Josh Groban: "Superman? He Loves His Parents...He enjoys charity work" - Review

Josh Groban
He loves his parents. He enjoys charity work. But what about that Scorpions ringtone?
By Don Mayhew
The Fresno Bee
03/30/07 04:40:09

"There's been no shortage of big moments during pop singer Josh Groban's career the past few years. He's sung at the Olympics, the Super Bowl and the Vatican.

But when asked if one moment stands out above the others, he considers the question a moment and says, "I brought my dad to Red Rocks [the spectacular Denver amphitheater] on his birthday. That was fun. I had the audience sing 'Happy Birthday' to him."

Yes, Groban -- scheduled to perform at Fresno's Save Mart Center on Wednesday -- loves his family. He considers doing charity work an honor. He treasures meeting Nelson Mandela. He admits to stage fright.

Talking about his latest album, last year's "Awake," the 26-year-old is most excited not that it hit No. 2 on Billboard's album chart (following 2004's "Closer," which reached No. 1), but because he got to work with the likes of Herbie Hancock and Ladysmith Black Mambazo during recording." ...more...

Want More Josh Groban? Josh & My Space!

JOSH ALERT!

Can't get enough of Josh? Want more? Well, it's done! Josh has a new "Josh Groban My Space" and it is official, not to be confused with all of the fakes out there. Take a trip over and pay a visit...hear his fabulous tunes, sign up for "friends" and leave a comment.

"The Voice" is being heard...and my, oh my, what a voice it is!! We will see you there (and here, of course!)

Josh Groban an "Artistic Titan" - "Awake" Reports & Review

The Lighter Side of Josh Groban
L.A. Daily News
By Sandra Barrera, Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 03/29/2007 06:18:07 PM PDT

"My press has not emphasized a lot of personality stuff," he says. "It's been a lot more about the seriousness of the music, or whether or not people like the music."

And they do.

Groban's new album, "Awake," has drawn praise as a "skillfully made, richly varied set" and an "artistic titan."

The album is the third studio release in Groban's impressive six-year career, whose highlights include 16 million albums sold, two PBS concert specials and several high-profile performances. That would satisfy most young artists, but Groban says he had a longing to spread his wings.

"There's a couple things I like to do when I'm working on an album, one of which is to find music that I feel I can really wrap my voice around and be the storyteller of the song. The other is to have a hand in creating it.

"Musically, I hear things in my head all the time, and it's just a matter of being focused enough to get them down and organize them into a song."

On the night that "February Song" came into his head, he didn't hesitate.

Half asleep and still bruised from a broken relationship, Groban sat down at the piano and composed the melancholy song that Billboard included among those "destined to join his greatest hits."

It's one of four songs on "Awake" that Groban co-wrote with the likes of John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting, Dave Matthews and Imogen Heap. ...more...

Awake Tour: Next Stop: March 31, Staples Center, Los Angeles

Josh Groban Awake Tour Reports & Reviews: Sacramento

Josh Groban Honors Walter Reed Hospital Soldiers in Sacramento Concert

By Alan Gray, NewsBlaze

Josh Groban walked the crowd from the back of the second floor of the Sacramento Kings stadium to the stage and the near-capacity crowd loved it.

At 26 years old, Josh is a wonderful entertainer and a remarkably unaffected young man, loved by fans young and old. The crowd, from late teens to gray haired grandparents soaked up every second of his offering.

This "Awake Tour" visit to Sacramento comes nine years after his "discovery" in Sacramento at age 17.

At one point, Josh sat on the edge of the stage, signing the hands of fans and told us he recently visited the Walter Reed Hospital to see the injured men and women who serve our country. The crowd showed their appreciation of his efforts for our heroes. He dedicated his song "Awake" to the soldiers.

For "Awake", Josh Groban wrote and produced songs along with contributions from Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Dave Matthews and others. ...more...

Josh Groban "Upcoming TV Appearances"

Josh Alert! Upcoming TV Appearances

Josh will be appearing on TV during and in-between his tour dates: Be sure to check your local channels for time in your area:

April 2: Jimmy Kimmel Live
April 3: Dancing with the Stars
April 25: American Idol

The first leg of the North American "Awake Tour" will be complete at Josh's appearance in Las Vegas on April 7th. He will then continue the tour internationally and return for the second leg of the North American tour on July 17th. See our posts below and look for upcoming news alerts and dates.

Tonight: March 28 - Awake Tour, San Jose, CA

On June 6, Josh will be performing at the Hampton Court Festival in London. "One of the world’s greatest opera singers, José Carreras, will open this year’s event on Tuesday, June 5, followed by the festival debut of American singing sensation Josh Groban." More information

Josh Groban "International Singing Star & Songsmith"

Music World
Josh Groban
March 25, 2007
by Ann Belmont

"Five years and several hit albums later, he continues to increase his reputation as an international singing star and songsmith. With his latest studio release, Awake, Groban is breaking new ground for himself. “The goal was to put music on the new album that was stylistically different from a lot of things that I’ve done,” he commented in a recent interview."

