On This Day: 20 November 2001
Josh Groban released his self-titled debut album. (Nov. 20)
In a year filled with tumult and uncertainty, Josh Groban is looking to provide a much-needed diversion.
His latest album, "Harmony," out Friday, offers fresh takes on some of his favorite songs, including Roberta Flack's "The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face" and Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me." It also features collaborations with Sara Bareilles ("Both Sides Now") and Leslie Odom Jr. ("Shape of My Heart").
"I wanted to make an album where I could sing songs that had been on my bucket list for a long time," Groban told USA TODAY. "These are timeless songs that have been the soundtracks to our lives for so many years. I hope this is a time where a fan can close their eyes and say, 'Hold my calls for 45 minutes' and be transported away."
Several tracks had already been recorded when the coronavirus pandemic prompted lockdowns nationwide. That forced Groban and his team to improvise in order to complete the album. After a brief pause, they got back to work, relying on technology to connect crew members in London, Nashville and New York.
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Two original songs, "Your Face" and "The Fullest," were written in the last few months. It was an adjustment, to say the least.
"I'm old school. I've always liked being in the room," Groban said. "I've been spoiled. My music has been generally pretty large, pretty expansive since I was 18 years old. From the moment I started, I've always been in a room with a huge orchestra. I've always said I don't want to do it detached."
Despite the distance, Groban says everyone "played with just as much passion," crafting an album he's incredibly proud of.
"Those were the first songs we got to play in many, many, many months," he said. "There was a feeling of relief and joy."
With all the uncertainty in the world right now, Groban says his time recording was a welcome escape.
"This has been a real kicker of a year," he said. "It's a real devastation out there what's happening in the artistic community. I feel unbelievably grateful in so many ways. I feel like I'm in a very lucky position where I can at least see a little light around the corner."
While they're all favorites — that's why they're on the album in the first place — Groban says two songs in particular really resonated with him. He calls "The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face" "one of the most romantic songs ever" and says that "The Impossible Dream" is "a bright spot in these dark days."
Another bright spot during the pandemic has been chatting via FaceTime with friends and loved ones, including his brother in New York and his parents in Los Angeles. Coronavirus fears mean he won't get to see his family in person this holiday season.
"I'm just not sure I'll be comfortable sitting at a table with my folks, carving a turkey," he said. "It's heartbreaking. We all feel like so many moments have been stolen from us this year. I miss those things tremendously."
With concerts out of the question for now, Groban, like many other performers, has turned to livestreaming. His first was in June. Two more are upcoming: Nov. 26 and Dec. 19. Both shows are at 4 p.m. ET. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased on Groban's website, joshgroban.com/livestream.
"It was my manager's idea," he said. "I'd been singing to myself in the shower for far too long. We thought, 'Maybe no one will click, but let's give it a shot.' "
The streams have been incredibly successful, Groban says, with viewers from 85 countries across the globe tuning in.
"I could've just hibernated," he said. "I don't have to do these, but my band, my crew are all having so much fun. You get to read all the comments and see how much it meant. I know it has meant a lot to a lot of people who've been feeling isolated."
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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiggFodHRwczovL3d3dy51c2F0b2RheS5jb20vc3RvcnkvZW50ZXJ0YWlubWVudC9tdXNpYy8yMDIwLzExLzIwL2hhcm1vbnktam9zaC1ncm9iYW4tY292ZXJzLXR1bmVzLWJvbm5pZS1yYWl0dC1lbHZpcy1tb3JlLzM3NzczNDkwMDEv0gEnaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXAudXNhdG9kYXkuY29tL2FtcC8zNzc3MzQ5MDAx?oc=5
2020-11-20 12:01:27Z
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