Customer Reviews

Awake (Special Edition, CD/DVD)

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

While listening to this new offering from "The Voice" I was struck by the departure from what most fans would feel is Josh's "style". Were there some tracks I don't love? Yes, one of them is what will probably prove to be one of the most commercially successful tracks on the album and one about which Mr. Groban himself has said he is especially passionate--"You Are Loved". Are there some tracks that left me speechless from the sheer beauty, emotion, and power found in the voice of this incredibly talented young man? Yes, "February Song" and "Un Giorno Per Noi" are two that come to mind. What came through to me most was that this artist is unafraid to change and grow even if that means releasing music that some in his wide fan base may not understand or appreciate. This admiration grew after viewing the accompanying DVD and listening to his comments on the ideas that eventually culminated in "Awake". I think that both old and new fans should be grateful that an artist whose work they admire is willing to take risks to be true to HIS vision of who he is and what messages he is passionate about and wants to express. The vast range of musical styles in this album, from African influences in "Lullaby"/"Weeping", to the incredible emotions invoked with his foreign language offerings, to the jazz inspired collaboration with Herbie Hancock on "Machine" convince me that the coming years will continue to show just how very versatile Josh Groban truly is and that we will never have reason to say--Josh Groban's new album? oh, same ole, same ole. Another aspect that should impress most listeners is the wide range of talented artists who contribute to this album; it's a wise thing to surround oneself with others whose musical presences not only speak for themselves, but who also enhance your own talent. I actually have the special edition that includes three additonal tracks, the last of which is the Charlie Chaplin classic "Smile" which was a nice added treat and, in my opinion, worth the extra cost.

Josh has done it again....entraced us with his wonderful music!
I am truly amazed at how he continues to be the best at what he does..such a beautiful soul to fit a beautiful voice. I love this album! The extra songs are well worth the money!

I wasnt sure if 'Awake' could possibly top 'Closer', but I was very wrong! 'Awake' is perhaps Josh's best album to date. 'Dont Give Up' is the stand out track. 'February Song' and 'When She Dances' are sure to be fan favorites. Dont hasitate and buy this CD!!!

I was very surprised at the different songs he sung on this album. I love Lady Blacksmith Mambazo, and when I heard them singing with Josh, well, absolutely fabulous. Every song on this album evokes a different emotion and feeling. And I recommend this album to anyone who likes to listen to different genres. This album makes you aware that music can speak to you in different ways.

Josh never fails to deliver quality music-if only all young people could see the value of determination in doing something well done in using their talents for the good as Josh has. This music spans all ages for interest and appreciation-if you truly love MUSIC and not the half-hearted, insincere, untalented junk that so many people listen to!

While it is true that this recording (Awake) represents some new directions and selections from Josh Groban, I contend that you really have to get the "big picture" or the full spectrum of Josh's recordings and performing career in order to fully appreciate his musical repertoire. Once again, we owe much of his success as a vocalist, performer and producer of CD recordings to the guidance of his mentor, David Foster. I think that if Josh had never hooked-up with Foster, his career would not have sky-rocketed as quickly, but we can only theorize on that possibility. The fact remains that Josh's instructor at Interlochen (The National Music Camp in Ann Arbor, Michigan), knew David Foster and forwarded Josh's tape to him to listen to... "the rest is history," as they say, and David knew right away that Josh was to be a sudden vocal sensation. David Foster's arrangements have contributed to many solo artists in a similar fashion including Barbra Streisand (the Broadway Album series), Lara Fabian (who also did his recording, Broken Vow), Natalie Cole on "My Grownup Christmas List" from The David Foster Christmas CD, and most recently, Andrea Bocelli (Under The Desert Sky concert and DVD+CD) as David's interest is to bring Bocelli into the American popular music venue, a slight departure from his classical and Italian popular works.

I disagree that this recording (Awake) is the "definitive" Josh Groban CD recording of his career to date, but rather would say that it would be worthwhile to have all of his recordings and DVDs to really get the total picture (which I do, by the way). I first heard a selection of Josh Groban from his first CD while browsing at a book store, I immediately went back into the CD music section to find out who was singing and purchased the Josh Groban CD. When I asked around, it seemed that no one had ever heard of him, yet! But, within a short time, his follow-up CD+DVD package, Josh Groban In Concert was the recording from his PBS Special concert which finally brought him into the limelight, not to forget his duet with Charlotte Church on The Prayer and Somewhere on her Enchantment DVD (her concert in her hometown of Cardiff, Wales), his duets with Lara and Barbra, his vocal on Remember Me (from the movie soundtrack Troy) and his track of Mi Mancherai (also in the movie: Lady in the Water and Il Postino) from his album Closer, and other collaborations with Lucia Micarelli (on violin) and the musical group, The Corrs. Invariably, the American audience would latch onto his English recordings more readily than those in Italian, (which is exactly the same reason why David Foster convinced Bocelli to address the same venue of popular American music).

Awake represents more of a musical departure, and self-direction and production from Josh (including his vocals and drumming on a few tracks), but I would strongly suggest that one should just get all of his recordings to really fully appreciate his talent and direction. I'm just hoping that this is not just another rise to fame, too fast, and then crash and burn (by comparison to Russell Watson who came out with a few CDs and one DVD concert. But Russell didn't have David Foster producing him... Josh did!).

In light of Josh's total musicianship, I also think he should explore some cover work as he is also quite gifted as a keyboardist, drummer, etc. I believe he could do a better job at the Great American Sougbook than, let's say, Rod Stewart who really doesn't have the right voice for slow standards. Josh does. And since his concert ticket prices are quite high, I would rather spend my money on his recorded media to enjoy over and over again, rather than seeing him live one time.

In summation, anything Josh does gets my vote of 5 Stars!!!

WOW, what else can be said. The first two CD's had songs that could send chills down my spine and make my hair stand up while I was driving. When I got the 3rd CD I was nervous if it could be anywhere near the first two. When I got up to the songs "don't give up" and "so she dances", spine chills started all over again. And this is coming from a guy here. A lady I work with listened to "so she dances" 4 straight times in her car and couldn't stop crying she said. This CD shouldn't be called "Awake". It should be called Amazing, because that is what it is. I look forward to seeing Josh again at the Garden in NY.