tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40847242757144414162012-02-02T21:53:15.874+10:00I Heart Josh Groban is my place to talk about all things Josh Groban.Knoreply@blogger.comBlogger5011100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-36081210385984841572012-02-02T18:42:00.001+10:002012-02-02T21:53:15.882+10:00According to this <a href="http://blainegotback.tumblr.com/post/16884234138/glee-3x14-the-friendship-diaries-on-my-way-regionals">spoiler site</a> on Tumblr, "You are Loved" (Don't Give Up) will be featured on an upcoming episode of Glee (possibly Episode 14)???<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-saDFzchfclo/TypMXO6qV5I/AAAAAAAAEdY/VlPA8K2mqCg/s1600/Glee.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-saDFzchfclo/TypMXO6qV5I/AAAAAAAAEdY/VlPA8K2mqCg/s400/Glee.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />I'm excited and I hope it happens!<br /><br />And while Josh isn't appearing, it's a great song for them to be showcasing.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-3608121038598484157?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-15812678914872574122012-01-30T06:18:00.001+10:002012-01-30T06:33:54.709+10:00<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bqirI_FSKMw?rel=0" width="480"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MiEvCCa6n1I/TyWtFy56UgI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/6Bww5eH2e4w/s1600/Tumblr.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MiEvCCa6n1I/TyWtFy56UgI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/6Bww5eH2e4w/s640/Tumblr.png" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-1581267891487257412?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-35404970115608535892012-01-27T14:26:00.001+10:002012-01-27T15:10:36.437+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rpKEycdV6Rw/TyIlKD93e-I/AAAAAAAAEdI/zjCslgFHGF4/s1600/Ellen1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rpKEycdV6Rw/TyIlKD93e-I/AAAAAAAAEdI/zjCslgFHGF4/s400/Ellen1.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />In honor of Ellen's 54th birthday, here are a couple of classic clips from when Josh has been on her show.<br /><br />The "Total Eclipse of the Heart" duet:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wdgsLWV4mbI?rel=0" width="480"></iframe></div><br />Oscar Tribute:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="244" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gNVfNRBZJCU" width="480"></iframe></div><br />Getting Musical:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="269" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7GxQk59-TRg?rel=0" width="470"></iframe></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-3540497011560853589?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-44386564471139238102012-01-26T06:14:00.003+10:002012-01-26T06:17:36.117+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-7U6QDOkUk/TyBjJRo88sI/AAAAAAAAEc8/nwxPgIPvaHg/s1600/TonyII2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-7U6QDOkUk/TyBjJRo88sI/AAAAAAAAEc8/nwxPgIPvaHg/s400/TonyII2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />A sneak peak at the PBS behind the scenes special on Tony Bennett's new album. Josh is seen briefly at 2:37.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="328" width="470"> <param name = "movie" value = "http://www-tc.pbs.org/s3/pbs.videoportal-prod.cdn/media/swf/PBSPlayer.swf" ></param><param name="flashvars" value="width=470&height=328&video=2189874225&player=viral&end=0&lr_admap=in:warnings:0;in:pbs:0" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name = "allowscriptaccess" value = "always" ></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www-tc.pbs.org/s3/pbs.videoportal-prod.cdn/media/swf/PBSPlayer.swf" flashvars="width=470&height=328&video=2189874225&player=viral&end=0&lr_admap=in:warnings:0;in:pbs:0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" wmode="transparent" allowfullscreen="true" width="470" height="328" bgcolor="#000000"></embed></object></div><div style="background: transparent; color: grey; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 5px; text-align: center; width: 470px;">Watch <a href="http://video.pbs.org/video/2189874225" style="color: #4eb2fe !important; font-weight: normal !important; height: 13px; text-decoration: none !important;" target="_blank">Scenes from Tony Bennett: Duets II</a> on PBS. See more from <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/" style="color: #4eb2fe !important; font-weight: normal !important; height: 13px; text-decoration: none !important;" target="_blank">Great Performances.</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-4438656447113923810?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-44806157236921851232012-01-22T17:30:00.000+10:002012-01-22T17:30:13.015+10:00So what's on your fan wish list & what have you been able to check off? Here's mine...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6TkMz60S7a8/Txu6d7s7GRI/AAAAAAAAEcw/NpLk2KJzyLs/s1600/Wishlist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6TkMz60S7a8/Txu6d7s7GRI/AAAAAAAAEcw/NpLk2KJzyLs/s640/Wishlist.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-4480615723692185123?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-40262837673940476512012-01-14T18:36:00.001+10:002012-01-18T07:06:12.438+10:00Yes, I've taken the plunge and created an <b>I Heart Josh Groban Tumblr</b> site which can be found at <a href="http://iheartjg.tumblr.com/">http://iheartjg.tumblr.com/</a><br /><br />The blog will remain here as is and will be used to update news etc, and the Tumblr site will be used to post random pics, videos,<br /><br />New videos of appearances etc. will continue to be posted here.<br /><br />I've posted a link in the column on the right hand side under the "Josh Blog Links..."<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-4026283767394047651?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-46852525415788611492012-01-14T07:49:00.000+10:002012-01-18T07:06:12.439+10:00The new clip is now up on YouTube, so here it is (again)...<br /><br />Go on, you know you want to.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0FpLzV0R5dY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />(And random fact - I'm totally in the crowd signing scene that was recorded after the Long Island show in early Nov 2011).<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-4685252541578861149?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-66174503281573168782012-01-14T05:48:00.000+10:002012-01-18T07:06:12.439+10:00If you'll be in LA on February 15th, you might want to check out the Musical Theatre of Los Angeles (<a href="http://www.musicaltheatrela.org/">http://www.musicaltheatrela.org/</a>) as they're doing a benefit performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (in Concert) that will benefit Josh's Find Your Light Foundation.<br /><br />Ticket prices from $25 (Mezzanine $45, Orchestra $60, VIP tickets $150) <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nPDPf5FRd8E/TxCHfJFOVyI/AAAAAAAAEcU/qIVczEP_TFI/s1600/josephposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nPDPf5FRd8E/TxCHfJFOVyI/AAAAAAAAEcU/qIVczEP_TFI/s640/josephposter.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><br />(<a href="http://www.musicaltheatrela.org/">Source</a>)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-6617450328157316878?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-66328163641820625852012-01-13T05:36:00.002+10:002012-01-18T07:06:12.440+10:00Congratulations to Josh on his new video for "If I Walk Away". And I also can't forget to mention what a great job his brother Chris did in directing and filming the video...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="637" height="478" id="AOLVP_us_1381284411001" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://o.aolcdn.com/videoplayer/AOL_PlayerLoader.swf"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><param name="flashvars" value="codever=1&videoid=1381284411001&stillurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpdl%2Estream%2Eaol%2Ecom%2Fpdlext%2Faol%2Fbrightcove%2Fus%2Fmusic%2Fmusicvideos%2Fwmg%5Freprise%2Fjoshgroban%2Fjoshgroban%5Fifiwalkaway%5Fvideo%5Fstill%5F480%2Ejpg&playerid=61371447001&publisherid=1612833736"></param><embed src="http://o.aolcdn.com/videoplayer/AOL_PlayerLoader.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" wmode="transparent" allowfullscreen="true" bgcolor="#000000" width="637" height="478" name="AOLVP_us_1381284411001" flashvars="codever=1&videoid=1381284411001&stillurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpdl%2Estream%2Eaol%2Ecom%2Fpdlext%2Faol%2Fbrightcove%2Fus%2Fmusic%2Fmusicvideos%2Fwmg%5Freprise%2Fjoshgroban%2Fjoshgroban%5Fifiwalkaway%5Fvideo%5Fstill%5F480%2Ejpg&playerid=61371447001&publisherid=1612833736"></embed></object></div><br />(Thanks to AOL for allowing it be available for embedding.)<br /><br />If you can't watch it will be available on YouTube tomorrow.<br /><br />(<a href="http://blog.music.aol.com/2012/01/12/josh-groban-if-i-walk-away-video/">Source</a>)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-6632816364182062585?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-19248366841750945482012-01-11T19:58:00.001+10:002012-01-11T19:59:55.261+10:00I've got to admit that for me, the highlight of the "Straight to You" tour was seeing Voce Existe Em Mim live.<br /><br />While I quite liked the song on the CD, nothing compares to being there live and feeling Josh's energy and that of the band. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZAJ-Fy_hROA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>></div><br /><i>(And if you've a good connection speed, make sure you watch it in 1080p HD.)</i><br /><br />Ok, so now over to you. Leave a comment letting me know what your favorite song was on the "Straight to You" tour set list.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-1924836684175094548?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-48882791700938237632012-01-10T20:37:00.000+10:002012-01-10T20:37:35.140+10:00Yes, you are reading correctly.&nbsp; Josh is back in the studio.&nbsp; Of course, it still could be 4 years until we hear any new music, but I'm hopeful we'll get the new album without the 4 year wait we had for "Illuminations".<br /><br />Josh's tweeted about his excitement of going back to the studio.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wmVOuenykdI/TwwTIFoXapI/AAAAAAAAEao/u-dNmPU0jRM/s1600/twitter.com%2B-%2B2012-01-10%2B-%2B20h-24m-37s.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wmVOuenykdI/TwwTIFoXapI/AAAAAAAAEao/u-dNmPU0jRM/s400/twitter.com%2B-%2B2012-01-10%2B-%2B20h-24m-37s.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />This particular tweet saw Josh receive a large number of suggestions, including a number that Josh retweeted including:<br /><br />RT @SawyerGB: @joshgroban a radio comedy set in 1959 in Wales!<br /><br />RT @Dracholos: @joshgroban Bacon. Record bacon.<br /><br />RT @Symphanie_: @joshgroban Andrea bocceli's spaghetti commercial song, you know the one?<br /><br />RT @theleslie: @joshgroban YOUR FACE. That's right. Find a way.<br /><br />RT @adimike55: @joshgroban Record something to get our minds off of the damn Mayans. They are threatening to ruin baseball with their silly calendar.<br /><br />Then he tweeted:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ERFPFXngu90/TwwTIAtJmcI/AAAAAAAAEaw/-jTSmlvNsnc/s1600/twitter.com%2B-%2B2012-01-10%2B-%2B20h-24m-56s.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ERFPFXngu90/TwwTIAtJmcI/AAAAAAAAEaw/-jTSmlvNsnc/s400/twitter.com%2B-%2B2012-01-10%2B-%2B20h-24m-56s.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />And finally:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-II1MFOr5Auk/TwwTIqS5q1I/AAAAAAAAEbA/wPQAi23K_C4/s1600/twitter.com%2B-%2B2012-01-10%2B-%2B20h-26m-48s.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-II1MFOr5Auk/TwwTIqS5q1I/AAAAAAAAEbA/wPQAi23K_C4/s640/twitter.com%2B-%2B2012-01-10%2B-%2B20h-26m-48s.png" width="404" /></a></div><br />(Source <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/joshgroban/statuses/156467014356054016">1</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/joshgroban/statuses/156470851703803905">2</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/joshgroban/statuses/156586557632028672">3</a>)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-4888279170093823763?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-20708969442726482752012-01-10T20:18:00.004+10:002012-01-10T21:00:15.174+10:00Exciting news, the new video for "If I Walk Away" that was shot and directed by Josh's brother Chris will be released to the public on AOL Thursday and then on YouTube Friday.<br /><br />Both Josh &amp; Chris also shared the news on Twitter:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vjCWovLV0UY/TwwWSjm55-I/AAAAAAAAEbM/NRt-HbpQR8w/s1600/twitter.com%2B-%2B2012-01-10%2B-%2B20h-38m-52s.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vjCWovLV0UY/TwwWSjm55-I/AAAAAAAAEbM/NRt-HbpQR8w/s400/twitter.com%2B-%2B2012-01-10%2B-%2B20h-38m-52s.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w0gydP_xHWg/TwwWSgUMHLI/AAAAAAAAEbU/D9YNEZcO3ic/s1600/twitter.com%2B-%2B2012-01-10%2B-%2B20h-42m-52s.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w0gydP_xHWg/TwwWSgUMHLI/AAAAAAAAEbU/D9YNEZcO3ic/s400/twitter.com%2B-%2B2012-01-10%2B-%2B20h-42m-52s.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />Chris filmed footage from on the road as we as live footage from the tour, and was shot in black and white.<br /><br />Josh's official site has released a few stills from the video and they're below for your viewing pleasure. They were originally released to FoJG members before being made public a few hours later.<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C29oTTMr14w/TwwZccQomSI/AAAAAAAAEb8/p8GkU_uXuQk/s1600/02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C29oTTMr14w/TwwZccQomSI/AAAAAAAAEb8/p8GkU_uXuQk/s400/02.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a5WFcVwXTco/TwwZLxOiOgI/AAAAAAAAEbw/V5-s6TuE8kw/s1600/03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a5WFcVwXTco/TwwZLxOiOgI/AAAAAAAAEbw/V5-s6TuE8kw/s400/03.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uJGDWdsumn0/TwwaKgwo4EI/AAAAAAAAEcI/jNSG8nMVO3Q/s1600/04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="225" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uJGDWdsumn0/TwwaKgwo4EI/AAAAAAAAEcI/jNSG8nMVO3Q/s400/04.png" /></a></div><br />(<a href="http://www.joshgroban.com/news/2012-01-09/%E2%80%9Cif-i-walk-away%E2%80%9D-music-video-premiering-thursday">Source</a>)<br /><br />(Twitter Source <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/joshgroban/statuses/156525892305289217">1</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Cgroban/statuses/156520838861033472">2</a>)<br /><br />(<a href="http://www.joshgroban.com/media/gallery">Images source</a>)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-2070896944272648275?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-14851932145654959732012-01-03T18:09:00.000+10:002012-01-03T18:09:23.371+10:00In case you haven't already seen it, Josh is joined by his brother Chris to give us an update on what's been happening..<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="353" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/34493541?portrait=0&amp;color=c9ff23" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="471"></iframe><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/34493541">I didn't say it would be a good vlog</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user604934">Josh Groban</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />Hello 2012 and/or people of earth.</div><br />Highlights<br /><ul><li>Josh back in the studio January 9th</li><li>Video for "If I Walk Away"... Release date, to be advised (well it is Groban after all)... </li><li>Josh to be in another comedy movie, that starts shooting in February.</li></ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-1485193214565495973?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-68455397792501923872012-01-01T07:15:00.000+10:002012-01-01T07:15:26.064+10:00I just wanted to wish all the readers of my humble little blog a very Happy New Year...<br /><br />Let's hope that 2012 is full of lots of Joshy news for us all. <br /><br />Take care, and thanks for reading.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--0Dr3Qh-G5M/Tv96NJAEHgI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/6D6MO_Ft76Q/s1600/D03_120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--0Dr3Qh-G5M/Tv96NJAEHgI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/6D6MO_Ft76Q/s640/D03_120.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-6845539779250192387?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-6139504730699087852011-12-15T05:22:00.000+10:002011-12-15T05:22:34.279+10:00What a lot of fun...<br /><br /><iframe width="470" height="269" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_yPK1pZ8z5E?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-613950473069908785?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-91005544750534573872011-12-09T06:31:00.002+10:002011-12-20T06:23:26.436+10:00<i>(Yes, I'm back after some time away, so regular posting will hopefully be returning)...</i><br /><br />Back from South Africa now the tour is over, Josh has been a guest co-host on LIVE! with Kelly. So far he's done two days, and returns for the final day tomorrow (US time).<br /><br /><b>Day 1 (Dec 7th) - </b>Click this <a href="http://bcove.me/2y72ponf">link</a> for host chat.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4vgoY20Qipg/TuEWpja4lnI/AAAAAAAAEY8/yhpunFK4BH8/s1600/JGK1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4vgoY20Qipg/TuEWpja4lnI/AAAAAAAAEY8/yhpunFK4BH8/s400/JGK1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nyLD0W02VqY/TuEWqsHMiXI/AAAAAAAAEZA/nH6xgMNuKQk/s1600/JGK2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nyLD0W02VqY/TuEWqsHMiXI/AAAAAAAAEZA/nH6xgMNuKQk/s400/JGK2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Em8dWtsHfHY/TuEWrVu482I/AAAAAAAAEZI/YzB2Ga6izkc/s1600/JGK3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Em8dWtsHfHY/TuEWrVu482I/AAAAAAAAEZI/YzB2Ga6izkc/s400/JGK3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_KpDk4tfRvo/TuEWsX8GopI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/k0lK6JdKtAU/s1600/JGK4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_KpDk4tfRvo/TuEWsX8GopI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/k0lK6JdKtAU/s400/JGK4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><embed base="http://admin.brightcove.com" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashvars="videoId=1314914708001&amp;playerId=1691028013&amp;viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&amp;servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&amp;cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&amp;domain=embed&amp;autoStart=false&amp;" height="322" name="flashObj" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" seamlesstabbing="false" src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1691028013" swliveconnect="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="486"></embed></div><br /><b>Day 2 (Dec 8th)</b> - Click this <a href="http://bcove.me/28fyrdg7">link</a> for host chat.<br /><br />Josh singing "I'll be Home for Christmas" - click this <a href="http://www.dadt.com/live/special/livestage/?bcpid=78294617001&amp;bckey=AQ%7E%7E,AAAAABGr2I4%7E,jeitpkmmkDlIYD6oBrUZCqvnpbbRW6u-&amp;bclid=913589515001&amp;bctid=1316789916001">link</a> (sorry, but I can't embed the clip) <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9C5rppkOgM4/TuEXnIWYQtI/AAAAAAAAEZc/_y0jIlxTt2E/s1600/JGk5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9C5rppkOgM4/TuEXnIWYQtI/AAAAAAAAEZc/_y0jIlxTt2E/s400/JGk5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V2BJeSyCsRA/TuEXn7nkv5I/AAAAAAAAEZg/leXWbbgxCBQ/s1600/JGK6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V2BJeSyCsRA/TuEXn7nkv5I/AAAAAAAAEZg/leXWbbgxCBQ/s400/JGK6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUoBxoDkRvs/TuEXoYGclwI/AAAAAAAAEZo/jh2JV3rkq_Q/s1600/JGK7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUoBxoDkRvs/TuEXoYGclwI/AAAAAAAAEZo/jh2JV3rkq_Q/s400/JGK7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Day 3 (Dec 9th) - </b>Click this <a href="http://bcove.me/e8sn5r6l">link</a> for host chat.<br /><br />Also - I'll be updating this post with more pics and videos as they show up, so check back over the next couple of days.<br /><br />(Picture source - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JoshGroban">Josh's Official Facebook Page</a>)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-9100554475053457387?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-4579479412113307702011-11-01T08:15:00.001+10:002011-11-01T08:17:11.717+10:00OMG, this is great!!!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1691028013" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1251564057001&playerId=1691028013&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="322" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-457947941211330770?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-79998502591348971382011-10-30T08:31:00.001+10:002011-10-30T08:31:59.912+10:00A couple of weeks ago, I posted an <a href="http://i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com/2011/10/new-music-video.html">article</a> where Josh mentioned that he would be working with his brother Chris on an upcoming music video.<br /><br />Chris has just posted this on his <a href="http://www.chrisgroban.com/blog/">blog</a> -<br /><blockquote>Hello peoples of the internet. First off, the cat has been out of the bag and dangling quite visibly for some days now. I’m directing a music video for my brother. This will result in a cavernous thud in the minds of some, but I know for others, namely fans of Josh Groban, this will come as overwhelmingly delightful news.<br /><br />The concept I drew up for the video was birthed from some cold hard facts: I have zero dollars for a budget, and we have to do it while he is on tour. A challenge to be sure. But I have been on the road with the tour for the better part of this week now, and I’m really happy with the footage so far. I’m on the road for a little over two weeks, and I plan to elaborate more once I’m home. So expect me to retroactively journal this experience in full as soon as the experience has resolved.<br /><br />Today provided a small snafu however, again something I’ll elaborate on in detail in a couple weeks. The quick story is that I woke up today with what felt like a miniature family of five living in my throat. Adorable, but they left little room for talking, or swallowing, or breathing. I’m stubborn, and spent several hours in the wee morning (I certainly wasn’t sleeping) deciding how I could forge ahead and make due. Instead, I freaked out and went to the emergency room. Half a day later, I lie back in my Orlando, Florida hotel room bed where I will be staying, unexpectedly, for at least a couple more days. I will say that I am fine and will be even better with a couple day’s rest. Unfortunately, the tour must go on without me, along with the rest of the video I need to shoot.<br /><br />Once in high school I shot a short video in my free time with some friends, and I never finished it. It’s the only project I never finished, and it has always bothered me. Bothered me only slightly less than it motivated me to carry to fruition all future endeavors. I write to you now atop a rickety bridge which I must soon decide whether to cross or dive off. And I will tell you now, if the choice becomes a matter of my health or finishing this video, then I must choose the former.<br /><br />This very day has been one of the most enlightening in some time. I’ve been working tirelessly for weeks. But all that work did was put me in the hospital, where I will inevitably be spending the profits of said work. So in the end, there is no way to cheat time. The few days of rest I could’ve spent earlier, potentially avoiding all sickness, instead occur now by force smack in the middle of a project that I love. But that wouldn’t have made for much of a story. A silver lining to this nauseating day I suppose.<br /><br />All of that said, plans are hovering, and plane tickets are waiting to be bought. I am checking back into the hospital tomorrow to see if these 24 hours have worked in my favor. If so, a couple more days of rest should be enough for me to justify picking up the camera again. I love this video so far, and I love working with my brother. It’s not an experience easily deserted. I’m afraid you all will have to stay tuned. And in the meanwhile, be good to yourselves. Work just ain’t worth it.<br /><br />- CG</blockquote>(<a href="http://www.chrisgroban.com/blog/">Source</a>)<br /><br />I really wish Chris a speedy recovery. At the end of the day his health is much more important.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-7999850259134897138?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-25517601165824400222011-10-29T05:44:00.000+10:002012-01-18T07:06:12.441+10:00Ben talking about collaborations that just didn't work...<br /><blockquote>I spent some time in a studio with Josh Groban and we had a blast. He’s one of the most talented people I’ve ever met. He’s smart, charming. I’m proud to call him my friend. We really didn’t do anything but watch Tim and Eric videos for two days. I think we’re determined to do something really good together at some point. I think we both walked away from that disappointed.</blockquote>(<a href="http://www.austinchronicle.com/blogs/music/2011-10-27/the-best-imitation-of-myself/">Source</a>)<br /><br />But thankfully for us we do have these two gems...<br /><br /><b>Still Fighting It...</b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jR7fHAf7lAQ?rel=0" width="420"></iframe></div><br /><b>Life is a Masquerade...</b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t9I2Gvf-ZwI?rel=0" width="420"></iframe></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-2551760116582440022?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-30190447524579624282011-10-28T06:28:00.000+10:002011-10-28T06:28:25.851+10:00From the Oman Tribune...<br /><blockquote>At 30 singer-songwriter Josh Groban has managed to retain a humble demeanour and a laidback, down-to-earth personality despite the kind of success that most singers can only dream of, writes Cindy Pearlman<br /><br />NOW and then, as his tour bus roars along a deserted highway in the middle of the night, Josh Groban mulls over the blur of his life. As the miles rush by, he tries to wrap his mind around how he got to where he is, how he became a pop star with four multiplatinum records and a promising acting career to boot.<br /><br />“It has been a fast and furious climb,” Groban says, speaking by telephone from a stop on his Straight to You tour. “I was signed at age 17. Then I was thrown into huge environments where it was either sink or swim. I’m a good swimmer and I continued to swim in the deep end – and then the first album came out. Suddenly there was this explosion of fans.”<br /><br />He still had to contend with moments of self-doubt which were hard to handle amid his burgeoning career.<br /><br />“It felt like I had to live up to all of these things that literally exploded all around me,” Groban recalls with a bemused laugh. “I had to grow into my puppy paws as an artist.”<br /><br />That was more than a decade ago, though. At 30 the singer/songwriter has managed to retain a humble demeanor and a laid-back, down-to-earth personality despite the kind of success that most singers can only dream of. In 2007 he was the top-selling artist in the United States, and he has sold more than 24 million CDs worldwide.<br /><br />You’d think that he’d be beating off the women with a stick, but Groban – who at one point was linked to actress January Jones – reports that he’s single and not happy about it.<br /><br />“No, I’m not dating anyone,” he says. “That’s what sucks about being on the road. There’s not enough time for film roles and not enough time to meet people.”<br /><br />Well, not to meet women, perhaps. He did meet the legendary crooner Tony Bennett, with whom he duets on This Is All I Ask on Bennett’s hit album Duets II.<br /><br />“Without a doubt it was one of the greatest honors of my career,” Groban says. “Make that my entire life. Tony is someone I’ve always looked up to because of what he has done for one of my favorite styles of music.”<br /><br />He found the 85-year-old Bennett’s work ethic inspiring.<br /><br />“At 8 in the morning, Tony showed up for sound check looking impeccable in an amazing suit,” Groban recalls, still seeming in awe. ``He sang full-out at that hour in the morning. I saw such a fire in him.<br /><br />“The real greats maintain such a humility for their craft,” the young singer says, “and they never lose their desire to strive for greatness. It was also just plain fun to stand on the sidelines and watch Tony warm up.<br /><br />“The cool thing is that he likes to record without headphones,” Groban adds. “We just stood there as two guys with two mikes. It was so old school and a great master-class way to do it. We had such a wonderful day in the studio.”<br /><br />Lately, however, Groban has been finding his way into film and television studios as well as recording studios. He played an obnoxious lawyer in Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011), and recently did a guest stint on The Office as Walter Jr., brother of Andy (Ed Helms).<br /><br />“I have been a big fan of the show, ever since it was an English show,” he says. “When The Office came to America, I watched it and thought they did a brilliant job of making it their own. I became hooked and watched every episode.