I've been a Josh Groban fan for quite some time now. Ever since I

heard his rendition of "the prayer" he's been one of my favorite

musicians. I was somewhat let down by his recent albums with the

"pop" turn his music was going in like "Closer". Also the live

albums were great, but there was nothing new. This album goes back to

his roots from his self titled album "Josh Groban" released in 2001.

The first single "You are Loved" is probably as pop as the album

gets, and even that song is simply amazing with his falsetto. Songs

like "L'Ultima Notte" and "So She dances" mix his classical style

with the soft rock feel that classic Josh fans should love. Solo Por

Ti brings back the classic guitar heard in earlier songs like

"alejate" and "vincent". the acapella track "Lullabye" is a real

change for Josh. You can hear the influence from Dave Matthews in

background vocals. Apparently it was inspired to his recent trip to

South Africa (where dave matthews is from) where he also met Nelson

Mandela. He performs this with the help of Ladysmith Black Mambazo,

which really gives it an almost gospel sound type sound not heard

from Josh before. "weeping", also performed with Ladysmith Black

Mambazo has more of a "tribal" feel to it (like Lion King) also,

excellent and different for Josh.

Though the bonus tracks are great on the Special Edition, I'm not

sure the almost double price difference is worth it. The DVD is only

33 minutes long and simply is the "making" of the album. I think the

title track "Awake" could have been the first slow single off this

album and included in the normal release.

"Verita" is a wonderful orchestra arrangement also typical of

classic Josh material.

All in all, this is the quintessential Josh Groban album, mixing his

ability to sing classical and mix pop and soft rock overtones into

it. It's a must buy for all levels of Josh fans.

I have to admit. I was one of those viewers asking "who was that guy?" on Ally McBeal. Yes, it was Josh Groban. However, I became a huge fan with Closer. Now, with Awake, "huge fan" has been elevated to a whole new level.

As usual, Josh's voice is beyond belief (he has matured vocally so much since his first cd), and the music will touch your soul. But take this compilation even one step further. Listen, and I mean really "listen" to the lyrics. If you were ever in love, ever had your heart broken or ever needed hope, you will find a home with this cd. Josh lets you believe each and every song.

The song "Awake" on the special edition that Josh wrote for his parents could have been written for any parent by any child who knows what unconditional love is. As a parent, this song hits home because we spend out lives raising our children to BE independent, knowing that one day, they will have to "leave the nest" -- and as parents, this is bittersweet. This song brings it home.

I could go on about each and every song on this cd, but will stop with this one. I encourage you to go on this journey with Josh. I know I'm glad I did.

Josh has done it again....entraced us with his wonderful music!

I am truly amazed at how he continues to be the best at what he does..such a beautiful soul to fit a beautiful voice. I love this album! The extra songs are well worth the money!

I was very surprised at the different songs he sung on this album. I love Lady Blacksmith Mambazo, and when I heard them singing with Josh, well, absolutely fabulous. Every song on this album evokes a different emotion and feeling. And I recommend this album to anyone who likes to listen to different genres. This album makes you aware that music can speak to you in different ways.

While it is true that this recording (Awake) represents some new directions and selections from Josh Groban, I contend that you really have to get the "big picture" or the full spectrum of Josh's recordings and performing career in order to fully appreciate his musical repertoire. Once again, we owe much of his success as a vocalist, performer and producer of CD recordings to the guidance of his mentor, David Foster. I think that if Josh had never hooked-up with Foster, his career would not have sky-rocketed as quickly, but we can only theorize on that possibility. The fact remains that Josh's instructor at Interlochen (The National Music Camp in Ann Arbor, Michigan), knew David Foster and forwarded Josh's tape to him to listen to... "the rest is history," as they say, and David knew right away that Josh was to be a sudden vocal sensation. David Foster's arrangements have contributed to many solo artists in a similar fashion including Barbra Streisand (the Broadway Album series), Lara Fabian (who also did his recording, Broken Vow), Natalie Cole on "My Grownup Christmas List" from The David Foster Christmas CD, and most recently, Andrea Bocelli (Under The Desert Sky concert and DVD+CD) as David's interest is to bring Bocelli into the American popular music venue, a slight departure from his classical and Italian popular works.

I disagree that this recording (Awake) is the "definitive" Josh Groban CD recording of his career to date, but rather would say that it would be worthwhile to have all of his recordings and DVDs to really get the total picture (which I do, by the way). I first heard a selection of Josh Groban from his first CD while browsing at a book store, I immediately went back into the CD music section to find out who was singing and purchased the Josh Groban CD. When I asked around, it seemed that no one had ever heard of him, yet! But, within a short time, his follow-up CD+DVD package, Josh Groban In Concert was the recording from his PBS Special concert which finally brought him into the limelight, not to forget his duet with Charlotte Church on The Prayer and Somewhere on her Enchantment DVD (her concert in her hometown of Cardiff, Wales), his duets with Lara and Barbra, his vocal on Remember Me (from the movie soundtrack Troy) and his track of Mi Mancherai (also in the movie: Lady in the Water and Il Postino) from his album Closer, and other collaborations with Lucia Micarelli (on violin) and the musical group, The Corrs. Invariably, the American audience would latch onto his English recordings more readily than those in Italian, (which is exactly the same reason why David Foster convinced Bocelli to address the same venue of popular American music).

Awake represents more of a musical departure, and self-direction and production from Josh (including his vocals and drumming on a few tracks), but I would strongly suggest that one should just get all of his recordings to really fully appreciate his talent and direction. I'm just hoping that this is not just another rise to fame, too fast, and then crash and burn (by comparison to Russell Watson who came out with a few CDs and one DVD concert. But Russell didn't have David Foster producing him... Josh did!).

In light of Josh's total musicianship, I also think he should explore some cover work as he is also quite gifted as a keyboardist, drummer, etc. I believe he could do a better job at the Great American Sougbook than, let's say, Rod Stewart who really doesn't have the right voice for slow standards. Josh does. And since his concert ticket prices are quite high, I would rather spend my money on his recorded media to enjoy over and over again, rather than seeing him live one time.

In summation, anything Josh does gets my vote of 5 Stars!!!