Oh, What A Night With Josh Groban

 

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Josh Groban 09/2007

My friend and I got to Charlotte’s Bobcats Arena early and found our floor seats.  Heh, for some reason she thought we’d be sitting up amongst the rafters.  I sniffed, “I don’t think so!”  She said, ”Well, I didn’t know.  I’ve never been to a concert with you before.”  “Ha, yeah, honey, I know.”  Nothing wrong with sitting close to heaven, I’m sure.  But there’s one snobbery I’ll cop to and that’s where I’m sitting during any kind of performance.  The less I have to use the ole binocs the better.  We people-watched and chatted, I whined about not bringing my water bottle with me, and at 7:30PM Josh’s opening act begins. 

Deborah Cox’s opening song is ‘Destination Moon’ which is the title of her CD, a cover of Dinah Washington hits.  Deborah is an elegant bluesy, jazzy singer with a smooth voice.  The audience applause is polite but not effusive; in all honesty, we’re there to see Josh, and Deborah is gracious in her acknowledgement of that fact.   Dressed in a long white, glamorous gown, she takes the opportunity to plug her CD, ‘Destination Moon’.  Close to the end of her set, she asks the audience if we’re ‘awake’.  Soon after her performance of ‘What A Difference A Day Makes’, she exits the stage.

We wait.  The thin curtain billows around Josh’s set.  We hear him before we see him.  The curtain rises and we see him slowly rising onto the stage singing, ‘You Are Loved’ and the crowd goes wild and immediately rise from their seats.  The sound system is cranked to destructive-decibel level and the arena vibrates.  And so begins what we’ve come to see.  Josh Groban and his amazing voice, beautiful songs, great musicians, barefoot violinist, and other fans who share the singular passion that’s Josh.

Josh has an amazing voice and it’s even more amazing in person.  His stage presence has grown; he seems to be more comfortable and his rapport with the audience seems warmer than during his first concert tour.  He’s friendlier,  more relaxed, and still retains his charming goofiness that’s so endearing.  Judging from the audience, his appeal cuts across all age groups and even this old broad gets a thrill from his concerts.  Yeah!