Vocal Coach REACTS - DAN VASC "Gethsemane" (Jesus Christ Superstar) 

The way he says "nail me to your cross" at the end gets me everytime. Man knows how to truly sink into a song

The Agony of the Garden and the inner turmoil with His own humanity. Dan grabs your heart and pulls you into this journey. And when he hits his knees, my breathing stops and then slowly begins again. I'm toast by the closing fade to black of the video. The emotion lingers. Thank you for an insightful reaction, as always.

As we, at Vascnation know, Dan is a fearless performer. He is confident in his skills and that comes through with every song he chooses to do. I love his patience. He never hurries the lyrics, he caresses them. Ken your observations are point on and so interesting. You flesh out even the tiniest detail which makes the song come alive. The music world is fortunate to have you. ❤

I have NEVER seen a performance like this. Dan is beyond talented!

❤❤❤❤❤ He doesn't just sing... he performs... reaches in and grabs your heart...

I never thought I would be listening to metal music at the age of 66. Then he came in! I didn't even think that after Bon Jovi there would be someone I could "support" for! Super talent given by God! I hope I can listen to it "live" one day! Dan Vasc's success reflects his hard work, dedication and passion for his craft. This boy is a true combination of talent, hard work and determination!!!! It will literally be the song you sing and pull you into your world. Then all of a sudden he kicked in RU-vid's door and everyone is talking about him!!! It has one million subscribers!!!

I always say that Dan is the whole package. He 's a phenomenal singer and performer. He really is an embodiment of power,energy and confidence. It's very impressive how he dives deeply into the song and just delivers an emotional and flawless interpretation of it. This guy is absurdly talented and that performance is pure epicness. Thank you for this great reaction . I do love your reviews and analysis .

Ted Neely singing that song has amazed me since i was like 7, I'm 55 now and Dan is the only other person i will listen to singing it

It's Dan ! This was the most touching version i've ever seen...!!! Thank you for your reaction to Dan !

You analysis is very much spot on, I think Dan outdid himself with this performance. Full embodiment of the lyrics and charakter, what a stellar and captivating presentation. Dan always gives 💯%

Why is he not on Broadway, or known outside u tube. The world is missing out.

I have loved Jesus Christ Superstar since I saw the movie when it first showed. I have always loved Ted Neely's performance and thought it was the best of all I've heard, UNTIL I saw DAN'S version, his emotions clearly show how the human part of Jesus must have been feeling that dark and lonely night. There are no better versions, in my book. Thank you for reacting to this most spectacular of all performances!

Yes, exactly... It's been 50 years... Wow, wow, wow... The song has arrived in the present. Perfect performance. Standing ovation ❤️. Your reaction was very good and correct, thank you very much for that 👍💕

To see his very first video and compare to him today... he has come a long way!!! He was decent in the beginning, but he's phenomenal now! Shows how hard work pays off!

Dan Vasc is phenomenal

Dan should be on Broadway.

This performance touches my heart very deeply. He is not only a perfect singer, but his acting is phenomenal.

I think Daniel's singing n performance is pure genius. Take a moment n ponder the considerable ingenuity needed in putting this piece together. Not only is the man a genius, he's a perfectionist too. Thank you Ken for sharing your thoughts they've added to my experience. D💜

Great analysis Ken. As a minister, I can't help but remember how the scripture stated that Jesus sweat blood in this intense hour of prayer. Dan embodies this so magnificently. You truly sense that he is Jesus living the struggle of this intense emotion. I personally believe that Dan far outshines Ted Neely in this performance and I am with you Ken in that I would love to see him perform this entire musical.

I don't comment often but I thoroughly enjoyed your reaction. I feel you truly made this fantastic performance even greater. Thank you so much. Peace✌ Thank you Susan for your request.

Thank you for your reaction. I have become a huge Dan fan since his Amazing Grace. This man can sing anything! His emotions and artistry is beyond anything I have ever seen. He has inspired me to do things I have put off for years. Love his music!

Dan Vasc need to be on Broadway!!!