<br /><br />“The deal is that Andy, played by Ed Helms, is the firstborn in his family,” Groban continues. “That’s usually the favorite son. I’m the second-born, and my name is Walter Jr. after our father. Somehow I stole the name from him, and I’m more happy-go-lucky and successful than Andy. I can do no wrong in our parents’ eyes.”<br /><br />He was a bit nervous stepping into the well-established ensemble cast of The Office, the singer admits.</blockquote>(<a href="http://www.omantribune.com/index.php?page=leisure_details&id=5984&heading=Special%20Features">Source</a>)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-3019044752457962428?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-88024759829106856692011-10-22T05:35:00.000+10:002011-10-22T05:35:33.489+10:00Josh is such a natural host. Enjoy!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1691028013" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1231139481001&playerId=1691028013&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="322" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-8802475982910685669?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-52870323222048402032011-10-18T06:26:00.002+10:002011-10-18T06:33:49.948+10:00You've probably already noticed that I haven't posted many tour videos on the site (except for the odd one or two including the amazing <a href="http://i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com/2011/08/double-dream-hands.html">Double Dream Hands</a>), and I confess this has been quite a deliberate move.&nbsp; Apart from not having enough time to search for them, I'm also trying my best to hold out watching clips until I actually get to see Josh in November (and yes, I know I'm a little crazy attempting this).<br /><br />But I've just found a great Tumblr site - <a href="http://straighttoyoutour.tumblr.com/">Straight to You Tour Blog</a> which has an awesome collection of videos from the tour. So go check it out if you want to see clips from the tour in an easy to find format! (The link to the site will also be included in my Blog Links on the right-hand side.)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-5287032322204840203?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-27536049310208045982011-10-17T18:23:00.002+10:002011-10-17T18:23:46.412+10:00A short phone interview with Josh that aired on Cape Town radio station KFM.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F25721367&amp;show_comments=true&amp;auto_play=false&amp;color=8d00ff"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="81" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F25721367&amp;show_comments=true&amp;auto_play=false&amp;color=8d00ff" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed> </object> <a href="http://soundcloud.com/stem-kfm-co-za/josh-groban-on-kfm-breakfast">Josh Groban on KFM Breakfast</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/stem-kfm-co-za">stem@kfm.co.za</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-2753604931020804598?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-36385803343685256642011-10-16T06:31:00.000+10:002011-10-16T06:31:03.005+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KiR0wLFCF1k/TpntUD91UhI/AAAAAAAAEWM/hKInTPP4_zU/s1600/office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KiR0wLFCF1k/TpntUD91UhI/AAAAAAAAEWM/hKInTPP4_zU/s400/office.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In the interviews Josh did for his appearance on the office, there was one little piece of information he shared that I found to be quite intriguing. When discussing his own relationship with his brother (Chris), he had the following to say (take particular note of the second last sentence)- <br /><blockquote>I adore my brother to death. He is one of my favorite people on Earth. We are the best of friends. We’re both in the entertainment industry. I’m in the music business and he is a film director and editor but the dynamic, especially when you are exactly four years apart and you have to share a birthday [they were both born on February 27] from the age of four on — it was one of those things when we are 10 and 14, it was a little bit awkward. After that, we were able to kind of settle into our ages. Now we can go out and have a beer and talk about anything. Especially with him watching the ridiculously early success that I had and the fact that he kept his own head and kept his blinders on and really kicked butt in his own way and his own world — now we collaborate all the time. <b>He’s directing a music video for me next week.</b> I’ve composed some music for some of his films</blockquote>So the question is, what song will Chris be directing the music video for? Leave me a comment if you have any ideas what the next single/video might be. Personally, my pics would be "If I Walk Away" or "Voce Existe Em Mim".<br /><br />(<a href="http://xfinitytv.comcast.net/blogs/2011/interviews/josh-groban-teases-possible-office-sing-off/">Source</a>)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-3638580334368525664?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-34203289435179656232011-10-15T05:04:00.000+10:002011-10-15T05:04:51.440+10:00As a fan of The Office, it only took a single Tweet from the show’s star/writer Mindy Kaling to convince Josh Groban to lend his considerable soccer mom cache to the hip NBC sitcom. Add to that a miraculous synchronicity between his touring dates and the show’s shooting schedule and the next thing he knew, Groban was standing on the Schrute Farms set messing around with his TV brother and new Dunder Mifflin branch manager Andy Bernard (played by Ed Helms). With mere hours to go before the airing of his appearance on the show, Groban – who has also guest-starred on Ally McBeal and Glee – spoke to reporters about balancing acting and singing with his personal life, his relationship with his real life brother, and how he’d love to play a drug dealer on Breaking Bad.<br /><br /><b>Q</b> <i>Most people will recognize you as a singer but you’ve flirted with acting your whole life.</i><br /><blockquote><b>A</b> When I was young I was really interested in theatre, so I guess the first thing that got me interested in acting was the idea that I’d hoped to be a theatre actor at one point. I was really fascinated with Shakespeare and I loved improv. When I was in eighth and ninth grade I joined an improv troupe in LA and eventually went on to a wonderful arts high school and studied theatre there, and before I was signed to my record label I was a freshmen at Carnegie Mellon and studied musical theatre there so acting was definitely at least half of what I wanted to accomplish in the arts.</blockquote><b>Q</b> <i>How did the opportunity to appear on The Office come about?</i><br /><blockquote><b>A</b> When Mindy Kaling asked me to do the show, she actually direct message Tweeted me. I was shocked to hear from her. And I said, “I’d love to do the show; when are you thinking?’ and it just so happened that the week they were taping the episode was the exact week, out of an eight month tour that I’m doing, that I happened to be in the Los Angeles area. It was 100 per cent serendipity and I’m so happy that the stars lined up for that.</blockquote><b>Q </b><i>As a longtime fan of the show, how did it feel stepping into that world?</i><br /><blockquote><b>A</b> The really cool thing about this particular episode was that it’s such an ensemble episode. As a fan of the show, showing up at Schrute Farms and seeing everybody that I love from the show gathered in one place was really an amazing, pinch-me moment for me.</blockquote><b>Q</b> <i>On the episode, you play Walter Jr, Andy’s younger and more successful brother. In real life, you share a birthday with your younger brother, which must have caused some awkward moments. Did you see any similarities in your character’s relationship with his brother to that of your own?</i><br /><blockquote><b>A</b> Subconsciously, I think there’s always a rivalry in the family, whether you choose to admit it or not. I adore my brother to death. The dynamic, especially when you’re exactly four years apart and you have to share a birthday from the age of four on – when it was 10 and 14, a little bit awkward, after that we were able to settle into our ages and now we can go and have a beer and talk about anything. I’m sure that he and I will get a really great laugh out of this episode because, at certain points in our lives, there are similarities between us and Andy and Walter Jr.</blockquote><b>Q</b> <i>You’re touring until December; do you find that you’re sacrificing anything by always being on the road for so long?</i><br /><blockquote><b>A</b> I’m not dating anyone. There are two things that suck about being on the road: there’s not a lot of time to film things and there’s not a lot of time to meet people.</blockquote><b>Q</b> <i>Finally, now that you’ve been on The Office, is there any other show you’d like to appear on?</i><br /><blockquote><b>A</b> I would love to play someone really bad on Breaking Bad. I would love to play a drug dealer or something. I’m completely obsessed with that series. It would be wonderful for me to be on 30 Rock, too.</blockquote>(<a href="http://arts.nationalpost.com/2011/10/14/qa-josh-groban-on-his-office-role/">Source</a>)<br /><br />Did you watch the episode?&nbsp; What did you think?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-3420328943517965623?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-38831645441549853062011-10-10T18:15:00.001+10:002012-01-18T07:06:12.441+10:00Looks like he's channeling Richard from Crazy, Stupid, Love with the hair. LOL<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ezWl5rOZmNk?rel=0" width="420"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe id="NBC Video Widget" width="512" height="347" src="http://www.nbc.com/assets/video/widget/widget.html?vid=1361528" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-3883164544154985306?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-9934640430338328272011-10-08T07:16:00.001+10:002011-10-08T07:17:18.456+10:00I was having an inner debate about posting this, but since Josh tweeted about it... LOL<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SuN3c2_tGTg/To9rZy4wDqI/AAAAAAAAEV0/SzAE0GEcTKg/s1600/jgn1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SuN3c2_tGTg/To9rZy4wDqI/AAAAAAAAEV0/SzAE0GEcTKg/s400/jgn1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_WWUqh799Ew/To9rfQKaCDI/AAAAAAAAEV4/h4QSq_N11fA/s1600/jgn2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_WWUqh799Ew/To9rfQKaCDI/AAAAAAAAEV4/h4QSq_N11fA/s400/jgn2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FI3jrzJWOCs/To9rsPWNQhI/AAAAAAAAEV8/QfOZmHL8ZR0/s1600/JGshirtless1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FI3jrzJWOCs/To9rsPWNQhI/AAAAAAAAEV8/QfOZmHL8ZR0/s320/JGshirtless1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />(<a href="http://www.infdaily.com/2011/10/exclusive-pics-josh-groban-gets-naked-on-his-hotel-balcony.html">Source</a>)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-993464043033832827?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-68488827857388032592011-10-06T05:32:00.000+10:002011-10-06T05:32:28.023+10:00This is so cute -&nbsp; <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="353" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/28482251?portrait=0&amp;color=8e4bcc" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="471"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/28482251">Carousel Theatre- Aidan's Interview with Josh Groban</a> from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/user8347494">Carousel Theatre</a> on <a href="http://www.blogger.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div><br />A Carousel Theatre student, Aidan (Age 6), was invited backstage to interview singer Josh Groban before his August 30 concert at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC.<br /><br />Aidan came prepared with microphone, backstage pass and reporter hat (and pirate tie).<br /><br />The short interview is followed by a chat between Aidan and Jessie, Carousel Theatre's General Manager, who was curious about Aidan's experience.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-6848882785738803259?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-58524094590465062972011-10-01T06:22:00.002+10:002011-10-01T06:24:16.005+10:00A couple of days ago Josh re-tweeted a video of a Norwegian comedian, Vegard Ylvisåker, who impersonated Josh for his tv show "I kveld med Ylvis" (Tonight with Ylvis). To see that clip click <a href="http://www.vg.no/rampelys/artikkel.php?artid=10030165">here</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXErsGYab1w/ToYjg_Hd1wI/AAAAAAAAES4/ThWFagbvANI/s1600/Imp0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXErsGYab1w/ToYjg_Hd1wI/AAAAAAAAES4/ThWFagbvANI/s640/Imp0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Well another video has surfaced that shows just how far he went, including a visit to a radio station and even getting into the venue where Josh was performing.<br /><br />Watch the clip below:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TGtiR4jbLb0?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div><br />I've gotta say that this did make me laugh, but I was glad to see that security at the venue finally twigged to the fact he wasn't Josh.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u8bQSoZUDts/ToYkanbpxUI/AAAAAAAAETM/NnVKr2QSnxI/s1600/Imp1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u8bQSoZUDts/ToYkanbpxUI/AAAAAAAAETM/NnVKr2QSnxI/s640/Imp1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ri2s0aNq2Zo/ToYka4V1cwI/AAAAAAAAETc/hResN4gf3p8/s1600/Imp3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ri2s0aNq2Zo/ToYka4V1cwI/AAAAAAAAETc/hResN4gf3p8/s640/Imp3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fbJmH9hRD6k/ToYkao2SwMI/AAAAAAAAETU/VSQxZr0wWmw/s1600/Imp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fbJmH9hRD6k/ToYkao2SwMI/AAAAAAAAETU/VSQxZr0wWmw/s640/Imp2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-5852409459046506297?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com2Oslo - Norway59.91294250708035 10.7544499349853659.899976007080355 10.72535043498536 59.92590900708035 10.783549434985359tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-67215654137969762632011-09-30T20:02:00.000+10:002011-09-30T20:02:27.759+10:00Josh is seen briefly in this Target commercial wishing Tony Bennett a Happy 85th birthday. Other stars in the clip include Stevie Wonder, Carrie Underwood, Josh Groban, K D lang, Elton John, Alejandro Sanz, Michael Buble and Jackie Evancho.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Nfv1rAGehRI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-6721565413796976263?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-79300077575616942011-09-23T07:02:00.001+10:002011-09-23T07:03:55.785+10:00Tony Bennett has posted this pic on his Facebook site:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EeGpgb5ZrVg/TnuiN_t0tmI/AAAAAAAAESQ/1d_ZDsKn9M0/s1600/tonybennett2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EeGpgb5ZrVg/TnuiN_t0tmI/AAAAAAAAESQ/1d_ZDsKn9M0/s640/tonybennett2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LmrpgI9Yb-4/TnuiNu0FG8I/AAAAAAAAESI/-75O9zHZrO4/s1600/tonybennett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LmrpgI9Yb-4/TnuiNu0FG8I/AAAAAAAAESI/-75O9zHZrO4/s640/tonybennett.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-7930007757561694?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-19420033092321113712011-09-18T00:15:00.007+10:002011-09-18T06:39:29.751+10:00If you have a blog and would like to share I Heart Josh Groban with your readers, I've now added a "Blog Badge" that should make sharing even easier. Just copy the code and add it to your blog as a gadget/widget.<br /><br />This is the image that will be seen on your blog.<br /><br /><img alt="I Heart Josh Groban" height="125" src="http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq172/i_heart_jg/NewJG.jpg" width="125" /><br /><br />And this is the code that can be used. <br /><br /><div style="border: 1px solid #666666; height: 125px; overflow: auto; width: 300px;">&lt;a href="http://i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;img src="http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq172/i_heart_jg/NewJG.jpg" alt="I Heart Josh Groban" width="125" height="125" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;</div><br />If you do share it on your blog, leave a comment and let me know. At my discretion, I'll add some sites to either my "Josh Blog Links" (on the right hand side for all things Josh related) or "Friends of I Heart JG" (on the left hand side for those sites not about Josh)<br /><br />Keep on spreading the Josh. xoxo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-1942003309232111371?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-15462063357902705492011-09-17T07:54:00.000+10:002011-09-17T07:54:57.107+10:00Live in Boston with the Boston Pops Orchestra from back in 2008<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="470" height="269" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SeRfxpzKdI8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-1546206335790270549?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-2508849552037420152011-09-15T05:13:00.003+10:002012-01-18T07:06:12.442+10:00Listen to the entire song from Tony's upcoming Duets II at NPR.<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=140408084&m=140404970">here</a> to listen Josh and Tony sing "This Is All I Ask".<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/09/14/140408084/first-listen-tony-bennett-duets-ii">here</a> to listen to the entire album.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v37Xv1lj090/TnD-c2FjJDI/AAAAAAAAEPo/LRY0OwpYclQ/s1600/DuetsII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="398" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v37Xv1lj090/TnD-c2FjJDI/AAAAAAAAEPo/LRY0OwpYclQ/s400/DuetsII.jpg" /></a></div><br />Other songs on the album include:<br /><blockquote>The Lady Is a Tramp feat. Lady Gaga<br />One For My Baby (And One More For the Road) feat. John Mayer<br />Body and Soul feat. Amy Winehouse<br />Don't Get Around Much Anymore feat. Michael Bublé<br />Blue Velvet feat. k.d. lang <br />How Do You Keep the Music Playing feat. Aretha Franklin <br />The Girl I Love feat. Sheryl Crow<br />On the Sunny Side of the Street feat. Willie Nelson<br />Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me) feat. Queen Latifah<br />Speak Low feat. Norah Jones<br />This Is All I Ask feat. Josh Groban<br />Watch What Happens feat. Natalie Cole<br />Stranger in Paradise feat. Andrea Bocelli<br />The Way You Look Tonight feat. Faith Hill<br />Yesterday I Heard the Rain feat. Alejandro Sanz<br />It Had To Be You feat. Carrie Underwood<br />When Do the Bells Ring for Me feat. Mariah Carey</blockquote><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-250884955203742015?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-16408236265834025092011-09-12T06:07:00.000+10:002011-09-12T06:07:30.371+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7ec96ThlpI/Tm0Sk29mTOI/AAAAAAAAEO4/t4wtR0Ckj90/s1600/JG911.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7ec96ThlpI/Tm0Sk29mTOI/AAAAAAAAEO4/t4wtR0Ckj90/s400/JG911.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EXOVP3Tk6Lw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>(According to a Google search, the female artist on this track is <a href="http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=573874">Jewlá</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-1640823626583402509?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-15781409557726575322011-09-10T06:04:00.000+10:002011-09-10T06:04:05.504+10:00Looks like Josh is having fun in London.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AM5plSTdpWA/TmpvUOBtdFI/AAAAAAAAEOg/w4bs93KjCpE/s1600/twit0909.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AM5plSTdpWA/TmpvUOBtdFI/AAAAAAAAEOg/w4bs93KjCpE/s400/twit0909.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pESGokqAtuo/TmpvUPgj3jI/AAAAAAAAEOo/2v2lJEBtjfQ/s400/twit0909a.jpeg" width="225" /></div><br />The European leg of the tour will kick off with a performance at the Proms in the Park on Saturday 10 September. Earlier Josh had tweeted he was battling a sore throat, so fingers crossed it doesn't impede him in taking part in this show.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yqeOsWv1RU4/Tmpwm4xB1LI/AAAAAAAAEOw/Exb87guF5X4/s1600/twit0909b.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yqeOsWv1RU4/Tmpwm4xB1LI/AAAAAAAAEOw/Exb87guF5X4/s400/twit0909b.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Here are the dates for the European leg of the tour:<br /><br /><b>SEPTEMBER</b><br />14 - Konzerthaus, Vienna, Austria<br />16 - Tempodrom, Berlin, Germany<br />18 - Falconer, Copenhagen, Denmark<br />20 - Grieghallen Westlandshallen, Bergen, Norway<br />21 - Spectrum, Oslo, Norway<br />23 - The Globe, Stockholm, Sweden<br />25 - Finlandia Hall, Helsinki, Finland<br />26 - Tampere Hall, Tampere, Finland<br />30 - Philharmonie, Munich, Germany<br /><br /><b>OCTOBER</b><br />02 - Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, The Netherlands<br />03 - Le Grand, Paris, France<br />06 - KKL Luzern, Lucerne, Switzerland<br />09 - Phillipshalle, Dusseldorf, Germany<br />11 - Hammersmith Apollo, London, England<br />12 - Symphony Hall, Birmingham, England<br />14 - Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, England<br />16 - Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Scotland<br />18 - Waterfront, Belfast, Northern Ireland.<br />19 - Grand Canal, Dublin, Ireland<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-1578140955772657532?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-38851587767167283492011-09-07T06:24:00.000+10:002011-09-07T06:24:53.741+10:00By <span>Gwenda Nemerofsky of the Winnipeg Free Press.</span><br /><blockquote>Groban does it all with solid skill<br />Shows range of talents for appreciative fans in energetic show<br /><br />At the MTS Centre Sunday night, Josh Groban firmly established himself as a modern-day Renaissance man. The 30-year-old multi-platinum superstar not only has a lovely and astonishingly flexible baritone voice, but is a songwriter, skilful drummer and philanthropist. Charming the crowd with his familiar hits and friendly, self-effacing patter, Groban offered up a fast-paced show complete with audience participation.<br /><br />Opening with the moving Changing Colors, Groban, wearing black pants, dark jacket, white T-shirt and black-and-white runners, sat at the piano, centre arena, unperturbed by hordes of fans gathering around snapping photos.<br /><br />February Song and a bass-heavy You Are Loved, both from his Awake album, followed -- perfect vehicles to highlight his rich low register and faultless (very) high notes.<br /><br />Backed up by a substantial band including two violins, viola, cello, trumpet, two French horns, trombone, guitar, bass, piano and two drummers, Groban was occasionally overtaken, despite his powerful voice and even more powerful amplification. This was most evident in Alle Luce del Sole; its popular melody was all but lost in the pounding rhythm. Groban sounded best when the band kept things understated.<br /><br />Aléjate (Just Walk Away), from his debut album, featured Tariqh Akoni on guitar and Groban bringing great warmth to his voice and sensitivity that sounded sincere. Only the gyrating violinist and violist vying for attention detracted from this performance.<br /><br />Throughout the evening, the energetic Groban chatted with the audience, walking (accompanied by burly bodyguards) through the aisles, stopping to connect with his fans. He responded to texts from listeners, including an invitation to a sleepover from seven-year-old Aidan. He brought tenor Mitchell onstage to sing a few phrases of You Raise Me Up with him.<br /><br />The atmospheric ode Bells of New York City from his recent Illuminations album was a highlight, with its beautiful melody, superb instrumentation (complete with tubular bells) and Groban's singing at its clearest and purest. We swayed to Weeping, the South African protest song Groban recorded with Ladysmith Black Mambazo in 2006.<br /><br />The yearning Higher Window, inspired by tough times in Groban's love life, was a resonant reach-out to the crowd, especially the ladies, who couldn't resist the vulnerable quality of his sweet high notes.<br /><br />Galileo was reminiscent of John Denver's lyrical style, with projections of the planets and universe on the adaptable faux stone wall backdrop. Encore piece Play Me (Neil Diamond) rivalled the original version.<br /><br />To the crowd's delight, Groban showed off his drumming expertise in two numbers. He also acknowledged a group of youngsters from Winnipeg's Graffiti Gallery, who were his guests at the concert and at a pre-concert reception. Through his Find Your Light Foundation, dedicated to enriching the lives of young people through arts, education and cultural awareness, Groban made a donation to the non-profit youth arts centre.<br /><br />Rock pianist ELEW warmed up the crowd with high-powered piano-technics, performed while in an uncomfortable-looking lunge position.<br /><br />Concert Review<br /><br />Josh Groban<br /><br /> Straight to You Tour<br /> MTS Centre<br /> Sept. 4 Attendance: 6500<br /> Four and a half stars out of five<br /></blockquote>(<a href="http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/music/groban-does-it-all-with-solid-skill-129285368.html">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-3885158776716728349?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0MTS Centre, Winnipeg, MB - Canada49.8928986242391 -97.1437953730163649.8886046242391 -97.15229987301636 49.8971926242391 -97.13529087301636tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-6410225207248432572011-09-02T05:47:00.000+10:002011-09-02T05:47:23.512+10:00Well if things go to plan, Josh should be appearing on "Piers Morgan Tonight" tonight at 9pmET/PT. Having already been bumped 2 times before, lets hope that this interview finally makes it to air.A teaser below has been been posted on the CNN website - "As a 30-year-old guy...there are times you want to go out with your band and crew, and you want to party all night."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="374" id="ep" width="416"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="movie" value="http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/apps/cvp/3.0/swf/cnn_416x234_embed.swf?context=embed&videoId=bestoftv/2011/09/01/exp.piers.josh.groban.drugs.cnn" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000" /><embed src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/apps/cvp/3.0/swf/cnn_416x234_embed.swf?context=embed&videoId=bestoftv/2011/09/01/exp.piers.josh.groban.drugs.cnn" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="416" wmode="transparent" height="374"></embed></object></div><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-641022520724843257?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-26498655136497171742011-08-31T18:41:00.000+10:002011-08-31T18:41:16.881+10:00Thank you, thank you, thank you Francois Marchand of the Vancouver Sun. <br /><blockquote>Review: Josh Groban sings his heart out in Vancouver<br /> <br />Operatic pop singer raises Rogers Arena with big voice and big laughs<br /><br />When: Tuesday night<br /><br />Where: Rogers Arena<br /><br />VANCOUVER - Josh Groban's heart is, quite obviously, as big as his powerful baritone.<br /><br />The 30-year-old operatic pop singer can make you laugh with a few zingers just as easily as he can tug on your heartstrings through song, something that has played a big role in his enduring popularity.<br /><br />At Rogers Arena in Vancouver Tuesday night, Groban didn't miss a single opportunity to use his wit as much as his incredible set of pipes, mixing comedy and drama without skipping a beat, much to the delight of his fans.<br /><br />"You paid out the wazoo to be here tonight," he said at the start of the two-hour show. "The least I can do is sing my ass off."<br /><br />There you had it: The essence of his current Straight To You tour was a mix of congeniality and string-laden pop appeal, guy-next-door charm intertwined with uplifting musical bravado (peppered with a little cheese here and there, of course).<br /><br />It certainly doesn't hurt when you have five albums to pick and choose material from, Groban's latest being Illuminations, produced by the mighty Rick Rubin, a man whose signature "bring it back back to your roots" approach has most recently created a monster in British soul-pop singer Adele on her chart-busting album 21.<br /><br />Illuminations, released late last year, marked a sonic departure for an artist associated with "hit-man" David Foster, who made Groban a worldwide sensation and an Oprah favourite to boot.<br /><br />It also firmly established the L.A.-bred singer in his new hometown of New York City, a locale whose presence is felt throughout the album.<br /><br />More confessional, closer to the heart - how does one make it truly shine in a faceless, if slightly more intimate than usual, arena setting?<br /><br />(The upper balcony level was closed, and the concourse was unusually quiet, which is probably a good indication of the kind of crowd that attends a Groban concert: Mostly older couples, moms and dads, with a few groups of young female fans doing the bulk of the real screaming. As one tongue-in-cheek tweet put it best before the show: "Daughters, lock up your mothers - Josh Groban is playing Vancouver tonight.")<br /><br />Groban's approach Tuesday night was to use every trick in the book to make it click with the crowd on a personal level.<br /><br />Taking text messages from fans? Check.<br /><br />Going into the audience using one of the many "Grobanite Access Points" (ie. the steps leading off the stage and into the crowd)? Done.<br /><br />Singing a bit of Awake with a fan in the stands? Yep.<br /><br />The core of the concert, of course, was the songs, and Groban can belt those out like few can.