Noel - Josh Groban > Reviews > An Angel`s voice for Christmas

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Full of traditional Christmas spirit
Disadvantages:	Maybe release a bit to early (October)

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I must admit I was a bit dubious about this CD before its release, despite being a big fan of josh Groban. There are so many of these Christmas albums out, & I feared this would album wouldn`t do his talent justice.

However I think it`s one of the best Christmas albums out there, actually creating a genuine warm Christmassy feel to it (which many of the others before him have failed to capture).

The album opens with the beautiful "Silent night" complete with a children`s choir.
From the moment he starts to sing, you realise that this is going to be a special album, his voice crystal clear and perfect for the songs he is performing.

Next is "Little Drummer Boy", which starts of very quietly before building up to a cresendo, featuring the London Symphony Orchestra and the beautiful sound of the Irish Uilleann Pipes.

"I`ll be home for Christmas" starts with a piano & strings, with the voices of service men and women away on duty over Christmas speaking messages to their loved ones back home.
Again, the atmosphere created by the piano & vocals of Josh, accompanied by the orchestra really puts you in the Christmas spirit, even though this is only October as I am listening!

"Ave Maria" needs little introduction, it has been done many times before, but few versions are as good as this one. The first part is mainly just vocal and piano, before the orchestra and choir come in. Beautiful song.

"Angels We Have Heard On High" is a duet with R&B singer Brian McKnight. Again the orchestral sound of this track is beautiful, & the 2 vocals compliment each other perfectly.

"Thankful" is a new and original song, with Josh`s angelic voice and piano accompanied by the orchestra. Possibly a Chritmas single release?

"The Christmas song" has a nice nostalgic feel to it, and paints the picture of a happy family christmas together. It is sung beautifully along with an acoustic guitar.

Next is "What Child is this" has an Irish feel to it, complete with violin solo.

Track 9 is "The First Noel", a duet with country singer Faith Hill. Again, performed beautifully and mellow, as is all of the album. This song also features a gospel choir lead by the legendary Kirk Franklin.

Next is a French Christmas song called "Petit Papa Noel", another song I have never heard before, but I`m sure Josh has done it justice here!

"It came upon a midnight clear" is the highlight of the album in my opinion. Sung over an acoustic piano, before being joined by guitar, orchestra and gospel choir.

"Panis Angelicus" is an Italian piece of music from "The feast of Corpus Christi". Josh sounding every bit the tenor here in a track done by the likes of Pavarotti & Domingo.

The album closes with "O come all ye faithfull", which has a great church sound to it with the church organ and accompanied by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. A perfect song to finish the album.

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Now that I have this CD in my collection, I can put Celine`s, Mariah`s and the Muppets christmas CDs to bed for a while!
The voice of an Angel is here this Christmas.