I totally agree with you Ken- it is a complete mystery to me why this video has so few likes. It is a Broadway experience you can enjoy in your own home. An excellent performance by an extraordinary singer

YES! I’m so glad you reacted to this one! It has to be my all time Dan favourite. Thanks for an excellent reaction!

Dear Ken! I have been listening to Dan Vasc's covers a lot for a while. I was very curious to know what an expert artist like you thought of Dan's performances. I am glad that you confirm the ordinary song listener in the talent, quality interpretation and professionalism of this boy. Thank you for your comments. I will listen to your other reactions. 🙂👍

Absolutely incredible performance - a total one man show! the emotion and drama s rivteing - you cant look away !

I've seen the musical and the movie with Neeley but they never made me cry, so I didn't think I'd be emotionally affected now either. Alas, how wrong I was! I really can't watch this without crying. Even if I watch it on repeat, it hits me right in the heart every time! It has nothing to do with the message of the musical, but everything to do with Dan's commitment and his emotional interpretation of the song. He goes through several of the five stages of grief - denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance in the space of a few minutes and I experience them all through Dan's performance! This is a truly outstanding performance! Bravo! 💖💖💖

Another great reaction, Ken. Watching this again, after researching and writing about Vasc for a couple of months this summer, is a bittersweet experience. Especially to hear you say, “Oh man, now I want to hear him do the whole thing.” I think that’s the reaction a lot of us had upon first seeing this. It is tantamount to a completely realized stage production. Gethsemane was the catalyst that started me wondering why this guy wasn’t an international star on Broadway. Well, the reason is that Vasc is adamant about maintaining complete control over his performance and career. So no representation, management, etc. and as far as collaborating on a stage production, I don’t think there’s any way that he would submit to the authority of a director. He does his own thing. While that might be disappointing for some of us, it’s his perfect right. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Your reactions of our Dan are the best I”ve watched. In fact I have watched this multiple times. You have the ability to share both vocal abilities and how he is delivering the story, emotion. When I watch him, his ability to bring the song full circle pulls me emotionally in to the moment, the sound, the interpretation, and especially with Dan the lyrics you hear so clearly which embody the story. Even in his Metal covers, he tells the story thru presentation, even when sometimes you can’t hear the lyrics completely. During his early video covers, he took on the Iconic Robert Plant, Led Zeppelin, Stairway to Heaven. And nailed it. Anyway babbling…. TY again. And I’m a country genre (home of the story telling), a product of the 50-60’s where it all began, who is totally enjoying my trip down power and symphonic metal!

Enjoyed your reaction. Dan is quite theatrical in his performances and I would love to see him play this on stage…along with Phantom of the Opera.

I am impressed by this number and a singer. Perfect!

Thanks! Great reaction.

Thank you for your wonderful reaction to this. I heard quite some versions of this song, and I always thought, that no one can sing it like Ted Neely, until I heard Dan. He just brings so much emotion into it, together with his incrdible skills. I just bow my head!!

Please do Dan’s cover of “I’ll Make a Man Out of You.” It’s so great!!!

As always Ken, your insights into the technical whys and wherefores have added new enjoyment to Dans performance of this amazing song. Thanks for enjoying this as much as I did!

"The violin sings and the fiddle dances" - love it! It made my morning to wake up and discover this! I know it's not his "thing", but I would love to see him live on a stage in a musical theater production. And once again, I totally enjoyed listening to your analysis and explanation of what he's doing, so thank you! Well done, KEN!

I know it's picking nits, but this scene was between the last supper and the betrayal by Judas. I nitpick only because this is my favorite version of this ALW and TR classic, and I have seen dozens. The passion combined with Dan's talent is truly awsome. One more note, the Original concept album for Jesus Christ Superstar was made in 1970, and Jesus was portrayed by Ian Gillan, who is the lead singer of Deep Purple.

Thank you, Ken, for your reaction to this wonderful song that Dan performs so brilliantly! No matter how many times I listen to it, I get goosebumps every time! Like you, I would love to see him perform the entire part on a stage. His acting is also absolutely phenomenal, he IS Jesus!