<br /><br />Right from the start, a cover of Canadian indie band Great Lake Swimmers' Changing Colours and February Song had Groban - sporting a jacket, T-shirt, black jeans and sneakers - singing from a platform in the middle of the crowd.<br /><br />If the evening revolved around a predictable theme, love and hope, with songs like You Are Loved (Don't Give Up) and Galileo (Someone Like You), Groban also showcased his multi-linguistic skills on Alejate (sung in Spanish), Alla Luce Del Sole (in Italian) and Voce Existe Em Mim (in Portuguese).<br /><br />Groban's voice went from a rich, quivering baritone to soaring heights with ease, Groban often tickling the ivories, backed by a mighty symphonic band consisting of a dozen musicians handling strings, horns, guitar, bass and percussions. (Speaking of percussions, Groban got to show off his drumming skills halfway through the show. Let's just say the guy knows what he's doing.)<br /><br />The stage was designed to look like an old amphitheatre wall with a broken half arch jutting out in the middle (if the show had taken place at the Orpheum, it would have been redundant), with projections lighting up the prop throughout - animated waves on Oceano, New York landmarks during Bells of New York City, fire escapes and stairs on Higher Window.<br /><br />(There were no screens showing video close-ups of Groban, however, which may have disappointed some.)<br /><br />For all the criticism levelled against him - the main one being that he is too "easy-listening" - Groban knows how to give his fans exactly what they want: Who he really is, awkward jokes and all.<br /><br />Ultimately, how can you not appreciate a guy who, beyond being genuinely talented and likeable, is also dedicated to various charitable endeavours and social causes: In Vancouver, Groban donated some of the money made from ticket sales - via his Find Your Light Foundation - to Carousel Theatre, an organization dedicated to inspiring kids and families through theatrical performances.<br /><br />You stay classy, Josh Groban.</blockquote>(<a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/story.html?id=5330870">Source</a>)<br /><br.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-2649865513649717174?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC - Canada49.27771719538923 -123.108794045507849.264969695389226 -123.1272675455078 49.29046469538923 -123.09032054550781tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-86103618627825259442011-08-28T19:47:00.000+10:002011-08-28T19:47:18.598+10:00By Shawna Laing<br /><blockquote>Multiplatinum-selling singer-songwriter Josh Groban took over MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday night in Adidas sneakers, a sports coat and his signature mop of dark curly hair. It was a sold-out crowd of hysterical Grobanites. A single spotlight on the Grammy- and Oscar-nominated 30-year-old baritone, Groban entered with “Changing Colors” and “February Song.” His last stop in Las Vegas was four years ago, and his fans were ready.<br /><br />Groban crooned in English, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian. He amused the masses with impersonations of Bob Marley, Jersey Boys, Elmo and Beyonce (complete with choreography). The 2-hour set list included “Alla Luce Del Sole,” “Machine,” “Voce Existe Em Mim,” “Bells of New York City,” “If I Walk Away,” “You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up),” “Galileo” and his signature “You Raise Me Up.” Most powerful was “The War at Home,” a song he wrote for the military.<br /><br />Crowd participation is a central theme of Groban’s Straight to You Tour. The audience was encouraged to snap photographs, record video and get up-close-and-personal with Groban. He referred to the stage stairs with trepidation. His security calls them GAPS, aka Grobanite Access Points. He said that Las Vegas fans smell like “Chanel No. 5 and barbecue.”<br /><br />Groban led into the Q&A segment of the evening by saying, “Let’s open up this box of chocolates and see where the nuts are!” The first question came from Stephanie front and center: “When the world ends in 2012, I will be at Disneyland … where will you be?” Groban responded with “Vegas riding the New York, New York rollercoaster, eating Grimaldi’s pizza and at Crazy Horse every night ... amateur night!”<br /><br />There was a brief intermission with a fierce orchestral cover of “Live and Let Die.” Groban’s music director and guitarist Tariqh Akoni genuinely enjoys his job and shows it, and impeccable pianist Mark Stephens resembles Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller.<br /><br />Groban talked of his Find Your Light Foundation, which supports a local instrument recycling charity -- Music for Hope. Music for Hope distributes refurbished instruments to local youth programs. Groban described his childhood in the arts -- the impact, influence and joy. “Text ART to 50555 to make a $10 donation to support the cause,” he implored the audience.<br /><br />Groban revealed that he purposely schedules a break in his tour to accommodate ample recreation time in Las Vegas. He was spotted at the Cosmopolitan early yesterday morning. He dined at STK and partied at Marquee, where fellow warbler Mark Salling (of Glee fame) was celebrating his 29th birthday. @JoshGroban later tweeted “Vegas I tried, fatigue 1 fun 0.”<br /><br />If you missed the show at MGM Grand Garden Arena, you can get an ample dose of Groban by watching The Office next season, when Josh joins the cast as Andy Bernard’s brother. He is currently on the big screen in Crazy, Stupid, Love starring, coincidentally, The Office’s Steve Carrell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.<br /><br />Thanks to Tom Donoghue for his photo gallery from the Straight to You Tour stop.<br /></blockquote>(<a href="http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/aug/22/photos-josh-grobans-straight-you-tour-mgm-grand-ga/">Source</a>) - check the link for Tom Donoghue's photos.<br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-8610361862782525944?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-47057586828163612492011-08-27T17:25:00.001+10:002011-08-27T17:26:43.108+10:00By Patricia Willers.<br /><blockquote>Who knew a bari-tenor could have groupies?<br /><br />Josh Groban put on an excellent show Wednesday night at Power Balance Pavilion. Groban began the show on a stage in the center of the arena, dozens of Grobanites, as they are called, swarming around the raised platform.<br /><br />“You guys are circling like sharks,” said Groban.<br /><br />His show was spotted with comedy, which was a rather delightful surprise. One doesn’t necessary expect to laugh at a Josh Groban concert, and in fact, everyone did – and frequently. Throughout the show he was tremendously interactive with the audience.<br /><br />“I had a Starbucks earlier,” said Groban. “I’m really sorry.”<br /><br />It would be interesting to know if this is the vibe and character of a normal show, or if it was a uniquely caffeinated mood. Judging by his confidence, mixing at random - “I Wanna Sex You Up” and eggs over easy; it seems that he was born caffeinated.<br /><br />Groban was excited to be back in Sacramento, citing that this was the place that he got his start. He referred to his performance at the inauguration of Gov. Gray Davis and also mentioned producer and composer David Foster on several occasions. Foster, who arranged Groban’s first gig at Power Balance, ARCO Arena at the time, is often credited for having “discovered” Groban.<br /><br />Groban was preceded by opener, Elew, an exuberant pianist who was always standing, kneeling or dancing – never sitting. His pieces ranged from classical to “Sweet Home Alabama,” a unique choice for a piano solo that got the crowd clapping.<br /><br />Elew played as if he were at home tinkering on his own set of keys rather than in a sizeable complex, even playing the strings inside the piano with his left hand as he tickled the ivories with his right.<br /><br />He won the hearts of many in just a few minutes and was a nice opening act for Groban, particularly because of Groban’s light-hearted and goofy demeanor. I would guess that he and Elew have some fun head to head musical battles in their off hours.<br /><br />Midway through his set, as Elew began to stoically play “Love Story,” a woman in the next row questioned a friend.<br /><br />“Isn’t that the Young and the Restless?”<br /><br />Her query demonstrated exactly why the tune was chosen, and gave insight into Elew’s creative sense of humor.<br /><br />Yet another performer to watch for in the future is Groban’s musical director, Tariqh Akoni. Akoni played various roles during the show, a highlight being his acoustic guitar solo during “Just Walk Away,” which Groban performed in Spanish.<br /><br />Throughout the show, it was very apparent that Groban loves music. He arrived in Sacramento with basically his own orchestra in tow, his musical peeps, as he referred to them. More and more people joined him on stage depending on the genre or style of the song at the moment. The musicians on stage with him, how they play, and how and when he brought them forward to play said a lot about his attitude towards the various genres.<br /><br />Groban prides himself for the variety in his repertoire. He had just that, his set list including songs in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Latin. Then, suddenly, he’s pounding away on a trap set in center stage.<br /><br />Admittedly, I think that I could do with his voice alone. The accompaniment was high quality, but when he really sings, there’s magic in it.<br /><br />Perhaps my expectations were too high, but I thought it possible there would be some tears shed at this event. There were several moments when his voice really was that impressive, the first song and last song included, but throughout the bulk of the concert, while his excellent vocals surely got the job done, it seemed that he wasn’t taking full advantage of his incredible talent. With a voice like that, less is more, because it’s already so much.<br /><br />Throughout the evening, Groban took advantage of his extraordinary range. “Changing Colors,” for one, took advantage of the upper extreme. His performance, of course, was flawless.<br /><br />The romantic, “Galileo,” was also a crowd favorite. Another song was dedicated to servicemen and women around the world. “The War at Home,” was very well received, the somber sound of a military snare sequence in the background serious, yet heartfelt.<br /><br />By the end of the show, I was even more convinced. All I wanted was that voice, Groban on stage, no mic, no graphics, maybe a grand piano.<br /><br />One lucky woman in the audience, among hundreds participating, text her thoughts to Josh Groban and found herself onstage. Beth Guido explained via SMS that she had been inspired by Groban and still today continues to work towards a singing career. Groban and Guido sang a nice rendition of “Happy Birthday” to another audience member. It’s safe to say that the audience liked her; their voices blended quite well, in fact, it’s actually too bad she didn’t say, “The Prayer,” when he asked her what she wanted to sing.<br /><br />Beth, please keep that in mind for the future.</blockquote>(<a href="http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/55919/Groban_brings_music_and_laughter_to_Sacramento">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-4705758682816361249?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0Power Balance Pavilion, Sacramento, CA38.648005 -121.5170769999999738.6362855 -121.52987749999997 38.659724499999996 -121.50427649999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-44392211188752210952011-08-26T05:50:00.000+10:002011-08-26T05:50:18.097+10:00By Kyle O'Brien from The Oregonian<br /><blockquote>Sorry guys, Josh Groban will woo your girlfriend, and you can't do a thing about it.<br /><br />Groban's dulcet tones are like spoonfuls of sugar to her, making his sweet medicine of classical-meets-pop music go down as smooth as baby food. While you might not like his music -- in fact, when you hear Groban's symphonic love songs you might be tempted to get into a bathtub with a live ferret -- the guy has a sharp, dry sense of humor, so it's pretty difficult to hate him.<br /><br />Performing on Jimmy Kimmel's show earlier in the year exposed Groban's wit, as he performed Kanye West's real Twitter tweets with his piano and voice. A classic was, "I make awesome decisions in bike stores."<br /><br />"The next time I do it, it should be for Gary Busey," he joked during a recent phone interview.<br /><br />Groban, 30, knows that he appeals to a primarily female fan base, but he's appreciative when he can reach new audiences.<br /><br />"Anytime something goes viral like that you reach fans and folks who aren't your fans. You're given the opportunity to present yourself as a person, not just an artist," he said.<br /><br />Groban's sense of humor was honed during his formative years in Los Angeles, where he studied theater and comedy improv before being discovered for his rich, sonorous voice. After an appearance on "Ally McBeal" in 1999, Groban launched into superstardom at a young age, leaving acting mostly behind.<br /><br />Groban, who performs Friday night at the Rose Garden arena, spoke from Chicago during the middle of his world tour, in support of his album "Illuminations," which was produced by rock producer-guru Rick Rubin.<br /><br />"I'm having an amazing time on this tour. We were experimenting early in the year with smaller venues," said Groban, who added that he and his band wanted to translate the welcoming nature of those smaller venues into arena shows.<br /><br />He added, deadpan, "There will be lots of indoor fireworks, with big paper hearts falling from the ceiling ... and whipped cream of course."<br /><br />Funny ...<br /><br />The real show is set in the round, meaning more people can be closer to Groban.<br /><br />"We used the ideas that allowed for the most amount of people to get close," he said. "The way the stage is set up allows me to see every head that's there. There's a lot of crowd interaction ... there's even a text message Q&A. That always seems to yield the most hilarious moments of the evening." <br /><br />Groban branches out on "Illuminations," writing several of the tracks and singing songs by varied artists such as Rufus Wainwright, Kate McGarrigle and Nick Cave, in Portuguese, English and French. But acting still calls. He recently appeared in his first film, playing Emma Stone's boorish boyfriend in "Crazy, Stupid, Love."<br /><br />"I was completely out of my element. But it was great to do it and play against type," he said.<br /><br />Groban continues to grow as an artist, and this tour is a big part of that.<br /><br />"This represents the best of what I've done. ... This tour is more about the connection with my audience than I've ever had. ... I want the crowd on their feet going bananas," he said, laughing.<br /><br />So watch out for your girlfriend ... </blockquote>(<a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/music/index.ssf/2011/08/josh_groban_is_a_really_smart.html">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-4439221118875221095?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-18712418282427523932011-08-19T16:14:00.001+10:002011-08-19T18:44:35.438+10:00By Lauren Wilson for the Orange County Register<br /><blockquote>Fans cheer for Josh Groban at Staples<br /><br />The singer’s arena show may have been low-budget and predictable, but it was satisfying all the same.<br /><br />Josh Groban has put a lot of work lately into cultivating his regular-guy, funnyman image. His music may be more serious, but he seems to have no problem poking fun at himself.<br /><br />Doubters can watch his pompous cameos on Glee, his musical rendition of Kanye West’s greatest tweets on Jimmy Kimmel Live! or, most recently, his turn as a Emma Stone’s dorky, Blackberry-addicted boyfriend in Crazy Stupid Love.<br /><br />Groban’s hair-ruffling, aw-shucks form of self-deprecation adds to his public persona as an ordinary Joe who simply happens to have an extraordinary voice. Donning a casual white T-shirt beneath his black sports coat, with sneakers peeking out from the bottom of his dress pants, Groban looked every bit as rascally boyish Wednesday night at Staples Center as he did 10 years ago when he dropped his self-titled debut.<br /><br />Despite his successful singing career, the L.A. native is quick to remind audiences of his original thespian intents: he performed in comedy troupes in high school and college and appeared on Ally McBeal before he ever released a record. His prior training lends a certain flair to his showmanship, a crucial factor given how much this production relies on his voice and charm.<br /><br />His latest tour is dubbed Straight to You, and the show is exactly what the name implies: a direct, no-frills performance that delivered the music and the man without any big-budget special effects. There weren’t even any JumboTron close ups, a disadvantage for those stuck in the back or in some of the more remote triple-decker luxury suites.<br /><br />Groban’s only real props were a small platform at center-court (for interludes away from the main stage) plus intricate designs projected onto a backdrop, transforming it to suit the song or mood. During “Oceania,” for instance, it became an undulating sea that was later appropriately shaded red, white and blue during “The War at Home,” his salute to troops.<br /><br />The upper nosebleed levels at Staples Center were curtained off, giving the illusion of an intimate, packed show (as intimate as this arena could ever be). The crowd generally skewed older, comprised of folks who left kids or grandkids at home for a classy night out; some even dressed and brought binoculars as if they were headed to the theater. Needless to say, the audience was more docile than your typical pop-concert crowd; they remained glued to their seats until they were “raised up” (pardon the pun) during Groban’s show-closing smash.<br /><br />As for his vocal gymnastics, Groban’s tone was reliably pitch-perfect. His effortless baritone makes the contrast between Groban the classical pop singer and Groban the goofy guy even starker. The chatty chanteur fostered a chummy bond with his audience, spitting out rapid-fire quips likely prepared beforehand but which nonetheless went over smoothly, eliciting laugh after laugh. He came off like a cheesy but affable guy you’d invite over for dinner, the kind of person who’s never experienced an awkward silence in his life.<br /><br />And he made up for the lack of effects with plenty of fun segments, banging out a drum solo, for instance, during a “Live and Let Die” passage that meandered into his next song. Afterward, he indulged some audience participation, answering questions attendees had texted beforehand.<br /><br />The queries ranged from Groban’s favorite “yo mama” joke to a request to sing with him onstage from Natalie, a recent musical theater graduate from UCI. Groban happily obliged and crooned a duet version of “Happy Birthday to You” with her for another fan in the crowd.<br /><br />Later in the show, he brought up a couple who had been together 44 years and served them wine, plus two likely underage singletons who received milk instead. While they enjoyed their drinks, he asked the couple for their secret to a long marriage.<br /><br />“She’ll answer,” the husband shot back facetiously.<br /><br />Then he sat the foursome down on inflatable plastic couches (the show really was low-budget) and cheekily told them the next song – “Broken Vow,” off his second album, Closer – is about cheating.<br /><br />Groban’s expert vocals coupled with his easygoing demeanor made for a fun, low-key performance that pulled no punches but also held few surprises. The straightforward predictability may have detracted from the night’s excitement for some, but were I to base my assessment on the reaction of the hefty men ahead of me shamelessly wailing along to “You Raise Me Up,” I’d chalk this one up as a win for Groban.<br /><br />Jazzy opening act ELEW, meanwhile, tore up his piano like a rock star, covering popular favorites that included Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama,” the Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” and the Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black.”</blockquote>(<a href="http://www.ocregister.com/entertainment/groban-312536-night-fun.html">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-1871241828242752393?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0The Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA34.0429483 -118.2667951999999934.042003799999996 -118.26814169999999 34.0438928 -118.2654487tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-43194154532160682572011-08-19T06:43:00.001+10:002011-08-19T13:50:18.848+10:00A few hours ago Josh tweeted:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JKMVNKEdGeY/Tk14dss8r3I/AAAAAAAAENs/qwyyK9HRnBk/s1600/Twoff.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="114" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JKMVNKEdGeY/Tk14dss8r3I/AAAAAAAAENs/qwyyK9HRnBk/s400/Twoff.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />And now, <a href="http://www.deadline.com/2011/08/josh-groban-to-play-ed-helms-brother-on-the-office/">Deadline.com</a> is reporting the following:<br /><blockquote>Will we see a duet performance by the Bernard brothers on <i>The Office</i> this coming season? Crooner Josh Groban has been tapped to play the brother of Ed Helms' character Andy Bernardon the long-running NBC comedy series. This is the latest member of the Bernard clan to be cast as the network just cast Stephen Collins and Dee Wallace as Andy's parents. This marks Groban's first TV acting stint since his star-making turn on <i>Ally McBeal</i> 10 years ago. (He has done a couple of voice over gigs on animated comedies.) It comes on the heels of his first movie role in this summer's comedy <i>Crazy, Stupid, Love.,</i> where he co-starred alongside former <i>Office</i> leading man Steve Carell. </blockquote>I wonder if this had something to do with the mysterious cancellation of the San Diego show? Perhaps not... Mindy Kaling (who plays Kelly Kapoor on the NBC sitcom "The Office", and is is also a co-executive producer and writer of several of the show's episodes), has just <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/mindykaling/status/104385795481280512">tweeted</a> this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aKtqn2IhHzk/Tk3cr4tolKI/AAAAAAAAENw/uOgVVke7-fI/s1600/Twittoff.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aKtqn2IhHzk/Tk3cr4tolKI/AAAAAAAAENw/uOgVVke7-fI/s400/Twittoff.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />(<a href="http://www.deadline.com/2011/08/josh-groban-to-play-ed-helms-brother-on-the-office/">Source</a>)<br /><br><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-4319415453216068257?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-12596795785321591632011-08-19T06:22:00.000+10:002011-08-19T06:22:35.729+10:00<div style="text-align: center;"><object width="416" height="374" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="ep"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="movie" value="http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/apps/cvp/3.0/swf/cnn_416x234_embed.swf?context=embed_edition&videoId=bestoftv/2011/08/18/exp.piers.josh.groban.tweets.cnn" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000" /><embed src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/apps/cvp/3.0/swf/cnn_416x234_embed.swf?context=embed_edition&videoId=bestoftv/2011/08/18/exp.piers.josh.groban.tweets.cnn" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="416" wmode="transparent" height="374"></embed></object></div><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-1259679578532159163?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-50272416700611751352011-08-13T08:19:00.000+10:002011-08-13T08:19:48.353+10:00Another clip has surfaced about the new Tony Bennett Duets 2 CD. As previously mentioned, Josh will join Tony to sing "This Is All I Ask". <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CA0TfdP6UMc/TkWm2sGSH-I/AAAAAAAAEMU/HBqsXjlZLs8/s1600/JGTB1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CA0TfdP6UMc/TkWm2sGSH-I/AAAAAAAAEMU/HBqsXjlZLs8/s400/JGTB1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Although Josh isn't interviewed in this clip, he can be be seen (albeit for a second or two) at 1:27<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="297" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vNhZsF2oXG4?rel=0" width="470"></iframe></div><br><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-5027241670061175135?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-49728725044643071162011-08-13T06:39:00.000+10:002011-08-13T06:39:18.340+10:00A great article (including some of the most awesome Q&amp;A's ever) by Mickey Rapkin for <a href="http://www.elle.com/Pop-Culture/Celebrity-Spotlight/Josh-Groban-Interview">Elle</a>.<br /><br /><b>LOVE ME TENOR - ROUSING BALLADEER JOSH GROBAN ADMITS TO A NOT-SO-SHOCKING CRUSH ON JULIE ANDREWS — BUT HE ALSO TALKS STRIP CLUBS</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cgPB6nLoAOs/TkWNLKYziKI/AAAAAAAAEMI/eHIRov-qUrs/s1600/Elle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cgPB6nLoAOs/TkWNLKYziKI/AAAAAAAAEMI/eHIRov-qUrs/s400/Elle.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><br />Josh Groban may have the best poker face in music. For 10 years, he dutifully filled the role of Adult Contemporary’s boy wonder, selling more than 25 million albums full of mom-friendly, vaguely religious uplift (“You raise me up so I can stand on mountains”). But this year, in a surprise segment on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the musician showed his cards, mocking Kanye West—and himself—by setting a selection of the rapper’s ridiculous tweets to an operatic score, belting out verbatim Kanye-isms like “I make awesome decisions in bike stores!!!” If Groban’s public about-face came as something of a surprise, well, let’s just call it a welcome revamp for the singer, who, after a three-year absence from recording, delivered 2010’s Illuminations, an unlikely collaboration with Rick Rubin—the bearded industry veteran better known for his work with Adele and Metallica. Shortly before Groban’s thirtieth birthday last year, he moved from Malibu to Manhattan, putting 3,000 miles between himself and ex-girlfriend January Jones. This month, he colors farther outside the lines with his feature-film debut in Crazy, Stupid, Love., as Emma Stone’s caddish boyfriend. Groban for the win!<br /><br /><b>ELLE:</b> Your music famously puts women in the mood. Are you aware of that?<br /><b>JOSH GROBAN:</b> I’m delighted. I’d like to get the message out there to guys: I’m here to help.<br /><br /><b>ELLE:</b> What music do you play when you have a lady over?<br /><b>JG:</b> Not mine.<br /><br /><b>ELLE:</b> Never?<br /><b>JG:</b> One time when I was lying in bed, this girl went to my laptop and put on one of my songs. I remember yelling from the other side of the room, “What is that? Turn that off!”<br /><br /><b>ELLE:</b> So what happened to that girl?<br /><b>JG:</b> I kicked her ass out of the room.<br /><br /><b>ELLE:</b> Really?<br /><b>JG:</b> No, I’m kidding. I politely said, “Hey, why don’t I come over there, and let’s look at the songs together?”<br /><br /><b>ELLE:</b> A reporter once asked Katy Perry, “Who is your most embarrassing crush?” She answered…you.<br /><b>JG:</b> I know Katy quite well. And no—I don’t take it personally. People were asking if we’d dated. I’ll leave it at that.<br /><br /><b>ELLE:</b> What’s the grandest gesture you’ve made for a woman?<br /><b>JG:</b> If I’m in a relationship, I’ll go to the ends of the earth. If I’m on the road and we have a conversation, and she says, “God, I really wish I was there with you right now,” I’ll hang up the phone, send a car, and have the plane ready. <br /><br /><b>ELLE:</b> Baller! Are you in the Mile High Club, then?<br /><b>JG:</b> I’ve never done it on a plane. That’s always been a fascination…. The logistics. The covert planning. The interesting use of blanket.<br /><br /><b>ELLE:</b> Is a volatile argument a sign of a healthy relationship or a troubled one?<br /><b>JG:</b> If there’s crying, and you get through it, that’s a good thing. I’m all about, Go ahead, throw that shoe. I’ll catch it.<br /><br /><b>ELLE:</b> If you could bed one woman in the history of music, who would it be?<br /><b>JG:</b> Oh man, what is her name? From The Sound of Music…<br /><br /><b>ELLE:</b> Julie Andrews? Really? She made clothing out of drapes.<br /><b>JG:</b> No, she was sexy in that movie! There was a spicy vixen under all of that.<br /><br /><b>ELLE:</b> You’re in the middle of a six-month world tour. Have you ever spotted an attractive woman in the crowd and invited her back to your dressing room?<br /><b>JG:</b> The road is lonely, but I’ve never done that.<br /><br /><b>ELLE:</b> I don’t believe you.<br /><b>JG:</b> I might be crazy, but I can’t be intimate with a girl unless I really think she’s into me. Also, I could never get away with that. What would I be doing when she walked into my dressing room? Casually sitting in a velvet robe, sipping brandy? Like, “Oh, I see my assistant found you. Please enter. Cigar?”<br /><br /><b>ELLE:</b> Your tour began in New Orleans. Did you get into any trouble there?<br /><b>JG:</b> Well, when I was there for my first tour in 2004, my crew dragged me to a strip club.<br /><br /><b>ELLE:</b> Dragged, huh?<br /><b>JG:</b> The crew said, “Josh, get over yourself. Nobody’s going to recognize you.” Well, this guy with a trucker hat was sitting next to me, and we’re kind of doing our thing: “Yeah, look at her.… Oh, she’s pretty flexible.” Then he says, “I’m taking my wife to your show tomorrow night.”