Mi Mancherai

Mi mancherai se te ne vai
Mi manchera’ la tua serenita’
Le tue parole come canzoni al vento
E l’amore che ora porti via

Mi mancherai se te ne vai
Ora e per sempre non so come vivrei
E l’allegria, amica mia
Va via con te

Mi mancherai mi mancherai
Perche vai via?
Perche l’amore in te se’ spento
Perche, perche?
Non cambiera’ niente lo so
E dentro sento te

Mi mancherai, mi mancherai
Perche vai via?
Perche l’amore in te se’ spento?
Perche, perche?
Non cambiera niente lo so
E dentro sento che

Mi mancherai l’immensita
Dei nostri giorni e notti insieme noi
I tuoi sorrisi quando si fa buio
La tua ingenuita da bambina tu

Mi mancherai amore mio
Mi guardo e trovo un vuoto dentro me
E l’allegria, amica mia
Va via con te

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I will miss you if you go
I will miss your serenity,
Your words like songs to the wind,
And the love that you take away with you.

I will miss you if you go
This moment is forever
I don’t know how to live
And the joy, my friend,
Will leave with you

I will miss you, I will miss you
Why are you going away?
Why has the love in you died?
Why, why?
I know it won’t change anything
And inside I feel you

I will miss you, I will miss you
Why are you going away?
Why has the love in you died?
Why, why?
I know it won’t change anything
And inside I feel that

I will miss the intensity
Of our days and nights together,
Your smiles when it’s dark,
Your childlike innocence, you

I will miss you, my love
I look at myself and I find a void inside me
And the joy, my friend,
Will leave with you.

*

Imi va fi dor de tine daca vei pleca
Imi va fi dor de seninatatea ta,
De vorbele tale ca melodii in vant,
Si de iubirea pe care o iei cu tine.

Imi va fi dor de tine daca vei pleca
Aceasta clipa este pentru totdeauna
Nu stiu cum sa traiesc,
Iar bucuria, prietena mea,
Va pleca odata cu tine.

Imi va fi dor de tine, imi va fi dor de tine
De ce pleci?
De ce a murit iubirea din tine?
De ce, de ce?
Stiu ca nu se va schimba nimic
Si in interior te simt.

Imi va fi dor de tine, imi va fi dor de tine
De ce pleci?
De ce a murit iubirea din tine?
De ce, de ce?
Stiu ca nu se va schimba nimic
Si in interior simt asta.

Imi va fi dor de intensitatea
Zilelor si a noptilor petrecute impreuna,
De zambetele tale cand se intuneca,
De inocenta ta ca de copil, de tine.

Imi va fi dor de tine, iubirea mea,
Ma uit la mine si  gasesc un gol inauntrul meu,
Iar bucuria, prietena mea,
Va pleca odata cu tine.

Mi Mancherai

Albumul “Closer” l-a adus pe Josh Groban mai aproape de fanii sai, toate melodiile avand o incarcatura sentimentala mai bogata, comparativ cu primul album. “Mi Mancherai” (al 3-lea track de pe “Closer”) este o capodopera atat din punct de vedere vocal, cat si instrumental.

Mesajul pe care-l transmite cantecul este unul de un profund regret pentru o iubire, care s-a rupt. De altfel, “Mi Mancherai” este una dintre cele mai triste melodii ale lui Josh, iar titlul ei se traduce din limba italiana prin “Imi va fi dor de tine”. Orchestratia se remarca prin doua instrumente principale alternante: vioara, care predomina, si pianul.

Ceea ce iti capteaza atentia inca de la inceput este vioara, ale carui sunete delicate, dar foarte bine conturate, iti strapung sufletul. Nu e nevoie sa asculti intai versurile, ca sa-ti dai seama ca este un cantec de melancolie si jale. Dupa aproximativ un minut si cateva secunde, vioara inceteaza, si dupa o foarte scurta pauza, Josh Groban incepe sa cante. Vocea sa calda si cu un vibratto exceptional accentueaza tristetea melodiei. Maniera in care canta este una de resemnare, dar combinata cu revolta impotriva a ceea ce s-a intamplat: de ce a plecat si l-a parasit, fara sa-i pese? Totul se desfasoara treptat, din momentul in care cel care canta i se adreseaza direct persoanei iubite si pana la final, cand aceasta ii intoarce spatele si pleaca indiferenta.