Love your reaction on this awesome video. Dan is not only a fantastic singer, an awesome performer, would be awesome in a play, is funny, has great values, very entertaining to watch. Here is one to react to, if you have done it as yet. Hallelujah. Talk about awesome, and lots of fun to watch, took him 24 takes to do this incredible video. I hope you will do this one, fans are going crazy over this one, like everything else he has done.

Thank you, it's a masterclass!!❤❤ So well done, vocally and in performance!! Thank you once again for your informative reaction😃

Oh My Gosh! This was absolutely incredible! I didn't think ANYONE could compare (in my eyes -- and EARS) to Ted Neeley but HE SMASHED IT! I grew up on this musical and, 40 years later, still watch it at least twice/year and can sing through the entire movie. This brought me back... thanks, Ken -- AND DAN!

i have been lurking and hoping that you would do a reactions to this. ty. i so enjoy listening to your analysis of how a singer can draw so much on himself and maximize/control/manage the attributes of his so called "instrument". I find it fascinating; particularly since not able to do so myself. now, if you could explain where the display of passion comes from. it's sincerity is hard to doubt. does it truly come from a complete immersion in the song, or more from acting? or both? does explanation of this fall within your wheelhouse? sent you a little something. please stay in the dan vasc rabbit hole. speaking of which reacting to a song where dan is able to show his happy side might fun. how about Beyond Belief - PETRA Cover feat. JOHN SCHLITT & JOHN LAWRY.

Great reaction. Nice to learn more about the technique. Makes me appreciate the singing even more.

Thank you for the reaction ❤

Thank you, Ken, for the detailed analysis and for sharing your insights into the mindset of music students.

Hey Ken. Great to see your reaction;) Dan was brilliant, incredible performance 👏🏻👏🏻He is an excellent actor too!!! Thanks for this:)

I love this one!!!

DAn VASC!!! OH YEAH!!! THIS GUY is a SUPERSTAR!!! Amazing Grace is another! 200 songs are ALL wonderful!!!

Your insight is always interesting to hear. I love this performance. Dan completely brings the character to life and lets the audience feels as he does. The last two lines always break me, the delivery of them is heartbreaking. Hail Vasc-Nation ❤️🤘✝️

Great reaction. You look so happy. This performance by Dan always gets to me. It is so believable. Well, they all get to me to me honest.

Great reaction! His performance is stage ready! Please consider his Angels We Have Heard on High for a Christmas reaction.

Full master class indeed. Great reaction. If I am not mistaken when he was getting started he taught voice to earn part of his living. I will never forget the first time I watched Dan's performance of this piece. I don't know how long I sat in stunned silence before I could even breathe. I'm very well aware of the sequence of events surrounding Gethsemane. Many people consider the crucifixion to be the suffering of Jesus. But the bulk of the weight of Atonement happened in that garden while He was on His knees. Dan brings up the same feelings in me that reading this part of scripture does. I feel like I have been gutted, and have the strange urge to look down, and see if I'm bleeding from an open wound. And strange as it may seem to me or to you, I have the same reaction every time I watch this. This sounds a bit overly dramatic even as I type it, and I don't know how Dan does this, but God knows he does.

Thank you so much Ken.. I have to admit I do think Dan does bring this 50 yr old song into the present, I hope those that weren't around for the original performance do watch this and your review in particular. Thank you again.

Thank you Ken. This is just what I needed this morning. I was very young when the album Jesus Christ Superstar came out and was a total addict. Saw it on stage at every opportunity.. then the movie. Etc. just to say how much the song choice by itself grab my attention. Then on top of it I have never heard of this gentleman. So glad for the introduction and what a performance. You talking about seeing the movie at that crucial time in your life and the impact it has on changing your attitude was the perfect addition. If only we all have such an aha moment early on. So enjoyed this.

Thank you so much Ken, you gave it the reaction that I was anticipating and really appreciate. Often times I will go and listen to the original covers that Dan does, and I find that I like Dan’s rendition better than the original. Dan has opened my eyes, ears and my heart to a whole new world of music, I wouldn’t listen to heavy-metal before, and now I listen to “his” heavy-metal and I truly enjoy it. There will be more from me, there are so many songs that Dan Vasc sings, that I think that you would really enjoy discussing. Thank you and have a great day!

