Grobanites RAVE

No one can sit down to write a review on anything by Josh Groban and not walk away a fan. Awake Live is truly an awakening. It’s a complete masterpiece to be kept and treasured forever. Josh never ceases to impress and raise the bar from previous performances; Awake Live is no exception.

Opening with You Are Loved (Don't Give Up), a favorite of Groban fans since the release of Josh's latest album Awake, this DVD pulses energy all the way from the audience behind the TV screen into your living room. Josh gives his all from start to finish with only a three minute break in the middle.

Through the entire show, weather you were in Salt Lake City or watching from your sofa, extensive and intricate lighting and an intimate stage design brought Hamish Hamilton's creation to a whole new level. This brilliant director of such artists as U2, The Rolling Stones, and The Corrs brought Groban's concert to life with excitement, energy and radiance. Josh Groban: Awake Live is a delight.

Lucia Micarelli and Vanessa Freebaim-Smith bring a new twist to Kashmir and we are also introduced to several new band members: Mark Stephens, Peter Adams and Andre Manga. Angelique Kidjo graces the stage with her incredible talent and, mixed with Josh’s magical voice, they bring together an all new song for the Grobanites titled: Pearls. Pearls was a fantastic collaboration and a perfect addiction to the Groban collection. Of course our old friends Tim, Tariqh and Craig are as stunning as ever. The Salt Lake City orchestra does a fantastic job and all these musicians come together with Josh to create one of the most amazing DVD's to date.

Along with the incredible concert is bonus footage bringing you behind the scenes of Josh’s DVD and tour experiences. For the first time, Grobanites get a glimpse into the life of Josh, his band, and his ADORABLE dog, Sweeny. Josh recalls the lonely aspects of being a solo artist, but also the rewards it has brought to him. Suddenly, (if you were like me and watched the bonus footage before the concert) we understand the longing in Josh’s eyes as he turns to the crowd and sings, “So keep me awake to memorize you. Give us more time to feel this way…” As any stage performer knows, the stage is the safe-place. The stage is home. From Awake Live we can tell that Josh Groban belongs on the stage and we hope that he remains there for many, many days to come.

Calming breaths soothed our silence.
Starlight illumenated the edges of your smile
and your calloused fingers caressed
the velvet curves of spotted night skies.
Your palms were raised into the black,
stretching out to catch the moonfor me.

And sighs of fresh air were all I could return.

Morning light peered from Earth’s upturned grin;
her horizon gave birth to fresh colors.
The shine in your eyes painted the morning,
you could stop time to show me the dewdrops,
to count the gentle morning laughs
that brought in each new day
for me.

And sighs of fresh air were all I could return.

Moon-touched fingers find a home wrapped in mine,
and gazes that coat the sunrise search me.
How could hands and eyes that caress the heavens,
that make art of every morning
find the space in their spirits,for me?

when all I have is sighs of fresh airin return...

Flight

A hundred galaxies are watching me tonight,
my feet are slipping in and out of rhythm,
barely scraping above the asphalt,
tripping with every palpitation,
have to hold on
have to keep on
aching, my fingers press forward,
into the cloud
into the fogged night.
A hearts's possibilities await
just beyond the curtain of black skies.
Stars keep watching
she'll never make it
she'll never be....

Their eyes are on me
and I am climbing
falling from everything below
tumbling upward
into black.
loss of light,
loss of concious clarity
black velvet fingers
catch me by the hand.
Child, why did you leave your feet?

I had to feel just once
what it must be to fly.

Fresh Air (Another Helium Piece)

Calming breaths soothed our silence.
Starlight illuminated the edges of your smile
and your calloused fingers caressed
the velvet curves of spotted night skies.
Your palms were raised into the black,
stretching out to catch the moon
for me.

And sighs of fresh air were all I could return.

Morning light peered from Earth's upturned grin;
her horizon gave birth to fresh colors.
The shine in your eyes painted the morning,
you could stop time to name every dewdrop,
to count the gentle morning laughs
that brought in each new day
for me.

And sighs of fresh air were all I could return.
Moon-touched fingers find a home wrapped in mine,
and gazes that coat the sunrise search me.
How could hands and eyes that caress the heavens,
that make art of every morning
find the space in their spirits,
for me?

when all I have is sighs of fresh air in return...

Importance of honest communication with children: Why not to deceive your children about Santa, the Easter Bunny, etc. (Writing by me on Helium.com)

I remember the sheer disappointment crossing the faces of countless first-grade students as they finally realized that not only did the tooth fairy and easter bunny turn out to be their parents, but the most beloved of all holiday figures, Santa Clause himself was merely a myth. I can recall the hushed whispers across lunch tables, warning older students that, "Susan still believed in -insert worldly holiday figure here-"

Growing up in a fairly strong Christian home, it was easy for me to see the fine line between fiction and reality. I, as a child, celebrated holidays on both sides of the spectrum. On Christmas I wrote letters to the jolly man in the red suit, awaited baskets from the 6ft bunny on Easter and placed neatly plucked teeth under my pillow for the tooth fairy. At the same time, my parents made sure that my brother and I understood the true spiritual aspect of the holidays. It was always important to remember that Christmas was not just a day for me to unwrap new toys, but it was a day to celebrate the day that a child come to save the world had been born and Easter was to celebrate his death and resurrection. It wasn't until I was quite a bit older that this fact dug deep into my heart and had a genuine impact. I don't think that I had ever fully believed in any mythical holiday figure, but they certainly gave me a chance to widen my imagination, which may not be a blessing after all.

Would the true meaning of these holidays have impacted me as greatly had I never been introduced to the world-version? Most likely, yes.

As I watch Christian teens around me fall ever so quickly into the hands of this world, most of them claiming that Christianity is "too much of a fairy tale", I realize the importance of the values my parents instilled at church while I grew up. The most important thing that any parent can hope for their child is that they have a firm faith in the Lord, and I hope that when I do have kids, I can help my children know the distinct line between truth and fiction.

Faith is the foundation of a Christian's relationship with their Lord and Savior and I find my colorful imagination a slight hindering factor. It becomes harder and harder to believe in something I've been taught from birth when so many endless possibilities await at the tips of my mind. But still, deep in my heart, I know what is real. I know the reality of Christ.

It is easy to give into the cute fantasies of the world and let your child, "have a little fun" on the holidays, but it is important to remember that what you teach your child now will have an impact later. Whether it be the stunning realization that Santa isn't real, or that the Easter Bunny never existed, a truly flawed and dishonest parent is revealed in a child's eyes. The foundations of faith have to be instilled from the start or your wide-eyed toddler will grow into a doubting teen and possibly a skeptical adult. Children are not as naive as they are typically made out to be, and children realize above all ages the severity of being lied to. If you were lying about Santa...what about this Jesus guy?