March 11, 2008

Divas on Youtube: Josh Groban (uhm, what?)

No, seriously. Mitchell and I were talking about Chess and Judy Kuhn and the music and all that - and somehow we mentioned that we do not like the voice of the guy who sings "Anthem" on the US version of the album. It's adenoidal or something. He sounds stuffed up and nasal and it is not a pleasing sound. Great rousing song ... but whatevs on the voice. So Mitchell said, "Have you seen Josh Groban sing the song?"

I had not.

Here it is.

Brillz. Just BRILLZ. That's how the song should be sung: open, unclouded, courageous, simple ... don't overdo it. Just sing it. No big gestures, no CHEESE (because it already could be cheesy) ... Just open your throat, and be simple. Watch how Josh Groban walks down center stage during that bridge near the end ... looking around, nothing big, arms at his sides ... getting ready to go up the octave for the end. Keeping it simple. Knowing he doesn't have to DO much - he doesn't reach, or strain, or act. The song acts HIM, if that makes sense. It's unfussy, clear, and exciting.



Well done. I'm very impressed.

Posted by sheila | TrackBack
Comments

Yes, that was David Carroll who played Anatoly--and he DID have kind of a nasal "Seals and Crofts" thing going, didn't he? By contrast, I thought Phillip Casnoff blew Murray Head right outta the water...

Posted by: AaronChgo at March 12, 2008 10:25 AM

I saw him do this live and it was breathtaking.

Posted by: Kerry at March 12, 2008 5:11 PM

Josh Groban is an amazing artist and awfully amazing person - down to earth and yet 1000% quality. He will be in Chess - Royal Albert Hall - May 2008. Hopefully a DVD could be bought somewhere 'cause I can't be there.

Posted by: stefregan at March 12, 2008 11:58 PM

Very nice, though my favorite version of this is Michael Ball's, from his album The Musicals - just glorious.

Posted by: Another Kerry at March 27, 2008 10:33 AM

Have you seen Josh's newest version of Chess from May 2008 on You Tube!! It was phenomenal being there to witness it!!!! His cd, "A Collection" is coming out now with "Anthem" on it. In the spring the DVD of Chess will be coming out, in case, you want to see it.

Posted by: Marie at November 13, 2008 12:16 AM