Your going to have to put together a Dan Vasc playlist for us.

This is about the 12th time I have watched Dan perform this gut-wrenching scene from the very controversial (in it's day and probably today as well) play. Thank you for explaining how difficult all that Dan sang actually IS, for those who do not have vocal training. All I know is that he brought that character to life like no one else has ever done for me. Appreciate your calling it a "tour we force", as it certainly was. So happy to share this with you again. May I suggest Dan's cover of "Go The Distance" which celebrates his 100th Video? I just saw it a couple of weeks ago and it is very special with old clips of his very first video at 20 years old,, and some other younger ones where he is acting goofy and head-banging. If you react, let the video run after the song is over, as Dan gives a most heartfelt chat of appreciation to all of his fans. Hope to see this on your Channel. Good Evening Ken. ☺

Fenomenal !!! Love how you say : Dan goes fearlessly into it ... since that's the name of his band Fearless ... What a performance ! Hats of !!!

Great reaction. Dan’s performance always makes my chest hurt. It is so beautifully sung.

Great reaction. Thank you for appreciating Dans talents and for sharing your wonderful critique.

G'day Ken, I love Dan's version of anything and everything he does and this one is no exception. He is as close to perfection as anyone I could name. I am, however, just a smidge biased when it comes to our Daniel...☺️ I first saw JCS during the Sydney production in 1975, at the age of 12 or 13, when my high school choir was taken to see it. Our production starred Trevor White in the titular role, with Jon English as Judas. I was lucky enough to draw one of 4 front row seats (there were 50 of us, 40 kids and 9 parents plus our music teacher, our seats were scattered throughout the theatre and we drew from a hat like a lucky dip...). It was the first professional production I had ever seen and it was astounding. I developed my first celebrity crush on Jon English and continued to enjoy his work until we lost him a few years ago. It was also the first time I discovered my own taste in music, rather than the music mum listened to. It really was an amazing time... Hearing Dan sing this song brings back such lovely memories of a different time. It would be amazing to see him perform the entire show, with maybe Violet Orlandi as Mary Magdalene, though I'm not sure who to suggest to play the part of Judas Iscariot and the other characters. For a slightly different take on the show, there is video of the 1992 Australian Arena Spectacular of JCS starring John Farnham as Jesus, Jon Stevens as Judas and Kate Ceberano as Mary, along with an ensemble cast of some of the best voices in aussie music... might be worth a butcher's...😉 🙃🐨🇦🇺

Thanks for another great Dan Vasc reaction! Please listen to his cover of „Dawn over a new world“

beautifulllllllllllllllllllllllllll x 100000000000000 = DAN SINGING. the music in the night is amazing too. tksss teacher s2

Absolutely fantastic, best voice in the world without a doubt! We are so fortunate to get to hear him. He is blessed!

Loved this reaction - what a performance. Should be on broadway!

Heart wrenching, Dan Vasc. Thank you for your examination of this work and your thoughts about both his work and skill and the piece itself.

Ken, I enjoy your reactions so much! I like 'learning' about what Dan is doing and how he's getting the sounds that are happening. This cover that he does just completely pulls me in every time I listen to it because of the fact that he is so completely into the part himself. He would be great on the stage, but it will most likely never happen because he doesn't want that.

Amazing voice doing Justice to an amazing song. Done so well this always makes me tear up. Absolutely brilliant musical

You mention Dan has a trend, he does quite a few Christian songs, I believe it is because Dan is a Christian, awesome voice, a great gift from God and what he often uses in His honour. Even his latest cover starts with scripture. God bless ✝️ 👑 🙌 ❤️ 🙏

❤❤Dan is such a performer and singer such emotion, he actually reminds me of Jesus🎉🎉

Loved Dan’s interpretation. He makes me feel everythig in this version.