"Having achieved success so early, Josh Groban seems committed to discovering all he is capable of. “I feel that we’re in an exciting time when people are ready to accept all sorts of music,” he avers. “I owe it to the crazy success that has happened [to me] not to rest on it — and go where it thrills me.”" ...more...

Josh's February Song...Majestic & Alluring

JOSH ALERT! February Song
Billboard Music Review-Yahoo News:
Josh Groban's February Song Single

"The launch single from Josh Groban's current "Awake," "You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)" again reaped top 10 rewards at AC, in spite of the format's November-December indulgence of Christmas music. Follow-up "February Song" is more adventurous and features the majestic singer's most alluring, elegant hook to date. Amid a lyric of hope for perfection in love, the song, co-written with Five for Fighting's John Ondrasik, builds with cliff-hanging bravado that would muster a wink from Celine. So few artists unashamedly capitalize on the beloved market for melodramatic power ballads."

See our "February Song" Fireflies video with Josh's music video "February Song" here.
See Josh's February Song and You Are Loved music videos on sidebar here.

Josh Groban "Awake Tour" Reports & Reviews

Groban's 'Awake' Latest CD more evidence of his prodigious talent
— Cathalena E. Burch
Tucson, Arizona Published: 03.22.2007

"Give Josh Groban his props: How many 26-year-old pop singers can stand before an audience and sing from the heart the inspirational words "Don't give up / It's just the hurt that you hide" then segue into a stirring operatic aria? That's the first five minutes. A few more classical turns, a dip into the Great American Songbook and a few self-penned purely pop gems, including a sultry love song that casts Groban watching "the morning dawn upon your skin / A splinter in the light / It caught and frayed the very heart of us." Hot stuff.

Now for the goosebumps: Groban sings an adaptation from the soul-arresting "A Time for Us" from the 1968 movie "Romeo and Juliet," in Italian, with a soaring string section — part pop, part opera. Yep, goosebumps.

Groban is on the road promoting his latest CD, the critically acclaimed "Awake," which features several self-penned songs including the love song "Now or Never" and the piano ballad "February Song.""

* * *

Coolness credential definitely gone now
by Joe Kennedy
The Roanoke Times

"A few weeks ago, my friend Martha gave me a CD by a singer I'd never heard of. His name is Josh Groban. He sings a highly romantic repertoire of lushly produced songs such as "You Raise Me Up" and "My Confession." He sings in four languages, mostly English and Italian. He is American, and he was a rehearsal singer for David Foster, a famed producer, composer and director, before he was discovered. He has been on talk shows, "Ally McBeal," public television and other places where even the dimmest of people would have seen him.

No one can question the quality of Groban's baritone voice, the strength of his performing skills or the volume of screams from his younger fans. I say this as prelude to a startling confession: Just hours away from my 59th birthday, I permanently disposed of any coolness credentials I ever possessed. I fell in love with Josh. Well, not with Josh per se, but Josh the performer. Or maybe I should say Josh's show. I've been Grobanized.

He sang for more than two hours. He kibitzed with the audience, played the piano and drums and accepted the adulation with grace. He brought a hot band and a lot of strings, with a barefoot violinist in a long black dress who scratched out a raw, lengthy solo while I wondered where Josh went. Then he appeared at a portal in the stands beneath us and made his way through the roaring crowd, shaking hands, speaking to children and spreading good will."

* * *

CBC and Josh Groban on Stage6
Highlights from the 2007 International PMA
DivX Partners with CBC, Samsung

"CBC content offered on Stage6 will include Josh Groban concerts and interviews...

"CBC is not just a media company,” noted Kevin Hell, CXO, Partners & Licensing, at DivX, Inc. “They are truly a pioneer and share our goal of building a better media future. With CBC, we have expanded our global reach by making premium content such as Josh Groban and the 2006 Olympic Winter Games more accessible to viewers worldwide."

Josh Groban's New U.S. "Awake Tour" Dates Announced

Josh Groban's new U.S. "Awake Tour" dates announced. This is what you have been waiting for!! We have included the current remaining dates and International dates as well.

Note April 2 Josh will be on Jimmy Kimmel live. Check your local channel for time in your area.

