Josh Groban - Illuminations
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CD Details
Artist: Josh GrobanBrand: Ignatius Press
Edition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
CD Release Date: 2010-11-15
Music Label: 143 Records/Reprise Records
Product features:
- GROBAN JOSH ILLUMINATIONS
- Wandering Kind (Prelude)
- Bells of New York City
- Galileo
- L'Ora Dell'Addio
- Hidden Away
- Au Jardin Des Sans Pourquoi
- Higher Window
- If I Walk Away
- Love Only Knows
- Voce Existe Em Mim
- War At Home
- London Hymn
- Straight To You
Music reviews of Illuminations
Music Review: Back to the basics.
Rating: 5 Stars
Josh Groban is perhaps one of today's greatest influences in modern classical music (or classical crossover). He is highly musical and experimental, which I appreciate in any artist from any genre. His rich baritone voice envelopes you completely and even if the songs weren't incredible (which for the most part they are), his voice alone would be worth listening to. The likes of Paul Potts and Il Divo can't hope to compete.
He made a name for himself after he broke onto the scene at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City where he performed "The Prayer" with Charlotte Church. His debut album was a huge success and his second album "Closer" contained the masterpieces "You Raise Me Up" and "Remember When It Rained" among others. 2005's "Awake" saw Josh beginning some experimentation into different musical styles. He enlisted the creative help of some of greatest musical talents, including Imogen Heap, Herbie Hancock, Five for Fighting's John Ondrasik. His Christmas album "Noel", released in 2008, went on to become one of the best-selling albums of both 2008 and 2009.
Illuminations is his much-anticipated fifth studio album and, as is his custom, Josh gives us a new sound that is distinctly Groban, but unlike anything we've heard from him before. I would describe it as classical singer-songwriter. There are tracks that are beautifully orchestrated (no surprise since some of it is done by James Newton-Howard). But then there are simple acoustic tracks with piano, mandolin, acoustic guitar, and some strings. No drums. That's right. Only one or two tracks feature drums, and even then they are not drum sets, but orchestral drums. Josh wanted to give us music that would be fitting in Carnegie Hall but also give us the intimacy of a club. Even though it might not be brimming with energy and creativity, the result is perhaps Josh's most musical and talented work to date.
I bought the deluxe edition from iTunes which comes with the original 13 tracks, one bonus track, a music video, and an interactive digital pamphlet in which Josh offers commentary on each of the tracks. So I might grab a few quotes from him while telling you about the individual songs.
1. The Wandering Kind (Prelude)- This is a purely instrumental song written by Josh when he was twelve or thirteen that he's been playing his whole life but never recorded. According to him, lyrics were attempted but it just didn't seem to work, so it was just recorded as an instrumental with Josh on piano accompanied by ukelele, accordion, guitar, and strings. It has almost a Celtic feel to it and, even though it is unconventional Groban, serves as a great intro to the album.
2. Bells of New York City- Josh is completely in love with NYC and this song serves as sort of his love song to it. To him, the music reminds him of the city and its people. The piano creates a bell-like sound as Josh is supported by a Carnegie-worthy orchestra. .
3. Galileo (Someone Like You)- This is a love song seen from the eyes of a scientist. According to Josh, it shows you a man who is "experiencing something so grand in a very simple way". Musically, it sounds like something you would hear on Broadway.
4. L'ora Dell'Addio- Perhaps the most classical-sounding track of the album, this is something you would hear in a huge concert hall. It is very grand and sweeping and Josh's vocal performance is flawless.
5. Hidden Away- This is the album's first single. It has a beautiful melody and is gorgeously and simply executed. It's about not keeping your love to yourself and letting letting your light shine, so to speak. One of my personal favorites of the album.
6. Au Jardin Des Sans-Pourqouis- A beautiful French track. Again, it is grand and sweeping, but in a more romantic and sensitive way.
7. Higher Window- This is my favorite track of the album. It is very emotional and very well-written. It is about a relationship that is sinking but not beyond hope. The arrangement is brilliant. Every time I hear it I'm in awe of its perfection. If you don't listen to any other track, please check this one.
8. If I Walk Away- This song is not brilliant, but not altogether forgettable. A great vocal performance from Josh, this track employs interesting arrangement choices, including a gospel choir, hammer dulcimer, and, as always, beautiful orchestration.
