Josh Groban — 鈥楢ll That Echoes鈥�
Josh Groban鈥檚 sixth studio album offers a pleasing crossover collection of pop and classical styles elegantly crafted to highlight a diverse musical set of memorable arrangements that inspire and impress.
Groban鈥檚 majestically stunning voice brought my mother-in-law to tears during a performance in Pittsburgh a few years ago. For his latest album, Groban replaces Rick Rubin, who produced 2010鈥檚 鈥淚lluminations,鈥� with Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Paramore, Kid Rock) hoping to infuse a slight rock tone into the angelic tenor鈥檚 signature style. Groban co-wrote seven of the album鈥檚 12 tracks and also performs five covers. The most notable of the covers includes the moving piano ballad 鈥淭he Moon Is a Harsh Mistress鈥� by Jimmy Webb and Stevie Wonder鈥檚 鈥淚 Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever).鈥�
The latter arrangement is a striking spectacular with sprawling orchestral strings and gospel choir accenting the beautifully radiant lyrics. This song has always been a personal favorite of mine ever since I heard Art Garfunkel perform it on his classic 1975 album 鈥淏reakaway.鈥� While Garfunkel鈥檚 version evokes a haunting and surreal innocence of searching for true love, Groban offers a Broadway performance version that is spirited to heavenly heights through the powerful performance of a backing choir and show-stopping dramatic closing. Groban enlists a little help from his friends on a few momentous selections.
Legendary trumpeter Arturo Sandoval lends his talents to the silky smooth Spanish number 鈥淯n Alma Mas,鈥� while Italian vocalist Laura Pausini performs a passionate duet with Groban on 鈥淓 Ti Promettero.鈥� While I love many of Andrea Bocelli鈥檚 albums, his new release lacks the fire and passion found on the pieces offered by Groban, especially the stirring 鈥淪incera.鈥�
By branching out and remaining open to a new producer and different styles, Groban鈥檚 flawless sound is fresh, vibrant and appealing to the music masses.
The album opener, 鈥淏rave,鈥� is perfect for a movie soundtrack or Broadway show with its upbeat and uplifting lyrics and soaring accompanying musical score. The evocative feel of 鈥淔alse Alarms鈥� possesses the contemporary sound of Coldplay, Keane, Snow Patrol or Travis as Groban skillfully navigates the pop aspects of his vocal abilities.
As I prepare to send a copy of 鈥淎ll That Echoes鈥� to my mother-in-law in Ohio, I am well aware that there will once again be a shedding of tears as the talented tenor melts away the frigid chill of winter in Cleveland.