Josh Groban

1	Alla Luce del Sole 4:18
2	Gira Con Me Questa Notte 4:42
3	You're Still You 3:40
4	Cinema Paradiso (Se) 3:25
5	To Where You Are 3:53
6	Alejate 4:50
7	Canto Alla Vita / The Corrs 4:16
8	Let Me Fall From Cirque du Soleil 4:12
9	Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) 4:39
10	Un Amore Per Sempre 4:26
11	Home to Stay 4:33
12	Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring 5:01
13	The Prayer / Charlotte Church 4:25

Barnes & Noble

Following in the wake of the spectacular success of artists like Andrea Bocelli and Russell Watson, the ever-expanding genre of classical crossover music is set to embrace another rising star, Josh Groban. The 20-year-old baritone's debut CD, Josh Groban, artistically exceeds the industry's high expectations for this very young, remarkably self-possessed performer. Discovered by producer-songwriter David Foster, the handsome L.A. native has selected an eclectic mélange of classical and contemporary tunes that present his warm and robust voice in a variety of complimentary settings. Whether singing in Italian (the gorgeous "Alla luce dal sole" and "Un amore per sempre") or English (Don McLean's moving "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)" and Richard Marx's dramatic "To Where You Are,") Groban imbues every note with a shimmering romantic glow. Eschewing the obvious, the versatile vocalist features top-drawer material by Linda Thompson ("You're Still You,") Albert Hammond ("Alejate,") and Ennio Morricone ("Cinema Paradiso") as well as J. S. Bach's lovely "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." But the highlight is Carol Bayer Sager's "The Prayer," a made-in-heaven duet with fellow wunderkind Charlotte Church, a partnership with a combined age that barely totals 35. Already touted by such celebrities as Sarah Brightman and Rosie O'Donnell, Josh Groban is a precocious and rare talent ready to explode. David Cohen

All Music Guide

Producer, record executive, and songwriter David Foster has a long history of trying to wed commercial considerations to the lighter elements of pop music, and in young Josh Groban, whom he adopted as a protégé in late 1998 when the singer was 17, he is trying to get in on the classical crossover market effectively occupied by the likes of Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, and Charlotte Church (who duets with Groban on "The Prayer" here). Groban has a rich voice that falls somewhere between a low tenor and a high baritone, and Foster has here crafted or commissioned music that will sound classical to the ears of non-classical fans, much of it with lyrics in Italian to complete the effect. "Gira con Me," for example, is a slow ballad that sounds like it may have escaped from a minor opera, but in fact was composed by Foster and songwriter/producer Walter Afanasieff (best-known for his work with Mariah Carey). Groban is also given some ballads in English, with songwriting credits that include such Southern California pop-meisters as Richard Marx, Albert Hammond, Carole Bayer Sager, and Foster's wife, Linda Thompson. The result is an ersatz classical crossover record that won't fool the experts but easily could find its way into households that welcome Celine Dion and other sub-operatic emoters of her ilk. Groban is certainly not to be blamed for taking his chances with Foster instead of staying in college or pursuing a classical career, and his first album is enjoyable even if it doesn't live up to its pretensions. William Ruhlmann