
Since I love your analyses of musical performances, and we're still in the Christmas season, I'd love to hear your reaction to Home Free's performance of, What Child is This, which was arranged by Chris Rupp. For me, it's the best rendition of this carol, and I'd love to hear what you think about it! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Thanks for this! Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be doing any more Christmas songs until next Christmas now. But hearing Chris Rupp arranged it excites me, as I loved his arrangement of Angels We Have Heard On High
By far the most enjoyable and informative of all the "reaction" videos I have watched. Your knowledge of music theory and practice is obvious in the dissection of the piece being performed. I am also impressed by the unabashed pleasure that you have in "hearing" the story and emotionally responding to it. Kudos to you and your love of the art. Praying that David is the instrument that brings more of the story to your ears and heart.
I really enjoyed your reaction. I'm a huge David Phelps fan. I've seen him live twice...he doesn't come into my area often because I see him every chance I get. He's just stunning live.
