Awake (CD - 2006)

Personnel: Josh Groban (piano, keyboards, drums, background vocals); Josh Groban; Bakithi Kumalo (vocals); Tawgs Salter (guitar, piano, keyboards, programming, keyboard programming); Dean Parks, Roman Stagnaro, Michael Hart Thompson , Joel Shearer, Michael Thompson, Vincent Nguini, Robbie McIntosh (guitar); Chris Elliott (dulcimer, piano); Fiona Hibbert (harp); James Freebarin-Smith (cello); Tower of Power (brass); Greg Adams, Greg Vail, Lee Thornburg, Nick Lane, Tom Scott (horns); Imogen Heap (piano, programming); Walter Afanasieff (piano); Eric Mouquet, Glen Ballard, Sean Hurley, David Foster (keyboards); Jochem van der Saag (synthesizer, programming); Frank Ricotti (vibraphone, percussion); Nathan East (bass guitar); Anton Fig, Ian Thomas (drums); Kaitlyn Barton (tambourine); Blair Sinta (percussion); Jason Boshoff, Alexis Smith (programming); Anna Ross, Vusi Mahlasela, Susie Suh (background vocals); Tim Pierce (guitar); Marius de Vries (piano, keyboards, programming); Matt Chamberlain, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Audio Mixers: Humberto Gatica; Imogen Heap; Andy Bradfield; Alejandro Rodriguez .

Recording information: Angel Studio; Chartmaker Studios; EMM Studio France; Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA; Paramount Scoring Stage; Paramount Studios, LA; Sony Studios, New York, NY; The Hideaway, London, England; The High window, Hollywood, CA; The Refinery, Johannesberg, South Africa; The Salt Room, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; The Strongroom, London, England; The Studio At The Sunset Marquis; Westlake Audio, Hollywood, CA; Westlake Studios, LA.

Editor: William Malina.

Photographer: Christian Lantry.

Arrangers: Eric Mouquet; Josh Groban; David Foster; Tawgs Salter; William Ross .

Expectations for vocalist Josh Groban's third release ran high, especially given the phenomenal success of his sophomore effort, CLOSER, which reached number one on the Billboard charts. Like Andrea Bocelli, Groban treads the line between classical, operatic singing, and crossover pop. AWAKE manages the synthesis beautifully. With its strong batch of songs, and Groban's voice continuing to develop, the album may even best its predecessor.

Opener "Mai," sung in Italian, sets the tone for the album. Highly romantic, stirring, and couched in tasteful orchestral arrangements, the song is the perfect canvas for Groban's heart-melting delivery. "February Song," which finds the artist accompanied only by piano, is more reserved and plaintive. Other album highlights include "Machine," with a funky, jazzy backdrop provided by Herbie Hancock, and "Lullaby" and "Weeping," which feature the South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mombazo.

Longtime fans of Josh Groban should be pleased to know that the vocalist's third studio album, Awake, features more of the polished, well-crafted, and emotionally grand classical crossover pop he has become known for. In fact, the album is perhaps his most appealing and deviates little from his previous outings. Here listeners get a mix of original songs -- some co-written by Groban -- that trade between more classical/opera-oriented songs sung in Italian and more pop-oriented songs in English. Interestingly, the tracks co-penned by Groban are some of the most compelling, and showcase his knack for a kind of '60s Scott Walker baroque pop meets '80s Diane Warren adult contemporary vibe. This brings up the only problem with Awake, which is that as Groban's music has moved closer and closer to pop, the necessity of utilizing Italian becomes increasingly nebulous. Truthfully, barring any awkward translations, most of these songs would sound fine sung in English and generally come off as very good Italian pop songs. So, despite being quite listenable, from a mainstream pop point of view the use of Italian is great for lending the album a sheen of pan-European classical regality, but in some ways limits the emotional impact of the songs to only those who understand Italian. None of this really matters, though, to fans of Groban, who justifiably respond to his superb technique, silky tone, and bedroom eyes. It doesn't hurt either that he's brought along some unexpected guests this time around in the African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, appearing here on two tracks, as well as legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock, who shows up on the angular and half-funky "Machine." It's also great to hear Groban dig into an adaptation of "Un Giorno Per Noi," Nino Rota's theme to Franco Zeffirelli's classic 1968 film Romeo and Juliet. The song, as Awake itself, is a grand collision of pop culture and co-opted classical themes from then and now, and perfectly embodies everything that has made Groban so successful. ~ Matt Collar minimize