I am and have been a massive PTX Fan since the Sing Off but ease up a little and sadly point the fingers back at PTX on this one. They dropped this song at the oddest time you could since it came out between the 1st Ballot and the 2nd Ballot for Grammy Nominations for the 2022 Awards Show. That means those Idiots in the Industry (In this case NARAS Members) would have to remember to put this song on the 1st and 2nd Ballots for the 2023 Grammy's... 11 1/2 months after it was put out. If they do win a Grammy for this, it won't be until 2023.
"The guy with the beanie" is Avi, he left in 2017 on good terms. (He now has a solo career). All the tours were exhausting to him and he missed his family. He was so wonderful and Matt had big shoes to fill, but Matt is a wonderful bass as well and has his own sound. That has been the ONLY change in their 10+ years.
Welcome to Pentatonix family. So many Christmas songs. Mary, did you know. Carol of the Bells. O Come All ye Faithful. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. You’re a Mean one, Mr. Grinch. A very small sampling.
Eargasmic! That’s what that was. You’ve summed many of us perfectly: if you can’t experience listening to PTX for the first time again, the next best thing is to share the experience with those who do. I think it’s safe to call you a Pentaholic now. Welcome to the family!
Avi's mother had cancer, and he would fly home to be with her after every concert. It was wearing him out. So he sadly left the group in '17. He was said to have recommended Matt as his replacement. Btw. You have experienced what many call being "Mitch-slapped" the awe inspired by Mitch's incredible vocal talent. I've enjoyed that experience since they burst on the scene in American Sing Off in '11 as they sang their name in the intro.
As everyone else has said or will agree with, you understand the reason we so enjoy someone discovering Pentatonix for the first time. We also have the security of knowing no-one is ever going to say "Well, that was rubbish". Never gonna happen. But while I live alone and am happy with it, the one thing I miss is not being able to experience something amazing and turn to someone and say "Did you hear/see that?" The last couple of years have forced many people into that situation involuntarily and good reactors fill that void. Nice job.
THEY ARE THE ULTIMATE!!!!!! If you haven't heard them sing Amazing Grace, you are in for another ultimate treat. They could sing the phone book and win a Grammy. Lol. Pentaholics rejoice!!!
Omg... I feel like they should win a grammy for that one... but not even nominated for it... so sad!! However did anyone see they did get a grammy nomination for the Album Evergreen for best album?!! Yay!!!
You’re right, we’re always looking for a newbie so we can enjoy that journey again to discover Pentatonix. You’ll have no trouble finding Christmas songs: O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, Mary Did You Know, Little Drummer Boy, Noel……you’ll get lots of suggestions.
You were so excited and enthralled that yo6ur face was red and you were smiling the whole time. You were breathless with disbelief and joy. And that is why we love watching reactors.
This is why we watch reactions to Pentatonix, to experience the first time listeners to the excellence we already know, admire and appreciate. Welcome to the club❣️ My suggestions for Pentatonix Christmas music are(but not limited to) The First Noel and O Come All Ye Faithful.
Adding that if the beatboxing makes you happy, sir, you'll adore Little Drummer Boy! It's my go-to for feel-good Pentatonix music. The bright tones and multiple swapping duos of voices between various members are fantastic to listen to!
"Thank you" is an original Christmas song written by Scott and his partner. Probably one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard - and it features Scott on piano and Kevin on cello.
It’s a very deep well of musical perfection. All genres. Yes Avi departed the group on good terms in 2017 for personal reasons. He helped select Matt. They all do solo work as well. As far as Xmas, you should start with Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy, won them a Grammy.
The guy with the Beanie who looks like Jesus, his name is Avi Kaplan, on good terms he left the group in 2017 for personal reasons, but he's now singing Solo and is doing well, he just recently brought out a new song called "First Place I go", It has a country feeling to it, and for some reason his voice had me crying.
