he returns!

Back in 2008 when Josh Groban - the hottie of popera - was fresh off of the release of his third album Awake, I clinched two tickets to see him live at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. A very fabulous birthday present for my Mumsy indeed!

Unfortunately I did not accompany her... I had a very important class that same Wednesday and I didn't want to miss it. So my dear little sister (that would be Sisterfriend) went to see Josh Groban with Mumsy and they had a blast hearing his rich and heavenly voice. They also played a very mean joke on me, letting me think that they had touched him. And of course, the very scientific Love Calculator says that Sisterfriend is 12% more likely to have a successful relationship with Josh Groban than yours truly... oh that girl!

Anyways, Josh Groban returned to the HP Pavilion after the release of the new Illuminations album. His fourth effort takes a decidedly moodier turn (as evidenced by the change in producer) but after a few takes on  ye olde ipod, the songs grew on me. And so when I got tickets for the Straight to You tour, I was determined that I would be Mumsy's companion. Well it definitely helps that I'm not a full-time student anymore!

He started off a little scratchy - Mumsy the expert says that he didn't condition his voice properly before starting. But we LOVED every moment of this concert. He began on a mini-stage much closer to us and sang one of our favorites, "February Song."

He continued to run between the mini-stage and the main stage, singing with the chamber orchestra and the great drummers and guitar/vocalists. So many songs, each of them a heart-wrenching blend of words and emotions carried by a gentle baritone. I am pretty sure I drummed Mumsy's knee everytime he started a new song. And I am pretty sure she was equally engrossed.

Josh Groban was very energetic... he claims to have consumed a ton of sugar before the show began. Mumsy says he was much more humorous than the last show, and though I didn't know anything about his personality before, I'd place money on Mumsy. Josh Groban was making jokes about his security team, impersonating Stewie from Family Guy, and inviting crazy wino lady up on stage. He even fulfilled a fan's request and sang "Happy Birthday" with her to another fan! Personally I think it's risky to immerse yourself in a shark tank of adoring fans ages 14-80 but he did it, plucked out a fan or two, and came out alive. Go Josh.

Ahh, I just saw one of my greatest crushes of all time and I'm happy as a lark.