CURRENT TOUR DATES:

03/21/07
Houston, TX, US
Toyota Center

03/22/07
San Antonio, TX, US
AT&T Center

03/25/07
Phoenix, AZ, US
US Airways Center (formerly America West Arena)


03/27/07
Sacramento, CA, US
Arco Arena

03/28/07
San Jose, CA, US
HP Pavilion

03/31/07
Los Angeles, CA, US
Staples Center

04/02/07
Los Angeles, CA, US
Jimmy Kimmel Live

04/04/07
Fresno, CA, US
Save Mart Center

04/06/07
San Diego, CA, US
I Pay One Center

04/07/07
Las Vegas, NV, US
MGM Grand - Garden Arena

NEW TOUR DATES

07/17/07
Greenville, SC, US
Bi-Lo Center

07/18/07
Charlotte, NC, US
Charlotte Bobcats Arena

07/20/07
Norfolk, VA, US
Scope Arena

07/21/07
Atlantic City, NJ, US
Boardwalk Hall

07/24/07
East Rutherford, NJ, US
Continental Airlines Arena

07/25/07
Uniondale, NY, US
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum

07/27/07
Manchester, NH, US
Verizon Wireless Arena

07/28/07
Albany, NY, US
Pepsi Arena

07/30/07
Uncasville, CT, US
Mohegan Sun

07/31/07
Wilkes Barre, PA, US
Wachovia Arena

08/03/07
Hershey, PA, US
Giant Center

08/04/07
Pittsburgh, PA, US
Mellon Arena

08/07/07
Milwaukee, WI, US
US Cellular Arena

08/08/07
Green Bay, WI, US
Resch Center

08/10/07
St Paul, MN, US
Xcel Energy Center

08/12/07
Winnipeg, MB, CA
MTS Centre

08/14/07
Edmonton, ALBERTA, CA
Rexall Place

08/15/07
Calgary, ALBERTA, CA
Pengrowth Saddledome

08/17/07
Vancouver, CA
GM Place

08/18/07
Seattle, WA, US
KeyArena

08/21/07
Boise, ID, US
Taco Bell Arena

08/22/07
Portland, OR, US
Rose Garden Arena

08/24/07
Stockton, CA, US
Stockton Arena

08/25/07
Anaheim, CA, US
Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim

08/28/07
Salt Lake City, UT, US
Delta Center

08/29/07
Denver, CO, US
Pepsi Center

08/31/07
Omaha, NE, US
Qwest Center Omaha

INTERNATIONAL TOUR DATES

05/16/07
Reykjavik, IS
Laugardalsholl A

05/18/07
Oslo, NO
Spektrum

05/19/07
Stockholm, SE
Annext

05/21/07
Amsterdam, NL
Heineken Music Hall

05/22/07
Frankfurt, DE
Alte Oper

05/25/07
Birmingham, GB
Symphony Hall

05/27/07
Manchester, GB
Bridgewater Hall

05/28/07
Glasgow, SCOTLAND, GB
Clyde Auditorium

05/30/07
Dublin, IE
The Point

06/02/07
Brussels, BE
Cirque Royal

06/03/07
Paris, FR
Palais de Congres

06/06/07
London, GB
Hampton Court Festival

06/08/07
Lyon, FR
Salle 3000

06/10/07
Nice, FR
Palais Nikaia

06/12/07
Zurich, CH
Kongressshaus

Josh Groban "Machine" Wallpaper

Our new "Machine" wallpaper named for his track "Machine" on the Awake CD which is fabulous and in celebration of Josh's incredibly successful "Awake Tour." To download your size visit the ClassyMusicWallpaper site.

Are you loving this song? You can get it as an individual download at iTunes or why not buy the whole album and get the whole package of great tunes!!

Josh Groban "Awake Tour": Reports & Reviews

Quotes from recent reviews...click link to read more

Groban’s Tour, ‘Awake’ CD are Lavish
By Alan Sculley
FayObserver
Special to the Observer

Over the course of three highly successful albums and two DVDs, Josh Groban has built something of his own musical niche. His style combines pop and classical music, and he sings in English, Italian and Spanish.

[speaking of the Awake Tour] “I wanted it to be exciting, and I wanted it to be bright and vibrant. But I also always want it to be really classy,” Groban said. “We really wanted to do just enough so people would kind of have the awe factor.”

***
''Josh Groban Keeps Audience 'Awake' and Riveted''
The Heights March 15, 2007
By Joseph Neese

"If it is possible, Josh Groban's rich baritone voice sounds even better in person than it does on a disc. His Awake tour, which made a stop at the TD Banknorth Garden March 1, is a delectable treat..."

***
Groban Ready to Raise Up San Antonio Music Lovers
Jennifer Roolf Laster
Special to the Express-News

"Sure, he's a big superstar. Sure, he has been on "Oprah." And in People magazine. And on the cover of USA Weekend magazine."

***
Something to Feel Good About
Thursday, 15 March 2007
By BOB KERR
The Providence Journal

"So she celebrated the big 3-0 with Josh Groban. In a room at the Dunkin' Donuts Center before the concert, she told him how she had listened to his music while she was in the hospital. He gave her a hug and a kiss. And during the concert, he called her up from her front-row seat for another hug and kiss."