The beanie guy is Avi He was the original base for I think the first 6 years and left amicably and helped find his replacement. Matt is the new base, they have different styles but both so good and fit so well in the group. Avi has some solo work out which is excellent
I would love, love, love a 25 days of Pentatonix Christmas. So many awesome Christmas songs to choose from. My personal favorites are O Come all Ye Faithful and Joy to the World both featuring Avi as the bass. The Little drummer boy, which was probably my least favorite Christmas song growing up, is amazing as performed by Pentatonix. Dance of the sugarplum fairy is awesome. And off their new Christmas album, Evergreen, I Saw Three Ships is a song I also hated that I’m really digging. Welcome to the PTX rabbit hole.
The guy with the Beanie (Avi Kaplan) was the bass from their founding on the Sing off in 2011 until 2017. He left amicably (too much touring, his mom got cancer, he wanted to do his own thing.) He was relaced by Matt Sallee, current bass, the guy in the pink velvet jacket in The Prayer. That's been their only member change in their 10 years.
Here's my 2 cents on a Pentatonix Christmas journey. Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy is a must and one of their 3 Grammy winning performances. Their rendition of O Come All Ye Faithful is like a completely different song than you ever heard before and I simply adore it. And for one of their originals, Thank You, written by Scott and his partner, is truly heartwarming and just as appropriate this year as last. No matter what you choose, it would be wonderful.
Avi Kaplan [Jesus] left the group on pleasant terms a few years ago. He was replaced by Matt Sallee, whose voice isn't quite as rich on solos as Avi's is, but his bass is just as formidable. Your reaction here was great! And your observation on re-experiencing Pentatonix vicariously is right on point. It also justifies watching PTX's stuff repeatedly! Keep it up!
Welcome to the Pentahalic's family! We are all addicted to watching others discover their videos. This song was spectacular! Everyone was perfect and Mitch sounds like an Angel.
Have you considered doing a journey where you follow their competition on The Sing Off, an a capella singing competition, which shows them when they had just formed the group. It would give you a deeper knowledge of where they started…and really show their growth. BTW - Avi is the “beanie wearing guy” and he was the original bass singer. After touring, etc. he made the difficult decision to leave the group due to family health issues, etc. I STILL MISS HIM…even though I really do like Matt (his replacement). I’m sure someone will give you more details here soon! 😃. I love your reactions, can’t wait for you to learn even more…you are correct in assuming that we love seeing you experience them so that we can relive our own past joy!
Amazing Grace, Hallelujah, Imagine, Mad World… the list goes on & on. The reinvent every song they sing & they are all stunning. Enjoy the emotional ride you just started!
They are the same except for Avi left 2011-2017. Then Matt came. In 2017. Mitch., Kirsty and Scott grew up together. In Texas. Kevin ( the beat boxer,cellist and overall awesome human) has been in group 2011 So they have been together for 10 years. Mitch and Kirsty change hair color and looks constantly but it’s always them I’m so looking forward to your discovery of all of their many performances. Thank you for being a kind and curious reactor.
That is exactly why we like reactors. Thanks for jumping the line with The Prayer, I'm obsessed with reactions to this one in particular at the moment. Avi (ah-vee) Kaplan with the beanie left the group in 2017 (2011-2017) and Matt Sallee - on the far right in the pink jacket - is the current bass (2017+). Avi is solo in the folk/renegade genre now and actually just dropped a new song a day or two ago that people seem to be raving about. Pentatonix put out this year's Christmas album at the end of October, so a few weeks ago. It's called Evergreen and is really great. This cover was actually on that album (they always include a few non-Christmas songs). My all-time favorite PTX Christmas song is actually from their very first Christmas EP - Carol Of The Bells. But you would have to do the Grinch song. They also have an amazing live video for Silent Night that they did in a church that made it onto my regular PTX playlist. I Saw Three Ships from the current album is amazing, but we don't know if it will have a video yet. They said there will be a couple... I think Over The River (which is way prettier than it has any right to be) will be one, since it features the violinist Lindsey Stirling and they've given us photos of them together recently.
