Awake (Special Edition, CD/DVD) [Special Edition]

Josh Groban | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 7, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Special Edition
• Label: Reprise / Wea
• ASIN: B000IU3XU6
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,881 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Mai

2. You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)

3. Un Dia Llegara

4. February Song

5. L'Ultima Notte

6. So She Dances

7. In Her Eyes

8. Solo Por Ti

9. Now Or Never

10. Un Giorno Per Noi

11. Lullaby -- w/ Ladysmith Black Mambazo

12. Weeping -- w/ Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Vusi Mahlasela

13. Machine -- w/ Herbie Hancock

14. Verita (bonus)

15. Awake (bonus)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Josh Groban is making it hard for anybody who can't say "classical crossover" without smirking to maintain an acceptable level of snobbery. Awake, his third studio disc and arguably his most personal--he co-wrote four tracks and favors his native English over Italian--boasts as many bold names as any tricked-out hip-hop disc: Dave Matthews, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Imogen Heap, and Herbie Hancock contribute in various capacities, and a slew of behind-the-scenes collaborators best known for their work in mainstream pop circles deepen the dimensions of a style widely considered claustrophobic. For all the studio doors that got opened to create Awake, though, Groban's signature sound never once slipped out to take the air; "the voice"--that hypnotic, spun-silk wonder of an instrument--is as concentrated as ever, and Awake, in addition to showing off its many splendors, serves as a vehicle for parading its versatility around. While "Un Giorno Per Noi," the deeply romantic theme to the 1968 film Romeo E Giulietta, delivers the Groban that fueled the sale of 16 million previous discs to soft-hearted fans, "Machine," with Hancock, gives up a new form of funk: dignified, classy, and surprisingly unstiff. --Tammy La Gorce

Product Description

The Josh Groban phenomenon continues with Awake, his third studio album. Both of the extraordinary singer's first two studio discs have been certified five times platinum, with his most recent, 2003's Closer, charting #1 pop. His uplifting music rises ever higher on Awake. The Special Edition features two bonus audio tracks on the CD, and a DVD featuring "The Making of Awake" video piece.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Josh!, November 7, 2006

By 

A. Fleischmann - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Awake (Special Edition, CD/DVD) (Audio CD)

I've been a Josh Groban fan for quite some time now. Ever since I
heard his rendition of "the prayer" he's been one of my favorite
musicians. I was somewhat let down by his recent albums with the
"pop" turn his music was going in like "Closer". Also the live
albums were great, but there was nothing new. This album goes back to
his roots from his self titled album "Josh Groban" released in 2001.
The first single "You are Loved" is probably as pop as the album
gets, and even that song is simply amazing with his falsetto. Songs
like "L'Ultima Notte" and "So She dances" mix his classical style
with the soft rock feel that classic Josh fans should love. Solo Por
Ti brings back the classic guitar heard in earlier songs like
"alejate" and "vincent". the acapella track "Lullabye" is a real
change for Josh. You can hear the influence from Dave Matthews in
background vocals. Apparently it was inspired to his recent trip to
South Africa (where dave matthews is from) where he also met Nelson
Mandela. He performs this with the help of Ladysmith Black Mambazo,
which really gives it an almost gospel sound type sound not heard
from Josh before. "weeping", also performed with Ladysmith Black
Mambazo has more of a "tribal" feel to it (like Lion King) also,
excellent and different for Josh.

Though the bonus tracks are great on the Special Edition, I'm not
sure the almost double price difference is worth it. The DVD is only
33 minutes long and simply is the "making" of the album. I think the
title track "Awake" could have been the first slow single off this
album and included in the normal release.
"Verita" is a wonderful orchestra arrangement also typical of
classic Josh material.

All in all, this is the quintessential Josh Groban album, mixing his
ability to sing classical and mix pop and soft rock overtones into
it. It's a must buy for all levels of Josh fans.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'd give more points if there were more, November 27, 2006

By 

Bolinha (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Awake (Special Edition, CD/DVD) (Audio CD)

I ordered this album before it was released and I have nothing to complain about. It's nice to see how people change over the years...and most of the times they step up to the next level...having said that, I am glad to see the mature side of Josh Groban and how he has evolved with the songs that he chose for this album...and not to mention that most of the songs are in English. These are my favorites of the favorites:

2. You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)-- Thank you for this song! It gives us hope & lifts us up...
4. February Song-- Beautiful song...I wish it was sung to me! I love the beginning, middle and the end of this song! When he plays the piano in the beginning there I am humming it along.
5. L'Ultima Notte-- I can't get this song out of my head! I love this song! My favorite!
7. In Her Eyes-- I honestly think it takes great vocal skills to sing this song. It seems as if I'm taken to a distant era, like in a kingdom far away...maybe during the Persian Empire and Josh is singing this song to moi. Sigh! :)
9. Now or Never-- Wow, another side of Josh...I'm impressed!
12. Weeping-- They couldn't have done it better! Great harmony indeed.
13. Machine-- I wasn't expecting this type of song...nice!
14. Verita-- It seems as if I've heard this song before, and wow, another beautiful song that I can't get out of my head!

I haven't commented on his two songs in Spanish because I haven't had the time to listen to those two songs...and as I've mentioned earlier, I like the fact that there are more songs in English than his previous albums...but going back to the songs in Spanish...he's doing a great job thus far but he should watch out on the pronunciation of the t's, q's, and p's but other than that, he's doing a better job than me in the r's. :)

Overall, I like this cd, where he's going and how he's evolving. Like he said, some people will hate this album and he might gain a new group of fans that will love it...count me on the 'love it' side...and I still love his first two albums. Good job Josh!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pay close attention, November 13, 2006

By 

Joanne McD "JoanneMcD" (NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Awake (Special Edition, CD/DVD) (Audio CD)

I have to admit. I was one of those viewers asking "who was that guy?" on Ally McBeal. Yes, it was Josh Groban. However, I became a huge fan with Closer. Now, with Awake, "huge fan" has been elevated to a whole new level.

As usual, Josh's voice is beyond belief (he has matured vocally so much since his first cd), and the music will touch your soul. But take this compilation even one step further. Listen, and I mean really "listen" to the lyrics. If you were ever in love, ever had your heart broken or ever needed hope, you will find a home with this cd. Josh lets you believe each and every song.

The song "Awake" on the special edition that Josh wrote for his parents could have been written for any parent by any child who knows what unconditional love is. As a parent, this song hits home because we spend out lives raising our children to BE independent, knowing that one day, they will have to "leave the nest" -- and as parents, this is bittersweet. This song brings it home.

I could go on about each and every song on this cd, but will stop with this one. I encourage you to go on this journey with Josh. I know I'm glad I did.