In an era when autotuning has effectively masked the tone-deaf caterwauling of countless numbers of pop “vocalists,” it’s nice to hear a singer who can, you know, sing (are you listening, Ke$ha?). When Josh Groban breaks out that creamy baritone on a squishy pop ballad like “You Are Loved,” you stop caring that his style is perhaps too adult-contemporary for serious music fans, too popera for classical music lovers, and you just rinse in the rich glow of his voice.
Groban can still pull in crowd, as he showed to a well-attended concert at American Airlines Center on Monday night. What’s fascinating about his demographic is, there is no demographic; we sat next to another gay couple; a middle-aged straight couple sat in front of us; teenagers squealed at the 30-year-old mophead from floor seats; and an 8-year-old attended with her mom, a Hispanic woman in her 30s. Guys and gals wore Groban T-shirts (they pawed at him so much as he worked his way repeatedly through the throng, I thought he might wanna rename himself Josh Gropin’). It was an ecumenical musical experience, with everyone there knowing what they were getting and walking away satisfied.
It’s been almost exactly 10 years since Groban burst on the scene, rehearsing with Celine Dion at the Grammys then getting a features role on Ally McBeal, and going from gangly kid to romantic star almost overnight. Groban gravitates (he admits this) to sad, slow songs that showcase his deliberate, fully rounded vocal chops. He’s a bit Vegas showman, moving his performance space several times from an elevated platform at center court with an upright piano to his full band at the end of the arena, slapping hands as he moves through the audience.
This concert is toned down (and thus more intimate) than his last trip through Texas. He works the intimacy, though, if you can call it that at AAC. He took text-message questions from the audience, bringing several onstage for a serenade and one girl joined him for a duet (she was good). He massaged the crowd, with his knowledgable references to Denton and Dallas and the Mavs, and shouting “Howdy!” as he noted the Dallas stop was only the third date on the tour — “We’re fresh as daisies!” he claimed.
He’s also leaning more commercial. There was a time more than half his repertoire was in Italian or Spanish; now, he still has some foreign-language songs but it’s the English ones that dominate. “Bells of New York City” seduced with notes of an Irish ballad, and “Higher Window” was made for adult radio play. “Galileo” and “Awake” were mostly unfamiliar to his fans, but he sold them nonetheless.
Groban has boyish charm that belies his big voice. If you want to dismiss him as popera, be my guest; but do take a moment to listen to his voice sometime, just for its qualities and tone, and tell me it doesn’t draw you in.
Wonderful review, thanks! I’ll take Josh’s gorgeous singing over the usual tone-deaf caterwauling (only partly improved by autotuning) any day. As for Josh’s “squishy” ballads, his new album Illuminations has dropped his sometimes soppy musical accompaniment in favor of gorgeous instrumentation that goes perfectly with his beautiful voice. It’s his best album yet, and no doubt a good part of why he’s been able to seduce such a wide range of audience members.
I beg to differ, but Josh’s fans are VERY familiar with both “Awake” and “Galileo,” and we LOVE them both! Both his voice and his personality are so compelling and enjoyable. I hope that those unfamiliar with Josh and his music will check him out at an upcoming concert, on YouTube, on TV, in the movies (He’s in “Crazy, Stupid Love” with Steve Carrell this summer), on his CD’s and DVD’s, and on his website at http://www.JoshGroban.com
I agree Harriet! I’ve loved “Awake” from the very beginning. (2007) and fell in love with “Galileo” last November (2010). Great review!
Do you homework – AWAKE is the Grobanite Anthem!
Great review!! Can’t wait to see him!!
I was happy to see him in New Haven (my first Groban concert) because it really was intimate. Still, I would rather not deal with the fans who seem to want to record his show on their phones more than to experience the music. It was very distracting and rude of them. These are are teenagers and should know better.
These were NOT teenagers I meant to say.
Wow……..what a great review. Josh and I share the same Birthday Feb. 27th however I am much older than Josh. I sent him Birthday greetings this year and I hope he received my best wishes. I will be seeing Josh in London Ontario on July 19th I believe……………I would be thrilled beyond words if I could meet him in person on that day………I am a major Canadian fan. Please do what you can to accomplish this wish for me……….it is on my Bucket list ……. Love Ellen
I was there. It was my first concert. It was so amazing. I wished he could have answered more text messages. I also wished he could have come just a little bit closer to where I was or waved at me as I waved at him so many times. I have so often dreamed that I saw him or talked to him. It has actually finally come true. Well, in one way at least. I am crazy about Josh Groban. My mom and I just bought his new cd today. At the concert I was singing all of the old songs that were not on the new cd. He was just so very funny and I just love him so much. He is one of my greatest heroes. Josh Groban, keep on going with your dream and being a great example of what men should be like. If there were more like you, this world would be an amazing place to be in.
My sister idolizes him and goes to almost every concert she can get to. It’s a running rumor that Josh Groban is gay and will come out of the closet someday soon. Her bf constantly teases her about being fantasy obsessed about the singer (she’s always loved musicals, actors etc) and that her bubble will burst and she’ll be devastated. I don’t know if this is true and it doesn’t matter but yeah she will be upset.
Whatever he is, I envy the woman or man that sleeps next to him at night. Just to imagine that voice in my ear is absolutely erotic and loving thought…sigh….to be so lucky!
His eyes just make this old woman melt.