Awake Live CD/DVD Reviews

• As good as being there in person

  
  By A3MPV6UPZ3LLAM on 2008-05-18
  I really appreciate this excellent DVD documentation of Josh's Salt Lake City concert on his AWAKE tour. I was blessed to see him in Sacramento during the first leg of this tour last March. When he added the second leg of the tour for late summer, I flew to Seattle in August to enjoy the magic of this concert once again. No matter where he performs he is fabulous and his energy and interaction with the audience is gorgeous. This DVD captures the energy and devotion of Josh's audiences. Even little kids were groovin'. It is rare to go to concerts where audiences are uniformly respectful and classy. Josh draws these kinds of fans and the feeling of being in a total "lovefest" with such a spectacular and flawless performer whose voice has no equal is beyond description. Not even a heavy duty downpour that we confronted after the concert could dampen the enthusiasm of people exiting The Key Arena into a traffic jam that boggled the mind. So I am going to close this brief review with a heartfelt thank you for a treasure that I will revisit often. Rain or Shine.
  
  

• His BEST yet!

  
  By A377VL7E3EM9HD on 2008-05-07
  I have watched this DVD two times since buying it yesterday and I must say it is by far THE BEST of all of Josh Groban's DVD's! The entire concert is excellent, but it is worth the price alone for the live version of the song "Awake"! If you are a Josh Groban fan, this CD/DVD is an absolute must have!! It blows his other DVD's away!
  
  

• Brilliant Brilliant!

  
  By A2KGE2E9VV91YV on 2008-05-07
  I have already watched this DVD through twice, and couldn't wait to sit down and write a review. In short, it is absolutely FANTASTIC! The sound quality is perfect (just as good as "Josh Groban in Concert") and the camera work is terrific (Josh is all over the place, and there are more than enough camera angles to cover him and his band/orchestra.) Josh's voice is incredible, even with all his movement across the stage his voice is strong and lovely.
  
  Highlights for me were:
  1. In Her Eyes- if you haven't seen it elsewhere I won't ruin it for you, but I LOVE how he does this and still sounds so perfect!
  2. Aurora/Kashmir by Lucia Micarelli- she's fabulous, keep on rockin', Lucia!
  3. Pearls (duet with Angelique Kidjo)- a very different and haunting duet, performed perfectly;
  4. Un Giorno Per Noi- not really 'pop concert' material, but performed just as beautifully live as in the studio recording;
  5. Awake- beautifully done, words slightly changed to fit the circumstances, very emotional!
  
  My only slight disappointment is that most of the fun 'goofy' stuff in between songs is not on the DVD (which is still much longer than the other concert DVDs, so I understand); also, his sweet "Not While I'm Around" from Sweeney Todd is also missing...
  
  If you have had the chance to go to his concerts or wish you had, do the next best thing and get this DVD/CD. Keep it up, Josh, I will enjoy this and I can't wait for what's next!
  
  
  

• This is an absolute MUST HAVE DVD!!

  
  By A21XJ2PLN520FF on 2008-05-06
  Josh Groban's Awake Live is nothing short of amazing! His powerhouse voice will give you chills and goosebumps, and the passion with which he sings will bring you to tears! I love each and every song on this DVD, and the bonus features are simply outstanding! Take my advice, and buy this DVD today! You will not regret it! Josh Groban is THE VOICE!
  
  This is absolutely a must have! I own six copies!
  
  

• A Different View

  
  By A1NOH6P3FA7QVJ on 2008-05-08
  I became a Groban fan after seeing him in a one-night-only concert version of the rock musical "Chess" on Broadway. I started buying his CDs and DVDs. Watching this DVD was fun, but, for the first time, too many of the songs sound alike.
  
  On his last DVD, Josh included Simon & Garfunkle's "America" as an encore. He has sung famous movie songs with John Williams and the Boston Pops. His songs from the "Chess" concert are some of the most watched videos on the Internet. His recent traditional Christmas CD was one of the best selling holiday CDs of all time.
  
  Clearly, Josh Groban has achieved great success. Isn't it now time to try other things in his concerts? He has done it on Broadway and CD. If anything, I believe Groban has taken a step backward with this concert
  DVD.
  
  
  
• AWAKE LIVE
  By A307FOW2BRBAZQ on 2008-05-06
  Absolutely AMAZING concert- saw this in Denver last year when he was on tour to promote his then new CD "AWAKE". He is breathtaking to watch and listen to, and this DVD proves that with every glorious song. A treat indeed for your ears, and eye candy for those of us who drool at a mere glimpse of him.
  
