"The Voice" Returns
The Times-Tribune
July 28, 2007
By Alexander Choman
Josh Groban to sing at Wachovia Arena after two-year absence
The last time "the boy wonder of the voice," Josh Groban, played Wilkes-Barre was in February of 2005 to a sold-out crowd at Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza. Now, the vocal wunderkind will return on Tuesday, better than ever and focusing on his latest album, Awake.
Mr. Groban's appearance is just one stop out of his 71 city tour that's been running since February and continues through August. Awake features 13 new songs, including the uber-smash single, You Are Loved (Don't Give Up). This album and world tour of the same name not only showcase Mr. Groban's Grammy-nominated vocal ability, but also debut his production and songwriting chops.
Group effort
Awake may have been released in 2006, but both fans and critics alike have yet to tire of the depth of Mr. Groban's musical scope.
All the trademark chutzpah that has made "the voice" famous the world over are here, except this time Mr. Groban added some secret weapons -- other recording stars -- along with his own songwriting skills.
When asked about how he felt about working with so many renowned entities of the musical world, Mr. Groban simply chuckled.
"The album was very exciting to make. It was just a great learning experience overall," he said in a recent interview from his home in California.
On Awake, Mr. Groban got a little help from friends such as Dave Matthews, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Herbie Hancock, Imogen Heap and John Ondrasik.
When asked why he feels Awake is more special than his previous works, Mr. Groban said, "This album represents a break from the typical marketing of the music business and all of its normal trappings.
"Working with people like Herbie Hancock, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Dave Matthews was just great. Once an artist, any artist, achieves some success, they (artist/record label) become wary of deviating from the path that got them there to begin with -- but we all came together in the studio and worked with each other to create something new," Mr. Groban added.
Mr. Groban's fan base is a cornucopia of demographics with admirers ranging from ages 10 to 100, both male and female, and even youngsters who might be experiencing classical and world music for the first time.
"Not all of my fans like me all of the time. Each one of them comes from different backgrounds and with their own unique reason(s) for liking me. It's really, really thrilling. Music is not about an age group or demographic -- that's what makes music so great, not just mine, but all music," he explained.
Fans and funds
In fact, Mr. Groban likes to spend as much of his free time as possible with his fans while at the same time lending his talents to philanthropic endeavors, such as with the album, Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur, wherein Mr. Groban combines his talents with a myriad of other artists such as U2, Corinne Bailey Rae, R.E.M., Youssou N'Dour, Green Day, The Black Eyed Peas and Maroon 5.
In efforts to raise even more capital for this cause, Mr. Groban covered John Lennon's classic, Imagine, for a special American Express version of the Instant Karma album. Mr. Groban first heard that the project was green-lit via a cell phone call while brunching with none other than John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, and son, Sean.
"The moment was a little surreal after I realized that I'd already blurted out "Wow! Are you sure?" said Mr. Groban. "It doesn't get any cooler than that," he added.
When asked why there was such a delay between albums (his last album, Closer, came out in 2004), Mr. Groban said that he felt he "owed it to the fans."
"First and foremost, when it comes to my writing/performing of a song I try and wrap my voice around the material as much as possible. The more of myself I get to put into it (a song or album), the more positive result for me and the fans."
Concertgoers will be treated to a double-dose of talented vocalists Tuesday at Wachovia Arena. In addition to headliner Josh Groban, four-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo will open the show.
Born in a small country in Western Africa, Ms. Kidjo has also lived in Paris and New York. Her music incorporates a diverse blend of styles, including jazz, Afro-pop and gospel.
The Beninese-born songbird is much more than just a beautiful voice. When she's not busy recording or touring she's involved in philanthropic endeavors of some kind.
"I'm almost always doing work with or for AIDS and UNICEF," she said by phone from New York City. "When you have the gift of singing, you have to share it and give it back to the people," Ms. Kidjo added.
The July issue of Vanity Fair, on which Bono and Queen Rania graced the cover, included a feature piece on Ms. Kidjo titled: "The Siren -- Angelique Kidjo: singer, songwriter, activist, UNICEF international goodwill ambassador."
"It was good to see Africa on a beautiful magazine, giving it a positive image rather than the more common, negative press of war that it's known for," said Ms. Kidjo. She praised the magazine for doing its part for an international cause.
"Vanity Fair, with its entire campaign of the different covers and celebrities, showed another side of Africa. ...it showed that things are changing," she said.
She has released more than 10 albums since beginning her career in 1990. Her new release, Djin Djin (pronounced "gin gin"), features duets with Alicia Keys, Carlos Santana, Peter Gabriel, Joss Stone, Ziggy Marley and Josh Groban.
"I named the album Djin Djin because of the sound of music on it that I made up -- the beats, the rhythm. ... It's a wake-up call to the world," she said.
When asked whom she had the most fun working with and/or which collaborations she favored, Ms. Kidjo promptly responded that working with longtime friend Peter Gabriel on Salala and covering the Stones' Gimme Shelter with Joss Stone were two highlights.
"Peter is an old friend of mine. I called him up and asked him if he'd do something with me and he said, 'Whatever you wanna do.' The song Peter and I do on the album is about giving birth, the joys and blessings it brings. It doesn't matter where you're from or who you are -- North, South, East or West. No matter what color you are, every child deserves a chance," Ms. Kidjo said.
When asked as why she covered the Rolling Stones, she quipped, "I don't do covers as a rule. I really, really, stay away from them unless I truly feel moved by them. And this song is just one of those that I feel. After speaking with Joss (Stone), we just went into the studio and laid it down -- one take, just like that!" she said.
Ms. Kidjo said she is enjoying her tour with Mr. Groban and has respect for the performer and his warmth.
"Josh is love -- he's welcomed me into his family. Words cannot describe the love I feel from Josh and his people; money can't even buy the love they have shown me. There are simply no words to describe it," she said.
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