Josh Groban at the Dodge Theatre in Phoenix
Live Daily
May 13, 2004
By Christina Fuoco
Although Josh Groban certainly has earned bragging rights for his near-perfect vocals--on stage and CD--he oozes modesty when performing.
“I'm such a dork--but that's OK because I like to sing," Groban told a sold-out, roaring audience of 4,500 in Phoenix's Dodge Theatre on Wednesday (5/12). (This is a guy who told a major news weekly during an interview that his favorite restaurant is the International House of Pancakes.)
Groban's youthful approach allowed the audience--which ranged in age from prepubescent to senior citizen--to fully embrace the show. During breaks between songs, he shouted, "Phoenix," in a rock star manner. He poked fun of his guitarist for his choice of wardrobe in Phoenix's 90-degree-plus weather.
"Wearing the leather pants for Phoenix? I left mine at home," said Groban, who wore three different outfits during his performance, including pairs of black and blue jeans.
Groban began the show with "Oceano" from his latest CD, "Closer." This night, his repertoire included an operatic cover of "My December," a cover of a Linkin Park song that he originally planned to record but aborted, and "To Where You Are," which he performed on the now-canceled TV show "Ally McBeal." On the Fox series, he had a recurring role as a klutzy high schooler who attended his prom with a sympathetic McBeal.
As the opening notes of "Un Amore Per Sempre," from his self-titled debut, were played, a senior Groban fan in the audience yelled, "Turn it up." It's a phrase not often heard during a classical/opera concert. But, with Charlotte Church leading the way, Groban is part of a younger generation of classical/opera singers, which also includes the angelic, star-bound New Zealander Hayley Westenra. They are injecting new blood and a new attitude into a centuries-old ritual.
Violinist Lucia Micarelli often stole the show, with the aid of a simple yet striking light show. The barefoot Trans-Siberian Orchestra veteran wore a red dress during the second half of the two-hour show. As Groban sang "Caruso," the rest of the band was erased with darkness,leaving Micarelli the sole beacon. After announcing that she will release an album this summer, Groban allowed the diminutive, graceful Micarelli to step out from the orchestra to play a solo, which included a rousing tease of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody."
Groban was charming and playful, giving skeptics the chance to see firsthand his legion of adoring female fans, many of whom arrived at the show with flowers and stuffed animals. Fan-club members wearing bright orange T-shirts-- the same color as his album "Closer"-- speckled the crowd.
During his hit "You Raise Me Up," which seems to be the catch-all song for any tragedy (the Jessica Lynch telepic, the Super Bowl tribute to the Space Shuttle astronauts), fans waved glow-in-the-dark wands at the same time that the Saguaro High School (Scottsdale, AZ) chorus joined Groban on stage.
The Phoenix concert--which was postponed from February, when Groban fell ill--was the last date on this leg of the tour. He hits the road again for a summer amphitheater tour July 18 in St. Louis.
Set list:
"Oceano"
"My Confession"
"Un Amore Per Sempre"
"Mi Mancherai"
"Mi Morena"
"To Where You Are"
"Alejate"
"Let Me Fall"
(intermission)
"Alla Luce Dal Sole"
"My December"
"Broken Vow"
"Caruso"
"Remember When It Rained"
"Vincent (Starry Starry Night)"
"Per Te"
"You Raise Me Up"
"Never Let Go"
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