Music Review: Josh Groban: Awake

 Josh Groban Awake was released in 2006.  It was Groban's third album and is a follow-up to his album Closer.  It is the third highest selling classical album of the 2000s.  Songs are in English, Italian and Spanish.

The song I most enjoy is "Un giorno per noi."  This is a "Time for Us" from Romeo and Juliet.  It is very beautiful.  The song "You are Loved" was made into a single.  The songs "Lullaby" and "Weeping" have a South African flavor and are recorded with Ladysmith Black Mambazo.  

I enjoy Groban's voice.  It is very evident that he works at shaping his words and tones.  Some songs he was singing very high.  It makes for an enjoyable album.  With Josh Groban you don't have to understand the words to enjoy the music.  This album also makes good use of orchestral music.

Music Review: Tony Bennett: Duets II

This C.D. presents Tony Bennet in duet with many seventeen different popular artists.  It is mostly jazz compositions, and many of the artists lose their individuality singing this style with Bennet.  However Aretha Franklin comes through as an individual, singing "How do you Keep the Music Playing" with Bennett.  Sheryl Crow shines with "The Girl I love" and Faith Hill and Bennett do a beautiful job of "The Way You Look Tonight."  Josh Groban's powerful voice also shines through as he sings "This is All I ask" with Bennett.  Mariah Carey and Bennet sing the last song with lots of energy, "When Do the Bells Ring for Me."

Music Reviews: ***Josh Groban in Concert

***Josh Grobin:  This C.D. was a two-C.D. pack I got from the Manteca Library.  Josh Grobin is terrific, and he ventures into singing religious music along with love songs.  I especially enjoy "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring."  He begins the concert singing in Latin, but then gets into singing duets in English and other languages.  "Starry, Starry Night" is well done.  My only complaint with this set is I was hoping it would go longer--but the second disk was a special effect C.D. and didn't have any additional music.

CD Track Listing:
1. Un Amore Per Sempre
2. Alejate
3. The Prayer (feat. Angie Stone)
4. For Always
5. Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)
6. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (feat. Lili Haydn)
7. Broken Vow
8. O Holy Night