- Jubilee offer: spend £10 or more on any product sold by Amazon.co.uk on or before June 6 and you can buy The Diamond Jubilee A Classical Celebration Album for just £2.50 Here's how (terms and conditions apply)
Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Special Offers and Product Promotions
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
|
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
There are worse things in life for than making your acting debut on the much ballyhooed season finale of Ally McBeal, though teen operatic baritone Josh Groban doesn't seem destined to encounter them anytime soon. As the awkward high school student-client who asks the typically romance-jinxed Ally to his senior prom, Groban performed this debut album's "You're Still You" (adapted from film-composing legend Ennio Morricone's Academy Award-nominated score for Malèna, with lyrics by Linda Thompson) as a heart-tugging, literal showstopper. The young star was just 17 when veteran producer-writer David Foster tapped him to fill in for Andrea Bocelli at rehearsals for the 1999 Grammys, where Groban found himself suddenly dueting with Celine Dion.
If this collection tends to hew sometimes uncomfortably close to Foster's own MOR sonic instincts, the material offers enough challenges to display Groban's talent and the potential of his warm, mature voice: a lyrical take on another Morricone classic, "Cinema Paradiso"; melancholy readings of Don McLean's "Starry, Starry Night" and Albert Hammond's "Alejate"; masterfully dramatic takes of the Neapolitan "Alla Luca Del Sole" and "Canto Alla Vita," the latter featuring the Corrs. Many of Groban's performances here, including a neo prog-rock-opera take on Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (with Lili Haydn), seem both bigger and bolder than their precious musical frameworks, a telling hint that Grand Opera can't be far from his grasp. As said earlier, there are worse things in life.--Jerry McCulley
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album is truly a work of art, I found it in Amercia and recognising him from his appearence in Ally McBeal and seeing the song he sung was on the album, I had to buy it, and it was one of the best investments I have ever made.
I won't review each song, but will give an overview of what I consider are the highlights.
"You're still you" is the song from Ally McBeal and is an incredibly powerful ballad featuring a wonderful string and piano accompanying him, the crescendo towards the end as he declares his admiration truly shows the potential this artist has.
"To where you are" is possibly my favourite track on the album. A hauntingly beautiful song about losing a loved one, and knowing they are still around you, will not only touch your heart but also inspire.
"Alejate" is actually the Spainish version of a Celine Dion track called "Just walk away" The Dion version is a melancholic beauty and while in an unfamiliar language and with a slight flamenco guitar essence, this is still a masterful track which while not even understanding the actual words will not stop the content from coming through.
"Canto Alla Vita" features the Corrs (Yes I had wondered where they went as well) and is an eclectic mix between opera, light techno backings, a hint of folk and the Corrs who finalise it to become an initially strange though quite funky mix.
"Prayer" featuring Charlotte Church, a duet which at times seems to not know where to end. A traditional 'I'll sing it in English then you sing the Italian bit" formula which is very successful though I am not entirely sure their voices compliment each other as some of his other duets. The song is a little preachy bordering on total optimism but does work my only concern being that 2 people who have incredible voices do not automatically make a perfect duo.
I won't review each song, but will give an overview of what I consider are the highlights.
"You're still you" is the song from Ally McBeal and is an incredibly powerful ballad featuring a wonderful string and piano accompanying him, the crescendo towards the end as he declares his admiration truly shows the potential this artist has.
"To where you are" is possibly my favourite track on the album. A hauntingly beautiful song about losing a loved one, and knowing they are still around you, will not only touch your heart but also inspire.
"Alejate" is actually the Spainish version of a Celine Dion track called "Just walk away" The Dion version is a melancholic beauty and while in an unfamiliar language and with a slight flamenco guitar essence, this is still a masterful track which while not even understanding the actual words will not stop the content from coming through.
"Canto Alla Vita" features the Corrs (Yes I had wondered where they went as well) and is an eclectic mix between opera, light techno backings, a hint of folk and the Corrs who finalise it to become an initially strange though quite funky mix.