And just because the details get me... Avi's mother's cancer was a relapse and she beat it again. As far as I know she is still alive. Its contribution to Avi leaving was peripheral... Avi's sister was their tour manager and she didn't leave until she got pregnant a year or so later. There is an actual video of Avi announcing his departure and he doesn't mention his mother then, either. What it was was a contributing factor to his getting worn out - in the announcement he said he couldn't keep up the pace and didn't want to hold the group back. Understand that in 2016/2017 PTX was going so hard they were pulling a portable recording studio with them behind the tour busses. They said that they were arranging and practicing after concerts and even on the "days off" on tour and they were on tour more than 8 months a year. Add to that the fact that what PTX does isn't exactly Avi's preferred genre and it was just too much. On the flipside, the current members of PTX now just say Avi went solo. And I don't know if anyone said it in the comments here, but it's a popular story that Avi hand-picked Matt as his replacement. He did not. PTX do give some credit to their "6th member", Ben Bram, who helps them arrange songs and sometimes produces. Ben encouraged Matt to audition... and Matt had no idea what he was auditioning for until he was one of the 8 finalists (of 60ish applicants) chosen by the talent scouting company PTX hired. They said any of the 8 would have worked, but they chose Matt for his energy and personality. 3 months after his final audition, they asked if he could relocate to LA in 2 weeks (September). They said he showed up with the basslines memorized for their entire discography. They had him in the recording studio the next day, even though he was just a temp bass for their Christmas tour at that point. February 2018 they renewed their contract with RCA and made him an official member. Now Avi is happy with his folk music and slower pace and Matt - who was a huge fan of the group for years - is living his best life, too. He has stories and photos of meeting the group when he went to one of their concerts with his high school choir.
My six year old LOVES I Saw Three Ships and I always have to play it first before we listen to the rest of the album 😂. Over the River sounds like an epic LoTR journey and I’m obsessed with it a little bit.
I truly love this group. I have been a singer for over 40 years and listening to them brings tears to my eyes they are so wonderful and so so talented. Please listen to the song Amazing Grace my chains are gone
Avi Kaplan was an original and was with the group from 2011 to 2017. He left the group to go out on his own and Matt Sallee took over the bass and is still with the group today.
Hey, Larry! Who could possibly have given this a dislike? I'll betcha it was Andrea Bocelli. Keep going down the PTX playlist, buddy. You'll be as spellbound as the rest of us Pentaholics! WELCOME!
Too funny. The only other version I put close to this one is the Celtic Woman with Chloe Agnew as the lead, her voice is just so angelic and pure, it's a really lovely version. But she's backed with a choir and a full orchestra, what PtX does with 5 is just criminal.
Pentatonix has a LOT of fun upbeat videos. There are over a hundred Pentatonix videos on You Tube. For Christmas, start with "Oh Come All Ye Faithful", "Mary Did You Know", and "Little Drummer Boy".
This is the first time I have seen your reaction of The Prayer by Pentatonix. I soooo enjoy watching your reactions. I love Pentatonix and don't think this song could be done any better or sound as beautiful. They are amazing. Your reactions are also favorites of mine. You can watch your face and reactions and see that you are truly "feeling" the spell of the song and the "heart" they are putting into it. Pentatonix puts their hearts into each one they do. Thank you.
Thank you for another honest and incredible reaction! I love seeing you become overwhelmed with joy and awe, like a child seeing their first Christmas tree lights! Can't wait to see more!
Yes - Yes you now understand the love Pentaholics have for new awesome reactors. We will walk with you on your discovery journey!! Thanks for the best reactor I have watched!!!!
Your explanation of what i feel watching Pentatonix with reactors, YOU Especially, Is right on the money! Your facial expressions, the smiles along the way, your eyes saying more words than your mouth! YES You are the best at it!
we pentaholics live and breathe to share the enthusiasm we have for this group with new reactors. and while we appreciate most everyone who takes the time to explore their work, some are able to react with such better insights and with more charisma that instantly we know this person is a gem that we want to follow on all of their reactions. I guess one would call it chemistry, a chemistry that in pentatonix is so rare, , every element mixes, dances, vibrates , laughs, cries, sighs together to make a sublime concoction of perfection. and I feel we pentaholics recognize that quality in a reactor immediately. AND YOU HAVE IT IN SPADES.. one other observation on pentatoncs is a part of their success is that they are all such nice, genuine people. it comes through in every thing they do. no egos. no divas. they all love each other, no question. There may be one person that may be more talented, although i can't think of one, but in my opinion there are not 5 people in the world that together are more talented
OMG....you are so right. Even though I have seen some of these performers and songs, I love watching someone see/hear for the first time. We do not all have the same taste in music etc.....but when you watch Pentatonix you would have to be without a heart and soul as these are performances that touch you to the core. Your reactions are some of the best I have seen....keep up the good work. You make me laugh and cry at the same time. I am a terminally ill cancer patient and I only say this to let you know how much your reactions mean to me.....I will always remember them..... I send you hugs and keep on doing what you are so good at doing.....Carole
Might I suggest "My Favorite Things" And since it is nearly Christmas, check out what they do with "O Come All Ye Faithful." Avi is the beanie Jesus guy. He was the original bass and had to leave for personal reasons. Matt is the new bass and has brought a new flavor. Enjoy the ride.