THANK YOU Ken for introducing me to Dan Vasc - what a singer, what a voice 😍

He is amazing I can't go to bed without my Dan Vasc fix

One of my favorite performances by Dan. Definitely as good if not better than Ted’s performance 50 years ago!

Yes!!! Finally, I was wondering if you would ever get to this one.

I saw Jesus Christ Superstar as a kid in the 70’s when it came out (yeah, I’m old) and many times afterwards. For me, Ted Neeley is that song. And I would never have thought. I would hear another version of it that had as much emotional power. Until then Dan Vasc. This version leave s me breathless and careful. And I’m not even a religious! But you can absolutely feel the torment in this song. I’d also like to say that I really appreciate you talking about your own journey in broadening your view of music. I found that fascinating, and applaud you for being able to have that kind of moment when you realized maybe you didn’t know everything. Humility is a wonderful quality to have. So bravo you.

JCS is my all time favorite musical. something like this performance will start me down a rabbit hole of listening for days. Thank you for this!

Dan is absolutely awesome in this! ❤

Dan Vasc is phenomenal!!!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I never thought anyone could outdo Ted Neely's version of t his song, especially "the scream," until Dan did it. So much more emotion, and such a richer voice, especially in the lower range.

I agree with you. Dan should be snapped up by the next production of Jesus Christ Superstar! Producers take note PLEASE!

Dan Vasc is truly a gift from God.

Most excellent review. Thanks for sharing. Very powerful performance

This was a great performance of Gethsemane. I got to see the "original" Jesus (aka Ted Neeley) in a Jesus Christ Superstar production I think the 2nd or 3rd time I saw a stage performance of the show. My brother however was a little luckier. He saw him perform in the late 80s or early 90s in State College and either before or after the show, while they were eating dinner, in comes Ted Neeley and some of the cast to the same restaurant. I'd love to see Dan play in an entire performance. Always interesting to see what different productions bring to the show as well. I find myself now wanting to look up if it is performing anywhere in the area any time soon. It's been a while since I've seen it.

Performed!!❤️

The first time I saw this performance by Dan, it genuinely brought tears to my eyes. Dan's such a treasure. Great analysis and video. 🙂

Here is a fun story. When Ted Neeley toured doing JCS back in the 90s...I went to a lot of shows with my mother as a kid. After a show somewhere he took a group of 15 or so people that had hung around on a tour backstage. I was about 10 or 11. He asked me if I wanted to know anything...I asked if he could sing for me and he hit that high note just straight away for me it was amazing

IM SO GLAD you found Dan! He is remarkable!

Love this reaction video and all of your observations! This is an exquisite display of Dan’s wide array of musical versatility. 🤗

Wow , just wow . . . Dan is incredible. And it’s nice to see Jesus Christ Superstar getting some love. It’s my generation (giving my age away here) and as a young English teacher I actually taught this “rock opera” to my 6th period bored, underachieving and disaffected 11th graders as a play. Can’t imagine doing that now. All I had then was an LP cast album and a portable record player. Now with RU-vid, a Bluetooth speaker and most of all Dan I’d have half the school outside listening in the hall (and the other half trying to get in).

Unbelievable. Rushes of goosebumps. Mesmerized. Job exceptionally well done. WOW!!!

Wow - that's amazing❣

Thank you for your reaction. I too, wonder why it hasn't got way more views. Absolutely amazing!

What a performer!

Amazing. He never fails.

Oh boy, such a depth emotions, amazing high voice just lovely listening to Dan. Thank you Ken for your reactions and analysis.

Just a brilliant performance, the best I've ever heard it done.

Jesus Cristo , o que foi essa apresentação? Podemos sentir a revolta, o medo , a indignação e a resignação que Cristo deve ter sentido nesses momentos.

Orgulho de ver você - brasileiro de ouro! Aos 75 aprecio um cantor metal!

I just so enjoy your professional unpacking of a song but especially when reacting to Dan Vasc. I always leave with so much more than I enter with, wow. Anything Dan covers affects me the same way, my expectations are never “just” met, they’re perfectly demolished. Thank you for another great reaction 😊