<br /><br /><b>ELLE:</b> You recently moved from L.A. to Manhattan. What’s different between the women in New York and California?<br /><b>JG:</b> A New York girl would have no problem saying straight off the bat, “I’ve never heard of you.”<br /><br /><b>ELLE:</b> In Crazy, Stupid, Love., you play a tool who calls his girlfriend nicknames like “Hannah Banana.” What’s the worst nickname a girl’s ever given you?<br /><b>JG:</b> When I was a kid at summer camp, a girl called me Alf.<br /><br /><b>ELLE:</b> As in, the ’80s TV show?<br /><b>JG:</b> Yeah, Alf. “Alien Life Form.” Hates cats. At that age—like puppies and their paws—I hadn’t quite grown into my face. I had huge hair and really accentuated facial features.<br /><br /><b>ELLE:</b> What’s the most painful thing a woman’s ever said to you?<br /><b>JG:</b> Besides calling me Alf? Whenever a woman gives me that look—Aww, you’re sweet!—that burns with the heat of a thousand suns.<br /><br /><b>ELLE:</b> Would you say your good-guy image hurts your chances at love?<br /><b>JG:</b> People assume that because I make romantic music, I must be moments away from pulling up in my golden gondola. I’ve tried to be edgier than I am, and it looks ridiculous. But there are always bad girls who like to corrupt the good guys.<br /><br /><b>ELLE:</b> So it must be working out for you.<br /><b>JG:</b> I’ve been in opposites-attract situations. Let’s put it this way: I’ve been very, very happy that I’m me.<br /><br />(<a href="http://www.elle.com/Pop-Culture/Celebrity-Spotlight/Josh-Groban-Interview">Source</a>)<br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-4972872504464307116?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-27664846123720545352011-08-11T06:22:00.000+10:002011-08-11T06:22:53.716+10:00By Dave Tianen of The Journal Sentinel.<br /><blockquote>For years, he has been the puppy-eyed altar boy crooner atop the popera pyramid.<br /><br />Josh Groban has been a kind of teen idol for non-teens, a poetic soul possessed of a stunning and powerful tenor voice, singing dramatic David Foster ballads in a Berlitz medley of romantic languages. Women from their college years to grannydom have melted under the spell of those ballads.<br /><br />But he was also all heart and no loins, a sexual menace on a par with Justin Bieber.<br /><br />But after a prolonged absence, Josh Groban returned to the Bradley Center Tuesday night with more than a hint that he may be a musician in transition. There's still that tousled mane of brown hair, but at 30, the jaw line has tightened. More importantly, last year, Groban cut "Illuminations," a new album with Rick Rubin, famous for producing the acclaimed stripped-down albums from Johnny Cash's last years.<br /><br />Groban entered the arena from the rear and took his place at the piano on a mini-stage in the center of the floor, with sections above the luxury boxes at the Bradley Center curtained off. The evening opened on a distinct singer-songwriter cast. "Changing Colors" would have fit easily in an '80s Elton John collection. "You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)" was an old fan favorite, but with a jacked-up rhythm line. It actually took Groban four songs to abandon English, which clearly suggests a change of habit.<br /><br />Signs of a more multifaceted Groban continued to surface throughout the set. "Bells of New York City" is a new tune from "Illuminations," and it suggests a cross-pollination of Art Garfunkel and '70s Neil Sedaka. The African anthem "Weeping" goes back in Groban's résumé to the "Awake" album from 2006, but it's an uplifting and welcome diversion in the set list.<br /><br />It probably would be neither wise nor profitable for Groban to abandon the romantic melodramas altogether. "Broken Vow" is the kind of big-voiced romantic-disaster tale that Celine Dion has built a career on. Groban closed with "You Raise Me Up," which has always struck me as a "Wind Beneath My Wings" rewrite. But that kind of high drama crooning works best when surrounded by music of different shades and moods.<br /><br />Tuesday, Groban seemed more pop and less popera. That's a good thing. Most of us don't speak Italian anyway. He already had an exceptional instrument. Now he appears to have a broader palette.</blockquote>(<a href="http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/127444778.html">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-2766484612372054535?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI43.04362747441689 -87.9171986682617343.03597747441689 -87.92579916826173 43.051277474416885 -87.90859816826173tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-77353283824049646732011-08-10T18:31:00.000+10:002011-08-10T18:31:36.837+10:00To the disappointment of many fans, Josh's show scheduled for Aug 16 at the Viejas Arena, San Diego has been cancelled.<br /><br />The official line is that the cancellation is due to "scheduling issues". Fans are understandably disappointed, especially given that it's been noted he won't be able to book another San Diego appearance this year because of the way his tour is set up.<br /><br />After tonight's show in Milwaukee Josh tweeted:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HDJ-sL8CfFo/TkJAhGnGqGI/AAAAAAAAELQ/Frz3UIJxIXo/s1600/t01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HDJ-sL8CfFo/TkJAhGnGqGI/AAAAAAAAELQ/Frz3UIJxIXo/s400/t01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />And then in a response to a tweet where a Twitter user stated "Obviously not fantastic enough for you to want to play. :(<br /><br />Josh responded with:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mo5INBUPl6M/TkJBFUwob7I/AAAAAAAAELU/zzqIVY1dcOQ/s1600/t02.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mo5INBUPl6M/TkJBFUwob7I/AAAAAAAAELU/zzqIVY1dcOQ/s400/t02.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I'm sure the decision to cancel was not taken lightly by Josh and his team. He would totally understand the disappointment felt by the fans impacted by this decision.<br /><br />(Source <a href="http://www.10news.com/news/28816785/detail.html">1</a>, <a href="http://www.swrnn.com/2011/08/09/josh-groban-cancels-san-diego-university-concert/">2</a> &amp; <a href="http://www.thefeast.com/sandiego/FEAST-PLAY-SD-Josh-Groban-Mysteriously-Cancels-San-Diego-127340018.html">3</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-7735328382404964673?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-20475037117241753122011-08-08T19:14:00.003+10:002011-08-19T16:17:58.095+10:00Way back on Jan 29, Josh tweeted the following:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DBq10qYVhc4/Tj-kYH18a0I/AAAAAAAAEKg/KZTfB0VJIb8/s1600/DDH1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DBq10qYVhc4/Tj-kYH18a0I/AAAAAAAAEKg/KZTfB0VJIb8/s400/DDH1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />And this was the link:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="297" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ET3NghOF148?rel=0" width="470"></iframe></div><br />Double Dream Hands responded:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D6N7G2OHUIo/Tj-q-Qvu4BI/AAAAAAAAELA/nHn9kn37kw8/s1600/DDH1a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D6N7G2OHUIo/Tj-q-Qvu4BI/AAAAAAAAELA/nHn9kn37kw8/s400/DDH1a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />So it was a dream come true for Josh when he met "Double Dream Hands" while on tour in Columbus.&nbsp; First at a steakhouse:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RoymRmGJtPw/Tj-lFxCQttI/AAAAAAAAEKo/mrujbMt4cy8/s1600/DDH0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RoymRmGJtPw/Tj-lFxCQttI/AAAAAAAAEKo/mrujbMt4cy8/s640/DDH0.jpeg" width="440" /></a></div><br />And then, during his Columbus show this happened:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="297" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jT2Knz9_J68?rel=0" width="470"></iframe></div><br />Here's another video that shows what happened before John joined josh on stage:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="470" height="297" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/O3Dhx8Jg-6w?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />After the show, John (aka Double Dram Hands) then tweeted:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HwLJ2V4yKL4/Tj-mm4ax0rI/AAAAAAAAEKw/0zB8-je8XNE/s1600/DDH2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HwLJ2V4yKL4/Tj-mm4ax0rI/AAAAAAAAEKw/0zB8-je8XNE/s400/DDH2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />And finally, Josh tweeted:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aKRkMJ-x9l0/Tj-nO4GSxfI/AAAAAAAAEK4/IvAj4WYZguc/s1600/DDH3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aKRkMJ-x9l0/Tj-nO4GSxfI/AAAAAAAAEK4/IvAj4WYZguc/s400/DDH3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />How fantastic!!! And to get Groban to 'dance' on stage, well <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/DblDreamHnds">@DblDreamHnds</a> needs to be congratulated. I'm sure this will go down as one of the top 10 moments in Grobania folklore.<br /><br />(Source <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/joshgroban/statuses/31014202445398016">1</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/DblDreamHnds/status/31045290467270656">2</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/joshgroban/statuses/99298046952747009">3</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/DblDreamHnds/status/99925177722347521">4</a> &amp; <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/joshgroban/statuses/100346283943927808">5</a>)<br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-2047503711724175312?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com2Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH40.007695622836366 -83.025015388360639.99380862283637 -83.0384003883606 40.02158262283636 -83.0116303883606tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-30118970247048328392011-08-05T07:22:00.002+10:002011-08-06T07:55:10.373+10:00Josh will be performing four (4) shows in South Africa from 26 - 30 November. <br /><ul><li>11/26 - Sun City - Superbowl</li><li>11/27 - Sun City - Superbowl</li><li>11/29 - Grand Arena - GrandWest Cape Town</li><li>11/30 - Grand Arena - GrandWest Cape Town</li></ul>There is no fanclub pre-sales for these dates, however public on-sales begin Friday, August 5th at 9am local time. (Wow, that's not much notice... )<br /><br />For more details, please visit the <a href="http://www.joshgroban.com/tour">Tour Page</a> on JoshGroban.com<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-3011897024704832839?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-20844200899528987022011-08-05T06:04:00.001+10:002011-08-19T16:15:47.819+10:00By Rosa Colucci of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.<br /><blockquote>Josh Groban made a long overdue concert stop in Pittsburgh's Consol Energy Center Wednesday night to the delight of 7,000 fans.<br /><br />With his eight-piece orchestra playing a fiery instrumental from the main stage, everyone looked for the young superstar. He then appeared from the back of the auditorium and bounded onto a secondary stage in the middle of the floor wearing his trademark dark jeans, V-neck tee, black blazer and K-Swiss tennies.<br /><br />A sea of cellphone cameras lit up like little stars while Groban broke into "Changing Colors." The rapt audience stood still while he performed "February Song" and "You Are Loved." In the middle of the latter, he grabbed the mic and ran through the crowd, greeting his fans and flashing a winning smile.<br /><br />He introduced songs such as "Bells of New York City," "Higher Window" and "Alejate" with engaging stories. Mr. Groban, no stranger to playing instruments, showed his abilities on both stages, playing two pianos and performing a smoking-hot drum solo on an instrumental version of "Live and Let Die."<br /><br />Fans were treated to a lot of personal interaction as he walked the audience with a microphone. A 9-year-old named Hadley revealed this was her first concert, and he promised early on to make it her best. Later, he invited her on stage with other fans to a make-shift lounge area where he served milk to the kids and wine to the adults before he performed for them. There was a Q&A segment that bore the best moment of the night. A young woman named Kate was heading to the Navy for boot camp in three weeks, and she asked to duet with him. They sang "Smile," and cellphones everywhere recorded the heartwarming moment.<br /><br />It was hard to believe that Mr. Groban performed more than 20 songs including "Galileo," "Weeping" and "Per Te," as he moved from stage to stage spending so much time with the audience (and recalling his short time at Carnegie Mellon University). His boundless energy and showmanship serve him well.<br /><br />One thing that was missing -- but not missed -- was a large video screen so common in concerts these days.<br /><br />One thing that should have been missing -- but wasn't -- was the bass guitar that overshadowed the mix of the music throughout the night. Run through processors, it became a loud hindrance to Mr. Groban's rich tenor and baritone ranges. The best musical moments came when Mr. Groban sang with just one or two instruments. This was especially true during the encore of "You Raise Me Up," when he was accompanied by piano and viola and his voice beautifully filled the auditorium.<br /><br />The show opened with Elew, a Manhattan School of Music trained jazz pianist. His 30-minute set included popular songs by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Henry Mancini and even a few television show themes. His style of "rock-jazz piano" was straight-ahead showmanship. However, at times it felt contrived and uninspired, right down to the plucking and dampening of the piano strings in the case. This richly talented man previously toured with other heavyweights like Wynton Marsalis and Cassandra Wilson. It is hoped that as he matures, he will dig deeper to bring more musical substance to the table.<br /><br />It's been four years since Mr. Groban played Pittsburgh. All in all, his easy demeanor and crowd interaction left the audience feeling as if it had had a great visit with a best friend.<br /></blockquote>(<a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11216/1165176-388-0.stm">Source</a>)<br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-2084420089952898702?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0CONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA40.439999095520555 -79.9890472962951540.439219095520556 -79.99015779629515 40.440779095520554 -79.98793679629516tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-15171670302849021932011-08-04T20:39:00.000+10:002011-08-04T20:39:08.178+10:00A moderator on the official boards has recently responded to a question about if there are plans for additional dates to be added to the tour in the US after the last show in NYC in November.<br /><br />The response was "<i>Don't know about additional US dates at the moment, but there are some international dates coming.</i>"<br /><br />This information matches up with a question a fan directly asked Josh after the Newark show. The fan who had traveled from Australia, asked when he would be touring down under. He in turn asked Dennis and who replied December, to which she then double checked and asked if he meant December THIS YEAR! Josh then smiled and said YES!<br /><br />So it looks like Josh might be escaping winter to grab some sunshine in the Southern Hemisphere in December. Last time Josh toured Australia was for the 2007 "Awake Tour". Dates on this tour included 4 nights at the Sydney Opera House, 3 nights at Hamer Hall in Melbourne, 2 nights at QPAC in Brisbane and 1 night each in Adelaide and Perth. <br /><br />If Josh does tour in December, I wonder if he'll do Carols in the Domain again this year???<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-1517167030284902193?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-50300933289403506312011-08-04T20:12:00.000+10:002011-08-04T20:12:33.490+10:00Various reports are coming out about the Television Critics Association tour stop with a Top 10 special from late night host David Letterman.<br /><br />It looks like Josh drew on his experience from the show to do a special for Top 10 "Little Known Songs About Television" on behalf of Letterman. The songs included:<br /><ol><li>Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high<br />There’s a place that has not been home to a CSI<br />(Sung to the tune of “Somewhere”)</li><li>I see Keith Olbermann rant on Current TV, attacking Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity<br />And I think to myself...what an enormous head<br />(Sung to the tune of “What a Wonderful World”)</li><li>What is the deal with my Tivo<br />It recommends odd programs to see<br />I only watch Glee and Project Runway but Tivo says Swamp People’s right for me<br />(Sung to the tune of “Wind Beneath My Wings”)</li><li>I’ve got nine hundred channels comin’ into my TV<br />And I’d estimate two-thirds of them are selling costume jewelry<br />(Sung to the tune of “God Bless the USA”)</li><li>Check out Big Brother<br />Stay for the hour<br />And if you’re lucky, you might see someone shower<br />(Sung to the tune of “Climb Ev’ry Mountain”)</li><li>Whenever I watch Two and a Half Men I ask myself just what they mean<br />How’s the kid still a “half man”? He’s 19<br />(Sung to the tune of “Let It Be”)</li><li>"NCIS” Who the hell knows what that stands for?<br />(Sung to the tune of “You Raise Me Up”)</li><li>Why do the terrorists hate us so? The answer’s plain to see<br />Try to watch 30 seconds of Real Housewives of NYC<br />(Sung to the tune of “I’ll Be Seeing You”)</li><li>Before you critics craft your reviews and dole out your 1-to-5 stars<br />We here at the CBS Network, invite you to our open bars<br />(Sung to the tune of “Impossible Dream”)</li><li>Those Cialis and Viagra and Levitra ads you see pay for your favorite shows<br />All hail E.D.!<br />(Sung to the tune of “God Bless America”) </li></ol><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-5030093328940350631?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-24764025773657727752011-08-04T06:02:00.001+10:002011-08-04T06:04:22.276+10:00Before his concert at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center, Josh hosted a Q &amp; A session for Musicopia, the group that was chosen by Josh's Find Your Light foundation.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="470" height="297" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ouQxg6cS6nY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />Musicopia is a nonprofit organization that works with approximately 100 of our region’s professional musicians to present a wealth of music education programs. Musicopia is also the leading advocate for restoring and improving in-school music instruction throughout the Greater Philadelphia area. Founded in 1974 as “Strings for Schools,” the organization once focused primarily on classical string music. Now Musicopia provides assemblies, workshops and long-term residencies that span a huge range of musical traditions. Musicopia builds neighborhood vitality through music festivals and community concerts given jointly by students and professionals. These joyous events engage families in their children’s cultural development and celebrate the musical achievements of students at all levels. Through instrument donation drives and neighborhood-based student performing ensembles, Musicopia makes musical participation accessible to underserved students throughout the area. To learn more about Musicopia and how to get involved visit <a href="http://www.musicopia.net/">http://www.musicopia.net/</a>. (<a href="http://findyourlightfoundation.org/category/what-weve-done/">Source</a> - Find your Light Foundation)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-2476402577365772775?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA39.903958748796065 -75.171246569311539.88375924879607 -75.2033485693115 39.92415824879606 -75.13914456931151tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-70562710695196335162011-08-03T05:42:00.008+10:002011-08-05T06:42:30.140+10:00As seen on The Late Show with David Letterman...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="470" height="382" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XE8gfcNV8ik?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />** Edit - If you're having trouble with the embedded video, here's a <a href="http://youtu.be/-wwAcRLJP_c">link</a> that might work.<br /><br />And a review from the Huffington Post:<br /><blockquote>We haven't seen Josh Groban have this much fun on late night since he was singing Kanye's tweets on "Jimmy Kimmel Live." You know, back when Kanye's tweets were something we talked about.<br /><br />Groban, who landed a role in the new Steve Carell/Ryan Gosling rom-com "Crazy Stupid Love" stopped by "The Late Show" Monday night to help out David Letterman with the "Top Ten List."<br /><br />In what could definitely be Letterman's least yawn-inducing list this year, Groban offers ten snippets of "rejected" songs about news and pop culture. Watch the video and tell us which one should be a real song in the comments below (we're thinking that Marcus Bachmann tune might be pretty</blockquote><br />Thanks to <a href="http://fuckyeahjoshgroban.tumblr.com/post/8375540820/top-ten-rejected-josh-groban-songs">f*ckyeahjoshgroban.tumblr</a> here's the top 10 in written form - <br /><ol><li>It wasn’t broken, wasn’t injured don’t know why it came to pass that Kim Kardashian x-rayed her ass (to the tune of God Bless American)</li><li>I see skies of soot, clouds of black, scorching hot days, belching smoke stacks, and I think to myself… Holy crap, we’re screwed (What a Wonderful World)</li><li>When you said that you were winning, this outcome was unforeseen, replaced by Ashton Kutcher — charlie sheen (Let It Be)</li><li>I’m proud to be a straight guy in each every way since Michelle Bachmann’s husband helped me pray away the gay (God Bless the USA)</li><li>You knocked me up like Arnold Schwarzenegger (You Raise Me Up)</li><li>How could he know so much about me? As if my thoughts were not my own. It took me a decade to discover that Rupert Murdoch tapped my phone. (Wind Beneath My Wings)</li><li>I’ve had all kinds of singing gigs, I’d gladly take again but tonight’s the only time, I’ll do a lame top ten</li><li>Fix the economy soon, if you please or else by next year, we’ll all speak Chinese (Climb Every Mountain)</li><li>Somewhere out of the internet, when you click, you’ll find multiple photos of Anthony Weiner’s… torso (Somewhere Over The Rainbow) </li><li>And New York will be better for this, that one man in an amorous mood can get all the legal permission required to marry a dude (The Impossible Dream)</li></ol><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-7056271069519633516?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-44356683823016627492011-08-03T05:05:00.000+10:002011-08-03T05:05:49.530+10:00Josh and a myriad of other musical greats wish the legend, Tony Bennett, a happy 85th birthday. Josh is at 1:18<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="470" height="297" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ay1MsL-oY88?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-4435668382301662749?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-393620395295637332011-08-02T18:21:00.001+10:002011-08-02T18:43:56.272+10:00Host chat - <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1691028013" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1089960423001&playerId=1691028013&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="322" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></div><br />Josh sings for the audience - <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1691028013" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1090091676001&playerId=1691028013&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="322" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></div><br />Science Bob<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1691028013" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1089967159001&playerId=1691028013&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="322" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></div><br />Science explosion (Behind the scenes) - <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1691028013" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1090091545001&playerId=1691028013&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="322" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></div><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-39362039529563733?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-36977883421899684712011-08-02T06:21:00.000+10:002011-08-02T06:21:19.442+10:00<div style="text-align: center;"><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1691028013" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1089837713001&playerId=1691028013&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="322" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></div><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-3697788342189968471?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-15219324953345802152011-08-02T06:19:00.000+10:002011-08-02T06:19:51.582+10:00A brief clip from the induction ceremony at the Mohegan Sun's Walk of Fame.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="470" height="297" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wDz5IZ2iN0w?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-1521932495334580215?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-87769240754249700642011-08-01T06:24:00.000+10:002011-08-01T06:24:01.787+10:00A quick clip showing Josh wishing Detroit radio station Magic 105.1 a happy 10th birthday.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="470" height="382" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nWhG0wF4Xr8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-8776924075424970064?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-90442302221561467252011-08-01T06:19:00.000+10:002011-08-01T06:19:36.082+10:00By Ray Kelly, The Republican <br /><blockquote>Somewhere between wandering the Mohegan Sun Arena floor to chat with the audience, pouring wine for a couple marking their 30th wedding anniversary, drumming a solo after his band played “Live and Let Die,” dancing (poorly), and ribbing his fans, Josh Groban found time to sing 19 songs and perform an instrumental on piano he composed at the age of 12.<br /><br />Before a sold-out crowd of 10,000 Grobanites, the affable prince of operatic pop with the boyish good looks and self-deprecating humor turned out an amazing performance.<br /><br />As his 13-piece band played an instrumental version of “Straight to You” on the main stage, Groban entered from the rear of the arena and seated himself at a nearby piano. He kicked off the nearly two-hour set with “Changing Colours” – a concert favorite he has not recorded in the studio. The 30-year-old California native followed with “February Song” and "You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up)” from 2006’s “Awake” album before wading through the crowd and onto the main stage.<br /><br />“You guys are polite, the other row was grabby,” Groban told one fan, before adding to another, “You smell great (like) a combination of Chanel No. 5 and Bubba’s BBQ.”<br /><br />On the main stage, Groban sang “Oceano” in Italian and “Alejate” in Spanish before performing “Bells of New York City,” a tribute to his adopted hometown of New York. It was the first of seven tracks from his latest album, “Illuminations.” He returned to “Illuminations” throughout the night for “Higher Window,” “War at Home,” “Voce Existe Em Mim,” “Galileo (Someone Like You)”, “If I Walk Away” and the piano-led instrumental “The Wandering Kind.”<br /><br />The new material worked well alongside familiar concert favorites like “Machine” (originally recorded with Herbie Hancock) and “Weeping” (a collaboration with Ladysmith Black Mambazo).<br /><br />Prior the start of the concert, Groban’s camp sought text message questions from audience members.<br /><br />Groban fielded a few half-way through the night. “Let’s open up this box of chocolates and see where the nuts are,” he joked.<br /><br />One not-so-nutty question led Groban to a duet on “The Prayer” with a fan who identified herself as Amy, a former opera student. What Groban billed as “Mohegan Sun Idol” turned out to be one of the more memorable moments of the night.<br /><br />While the evening was full of song and good humor, Groban paused to discuss social causes important to him. He asked fans to support musical educational programs for youngsters and better care for returning veterans. The singer recently visited Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland.<br /><br />Groban brought the set to a close with the bittersweet “Broke Vow” and the moving “Per Te” before returning for a cover of Neil Diamond’s “Play Me” and his signature hit “You Raise Me Up.”</blockquote>(<a href="http://www.masslive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2011/07/josh_groban_mixes_music_humor.html">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-9044230222156146725?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0Mohegan Sun, CT41.491979977839705 -72.0903501960815441.43847947783971 -72.17640169608154 41.5454804778397 -72.00429869608155tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-65012890365275524152011-07-29T20:23:00.000+10:002011-07-29T20:23:45.065+10:00Have a great weekend everyone...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFM0AO6CrHM/TjKKAS7vYgI/AAAAAAAAEIw/SukUdt7eTfU/s1600/JG2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFM0AO6CrHM/TjKKAS7vYgI/AAAAAAAAEIw/SukUdt7eTfU/s400/JG2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lqy8qneLO80/TjKKAFvKp6I/AAAAAAAAEIo/F06JBCUwWfU/s1600/JG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lqy8qneLO80/TjKKAFvKp6I/AAAAAAAAEIo/F06JBCUwWfU/s400/JG.jpg" /></a></div><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-6501289036527552415?