Primele doua strofe sunt o marturisire a sentimentelor. “Imi va fi dor de tine, daca vei pleca, imi va fi dor de seninatatea ta… Iar daca vei pleca, vei lua cu tine si dragostea, si bucuria, iar eu nu voi mai sti cum sa traiesc.” Vocea este imploratoare, dar in zadar, pentru ca persoana iubita se indeparteaza tot mai mult. Si atunci intervine disperarea si revolta: “Imi va fi dor de tine, imi va fi dor de tine/ De ce pleci? / De ce a murit iubirea din tine? / De ce ? De ce?”. Cel care a iubit atat de mult se prabuseste la pamant si cauta raspunsuri, dar stie ca nu se va schimba nimic. Se asterne tacerea, iar durerea imensa este eliberata prin vioara care plange si care iti trece un cutit prin inima. Vocea repeta deznadajduita aceleasi intrebari, iar pe masura ce persoana iubita se departeaza si se pierde in intuneric, sunt evocate toate momentele frumoase petrecute impreuna. Ultimele doua versuri sunt precedate de o pauza, ele marcand sfarsitul inevitabil. “Iar bucuria, prietena mea / Se va duce cu tine…” Mesajul este clar: odata cu tine, mi-ai luat si bucuria, iar mie nu-mi mai ramane decat un gol in suflet. Cand vocea inceteaza, vioara este cea care mai exprima tristetea de la finalul melodiei, sunetele instrumentului urcand treptat pe scara muzicala, pana la cel mai firav si inalt sunet, unde totul se opreste complet.

Ascultand “Mi Mancherai”, nu poti sa nu te cutremuri. Melodia e trista, plina de regrete, deceptii, sentimente irosite, dar mai ales de neputinta unuia de a tine langa sine pe cineva. Nu e neaparat vorba de relatia dintre doi iubiti, mesajul este cel al despartirii ireversibile de cineva drag. Stii ca orice ai face, nimic nu va mai fi ca inainte, astfel ca ramai doar cu amintirile, care sa-ti mai aline dorul, conturat atat de bine prin repetarea de noua ori a formulei “mi mancherai”. Din toata tristetea atat de evidenta, se desprinde totusi si morala: sa fim atenti cu cei din jurul nostru, mai ales cu cei dragi, sa nu-i ranim, sa ne bucuram mereu de ei si sa fim recunoscatori ca suntem inconjurati de oameni care ne iubesc atat de mult. Si sa invatam sa pretuim fiecare clipa petrecuta cu acestia, pentru ca timpul trece repede si e pacat sa ne dam seama prea tarziu de faptul ca puteam sa fim mult mai aproape de ei, dar nu am fost, iar acum nu mai putem face aproape nimic.

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The album “Closer” brought Josh Groban closer to its fans, all songs having a richer emotional load, compared to the first album. “Mi Mancherai” (3rd track from “Closer”) is a masterpiece both in terms of vocal and instrumental.

The message that the song delivers is one of deep regret for a love that was broken. Moreover, “Mi Mancherai” is one of the saddest songs of Josh, and its title translates from Italian as “I will miss you”. Orchestration is distinguished by alternating two main instruments: violin, which predominates, and piano.

What captures your attention from the very beginning is the violin, whose delicate, but very well outlined sounds pierce your soul. No need to listen to the lyrics first to tell it’s a song of melancholy and mourning. After about one minute and a few seconds, the violin ceases, and after a very short break, Josh Groban starts to sing. His warm voice, with an exceptionally vibratto, emphasizes the sadness of the song. The manner in which he sings is one of resignation, but combined with the revolt against what happened: why did she leave him, without caring? All unfolds gradually, from the moment when he who sings speaks directly to his loved one, to the moment when she turns her back on him and leaves unaffected.

The first two stanzas are a confession of feelings. “I will miss you, if you go, I will miss your silence … And if you go, you’ll take with you the love, the joy and I will no longer know how to live”. The voice is imploring, but in vain, because his beloved is moving away. And then comes the despair and the revolt: “I will miss you, I will miss you / Why are you going? / Why has the love inside you died? / Why? Why?” He, who loved her so much, falls to the ground and search for answers, but knows this will not change anything. Silent lays down and the immense pain is released by the violin which cries and it feels like it’s stabbing your heart. The voice repeats the same questions desperately and, as his beloved moves away and is lost in the dark, there are evoked all the beautiful moments spent together. The last two verses are preceded by a pause,  marking inevitably the end. “And the joy, my friend / Will leave with you …” The message is clear: you took away the joy and now all I have is this void in my soul. When the voice ceases, the violin is the one who continues to express the sadness, the sounds of this instrument going on a scale, up until it reaches the highest and frail note, where everything stops completely.

Listening to “Mi Mancherai”, automatically you get some kind of shiver. The song is sad, full of regret, disappointment, wasted feelings, especially one’s helplessness to keep someone near themselves. It’s not really about the relationship between two lovers, the message is about the irreversible separation from your loved ones. You know that, whatever you do, nothing will be as before. You remain only with your memories, which can soothe a little your heart’s desire, outlined so well by repeating nine times the formula “mi mancherai”. From all this obvious sadness, we can detache the morals: we must be careful with those around us, especially with the loved ones, not to hurt them, we must always enjoy them and be grateful that we are surrounded by people who loves us so much. And learn to cherish every minute with them, because time passes quickly and is a pity realizing too late that we could have been closer to them, but we weren’t and now there’s nothing we can do about it.