this performance is just stunning. You're right, we love watching another person's reaction not just to this performance but Pentatonix in general. You have so must of their music to dive into, it is an endless rabbit hole. Wait till you see their performance of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. Their Christmas music it's impossible to say oh this is my favorite, but I di love their upgrade to The First Noel. Great reaction, by the way, loved the look of awe on your face. I subscribed to your channel and looking forward to your journey through the PTX vortex.
Loved watching your face while watching this. You hit the nail on the head when you talked about enjoying watching someone else seeing a video for the first time. That's why I'm here. Thank you for what you do for us viewers! Next...please do their 90's Dance Medley. You will be so blown away by Matt and Kevin. (Bass and beat boxer). I know you want to start the Christmas songs but please do this one first. Thank you again!! Sending you love from Texas!!
Pentaholics can truly boost your views and subscriptions. The fan base will elavate you and your videos because 'WE" love to witness the reactions which transport us to that place where we all discovered the blessing that is Pentatonix.
You Hit the Nail on the Head. I am Having so much Fun watching you Discover pentatonix. Keep it up. I will be watching For your Videos. You Have 11 years of Pentatonix songs. Their christmas songs are Awesome as well
I absolutely love this version of the Prayer. I think that Celine Dion's versions with her partners at the time are just wonderful, Pentatonix's version seems to sound so much more purer of heart. For me and I am sure for many others this version is just so beautiful and magical and it has nothing to do with the snowy setting that they are singing in; well for me personally. I feel the raw emotions from them so clearly in this song. May I suggest their song "SING" this song will energize you, it has that much energy...it is a fun fun song!!!
I think you'd be blown away by their version of Gold (Kiara Cover) It really showcases their harmonies, ability to blend, and how amazing they are with syncopated rhythms.
Thanks for your reaction! Great idea about posting their Christmas music! All of their Christmas songs are fantastic ( I love "Mary Did You Know", "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" and "Mr Grinch").
Avi Kaplan (dude with a beanie) left in 2017 due to family illness and his own issues with anxiety and depression, which he puts in his solo songs a lot. His solo career is great, very impactful, he is very talented and very much still working. If you want to listen to him I recommend reactions, we love it, Change on the Rise is one of his best, all vocals are his. Matt Sallee is great, has been with them since, for a song focused on him go to "you're a mean one mr grinch" (great for Christmas), he sings solo all song, Scott (tall blonde) sings a killer bass.
when Avi, the guy with the beanie, needed to retire from the group because of exhaustion and personal issues and responsibilities to his family, he helped them hand pick Matt to step into the bass position. they all still love each other and keep up on each other's pages. Avi has some truly beautiful solo stuff. that's another rabbit hole you should consider jumping down.
Three things: One, I love recommending something I've heard to my favorite reactors and watching the looks on their faces when they here something spectacular for the first time. Two, I believe this is Kirstie's best performance. She offers great support in this one. And finally, I guarantee that you've never heard "O Come All Ye Faithful" the way they perform it if/when you go on your Christmas Song journey.
Your first time to experience PTX, is a reminder of our first time. WE love it!! Several to watch, Amazing Grace, Thank you, Mary did you know, for a few. You will enjoy them all.
Very well put. That's why I enjoy watching various reactors discover this group. I'm sure many Pentaholics feel the same. Reliving that discovery is thrilling!!
