(I'VE GONE MENTAL...) Reacting to Voiceplay x Ashley Diane "If I Were A Rich Man/Girl" 

If you loved Ashley's performance here, check out their cover of We Don't Talk About Bruno!

I am so glad you enjoyed this modernized (?) version of a classic theater piece. Ashley has collaborated with them several times, my favorite is We Don't Talk About Bruno!

We are always super happy when Ashley can drop in and sing with Voiceplay. She’s amazing, and her vocals offset Geoff’s beautifully. I think that was a G#5, by the way, but don’t cite me as if I know stuff for sure. You want a voice like Geoff’s? Practice, seriously, daily, for a couple decades. He’s in his 40’s, and he’s been singing/performing since high school. It’s not just that he can hit notes only dragons can hear, but he makes it sound so silky and beautiful. Lots and lots of practice. Also, Peter Barber (a young bass singer-opera, plus he’s in The Bass Gang) says bass voices don’t fully mature until you’re in your 30’s, so you’ve got time to get there. Geoff has definitely earned the admiration we all have for him. Only Layne Stein would think to set a song from Fiddler to hip hop rhythms and throw in some dubstep. Layne also used to be the group’s baritone, but took on beatboxing when Scott Porter (you’ll see him in Halo Theme) left to pursue an acting career (you may recognize him-he’s done well). Anyway, Great reaction! Have fun doing more Voiceplay!

This is Cesar's official debut as the newest member of Voiceplay and our introduction to Ashley Diane. I love watching reactors when she does the run. 😅😅😂🤣🤣 Geoff does a few tutorials on how to sing low. Yes Layne is the beatboxer/vocal percussionist and founding member of Voiceplay along with Geoff. Voiceplay does everything they can themselves. The person whho arranges is in charge of costumes, sets, directing, ect. They do bring in specialists for make-up when needed. And Tony Wakim is actually a former member who wanted to work more behind the scenes. This gives them the freedom to create what they want and if it doesn't seem to be working they can shelf it and come back later. Voiceplay always releases only the best. Giving tribute to the original while making it their own. Enjoyed your reaction looking forward to the next one 😊

There’s a fellow who riffs as good as Ashley who has also worked with Voiceplay. His name is Anthony, you’ll find him in their vids Golden Hour, Seven Nation Army and Creep.

Don't apologize for keeping your eyes on Voiceplay! In the unofficial rules for Voiceplay I threw together as a Voiceplaya, Rule #4) Don't look away from the screen, or close your eyes for more than a second, because, again, you might miss a visual gag or clever moment. And I daresay, we don't want you looking at us, we want to watch you watch them and get all the great expressions on your face they inspire!

Ashley features in as number of Voiceplay covers. Running up that hill comes to mind.

Check out some of VP and Ashley videos: Running Up That Hill (Kate Bush and Stranger Things), We Don't Talk About Bruno (Encanto), quite a few minis, Time Warp (Rocky Horror Picture Show), Shero Returns (PUBG Mobile), River (Bishop Briggs), Your Turn to Role (Critical Role theme), Como la Flor, Surface Pressure (Encanto). Keep in mind that Geoff has a few videos up on how to sing really low.

Ed Boyer also does the final mix for Home Free as well as for others. When you listen to Voice Plays cover please listen till the credits stop rolling before you stop the video. Scott Porter ( former member turned actor ) gives a very important tribute to the song & group. The composer of the song was amazed & said Voice Plays cover was the best he ever heard, even his own.

If/when you react to "We Don't Talk About Bruno", add the short they did of "Surface Pressure" (they're in the same outfits). Also, if you didn't know, Layne and Eli are both Jewish, and Geoff says he's honorary (from being around them so long). 😂

OMG. So I JUST caught something, even though I've heard this cover dozens of times. In Fiddler on the Roof when Tevye talks about the staircases in this song, he's being facetious. But Caesar, Ashley and Geoff describe one of the three staircases, and THE MUSIC DOES WHAT THE LYRICS SAY. (Ashley's first run up is short, Ashley's second is longer but going down (she jumps higher to start her riff down) and Geoff stays on the same note (one more going nowhere) until "for show" when he suddenly drops low in his bass range as if to show off.) Voiceplay is full of surprises.

