Music review: Josh Groban – 鈥楽tages鈥�
My mother-in-law simply adores Josh Groban.
In fact, I鈥檝e written before about how she was moved to tears while attending one of his concerts.
As Mother鈥檚 Day quickly approaches, my mother-in-law can be guaranteed a copy of the singer鈥檚 latest release.
With theater and musical theater in his blood, the former Carnegie Mellon University student lends his majestic voice to some of his favorite arrangements from Broadway musicals and films.
One of my longtime favorites, 鈥淧ure Imagination鈥� from 鈥淐harlie and the Chocolate Factory,鈥� opens the album in a purely spectacular manner as Groban鈥檚 vocals gracefully dance with the sprawling orchestral strings.
With a variety of memorable songs performed from such wondrous shows as 鈥淎 Chorus Line,鈥� 鈥淭he Fantasticks,鈥� 鈥淭he Phantom of the Opera,鈥� 鈥淪weeney Todd鈥� and 鈥淟es Mis茅rables,鈥� my two favorite selections from 鈥淪tages鈥� are a couple of duets with Kelly Clarkson and Audra McDonald.
Clarkson鈥檚 performance on 鈥淎ll I Ask of You鈥� from 鈥淭he Phantom of the Opera鈥� is breathtaking and glorious. The pop singer鈥檚 voice perfectly meshes with the stirring elegance of Groban鈥檚 offering to produce one unforgettable moment. McDonald鈥檚 lush and gorgeous voice adds lasting passion to 鈥淚f I Loved You鈥� from 鈥淐arousel.鈥� The six-time Tony Award-winner鈥檚 pairing with Groban is a stunning show-stopper.
In addition to these guest appearances, legendary trumpeter Chris Botti incorporates his signature style to the alluring appeal of 鈥淥ld Devil Moon鈥� from 鈥淔inian鈥檚 Rainbow.鈥�
Producers Bernie Herms and Humberto Gatica masterfully take Groban鈥檚 lavish musical vision and transform it into an exquisite reality of sound, emotion and joy. Despite the album being primarily recorded in Los Angeles, a loan arrangement was finished at one of the most famous recording locations in the world. 鈥淔inishing the Hat鈥� from 鈥淪unday in the Park with George鈥� was completed at Abbey Road Studios in London.
With Groban scheduled to perform at Pittsburgh鈥檚 Benedum Center on September 17, I am well aware that there will once again be an emotional shedding of tears by certain members of the audience.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.