Josh Groban si “Fantoma de la Opera”

Pe 26 decembrie 2006, la a 29-a editie anuala a Kennedy Center Honors, Josh a cantat “Music of the Night”, ca tribut adus lui Andrew Lloyd Webber (vezi clipul, la 0.11-.014). – compozitor englez de teatru muzical, creatorul celebrului musical “Phantom of the Opera” – “Fantoma de la Opera”, inspirat dupa romanul omonim al lui Gaston Leroux (1911). “The Music of the Night” face parte din acest musical, in care actiunea graviteaza in jurul a doua personaje: o frumoasa soprana, Christine Daae, care devine obsesia unui misterios si desfigurat geniu muzical, cunoscut sub numele de “Fantoma de la Opera”. La un moment dat, acesta o atrage pe soprana in ascunzatoarea lui aflata sub cladirea operei. El o seduce pe Christine cu aceasta “Music of the Night” (“Muzica a noptii”), inducandu-i o stare de transa cu vocea sa. El canta despre iubirea nespusa pentru ea si o indeamna sa uite lumea si viata pe care le cunostea dinainte. Rolul Christinei a fost jucat la Londra si pe Broadway de catre Sarah Brightman (sotia de-atunci a lui Webber), alaturi de Michael Crawford, in rolul Fantomei.

Interpretarea lui Josh este impecabila, iar nota muzicala lunga dintre 1.09-1.13 iti taie respiratia!

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Josh Groban and the “Phantom of the Opera”

On the 26^th december 2006, at the 29^th Annual Kennedy Center Honors, Josh sang “The Music of the Night”, as a tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber (see the clip, 0.11-0.14) – English composer of musical theatre, the creator of the famous musical “Phantom of the Opera”, inspired by the homonymous novel of Gaston Leroux (1911). “The Music of the Night” is part of this musical, in which the plot gravitates towards two characters: a beautiful soprano, Christine Daae, who becomes the obsession of a mysterious and disfigured musical genius, known as “The Phantom of the Opera”. At one time, he lures the soprano down to his lair beneath the Opera House. He seduces Christine with “his music” of the night, his voice putting her into a type of trance. He sings of his unspoken love for her and urges her to forget the world and life she knew before.  The role of Christine was played in the original London and Broadway productions by Sarah Brighman (Webber then-wife), alongside Michael Crawford as the Phantom.

Josh’s performance is impeccable and the long note from 1.09-1.13 is just breathtaking!

February Song

Where has that old friend gone
Lost in a February song
Tell him it won’t be long
Til he opens his eyes, opens his eyes
Where is that simple day
Before colors broke into shades
And how did I ever fade
Into this life, into this life

And I never want to let you down
Forgive me if I slip away
When all that I’ve known is lost and found
I promise you I, I’ll come back to you one day

Morning is waking up
And sometimes it’s more than just enough
When all that you need to love
Is in front of your eyes
It’s in front of your eyes

And I never want to let you down
Forgive me if I slip away
Sometimes it’s hard to find the ground
Cause I keep on falling as I try to get away
From this crazy world!!!

And I never want to let you down
Forgive me if I slip away
When all that I’ve known is lost and found
I promise you I, I’ll come back to you one day

Where has that old friend gone
Lost in a February song
Tell him it won’t be long
Til he opens his eyes
Opens his eyes

*

Unde a plecat acel vechi prieten
Pierdut intr-un cantec de Februarie,
Spune-i ca nu va mai fi mult
Pana isi va deschide ochii, isi va deschide ochii.
Unde este acea zi simpla
Dinainte de frangerea culorilor in umbre
Si cum de oare am disparut
In aceasta viata, in aceasta viata.

Si nu am vrut niciodata sa te dezamagesc
Iarta-ma daca am gresit,
Cand tot ceea ce am cunoscut este pierdut si gasit,
Iti promit, ma voi intoarce la tine intr-o zi.

Dimineata inseamna a te trezi
Si cateodata este mai mult decat suficient,
Cand tot ceea ce ai nevoie ca sa iubesti
Este in fata ochilor tai
Este in fata ochilor tai

Si nu am vrut niciodata sa te dezamagesc
Iarta-ma daca am gresit,
Cateodata este greu sa-mi gasesc baza,
Pentru ca tot cad, incercand sa scap
De lumea asta nebuna!!!

Si nu am vrut niciodata sa te dezamagesc
Iarta-ma daca am gresit,
Cand tot ceea ce am cunoscut este pierdut si gasit,
Iti promit, ma voi intoarce la tine intr-o zi.

Unde a plecat acel vechi prieten
Pierdut intr-un cantec de Februarie
Spune-i ca nu va mai fi mult
Pana cand isi va deschide ochii
Isi va deschide ochii.

February Song

Al 4-lea track de pe albumul “Awake”, “February Song” este unul dintre cele mai frumoase cantece ale lui Josh. Compusa chiar de el intr-o noapte insomniaca de februarie, melodia are o nota elegiaca evidenta. Dominata de tonul melancolic si grav al pianului, linia melodica este oarecum simetrica, avand un debut discret si amplificandu-se treptat pana intr-un punct culminant (refrenul de dupa a 2-a strofa), dupa care scade in intensitate pana la final, unde auzim aceleasi note discrete de la inceput.

