Josh Groban’s Illuminations is a very special album. Closer, Noel, and Awake indeed had some great songs, but this one is far more personal of an effort for the golden-voiced Groban since he wrote or co-wrote most of the songs with rock producer Rick Rubin at the helm.
In addition to Groban playing the role of songwriter, the album was recorded with Groban in the same room as the orchestra, the old fashioned way, with retro equipment and microphones from the Mancini era.
They made purposeful choices about using acoustic instruments and world music. There is a guitar, but it’s acoustic. It’s admirably punk rock to go all acoustic when everyone else is electrified. It’s not exactly Violent Femmes, but Groban still exudes cool.
Recording with an orchestra in the same room has its pluses and minuses. The music sounds like a live performance, and as such, there are slight flaws in Groban’s vocal production that can’t be punched back in for just one note as with an iso-booth. Perfection and multitracking often breed coldness and musical dissatisfaction.
The only concern about this style of recording is for Groban being encouraged to keep working “till it bleeds” as he, himself said. Calluses on fingers from playing guitar or drums might be a good thing. But calluses on vocal chords alter or even end careers. It would break the hearts of many of his fans if he were pushed too hard vocally. Caution and care are best.
The opening instrumental on Illuminations had me hankering to hear some singing, but looking at the liner notes, I realized that Groban wrote that song as well. Not only did he play piano for it, but also violin. Wow.
Groban recently performed “Voce que existe en mim” with a single percussionist on multiple percussion toys. On the record, they brought in an all-female Brazilian drum corps. That song is the closest to a rock tune with that hefty dose of percussion. And rather than cover someone else’s schmaltzy tune, he sings Nick Cave’s “Straight to You” in his own style.
The lyrics on the album are also deeply personal. Mostly, they are about love and relationships. One of the songs deals with people’s struggles with relationships at home called “The War Within”. The lyrics are gripping.
The two big songs from prior albums “You Raise Me Up” (from Closer) and “Don’t Give Up (You Are Loved)” (from Awake) are hard to match. There are a few grandiose moments, though. London Hymn is set in Latin and has a backing choir.
The real standout tune is “The Bells of New York City” in which Groban plays the piano evoking the sound of bells. I find myself singing along to a lovely tune about New York when I am the LA Rock Examiner and Groban has abandoned us for NYC. When I lived in NYC for two years, it was across from an Episcopal church near 200th street. It brings back memories. I imagine college students going with this sheet music to their voice teachers who will scoff and give them Schubert instead. However, the song has not been released as a single.
Classical people can be such snobs. Groban has oft been criticized in those circles for not singing “serious” music. But he couldn’t be more serious about the pursuit of musical excellence, as seen in the accompanying “Making of Illuminations” video from the Target special edition. There’s no doubt in my mind that Groban will continue turning out quality tunes. Maybe one day he’ll give us an album of “proper” classical art songs as he already has the linguistic chops. But aren’t these songs on Illuminations already art songs?
PS A special edition CD including a "making of" DVD and a code which allows you to view a live concert is available exclusively at Target. If you are lucky you might know very special fan of Josh Groban's who lives in Fresno, buys massive amounts of copies, and gives them away to all of her friends. Thank you, Shoua.
In addition to Groban playing the role of songwriter, the album was recorded with Groban in the same room as the orchestra, the old fashioned way, with retro equipment and microphones from the Mancini era.
They made purposeful choices about using acoustic instruments and world music. There is a guitar, but it’s acoustic. It’s admirably punk rock to go all acoustic when everyone else is electrified. It’s not exactly Violent Femmes, but Groban still exudes cool.
Recording with an orchestra in the same room has its pluses and minuses. The music sounds like a live performance, and as such, there are slight flaws in Groban’s vocal production that can’t be punched back in for just one note as with an iso-booth. Perfection and multitracking often breed coldness and musical dissatisfaction.
The only concern about this style of recording is for Groban being encouraged to keep working “till it bleeds” as he, himself said. Calluses on fingers from playing guitar or drums might be a good thing. But calluses on vocal chords alter or even end careers. It would break the hearts of many of his fans if he were pushed too hard vocally. Caution and care are best.
The opening instrumental on Illuminations had me hankering to hear some singing, but looking at the liner notes, I realized that Groban wrote that song as well. Not only did he play piano for it, but also violin. Wow.
Groban recently performed “Voce que existe en mim” with a single percussionist on multiple percussion toys. On the record, they brought in an all-female Brazilian drum corps. That song is the closest to a rock tune with that hefty dose of percussion. And rather than cover someone else’s schmaltzy tune, he sings Nick Cave’s “Straight to You” in his own style.
The lyrics on the album are also deeply personal. Mostly, they are about love and relationships. One of the songs deals with people’s struggles with relationships at home called “The War Within”. The lyrics are gripping.
The two big songs from prior albums “You Raise Me Up” (from Closer) and “Don’t Give Up (You Are Loved)” (from Awake) are hard to match. There are a few grandiose moments, though. London Hymn is set in Latin and has a backing choir.
The real standout tune is “The Bells of New York City” in which Groban plays the piano evoking the sound of bells. I find myself singing along to a lovely tune about New York when I am the LA Rock Examiner and Groban has abandoned us for NYC. When I lived in NYC for two years, it was across from an Episcopal church near 200th street. It brings back memories. I imagine college students going with this sheet music to their voice teachers who will scoff and give them Schubert instead. However, the song has not been released as a single.
Classical people can be such snobs. Groban has oft been criticized in those circles for not singing “serious” music. But he couldn’t be more serious about the pursuit of musical excellence, as seen in the accompanying “Making of Illuminations” video from the Target special edition. There’s no doubt in my mind that Groban will continue turning out quality tunes. Maybe one day he’ll give us an album of “proper” classical art songs as he already has the linguistic chops. But aren’t these songs on Illuminations already art songs?
PS A special edition CD including a "making of" DVD and a code which allows you to view a live concert is available exclusively at Target. If you are lucky you might know very special fan of Josh Groban's who lives in Fresno, buys massive amounts of copies, and gives them away to all of her friends. Thank you, Shoua.
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