  
• Wonderful to experience again, but also very disappointing
  By A3M1K2N88LW0WD on 2008-06-01
  I was able to attend this concert and it was so much fun to watch it all over again. Especially since this time I could actually see him (I could only get tickets WAY in the back) and be able to hear him (we had some VERY annoying screaming girls behind us). However, I was very disappointed to see how much of the concert had been cut out.
  
  This DVD mainly only showed his singing, which was beautiful, but there were SO many fun parts that they'd taken out. They took out where his guest (sorry. I forgot her name) was showing him how to dance. Hilarious! Then he also was given some gifts by the audience, including a cowboy hat and "Elton John" glasses (as he called them) and would sing as he wore them making impersonations. But my FAVORITE part was when he was signing autographs for a minute for the audience and a little girl came and sat down next to him. He had her sign autographs too and then a little while later he sang "Not While I'm Around" to her (which is one of my favorite songs). It was SO touching!
  
  I loved the DVD. It was a lot of fun to watch again, but I was very disappointed that so much was cut out. I wish they would've kept at least some of it in there.
  
  
• WOW WOW GREAT.
  By A8W5RRV3C9NGY on 2008-05-06
  JOSH GROBAN WEL WHAT CA I SAY A GREAT SINGER. WHAT A GREAT CD. MY WIFE AN ME JUST LOVE JOSH.
  
  
• SIMPLY THE BEST!!!!!
  By A3VGUYB3VXFJIX on 2008-05-06
  Just received this in the mail yesterday. Couldn't wait to get home and watch it last night, and it was everything I was hoping for! I saw him on the AWAKE tour last year, and it was like re-living it again but better; the venue I saw him in wasn't as nice as Salt Lake. I have all of Josh's DVDs and this one is by far the best!!! He just keeps getting better and better with experience! I will definitely see him again in concert! Josh can do no wrong when it comes to that awesome voice; there's just no one to compare! Can't wait for his next CD!
  
  
• Great Music, High Energy Performance
  By A5QNHHDKPDSVO on 2008-05-07
  I think this DVD is a must purchase for anyone who's seen Josh in concert. I haven't had that good fortune, but this DVD makes me want to. In addition to the big, lush melodies for which his gorgeous voice is perfectly suited, Josh is also moving in the direction of more modern, edgy music .The DVD version of Canto Alla Vita was a thrilling surprise, with Josh playing on both synthesizer and drums. I love that this talented artist is evolving and creating a unique niche for himself. Violinist Lucia Micarelli's cover of Led Zepplin's Kashmir is breathtaking on the DVD. I recently purchased Josh's Awake CD as well--that is, the studio version that was released in late 2006. I recommend it in addition to the DVD, because it has artists not on the DVD, including Ladysmith Black Mambazo on two songs (Lullaby and Weeping) and Herbie Hancock on Machine.
  
  
• PHENOMINAL
  By A1ZC58B9XMXG5U on 2008-05-07
  Josh Groban is the only singer that has every moved me to tears. His vibrant voice goes deep in your bones. You can feel his musics energy as if you are part of it. This live dvd gives you another glimpse into the passion behind his music. He moves you to tears and then to laughter. Well worth the money. Check out the Internet Edition [...] . You will get your moneys worth
  
  
• Lackluster entry lacks good English pop songs
  By AAURNFPH1VUKL on 2008-09-10
  I really think Josh Groban is a talent and sings well. What a shame he is picking particularly bad songs and many of them, sorry, NOT sung in English. This man could have the appeal of Barbara Streisand or Neil Diamond or his contemporary, Celine Dion, and fiddles with South African twaddle and seemingly drug induced songs about falling, etc. The best song on the dvd is "You are Loved" and its not even featured on the accompanying cd. This is a really lame set and is priced very high. I hope that Josh, who deserves a long lasting career, picks better songs, continues to release his cd/dvd combinations, teams up with Celine Dion and other pop vocalists occasionally, and enters the stratosphere rather than lingering in the depths of weird and only personally relevant to him music. You can sing Josh...now make us all fall in love with some great new English songs please. I just about fell off my chair with your useless South African song on this album. Sorry it didnt capture my attention or interest at all - though it clearly satisfied some need for you. Tackle a few well written new upbeat popular songs in your next venture. Sing a duet with Celine. "You are Loved" was heartfelt and yet it too only scratched the surface on this album of what you are truly capable of and destined for. The world needs a better effort from you with songs that truly soar. This album underwhelmed, sorry.
  
