If you have heard Josh Groban's debut CD, then you know this is a kid [only 21!] with a remarkable voice. The CD in this package include 6 previously released songs performed LIVE, one live performance of a new track - Broken Vow - and a studio version of his chart busting Christmas single - O Holy Night. The DVD contains his Great Performances - Josh Groban in Concert video that has been airing on PBS. It was taped in Pasadena on October 3 & 4, 2002. Beautiful staging and lighting enhance all 13 tunes that were on his debut CD, plus a solo performance of For Always from the A.I. Artificial Intelligence soundtrack and Broken Vow. The DVD include guest performances with Andrea Corr of The Corrs, Rhys Fulber and Lili Hayden on Canto Alla Vita, Lili Hayden on Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Angie Stone on The Prayer, and John Williams conducting on For Always. The additional footage provided of backstage and various interviews with the guests is excellent. Josh's brother, Chris, also did a short backstage video with some interesting footage of rehearsals, backstage, and personal impressions.

I would highly recommend this CD/DVD for your collection!

Somebody at work introduced me to Josh Groban's first CD. They played one song for me and I thought it was the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. I went out and purchased his entire album and became an instant fan. Josh Groban has such an incredible voice he is truly blessed. This CD/DVD is amazing. O HOLY NIGHT is the most beautiful and powerful rendition of this song I have ever heard in my life. It will give you chills and bring tears to your eyes everytime you listen to it. The DVD is spectacular. His voice again is amazing and so powerful and to make it even better it is encoded in DTS sound so anyone with a higher quality home theater will be literally blown away by the sound of his voice. Josh Groban deserves more than 5 stars. I give him 10!

"There is such a place in this world for your voice." ~ David Foster

Josh's voice is the purest of spiritual ecstasy. His voice is almost timeless in beauty and inspires hope, courage and compassion. "To Where You Are" was my introduction to Josh's voice and yet I didn't fully realize the complexity or the beauty of his voice until I found his "Closer" CD.

His very existence seems to raise your consciousness and the graciousness he displays on stage only made me respect him more. Josh seems as comfortable on stage as God must feel in heaven. His voice raises your spiritual awareness, drenches you in a tearful romantic high and at times can stun you into silence. At such a young age, he truly owns the stage. He even plays the piano in an impromptu moment amidst a conversation with David Foster.

I was impressed with how Josh allows the creative process to evolve around him and how he shares the stage with talent from near and far. Angie Stone and Andrea Corr sing duets with Josh in this concert.

The moment with Lili Haydn is stunning as she seems to appear as an angel and Josh looks on in wonder to where she plays her violin with a backdrop of special lighting/shadow visual effects that takes Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring to entirely new levels. Josh climbs stairs in "Let Me Fall" and then actually "falls." It is all planned and they show the details in the Making of the Special section. Rose petals swirl in the breeze in the background on huge screens as Josh sings Alejate.

I never felt so much love in my soul

And no one but you loved me

I laughed and cried, I was reborn...

~Alejate

Contents:

1 Bonus CD - Songs from the concert with the additional selection of O Holy Night.

1 DVD:

Play Show

Song Selection - Quickly locate any of the 15 songs from the concert.

Special Features - Making of the Special, Chris Groban's Backstage Footage and Weblinks.

Setup Options - The lack of song translations in the subtitles was slightly disappointing. I would have loved to read the words in English, as it would have added an additional layer of depth to the romantic Italian and Spanish ballads. Fortunately song translations for Un Amore Per Sempre and Alejate are readily available online.

Josh Groban in Concert is a highly collectable and romantic concert that not only displays Josh's breathlessly beautiful voice, it also displays the depth of his commitment to music and his spontaneous comedic side.

~The Rebecca Review

I remember the first time I watched this concert on my PBS station. Surprised, delighted, transported. Josh Groban was at his best and I felt it was the best PBS concert of a young performer that I've ever seen. When I got the DVD and CD home, this quality was perfection. It was hard to believe that this was recorded live because the sound was so clear. My favorite, "Alejate," was beautiful. I just entered my review for Josh Groban's second live concert, "Live at the Greek," and it was very less than enthusiastic. If you've never seen Groban perform a full concert with perfect control over his gorgeous voice, I recommend that you get this set.

This CD is, like every Josh Groban disc, but it doesn't feature too many songs. The extra DVD is also enjoyable.... before I continue to laud my favorite singer, I'd like to speak fo a few negative reviewers...

One- Josh Groban does not sound the same in every song. He conveys an amazing array of emotions from joy to heartbreak to love (the best in Italian, but good ina ll languages). You must have an untrained music ear to think this.

Two- The songs on these CDs arenot all corny, cheesy love songs. This isn't American Idol material but songs that truly flow with the lyrics.... well, for the most part. The English songs are somewhat run-of-the mill, but they're still pretty and easy on the ears.

Lastly- Not just 'anyone' could put out this CD. Josh Groban continues to amaze millions with his voice, and not just Celine Dion fans... his songs and (mostly) voice do not show an overdramatic singing puppet that is used by the media but a truly gifted singer.

Now onto the CD....

1) Un Amore Per Sempre- I like this song a lot.... it's in Italian and is somewhat dramatic... almost sounds intense. It is now, however, the best song in Italian.

2)Alejate- A generally good song, mostly because I know what he's saying in it (it;'s in Spanish). It's not the best, and if you look up the translation, you'll see that the meaning of the words are heartfelt but not amazingly original.

3)The Prayer- Many people say this song is weak, but it's an interesting duet. The woman who sings with him, Angie Stone, sounds quite different than Charlotte Church, however.

4)For Always- A good song with phenomenal music. The words are nice but not extremely original, again, but it would work well in a movie or if applied to a story. Overall, one of the better tracks.

5)Vincent- This song by Don McLean has very interesting lyrics... often beautiful words. Josh Groban does a good job with this song, but it's not my favorite.

6)Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring- This classical song by Bach features beautiful violin music/vocals by Lili Hadyn, and it sounds quite good... Josh Groban shines in this song.

7)Broken Vow- A sad song that doesn't try too hard to be melodramatic. It's refreshing to hear because at first, you'd expect it to be cliche. However, this is one of my favorite Josh Groban songs. (one of the better English ones, but "For Always' has better music).

8)O Holy Night- An amazing song, perfect for any season (not just the holidays). Josh Groban's vocal range here is amazing and not forced. This one may be the best on this CD.... (though my favorite Josh Groban songs are "Cinema Paradiso" "Alla Luce del Sole", and "Gira Con Me", all of which are on the wonderful DVD.

This CD is good if you missed the concert on TV or if you want to hear a few unreleased songs. It features some of the ones from the original CD, and one from the upcoming one (which i already have...). Overall, Josh Groban is an amazing singer who can sing nearly any song, but not all of the songs work for him, like on his new release "Closer". However, I am not just a fairweather Grobanite, and I enjoy all of his works. For the best CD, however, buy the original release "Josh Groban".