CityLife

Josh Groban

Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

October 14, 2011

There is a fascinating and relaxing purity to the voice of Josh Groban - a man who, even at my age, can make me melt like a teenager all over again.

And looking around at the sold out Bridgewater, I am not alone. This LA superstar attracts a whole range of fans from the more mature to the young five and eight-year-olds - namely Emily and Olivia who turned out to see 'the Groban'  and were rewarded with a trip onto the stage with him.

With his penchant for Spanish Josh performed a plethora of Mediterranean-inspired tunes  but it was haunting melodies like  Bells of New York City and Galileo,  which really whisk you away into a dreamlike state.

However it is not all lyrical ballads as there is also an element of rousing soft rock passion with hits such as You are Loved and Josh's homage to Neil Diamond's Play me. And it is this eclectic influence of  genres that means Josh can appeal to almost anyone and gives his audience an exhilarating performance that seems to fly through the night.

Backing Josh on stage was an amazing mix of musical talent which explains the simplistic lighting and set. There is no need for pyrotechnics and gospel choirs when you have talents this big to fill the stage.

Josh himself can play piano and drums, which he clearly demonstrated during the two-hour show, however his small but compelling band were just as fascinating to watch and provided the perfect complement to our baritone/tenor's vocal range.

Tragically the night had to end but not before Josh's magical rendition of the Grammy nominated You Raise Me Up and his trademark wit and humour which makes us all feel like he has welcomed us into his  amazing global  family.

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