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-62110582810905534942011-07-29T05:56:00.000+10:002011-07-29T05:56:00.988+10:00A great article by Lauren Bans from <a href="http://www.gq.com/entertainment/movies-and-tv/201108/josh-groban-interview-crazy-stupid-love">GQ</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvnxKxanXW4/TjG-vWCWaqI/AAAAAAAAEIY/WcJ2iERXGAo/s1600/gq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="279" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvnxKxanXW4/TjG-vWCWaqI/AAAAAAAAEIY/WcJ2iERXGAo/s400/gq.jpg" /></a></div><br />A killer role in the new Steve Carell flick has forced our brains to process this shocking truth: Josh Groban = damn funny<br /><br />Josh Groban always seemed like a guy we would ignorantly lump in the nebulous galaxy of soft rock-crooning white guys beloved by housewives and elevator speakers. But this month he breaks out of the milquetoast mold with a seriously funny performance in Crazy, Stupid, Love as Emma Stone's boorish boyfriend—the most surprising cheeseball image-reversal since Michael Bolton killed it on "SNL" this spring. Oh, and we finally listened to Groban's music. Not so bad.<br /><br /><b>GQ: </b>How in the world did you go about getting yourself cast in a romantic comedy?<br /><b>Josh Groban:</b> I went in for the audition and after one reading the casting director said, "Oh my god, you're just perfect." I was really excited for a moment, then it dawned on me: I just nailed the douchebag character. I could have used a few takes, maybe some notes to get me there. But no, I guess I had it in me all along.<br /><br /><b>GQ:</b> So deep down you're really the cad who doesn't appreciate his smoking hot girlfriend type?<br /><b>Josh Groban:</b> No, I'm a nice guy. I just went really method and channeled all those people I've hated throughout my life. It was nice to play against type.<br /><br /><b>GQ:</b> Too bad your first role was playing the guy Emma Stone realizes she's not in love with.<br /><b>Josh Groban:</b> I know. But we did get to kiss once, and for that alone, it was worth it.<br /><br /><b>GQ:</b> That didn't make it in! Tell me about the kiss?<br /><b>Josh Groban:</b> At the end of one of our scenes the directors came up to us and said, "You know, this is feeling a little goofy. Let's just try to make this more believable with a kiss at the end." And I'm thinking, Holy shit. That wasn't in the script. I've never kissed on camera before. What does that mean? What do I have to do? I didn't take that class in college. And Emma's just this total pro. She pulls out her lip-gloss, and says, "It's cherry. That cool with you?" I mean, that kiss shall forever be my deer in "Stand By Me"; my moment alone, no one will ever be able to treasure it but me.<br /><br /><b>GQ:</b> Except if it makes it onto the DVD extras.<br /><b>Josh Groban:</b> Yeah. Most likely the blooper reel.<br /><br /><b>GQ:</b> I have to admit I'm not at all familiar with your musical catalog.<br /><b>Josh Groban:</b> Well, that's quite all right. I would venture to say I probably haven't read many of your articles, but this is the beauty of our business. Two become one. This world has brought us together.<br /><br /><b>GQ:</b> I feel like you probably just quoted your own lyrics to me.<br /><b>Josh Groban:</b> [laughs] You'll have to find out.<br /><br /><b>GQ:</b> What's a good starter song if I want to get into your music?<br />Josh Groban: My biggest blast-off hit was "You Raise Me Up." If you ever have a wedding or a funeral, it's a good pick<br /><br />(<a href="http://www.gq.com/entertainment/movies-and-tv/201108/josh-groban-interview-crazy-stupid-love#ixzz1TQo9jGN3">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-6211058281090553494?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-36089994055700384892011-07-28T07:20:00.000+10:002011-07-28T07:20:36.396+10:00Josh Groban's first taste of the movie industry tasted like … cherries?<br /><br />While filming Crazy, Stupid, Love, his big-screen debut, the crooner ditched his nice-guy persona to play Emma Stone's bad-boy boyfriend – a comedic role that came with a little romance.<br /><br />"After one of our scenes, the directors said, 'This is feeling a little goofy. Let's try this with a kiss at the end,' " the freshly minted actor, 30, tells GQ magazine. "And I thought, 'Holy s---! I've never kissed on-camera before. What do I have to do? I didn't take that class in college.' "<br /><br />Luckily for Groban, "Emma's just this total pro."<br /><br />He recalls of his first on-screen smooch, "She pulls out her lip gloss and says, 'It's cherry. That cool with you?' "<br /><br />Although the shot didn't make the cut – maybe the "blooper reel," he cracks – he likened the scene with Stone, 22, to another pivotal film moment.<br /><br />"That kiss shall forever be my deer in Stand by Me," he says. "It's my moment alone. No one but me will ever be able to treasure it." <br /><br />(<a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20513313,00.html">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-3608999405570038489?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-1073837087153760862011-07-27T18:43:00.000+10:002011-07-27T18:43:03.652+10:00By Marc Hirsh<br /><blockquote>Josh Groban is so square that you could use him to draw up architectural plans, and he has a voice - suboperatic, chestily dramatic, borderline nasal, and almost entirely suffused with vibrato - that seems impossibly cheesy on the face of it. But those same characteristics can be awfully effective in the right settings, and he found more than enough of them last night at the TD Garden to make two hours move by rather briskly.<br /><br />To be sure, there was plenty of ultra-earnest, overdramatic mush-pop on hand. “Per Te," “Galileo," and the eyes-closed, hand-to-the-heart pleading of “Alejate" were songs of not just romance but a particularly windswept, horsebacked romance. The supple, percussive, and full-throated “Alla Luce Del Sole" reached for the roof, and the acoustic guitar and mandolin of “If I Walk Away" couldn’t mitigate the overwrought band behind them.<br /><br />But Groban also shone on more than a few songs that revealed surprising depth to his undeniable talent. He began the night at a piano on a satellite stage separated from his band, whose acoustic guitar, strings, and brass offered a lovely dimensionality to the opening “Changing Colors." The percussion swells and subliminal organ added to the mournfulness of “Bells of New York City," while “Machine" swayed to a late-’70s jazz-R&B groove, aided by electric piano and Groban himself pulling back a bit on his normally heavy vibrato.<br /><br />Another mitigating factor was Groban’s easygoing demeanor, garrulous without any of the show-biz slickness of someone like Michael Bublé. When a woman told him, “My son gave you to me for Mother’s Day," he didn’t miss a beat in responding, “All right, I’ll see you later, then." He posed for a photo by a couple brought onstage, only to learn, after standing awkwardly for a while, that they were shooting video.<br /><br />Best of all was when he accepted a text message invitation to sing “The Prayer" with an audience member’s sister, who had a rather lovely pop alto of her own. After trading lines, she and Groban ended with an unrehearsed but perfect harmony. Groban seemed as delighted as she was.<br /><br />Opening pianist Eric Lewis called his music “rock-jazz," which was two lies. His solo instrumentals were saccharine and uninspired, with quasiclassical interpolations of popular favorites like “Teenage Dream" and “Mr. Brightside."</blockquote>(<a href="http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2011/07/27/groban_shines_pulling_back_a_bit_on_trademark_vibrato/">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-107383708715376086?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-33199386734935621092011-07-27T18:38:00.001+10:002011-08-01T06:19:15.024+10:00By Lauren Carter<br /><blockquote>Josh Groban isn’t provocative, edgy or sexy — at least not in the traditional sense. He appeals more to old-school sensibilities than modern norms of instant gratification, sensationalism and overstimulation.<br /><br />His music — which ranges from easy listening to pop-opera — is wholesome, straight-laced and, some might say, cheesy. But in an era of overproduced and often soulless live shows where genuine personalities get lost behind pyrotechnics and wardrobe changes, the 30-year-old’s musical and personal honesty is refreshing, even if it doesn’t send pulse rates soaring.<br /><br />Groban’s two-hour performance at TD Garden last night looked just shy of two-thirds full, highlighting a level of popularity — predominantly with older fans — that hasn’t quite sent him into the stratosphere. And he seems just fine with that.<br /><br />The multi-lingual show featured Groban’s stunning baritone and mostly safe musical arrangements. The small orchestra that backed him ably recreated dramatic numbers such as “Oceano” and “War At Home,” but Groban offset the gravitas of his music with a goofy, get-to-know-me demeanor.<br /><br />In between songs, Groban chatted with the ease of a daytime talk-show host, often jogging through the aisles and cozying up to fans. He recounted summer trips to Boston, shared tidbits about his love life, read text messages from the audience, sang “The Prayer” with a fan and promised to win over an 8-year-old in attendance.<br /><br />“You guys smell awesome,” he said during one of his jaunts into the crowd.<br /><br />Though much of Groban’s traditional, often-romantic fare felt like variations on the same theme, standouts included “Bells of New York City,” on which he played piano, “Machine,” the African-tinged “Weeping” and a cover of “Live and Let Die.” Show-closer “You Raise Me Up,” sans gospel choir (Groban encouraged the audience to fill in), just slightly underwhelmed. Still, Groban’s sober brand of music and total lack of pretentiousness proved a likable mix.<br /><br />Opener Eric Lewis could have passed for a two- or three-man band, often plucking strings inside his grand piano with one hand while playing keys with the other. The virtuoso pianist mixed classical, jazz and popular theme songs (“Pink Panther,” for example) with rock hits such as Coldplay’s “Clocks” and the Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black,” which transitioned seamlessly into the “Charlie Brown” theme and still made sense</blockquote>(<a href="http://news.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/general/view/2011_0727groban_provides_safe_easy_listening_for_fans/">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-3319938673493562109?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com1TD Garden, Boston, MA42.36624527967622 -71.0622260370483342.36524827967622 -71.06353303704833 42.36724227967622 -71.06091903704834tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-90374221528849800222011-07-26T06:48:00.001+10:002011-07-26T06:49:11.812+10:00Josh will be inducted into the Mohegan Sun's Walk of Fame at the Shops At Mohegan Sun, Spring Gatewayon Saturday, July 30th @ 5:45pm<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ivYpzncKbE/Ti3VRJEsacI/AAAAAAAAEHo/bXRPlafoDVk/s1600/hof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ivYpzncKbE/Ti3VRJEsacI/AAAAAAAAEHo/bXRPlafoDVk/s400/hof.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />From the Mohegan Sun <a href="http://www.mohegansun.com/entertainment/schedule-of-events.html?featureid=590ff0f5">website</a>:<br /><br />Mohegan Sun is honored to welcome talented performer Josh Groban as the newest member of Mohegan Sun's Walk of Fame. He will be the 24th entertainer to be awarded this distinction.<br /><br />Mohegan Sun's Walk of Fame seeks to recognize those individuals who have made significant contributions to the success of Mohegan Sun as the Northeast's premier entertainment destination. All of the individuals inducted into the Mohegan Sun Walk of Fame will have their name engraved on a plaque that will be permanently placed at the entrance to Mohegan Sun Arena.<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-9037422152884980022?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT41.49191568646248 -72.091079756933641.43841518646248 -72.17713125693359 41.545416186462475 -72.0050282569336tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-50154340195404074312011-07-24T05:37:00.000+10:002011-07-24T05:37:17.388+10:00By Leon T Switzer<br /><blockquote>Josh Groban hit the Scotiabank Place stage on Friday night, and did not waste any time paying his respects to his Canadian connections. The thirty year old American from L.A. was introduced to Grammy-winning producer David Foster at the age of 17, and with no recording experience, what better place to be. Foster had Groban singing with Celine Dion at the 1998 Grammy Awards and now almost 25 million in record sales later, this young man has the respect of the entire music industry.<br /><br />A crowd of about 4000 was treated to one hell of an intimate show. The 2 stage set-up gave everyone a great view at one point or another, and he even pulled a young girl from the crowd to sing on stage with him. Camille must have had the time of her life singing cheek-to-cheek with Groban on the center stage. She recieved a standing ovation that extended all the way up to the 3 guys in the arena press-box.<br /><br />Not only singing in 4 languages, Groban showed his versatility by pounding out a few drum solos. This show felt like it was at somebody’s house. A couple celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary were pulled up on stage and Josh served them wine, Californian no less.<br /><br />There was still one missing piece of the puzzle that was saved for the encore. The song, You Raise Me Up. The best song I ever heard in that building was by Tim McGraw several years back when he sang, Don’t Take The Girl, this was a close second. Groban reminded me about the purity of the music without all the bells and whistles, the sound itself. He made me close my eyes and feel again.<br /></blockquote>(<a href="http://www.frontpagemedia.ca/?p=858">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-5015434019540407431?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0Scotiabank Place, Ottawa, ON - Canada45.29685846732875 -75.9271403645568645.25763496732875 -75.96591686455686 45.336081967328745 -75.88836386455687tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-74490043879170079262011-07-23T17:39:00.001+10:002011-07-23T17:41:06.348+10:00By Denis Armstrong of the <a href="http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/07/22/packed-with-charm">Ottawa Sun</a>.<br /><br /><blockquote>Packed with charm <br />Groban plays his hits — and the crowd – with unconventional crossover act<br /><br />As much as older listeners might enjoy them, musical crossovers get a bad rap as pop music’s equivalent to a happy meal, but at Scotiabank Place Friday night, the king of crossover Josh Groban crossed over indeed into ambitious and splendidly entertaining musical terrain with his latest and most ambitious album, Illuminations.<br /><br />Judging by his superb show Friday night, it looks like the lanky 30-year-old did the right thing, teaming up with eccentric super-producer Rick Rubin, who’s worked with everyone from Slayer to Metallica.<br /><br />Groban’s latest disc cuts loose some from the steady diet of operatic love songs to tackle riskier, but oddly satisfying exotics by Rufus Wainwright and Nick Cave. It makes for a pretty unconventional live gig too.<br /><br />Stage at centre ice<br /><br />Dressed in a T-shirt and jacket and runners and looking like one of the crew, a solitary Groban walked onto a small stage at centre ice while his travelling chamber orchestra on stage played an instrumental version of his title hit Straight To You.<br /><br />At the piano, Groban opened with Changing Colors and February Song alone before flattering the nearly 5,000 fans — in French and English — about how beautiful Ottawa’s been before singing his big hit You Are Loved leaving women of all ages in a pool.<br /><br />Accompanied by a small chamber orchestra including harp, two drummers and Spanish guitarist, Groban performed the love song Alejante, the first a many arty songs he’d sing in Spanish, Italian and French.<br /><br />By now, Groban’s gig was settling into a comfortable rhythm, with the L.A. crooner masterfully singing as if he were the romantic lead in a Broadway musical. On one walkabout, after laying on the boyish charm again, he was kissed by two elderly women before getting a thumbs-up from a nine-year-old named Emma before speaking briefly about his recent move to New York City.<br /><br />He moved to the piano for Bells of New York City, Hidden Window, Au Jardin Des Sans-Pourquoi — a song co-written with Rufus Wainwright and Kate McGarrigle.<br /><br />War At Home and a high-octane orchestral version of McCartney’s Live and Let Die was next with Groban playing the drums on Voce Existe Em Mim before answering tweeted questions from the audience, including a request from one fan named Camille to sing Groban’s When You Say You Love Me with him.<br /><br />Glass of wine<br /><br />She was good enough a singer, that she clearly upstaged an impressed Groban, who handed her the microphone.<br /><br />“That takes balls,” Groban joked afterwards.<br /><br />It takes balls to bring fans he met earlier on stage, pouring a couple married 40 years a glass of wine, something milder for that nine-year-old Emma before singing Broken Vow, a soaring Per Te and a cover of Neil Diamond’s classic Play Me and his encore You Raise Me Up.<br /><br />You certainly get your money’s worth with Groban.<br /><br />He has one of the most beautiful baritone voices in all pop, one that just doesn’t quit, is an inexhaustible performer, is just so damn likable, and doesn’t do the usual arena rock show.<br /><br />Groban’s made it safe to do crossover pop again.<br /><br />Opening the show was jazz and sol pianist extraordinaire ELEW, a laid-back guy who’s talent for playing the piano in unusual ways, playing The Police hit Every Breath You Take with My Favourite Things at the same time.<br /></blockquote>(<a href="http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/07/22/packed-with-charm">Source</a> - check the link to see some great pictures from the show)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-7449004387917007926?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0Scotiabank Place, Ottawa, ON - Canada45.29706978362315 -75.9269901608520345.25784628362315 -75.96576666085203 45.33629328362315 -75.88821366085203tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-78577199694718047202011-07-23T17:15:00.002+10:002011-08-01T06:18:51.155+10:00By Bruce Ward, The Ottawa Citizen<br /><blockquote>REVIEW - Josh Groban - Scotiabank Place<br />Reviewed Friday, July 22<br />javascript:void(0)<br />OTTAWA — Josh Groban, the master of operatic pop, was nowhere in sight when his concert began Friday night at Scotiabank Place.<br /><br />In a graceful gesture, he gave the main stage to the string and horn sections of his 13-piece band. They serenaded the crowd of about 5,000 — a smallish turnout, given Groban’s massive popularity — with an instrumental version of the singer’s Straight To You.<br /><br />Only then did Groban pop up on a smaller stage on the arena floor, playing piano and crooning Changing Colors, a song he got from Great Lake Swimmers, a Canadian band.<br /><br />Next, Groban turned to February Song and You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up). Both were greeted with loud applause followed by rapt attention, as if the crowd’s senses were swamped by the beauty of Groban’s voice.<br /><br />One highlight of the show was Groban’s breathtaking Au Jardin Des Sans-Pourquoi — a song written by Montreal’s Rufus Wainright and his mother, the late Kate McGarrigle. It’s a standout track on Groban’s latest album Illuminations, produced by Rick Rubin.<br /><br />Later, Groban showed his versatility, taking over the drums for a crack instrumental version of You Only Live Twice, the James Bond movie theme.<br /><br />Groban’s baritone is like a suburban family van tricked out with a Mercedes engine. When he steps on the gas, so to speak, the ladies swoon.<br /><br />He comes across like someone you might see at the coffee shop — a regular guy who happens to have a voice like an angel.<br /><br />Groban bounded into the crowd several times, slapping palms and holding short conversations with several fans.<br /><br />“You smell awesome, Ottawa,” he said at one point. “I love how you’re always polite.”<br /><br />Groban chose a young woman named “Camille” from the audience and brought her on stage to sing When You Say You Love Me with him.<br /><br />“That takes balls,” he said when she finished. The crowd responded with huge applause.<br /><br />Early in the set, Groban moved to Mediterranean-style balladry, singing Oceano in Italian and then Alejate in Spanish.<br /><br />For an arena pop star, Groban’s enunciation is a marvel. You can actually hear and understand the words he sings, although at times the cavernous rink did muddy the band’s sound.<br /><br />Lyrically, some of Groban’s material is as sappy as maple syrup. Remember how hippies would hold a lighted match aloft in tribute at Grateful Dead shows?<br /><br />The equivalent for Grobanites would be holding up a slice of white bread.<br /><br />Groban was dressed in California casual — blue jacket, jeans and white running shoes.<br /><br />Over the course of his 20-song set, he drew from his four million-selling albums.<br /><br />Whatever language he sang in — English, French, Italian, Spanish, — Groban gave his fans exactly what they came for — glossy high-end pop sung with grace and genuine feeling.<br /><br />Pianist Eric “Elew” Lewis who opened the show is Groban’s polar opposite.<br /><br />Standing at the piano, he played mostly pounding music he calls “rockjazz.” His version of Sweet Home Alabama included a brief snatch of — possibly — Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.<br /><br />Elew then took the Stones’ Paint It, Black out in the alley and beat it senseless.<br /><br />He delivered a cool take on the Gilligan’s Island theme — but if wasn’t one Ginger or the professor would readily recognize.<br /><br />Elew also worked bits of Erik Satie and Scott Joplin’s ragtime gem, The Entertainer, into his short set.<br /><br />The Scotiabank audience mostly seemed nonplussed by Elew’s energetic performance.<br /><br />It was as though he was serving Red Bull to mint tea drinkers.<br /><br />Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Review+Groban+performs+with+feeling/5147541/story.html#ixzz1SuU9YNhs<br /></blockquote>(<a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/Review+Groban+performs+with+feeling/5147541/story.html?cid=megadrop_story">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-7857719969471804720?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0Scotiabank Place, Ottawa, ON - Canada45.296843373277575 -75.9269687031799145.25761987327758 -75.9657452031799 45.336066873277574 -75.88819220317991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-36304999937011806842011-07-23T06:56:00.001+10:002011-07-23T07:06:18.103+10:00<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="297" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CCPK3w0sGyU?rel=0" width="470"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WMlY8EWykVs/TinjlW41AAI/AAAAAAAAEE4/hLXwab3X2EA/s1600/scl2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WMlY8EWykVs/TinjlW41AAI/AAAAAAAAEE4/hLXwab3X2EA/s400/scl2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GIzX3AZAq9M/TinmKKVbEII/AAAAAAAAEFE/dL_ZqfCA07U/s1600/scl2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GIzX3AZAq9M/TinmKKVbEII/AAAAAAAAEFE/dL_ZqfCA07U/s400/scl2a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V5M2UZGIgnA/TinmKu2lPxI/AAAAAAAAEFI/_GpJAbYJqWo/s1600/scl3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V5M2UZGIgnA/TinmKu2lPxI/AAAAAAAAEFI/_GpJAbYJqWo/s400/scl3a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-3630499993701180684?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-36451366539245374252011-07-23T06:39:00.003+10:002011-07-23T07:01:14.716+10:00<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="297" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/b4XdKBuCiFA" width="470"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-3645136653924537425?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-86427730587219442992011-07-22T06:50:00.001+10:002011-07-22T06:53:05.325+10:00Set the DVR's: Josh is co-hosting LIVE! with Regis and Kelly from 9am on August 1st.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NDPg2UDaCBc/TXMoXsDQ4sI/AAAAAAAADaw/yQCZ_06h80I/s1600/FF1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NDPg2UDaCBc/TXMoXsDQ4sI/AAAAAAAADaw/yQCZ_06h80I/s400/FF1.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />This will be just before his show at the Prudential Center, Newark on August 2nd.<br /><br />(<a href="http://www.joshgroban.com/news/2011-07-21/josh-co-hosting-live-regis-kelly-81?utm_source=joshgroban.com&amp;utm_medium=twitter">Source</a>)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-8642773058721944299?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-56792515204709494292011-07-21T05:36:00.001+10:002011-07-21T05:38:05.343+10:00Emma talks about Josh (0:19 to 1:02)<br /><br /><i>I like to call Josh Groban, "Golden Grobes".<br /><br />Because he was phenomenal. I had no idea, he's so funny and he's so great at improv - and he came up with the greatest stuff, um, just off the cuff, and I had no idea.<br /><br />I think as a suitor, Richard, his character, is um, he's kind of a boring guy. He's a pretty, I mean, so sweet, and there's probably a lot of girls out there that would be all about Richard. But Hannah is a little wilder than she's allowing herself to be. I think she's fallen into this path and she's kind of settled.</i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="450" height="303"><param name="movie" value="http://www.traileraddict.com/emd/42635"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.traileraddict.com/emd/42635" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" wmode="transparent" width="450" height="303" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></object></div><br />(<a href="http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/crazy-stupid-love/interview-emma-stone">Source - Trailer Addict</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-5679251520470949429?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-51304187859906435652011-07-21T05:10:00.000+10:002011-07-21T05:10:21.894+10:00By Joe BelangerR, The London Free Press<br /><blockquote>Josh Groban is more than a pretty voice.<br /><br />And Tuesday night at the John Labatt Centre, the 30-year-old classical crossover artist showed why he sells millions of records and draws near-capacity crowds every time he performs.<br /><br />From the opening instrumental, Straight to You, featuring brass and string quartets, the Los Angeles-born star — whose records have sold more than 21 million copies worldwide since the release of his first self-titled album in 2001 — seduced the audience with selections from four of his five studio albums.<br /><br />Groban suddenly appeared in the centre of the arena playing piano to a startled audience, his beautiful voice filling the cavity, stirring emotions in the adoring crowd with his cover of the Canadian band Great Lake Swimmers’ Changing Colours.<br /><br />London was the second of four stops in Eastern Canada in the 52-city Straight To You Tour and it’s clear he’s in mid-tour shape as he wooed the audience with the voice and personality that just won’t quit.<br /><br />When he introduced the song, You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up) from the album Awake, the audience roared its approval, then fell silent, not wanting to miss a note of the powerful song in which Groban visits his entire vocal range, from high baritone to falsetto. That was followed seamlessly by the darker, dramatic Oceano from the album Closer.<br /><br />On the main stage with his 13-piece band, Groban never let the crowd think he’d forgotten about them, often stopping to tell stories. As beautiful as the music was, it was a casual affair with Groban dressed in black jacket, tight jeans, white shirt and running shoes.<br /><br />There were tears falling when he sang the Spanish-language ballad, Alejate, from his debut release.<br /><br />The tour is in support of his latest disc, Illuminations, which rose to No. 4 on Canadian charts, continuing his decade-long climb to become one of the most popular cross-over singers of all time.<br /><br />Groban has a reputation for his humour and relaxed concerts, often interacting with his audiences, taking and responding to text messages and bringing people on stage. He didn’t disappoint his London fans, the vast majority women.<br /><br />Near the end, he invited a couple celebrating their 14th anniversary onto the stage, along with a 12-year-old girl, and a second, older couple married 50 years to sit on inflatable couches to drink wine and milk. Once everyone was comfortable, Groban sat on a stool.<br /><br />“I’m going to sing a song about cheating,” he said, sparking a big laugh before breaking into the sombre Broken Vow, backed by a sensational trumpet solo, before jumping into Per Te, also from Closer.<br /><br />The two-hour concert ended with two encores, Neil Diamond’s Play Me and his first hit, You Raise Me Up.