Noel

Josh Groban | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 9, 2007)
• Original Release Date: October 9, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: WEA/Reprise
• ASIN: B000V6Z0XA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (745 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #722 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #2 in Music > Miscellaneous > Holiday > General AAS
  • #4 in Music > Miscellaneous > Holiday > Opera & Vocal
  • #61 in Music > Pop > Vocal Pop > General

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Grammy-nominated, twenty-something, pop-classical phenomenon's fourth studio album is an expertly accomplished entry to the holiday marketplace. Noël tackles the familiar sounds of holiday music with a charmingly eclectic array of guest vocalists and a wide range of material. The songs range from the sacred to the secular, while Groban--buoyed in spots by none other than the London Symphony Orchestra--soars in his duets with Brian McKnight, Faith Hill, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. There's even a song with a gospel choir directed by Kirk Franklin. Produced yet again by crossover maestro David Foster, the arrangements never overwhelm the songs. Groban's smooth and supple vocals can be hard to categorize--seeing how his range is somewhere in-between a high baritone and a low tenor--but he always finds and emphasizes the emotional core of these songs. And whether they have origins in pop or classical music seems not to matter. The addition of messages from troops stationed in Iraq on top of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is undeniably heart-wrenching, while the album's highlight is its most spare song, "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," which finds Groban alone at his piano, sounding very much like some kind of angel. --Mike McGonigal

Product Description

Bringing Josh Groban’s majestic yet intimate voice to Christmas music is truly a gift this holiday season. The young Adult Contemporary star’s fourth studio album brings together the traditional such as Silent Night with the contemporary such as I’ll Be Home For Christmas and the new, Thankful. Featuring duets with Country’s Faith Hill and R&B’s Brian McKnight, and inspirational music’s master choir, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and produced by the illustrious David Foster the album’s wide appeal promises that a timeless Christmas music classic will be beneath the tree this year.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

204 of 221 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NOT the complete Josh Groban Christmas!!!!, October 8, 2007

By 

Daniel W. Kelly (NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Noel (Audio CD)

I'm thrilled to finally have a full Josh Groban Christmas CD, which I've been waiting for practically since he first appeared on Ally McBeal at Christmas time years ago. But this CD could have (and should have!) been expanded to include his version of "Oh Holy Night", which has appeared on various compilations over the past few years, as well as his song "Believe" from the Polar Express soundtrack. That would have pushed the album over the top, and consolidated all of Josh's Christmas recordings onto one CD.

33 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected - but still great!, November 8, 2007

By 

Scott J. Sedei - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Noel (Audio CD)

After hearing "O Holy Night" and "I'll be Home for Christmas" last year, I was disappointed that he didn't have a Christmas album out. So naturally when I saw "NOEL" had been released, I had to purchase it.

As always, Josh is spectacular. But being a bit old fashioned I had hoped the music would be straight forward traditional, like his "O Holy Night" and the original "I'll be Home for Christmas". Josh has such a strong, clear, beautiful voice that can carry with little background accompaniment. But instead of emphasizing the beauty of this man's voice, many of the arrangements have him competing with the overly loud instrumental/chorus accompaniments.

I would have much rather had "O Holy Night" on this CD than "The First Noel" duet with Faith Hill. As a stand alone artist Faith Hill is okay. But to pair her with Josh was a mistake. Next to him she sounds like a coyote howling in the background and is only another noisy distraction.

Overall - I still have to give this five stars because it is a beautiful CD that I will listen to over and over again (yep...8 times already). I hope he puts out another one next year...but finds someone other than David Foster to arrange and produce it.

37 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Wait For A Christmas Album is Over, October 30, 2007

By 

R. J. Stewart "Book Nut" (Reno, NV United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Noel (Audio CD)

I love this CD! I know I will be repeating a few things others have said, but here goes. Josh's voice is unbelievable! I have loved him since the first time I heard him. He is the only artist who's CD I have to buy the day it comes out. This was no exception. Love it! Love it! Love it! There are only two things that could have made it better. One, to include "O Holy Night", which is my favorite Christmas song. His is THE BEST cover of that song, I've heard - ever.
Two, to not have sung "The First Noel" with Faith Hill. I love Josh's part of this song, and wish he had sung it alone, or maybe with someone like Martina McBride. To pair such an exquisite voice as Josh's is, with a totally ordinary voice, is not doing justice to him. She is o.k. when singing her own songs, but she doesn't have the voice to improve previously recorded material. She soured me on her cover capabilities when she completely butchered "Open Arms" by Journey, at a Tim MacGraw concert I was at.

But back to "Noel", a must have for any Josh fan!! Love it! Go get it today!