Awake Tour Tonight-March 16: RBC Center, Raleigh, NC

Josh Groban Review: Witty, Wooing & Wonderful in Washington

Josh Groban Awake Tour: Verizon Center Review
Witty, Wooing & Wonderful in Washington
"Jacy," JustJoshGroban
March 14, 2007

"The Voice" a/k/a Josh Groban wowed the packed Verizon Center last night so much so that his fans are still several feet off the ground, and very wide "Awake" after a fabulous night of musical performance at its best! Josh was in "pure voice" and "form" and enraptured the crowd with his breathtaking, full and glorious vocals. I cannot say it better than New York Times music critic Stephen Holden, “His voice is full but not overripe; his enunciation, whether in English or Italian, impeccable. His intonation is nearly perfect. He always sings directly on the note. At its upper end, his voice shades into pure, sweet head tones. He doesn’t sob. He respects the melodic line of a song and brings to everything he sings an intrinsic sense of balance and proportion."

Josh is not only a beautiful vocalist but also a witty, giving and wonderful person. He was open, funny and just melted into the audience with the fans loving every second of it, some not even able to contain themselves from jumping to their feet in excitement and not a few standing on their chairs to see the curly-topped darling as he appeared in the crowd singing "In Her Eyes" and giving them that adorable smile, hug or handshake as he passed by. He also touched the audience in a special way when he dedicated his song "Awake" to the troops after his personal visit to Walter Reed Hospital yesterday morning. Josh is the genuine real article folks ...a true performer with a heart. He not only loves the music he writes, sings and performs but he loves his fans and audience and puts his love in action in providing everyone with a wonderful concert and a special memory to take home. "You Are Loved" is exactly what the fans felt after his incredible performance. This is music history in the making...if you miss his concert, you are missing the phenomenon of pure music and a memory for a lifetime. Wow! What a voice, what a guy and what a night! Come back to DC soon Josh!

Photography & graphic courtesy of yours truly

Josh Groban "With You" Holiday CD Goes Gold!

Groban holiday CD goes gold
The Associated Press
Article Launched: 03/14/2007


LOS ANGELES- Josh Groban's "With You" CD was apparently a Valentine's Day gift of choice this year. Available only in Hallmark card stores during January and February, the collection of 10 love songs was certified a gold album this week with 500,000 units sold, Hallmark reported Wednesday. Groban said he put out the specialty disc to focus on the "simplest and the deepest emotions of love" for Cupid's holiday.

Congratulations Josh!!
see our "With You" posts here at JJG for more on this album

Josh Groban "Awake Tour" Reports & Reviews: New York

A Crooner With the Power to Knock the Arena Senseless
By STEPHEN HOLDEN
The New York Times
Music Review
Published: March 14, 2007

"The cultural symmetry was perfect. While the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was having its annual induction ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria on Monday evening, Josh Groban, the 26-year-old pop superstar who has nothing to do with rock ’n’ roll, was serenading faithful Grobanites, as his fans are known, at Madison Square Garden. Call it the peaceful coexistence of two worlds.

Mr. Groban specializes in the kind of heart-on-sleeve, Mediterranean-style ballads that were popular long before rock ’n’ roll was a gleam in Little Richard’s eye. His is the music rock was supposed to kill once and for all, yet here it was flourishing in the voice of Mr. Groban, Oprah Winfrey’s pet balladeer, whose newest album, “Awake” (Reprise) has already sold nearly two million copies."

"Mr. Groban has an indisputably beautiful voice. He is our national choirboy. If his taste in material leans toward stiff inspirational kitsch, his taste as a singer is exceptionally pure. His pristine baritone, which tilts toward a tenor, is an impressive instrument wielded with a surprising modesty and grace. Mr. Groban scrupulously avoids the excesses that semiclassical belters have deployed since the heyday of Mario Lanza to make the ladies swoon. "

His voice is full but not overripe; his enunciation, whether in English or Italian, impeccable. His intonation is nearly perfect. He always sings directly on the note. At its upper end, his voice shades into pure, sweet head tones. He doesn’t sob. He respects the melodic line of a song and brings to everything he sings an intrinsic sense of balance and proportion."

Now this music critic gets it right! read more here

Josh Groban "Awake" in DC

Josh Groban "Awake" in DC!
He's finally here. Today, March 13 at 8:00 p.m. Josh Groban's "Awake Tour" takes the stage at the Verizon Center. For a hometown gal, a real redblooded true Washingtonian, you cannot have a better combination and to boot, we are having 70 degree weather! Wow, how much better does it get than this? It doesn't! Watch out Washington, those vocals will even blow the cherry blossoms off the trees! Of course, we plan to make a two-day feast of it, staying in a super-duper 4-star hotel and eating at the best of the best that DC has to offer because what else could you do at, before or after a Josh Groban concert but go first class? This will be a truly "classy" two days and we are positive that the powerfully strong fan base in DC will be sure to give Josh a hearty, happy and wonderful welcome! Wake up DC, Josh Groban and his Grobanites are in town! Classy (aka jacy)

[p.s. As you can tell, we are excited so I created a new wallpaper (above) just for the event. You can download it from the ClassyMusicWallpaper site.]

