|
Josh isn't fat, doesn't smell of garlic and the ladies swoon ... b*****d
Only in America. A glorious forest setting after dusk on a warm summer’s night. An expectant audience waving glow strips. All that’s missing is the ‘Walt Disney presents …’ signage. It’s sugar and sweet and wrapped up nicely for mid America.
But what gives. This is Pavarotti territory. It’s operatic, it’s in Italian (and sometimes Spanish). But Josh isn’t a fat guy smelling of garlic. Yes, he wears a suit. But hey, check it out – no tie and the shirt isn’t tucked in! This guy knows how to do cool. Oh, and he’s got a pretty boy perm and a twinkle in his eye. Plenty of Mums and teens out there swooning over Mr Clean Cut.
Josh first hit pay dirt with a guest appearance on Ally McBeal leading to two successful albums and more than 5 million sales. This DVD and CD package captures his summer 2004 performance at LA’s Greek Theatre. He’s got a great band, and a great mini orchestra. And it’s all beautifully played and presented. The DVD features 17 tracks and the cd a subset of eight.
Thankfully, he doesn’t attempt vocals on an instrumental version of Bohemian Rhapsody, although he does have a stab at Paul Simon’s America and Don McLean’s Vincent. Passable enough versions, but they don’t add anything to the originals.
Sadly, this ain’t rock and roll. It’s not even in the same galaxy. And his ‘little lost puppy dog’ and ‘Mr So Sincere’ grimacing make for painful viewing. Naturally, he’s multi instrumentalist. Why doesn’t that surprise? And my wife likes him. No surprise there either.
Truth is, turn off the TV or just listen to the CD and there’s nothing extraordinary about the guy’s vocal chords. It’s not unpleasant listening, but if he was short, fat and flatulent he wouldn’t have a contract. It’s what the masses mistake for culture. Pass the sick bowl please.
***
Review by Pete Whalley
|
