Awake

by Reprise / WEA

$18.98
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Average Rating: * * * * half star
Sales Rank:177 (lower is better)
Price Used:$5.28
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Availability:Usually ships in 24 hours
Release Date:2006-11-07
Label:Reprise / WEA
UPC:093624443520
Binding:Audio CD
Published By:Reprise / WEA
ASIN:B000I5X81K
Category:Music

Tracks on Awake by Reprise / WEA

  1. Mai
  2. You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)
  3. Un Dia Llegara
  4. February Song
  5. L'Ultima Notte
  6. So She Dances
  7. In Her Eyes
  8. Solo Por Ti
  9. Now Or Never
  10. Un Giorno Per Noi
  11. Lullaby -- w/ Ladysmith Black Mambazo
  12. Weeping -- w/ Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Vusi Mahlasela
  13. Machine -- w/ Herbie Hancock

Editorial Reviews and Product Descriptions

Album Description

The Josh Groban phenomenon continues with Awake, his third studio album. Both of the extraordinary singer's first two studio discs have been certified five times platinum, with his most recent, 2003's Closer, charting #1 pop. His uplifting music rises ever higher on Awake.

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Josh Groban

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Amazon.com

Josh Groban is making it hard for anybody who can't say "classical crossover" without smirking to maintain an acceptable level of snobbery. Awake, his third studio disc and arguably his most personal--he co-wrote four tracks and favors his native English over Italian--boasts as many bold names as any tricked-out hip-hop disc: Dave Matthews, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Imogen Heap, and Herbie Hancock contribute in various capacities, and a slew of behind-the-scenes collaborators best known for their work in mainstream pop circles deepen the dimensions of a style widely considered claustrophobic. For all the studio doors that got opened to create Awake, though, Groban's signature sound never once slipped out to take the air; "the voice"--that hypnotic, spun-silk wonder of an instrument--is as concentrated as ever, and Awake, in addition to showing off its many splendors, serves as a vehicle for parading its versatility around. While "Un Giorno Per Noi," the deeply romantic theme to the 1968 film Romeo E Giulietta, delivers the Groban that fueled the sale of 16 million previous discs to soft-hearted fans, "Machine," with Hancock, gives up a new form of funk: dignified, classy, and surprisingly unstiff. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews

Wide Awake to listen to the gorgeous sounds of Josh Groban... - Reviewed on 2008-11-30
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1 customer found this review helpful.

The first time I heard Josh Groban's voice was on the radio with his most famous song, "You Raise Me Up." While the song is not one of my favorites, his voice was unforgettable. How many ways can I describe his voice? Deeply moving. Colorful. Emotive. Purely masculine. And also very versatile, as proven with the brilliant TV theme song medley he sang at the Emmys earlier this year.

But let's talk about AWAKE. The song that drew me to this album was "You Are Loved," one of the most divinely inspirational songs I've ever heard. At first, I thought that it was a friend or lover speaking, telling their beloved to push on and persevere. Now, after listening to it many countless times, I interpret it as God singing to His children, reminding them of the love and comfort that they have to rely upon.

The whole album is a soaring experience from the Italian language opener "Mai," meaning "Never" to the closing collaboration with Herbie Hancock, "Machine." Some of the stand-outs for me are the mystery-laden, haunting "Lullaby" and the tragic story told in "Weeping." There's also plenty of shimmering romance in songs such as "Now or Never" and most notably in "Un giorno per noi," translated as "A Day for us." Yes, AWAKE has a different sound than Josh's previous albums, but it is representative of his artistic versatility.

If you love Josh Groban's masterful voice as I do, then you should enjoy any of his albums. But the one I recommend the most other than AWAKE is his debut album with a profound song telling of loss and envisioning Heaven: "To Where You Are." Words cannot express how that song has worked in my life after losing my dad.

(Sidenote: Like many other listeners, I'm also interested in a Christmas release with "Oh Holy Night" and "Believe." Maybe eventually...)
beautiful - Reviewed on 2008-10-16
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1 customer found this review helpful.

this is my favorite of Josh's cd's. If you dont have it, I recommend getting this great cd.
Excellent - Reviewed on 2008-10-13
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1 customer found this review helpful.

We love his music. My husband took me to this concert. He was excellent and a real nice guy. Keep it up!!!!!
Still Has It! - Reviewed on 2008-10-09
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1 customer found this review helpful, 1 did not.

After two best-selling albums, one begins to wonder if Josh Groban is becoming stagnant. Upon listening to record number three, "Awake", the answer is a resounding 'No!' The young singer with the voice who has captured the world still has it, and the album is proof that he is determined to continue on a journey of personal and professional growth.

Unlike Josh's first two albums, "Awake" is a mixture of different music styles. Yes, his more "classic" fare is still here, as evidenced by songs like 'Mai' and 'Un Dia Llegara'. However, even when singing in a foreign language, his songs are beginning to take on a more radio-friendly vibe. 'L'Ultima Notte' features a drum kit, and 'Solo por Ti' is led by an acoustic guitar.

In addition to more pop-like songs, the album stands out because of the number of English-language tracks on it. Four of these were co-written by Groban himself, and they add to the multi-dimensional aspect of the album. 'You are Loved (Don't Give Up)' is similar to some of his Italian-language pieces in its soarching orchestral arrangement, while 'February Song' and 'In Her Eyes' are more radio-friendly.

However, the most outstanding track (for me, at least) is 'Un Giorno per Noi (Romeo e Giulietta)'. On this track, Josh records the heart-breaking 'A Time for Us' from the film "Romeo and Juliet", albeit in Italian. The violin and Groban's soaring vocals make the tune resonate the themes of Shakespeare's most famous tragedy.

"Awake" is truly a masterpiece album, a definite continuation in the personal and professional journey Josh Groban has emerged on since releasing his self-titled album seven years ago. He has matured, finding his own sound in many languages, collaborating with a variety of different artists and, as always, allowing that voice to captivate.
Wrong product sent - Reviewed on 2008-09-30
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4 customers found this review not to be helpful.
The wrong product was sent and the seller was unable to be contacted. I was very disappointed in the service.
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