Tickets for the DC show are still available from fans at JoshGroban.com (some good seats!) and nosebleed only seats available at Ticketmaster

Josh Groban "Awake" Providence, RI - Photo Slideshow

The fans of Josh Groban are really blessed. We have the privilege of having many excellent photographers at the concerts to amply supply us with tons of lovely photos and we are in "awe" of the talents displayed and so generously given. The following slideshow is provided by Olivia from her excellent photography at the Providence, RI concert. She captured so much of Josh in them. Thank you Olivia!




Josh Groban "Awake" Tour-Providence, RI-3-7-07;
SlideShow Photography provided by Olivia

Josh Groban "Savoring the Moment" Inner:View

Freetime Magazine
Inner: View- Josh Groban
By Rex Rutkoski

Aware that many artists have told tales of not being able to enjoy their greatest moments of success while they were happening because of so many demands on their time, and music industry pressures to repeat their triumphs while the proverbial iron is still hot, Josh Groban, who has his own multi-platinum success story, says not to worry.

He plans to savor it all in the moment. "Anytime I wind up feeling that pressure, I try to understand and make it a situation where I realize it's right for me, not because I'm doing it for someone else or the industry machine. I'm doing it because I want to do it for myself. If I decide to run myself ragged (he laughs), it's because I'm passionate about what I'm doing. I'm very, very excited about spreading this music one listener at a time."

That's what the California native is doing again as, armed with his third album, Awake, he takes his ever expanding music to the people on concert stages across America.

Groban believes that his music resonates for people because he tries to make it something that touches their lives.

"I like to make people realize they are not alone in the emotions they are feeling. I always turned to music either to feel more comfortable about things I was feeling, or to allow me to feel things I never felt. It is a visceral thing that makes you feel not alone. Hopefully my music can do that and inspire people the way it has inspired me to do so many different things."

...more...

Josh Groban "Awake Tour": Reports & Reviews:Connecticut

Groban brings youth, talent to stage
The Republican
Saturday, March 10, 2007
By DONNIE MOORHOUSE
Music writer

UNCASVILLE, Conn. - Touring in support of his latest release "Awake," Josh Groban performed to a sold-out room at Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday night. Groban performed a nearly two-and-a-half-hour, 20-song set.

Groban can sing. His rich, operatic baritone filled the arena long before he could be seen on stage as a malfunctioning hydraulic lift that pushed Groban to the stage delayed his appearance until halfway through the opening song "You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)."

Josh Groban Awake Tour: Violinist Lucia Micarelli

Lucia Micarelli, an incredible violinist is a featured guest touring with Josh again on the "Awake" Tour. She was fantastic on the "Closer" Tour and is even more so this time around. Josh produced her first CD, "Music from a Farther Room" which is great and available at Amazon. You can listen and download selections from Lucia's websites, LuciaMicarelli.com and MySpace.

We have had so many inquiries about Lucia from fans, we wanted to give her mention here even though this is "JustJoshGroban." Josh performing with Lucia on the violin is something to behold indeed!

Josh Groban, A True and Caring American Idol

Josh Groban, A True and Caring American Idol

America Idol watchers are finding out what Josh Groban fans have known all along -- Josh is not only a wonderful vocalist and performer but also a kind and generous young man. Josh and his fans have been doing much in charitable work during his short career as is evidenced by The Josh Groban Foundation, Grobanites for Africa and Grobanites for Charity and now through the American Idol show Josh and other artists will encourage all to share in a very public way how they can help.

Last evening on American Idol, Brian Secrest announced an upcoming charity event on April 24-25, 2007 to aid impoversished children in America and Africa:

"The special two-hour results show on Wednesday, April 25 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) will be a star-studded evening featuring world-renowned artists and celebrities, including Gwen Stefani, Josh Groban, Pink, Michael Bublé, Annie Lennox, Il Divo and popular Kazakhstan journalist Borat Sagdiyev (Sacha Baron Cohen) among many others who will take the AMERICAN IDOL stage."

To learn more about Josh's charities you can visit the addresses above.
American Idol "Idol Gives Back" Announcement

Josh Groban "Spreading His Wings"

South African trip inspires Groban to spread his artistic wings
By Nekesa Mumbi
St. Cloud Times
The Associated Press
Published: March 08. 2007 8:27AM

NEW YORK — Singing a mix of operatic tunes and sweeping ballads has been a successful formula for Josh Groban: since the 25-year-old made his debut six years ago he has sold millions of albums with his soaring voice and classical-crossover sound.

But Groban decided to tinker with the formula on his latest album, “Awake.” He collaborated with the likes of Dave Matthews and Herbie Hancock and used African rhythms on some songs, even adding the harmonies of South African acts such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

He also put more of himself into the record by using his own pen, helping write some of the album’s songs, including the emotional “Lullaby.”