<br /><br />Opening for Groban was self-described rockjazz pianist ELEW (Eric Lewis), whose energy and stylings on the ivories won enthusiastic applause from the crowd, as he crashed through the jazz and rock barriers, fusing his love of rock and jazz with covers from a litany of stars such as Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit, Coldplay’s Clocks, The Killers’ Mr. Brightside, and classics such as Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama, and the Rolling Stones’ Paint It Black.</blockquote>(<a href="http://www.lfpress.com/entertainment/music/2011/07/19/18442491.html#/entertainment/music/2011/07/19/pf-18442491.html">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-5130418785990643565?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0John Labatt Centre, London, ON - Canada42.98241202064024 -81.2522534365539342.96867052064024 -81.26991293655392 42.99615352064024 -81.23459393655394tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-901572103396669272011-07-21T05:04:00.000+10:002011-07-21T05:04:26.163+10:00finally one where we can see Josh.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="470" height="297" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JtmK7t6TVbs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-90157210339666927?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-25054752490808414102011-07-20T06:55:00.000+10:002011-07-20T06:55:07.691+10:00By J.D. Considine for the Globe and Mail<br /><blockquote><b>Josh Groban: Sweet and slyly subversive</b><br />Josh Groban definitely knows how to make an impression. After his band offered an instrumental version of Straight to You as an overture, Groban entered the Air Canada Centre in Toronto from the rear, walking through the crowd to a small satellite stage by the mixing desk.<br /><br />Seating himself at the piano, he launched into a pair of emotionally expressive ballads. Then, after finishing the mournful, nostalgic February Song, he stood and thanked the crowd for coming. “You paid out the wazoo to be here tonight,” he said, “so I’m going to sing my ass off for you.”<br /><br />Oh, that Josh – such a kidder!<br /><br /><b>Middlebrow radical</b><br /><br />By rights, Groban should be what seniors call “a nice young man,” a charming, pleasant performer with a well-trained voice and a penchant for the sort of sweet, tuneful songs they allegedly don’t write any more. Rosie O’Donnell famously dubbed him “Opera Boy,” and indeed, his biggest hits – You Raise Me Up and the Christmas chestnut O Holy Night – have made good use of his rich tone and controlled power.<br /><br />But at 30, the youthful-looking Groban is no mere boy, nor does he seem intent on following Wayne Newton’s path down the middle of the road to cultural irrelevance. At the same time, however, he seems genuinely to like old-fashioned melodies, the sort of tunes even the kids on Glee find corny.<br /><br />So instead of reinventing himself as an indie-rock hipster, like Renée Fleming, Groban has followed his bliss, sticking with big, expressive melodies even as the underlying harmony and structure grew increasingly sophisticated.<br /><br />Basically, he decided to make middlebrow music edgy – which in its way is far more subversive than covering Death Cab for Cutie.<br /><br /><b>The big wink<br /></b><br />Groban is also quite the joker, and delights in playing against expectations. Toward the end of Monday’s show, he went through the audience searching for people to bring onstage. He found a couple who’d been married for 25 years, a pretty “single lady,” and a nine-year-old girl. After apologizing that his stage set lacked furniture, he instructed his stage crew to bring out the inflatable sofas they’d been using backstage and seated his guests.<br /><br />To foster the proper atmosphere, he had wine brought out, plus some milk for the little girl, and served his special audience while joking about possible liability (“I’m pouring my career away …” he crooned). Once everyone was settled and expecting some romantic music, Groban said, “I’m going to sing you a song about cheating.”<br /><br />The house exploded in laughter.<br /><br />But the really sly thing about Groban’s gag was that the song, Broken Vow, really was a lovely romantic ballad, which he sang with tenderness and sensitivity. It just happened to be about someone trying to figure out why his lover left him.<br /><b><br />Beauty versus power</b><br /><br />Because middlebrow pop aspires to the grandeur of classical but eschews its artiness, the genre has a weakness for big, musical theatre-style voices. Groban, however, played down his power, keeping to the upper end of his range, which lightened his sound, lessening the temptation to simply power through the ballads.<br /><br />His falsetto was particularly affecting, and when he sang You Are Loved and Bells of New York City, the brightness of his high notes underscored the sweetness of each refrain. It was genuinely bel canto singing, and while it didn’t always work – Machine had him sounding like an even paler Michael McDonald, and he didn’t quite manage the rhythmic grace to animate Voce Existe Em Mim – his best moments were wonderfully intimate.<br /><br />Perhaps that’s why he handed off the triumphant You Raise Me Up to his audience. By asking the crowd to fill in for the recorded version’s gospel choir, he inverted the model, so that instead of uplifting bombast, the tune became a homey singalong. It was sweet and slyly subversive – classic Groban, in other words.</blockquote>(<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/music/josh-groban-sweet-and-slyly-subversive/article2102308/">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-2505475249080841410?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON - Canada43.6436759 -79.3790851999999643.4450954 -79.69745419999997 43.8422564 -79.06071619999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-31064500643517538182011-07-20T05:32:00.000+10:002011-07-20T05:32:23.551+10:00By Francois Marchand - The Ottawa Citizen<br /><blockquote>When Josh Groban steps into an arena, there aren’t many who can upstage him.<br /><br />But there is one, and his name is Sweeney.<br /><br />Granted, Sweeney is a dog — Groban’s prized wheaten terrier, which he was looking forward to taking on a walk on a beautiful recent morning in New York City.<br /><br />“I take him on the road with me and he loves it,” Groban said via phone. “We call it the ‘wheaten greet’ because he runs around the arenas and he meets fans. He’s far more famous than I am.”<br /><br />Fans will more than likely see Sweeney on Groban’s Canadian dates on the Straight to You Tour, which will take Groban back in an arena setting after a string of smaller concerts earlier this year. He plays at Scotiabank Place on July 22.<br /><br />“The shows were very intimate, with about 1,200 seats, just piano and guitar, no set list, and Q&A,” Groban said. “It wound up being the most fun I’ve ever had in my life. I realized there was a very special thing we could draw from this and bring to an arena environment.<br /><br />“I wanted the arena show to be vibrant and energetic but have that intimacy and that connection with the audience. We can’t do Q&A because there’s too many people. So we have text messages fans send in so I can answer them, and there are stairs where I can literally climb into the audience and talk to people.”<br /><br />Groban added that, while they could have easily called it the Illuminations Tour — referring to the title from his latest album, released in November last year — the tour isn’t about just one record; it’s about all five of his albums.<br /><br />Straight to You turns out to be a Nick Cave song Groban covered on Illuminations, and he thought the title represented “that feeling of intimacy and excitement we have to get back out there.”<br /><br />Illuminations marked a number of departures for Groban, having moved to New York from Los Angeles a year ago and working with famed producer Rick Rubin (Beastie Boys, Johnny Cash, Metallica) for the first time after four albums produced by the one who discovered Groban, “hit man” David Foster.<br /><br />Groban also co-wrote most of the material on the album with the help of Semisonic’s Dan Wilson, marking the first time Groban would lend his own creative touch to the material he sang, which made for a deeper personal exploration.<br /><br />“The co-writing was a bit of a surprise for me,” Groban said. “I trust Rick’s ear tremendously and I trust his ability to take any style of music — and my style was completely new to him — and put it through his filter. I think his motto for me was, ‘I know you can sing your ass off. I want these songs to be coming from you, rather than just being presented by you as a vocalist.’<br /><br />“So he sent me off to do a lot of writing. I’m always writing and finding songs that are personal, but when you’ve got me working on a project for two and half years and you’re having me write, it’s going to get very introspective. It’s just the nature of the beast: It’s going to wind up being a more personal record, a more thoughtful record.”<br /><br />Illuminations finds Groban in solitary mode, soul-searching on songs like Rufus Wainwright and mother Kate McGarrigle’s heartbreaking Au jardin des sans-pourquoi (the last song the two would write together before McGarrigle’s death) and singing, for the first time, in Portuguese on Voce Existe Em Mim.<br /><br />New York admittedly played a big part in Groban’s writing on Illuminations, with songs like Bells of New York City and Higher Window resonating deeply with Groban’s operatic flair and hints of Brill Building influences.<br /><br />“I always miss L.A.; it’s where I was born and raised,” Groban said. “I miss the feeling I get when I’m there and the people that I know. But I’ve needed this change. I’ve always felt deep down that New York was where I needed to be.”<br /><br />Beyond the music, Groban will be appearing in the comedy Crazy Stupid Love (to be released July 29) alongside Steve Carrell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore and Emma Stone, playing Stone’s fiancé, a lawyer who tells horrible jokes and whom everybody hates.<br /><br />“It’s a hysterical script, one of the best I’ve read in a long time,” Groban said. “It was really nice to be given a chance to be a comedic actor and not have to worry about the singing. When you’re surrounded by those kinds of people, it doesn’t get any better than that.”<br /><br />Did he feel being far from Hollywood would hurt his movie career?<br /><br />“Right, I didn’t think about that,” he said with a hearty laugh. “Well, back to Beverly Hills! I mean, Woody Allen is still making movies in New York, right? Maybe I’ll try to meet him.”<br /><br />Josh Groban performs in concert at Scotiabank Place on Friday, July 22 </blockquote>(<a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/movie-guide/Concert+preview+Josh+Groban+takes+life+straight+fans/5124769/story.html">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-3106450064351753818?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0Scotiabank Place, Ottawa, ON - Canada45.29693393752428 -75.9270330761962745.25771043752428 -75.96580957619626 45.33615743752428 -75.88825657619627tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-47341196030906494992011-07-20T05:26:00.001+10:002011-07-21T05:41:15.368+10:00<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="303" width="450"><param name="movie" value="http://www.traileraddict.com/emd/42642"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.traileraddict.com/emd/42642" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" wmode="transparent" width="450" height="303" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></object></div>(<a href="http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/crazy-stupid-love/interview-josh-gorban">Source - Trailer Addict</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-4734119603090649499?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-47436029805133549132011-07-19T18:44:00.000+10:002012-01-18T07:06:12.442+10:00Check out this great blog for some behind the scenes pictures from the rehearsals in LA and then the first show in New Orleans.<br /><br /><a href="http://susiesefcikphotography.blogspot.com/2011/07/behind-scenes-with-josh-groban.html?spref=tw">Suzie Sefcik Photography</a><br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-4743602980513354913?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-42008189380879200552011-07-19T17:35:00.000+10:002011-07-19T17:35:09.398+10:00Article by Nick Krewen.<br /><blockquote>Josh Groban is all about breaking down barriers.<br /><br />Returning Monday night with a considerably different show than his extremely intimate “Before We Begin” two-accompanist affair, which stopped off at the Queen Elizabeth Centre earlier this year, Groban expanded his support group to a 13-piece band that included a trumpet, a trombone, two French Horns and a four-piece string section — mainly to take advantage of the orchestral palette that imbues some of his earnest, neo-classical songs.<br /><br />But however he may be perceived, the genial Los Angeles native went out of his way during his 20-song set to make his show fun, interesting, interactive and intimate. He largely succeeded despite being hampered by the cavernous sound of a semi-filled Air Canada Centre.<br /><br />Determined to keep it light and as spontaneous as big-ticket concerts allow, Groban threw the first curveball at the very beginning of his two-hour set: allowing his horn and string players to introduce their presence on the main stage with an instrumental version of “Straight To You,” while he snuck to a smaller stage within the bowels of the arena, sat down at an upright piano and proceeded to serenade the approximately 8,500 in attendance with “Changing Colors.”<br /><br />He then segued into the first big gun of the night, “February’s Song,” from 2003’s Closer, his running shoes tapping the piano pedal as his fingers lyrically rolled around the keys, before addressing the crowd and warmly welcoming them to the show.<br /><br />“You guys paid through the wazoo to be here tonight,” Groban stated, “The least I can do is sing my ass off for you.”<br /><br />And he made good on his promise, singing his posterior off with a top-flight selection of favourites from his four multi-platinum studio albums, including the recent Rick Rubin-produced Illuminations.<br /><br />While he often overpowered his talented band with that impossibly big voice of his, an absorbing baritone that had no trouble reaching the Air Canada Centre rafters, the David Foster discovery found some of his more tasteful nuances lost in the cavernous reverb of the building.<br /><br />But he did his best to showcase a versatile voice, one that glides easily up to falsetto on crowd-pleasers like “You Raise Me Up” and is even capable of dispensing some soul, as he did so brilliantly on the raucous “Machine.”<br /><br />Groban, who follows Monday night’s gig with one on Tuesday at London’s John Labatt Centre, is a little difficult to pin down, genre-wise: some call him classical crossover, except his voice doesn’t really have the straight-laced discipline to handle pure opera — although the power is certainly there. He also defies consideration as a pop singer, as the sheer strength of his voice tends to place him in the more formal category for casual classical listeners.<br /><br />But demonstrating his prowess with foreign languages — he waited until the fifth song before articulating the “Oceano” in Italian and then switching to Spanish for “Alejate” — Groban proved himself an expressive interpreter and a strong ally for the argument that music is indeed a universal language.<br /><br />He’s also a decent writer, delving into “The Bells Of New York” and “Higher Window” with the grand, sweeping melodrama expected of someone of his stature.<br /><br />But even though he possesses the magic weapon of a warm, flexible timbre, Groban went out of his way to prove he’s just one of the guys.<br /><br />Several times during his show, he ran through the crowd, slapping hands and engaging different people in short conversations.<br /><br />He even, by request, sang some of his infamous Kanye West tweets.<br /><br />You certainly wouldn’t see Placido Domingo inviting people on stage and pouring them wine while he sang to them.<br /><br />A definite crowd-pleaser, the only complaint is that Groban needs a more suitable venue the next time around.<br /><br />Molson Amphitheatre, anyone?</blockquote>(<a href="http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/1026884--versatile-groban-keeps-the-acc-audience-guessing">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-4200818938087920055?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON - Canada43.6436759 -79.3790851999999643.6278189 -79.44444969999996 43.659532899999995 -79.31372069999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-64103499100324356152011-07-19T17:31:00.000+10:002011-07-19T17:31:43.170+10:00By Jane Stevenson<br /><blockquote>TORONTO - Classical crossover pop star Josh Groban did a very wise thing on his return engagement to Toronto.<br /><br />Appearing at the Air Canada Centre on Monday night as part of his Straight To You arena trek, the 30-year-old singer incorporated a lot of the winning components from his much more intimate show at T.O.’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre back in January as part of his Before We Begin warm up tour.<br /><br />Thus the warm up right?<br /><br />Keep what works, throw away what doesn’t.<br /><br />For example, he began the two-hour show at the ACC by casually wandering into the audience on the floor where his piano sat on a smaller b-stage while his 13 musicians - including four horn players and four string players - played away on his larger main stage, thus keeping it intimate from the get-go.<br /><br />How about Close to You instead of Straight to You?<br /><br />And Groban’s trademark wit was also on display as he interacted early and often with the audience, ranging in size from 10,000 to 13,000 depending on who you asked, and just shy of a sell out.<br /><br />The funniest bit was when he took questions from fans including a woman named Bambi, who asked him to sing Kanye West tweets, in a repeat of the popular sketch he’s done on Jimmy Kimmel’s late night chat show.<br /><br />“Is that your real name or your stage name?” he kidded Bambi.<br /><br />But he did acquiesce and perform some of West’s better tweets including “French fries are the devil,” “Fur pillows are hard to actually sleep on,” “Man whatever happened to my antique fishtank,” and Classical music is tight, yo,” back on the smaller stage piano again much to the audience’s delight.<br /><br />Then Groban dragged up a couple who had been together for 25 years plus a random nine year old and a 24-year old woman on stage to sit on blow up white and black couches, serving them wine and milk.<br /><br />“What’s your secret?” he asked the couple.<br /><br />“We just like to hang out and party,” said the man<br /><br />“I’m going to get you hammered,” sang Groban as he poured the wine.<br /><br />He advised nine year old Claire: “Drink milk for as long as you can.”<br /><br />Schtick aside - basically he’s ready for a stint in Las Vegas if he wants it - Groban was in good voice in several languages including Italian, Spanish and English, when he wasn’t working the room.<br /><br />Standouts included You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up), Alejate, Bells Of New York City (Groban’s recent new home) - the first of many songs from his 2010 release, Illuminations - Higher Window, War at Home, Galileo (Someone Like You), Broken Vow, and the set ending Per Te.<br /><br />He also showed off his drumming skills on a stand up kit when the entire band took part in an instrumental version of Paul McCartney’s Live and Let Die and performed an encore consisting of a cover of Neil Diamond’s Play Me - he joked when writing he often asks “What would Neil Diamond do?” - and his own inspirational tune, You Raise Me Up, asking the Toronto fans to be his gospel choir for the night. </blockquote>(<a href="http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/G/Groban_Josh/ConcertReviews/2011/07/19/18437936.html?cid=rssentertainment">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-6410349910032435615?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON - Canada43.6436759 -79.3790851999999643.6278189 -79.44444969999996 43.659532899999995 -79.31372069999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-38104982747198486162011-07-19T06:14:00.000+10:002011-07-19T06:14:29.230+10:00By Vanessa Guimond (for those of you who can't read French, click this <a href="http://translate.google.com.au/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Ffr.canoe.ca%2Fdivertissement%2Fmusique%2Fnouvelles%2F2011%2F07%2F14%2F18420556-jdm.html">link</a> for the Google translation of the article).<br /><blockquote>Josh Groban s’est ennuyé de ses fans et il ne s’en cache pas.<br /><br />Pour cette raison, le jeune trentenaire qui compte déjà plus de dix ans de carrière se dit ravi de pouvoir s’arrêter à Montréal dans le cadre de la sa tournée Straight to You, le 23 juillet, au Centre Bell.<br /><br />Il faut dire que Josh Groban aura attendu quatre ans avant de reprendre la route, période qui lui aura entre autres permis de travailler sur Illuminations, son cinquième album studio.<br /><br />Rejoint alors qu’il profitait d’une pause bien méritée, entre deux portions de la tournée, le chanteur se disait sincèrement heureux de pouvoir se produire sur scène dans le cadre de ce périple qui le mènera, d’ici novembre, aux quatre coins du Canada, des États-Unis et de l’Europe.<br /><br />«Cette tournée, c’est quelque chose de fantastique, pour moi, a-t-il affirmé, au bout du fil. Je suis vraiment heureux de pouvoir reprendre la route et retrouver mes fans.»<br /><br />La dernière visite de Josh Groban, à Montréal, remonte à 2006, année où il a choisi de venir présenter son album Awake à ses admirateurs avant même de le lancer à New York.<br /><br />«Montréal est l’une de mes villes préférées dans le monde, a-t-il précisé. Les gens, chez vous, ont toujours été très accueillants. En plus, il y a une connexion très forte entre mon dernier album et Montréal, puisqu’on y retrouve une chanson composée par Rufus Wainwright et Kate McGarrigle.»<br /><br />Intitulée Au Jardin des Sans-Pourquoi, cette chanson — qui est des plus touchante, soit dit en passant — est l’une des seules pièces que Rufus a eu la chance d’écrire avec sa mère, décédée en 2010 des suites d’un cancer.<br /><br />TOUJOURS LE MÊME<br /><br />Même s’il a vendu plus 25 millions de disques à travers le monde et qu’il a travaillé avec plusieurs grands noms de l’industrie (Rick Rubin, David Foster, Celine Dion, pour ne nommer que ceux-ci), Josh Groban fait preuve d’une modestie surprenante.<br /><br />«Je pense que ce qui me rend le plus fier, par rapport à ce que j’ai accompli au cours des dix dernières années, c’est d’avoir réussi à ne pas me faire influencer par les choses qui auraient pu me changer, en tant que personne. C’est facile, dans cette industrie, de perdre son chemin.»<br /><br />Le chanteur affirme que c’est en grande partie grâce à son public qu’il a pu garder le cap et se concentrer sur l’évolution de sa carrière.<br /><br />«Mes fans m’ont permis de faire ce que j’avais à faire sans que j’aie à me soucier des tendances actuelles, a-t-il poursuivi. Je n’ai jamais eu besoin de changer quoi que ce soit pour plaire à mon public ou aux radios. Je suis vraiment reconnaissant de cela. Ça m’a permis de poursuivre mon chemin et d’évoluer en tant qu’artiste.»<br /><br />SPECTACLE INTIME<br /><br />C’est après qu’il ait eu la chance de se produire dans de petites salles, à l’occasion de quelques concerts improvisés, l’an dernier, que Josh Groban a souhaité se lancer dans une tournée «intimiste».<br /><br />«Même si je me produis dans les arénas, je voulais amener cette spontanéité à mon spectacle», a-t-il expliqué.<br /><br />Question de pouvoir réellement communiquer avec son public, Josh a choisi d’intégrer des éléments interactifs à son spectacle. Par exemple, les spectateurs pourront envoyer leurs questions par message texte au chanteur, qui prendra le temps d’y répondre sur scène.<br /><br />C’est aussi afin de s’assurer de présenter un concert différent dans chaque ville qu’il visite que Josh a opté pour la présentation de pièces extraites de tous ces disques.<br /><br />«De présenter un spectacle qui diffère, chaque soir, c’est ce qui m’assure de conserver une certaine énergie, qui fait en sorte que le spectacle demeure dynamique et vivant.»<br /><br />Les fans du chanteur seront également heureux de savoir que Josh fait partie de la distribution du film Crazy, Stupid, Love, en salles le 29 juillet.<br /><br />Josh Groban se produira au Centre Bell dans le cadre de sa tournée Straight To You, le 23 juillet prochain.</blockquote>(Source)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-3810498274719848616?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0Montreal, QC - Canada45.49588371047009 -73.5696095529480145.46735271047009 -73.61351205294801 45.52441471047009 -73.52570705294801tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-71030746417185744732011-07-18T17:29:00.001+10:002011-07-18T18:28:54.305+10:00Opps, looks like I missed posting this back in December last year from when Josh was in Australia.&nbsp; It's a great long (16:39) interview by Tim Cashmere from <a href="http://www.undercover.fm/news/13189-josh-groban-plans-more-records-with-rick-rubin">Undercover.fm</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UflcP01EUFQ/TiPfO66yXCI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/WpXZU8AIsNU/s1600/JGU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UflcP01EUFQ/TiPfO66yXCI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/WpXZU8AIsNU/s400/JGU.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="320" width="460"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.undercover.fm/site/getvideo/363"/><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"/><embed src="http://www.undercover.fm/site/getvideo/363" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="460" height="320"/> </object></div><br />Josh Groban is planning at least one more album with producer Rick Rubin after a successful collaboration on his latest album ‘Illuminations’.<br /><br />“Now that Rick and I know each other a little better - this record was a “nice to meet you” to the fans from me and Rick,” Groban told Undercover. “In the future I’d like to explore more with rhythm and more with world music and Eric is someone who is great to do that with.”<br /><br />“We’ve always viewed this as a two or three album process together. There is so much of a “getting to know you” period in the first record that I think that to only limit it to that, to twelve songs, as a new relationship would be doing both of us a disservice, so yeah, we’re very excited about the next one.<br /><br />“So far I’ve been going back and forth a lot with my friend Eric Mouquet,” Groban later added. “We met when he was in a band called Deep Forest and we’ve written about two songs an album so far and I think we really miss each other, we didn’t write together on this album.”<br /><br />The idea to work together first came from the bearded producer.<br /><br />“We met as two people in the industry who have never met before. We met through a mutual friend and we just wanted to have a fun lunch to talk about music. That lunch turned into him saying “Well if you’re working on songs, I’d be happy to give you a friendly ear, give my opinion.” That turned into me playing him songs, which turned into us talking about how we would make those songs, which in turn had him saying “I don’t do anything half way, I’d like to produce the whole record. This is new for me and new for you, let’s take the leap.”<br /><br />“I was terrified, but also so honoured that someone of his stature wanted to take on something new. For me, I knew that the work that he had done in the past was not at all like what I do, so I felt like if he was interested in taking that leap with me, I had no choice but to take the leap with him because when else do you get the chance to do that?”<br /><br />Fans probably don’t have to wait too long to hear the next Groban record. <br /><br />“I have a sneaking suspicion that this next record is not going to take very long,” the singer said.<br /><br />(<a href="http://www.undercover.fm/news/13189-josh-groban-plans-more-records-with-rick-rubin">Source</a>)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-7103074641718574473?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-26550156284130073312011-07-18T06:37:00.002+10:002012-01-18T07:06:12.443+10:00This video from Josh's visit to the Bethesda Naval Hospital before his performance at "A Capitol 4th".<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="382" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nLMVUjPYnOU?rel=0" width="470"></iframe></div><br />Before his performance he talks about this visit to Bethesda.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="405" id="gorillaPlayer_thll001" width="500"><param name="swliveconnect" value="true"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://cdn.springboard.gorillanation.com/storage/xplayer/yo033.swf"><param name="flashvars" value="e=4bffc0037b3a3a49328d685cccfc7c21cc002973d57a44951a38fddf065f5c696a66be9b89ee2d2f0947d4e15d253124c7d296b9a2a5d695fdd446d15f64f11765e48c3971ea9b28f1c1d00a028062a02723d09accafe3f4ff222bb8b0&width=500&height=405&pid=thll001&autostart=false&allowscriptaccess=always&usefullscreen=true"><embed src="http://cdn.springboard.gorillanation.com/storage/xplayer/yo033.