Josh Groban - Noel
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Free Music Notes for Noel
Free Music Review: incredibly wonderful--BRAVO !!!
Hit: 5 Stars
Josh Groban's album entitled "Noël" impresses me greatly; Josh can really sing and every song is special! Yes, the CD track set should have included "Oh Holy Night" but what we do get is nothing but the finest of holiday music. Josh pours his heart and soul into these songs and ballads and just one listen proves it! The quality of the sound is excellent and I like the artwork as well.
"Silent Night" gets a fantastic treatment from Josh; he never sounded better! The lush musical arrangement enhances the number although at certain points it could have been toned down a little. However, it still works very well. "Little Drummer Boy" is gorgeous and Josh never misses a beat! His excellent diction enhances his performance and Andy McKee turns in a great performance, too. I love it! "I'll be Home for Christmas" was always one of my very favorite holiday songs; and Josh's passionate delivery of this really shines! The overdubbing of the soldier's holiday wishes fits in nicely, too. Josh also does one of the best interpretations of "Ave Maria" that I've ever heard; and listen for Josh to do a magnificent job on "Angels We Have Heard on High" which he performs with the multitalented and highly gifted Brian McKnight. The strings sound terrific on "Angels We Have Heard on High," too.
"Thankful" is very poignant; and I really like Josh's treatment of "The Christmas Song." Josh makes "The Christmas Song" sound new and fresh; it becomes a major highlight of this album and the guitar playing sounds just right. "What Child Is This" charms me with its beauty; Josh never lets go of a single superfluous note! "What Child Is This" also makes good use of the strings to round out the music as Josh Groban sings this classic ballad.
"The First Noël" features Josh doing another duet, this time with Faith Hill; and together they make this number shimmer brightly! Josh and Faith just plain sound good together and the choir in the background is lovely. "Petit Papa Noël" showcases Josh as he sings this to perfection--and beyond; and there's yet another gem in "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear." "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" has Josh squarely in the spotlight--which is right where he belongs! Josh's rendition of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" is easily one of the very best renditions ever of this holiday song; it's very easy on the ear and memorable.
"Panis Angelicus" (The Angelic Bread or "bread of angels") is wonderful and Josh Groban makes it very special with his heartfelt delivery; the piano sounds wonderful as Josh sings this. The album then concludes with Josh Groban performing "O Come All Ye Faithful" with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir directed by Craig Jessop. "O Come All Ye Faithful" has a triumphant flavor to it that is truly beautiful and the religious message is powerful to say the least.
This holiday album by Josh Groban will remain a perennial classic for quite some while to come--if not forever! Josh was born to sing; and his delivery of these ballads and songs astounds me. I highly recommend this for Josh Groban fans; and people who want high quality control holiday music would do well to get this album.
Free Music Review: "A Treat for the Holidays ... Josh Groban ... Noel/Reprise (2007)"
Hit: 5 Stars
Reprise Records brings to the table another holiday treat with "NOEL" --The Holidays are fast upon us and you know what that means what CDs we will want to purchase and stuff in our Christmas stockings this year --- With so many available, it is hard to decide but let us spend the holidays with our favorite vocalist of the season Josh Groban --- Veering between pop and lush classical arrangements, this album delivers a delightful variety of delights with some Yuletide favorites --- With great musician accompaniment and rich vocal duets, this is sure to become a holiday favorite.
Joshua Winslow Groban (born February 27, 1981) is a Grammy-nominated American singer/songwriter known for his mature and lyrical baritone voice. He has concentrated his career so far mostly in concert singing and recordings, although he has stated that he wishes to pursue musical theatre in the future --- Some of Groban's musical influences have been Radiohead, Paul Simon, Sting, Peter Gabriel, and Björk --- He says he is able to look up to anyone, musically, who has pushed the boundaries and stepped outside of the box. As for vocal influences, "anyone who told a story with their songs," including Mandy Patinkin, Klaus Nomi, George Hearn, and Luciano Pavarotti -- Josh currently resides in Los Angeles, California --- (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
The people here at Amazon and Reprise have requested a review on one of my picks for the season --- so here goes, check out the track listings below and note they are all prearranged for your enjoyment --- a baker's dozen of holiday favorites and original Christmas songs, the Josh Groban Christmas is a mostly festive, entertaining sing along collection tailor made for all the relatives.
NOEL - Josh Groban (Track Listings):
1. Silent Night
2. Little Drummer Boy - (with Andy Mickee)
3. I'll be home for Christmas
4. Ava Maria
5. Angels We Have Heard On High
6. Thankful
7. The Christmas Song
8. What Child is this
9. First Noel - (with Faith Hill)
10. Petit papa Noel
11. It came upon a Midnight Clear
12. Panis Angelicus
13. O Come all Ye Faithful - (with Mormon Tabernacle Choir)
Hats off to Reprise Records --- strongly recommend this CD to all music lovers and all others who need to hear some great Holiday music --- Keith Allen (Choir, Chorus), Andy McKee (Guitar), Richard Page (Background Vocals, Choir, Chorus), Dean Parks (Guitar), London Symphony Orchestra, Jeremy Lubbock (Orchestration) and Kirk Franklin (Arranger, Director) please stand up and take a bow for this well deserved rare gem you've given us --- this is a keeper!