Versurilor li se pot acorda mai multe interpretari, ele avand aspectul unui dialog interior intre eul prezent, constient si un eu trecut, ingropat undeva in amintiri. S-ar parea ca Josh se adreseaza retoric unui prieten vechi, pe care poate l-a uitat, iar acum incearca sa-l readuca in prezent si sa refaca legatura dintre ei, cerandu-si iertare pentru greselile facute. Poate acel prieten este exact vechiul Josh, cel de dinainte de celebritate, sau cel din copilarie. Refrenul subliniaza dorinta de a fi iertat pentru caderi si promisiunea ca intr-o zi, se va intoarce de unde a plecat si va regasi ceea ce a lasat in urma.

A doua strofa pune accentul pe bucuria lucrurilor simple: a te trezi dimineata este de-ajuns ca sa te faca multumitor pentru faptul ca traiesti, iar tot ceea ce iti trebuie pentru a iubi se afla in fata ochilor tai.

Al doilea refren, in a doua jumatate a sa,  se schimba fata de primul, fiind alcatuit din urmatoarele propozitii, care mi se par punctul forte al melodiei: “Sometimes it’s hard to find my ground / Cause I keep on falling , as I try to get away from this crazy world !!!” – “Cateodata este greu sa-mi gasesc baza (punctul de sprijin) / Pentru ca tot cad, incercand sa scap de lumea asta nebuna !!!” Felul cum canta fragmentul acesta te zguduie si te trezeste din amorteala  si din plictiseala asta continua de fiecare zi, intrucat partea “as I try to get away from this crazy world!” urca nota cu nota, pana in punctul cel mai inalt si mai puternic, centrat pe cuvantul “world” – cantat din toti rarunchii. Per total, vocea lui Josh, acompaniata de orchestratia intensa, seamana cu strigatul de ajutor al unui om deznadajduit, care, inecat in valurile vietii, vrea sa iasa disperat la mal. Melodia continua in forta cu instrumentatia, dupa care se reia primul refren, iar finalul este dat de repetarea strofei initiale, care marcheaza din nou intrebarea retorica despre locul in care se afla acel vechi prieten, pierdut intr-un cantec de februarie.

De fiecare data cand ascult “February Song”, ma gandesc la copilarie, la copilul din mine, la cel care sunt acum si care ar vrea sa fie ca cel de atunci, fara griji, inocent si cu zambetul mereu pe buze la orice bucurie mica. Crestem si devenim tot mai stresati, mai ingrijorati, mai incruntati si asta, pe buna dreptate, pentru ca traim intr-adevar intr-o lume nebuna, care ne inghite fara mila in valtoarea ei, facandu-ne sa uitam cine suntem cu adevarat. Melodia de fata este un vehicul cu destinatia “Trecut”, unde ne putem duce cu gandul, ca sa mai reparam din greselile fata de noi insine si ca sa invatam sa ne bucuram din nou de lucrurile simple, asa cum faceam cand eram mici.

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The 4^th track from the album “Awake”, “February Song”, is one of the most beautiful songs of Josh. Composed by him on a night of insomnia, the song has an obvious elegy note. Dominated by the melancholic and solemn tone of the piano, the melody is somewhat symmetrical, having a discreete beginning and amplifying gradually until a climax (the 2^nd chorus); after that, it reduces it’s intensity until the end, where we hear the same delicate notes from the beginning.

The lyrics have many interpretations, but generally speaking, they look like an inside dialogue between the prezent and conscient self and another self, buried below the memories of the past. It looks like Josh is speaking rhetorically to an old friend, which he had forgotten, and now he is trying to bring that friend in the prezent and restore their friendship, asking for forgiveness. Maybe that “old friend” is the old Josh, before the celebrity, or the Josh from his childhood. The chorus emphasizes the wish to be forgiven and the promise that, one day, he (Josh or anybody else) will come back to his roots and will find all that he left behind.

The 2^nd verse speaks about the joy of simple things: waking in the morning is enough to make you grateful for the fact that you have a life and “all that you need to love, is in front of your eyes”.

We see that the 2^nd chorus is a bit changed in comparison with the first one and I think this change marks the strong point of the song:“Sometimes it’s hard to find my ground / Cause I keep on falling , as I try to get away from this crazy world!!!” The way Josh sings this part simply shakes you from the somnolence and daily boredom of our monotonous life. Singing “as I try to get away from this crazy world” on a scale and almost shouting the word “world”, accompanied by the strong orchestra, Josh’s voice seems like the cry for help of a man, who is in danger of drowning in the waves of life and tries desperately to reach the shore. The song continues with the intense instrumental part, then we hear again the first chorus and the end is based on the first verse, which is repeated, as if the singer still wants to find his “old friend”.

Everytime I listen to “February Song”, I remember my childhood, I think of my inner child and reflect upon the person that I am now, but in fact wanted to be the Vlad from years ago, who was innocent and had no worry. Back then, I was happy and smiled all the time. We lose our innocence and come to maturity, being more stressed day by day. This crazy world we live in swallows us without pity into it’s vortex, making us forget who we really are. This song is a vehicle with destination “Past”, where we could get by thought, to repare some of the mistakes that we made to ourselves and to learn to rejoice again at the simple things.

