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, All Music Guide
Jeremy Lubbock (Arranger), Jeremy Lubbock (Producer), Jeremy Lubbock (Orchestral Arrangements), David Foster (Arranger), David Foster (Keyboards), David Foster (Producer), David Foster (A&R), Claudia Brant (Adaptation), Curt Bisquera (Drums), David Cole (Mixing), Peter Doell (Assistant Engineer), George Doering (Guitar), Felipe Elgueta (Programming), Felipe Elgueta (Engineer), Felipe Elgueta (Mixing), Felipe Elgueta (Synthesizer Programming), Rhys Fulber (Arranger), Rhys Fulber (Producer), Rhys Fulber (Synthesizer Programming), Humberto Gatica (Producer), Humberto Gatica (Engineer), Humberto Gatica (Mixing), Lili Haydn (Violin), Lili Haydn (Vocals (Background)), Jay Landers (A&R), Marco Marinangeli (Arranger), Marco Marinangeli (Vocals (Background)), Marco Marinangeli (Producer), Marco Marinangeli (Language Consultant), Marco Marinangeli (Language Coach), Richard Marx (Piano), Richard Marx (Arranger), Richard Marx (Keyboards), Richard Marx (Producer), Vladimir Meller (Mastering), Dean Parks (Guitar), Dave Reitzas (Engineer), Alejandro Rodriguez (Engineer), David Romani (Vocal Coach), Ramon Stagnaro (Guitar), Lili Hayden (Violin), Lili Hayden (Vocals (Background)), Mike Plotnikoff (Engineer), Mike Plotnikoff (Ngoma), Michael Hart Thompson (Guitar), William Ross (Orchestral Arrangements), Walter Afanasieff (Arranger), Walter Afanasieff (Keyboards), Walter Afanasieff (Producer), The Corrs (Performer), William Ross (Arranger), William Ross (Conductor), William Ross (Producer), William Ross (Orchestration), William Ross (Orchestral Arrangements), William Ross (String Conductor), Ed Kaufman (Engineer), Jay Blakesberg (Photography), Mick Haggerty (Design), Romano (Vocal Coach), Matt Walker (Drum Programming), Brian Avnet (Management), Eric Fahlborg (Digital Editing), Tony Renis (Programming), Tony Renis (Producer), Tony Renis (Translation), Tony Renis (Liner Note Translation), Chris Elliott (Piano), Chris Elliott (String Arrangements), Matt Prock (Engineer), Matt Prock (Drum Programming), Alberto Testa (Translation), Alberto Testa (Liner Note Translation), Nick Marshall (Engineer), Nick Marshall (Assistant Engineer), Charlotte Church (Performer), Greg Bieck (Programming), Greg Bieck (Synthesizer Programming), Vlado Meller (Mastering), Josh Groban (Main Performer), Neil Devor (Production Coordination), Robert Conley (Programming), Robert Conley (Synthesizer Programming), Nigel Lewis (Engineer), David Romano (Vocal Coach)