Total Time: 55 mins on 13 Tracks ~ Reprise Records ~ (10/09/2007)
Free Music Review: The Best of the Best!!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
When I titled this review, I meant it quite literally. This is the best of the classic Christmas music that we all love, and it is presented in the rich and beautiful voice of Josh Groban. When it comes to singing, he has no equal.
This album is not one that you will just pull out at Christmas time, dust off, and listen to once or twice when you're in the mood of the season. This is destined to be a year round classic that will be treasured no matter what the day or occassion.
Here are all the songs on this album, and my ratings of each one:
-SILENT NIGHT- Five Stars.
-LITTLE DRUMMER BOY- Five Stars. I can honestly say that, in years before, whenver I heard "Little Drummer Boy" on the radio, I would turn the station. I honestly never liked it, until I heard this version. Josh singing it and the background vocals blend perfectly to make an amazing song.
-I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS- Five Stars. A very touching song, interwoven with messages from service men and women. This one is a true tear-jerker.
-AVE MARIA- Five Stars. This is one of the most beautiful masterpieces in the world of music, especially when Josh sings it. You will not want to miss it!
-ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH- Five Stars. This has always been one of my favorites, and I like it even better now. I just wish that Josh could have sung by himself rather than making it a duet with Brian McKnight.
-THANKFUL- Four Stars.
-THE CHRISTMAS SONG- Four Stars.
-WHAT CHILD IS THIS?- Five Stars. Definitely one of the best songs on the whole album.
-THE FIRST NOEL- Four Stars. This is what all us country fans/Grobanites have been waiting for. Josh and Faith Hill sing great together! The only reason that I rated it four stars instead of five is that the choir in the background overpowers them at times and gets rather obnoxious.
-PETIT PAPA NOEL- Four Stars.
-IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR- Four Stars. Once again, I have to give this beautiful track one star less due to a too-loud choir in the background. When they start out they're okay, but in the ending when they're just chanting "Heavenly Angels sing- sing!" it's too much.
-PANIS ANGELICUS- Five Stars. Beautiful- that's all I can say!
-O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL- Five Stars. Ah, the background choir redeems itself! They work together with Josh to make a climatic ending to the album that makes you want to stand up and applaud!
You will never regret buying this instant classic!
Free Music Review: The Quintessential Chrismtas CD of 2007
Hit: 5 Stars
Aside from the fact that some of Josh Groban's detractors see him as being cheesy, which he might be or melodramatic or a fake opera singer, there are a couple of things that can't be denied: he can sing, and he can sell. Currently, this CD is pushing upwards of 3 million copies becoming one of the fastest-selling CDs of all time and one of the top-selling CDs of the year. That's a surety that can't be denied. Although I'm not usually the biggest fan of Christmas music, as far as arrangements, I do prefer that songs are either arranged in a Gospel style or really traditional. With Josh's CD, it's the traditional bent that the listener will get.
Orchestrated (not produced but orchestrated) by such people as Bill Ross & Brad Dechter, this CD covers many of the traditional songs from Silent Night to Ave Maria. On each, Josh uses his powerful baritone vocals to take the song to that next level. Not really being familiar with his vocal background/ability, I'm amazed at his vocal power, range and the effortless ability he has to sing these songs. The duet with Faith Hill is also a strong song.
Top 3 Tracks:
The First Noel (duet with Faith Hill): Both of their voices fit together surprisingly well, and they are able to hit those nearly impossible notes. They also convey the message of the song well.
Ave Maria: Anyone who is able to masterfully sing this song gets extra points for me, and Josh is able to do it.
Little Drummer Boy: One of my personal favorite Christmas songs, the arrangement and the vocals in this song just soar and transcend past the tangible. It's an awesome song without a doubt.
Overall, this is a strong CD for people who like or can tolerate their Christmas CDs in the traditional vein with some ochestrated arrangements and some bombastic vocals at time. Even if that isn't the case, just like with so many things (including IPods), it's the CD to have whether one likes Josh or not.
Free Music Review: Powerfully good
Hit: 5 Stars
I swear I have worn my disc out I've played it so much. This album is extremely powerful - Josh's beautiful voice is once again and always music to my soul. I especially find his "I'll Be Home For Christmas" most touching - the clips of our military personnel sending greetings to their families make me tear up every time I hear them (definitely can't listen to at work). My brother is in the service and this makes me think of him every time (and miss and worry about him even more). It's a beautiful tribute to the sacrifices service personnel and their families make. The other big stand-outs:
Little Drummer Boy: a gorgeous duet and a new and successfully different take on a standard Christmas song.
Thankful: a touching message and a reminder we all need (It's up to us to be the change...). A wonderful addition to our usual Christmas songs.
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear: one of my favorite Christmas songs and Josh manages to make it even more so. I love love love his version. The choir is a beautiful addition to back up his clear and beautiful voice - the crescendo is amazing.
Ave Maria: awe-inspiring - and it's one that many singers manage to ruin for me.
I agree with many other reviewers who felt the lack of Josh's O Holy Night - that should have been on there! This entire album was an excellent accomplishment after "Believe". That song was beautiful; not the atypical Christmas song yet captured the spirit of Christmas very well.
It's not the holidays without Josh - this CD in my top 10 CDs I must listen to every Christmas season. I can't wait for a follow-up.