Genial! – Josh la premiile Emmy, 2008

In deschiderea premiilor Emmy de anul trecut (a 60-a editie), desfasurate pe 21 septembrie, in Los Angeles, la Nokia Theatre, Josh a avut o interventie geniala, cantand un colaj de 30 de melodii din genericul unora dintre cele mai cunoscute seriale de televiziune: “Friends”, “X Files”, “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air”, chiar si “South Park”. Inainte de performanta sa live, Josh declara ca: “Nimic din ceea ce cant, nu am mai cantat pana acum, in afara de “South Park” cu prietenii”. In legatura cu fragmentele cantate, tot el spunea: “ Multe din ele imi ingaduie sa fiu eu insumi, apoi sunt altele care imi permit sa-mi las multiplele personalitati sa se joace un pic.” De remarcat este abilitatea sa de a-si schimba vocea, de altfel grobanitii stiu ca Josh are talentul de a imita foarte bine pe unii oameni.

Momentul sau a fost printre cele mai bune ale serii. Voi ce credeti?

P.S. La min. 2.54-2.55, chiar inainte de a canta fragmentul de rap din “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air”, Josh spune oarecum nesigur: “O, God!”, ca si cum ar urma partea cea mai grea (de altfel, el nu este chiar un fan al rap-ului). Oricum, eu cred ca s-a descurcat foarte bine!

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Brilliant! – Josh at the 60^th Annual Emmy Awards

21 september 2008, Nokia Theatre, Los Angeles, the 60^th edition of Emmy Awards… Josh Groban is singing a medley of theme songs from 30 famous television shows: “Friends”, “X Files”, “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air”, even “South Park”. I think his performance was brilliant, he has the ability to change his voice easily and he does some mean impersonations. Before the show, he declared: “Nothing I’m singing I’ve ever sung before, except for “South Park” with friends.” “There’s a lot of stuff that allows me to just be me, then there’s a lot of stuff that allows me to let my multiple personalities to go play for a bit.”

His moment was one of the few highlights of the night. What do you think?

P.S. At the 2.54-2.55 mark, just before singing the theme song from “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” (a rap kinda theme song), Josh says insecure: “O, God!”, as if it were the most difficult part to sing (Josh isn’t a fan of this rap genre). Anyway, I think he did a great job!

“Cele mai bune melodii le compun in baie”

Asa suna titlul interviului din “Formula AS”, prin care am ajuns sa aflu de Josh Groban. Eram acasa in vacanta de iarna, iar undeva in sufragerie zacea aruncat numarul 849, decembrie 2008, al ziarului. La sectiunea pop-rock, in jumatatea de jos a paginii, se afla articolul cu pricina. L-am citit, m-a facut curios, am ascultat si iata-ma acum scriind de zor pe blog, doar-doar o afla mai multa lume de el.

Din nefericire, interviul nu se afla in arhiva online a celor de la redactie, dar il gasiti integral mai jos.

JOSH GROBAN

„Cele mai bune melodii le compun in baie”

● Cu vocea lui de bariton si cu felul lui bland de a fi a devenit celebru si adorat de femei.●

Totul la Josh Groban este oarecum „soft”. Felul cum iti strange mana, cum zambeste. Iar in timpul interviului de la „Hotel Marquis” din Hollywood isi bea cafeaua cu inghitituri mici, prudente. Pe scurt, la prima vedere, Groban se potriveste perfect cu muzica pe care o canta: pop sentimental, cu o nota usor clasica, datorita vocii de bariton.

In SUA, californianul Groban a devenit star cu cele trei albume ale sale – adica 15 milioane de discuri vandute. Acum urmeaza sa apara un CD dublu Best Of. Iar reporterii vor sa stie cat de „soft” este de fapt Josh Groban.

- Se spune adeseori despre dvs. ca sunteti „ginerele perfect”. Este un compliment sau o jignire?

- Cand am vreo intalnire, imediat dupa aperitiv, sunt anuntat de persoana care ma insoteste, ca ar vrea sa ma prezinte mamei sale. Toate femeile vor sa ma ia de barbat, fara macar sa ma cunoasca mai bine. Mi se pare putin cam hazardat. In orice caz, acum sunt singur, de circa un an, si intr-un fel inca nu mi-am gasit perechea potrivita. Iar „ginerele perfect” nu mi se pare o jignire, ci un compliment.

- V-ati putea considera un barbat timid?

- Da, pana la urma. Nu-mi place sa fiu in centrul atentiei.

- Si-atunci de ce ati devenit star?

- Pe scena, nu am nicio problema, in schimb la petreceri, intr-un cerc restrans, nu ma simt in largul meu. In acele momente chiar cred ca sunt penibil.

- Si cum va explicati acest lucru?

- Poate pentru ca sunt un tip obsedat de munca si rareori ies din casa. Si-atunci, sa incep brusc sa fac conversatie mi se pare atat de neobisnuit, incat ma simt prost. Trebuie sa invat sa ma deconectez.

- Sunteti un bariton cu pregatire clasica. Din acest motiv acordati mai multa atentie vocii dvs. decat ceilalti colegi de rock?