  
• The Must Have DVD
  By A39NFUH63CWSEV on 2008-05-08
  If you don't own any Josh Groban concert DVD, this is a must have. The sound quality as well as the picture are incredibly pristine. There is so much energy in this DVD, and his voice has the ability to pull you away from reality for 90 minutes. Song choices were superb, it guides you through his career and builds your energy for the finale. "Pearls" had such a strong message and performed with an indefinite amount of heart, soul, and power. That alone was worth owning the disk. I own all of his DVD, and this is by far, the best representation of Josh's talent and personality! Enjoy it everyone!
  
  
• Awake for every moment
  By AA3KLGNRV4APM on 2008-05-12
  The last song on the DVD,Awake, is my favorite Josh song of all time, and it always makes me feel warm, cozy and a bit sad to think about the passage of time, and loved ones. This DVD (and the concert tour) is Josh Groban at his best, with his concerns for children, especially African children, at the forefront, and his musicality (musical genius I would say) touching hearts everywhere. Josh is the international artist, a voice for everyone. If you don't know Josh Groban's music, you might want to sample a bit, because I think there is something for everyone, from almost operatic Italian pop to electronica to sweeping ballads. My life changed the first time I heard Josh sing over five years ago and I will happily never be the same.
  
  
• Awake/Josh Groban CD/DVD
  By A243KU68DROO1Y on 2008-05-19
  Wonderful addition to my music and DVD collection - this is a great package deak and great price!
  
  
• Josh is trying to sell his "CHANGE" CAMPAIGN.
  By A2296Y995K577T on 2008-07-09
  There is some change but a lot of previous songs were repeated.
  I tried to watch this DVD the 2nd time but I can't.
  Somehow, I have the impression he's try to sell or campaign for the "change" thing for Obama, about Africa and such... I wonder why Obama didn't come back to Kenya and help his country?
  
  
  
• His music is so commercialized now!
  By A38LVOCTM0ITMP on 2008-07-10
  I loved his previous 2 CDs especially and his song in this CD "In her eyes" but the rest is just ...sugar pills.
  With artist such as James Blunt, John Mayer (he's NOT a pretty boy , I know), and tons of alternatives, new rock like Daughtry and the late comer Jon Mc Laughlin (Enchanted 's movie "So Close", especially with his "Beating of my heart" is coming out... I don't understand who would play this stuff? Female listeners, I guess because of Josh 's baby face and nice guy appearance...I would understand but guys, there are much more talents and souls out there than the sugar-coated pop here.
  OK, I admitted that I loved his first CD Italian opera cross-over but now I don't know, his music is just Pop... for girls.
  By NOT buying this CD, we'll give hime a message to go back to his Opera cross-over roots!
  *(I also love his song "Remember when it rains" but it was the song from the last album/concert Live at the Greek.)
  
  
• Freakin' fantabulous!!!
  By A1YPG1MCT3NUNM on 2008-05-14
  I requested this for my anniversary. I have to say WOW! Can I just say that Josh really enjoyed himself. He was rockin' it out to many of the up beat songs. You can finally see that he was in his element and the music was exactly what he wanted to write and he felt every bit of it. So did I! Tariq Akoni tore up that electric guitar and the bassist was so good. Ok, I had to rewind this next part. Lucia Micarelli killed it! I mean, she gave me goosebumps. I can't tell you anymore...ok, I will. It was crazy!!! That girl is rock to the core. The celloist that accompanied her was excellent. You'd never think these instruments could be so raw but this showed me another side of it. I really enjoyed this DVD. I was eating while I watched it and stopped chewing (and sometime's breathing) a couple of times. What a great escape from the outside world. Exactly what music should do for you. Josh was on point with all his notes and his sound was never better! I just love Machine and Weeping. He was having a blast and always so kind, earthy and genuine. Never conceited or too good for the crowd. An he could be if he wanted to with all that raw talent! I love that! Love Josh and his band forever! Check out Michael Buble's Caught in the Act DVD. Amazing!!! I get to see it again with my girlfriend tomorrow. I urge all of you to buy this DVD. You will not be sorry. What you gain in an hour and a half is better than anything you can go see in the movies or on television. Stimulate your brain cells, people!!! I love all the instruments they use. This is excellent to stimulate children to want to take up an instrument. Ok, enough from me. P.S. My hubby shed a tear to Lullaby. I think I have got him where I want him! Another convert!!!
  
  
• You won't be sorry you bought this!!!
  By A21J1LFAKQOYPG on 2008-05-14
  Utterly amazing! This DVD brought me right back in time, when I saw this concert twice in person. It is so moving that I was actually tearing up while watching him perform some of the songs (much to my boyfriend's amusement)! It is truly worth every penny and more. Even my boyfriend admitted it was pretty darn impressive (that is amazing in itself!) ENJOY!
  