It was a bit of an artistic risk, but one Groban felt he needed to make after a life-changing trip to South Africa. Love songs are still paramount in his repertoire. But, Groban is interested in more than torch songs these days.

AP: Your trip to South Africa really influenced the record. Were you searching for different artistic view before you got there?

When I went to South Africa, the only thing that I knew was just how much that I wanted to be there and how much I’ve always ended up loving the music from South Africa. The trip for me, it could been any number of things for me. It could have just been a fun experience ... and it could have been just one of those inspirational times in my life, and it just happened to be, not just for my music. Meeting Nelson Mandela and being able to be the ambassador to his foundation (to help the impoverished and those with AIDS and HIV) ... that just left me with a feeling of wanting to come back and wanting to dedicate part of my life to helping that cause. Musically, it just kind of re-stirred something that was already there and made me very inspired to take the risk to try. The whole trip was filled with eye-opening experiences.

This album definitely has more of a world view.

I think more and more I like to find songs that talk about and encourage the most universal truths. I think a song like “Weeping’”... reminds us all not to forget our common humanity in times of political struggle ... all sorts of differences. So, it’s very gratifying to be able to find music that has a message sometimes. The message is very simple — sometimes it’s just about love, and sometimes the message is a little more political, a little deeper than that. But it’s just something that I’d certainly like to do more of in the future. ...more...

[yes, this is a repeat today from her syndicated post earlier -- see Feb 27 post]

Awake Tour Tonight: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT

Josh Groban "Awake Tour" Review: Josh & His Fans! - Philly

If you did not know it by now, you will ... Josh loves his fans. Evidence? Not only did he devote his "Awake" album to them but read on...

Josh Groban impresses at Wachovia show
By Len Rosen, SPORTS EDITOR
News of Delaware County
March 8, 2007

They call themselves the Grobanites. No kidding, but plenty of Josh.

They're reportedly not from another planet, although the Grobanites seemingly believe that the object of their affections is from Paradise.

Paradise is not exactly another planet. Last Thursday, however, it was a place to get away from it all in an extremely romantic and swooning manner.

"Romantic" and "swooning." Did those terms just launch male readers toward their remote controls for a tough choice between ESPN and ESPN2?

Could be, but here's a Thursday shocker from the Wachovia Center: The Josh Groban concert was something like a belated Valentine's gift for the females who brought their husbands or boyfriends or significant others or insignificant substitutes along for Cupid's arrow-filled evening in South Philadelphia.

And the cross-section wasn't just gender-based. The sold-out Wachovia was like a rainbow coalition of ages: everybody from college students to the baby boomers and above, those often spotted at doo wop concerts or swinging or a star, figuratively these days, to a Sinatra classic at home.

Groban, who projects a personality combination of "I'll woo you" and "lets dream together through my sonorous baritone," said, on stage, that the term "Grobanites" is not his preference (perhaps too cultish or hovering spacecraft-ish).

"It's okay to be 'fans,' "he said with princely modesty to the unswervingly devoted, the Grobanites who regularly gather and chat long and longingly ...more...

Josh Groban "Awake Tour" Reports & Reviews: Providence, RI

Groban Shines on the Big Stage
Thursday, March 8, 2007
By Rick Massimo
Journal Pop Music Writer

PROVIDENCE — Last time Josh Groban came to Providence, in 2004, he sang at the Providence Performing Arts Center; last night, he filled the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, which is roughly six times larger. So the question was, how would he play on the big stage, and in the big room?

Pretty well, it turned out. Though the sound wasn’t brilliant in all areas of the Dunk, the 26-year-old Groban’s outsized, operatic voice was actually more suited to the larger venue. And as a performer, he managed enough aw-shucks charisma to fill the stage, and that was before he took a run through the audience during “In Her Eyes.”

It helped that he was touring behind a stronger record than last time. Last year’s Awake employed a richer palette of sounds and styles than 2004’s Closer, with guest stars such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Herbie Hancock. Awake also shows off some of Groban’s writing skills, and he takes a more relaxed approach to singing throughout. ...more...

Awake Tour Tonight: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT

Josh Groban "Awake Tour" - Toronto Review

No Joshing around
By JANE STEVENSON

Josh Groban, the classical crossover pop star, is also a bit of a heartthrob.

Who knew?

Women clutched their hearts last night as the 26-year-old singer made his way through the stands and onto the floor of the Air Canada Centre while belting out In Her Eyes, from his latest album, Awake .

As it was, the curly-haired and lanky Groban had his female fans screaming in their seats when he first dramatically appeared, emerging from beneath an oval stage backed by a 12-piece string section of local musicians, two French horn players, a harpist, a cellist, featured violinist Lucia Micarelli and a six-piece band. . . .more...