- Credeti-ma ca fiecare cantaret bun are grija de vocea lui, inclusiv rapper-ii si rocker-ii. In privinta aceasta, eu personal sunt foarte disciplinat: inainte de concert nu exista alcool, nuci sau iaurt. Alcoolul usuca corzile vocale, nucile le pot zgaria, iar iaurtul produce prea multa saliva in gura. In turnee, chiar tin regim. Doar apa, peste si legume multe.

- Exista vreun loc magic, in care va vin idei bune pentru piesele dvs.?

- Cele mai bune melodii le compun in baie. Cel putin trei dintre piesele mele s-au „nascut” in timp ce ma spalam pe cap. Si ca sa raspund si la urmatoarea dvs. intrebare: da, cant sub dus.

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„The best melodies come to me in the bathroom.”

This interview was featured in Gala magazine and was translated by Romanian newspaper „Formula AS”. That’s how I found out about Josh. After seeing how known is Josh in Romania (almost unknown!), I realize that this interview was a miracle. No other newspaper wrote anything about him, not even „Popcorn”, or other teenage magazines. Very sad, but I hope this will change in the future. You can find this interview at  http://grobanarchives.com/transcripts/tra081127a.html (btw, congratulations to Cindy, who made this big effort to gather all the interviews with Josh (from 2001 to 2009) and put them on this site: http://www.grobanarchives.com/interviews.html In fact, there are plenty other interesting things about Josh on http://www.grobanarchives.com. Enjoy!)

They All Want to Marry Me

Gala (Germany)

November 27, 2008

Josh Groban became a star with classic-pop. His kind nature turned him into a heart-throb.

Everything about Josh Groban is somehow soft. His handshake, his smile. And he drinks the green tea in careful, little sips during the interview in the hotel Marquis in Hollywood. In short, at first glance Groban exactly matches the music that he makes – sensitive pop that receives a touch of classic through the baritone voice of the born Californian.

In the US, he made it with his three studio albums to a celebrated star, around 15 million CDs has he sold there. Now, with “A Collection” a best-of double CD of him is released. An GALA wants to know, how soft is Josh Groban really?

- You are often characterized as the perfect son-in-law. Is that an insult or a compliment for you?

- When I have a date, I mostly hear already after the appetizer, that my date wants to introduce me to her mother. The women all want to marry me right away, although they don’t really know me. That is a little too fast for me. Anyway, I have been single for a year and somehow have not found the right person yet. By all means, for me “perfect son-in-law” is no insult but a compliment.

- Would you describe yourself as a shy person?

- Yes, definitely. I don’t like to take center stage.

- And why then did you become a pop star of all things?

- On stage that is no problem for me. But as soon as I am at a party in a small crowd, I batten down the hatches. In these moments I feel really foolish.

- How do you explain that to yourself?

- Maybe it’s because I am a workaholic and rarely get out. To make small talk all of a sudden is so unfamiliar to me that I don’t feel comfortable. I still have to learn to relax.

- You are a classically trained baritone. Do you therefore pay more attention to your voice than your rock colleagues?

- Oh believe me, every good singer takes good care of his voice, also rap artists or rock singers. I am very disciplined: Before a concert, there is no alcohol, no nuts and no yogurt. Alcohol dries out the vocal cords, the nuts can scratch them and yogurt produces too much phlegm in the throat. On tour, I am really on a diet. Only water and a lot of fish and vegetables.

- Is there actually a magical place where you get the best song ideas?

- The best melodies come to me in the bathroom. At least three of my songs emerged during washing my hair. And to answer your next question right away: Yes, I do sing in the shower.

Stiintific vorbind, vocea lui Josh chiar te poate calma!

Toti cei care l-au ascultat pe Josh Groban macar o data si-au dat seama ca ii relaxeaza si astfel devin mai linistiti. Eu insumi am probat acest lucru si am mai observat ca muzica lui nu ma deranjeaza atunci cand invat, spre deosebire de alti cantareti sau chiar unele fragmente de  muzica clasica (despre care se spune ca stimuleaza creierul si ajuta memoria), pe care nu le prea suport pe fundal. “Efect Placebo”, ar spune unii. “Probabil”, le-as raspunde, dar pentru cei mai sceptici, acum exista si dovada stiintifica a relaxarii induse de vocea lui.

S-au apucat japonezii, popor care a evoluat foarte mult din punct de vedere tehnologic , sa studieze parametrii vocali ai lui Josh si au ajuns la niste rezultate uimitoare si destul de convingatoare pentru cei care vor dovezi palpabile. Concluziile experimentelor efectuate de cercetatorii japonezi se afla pe site-ul http://wmg.jp/joshgroban/voice.html. Din fericire, cineva le-a tradus in engleza si au fost postate pe diverse site-uri. Eu le-am gasit pe blog-ul unei foarte bune cunostinte, Lexxa, grobanita si ea pana in maduva oaselor: http://lovejoshssmile.wordpress.com/2009/09/07/silencio-for-simplicita/. Articolul cu pricina merita citit integral si cu permisiunea autoarei blog-ului, voi posta mai jos rezultatele obtinute. Anexez si graficele pe care este inscrisa vocea lui Josh. Din pacate contin explicatii in japoneza, dar pentru cunoscatorii limbii, n-ar trebui sa fie o problema.