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" name="gorillaPlayer_thll001" width="500" height="405" allowscriptaccess="always" swliveconnect="true" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="e=4bffc0037b3a3a49328d685cccfc7c21cc002973d57a44951a38fddf065f5c696a66be9b89ee2d2f0947d4e15d253124c7d296b9a2a5d695fdd446d15f64f11765e48c3971ea9b28f1c1d00a028062a02723d09accafe3f4ff222bb8b0&width=500&height=405&pid=thll001&autostart=false&allowscriptaccess=always&usefullscreen=true&esnapshot=4bffc0037b3a3a493b90685cccfc7c21cc002973d57a44951a38fddf065f5c696a66be9b89ee2d2f094ccde2702233248cd5a1bdaebcdb97e7c64d91526dfa016ea2c92625aac528b19e894b41d122e47b3ccc9bdbaefcfdfe7874ef&trueurl=http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2011/07/josh-groban-honors-america-at-a-capitol-fourth-performance-video/#more"></embed></object></div><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-2655015628413007331?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-33169820100715007732011-07-17T09:25:00.000+10:002011-07-17T09:49:51.778+10:00Check out the 1:32 minute mark...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="303" width="450"><param name="movie" value="http://www.traileraddict.com/emd/42628"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.traileraddict.com/emd/42628" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" wmode="transparent" width="450" height="303" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></object></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GImBUGqEvXY/TiIbMJpOLQI/AAAAAAAAEDk/VLV7ZVM4QcE/s1600/CSL02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GImBUGqEvXY/TiIbMJpOLQI/AAAAAAAAEDk/VLV7ZVM4QcE/s400/CSL02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjzKnRKNKwc/TiIbLwEVRyI/AAAAAAAAEDc/r2FRUp-kAz0/s1600/CSL01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjzKnRKNKwc/TiIbLwEVRyI/AAAAAAAAEDc/r2FRUp-kAz0/s400/CSL01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7tx0AgADjZc/TiIcQmKXVoI/AAAAAAAAEDo/dyvwS8tQP4w/s1600/CSL03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7tx0AgADjZc/TiIcQmKXVoI/AAAAAAAAEDo/dyvwS8tQP4w/s400/CSL03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qXPl5ax9uw8/TiIcRDzTPOI/AAAAAAAAEDs/u5nmYjCqO5s/s1600/CSL04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qXPl5ax9uw8/TiIcRDzTPOI/AAAAAAAAEDs/u5nmYjCqO5s/s400/CSL04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xxq67yExRc8/TiId1jK2GEI/AAAAAAAAEDw/r-HY4I5bo5Y/s1600/CSL05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xxq67yExRc8/TiId1jK2GEI/AAAAAAAAEDw/r-HY4I5bo5Y/s400/CSL05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2V91PflJEk/TiId1-qNA9I/AAAAAAAAED0/jBjkMA2e3Jo/s1600/CSL06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2V91PflJEk/TiId1-qNA9I/AAAAAAAAED0/jBjkMA2e3Jo/s400/CSL06.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bRHmRP53HMM/TiId2b81BJI/AAAAAAAAED4/0yuGLPFEyLQ/s1600/CSL07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bRHmRP53HMM/TiId2b81BJI/AAAAAAAAED4/0yuGLPFEyLQ/s400/CSL07.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XEdWmYlItSc/TiId2-vP42I/AAAAAAAAED8/Q3eNJySGIj4/s1600/CSL08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XEdWmYlItSc/TiId2-vP42I/AAAAAAAAED8/Q3eNJySGIj4/s400/CSL08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />(<a href="http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/crazy-stupid-love/b-roll-i">Trailer Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-3316982010071500773?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-44252240378177001342011-07-16T11:03:00.003+10:002011-07-16T11:42:47.263+10:00Backstage catchup/fruit show and tell...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="308" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/26495430?color=8f60cc" width="411"></iframe><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/26495430">Welcome to my dressing room!</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user604934">Josh Groban</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5B7NPt1DCX0/TiDrzSMQbzI/AAAAAAAAEDI/NaiZg_0Wxno/s1600/mos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5B7NPt1DCX0/TiDrzSMQbzI/AAAAAAAAEDI/NaiZg_0Wxno/s400/mos.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-4425224037817700134?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-54556569773269979142011-07-15T06:32:00.002+10:002011-07-16T11:42:23.738+10:00...By Paul Clark from <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110714/ENT03/107140311/Groban-comes-US-Bank-Arena?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cs">Cincinnati.com</a><br /><blockquote>So there was Josh Groban, juggling fruit onstage while a female fan licked her elbow.<br /><br />“The kind of thing that could only have happened on this tour,” he says.<br /><br />That would be Groban’s “Straight to You” tour, due at U.S. Bank Arena Friday night. During each show he invites audience members to send text messages to backstage staff who choose a few for Groban to read aloud.<br /><br />On the night in question, a texter asked whether Groban has any hidden circus talents. The fan boasted that she can lick her elbow, so Groban invited her up to demonstrate.<br /><br />“I’ve tried licking my elbow. It’s impossible,” Groban said. “So I juggled. I improvised with an apple, a baseball and I think a lime.<br /><br />“We had done small shows where we took questions that were yelled out from the crowd, but that would be unruly in an arena setting. I’m a little nervous before that segment, but it brings a different energy to the show.”<br /><br />Groban also has been juggling different musical approaches this tour. Known for a supersized voice that was made for singing to the balcony, he’s mixing his beloved booming ballads with stripped-down sounds from his fifth studio album, “Illuminations.”<br /><br />“While the spirit and intimacy of that record is there. the vibrancy of the shows are representative of all five records,” he said. “I love big sound. But for those who think ('Illuminations’) was a wonderful departure, it will be represented.”<br /><br />Fans will likewise find Groban playing against type in the screen comedy “Crazy, Stupid, Love” premiering two weeks from Friday. The movie, featuring Steve Canell and Ryan Gosling, casts Groban as Emma Stone’s jerk boyfriend, seemingly a stretch for the notoriously nice Groban.<br /><br />He’s so affable that he’s even good-natured if people poke fun at his amiable image. In a video on the “Funny or Die” website, Groban plays a dual role as himself and a smarmy interviewer asking cliché questions (“Are you single?”) and assuring the singer that “my mom’s a big fan.”<br /><br />“I have fun poking fun at [that image], because it’s not entirely true,” Groban says. “The crowd is so diverse. It’s more than your mom.”<br /><br />In Cincinnati, the fans include a couple of Groban’s great-aunts who live in the area.<br /><br />“It will be something of a hometown show,” he says. “I have many relatives in Cincinnati. Aunt Sis is in Cincy. She says ‘Oh, I can’t keep the buttons on, I’m so proud.’”<br /><br />So, clueless interviewers and surprise questions from audience members aside, what would Groban prefer to discuss if he really did interview himself?<br /><br />“I could talk about music, but that’s boring. Sports, Wimbledon I could talk about. I could talk about food all day long. I’m kind of a foodie. I could just eat my way through various boroughs.”<br /><br />Is he single?<br /><br />“I am single at the moment,” he says. “It’s one of those things you write about when you tap into at the moment. With ‘Illuminations’ we didn’t want to just throw big love anthems out there. It was a project I needed to do. We wanted to face the truth.”<br /><br />Which can be nearly as hard as licking your elbow.</blockquote>(<a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110714/ENT03/107140311/Groban-comes-US-Bank-Arena?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cs">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-5455656977326997914?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0Bank Arena - Cincinnati39.097929 -84.5040880000000239.087879 -84.51918900000003 39.107979 -84.48898700000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-47413286142577840882011-07-14T06:07:00.000+10:002011-07-14T06:07:33.495+10:00In anticipation of his upcoming Canadian shows... by Francois Marchand of the Vancouver Sun.<br /><blockquote>When Josh Groban steps into an arena, there aren't many that can upstage him.<br /><br />But there is one, and his name is Sweeney.<br /><br />Granted, Sweeney is a dog: Groban's prized wheaten terrier, which he was looking forward to taking on a walk on a beautiful June morning in New York City.<br /><br />"I take him on the road with me and he loves it," Groban said via phone. "We call it the 'wheaten greet' because he runs around the arenas and he meets fans. He's far more famous than I am."<br /><br />Fans will more than likely see Sweeney on Groban's forthcoming Canadian dates on the Straight to You Tour, which will take Groban back in an arena setting after a string of smaller concerts earlier this year.<br /><br />"The shows were very intimate, with about 1,200 seats, just piano and guitar, no set list, and Q&A," Groban said. "It wound up being the most fun I've ever had in my life. I realized there was a very special thing we could draw from this and bring to an arena environment.<br /><br />"I wanted the arena show to be vibrant and energetic but have that intimacy and that connection with the audience. We can't do Q&A because there's too many people. So we have text messages fans send in so I can answer them, and there are stairs where I can literally climb into the audience and talk to people."<br /><br />Groban added that, while they could have easily called it the Illuminations Tour - referring to the title from his latest album, released in November last year - the tour isn't about just one record; it's about all five of his albums.<br /><br />Straight to You turns out to be a Nick Cave song Groban covered on Illuminations, and he thought the title represented "that feeling of intimacy and excitement we have to get back out there."<br /><br />Illuminations marked a number of departures for Groban, having moved to New York from Los Angeles a year ago and working with famed producer Rick Rubin (Beastie Boys, Johnny Cash, Metallica) for the first time after four albums produced by the one who discovered Groban, "hit man" David Foster.<br /><br />Groban also co-wrote most of the material on the album with the help of Semisonic's Dan Wilson, marking the first time Groban would lend his own creative touch to the material he sang, which made for a deeper personal exploration.<br /><br />"The co-writing was a bit of a surprise for me," Groban said. "I trust Rick's ear tremendously and I trust his ability to take any style of music - and my style was completely new to him - and put it through his filter. I think his motto for me was, 'I know you can sing your ass off. I want these songs to be coming from you, rather than just being presented by you as a vocalist.'<br /><br />"So he sent me off to do a lot of writing. I'm always writing and finding songs that are personal, but when you've got me working on a project for two and half years and you're having me write, it's going to get very introspective. It's just the nature of the beast: It's going to wind up being a more personal record, a more thoughtful record."<br /><br />One can wonder if Foster, seeing one of his proteges taking on a new producer and adopting an entirely new creative approach, might have resented Groban working with Rubin and writing his own material.<br /><br />"Not at all," Groban said. "My relationship with David is arguably better than it's ever been. He's always been a wonderful friend and mentor, and we've always known from the beginning that sometimes we'll work together and sometimes we won't. We have a much more meaningful relationship in each other's lives that goes far beyond whether we make an album together or not. He was skeptical of it at first, but, to be fair, Rick and I were skeptical, too."<br /><br />Illuminations finds Groban in solitary mode, soul-searching on songs like Rufus Wainwright and mother Kate McGarrigle's heartbreaking Au jardin des sans-pourquoi (the last song the two would write together before McGarrigle's death) and singing, for the first time, in Portuguese on Voce Existe Em Mim.<br /><br />New York admittedly played a big part in Groban's writing on Illuminations, with songs like Bells of New York City and Higher Window resonating deeply with Groban's operatic flair and hints of Brill Building influences.<br /><br />"I always miss L.A.; it's where I was born and raised," Groban said. "I miss the feeling I get when I'm there and the people that I know. But I've needed this change. I've always felt deep down that New York was where I needed to be."<br /><br />Beyond the music, Groban will be appearing in the comedy Crazy Stupid Love (to be released July 29) alongside Steve Carrell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore and Emma Stone, playing Stone's fiance, a lawyer who tells horrible jokes and whom everybody hates.<br /><br />"It's a hysterical script, one of the best I've read in a long time," Groban said. "It was really nice to be given a chance to be a comedic actor and not have to worry about the singing. When you're surrounded by those kinds of people, it doesn't get any better than that."<br /><br />Did he feel being far from Hollywood would hurt his movie career?<br /><br />"Right, I didn't think about that," he said with a hearty laugh. "Well, back to Beverly Hills! I mean, Woody Allen is still making movies in New York, right? Maybe I'll try to meet him."<br /><br />Groban plays Toronto July 18, London July 19, Ottawa July 22, Montreal July 23, Vancouver Aug. 30, Calgary Sept. 1, Edmonton Sept. 2, Winnipeg Sept. 4.<br /></blockquote>(<a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Josh+Groban+sees+light/5096795/story.html">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-4741328614257784088?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-43371227732378641562011-07-14T05:17:00.000+10:002011-07-14T05:17:40.120+10:00By Gary Graff of the Oakland Press.<br /><blockquote>osh Groban certainly doesn’t have anything broken or in need of fixing in his career.<br /><br />The 30-year-old classically trained singer has sold more than 24 million albums worldwide — 21 million of them in the U.S. He’s notched 14 Top 20 Adult-Contemporary hits and has guested on albums by Nelly Furtado, Placido Domingo, Barbra Streisand, Charlotte Church and Groban’s producer, David Foster.<br /><br />And for fun he’s dabbled in acting, cameoing on TV’s “Ally McBeal” and yucking it up with late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel — setting Kanye West tweets to music for his most recent appearance. And on July 29 Groban will make his feature film debut in the romantic comedy “Crazy, Stupid, Love.”<br /><br />It’s all part of what Groban calls a “strange, serendipitous” life. But where most would simply stay the course, Groban has made some significant changes during the past year — on his latest album, “Illuminations,” and on the tour to support it.<br /><br />“Illuminations,” Groban’s fifth studio release, came out in November and has already been certified platinum. But after 11 years of working with mentor David Foster, the producer who introduced him to the world by having him sub for an ailing Andrea Bocelli at the 1999 Grammy Awards ceremony, Groban hooked up for “Illuminations” with Rick Rubin. The Grammy Award winner — whose résumé ranges from early hip-hop heroes such as Run-DMC and the Beastie Boys to rockers Slayer, Tom Petty and Kid Rock, country favorites the Dixie Chicks and iconic figures Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond — may seem like a strange bedfellow for Groban, but he and Rubin crafted a 13-song set that’s melodic with a more stripped-down kind of lushness than its predecessors.<br /><br />And because Groban wrote or co-wrote 11 of the tracks, it also feels far more personal and more like the work of a songwriter than a singer.<br /><br />“Up until this record I relied primarily on stuff that was off the shelf,” says Groban, whose last album, 2007’s holiday themed “Noel,” was a five-times platinum chart-topper. “When people start sending you songs, you either hit the jackpot, a song like (2003’s) ‘You Raise Me Up,’ or you get a whole lot of songs that you say to yourself, ‘Is this really what people think of me?,’ which is often the case.<br /><br />“So one of the things Rick and I wanted to tackle was to add a personal flavor to whatever it is that I do and not just sing the same song and not rely on songs that maybe don’t mean as much to me personally. So he sent me off to write.”<br /><br />Groban says he did have “a good set of cover songs that we could have done” for the album, but the writing — with collaborators such as Semisonic’s Dan Wilson, Rufus Wainwright and his late mother, Kate McGarrigle, and British producer Marius de Vries, among others — went well. Groban “was excited about what was coming out, so we just went there.<br /><br />“I was looking for a nice challenge, and it was really very rewarding.”<br /><br />He’s approaching this year’s Straight To You Tour in much the same mindset. Reflecting the more direct sonic approach of “Illuminations,” he’s stepped away from the orchestras he would hire in each city to accompany him, instead bolstering his rhythm section with string and brass quartets that travel with him and provide an opportunity “to really have an incredibly adaptable and focused and rehearsed (group) that can decided to go someplace that maybe we didn’t go the night before and stuff like that.<br /><br />“It’s very, very easy to get out there and say, “OK, I’ve got a chance now to really get out there and put on a big show,” Groban explains. “But one of the things we’ve really learned in the past few years is the power of simplicity, the power of intimacy, the power of an honest to goodness connection with your crowd. That’s more of what I’m going for this time.”<br /><br />Nevertheless, he promises, “it’s not going to be stripped-down in dynamic.”<br /><br />“The energy will still be there; it’s not going to be like people are sitting in a living room. But we can be a little looser, and you can certainly expect the unexpected when it comes to the set list.”<br /><br />Groban — who recently launched the nonprofit Find Your Light Foundation to help fund programs for apsiring musicians — also hopes these changes will also allow him to be more surprising to fans as his career goes on. With plans to be on the road into 2012 supporting “Illuminations” he’s not sure what will be next, but Groban does feel a fresh sense of freedom that he considers to be his new standard operating procedure.<br /><br />“I just feel really blessed that I’m able to be in this game and play it by own rules,” he says. “I know that’s something that’s very rare, and it’s something I’m very grateful for.”<br /><br />Unwitting infamy from U-M on Twitter<br /><br />Josh Groban found himself the unwitting part of a big Michigan story last fall when embattled (and now former) University of Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez played the singer’s 2003 hit “You Raise Me Up” at the team’s annual banquet.<br /><br />Rodriguez told the crowd that night that he found solace in the words of Groban’s song, which were written by Irish composer and novelist Brendan Graham. He then had the song played while he and the team held hands.<br /><br />Groban recalls that he “saw Twitter blow up over something I had absolutely nothing to do with.” He added his own message to the mostly derisive onslaught, tweeting “Coach Rodriguez, I’m very flattered but crying to You Raise Me Up is SO five years ago.” Groban suggested Guns N’ Roses “Welcome to the Jungle” instead.<br /><br />Groban, a Los Angeles native, has no lingering thoughts about what happened at Michigan, but he is a college football fan who rooted for the University of Southern California. “I really love college football,” he says. “It’s really fun to see that kind of passion and energy — minus the greed and scandal, of course.”<br /></blockquote>(<a href="http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2011/07/13/entertainment/doc4e1cb851c27b7658943606.txt?viewmode=fullstory">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-4337122773237864156?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-23038262501699597142011-07-14T05:05:00.000+10:002011-07-14T05:05:14.690+10:00From David Lindquist from the Indianapolis Star.<br /><blockquote>It's fitting that Josh Groban didn't perform at an open-air venue when he visited Indianapolis on Tuesday night.<br /><br />Conseco Fieldhouse served as a cool oasis during our mid-July heat wave, and -- more importantly -- operatic pop star Groban didn't present a summer concert of blockbuster escapism.<br /><br />Instead, Groban foreshadowed an autumnal mood with deep thoughts, emotional vulnerability and encouraging words for his audience and himself.<br /><br />Opening number "Changing Colors," originally recorded by Canadian band Great Lake Swimmers in 2007, set the tone with its tree-leaf metaphors applied to a relationship's ebb and flow.<br /><br />A decade into a major-label recording career, Groban's (mostly) baritone voice is as big as advertised but also rich.<br /><br />It was surprising that an impressive crescendo during "February Song" triggered little reaction in the estimated audience of 6,000. Groban, stationed on a satellite stage in the middle of the arena for the opening segment of the show, unleashed his pipes for the line, "I keep on falling as I try to get away from this crazy world."<br /><br />Still, it would be wrong to say the 30-year-old Los Angeles native failed to connect with his fans.<br /><br />Wearing black pants, dark blazer, white T-shirt and five-stripe K-Swiss tennis shoes, Groban joked about his security staff's nickname for stairs connecting the stage to the crowd (GAPs, or "Grobanite Access Points").<br /><br />One lucky fan won her wish to sing with Groban. When she lacked a duet suggestion, Groban smartly multitasked and made it a "Happy Birthday" moment for a different audience member.<br /><br />On tour for 2010 album "Illuminations," Groban showcased three songs he wrote with Dan Wilson (leader of pop-rock band Semisonic, known for 1998 hit "Closing Time").<br /><br />"Bells of New York City" featured a clinic by the band's percussionist, who finessed kettle drums, shimmery cymbals and, yes, tubular bells.<br /><br />On current single "Higher Window," Groban hopes he hasn't run out of chances to make a relationship work: "Here I am, the one-man band, with a song that's meant for two."<br /><br />And "War at Home" unfolded as an empathetic tribute to veterans who are no longer overseas: "He doesn't want to rest; he just wants to run."</blockquote>(<a href="http://www.indystar.com/article/20110713/ENTERTAINMENT/107130326/Review-Groban-explores-range-emotions?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|IndyStar.com|s">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-2303826250169959714?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0Conseco Fieldhouse - Indianapolis39.763886081506946 -86.1554850428527739.711921081506944 -86.21316954285277 39.81585108150695 -86.09780054285278tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-27057757656125879462011-07-12T06:56:00.001+10:002011-07-14T05:08:25.222+10:00From Kendra Meinert of the <a href="http://greenbayhub.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110711/GPG0502/110711075/Review-Josh-Groban-raises-up-Resch-Center-golden-voice-gracious-hospitality?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE">Green Bay Press Gazette</a>.<br /><br /><blockquote>Things you expect at a Josh Groban concert: more women than men, at least one uncontrollable “I love you Josh!" uncorked from somewhere in the darkness and those golden pipes of his in all their moving, romantic glory.<br /><br />Things you don’t expect at a Josh Groban concert: an opening act named ELEW who covered The Killers and the von Trapps, inflatable couches and a gallon of milk onstage, a triple drum solo, the star of the night’s own version of a Green Bay Packers touchdown dance and a stunning Jackie Evancho-esque moment from a little girl in the crowd.<br /><br />Groban delivered all of the above – and then some – during an utterly charming and impeccable two-hour performance Saturday at the Resch Center that felt more like “The Josh Groban Variety Hour" than mere concert.<br /><br />Who knew (well, except for all the smitten Grobanites in the audience of 4,929) that the 30-year-old Groban was such a versatile entertainer with such a warm stage presence and wicked sense of humor? Classical-pop crossover star gets him the marquee lights all over the world – and deservedly so when you heard his voice on the swelling strains of “Bells of New York City" and the guaranteed show-ender “You Raise Me Up" -- but he proved on his second visit to the Resch that he’s also a gracious host, the boy next door and incredibly likable in a young Barry Manilow kind of way.<br /><br />With a painted brick backdrop that looked like the backstage of an old theater and some subtle video images, he transported the crowd to New York, a war zone and Italy. But that’s only when he was on that stage.<br /><br />To the delight of the crowd, he made his entrance from amongst the screaming fans on a small circular stage at the back of the arena. Even when he was on the main stage, he repeatedly took advantage of “GAPs" (his road crew’s slang for Groban Access Points) to go bounding into the crowd to give a 9-year-old first-time concertgoer a hug or sympathetically ask a man, “You look dragged here tonight. Is that the case?"<br /><br />Out of breath after running down the aisle, he jumped back up stage and proclaimed, “You were a little grabby. I’m not gonna lie."<br /><br />Later in the night, he would invite a couple of 40 years, a single woman (whom he skipped down the arena floor with while singing Beyonce’s “Single Ladies") and that same first-time fan up on stage to sit on inflatable couches as he poured them a glass of wine or milk – all the while doing assorted goofy waiter impersonations – and then serenaded them with first “Broken Vow" and then “Per Te"’ in Italian.<br /><br />Much like the music on his current Rick Rubin-produced “Illuminations" album, his show too felt more intimate and personal. There was both a hopefulness and vulnerability to Groban as he sat at the piano to sing the new love song “Higher Window," and the power of his voice on his tribute to veterans, “War at Home," all but demanded the hair on the back of your neck to stand at attention. He treated fans to a new arrangement of “You Are Loved" and got dangerously close to funky on “Machine."<br /><br />He let his 13-piece band have at it on a driving cover of “Live and Let Die" for what felt like the perfect seventh inning stretch. A double drum solo at the end of that song transitioned into “Voce Existe Em Mim," with Groban taking up himself on a drum set rolled out between his two drummers, where all three unleashed a firestorm of beats before the singer launched into the song in Portuguese.<br /><br />Seemingly afraid of no topic – even venturing into the territory of what he wears to bed (to more screams) – he talked personally about some songs and occasionally let some chats to turn into mini stand-up routines. He put on plenty of silly accents, but never airs.<br /><br />During a Q&A segment via text messages, a fan asked: “The Packers just scored a touchdown. What’s your signature dance move? (Don’t tell me you don’t have one.)" After some thought, he went leaping across the stage as a nod to “Fiddler on the Roof" and then finished it off with a “Waiting for Guffman" bow. The crowd that was beside itself with laughter would be stunned into silence moments later when a 14-year-old girl asked if she could sing a duet with him.<br /><br />Groban escorted her from her seat to the secondary stage and asked what she’d like to sing. “To Where You Are," she said shyly. He allowed her to open the song by herself to an arena that gasped at the beauty of her operatic voice. The crowd was quick to its feet with a standing ovation. After sending the child off the stage with an exuberant high five, a dejected Groban joked fans would have to make do with “just me" for the rest of the night.<br /><br />Turns out he would do just fine.</blockquote>(<a href="http://greenbayhub.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110711/GPG0502/110711075/Review-Josh-Groban-raises-up-Resch-Center-golden-voice-gracious-hospitality?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-2705775765612587946?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0Resch Center - Green Bay44.500086 -88.0566749999999844.4671425 -88.11277249999999 44.533029500000005 -88.00057749999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-37543490613349980252011-07-11T07:13:00.000+10:002011-07-11T07:13:14.188+10:00I'm not sure how I missed posting this back in December, but when Josh was in Australia he did an audio interview with the ABC in Sydney at the Eugene Goossens Hall. It's a nice long interview where Josh talks about "Illuminations", his foundation and then treats the listeners to a couple of tracks including "Hidden Away" and "Higher Window". <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e1XnhZqRD3Q/ThoVsNkYdlI/AAAAAAAAEB4/xC4Quu8ZtxM/s1600/EG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e1XnhZqRD3Q/ThoVsNkYdlI/AAAAAAAAEB4/xC4Quu8ZtxM/s320/EG.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Eugene Goossens Hall</i></td></tr></tbody></table>Click <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/12/17/3096187.htm?site=sydney">here</a> to get to the ABC webpage for the audio link.<br /><blockquote>The multi-talented Josh Groban has been described as having the voice of an angel and shares that with us as well as some insights into his passions.<br /><br />A singer, songwriter, pianist, percussionist, actor, producer, and philanthropist with four multi-platinum solo albums and a tick of approval from none less than Oprah Winfrey, it's easy to be a little jealous of this man.