Oh, if I'm not mistaken, this was Cesar's first official song as a member of Voiceplay!

While there are some that may go lower than Geoff none are as smooth with their bass as Geoff is. He goes even deeper in Halo & The Dragonborn Come Skyrim. Voice Play & Home Free are my favorite Acapella groups. They are so down to earth, while some others, I won't mention their names are snobs & won't collaborate with any other groups. Home Free & Voice Play will on occasion will collaborate with each other as Geoff & Tim are friends. 🎉 Geoff can hit the same low notes as Tim. Geoff is more of a subharmonic & Tims is more like a growl. The only difference between their high note are Tim sings doo whop high & Geoff sings rock star high.

I think I can confidently say that once you have reacted to Voiceplay's _Halo_ cover, that any thoughts of a bass-off with Geoff will evaporate and you'll be in the same jaw-dropping awe as the rest of us of the Dragon known as Geoff. 🔥

So fun... Ashley and Geoff going back and forth was epic. Incredible!!

It's cool that they added the Gwen Stefani version in this, as it would appeal to a younger crowd, who are less inclined to experience the joy of musicals. Will you be sharing this with your fellow cast members and crew?

If you haven't checked out DeeJay Young singing with VoicePlay you should give him a listen. His range is insane! Check out Bang, Butter or In My Room.

Layne and Geoff tend to trade off who does the arrangements. Whoever is in charge of that is basically in charge of the entire concept and shoot. Eli often does the lighting and is planning to get more involved in the arrangements. Tony is a former member of Voiceplay who co-owns Patty Cake Productions with Layne.

I love this so much; you had me rolling with laughter, grooving along, and it is so nice to see someone appreciating this cover. Fantastic reaction!

This is a bit of a blend of the original song and the mashup "I was a Rich Girl" ,by Gwen Stefani. Personally I still prefer the original, especially the last few lines, but this is a great showcase of their talents. Ashley is a friend of Cesar,also from Puerto Rico. You can count on the pronunciation here - two of VP are Jewish after all. (Eli - short for Eliezer - and Layne). Eli is also great at riffing, and even better, another frequent guest of VP, DeeJay Young. Layne is the beatboxer who also sings and plays violin at times. :)

Layne had arranged this in a hurry. (After they decided they wouldn’t record a different song that they had planned). At the time he didn’t really know Ashley. Later on he arranged their We Don’t Talk About Bruno. He was working on it while some of the patrons were on a Zoom call with him. When we asked who he wanted to feature, he said that he wanted to get Ashley back. He felt that since he didn’t really know her when he arranged Rich Man, he wanted to feature her talents better in Bruno. He also featured her when he arranged Running Up That Hill. I would highly recommend both of those videos for your reaction.

I also love Ashley when they did Running Up The Hill by Kate Bush but it became more known as in Stranger Things. Layne who the beatboxer doesn't get to sing much but as a fab we all look forward when Layne sings he also owns PattyCake Productions with a another VoicePlay member that use to sing with them called Tony.

Geoff can do a B0, so at this time in your young life, you’re right. He would win. But it’s not a competition against someone else. It’s about making you the best YOU, that you can be!! Geoff absolutely couldn’t do an impressive B0 even 10 years ago. He just keeps learning and practicing until he’s the best GEOFF he can be. That should also be your goal!! Be the best YOU, you can be!

It's not what I proposed many times, but it makes me happy, that you finally went back to watch/listen to more VoicePlay! More Ashley Diane? There are a lot arrangements VoicePlay did together with Ashley ;-)

FYI Geoff has a how to sing low tutorial on his solo channel 🤭🤭

One of my favorite reactions

I just subbed in hopes of more a capella reactions and medleys! 💖

This was a lot of fun! You should check out Wizard of Ahhhs by Pentatonix. I was in Fiddler on the Roof in High School!

Ashley is a great performer and you should see We Don't Talk about Bruno. If you like wikd riffs, I suggest Bang with Voiceplay. Dee J Young appears with them and is a master of riffs😊

#VOICEPLAY

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First! ;D

I just can't take it. ☹

what ? lol