Josh Groban new live cd/dvd “Awake live”: my review

Just recently received and took a look (and listen) at the new live album “Awake live” by Josh Groban. This is very much a live version of his cd “Awake” and it is one of his concerts that was taped lasted year during his “Awake” tour in Salt Lake City. It is pretty much like the concert I saw here in Cleveland in February of 2007 (except that here in Cleveland he did not perform “Canto alla vita”; which is one of my favorites). I genuinely enjoyed that show last year and I liked watching this “Awake live” dvd. It brought back great memories of that night at the “Q” arena as I watched and listened to Josh perform my favorite songs on this live album, songs like “Mai”, “Alla luce del sole”, and “Machine”. Josh has such a magnificent baritone voice and he seems to genuinely enjoy performing for his fans. He really seems to put his heart and soul into every show. And he is so damn hot, too
But as I said about his “Awake” cd, I found most of the songs on “Awake live” rather sad. I prefer the more upbeat songs on his albums “Closer” and “Live at the Greek”. And I am not a big fan of duets. I think Josh does an incredible job singing on his own and needs no help to do that.
So my grades on “Awake live” are: A+ for Josh’s performance, voice, presence, etc
B+ for the songs.
It is good solid live album and has me looking forward to Josh going back on tour here in the USA and returning to Cleveland:)I hope it is soon

“Pasion” a telenovela: my review

The telanovela (or “soap opera”) “Pasion” had its “gran final” (grand final)on Friday, April 25, 2008 on Spanish-speaking network Univision. The show was excellent;had something for everyone: adventure, mystery, intrigue, romance, sex. It also had very good actors, especially those who played the title roles of Camila (Susana Gonzalez) and Ricardo (Fernando Colunga).
The story of “Pasion” takes place in the 18th century. A young woman named Camila Darien is engaged to a young man Santiago (Sebastian Rulli) from her small town of San Fernando (in Mexico; before Mexico declared its independence from Spain). But events the night before her wedding change the course of her life. A short time later, she meets a pirate called Ricardo de Salamanca when she is captured by his group. At first she does not know his name and she despises him. She is sold as a slave and purchased by Ricardo’s cruel uncle Timiteo de Salamanca who persuades Camila to marry him to gain her freedom. She ultimately does get her freedom and the old man’s money, too. Camila returns to her hometown where she finds her fiance married to her sister. She is devastated by this but Ricardo then comes to her village. She and Ricardo fall in love and Ricardo wants to quit being a pirate but he and Camila face many obstacles, including Santiago who continues to be in love with Camila and Ricardo’s blind cousin Lizabeta (Daniela Castro) who is obssessed with Ricardo.
I give this telenovela an “A+” not only for the brilliant acting, but for the costumes, and the storyline, and the theme song “Pasion” performed by singers Sarah Brightman and Fernando Lima.
I do recommend this show highly. I would watch it again. I hope it will be repeated or be on dvd in the near future.
Besides everything else I mentioned, the novela has some very handsome men (and they can act): Fernando Colunga, Sebastian Rulli (whom I already have mentioned and Sebastian bears a resemblance to the lead singer of my favorite band), William Levy (he played Camila’s brother Vasco Darien and he was excellent). I hope to see these guys in novelas again soon.

More Josh, Lifehouse, and Christmas

I watched Josh Groban on “Larry King Live” last Friday December 14(and the rerun on 12/15) as he sang “The Christmas Song”. I liked this performance better than “Regis and Kelly” because it was more “stripped down”: Josh sang by himself without a choir in the background. It was a bit more simple and that is the kind of Josh performance I like.  I just read that he has the best selling album of 2007 with “Noel” so I want to congratulate him.  Although it was not my favorite Josh cd (my favorite cd by him would be “Closer”), it was pretty good.  No one released a better cd this year (except for Lifehouse) and I’d sooner have a Christmas cd from Josh than from anyone else (except for Lifehouse, again).  Josh has really helped me get through the holiday season with his music , particularly this year. Josh just has a truly amazing voice; one of the best singers in the world. He is truly gifted. Congratulations, Josh and best of luck to you and I look forward to your return to my city very soon

Recently heard Lifehouse’s version of the Christmas classic “Silent night” on my Yahoo! radio stations.  It is quite good. Lifehouse did a nice job on it.  But I’d have preferred for them to do a Christmas song like ” O Holy night” where  frontman Jason Wade could really use his voice. He has an awesome voice, too, and could have pulled off that song. He is also one of the best singers in the world and very gifted and talented.  I congratulate him and his bandmates, Rick and Bryce, also on an incredible album with “Who we are” and wish them the best of luck . I look forward to hearing more from them and to them coming back to my town very soon, too.