9. Love Only Knows- A raw, intimate song about whether a relationship is meant to continue, at times it is incredibly poetic and insightful, but at times it lacks in both flow and creativity with the songwriting and arrangement. Not one of my favorites, but Josh does a fine job.
10. Voce Existe Em Mim- Josh experiments with a totally new sound for him: Portugese lyrics and a heavy dose of Brazillian tribal drums. The result is mind-blowing. Definitely my favorite foreign language track. It is packed with energy and adventure that is so refreshing after the beautiful, but slow songs that precede it on the album.
11. War at Home- This song was inspired by Josh's visit to Walter Reed Hospital where he met children who were injured or disabled from war. He was very moved by the experienced that he immediately blogged about it and consequently wrote the lyrics to this song. The melody is perhaps one of the best on the album. I can see it being a good singer-songwriter song for a solo acoustic guitar, but the orchestral arrangement, especially the choir, is very effective.
12. London Hymn- A short choral piece composed by Josh and Marius de Vries (collaborated on Remember When It Rained and Machine) while in a hotel in London, this is a step into uncharted territory for Josh. While some might not be especially impressed with the opera choir, I give him credit for trying something new. At just under two minutes, it's the shortest track of the album.
13. Straight to You- A song written and originally recorded by Nick Cave, this is perhaps the most beautiful moment on the album. The lyrics have such a simple poetry which works beautifully with the music. James Newton-Howard does the orchestration and you feel if Josh's voice were taken out, this would belong to the most emotional scene of a film. I don't think I've ever anything by Josh that is as beautiful as this. It could make you cry from sheer exposure to such beauty.
14. Feels Like Home (Bonus Track from Deluxe Edition)- If you bought the regular album, you'll want to go to iTunes and download this song. Yes, it is the same song you heard in the film "My Sister's Keeper". Originally written by Randy Newman and newly arranged and orchestrated by James Newton-Howard, this version is brilliantly crafted to flawlessly combine Josh's rich voice and intimate instrumentation. The lyrics are melancholy and bittersweet. Simply a stroke of genius.
On the Deluxe iTunes version is also the music video for Hidden Away (Radio Edit). The video itself is not extraordinary, but I really like the Radio Edit of the song. It's tastefully done and takes the song from a simple and intimate sound to a more mainstream sound which works very well. I hope it will be released as a single soon.
Overall, I'm very surprised and delighted at the turn Josh has taken. He knows he's very musical and his fan base is largely accepting of classical music so he created a new sound. Some might call it playing it safe instead of branching more into the pop genre, but the industry is filled with that. I think Josh was daring in pursuing a simpler, intimate style and I think he really pulled it off brilliantly. It might not have been what I was expecting or even hoping for, but I give props to Josh for expanding his musical horizons. I do feel as far as musicality goes, while the arrangement is usually simple, the melodies and harmonies are the most complex and creative he's put out. Josh had his writing hand in most of these songs and I think it goes to prove that Josh is no longer the young vocalist performing covers or songs others have written for him. While still one of the world's greatest vocalists first and foremost, Josh has now evolved into a true artist of music.
Description of Illuminations
On 'Illuminations,' Groban worked with veteran producer Rick Rubin, known for his critically acclaimed work with Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash, and Dixie Chicks among many others. Groban co-wrote the majority of the songs, including 'Hidden Away,' which he wrote with Dan Wilson - former leader of the band Semisonic and co-writer of several cuts on the Dixie Chicks' 'Not Ready to Make Nice.' 'Hidden Away' was recorded live with Groban singing and playing piano, Matt Sweeney and Smokey Hormel on acoustic guitars, and veteran R&B icon Spooner Oldham on organ, with a striking orchestral arrangement by David Campbell added later. The opening piano chords and the unfolding melody evoke a timeless Americana, a thread from Stephen Foster through Aaron Copland through Paul Simon and Randy Newman, as Groban makes a heartfelt plea not to hide true love or one's true self.'Illuminations' finds both Groban and Rubin stepping out of each one's respective zone and creating an entirely new zone. The bracing result fulfills Rubin's vision of a 'fine art' Groban record, marrying the warmth of the sweeping American roots of Groban's writing and the grandeur of classical settings by matching the live, one-take performances by Groban and the intimate, core acoustic band with colorful orchestral arrangements by David Campbell and James Newton Howard.
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