Josh Groban "Live in the UK" - Concert Dates

Josh Groban – Live In The UK
6 March 2007

With 14 million album sales under his belt, Josh Groban is already a music veteran. His hugely successful LP 'Awake’ - featuring songs co-written with Imogen Heap and Dave Matthews as well as an appearance by Lady Smith Black Mambazo – has been certified silver here after debuting a Number 2 in the US with sales of 2 million. Currently on a 29-date US tour, he’s announced 4 UK dates as part of his upcoming European tour.

Opening in Oslo on May 18th, the details are:
May
25th BIRMINGHAM, Symphony Hall
27th MANCHESTER, Bridgewater Hall
28th GLASGOW, Clyde Auditorium
June
6th LONDON, Hampton Court Festival
Tickets on sale Friday 9th March
Buy online at ticketmaster.co.uk

Performing at Hampton Court Festival on June 6th, it’s his first London date since November 2005 when he sold-out the Hammersmith Apollo.

Josh’s growing UK profile looks set to repeat his impressive stateside success. Earlier this month he featured as special guest – for the second time - on Radio 2’s ‘Friday Night Is Music Night’ and appeared on Channel 4’s Live At Abbey Road series earlier this year.

international dates and more...
see also our post here
and
our Abbey Road post here

Josh Groban "Awake Tour" - Toronto Reports & Reviews

Toronto Star
Flying high with Groban

Mar 06, 2007 04:30 AM
John Terauds
Entertainment reporter

If anyone could be said to have a room the size of the Air Canada Centre in the palm of his hand, it was young pop crooner Josh Groban, during his second visit to Toronto last night.

An all-ages crowd cheered his arrival following opening singer Angélique Kidjo, who had warmed up the arena with her world-inspired vibe.

The 25-year-old Los Angeles boy opened with his hit single "You Are Loved" from Awake. He used the full width of the stage to reach as many fans as possible with his boyish charm.

Centre stage, in an ovoid pod backed by a striped screen on which a steady stream of images and colours were projected, sat a made-in-Toronto orchestra of strings and brass, with Groban's touring veterans at the core on guitar and percussion.

The audience was part of the overall light show. From a perch high above the regular seats, the near-capacity crowd was turned into a giant kaleidoscope.

But the true star was Groban, all tumbling curls and manly stubble, dressed initially in a casual jacket, grey T-shirt and jeans.

Awake has been a smash on the charts, and Groban liberally mined its 13 tracks. With the help of a synth keyboard and his core band, he even managed a faithful rendering of "Lullaby" and "Weeping," which he recorded with Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

We already knew that Groban can sing and that he can sing while playing the piano. But, last night, he also sang "In Her Eyes" as he made an entrance into the stands two levels up, descending to the stage while shaking hands with audience members the whole way.

In a further show of how comfortable he has become in the spotlight, he also managed to sing the Stephen Sondheim song "Nothing's Gonna Harm You" from the Broadway show Sweeney Todd while signing autographs from the edge of the stage.

This guy knows how to work a room. . . more...

Josh Groban Awake Tour: Montreal Reports & Reviews

All grown up: Fans of singer Josh Groban have watched the formerly gawky teenager fill out to become a talented and multi-faceted performer:

ANNE SUTHERLAND, The Gazette
Published: Monday, March 05, 2007

The boy has become a man.

Josh Groban, he of the youthful frame and booming voice, has matured in the past six years to a very talented and multi-faceted performer, and 10,367 fans at the Bell Centre last night would agree with me

I first met Groban in 2001 when he was a mere 20 years old, shy and unassuming.

He's still an easygoing fellow, and proved this by signing autographs while he sang the Stephen Sondheim tune Not While I'm Around, as eager fans crushed the front of the stage.

Groban brought his Awake tour to the masses last night as part of a two-month tour of North America. He's filled out some from the formerly gawky teenager, but he still looked pretty hot to many of his female fans.

Mixing his signature Italian classic-pop operatic songs with some catchy South African influenced new hits, Groban seemed to be having the time of his life.

He rose from the floor of the stage with his first song, You Are Loved (Don't Give Up), to roars from the crowd and then launched into songs from all three of his albums.

His voice soared in the cavernous hockey arena, and every word and note was crystal clear.
...more...

Awake Tour tonight: March 5: Air Canada Center, Toronto, ON

Josh Groban "Awake Tour" Review "Groban Mixes It Up"

Groban Mixes It Up
By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY
ASSOCIATED PRESS
3/3/2007

NEW YORK - Singing a mix of operatic tunes and sweeping ballads has been a successful formula for Josh Groban: since the 25-year-old made his debut six years ago he has sold millions of albums with his soaring voice and classical-crossover sound. But Groban decided to tinker with the formula on his latest album, "Awake." He collaborated with the likes of Dave Matthews and Herbie Hancock, and used African rhythms on some songs, even adding the harmonies of South African acts like Ladysmith Black Mambazo. He also put more of himself into the record by using his own pen, helping write some of the album's songs, including the emotional "Lullaby." ...more...