1. Vocea sa are un efect de vindecare (sufleteasca sau mentala asupra unei dureri existente) (intr-o definitie matematica de 1/f ), unde frecventa vocii in cadrul gamei vocale joase este foarte raspandita, iar intinderea sa vocala inalta in cadrul gamei este minutioasa, (fiind auzita en detail), avand astfel asupra ascultatorului un efect foarte calmant. Din aceeasi cercetare, reiese ca acest 1/f se mai aplica si altor mari cantareti, cum ar fi Placido Domingo si Celine Dion.

2.Frecventa corzilor sale vocale este neobisnuit de ridicata, in jurul a 15000 Hz, in comparatie cu cei 8000 Hz ai unei persoane obisnuite, rezultand astfel o voce foarte bogata si calda.

3. Josh are o foarte buna respiratie/vocalizare abdominala si asta duce la un uimitor interval vocal de 3000-4000 Hz, acest interval fiind cel mai bine si cel mai mult recunoscut de catre aparatul auditiv uman. Cu toate ca se intampla multe pe muzica de fundal (orchestratie), noi inca putem auzi si distinge vocea sa intr-un mod foarte clar, chiar si pe inregistrare. Totodata, el canta cu o intensitate melodica stabila, ceea ce ii induce ascultatorului o stare de calmitate si relaxare.

Din cele aratate mai sus, nu reiese decat o singura idee: este bine sa ascultati Josh Groban, pentru ca vocea sa chiar va poate vindeca. Astfel imbinati utilul cu placutul!

Mai jos aveti o interpretare live a melodiei “Mi Mancherai”, de pe albumul “Closer”. Ascultati cu atentie timbrul sau vocal!

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Scientifically speaking, Josh’s voice can really calm you down!

If you ask a grobanite: „What does Josh’s voice mean to you?”, then you will probably hear this: „ It’s a medicine, it heals my mind, my heart, my soul!”. A non-grobanite person would say: „Oh, you’re exagerating! This can’t be!”. Well, the most scientific nation of all, the japanese, have discovered that indeed Josh Groban’s voice has that effect on you. The conclusions of the study are listed below. I posted some thumbnail photos with graphics from the experiment, if you want to see them in higher resolution, just look at the Romanian version of this post. Also, you can find there a live performance of “Mi Mancherai”, a masterpiece from the album “Closer”. Listen carrefully!

1. His voice has a healing effect (in a math definition of 1/f) where the voice frequency in his low voice range waves big, and his higher voice range waves minutely, thus to the listeners a very calming effect. It said that from the same research, this 1/f applied to other great singers like Placido Domingo and Celine Dion.

2. His vocal chord frequency is unusually high, in the range of 15000Hz compared to the average person of 8000Hz, thus a very rich and warm voice.

3. He has very good abdominal breathing/vocalization and that comes out to an astonishing 3000-4000Hz range and that range is where the human auditory sense recognizes sound the most. So it’s saying that even though there’s alot going on in the background music (orchestration) we can still hear and pick up his voice clearly in the recording. Here it also says that he sings with stabilized pitch/melody and that also makes the listener calm and relax.

What have you learned from all of this? Well, it’s good for you to listen Josh Groban’s music, because it heels you. That way, you combine the useful with the pleasant!

You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up)

Don’t give up
It’s just the weight of the world
When your heart’s heavy
I…I will lift it for you

Don’t give up
Because you want to be heard
If silence keeps you
I…I will break it for you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don’t give up
Because you are loved

Don’t give up
It’s just the hurt that you hide
When you’re lost inside
I…I’ll be there to find you

Don’t give up
Because you want to burn bright
If darkness blinds you
I…I will shine to guide you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don’t give up
Because you are loved (you are loved)

You are loved (you are loved)
Don’t give up (don’t give up)
It’s just the weight of the world (you are loved)
Don’t give up (don’t give up)
Everyone needs to be heard (don’t give up)
You are loved (you are loved)

*

Nu renunta,
Nu-i decat greutatea lumii (cea care te apasa),
Cand inima iti este grea
Eu, eu o voi ridica pentru tine.

Nu renunta,
Pentru ca vrei sa fii ascultat
Daca tacerea te opreste
Eu, eu o voi rupe pentru tine.

Fiecare vrea sa fie inteles
Ei bine, eu te pot asculta
Fiecare vrea sa fie iubit
Nu renunta,
Pentru ca esti iubit/a.

Nu renunta,
Nu-i decat rana pe care o ascunzi,
Cand esti pierdut inauntru
Eu, eu voi fi acolo ca sa te gasesc.

Nu renunta,
Pentru ca vrei sa arzi luminos,
Daca intunericul te orbeste
Eu, eu voi straluci ca sa te ghidez.

Fiecare vrea sa fie inteles
Ei bine, eu te pot asculta
Fiecare vrea sa fie iubit
Nu renunta
Pentru ca esti iubit/a (esti iubit/a)

Esti iubit/a (esti iubit/a)
Nu renunta (nu renunta)
Nu-i decat greutatea lumii (esti iubit/a)
Nu renunta (nu renunta)
Fiecare are nevoie sa fie ascultat  (nu renunta)
Esti iubit/a (esti iubit/a).