<br /><br />Despite all that, he is still a little nervous about his Carols in the Domain concert, and reasons, "anytime you're performing for tens of thousands of people and quite a bit more than that on TV, you get a bit nervous."<br /><br />He seems rather destined for a performer's life, though, with his parents taking him and his music video producing brother to lots of concerts and theatre as children.<br /><br />" I walked away from that getting the bug for acting and theatre and viewed singing as the thing I needed to do to be a better actor [but] the music took over and I realised I was a better singer than actor."<br /><br />He proves that with renditions of the songs Hidden Away and Higher Window that he plays live for us in the Eugene Goossens Hall at the ABC in Ultimo, Sydney.<br /><br />"It's a very personal record for me," he says of the album those songs come from, Illuminations.<br /><br />The task was to write personal messages for this long player and they stemmed from "people and situations in my life that hopefully can have a universal message," Groban reflects.<br /><br />"You hope if you've been there, someone else will have been too..."<br /><br />In a variation on that thought, the concept of 'there but the grace of God...' seems to resonate for Groban, as he has committed himself to helping those less fortunate.<br /><br />The Josh Groban Foundation was kick-started with a cheque from fans who had auctioned some of his autographs online and given the money back to him.<br /><br />He matched the donated $50,000 dollars and now has over $2 million, which has gone to places like the Nelson Mandela's 46664 foundation and to a scholars fund in South Central Los Angeles, although he wants to shift the focus to education and, specifically, arts education.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Groban admits to an Australian connection to his formative musical years, after a Christmas present from his parents of a Yothu Yindi album sparked his interest in more traditional instruments mixing with modern ones.<br /><br />"The song Treaty was amazing," he adds.<br /><br />And, to continue the connection with this country, he promises a tour on the back of the current album soon...</blockquote>(<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/12/17/3096187.htm?site=sydney">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-3754349061334998025?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0Sydney, NSW - Australia-33.8689009 151.20709139999997-34.2412264 150.78688789999995 -33.4965754 151.62729489999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-61227982270069440082011-07-10T18:19:00.001+10:002011-07-11T07:04:12.324+10:00An article by David Lindquist from <a href="http://www.indystar.com/article/20110710/ENTERTAINMENT/107100352/Josh-Groban-s-very-serious-voice-also-has-lighter-side?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CEntertainment">IndyStar.com</a> <br /><blockquote>Operatic pop star Josh Groban made a career based on refined anthems of yearning, but he's no stranger to comedy.<br /><br />In January, Groban sang the tweets of rapper Kanye West for uproarious effect on "Jimmy Kimmel Live." (Seated at a grand piano, Groban interpreted West gems such as "Fur pillows are hard to actually sleep on.")<br /><br />Groban will make his big-screen debut in "Crazy, Stupid, Love," a Steve Carrell film that opens July 29. The singer portrays a disreputable attorney, in decided contrast to his nice-guy image.<br /><br />"(The role) is taken from a few people I've known in my life," he said during a phone interview.<br /><br />Groban, who celebrated his 30th birthday in February, will promote current album "Illuminations," during his Tuesday visit to Conseco Fieldhouse. Produced by Rick Rubin (whose credits include work with Johnny Cash, Jay-Z and the Red Hot Chili Peppers), the album sold 190,000 copies in its first week of release.<br /><br />Los Angeles native Groban talked to The Star about his voice and the making of "Illuminations":<br /><br /><b>Question: When I spoke with you seven years ago, you said your voice would not sound as good then as it would when you reached 30. How did your prediction turn out?</b><br /><br />Answer: I think I was right. I feel like I'm able to do stuff now that I was so terrified to do at that time in my vocal life. As you continue to be a student of technique, you grow. You build confidence and your range grows and your stamina grows and your breath support grows. I'm having more fun vocally onstage than I ever have. I feel like I'm in my prime or approaching it.<br /><br /><b>Q: It seems rare to hear mainstream singing that hasn't been tweaked by Auto-Tune or other mechanical devices. In your case, is it important to have the integrity of "What you hear is really what I can do"?</b><br /><br />A: One hundred percent. I think that's a wonderful thing about getting out on the road. You want people to get the pure, unfiltered version. When people walk out of a show and say, "Wow, it sounded better than it does on the record," it should be taken as a compliment. I think we've all become so cynical as to say, "Well, what is that? Who's really doing that?"<br /><br />One of the great things about working with (15-time Grammy Award winner) David Foster and Rick Rubin is that they're really take-no-prisoners vocal producers. They are all about having the most open, clear microphone to bring out the nuances of the people they like working with. I'm singing the same way on a studio mic as I am on the stage. I'm proud of that fact.<br /><br /><b>Q: A few albums ago, you wrote songs with Dave Matthews and Five for Fighting's John Ondrasik. "Illuminations" includes six songs you wrote with Dan Wilson, who's known as Semisonic's vocalist and the co-author of the Dixie Chicks' hit "Not Ready to Make Nice." Why did you and Wilson click?</b><br /><br />A: Dan really is the co-writer du jour in the industry. He's developed such a name for himself as a writing partner, with a line of people around the door waiting to work with him. When Rick Rubin listened to the melodies I was writing, he felt the lyrical content should be poetic and chivalrous and traditional. He didn't want the lyrics to be too casual-sounding.<br /><br />He suggested that I fly to Minneapolis to try writing with Dan. We would get up early and work late. Every day, we wrote two or three new things.<br /><br /><b>Q: I've seen the trailer for your "Crazy, Stupid, Love" film. Is it accurate that you studied acting?</b><br /><br />A: I went to an arts high school, where I studied drama, and then I was a theater major at Carnegie Mellon University before I was signed. Acting was something that I thought would be my world. It was a real fork in the road to be given the opportunity to record and to play myself.</blockquote>(<a href="http://www.indystar.com/article/20110710/ENTERTAINMENT/107100352/Josh-Groban-s-very-serious-voice-also-has-lighter-side?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CEntertainment">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-6122798227006944008?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-9457867818281403402011-07-09T16:11:00.004+10:002011-07-11T07:03:55.093+10:00I love that Josh is back on the road again. Here's another review from Minneapolis by Jon Bream of the <a href="http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/125250714.html">Star Tribune</a>.<br /><blockquote>REVIEW: He turned on the charm, delivering ballad after ballad and flirting with the crowd with no air of pretension.<br /><br />The opera boy next door is really a rock star without a top 40 portfolio.<br /><br />And a standup comic without a gig, a mimic, an impressionist, a fast-talking and fast-thinking improviser and an all-around charmer.<br /><br />But back to the rock star, because that's how Josh Groban made his entrance Friday at Target Center.<br /><br />As four horn players and four string musicians played on the main stage, Groban came running in from the back of the arena, slapping hands with fans and ready to rock 'n' roll on a spinet piano in the middle of the room.<br /><br />OK, it wasn't exactly rock 'n' roll. It was "Straight to You," another ballady song in an evening of ballad after ballad. Some of Groban's ballads are louder than others, some slightly faster. But on Friday, he proved that he is essentially a man without a genre.<br /><br />Mr. Hyphen is often referred to as pop-classical-crossover. But his two-hour concert -- which he promised would be more intimate than any of his previous arena shows -- didn't feel classical at all. Formal, yes. That's his style. Think of a male Celine Dion without the vocal gymnastics, chest-thumping or pretensions of making something contemporary.<br /><br />Groban, 30, is comfortable in his own skin -- even knowing that his audience, middle-of-the-road and middle-aged, probably didn't know what he meant when he said he was "stoked" to be in Minneapolis. He was excited to be here, he explained, because he wrote half the songs on his current album, "Illuminations," here with songwriter-for-hire Dan Wilson.<br /><br />While their reverently emotional "Bells of New York" and the almost-hummable "Higher Window" added a more personal feel to his hopelessly stately repertoire, they did not change the tempo or tenor. That's where Groban's personality came in. He cruised through the crowd of 7,000, flirted with a shoeless 10-year-old girl and plopped down in an empty seat on the main floor.<br /><br />Later, he did a Q&amp;A segment during which one woman hugged him and wouldn't let go ("I feel equal parts jubilated and violated," he said), and another fan asked if he could sing with Groban. After the star did the piano duties and Matt did the vocals, Josh did a spot-on vocal impression of Matt, adding more of a country music flavor.<br /><br />Groban wasn't done joshing. After the Peter Gabriel-evoking world music "Machine" (the only piece that even flirted with uptempo), the star climbed back into the crowd and recruited a couple married for 35 years, a single girl (while he sang Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" in a perfect falsetto) and the shoeless 10-year-old to join him on stage, where he promised to serenade them. He poured wine for the couple and milk for the young women after asking if they were lactose-intolerant "because that would sound awful on these [inflated] couches."<br /><br />The ad-lib may have caused cringes, but the songs "Broken Vow" and the operatic "Per Te" caused goosebumps. His tenor was not big, but it was true, finding the right emotions without going over the top. He left the bombast to his 13 musicians.<br /><br />Groban understands, as he said during the encore, the difference between romantic, poetic and cheesy. So he then sat at the grand piano and played Neil Diamond's "Play Me" so elegantly that it seemed romantic, cheesy and rock 'n' roll all at once.</blockquote>(<a href="http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/125250714.html">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-945786781828140340?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-3271572668370735792011-07-09T16:02:00.003+10:002011-07-11T07:03:35.690+10:00The second leg of the tour has kicked off in Minneapolis and here's the review of the show from Ross Raihala of <a href="http://www.twincities.com/music/ci_18444684">TwinCities.com</a>.<br /><blockquote>Like many a performer before him, Josh Groban wanted to make his current arena tour, which hit the Target Center on Friday night, feel more intimate. And, what do you know, he pulled it off.<br /><br />The 30-year-old easy-listening favorite opened his two-hour performance by entering from the back of the main floor and climbing onto a satellite stage adorned only with a piano. Not only did that allow folks in the cheap seats a good peek at the star attraction, it gave the sense Groban was performing on a hole-in-the-wall cabaret stage, not the floor of a downtown Minneapolis basketball arena.<br /><br />At first, that stripped-down style didn't translate well to the main stage, where Groban soon joined his 13-member backing band. With its blue spotlights and ancient Roman coliseum backdrop, it radiated with full-on PBS pledge drive grandeur.<br /><br />As it turned out, though, the lack of live-action big screens and other moving parts kept the focus on Groban's rich, expressive vocals, as well as the lush<br />professionalism of his fellow musicians.<br /><br />Groban began his career as a classical singer with pop leanings and, over the years, he's become increasingly adept at bridging those two worlds. Friday night's set list gave more attention to Groban's middle-of-the-road material than any of his tours to date.<br /><br />Yeah, he still worked in more stately stuff, usually delivered in Spanish, Portuguese or Italian. But Groban really opened up when singing the radio-<br />friendly material from his latest album, "Illuminations." At the urging of producer Rick Rubin, Groban co-wrote much of the record with Minnesota's own Dan Wilson of Semisonic. In addition to giving Wilson, who has since moved to<br />Los Angeles, an on-stage shout-out for the help, Groban managed to work in most of their co-writes, including "Bells of New York City," "Higher Window," "War at Home" and "If I Walk Away."<br /><br />Groban was most engaging, though, when simply interacting with the passionate, if reverent, audience of about 7,000. He answered questions from fans in the crowd, giving him the opportunity to air his quick wit.<br /><br />When asked what one useless super power he wished he had, his charmingly rambling answer ended up with him pulling a woman from the audience for a hug and then announcing he wished his super power was the ability to hug the entire<br />audience at once. Aw, Josh!<br /><br />Another audience member - who was savvy enough to know Groban has done this at other tour stops - asked if he could sing a song with the star. The fan chose "Remember When it Rained," a track from Groban's 2003 sophomore album "Closer," and the pair's impromptu duet proved to be a highlight of the evening. Later, Groban invited an older couple, a single young woman and a 10-year-old girl to sit on stage on inflatable sofas and enjoy a drink while he serenaded them with "Broken Vow."<br /><br />He even managed to work in a fart joke. But coming from Mr. Josh Groban, it was a charming fart joke, indeed.</blockquote>(<a href="http://www.twincities.com/music/ci_18444684">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-327157266837073579?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com1Target Center - Minneapolis44.97962664348862 -93.2759189682617544.97241164348862 -93.28451896826175 44.986841643488624 -93.26731896826175tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-70652974873939286102011-07-08T18:10:00.002+10:002011-07-11T07:02:40.917+10:00Article by: Jon Bream, Star Tribune<br /><br /><blockquote>The singer/songrwriter returns to the city that gave him much of the material on his latest album.<br /><br />Minneapolis is going to be a very special place to play," Josh Groban said the other day.<br /><br />Does that sound like standard show-biz blather, or what? He probably says that about every city.<br /><br />Well, no. Minneapolis is where Groban wrote six of the 13 songs on his new album, "Illuminations." He is genuinely excited to sing them Friday at Target Center.<br /><br />The classical-meets-pop star left Los Angeles for the Land of 10,000 Musical Hooks at the insistence of Minneapolis songwriter-for-hire Dan Wilson. And Groban is glad he did.<br /><br />"It makes my brain calmer when I get to sit in a room with someone like Dan," he said.<br /><br />Bringing Groban to Minneapolis was "like the urban equivalent of going to the woods," said Wilson, who, ironically, recently relocated to Los Angeles to pursue more songwriting opportunities. "It's not calmer in L.A."<br /><br />Groban, 30, had a specific vision for his fifth studio album: a singer/songwriter project driven more by songs and his voice and less by elaborate production. So producer Rick Rubin -- known for his work with Beastie Boys, Metallica and late-years Johnny Cash -- paired him with Wilson, who won a song-of-the-year Grammy for co-writing the Dixie Chicks' "Not Ready to Make Nice." He also co-wrote three songs on Adele's current blockbuster, "21."<br /><br />Groban had never written more than three or four songs on an album, but on "Illuminations" -- thanks to Wilson and others -- he helped write all but two pieces.<br /><br />He came to Minneapolis a half-dozen times during the winter of 2008-09 and the fall of '09 for three-day writing sessions. He and Wilson would walk and talk about ideas en route to Starbucks. Or sometimes ideas would be exchanged over lunch at Common Roots or the Wilde Roast Cafe. Then they'd write at Wilson's house in Kenwood.<br /><br />At night, Groban would often explore Minneapolis on his own. He recalls hanging out at the Local (and drinking Jameson whiskeys). "One night I was there and a dad and a son were having a beer and cheering and I said, 'What's the occasion?' 'My son just pitched his first game tonight for the Twins.' [We're guessing Anthony Swarzak, Jeff Manship or Brian Duensing.]<br /><br />"You meet people. A lot of times I just people-watched. I have no problem just sitting somewhere and being alone with my thoughts and trying to get inspired. I always woke up early, at 8 or 9 in the morning, and had my double espresso."<br /><br /><b>Neil Diamond to the rescue</b><br /><br />One challenge was to create lyrics that fit the formality of Groban's classically trained baritone. Wilson was surprised not only by Groban's lyric-writing skills but by his ability to rewrite spontaneously.<br /><br />"He's fearless about generating something new as an alternative right then and there," said Wilson, the former Semisonic frontman who has written with Jason Mraz, John Legend and others. "It's not something everyone can do. He's really got a natural access to ideas. He's more able to get a lyric flow going than most artists."<br /><br />Wilson figured out a trick to get over the occasional bump in the songwriting process.<br /><br />"Josh had cracked me up one afternoon with a spot-on Neil Diamond impression of a new song he made up on the spot in the style of Neil Diamond. He's super quick-witted. Later that night, we were stuck. Jokingly, I said: 'What would Neil Diamond do right now?' Josh sang four lines and we used them all. They were great -- and funny, too. They served the song ['Higher Window'].<br /><br />"We did that [exercise] here and there, but it wouldn't be fair to Neil Diamond. He's still writing songs."<br /><br />"Illuminations" is warmer and more intimate than its majestic-sounding, David Foster-produced predecessors. There's still romance and drama, whether Groban is singing in English, French, Italian or Portuguese, but less bombast. Fans have responded enthusiastically, buying more than 1 million copies since "Illuminations" was released in November.<br /><br /><b>NYC, Oprah, movies</b><br /><br />After recording his album last year, Groban moved to New York.<br /><br />"It gets me out of the house," he said from his Manhattan apartment. "In Los Angeles, I'm always thinking about: What's the drive time? What's the traffic? What's parking going to be like? In New York, I just walk without any plan and just kind of accept everything that comes my way. I learn something new every day."<br /><br />In May, he appeared on one of Oprah Winfrey's final shows, singing her favorite song, "Over the Rainbow," with Patti LaBelle. It was a challenge to merge their styles, he said. "In one hour of rehearsal that morning in total secrecy, we found a way to make itwork."<br /><br />Groban also squeezed in a small role in the Steve Carell/Emma Stone film "Crazy Stupid Love," which opens July 29. "I play a kind of caddish lawyer who's Emma Stone's fiancé. He's the kind of guy who is blissfully ignorant to his own douche-bag behavior," said Groban, who has acted on TV's "Ally McBeal" and "Glee." "After spending a year in the recording studio, it was fun to let my hair down that way. For the film world, I just want to do more comedy. That's basically where I feel most comfortable, which is ironic because the music is so serious."<br /><br />But he's not always serious between songs -- especially on his current tour.<br /><br />"I've never felt freer onstage," he said of his interaction with the crowd. "It's the most fun I've ever had in my career, to be honest."<br /><br />The concert features a Q&amp;A segment in which fans text questions. In some cities, people have asked to sing a song with him. Maybe someone at Target Center will offer to buy him a Jameson.</blockquote>(<a href="http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/125162174.html?page=all&amp;prepage=1&amp;c=y#continue">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-7065297487393928610?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-20659249695445618572011-07-08T18:05:00.002+10:002011-07-11T07:02:18.330+10:00Interview by Allison Stewart from the Chicago Tribune<br /><br /><blockquote>Josh Groban can't help it: He's nice.<br /><br />Moms like him. Their daughters like him. Puppies like him (probably). He made his name as a masterful purveyor of chest-thumping big ballads like "You Raise Me Up," but lately he seems to be chafing, however politely, against the constraints of his classical crossover stardom.<br /><br />He collaborated with producer/guru/professional strange person Rick Rubin, known for his work with the Beastie Boys and Johnny Cash, on 2010's stripped-down, cred-enhancing and frankly really good "Illuminations." He also acts in the upcoming Steve Carell/Ryan Gosling film "Crazy Stupid Love," in which he plays against type as "a d----- bag lawyer. It was awesome."<br /><br />Earlier this year, he famously appeared on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," dramatically re-interpreting some of Kanye West's crazier tweets. Before hitting town for Wednesday night's United Center show, Groban, 30, called in to explain it all.<br /><br /><b>Q: With "Illuminations," did you decide you were going to just bust out and make the album you always wanted to make?</b><br /><br />A: Well, it was definitely a very personal decision. For me it was the idea of expanding and growing and not thinking, "Oh, now is the time to do what I want to do." I've enjoyed and I've loved every record that I've made but when you stick to a certain formula for a little while, it's nice to shake things up. … I had just finished a Christmas record, and Rick Rubin had just finished a Metallica record, and we were feeling like we'd done a certain thing for a little while. We were starting to feel like we were on autopilot.<br /><br /><b>Q: You might reach a point where what pleases you might not always please the people who love you. Do you think about that?</b><br /><br />A: I think there's always an ebb and flow. I think that sometimes you do stuff that's an acquired taste for fans. … I think that sometimes you guide them to a place (where you can) include them as part of the bigger world. This record to me is an idea of something that I'm adding on to the family tree of what I love to do, not a declaration of "This is me now" to my fans. I would never want to alienate anybody that way.<br /><br /><b>Q: Did you get the full-on Rick Rubin treatment? Was he wearing robes and scratching his beard thoughtfully and saying metaphysical things? Because you want that, right?</b><br /><br />A: (Laughs) Yeah, I got Rick. Rick is amazing. And I got a little nervous because as you mentioned there's a whole mythology to him. I was a fan of his other work, but I knew his other work was like nothing I'd done. I didn't expect to be a blip on the radar in his world. … (His methods) inspired me to do things his way, because I can be a bit of a control freak. He's got a very kind of Zen, very laid-back way of taking the time to make sure things fall into place. So there's a huge amount of patience he taught me, along with the beard scratching.<br /><br /><b>Q: There's talk you're going to do another album with him.</b><br /><br />A: Rick and I are always emailing with each other and staying connected. Regardless, I know I've made a friend for life. We'll see if it feels right to do something again immediately, or whether we'll save it for another day.<br /><br /><b>Q: I don't know how much of a backlash you've gotten, but the album still sounds like you. It's not like you've made a metal album or something.</b><br /><br />A: People keep saying, 'Where's the metal album!' I think it did what I would have wanted it to do. I was very happy with the reviews and (the response) from the fans. This was something that was made to be a quieter experience. It doesn't have the big, key-changing, (dramatic) ballads fans are used to. So if anything, I think they might have been missing things from the last album … but that doesn't mean I won't do that in the future.<br /><br /><b>Q: Do you feel the need to burst people's bubble a little? To be like, "I'm not what you think. I drink, I curse." How much do you chafe against (your nice-guy image)?</b><br /><br />A: Well, it's a little bit of a fine line. I think it's clear to my fans that I'm a normal guy. That doesn't mean I'm an overly obscene, alcoholic guy. It just means that sometimes people get a preconceived notion about you from your music that might not be accurate. But that's OK. I think there's something to be said (for mystery), for not overindulging the idea of, 'But wait! That's not me! Let me show you who I am!'<br /><br />I'm very lucky that I make a living singing my heart out, and I'm not going to hide if I'm going to a party, or if I feel like saying s---, I'm going to say it. It's not like I'm trying to put across an image that isn't me. I think I'm really able to get myself across when I get to do comedy stuff, like when Jimmy Kimmel invites me on to do stuff. That's the side of me that feels like more me. My whole life I was the class clown, I was in improv, I was in comedy troupes and stuff.<br /><br /><b>Q: Have you run into Kanye after you sang his tweets on Kimmel?</b><br /><br />A: I haven't run into him yet. I know he re-tweeted them, so I hope he got the humor, but it certainly wasn't meant to poke fun. It was a celebration of his quirkiness. Maybe he can retaliate by rapping some of my decidedly less interesting tweets.</blockquote>(<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ott-0708-josh-groban-20110708,0,868018.story">Source</a>)<br /><br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-2065924969544561857?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084724275714441416.post-50967354071980559192011-07-08T06:12:00.000+10:002011-07-08T06:12:54.050+10:00After months of speculation surrounding the changes to Josh's charitable foundation, details of the new "Find Your Light" foundation have been released. Given Josh's ongoing support of Arts Education it's no surprise that this is the core focus of the foundation. <br /><br />For more information about the foundation:<br /><a href="http://www.findyourlightfoundation.org">http://www.findyourlightfoundation.org</a><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/findyourlightfoundation">http://www.facebook.com/findyourlightfoundation<br /></a><br />This is what Josh has to say about "Find Your Light"...<br /><blockquote>Throughout my life and career, giving back has been a constant and a joy for me. My family instilled this in me as a kid and my fans have continued to nourish that love as I’ve ventured into the blessed existence that has been my short career. Together with the generous contributors inside and outside of my fan base, we have built a war chest that has the potential to do wonderful things in the world.<br /><br />For the last 7 years, the Josh Groban Foundation has been a come-what-may umbrella organization to help children in the many broken systems around the world. These have involved healthcare, food and shelter, education, and relief donations for tragedies that would occur without warning.<br /><br />While this has been a wonderful project for me, the broad reach with which our arms have needed to be extended to fulfill these numerous causes have not always been in sync with our means. I feel that now is the time to focus our funds, our vision, and my personal passions into a bigger bullet. That’s not to say that my personal energy (and yours as well, hopefully) can’t still be involved heavily in helping other charities that take care of these many challenges, but the time has come for me to focus my charity into a world that I feel most connected to, and can best help.<br /><br />It is with this sentiment and with great excitement that I announce that the Josh Groban Foundation is now the Find Your Light Foundation. This foundation will help to enrich the lives of young people through arts, education, and cultural awareness.<br /><br />The combination of my personal experience and belief that the arts in children’s and young adult’s lives help shape and change them for the better, and the sobering reality that these are the exact programs that are being cut from our schools and society at a drastic rate, make me more attuned than ever to the need for this focus.<br /><br />It is my hope that Find Your Light will cover a wide array of possibilities, from providing instruments and funding for arts programs in schools, to introducing people to the arts and culture around them and even around the world through the use of technology.<br /><br />I have seen these opportunities change lives. It is my honor and privilege to be able to give back in this way and expand with all of your help. I look forward to the journey ahead and thank you in advance for helping give countless students the chance to find their light.<br /><br />Thank you,<br /><br />Josh</blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4084724275714441416-5096735407198055919?l=i-heart-josh-groban.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Knoreply@blogger.com1