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[Melodie]

[NOTE: I'll add my comments as soon as I wake up :wink:]

Concert review: Nobody does ballads better than Josh Groban

08:16 AM EDT on Thursday, April 8, 2004

BY RICK MASSIMO
Journal Pop Music Writer

PROVIDENCE -- "It's a good thing I love sad songs."

So said vocal prodigy Josh Groban last night, and the 23-year-old's show at the Providence Performing Arts Center reflected that. Emotional dramatic ballads, in English and Italian (plus one in Spanish), let his world-class voice lead the way.

It's quite an instrument -- not a huge range, but with operatic diction and vibrato, and with a warmth and depth, even in the falsetto range, that sets him apart from more bulldozing tenor voices in the field.

The set included "To Where You Are," the song he performed on the "9/11" episode of Ally McBeal; "You Raise Me Up," which he performed before this year's Super Bowl; and cover versions of Don McLean's "Vincent" (a simple tune that Groban's voice overwhelmed) and Paul Simon's "America" (the last encore, which was more suited to his style and featured his own nimble piano playing).

And of course, there were plenty of songs from his self-titled 2001 debut album and from last year's Closer. The same problems that plagued those records were apparent last night; to wit, Groban has been stylistically straitjacketed. Nothing last night rose above power-ballad tempo, and while he refrained from overselling the songs with bad Method acting, they often oversold themselves with often-predictable rhymes and over-the-top emotionalism that left Groban and the songs with nowhere to go.

Hats off, by the way, to the show's designer. Between the set with its three raised platforms; the inventive, varied lighting; the use of projections on scrims behind and in front of Groban; and stage movements that were not quite choreographed but clearly planned out, each song at least looked quite different. "Let Me Fall," which ended the first half of the show, was a visual highlight, as Groban appeared to fall about 20 feet into darkness.

Mention must also be made of violinist Lucia Micarelli, who led the 14-piece string section and contributed solos of real speed and power throughout the night. "Mi Mancherai" was one of the musical highlights, as Micarelli burned through the solo that Joshua Bell originated on record and Groban effortlessly negotiated the many key changes, and all the while both carried out the stage movements that suggested that more than music was going on between them.

Groban's a genial, self-deprecating performer, and his voice is supple and expressive enough to allow him to sing anything he wants. Here's hoping he throws a few changeups on his next record and the next time he comes around. He co-wrote "Remember When It Rained," one of the best songs on Closer, which is a good sign.

http://www.projo.com/music/content/projo_20040408_joshrev.284f33.html

[Big Fan Sue]

Thanks for sharing, Melodie. Now we need your review. I have mix feelings about Josh. The more I hear some of his songs I do like them but I heard one today playing in the bakery. I think it was in French and that didn't sound too good to me.
I think he is a nice role model for the younger generation and will lead them to listening to the classics and opera.
Sue
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BOCELLI YOU'RE THE BEST!!!

[marg]

Hi Melodie...thanks for posting this review. I think this young man will be going places. He is young ...only time will tell. I think he sounds better in his second CD than his first. NOW....tell us how you enjoyed the concert.
Marg

[Melodie]

Josh Groban has a marvelous, naturally beautiful voice...it's so strong and clear that I don't think I could ever get tired of hearing it. The only drawback that I see thus far is stated in the above review: "The same problems that plagued those records were apparent last night; to wit, Groban has been stylistically straitjacketed. Nothing last night rose above power-ballad tempo, and while he refrained from overselling the songs with bad Method acting, they often oversold themselves with often-predictable rhymes and over-the-top emotionalism that left Groban and the songs with nowhere to go."

The highlight of the concert (to me) was his second encore, "America". Josh said that he'd only sung it at the New York concerts, but I guess the appreciation and enthusiasm that we in the audience conveyed to him convinced him that last night would be a good time to sing it again. :wink: Josh seems to be an accomplished pianist; completely at ease at the keyboard. This was the song that showed me what he's capable of doing with his voice if he gets the right training and isn't afraid to experiment and take some risks...it's all there, he just needs to use it.

I would also like to mention Lucia Micarelli; she was phenomenal. Josh said that she'd recently signed a recording contract, so I'm sure we'll be hearing a lot more from her. I did some research and learned that she's performed with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.*

Josh was very personable with the audience; a lot of laughs back and forth between him and us...at one point, when something he said didn't elicit much of a response, he sort of mumbled to himself "I'm such a dork", which in turn gave him a VERY warm response from the audience! There was a girl sitting behind us who had perfect timing; she called out to him a couple of times during a pause in his speaking to the audience...both times he was able to hear her and responded. 8)

I can only repeat what the review in the Journal said: "Groban's a genial, self-deprecating performer, and his voice is supple and expressive enough to allow him to sing anything he wants. Here's hoping he throws a few changeups on his next record and the next time he comes around. He co-wrote "Remember When It Rained," one of the best songs on Closer, which is a good sign."

* http://www.trans-siberian.com/