Josh Groban "Awake" Tour: Reports and Reviews: Philadelphia

Groban sings for the women
By Kevin L. Carter
Philadelphia Inquirer

Josh Groban, the 26-year-old crossover-classical phenom, and Angelique Kidjo, the sexy musical spirit from Benin, came together Thursday night at the Wachovia Center to perform.
It was hard to tell who benefited more from the collaboration, which came to a symbolic head toward the end of Groban's two-hour set when they sang "Pearls," a suitably dramatic, world-music-tinged vehicle.

Aside from that duet, Kidjo simply served as opening act for Groban. Breaking out in front of a still-forming audience that was almost entirely female, white and suburban, Kidjo was greeted by a mixture of indifference and bemusement. By the time her short set was over she had achieved her goal of getting some of the folks to move to her percolating sounds.

Groban is factory perfect, a man whose boyish face and flowing brown tresses, beautiful baritone and carefully calibrated repertoire - Broadway hits, love songs in Italian and Spanish, safe pop tunes - have resulted in more than 14 million records sold. Playing with his big band, with its Yanni-style over-emoting, and aided by a contingent of Philadelphia Orchestra strings and horns, Groban whelmed the admiring females with his catalog of hits...

NOTE: Kevin Carter obviously has no talent, voice or music expertise to judge by his very "miniority" opinion of Josh's voice (probably is a "Hip-Hop" guy) but we have posted nonetheless. These "type" of reviewers are as the fans say "just pea green with envy."
If you want a good opinion of his voice, ask the voice experts!

Josh Groban "Awake" Tour Review: "Idol, Karaoke...

'Idol,' karaoke, and Groban's naughty side
Josh Groban, performing last month in Michigan, says Oprah Winfrey has been a "godsend" for his career.
Boston Globe; (Delbridge Langdon Jr./The Grand Rapids Press via Associated press)
By Sarah Rodman, Globe Staff
March 2, 2007

Thanks in no small part to Oprah and a head of hair that some fans believe is just begging to have fingers run through it, Josh Groban went from being a rehearsal singer aspiring to tread the boards on Broadway to an international popera sensation in very short order. Since 2001 the Los Angeles native with the rich baritone has sold millions of records and scored crossover hits like "You Raise Me Up" that have become "American Idol" audition staples. On his recently released third album "Awake," Groban, who turned 26 this week, mixes the wind-swept foreign language ballads that the Oprah fans love with some more adventurous pop collaborations featuring recent Grammy nominee Imogen Heap, Dave Matthews, jazz pianist Herbie Hancock, and South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo . ...more...

Josh Groban "Awake Tour" US and International Tour Dates

US Tour Dates for March and forward:

03.01.2007
Philadelphia, PA.
Wachovia Center

03.02.2007
Boston, MA.
TD Banknorth Garden

03.04.2007
Montreal, QB.
Bell Centre

03.05.2007
Toronto, ON.
Air Canada Center

03.07.2007
Providence, RI.
Dunkin Doughnuts Center

03.08.2007
Uncasville, CT.
Mohegan Sun

03.10.2007
Rochester, NY.
Blue Cross Arena

03.12.2007
New York City, NY.
Madison Square Garden

03.13.2007
Washington, DC.
Verizon Center

03.16.2007
Raleigh, NC.
RBC Center

03.17.2007
Atlanta, GA.
Phillips Arena

03.19.2007
Dallas, TX.
American Airlines Arena

03.21.2007
Houston, TX.
Toyota Center

03.22.2007
San Antonio, TX.
AT&T Center

03.25.2007
Phoenix, AZ
US Airways Arena

03.27.2007
Sacramento, CA.
Arco Arena

03.28.2007
San Jose, CA.
HP Pavillion

03.31.2007
Los Angeles, CA.
Staples Center

04.04.2007
Fresno, CA.
Savemart Center

04.06.2007
San Diego, CA.
I Pay One Center

04.07.2007
Las Vegas, NV.
MGM Garden Arena

International AWAKE Tour 2007

05/18/07
Oslo, NO
Spektrum

05/19/07
Stockholm, SE
Annext

05/21/07
Amsterdam, NL
Heineken Music Hall

05/22/07
Frankfurt, DE
Alte Oper

05/27/07
Manchester, GB
Bridgewater Hall

05/28/07
Glasgow, SCOTLAND, GB
Clyde Auditorium

05/30/07
Dublin, IE
The Point

06/02/07
Brussels, BE
Cirque Royal

06/03/07
Paris, FR
Palais de Congres

06/06/07
London, GB
Hampton Court Festival

06/08/07
Lyon, FR
Salle 3000

06/10/07
Nice, FR
Palais Nikaia

06/12/07
Zurich, CH
Kongressshaus

Source: Friends of Josh Groban
Ticket Availability: LiveNation, Ticketmaster and tickets for sale by fans at JoshGroban.com