Thank you for this reaction! I actually struggled to enjoy this one because it's less pop-y than some of the other things that I enjoyed more, but your perspective on how gorgeous it is really helped me recognize its value, if that makes sense! Avi, the gentleman that you were asking about, parted amicably from the group a few years back when there was an illness in his family and the touring schedule made it difficult to split time. He has some solo music and has guested on a few other groups' videos, to fabulous effect. I recommend Gold (as I had in an earlier response, hopefully if you listen to Kiiara's version first to understand how amazing PTX's version is) which is a lesser-requested one but honestly one of the most technically flawless, IMO. I also recommend Can't Hold Us (PTX can RAP), Imagine (if you didn't think you could sob during a reaction video you will be disabused of that notion!), and one of their original pieces from the Lucky Ones album (there are some actual music videos but my all-time favorite song of anyone, PTX or otherwise right now, is called Anchor and it's from the deluxe release of Lucky Ones. Mitch wrote it, and the lyrics (just like all the lyrics of their original songs) hit hard and powerfully! Thanks for this!
You are absolutely right, we LOVE watching people like you react to each Pentatonix song for the first time. It’s like we get to relive that feeling of hearing it for the first time ourselves. You did not disappoint 😍. You are becoming a Pentaholic, my kind sir. Also, yes Avi (beanie guy) was their original bass but he left on good terms and now we have the amazing Matt whom I adore both his voice and his personality.
To get a taste of Matt Sallee, (the bass for Pentatonix since late 2017)-react to their cover of “You’re a Mean One, Mr Grinch”…he has the LEAD. I’ve seen PTX twice in concert, and Matt’s energy and positivity are so obvious and affirming. He’s a truly joyful person. Scott (tall blonde baritone) has said PTX initially were drawn to Matt because of two things- his positivity and his GRATITUDE. He’s enormously grateful to have the chance to sing bass in PTX. He graduated from the Berkelee School of Music in Boston with a degree in VOCAL PERFORMANCE-and had many years experience singing acapella. The whole group said he didn’t require much (if any) acclimation to their intense schedule of arranging-recording-rehearsing-performing and touring. Yeah, we ALL miss Avi. But Matt is a true joy and asset to the group, and he’s done very well in the four years he’s been in the group!
I've listened to over 30 reactions to this song and Bar None, all of the "true musicians" have your similar reaction. They love it for its technical and sensory merit. Outstanding performance by such a talented group!
I listen to the Prayer every evening before I talk to my Heavenly Father this song is so beautiful you know God has given PTX the ability to sing so beautifully. Thank you Lord I love you and being a Christian is so for filling.
I don’t know how they do it but they keep getting better and better! I can’t get enough of their perfection! I would love for you to react to Silent Night and Mary Did You Know.
As hooked as you are on Kevin's beatboxing, just wait till you hear Bohemian Rhapsody. Arguably as good as the original. Also, for insanely fast beatboxing and Matt's bass to create Electronic Dance Music sound, check out Coffee in Bed. Side note: In addition to other's explanation about Avi, it should be pointed out that Avi found Matt. When he decided he was ready to leave the group, he knew what the group was losing with his skills. He didn't want the sound to suffer, he knew exactly what he was looking for, so he spent six months finding his replacement, so he could leave PTX in a good position to continue doing what they do best. Gotta tip the hat to anyone who cares enough to put in that much effort. Matt has been incredible, and that is as much a victory for Avi as it is a victory for PTX.
I enjoyed watching you enjoy this amazing Pentatonix video. They are amazing. Avi, the former bass, left the band in 2017 for family and personal reasons. His mother has since recovered from cancer. He has a solo career now and has his own RU-vid channel under Avi Kaplan. Reaction Suggestions: "O Come All Ye Faithful", "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", "The First Noel", "Silent Night", "You're A Mean One Mr Grinch", "Mary Did You Know?". Matt has been bass since late 2017. Subscribed.
I couldn't have said it better myself. I enjoy watching people when they are discovering Pentatonix. I remember when I found them a few months ago. I actually pretty much just watch these reaction videos and never get tired of hearing them, in fact I still get goosebumps from Mitch. He is my happy place. You need to watch "Amazing Grace" just have a box of tissues close at hand. There is a great Christmas song that Scott wrote called "Thank You' it is amazing.