Cheap Josh Groban - Live at the Greek (includes CD) (DVD) Price

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Customer Reviews of Josh Groban - Live at the Greek (includes CD)

A non-Grobanite's sincere opinion
I own none of Josh Groban's studio CD's. I have never viewed his first live performance DVD. I know a little about him and consider him talented (though not the wunderkind others would suggest). Some time ago I saw bits of the Live at the Greek performance on PBS. I found it enjoyable and was moved by what I saw. The following day I visited Amazon to see if it was available. I read all the negative reviews and assumed I must have been confused or duped somehow by what I saw on television. I could not fathom that all the reviews were "wrong." The majority seemed to be complimentary of Josh Groban while blasting this particular performance. I concluded that if his fans hated it, it must really be bad. I therefore decided against ordering it. <
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>Finally, many months later, after hearing You Raise Me Up a number of times on the radio, I decided I would just have to take the risk. When I ordered it, I decided that after seriously considering its quality I would review it here to present an unbiased albeit subjective view. I would either lend my voice to the howling critical masses or add one more quiet word of praise to those few sprinkled about. <
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>And so I whisper my word of praise to be heard by those who care... The concert DVD is simply fantastic. Josh's personality is endearing. His voice is excellent. The musicians are incredible. The staging and effects create a delightful ambience. You are treated to a thoroughly enjoyable concert experience. <
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>Josh appears very comfortable and seems to be enjoying himself. His piano playing and singing are wonderful (his drumming I can live with or without - if he's having fun with it, good for him). Lucia Micarelli, the featured violin soloist and concertmaster, is simply a vision. She plays beautifully and passionately and is a real treat to behold. The interplay between Josh's voice and her instrument is phenomenal. Bela Fleck is also quite good in his guest performance. Highlights for me are the instrumental Nocturne/Bohemian Rhapsody, Mi Morena, Remember When it Rained (this is what Josh's music is really all about), Remember, You Raise Me Up, and America. The lighting and the visuals on the backstage screens add to the performance without overwhelming it. It was just a classy production (so what if the audience had light sticks... big deal!). <
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>If I have a complaint, it is in the selection of songs featured on the CD. I wish more content of the DVD was included. I sorely miss You Raise Me Up. Several other songs would have been welcome additions as well: Nocturne/Bohemian Rhapsody, My December, and any of the others for that matter. My suggestion is that if you want a Josh Groban CD, look elsewhere. This package is all about the DVD. <
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>I encourage you not to be frightened away by the overwhelmingly negative reviews by Amazon customers. I have run across a few products that are overwhelmingly and baselessly criticized in this manner (positive reviews are skewered as unhelpful while negative reviews are extolled as helpful). You have here a phenomenal performance by a class act and a wonderful supporting cast. I give the DVD five stars and the CD three stars. Thoroughly enjoyable! <
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One Can Only Hope!
I have hope that Groban gets better in his next release. "Live at the Greek" was one big disappointment, for all the reasons stated by so many other fans. His voice was nasal, he wrenched poor to average performances. As a musician, he's a better singer. Problem is that Groban wants to be all things to all people and it shows. He should leave the songwriting, musical arrangements and instrument playing to the true professionals. He should concentrate on his vocals! Let the better and more mature talents do those jobs. <
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>After all, I didn't originally buy Groban's CD's because he was a great piano player!