Lifehouse, Michael , vh1 top 40 of 2007, and Josh

 watched the Vh1 Top 40 Videos of 2007 last night (12/11/07) and have to say I was kind of disappointed. Well, I was happy that Lifehouse, my fave band, made the top 40 but I think they deserved better than number 29! “First time” is a great song and the video is also excellent–unique and creative.I think it definitely rated higher. I don’t understand how VH1 puts the list together. I think Lifehouse was cheated. And I know “Whatever it takes” came out late in 2007 but I think it also belonged in the top 40. It’s also a wonderful song and video. I also thought Canadian singer Michael Buble’s song “Everything” was a nice, upbeat song and had a fun video and it should have been included in the top 40.
I watched Josh Groban on “Regis and Kelly” on Monday 12/10/07. It is always good to see him on television. it’s been a while since I’ve seen him on tv; for one reason or another I tend to miss him on tv. Oh, I tape most all his tv appearances but put off watching them for whatever but I digress. He was in fine form in this tv showing. He sang “It came upon the midnight clear” and played the piano as well as ever. He was also amusing in talking with Regis and Kelly. The only problem I have with his performance is that I wish it had been just him singing and playing the piano with no other instruments and no choir. I’m sorry, call me a purist, but I think Josh has been blessed with a magnificent voice and it should always be allowed to shine. It needs no help.
I like the song “It came upon the midnight clear” but I prefer ” O holy night” (which Josh does beautifully and it is my favorite all time Christmas song), “What child is this” (one of my fave tracks on Josh’s “Noel”). Another favorite Christmas song is “Mary, did you know?” which I think Josh would do a brilliant job on and I wish he’d put it on “Noel”. I also like “Thankful” from “Noel” and “Believe”. These are becoming among my Christmas favorites.

A Lifehouse Christmas album: why not?

As I listen to the Christmas music on the radio this season, I have been thinking that it is not fair that my favorite band Lifehouse does not have a Christmas cd out. So many other groups have them: Destiny’s Child, ‘nsync, backstreet boys, Barenaked Ladies, Bon Jovi also has a Christmas song out there,Matchbox 20 and many other groups. I think if they have Christmas albums, Lifehouse should, too.
I also find it a bit disconcerting hearing my favorite Christmas songs not being done justice on the radio for the most part (with the exception of Josh Groban who masterfully sings my favorite Christmas song “O Holy Night” and his “Believe” from the movie “Polar Express” has become a favorite of mine, too) and then there is the damn “Hippotamus” song! I’m sorry, but am I the only one who finds that a little annoying? I also find it an example of the commericialization of Christmas because I feel that that song was written solely for profit. For money. Oh, don’t get me started on how I feel about the commericialization of Christmas.
I think for the sake of their fans and for the sake of Christmas fans, Lifehouse should do a Holiday album. I think they would do a wonderful Christmas cd, with the utmost respecet for the Holiday and singer Jason Wade would brilliantly sing such Christmas classics like “O Holy Night” and “The First Noel”–he has such a strong and incredible voice. And he is a gifted songwriter so he could write some original ones, too.
It is something I think they should do in the future.

Josh Groban Christmas cd “Noel”: my review

Just got done listening to Josh Groban’s new Christmas cd “Noel”. My grade of the album is a “B-” to “C+”. Josh has an amazing voice which should have been allowed to shine more. It didn’t in this album. It gets a bit lost in with the orchestras and the other voices (i have always thought Josh should do an acapella album). Listening to it, I thought why couldn’t it be him singing with just one instrument, if need be, like a guitar, for example? My favorite tracks were “Thankful” and “What child is this?” on which more of his voice can be heard. These tracks seem to me to be more “uncluttered” than the others. A valiant effort by Josh. Perhaps maybe too much of an effort.

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