- Title: USA: Singing sensation Josh Groban releases fifth album
- Date: 31st October 2010
- Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (RECENT) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) JOSH GROBAN, SINGER, SAYING: "I think it's the most honest and the most, really, one of the most beautiful records I've made. I just hope that the fans really like it and I hope that people who maybe haven't heard me in the past enjoy it as well. You know, I can't really think too much about who hears it and how successful I hope it will be. I mean, I'm at peace with it cause I'm so happy with it and all I can hope is that if it moved me to make it, then hopefully it will move other people to listen to it."
- Embargoed: 15th November 2010 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVA2VYCHFRIXHARPEH0JIP40YHKU
- Story Text: Famed vocalist Josh Groan blends classical and pop in his fifth studio album, Illuminations. The singer-songwriter talks about his celebrity presence in New York City and his big screen acting debut.
Singing sensation Josh Groban doesn't stop too long to enjoy the view from the top of the music charts.
The best-selling artist is riding a wave of success following his most recent album "Noel", which sold an estimated five million copies in 2007. And after two years in the studio, Groban hopes his fifth album "Illuminations" will fire-up fans of his classical-pop ballads.
"This record, I think more than in the past, is a perfect balance for me of this kind of natural in-between world that I already fall into, which is that it has the classical elements and it has the more pop kind of hooks, " Groban told Reuters.
"But done in a way that emphasizes the best parts of both of those worlds."
The 29-year-old musician teamed up with Rick Rubin, who produced the record to create more of an artistic feel.
Groban co-wrote 11 of the album's 13 songs and sang in Portuguese for his track, "Voce Existe Em Mim".
Despite the celebrity status that comes with being Josh Groban, the Los Angeles native says that he's not as hounded by the paparazzi as one would think.
Groban who just recently moved to New York said he actually gets more attention than he did living in Los Angeles.
"I actually think I've been paparazzi sniped quite a bit more in this city, than I have in Los Angeles just cause I just don't go out," he explained.
"I think in New York, I'm forced out of the house more just cause I want to go take walks. In L.A., you walk for 30 minutes and you still haven't gone anywhere."
The singer who ditched his car to explore the city, finds it hard to sit still.
In the process of recording Illuminations, Groban was working on his silver screen debut in the upcoming comedy, "Crazy, Stupid, Love," starring Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling.
"To do a comedy role was really a lot of fun, just cause the music has always been so serious," said Groban.
"I get to play Emma Stone's fiancé, which does not suck."
But for those who think acting is a departure from working on his vocals, think again.
"I studied acting growing up and I kind of viewed the singing as something I needed to have in my arsenal, as to be a more well-rounded actor," he said.
"And it turned out, I was way better at singing."
But while the artist is enjoying the best of both worlds, he hopes Illuminations will satisfy fans and draw new ones.
"I think it's the most honest and the most, really, one of the most beautiful records I've made," the multi-platinum selling artist said.
"I'm so happy with it and all I can hope is that if it moved me to make it, then hopefully it will move other people to listen to it."
Illuminations will be released in the U.S. on November 15. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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