"Prayer" featuring Charlotte Church, a duet which at times seems to not know where to end. A traditional 'I'll sing it in English then you sing the Italian bit" formula which is very successful though I am not entirely sure their voices compliment each other as some of his other duets. The song is a little preachy bordering on total optimism but does work my only concern being that 2 people who have incredible voices do not automatically make a perfect duo.
Overall this album is without a doubt the most inspirational and powerful I have bought in a long time. If you think it is only opera you are wrong and don't let that put you off if you do not like that genre, neither do I but this album features so much to listen to, that when there is a slight operatic piece you find yourself giving in to it unashamedly.
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
First saw Josh on Ally Mcbeal singing "You're Still You" (don't let this put you off if your not a fan of the TV show) ... I was stunned but had no idea who he was.
I was off ill recently and caught him on a 2nd episode singing "To Where You Are" which left me in tears and this time I had to find out if I could get hold of his music.
Some of the songs are not in English but this is nothing to worry about ... they are just as moving and just as addictive. Alejate is just amazing ... makes me want to learn Spanish!!
If you are at all undecided then I recommend you take the plunge ... you won't be sorry ... and if you don't find at least one song on this CD that moves you to tears I will be surprised.
Stuff like this doesn't come along very often ... treat yourself ... then sit back, close your eyes and enjoy x
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
this cd as surpassed all my expectations (and they were high after reading the reviews)
what a beautiful beautiful voice this man has,the first song my mouth was agape, and by the third song in i had left this planet and was floating in heaven and didnt return until the cd had finished,his voice will move you to tears and give you goosebumps,i can honestly say i have never heard a more beautiful male baritone in my life, its natural deep rich and lush to the extreme,its just beautiful..buy it and see if it works for you too:)
what a beautiful beautiful voice this man has,the first song my mouth was agape, and by the third song in i had left this planet and was floating in heaven and didnt return until the cd had finished,his voice will move you to tears and give you goosebumps,i can honestly say i have never heard a more beautiful male baritone in my life, its natural deep rich and lush to the extreme,its just beautiful..buy it and see if it works for you too:)
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fantastic as all his CD's & DVD's
After seeing Josh at the bridgewater hall 14/10/2011 decided to buy this dvd I do have others it is fantastic entertainment and value for money, I ordered this on amazon and I... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Ann
gets better each album
im a late-comer to the fabulous talents of josh groban ,but im making up for time by purchasing anything i can by him now
Published 11 months ago by barb_chef
great listening
I have only recently discovered JG and was eager to collect all his cd's. This is a great one, a must have.
Published 13 months ago by Linda Newman
First & possibly best album!
Bought this to replace original copy that has "gone missing". Heard about JG from my sister, who lives in the US, years ago, and have every recording he's made. Read more
Published 13 months ago by cornish katy
Dreadful!
What can I say that hasn't already been said. HUGE disappointment after waiting avidly for this album. Not a note worthy song amongst the lot! Read more
Published 14 months ago by Ms. J. Daley
Simply the Best
If you're a Josh Groban fan you will love it, if you'r new to Josh Groban you're in for a treat. 'You're still you' and 'to where you are' move me to tears every time I listen to... Read more
Published on 20 Mar 2008 by C. Brown
Retch..
My, how the guy's voice grates with sickly sweetness, a bleating vibrato and, quite often, slightly-off tuning - all frighteningly reminiscent of Chris de Burgh.
Published on 10 Dec 2007 by J. Marshall
Great listening
DVD great viewing and CD great listening, especially if you wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble getting back off to sleep, but same can be said of Eros... Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2005 by E. Irving
A real classy act
Groban is a real talent. His voice is mature and strong throughout. He shows a great vocal range and is able to bring great expression to his music. Read more
Published on 9 Aug 2005
A New Exciting Young Tenor
I received my first Josh Groban CD as a gift from a friend in Canada. As the saying goes never judge a book by its cover. This young man has a brilliant mature voice. Read more
Published on 18 Mar 2004 by "patricia5606"
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