You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up)

Extrasa de pe albumul “Awake”, melodia “You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up)” – “Esti iubit(a), (Nu renunta)” a fost prima pe care am auzit-o, atunci cand am vrut sa vad ce canta Josh Groban. La vremea aceea, inca se mai gasea pe Youtube clipul oficial. Am ramas foarte placut surprins, mirat si uimit de vocea lui si de versurile melodiei, care pur si simplu te rascolesc.

Despre semnificatia cantecului se pot spune multe. Cu toate ca este profan, multi il pot vedea ca pe un indemn din partea lui Dumnezeu. Personal, nu-l includ in categoria cantecelor siropoase ale diferitelor confesiuni (cu toate ca sectele si-l afiseaza pe site-uri si pe la radio), ci pur si simplu pot interpreta mesajul ca venind de la Dumnezeu, Care ne iubeste pe toti si ne ajuta mereu, iar daca noi nu tinem minte tot timpul lucrul acesta, macar la melodia lui Josh sa tresarim si sa zicem: „Stai, mai, ca nu-s chiar asa nefericit si singur, Cineva de sus sigur ma iubeste”.

In momentul vizionarii clipului, parca m-a lovit o piatra-n cap si am inceput sa constientizez ca Dumnezeu ma iubeste asa cum sunt, ca familia ma iubeste, prietenii si ei, poate si domnul care vinde la taraba cu ziare si de la care tot cumpar de cativa ani si lista ar putea continua… In orice moment nefericit, se gaseste cineva care sa te ridice, sa te stranga in brate si sa-ti zambeasca, asigurandu-te ca totul va fi bine.

Melodia debuteaza cu indemnul de a nu renunta, caci ceea ce te apasa, nu-i decat greutatea lumii acesteia, dezorientata si parca intr-o continua schimbare in rau. Iar cand fiinta umana, strivita si sufocata de tacere, se zbate fara iesire, la un moment dat, de undeva, tacerea asta se sparge si omul se poate face auzit. Un alt vers face referire la durerea de orice fel, pe care oricine o ascunde si care il face pe om sa sufere, iar cand deja intunericul te inghite, cineva iti va lumina calea si te va ajuta sa raspandesti si tu lumina la randul tau. Cantecul are un oarecare caracter de intimitate, intre omul cazut si ranit si salvatorul sau, care, in functie de ascultator si de principiile lui, poate fi Dumnezeu, familia, prietenul/a cel/cea mai bun/a, sau, de ce nu, Josh Groban.

„You Are Loved” are o doza de tristete, dar in general, transmite un mesaj optimist, pe care e bine sa-l retinem. Linia melodica nu foarte complicata, se imbina perfect cu vocea lui si cu versurile, rezultand o piesa de exceptie. Ce mi-a placut foarte mult la Josh, inca de la inceput, a fost faptul ca are o voce care se distinge foarte usor, cu un vibratto rar intalnit, care ii confera vocii sale volum, dar si caldura, fara sa fie stridenta in niciun fel. De aceea, te si unge pe suflet, cum se zice in popor.

*

„You Are Loved”, from the album „Awake’, was the first song that I ever heard from Josh Groban. I saw the official clip on Youtube, in a time when you could still find official things on this site. I was very surprised, and amazed by his voice and by the lyrics, which simply turn you upside down.

We can say many things about the meaning of this song. Although it’s profane, several people could interpreted it as an advice from God, Who loves us very much and takes care of us all the time. Even if we don’t remember always this aspect, at least when we hear „You Are Loved” we should say: „Hey, wait a minute, I’m not that miserable and lonely, Somebody from above really loves me.”

When I watched the clip, it was like a rock hit me in the head and I started to be aware of the fact that God loves me the way I am, my family loves me, my friends also, maybe even the man who sells newspapers and from whom I buy for 10 years now and the list could go on… In every dark moment, there is someone who can raise you up, who can give you a hug and a smile, assuring you that everything will be ok.

The song debuts with the phrase „Don’t give up”, because everything that lies heavy on you is only the weight of this world, disorientated and in a continue changing towards evil. And when the human being, crushed and suffocated by the silence, struggles in vain, then, all of a sudden, from somewhere, this silence is breaked and the human voice can be heard again. Another verse speaks about the pain, that everyone hides inside and suffers because of it, and when the darkness swallows you, someone will light up your path and will make you shine on your own. The song is rather intimate, between the fallen human being and it’s saviour, who can be, depending on the person’s beliefs, God, the family, his/her best friend, and , why not, Josh Groban.

„You Are Loved” has a small amount of sadness, but general speaking, it delivers a very optimistic message, that we all have to remember for our own sake. The melody, not so complicated, combines perfectly with his voice and lyrics, giving us a masterpiece. What I liked about Josh very much, even from the beggining, is the fact that he has a very easily distinguished voice, with a rare vibartto, that gives his timbre volume, and warmth, without being harsh in any way. That’s why it reaches your soul.