  
• An Affair to Remember.........
  By A38IOTG9KA43M0 on 2008-05-17
  It's all about the fans. This DVD is just stunning, can't say enough about it. This is a guy that is just simply having a "love affair" with his fans right now...it was amazing to watch this DVD. If you look closely at the cover, inserts, and just about all he does and says, you can tell they are trying to capture the fans and the moments. At the end of the concert he seemed a little sad, that is what makes his performance of "Awake" just sweeter than sweet..... like he is already feeling empty till he hits the road again...whenever that may be. I came away feeling like he is constantly reaching out, (literally and figuratively) building that bond and awareness...desparately trying to NOT have everything be about HIM.....we shall see. He is becoming quite an unique piece of work! ENJOY!!
  
  
• Didn't know he rocked!
  By AW2COKRISE6OB on 2008-05-23
  I'd only been slightly familiar with Groban, mainly with his work with Céline Dion. I was pleased with this release. Suprised the man could perform an up-tempo tune without missing a beat. Some great pop/classical music.
  
  I subtract a star, not for the muisc, but for the DVD. I just couldn't get "into" his live performances.
  
  The music is what counts, and not much is missing here.
  
  
• Josh
  By A2NHVENM01HUVC on 2008-06-07
  I enjoyed the CD but was disappointed in it's length - I believe only 8 or 9 selections. Much too short.
  
  
• A truly great voice matures
  By A1LLHNE4ZGDZNO on 2008-07-08
  I have been a Josh Groban fan from the first time I heard his voice 2 or 3 years ago. First let me say at the outset that I am not a great fan of popular music. It's OK, but it doesn't make my putter flutter. Nonetheless, it seemed that this young man was destined for greatness even if he veered away from the classical repertoire.
  
  Awake is a mix of classical and pop, but it is surely aimed at the pop music fans who filled the Salt Lake City auditorium where this was recorded live at a concert.
  
  This recording is a large sample of the songs he sung there, and there isn't a clinker in the bunch. If this is your first exposure to Josh, then be prepared to become a fan. If you are already a fan, this album marks a further progression in the professionalism, training, and just plain talent on display here.
  
  Buy it. You won't regret it.
  
  
• Just another Live at the Greek, not even closer to in Concert
  By A2IWJ5QVBQFEBM on 2008-07-14
  I'm so disappointed by this concert, and I'm confused how the ratings between Live at the Greek and Awake Live change so much? Is there any difference between these two? NO!! That's not Josh Groban, that's what a typical shooting-star pop singer would do. I just can't believe anyone love his in Concert DVD would love this.
  
  
• Incredible awesome performance
  By A9PQSTAHR8V8I on 2008-07-16
  A Josh Groban concert is an incredible experience. With this dvd you get to experience that. His voice transcends all genres and the musicians on this dvd are superlative!
  
  
• Beautiful, as always
  By A23VGL8UZJAMLI on 2008-07-16
  Josh Groban's concerts have this peaceful energy which can rarely be found these days. They're all about making you feel good, and this concert doesn't disappoint. I highly recommend you get this for your mom and/or grandma as well, guaranteed they would appreciate it.
  
  
• Awesome DVD
  By AHYWS1HRQ1SQU on 2008-07-20
  I am a big fan of Josh Groban. I highly recommend this DVD for anyone who enjoys his music. He is an excellent artist! This DVD/CD is amazing just like him. I was very satisfied with this purchase. I couldn't ask for anything more for the price I paid.
  
  
• Pure Bliss
  By A28GCEYUG054RY on 2008-07-21
  Josh Groban has done what some artists can never do: put out a concert CD/DVD that's almost better than the studio version. It's one thing to hear this talented young man, but then to watch him -- pure bliss. I had to go back to the original CD to figure out what was different. Groban only gets better.
  
  
• Disappointing
  By A1ZSF5CJ0A4CIO on 2008-09-18
  Read great reviews on this, however, the majority of songs are not in English. Even if I was biligual, it sounds as though he is singing in at least 4 different languages. While I don't object to songs in different languages, I prefer not to have almost an entire CD of songs I can't understand other than the melody. Probably will not play it very often, or maybe I will give it to someone who wants it.
  
  
• Simply Tremendous
  By A30EEQDL4C0KN5 on 2008-05-12
  Josh Groban is possibly the best singer I've ever listened to. I bought this DVD as an idea for a date night with my wife at home. Unfortunately, we were unable to see Josh on his recent tour. However, trust me, this DVD was a great alternative. If you enjoy good music, you will enjoy this DVD. He actually sounds just as good live as on his albums. You won't be disappointed for buying this product.
  
  

• Noel
• On My Way Here
• Home Before Dark (Deluxe Edition with DVD)
• Closer
• Home Before Dark