Josh Groban and Idina Menzel "Lullaby" and "Falling Slowly" (Rochester, NY. 11-13-18)

Recorded at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, NY on November 13, 2018.

Was hugely lucky enough to have been at what I can only term as the most amazing concert performance I have ever seen. In terms of artistry, stage presentation and sound design, in a word- awesome.

Idina Menzel's opening set was marvelous. She hit all of the buttons, both in emotional, honest delivery and in performing the audience's most hoped-for songs. Special moment for me was tagging "Do You Want to Build A Snowman" with the closing stanza from The Beatles "Dear Prudence." ("The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you- Won't you come out to play.")

Josh Groban has one of the purest pop tenors in the world. (I use the word "pop" not to demean or lessen his talent, but to differentiate from a solely operatic voice.) His stage was beautifully and simply set with his core band and locally hired orchestral players. He also employed the local Nazareth College Singers.

This video is taken from approximately mid-floor, when Groban delighted the back of the arena by appearing on a small stage behind the soundboard for a few tunes. He joked that those who had paid for front row were angry with him now, but assured them he would be back. After playing a solo piano piece and singing a tune, he invited Menzel to join him for these two songs.

The video starts by shooting behind me towards the small stage, but mainly is taken from the front-of-house video screen and speakers. I've included all of the relaxed stage banter between these veteran performers.

What luck to have been there on the eve of my 65th birthday! Happy Birthday to me!

Видео Josh Groban and Idina Menzel "Lullaby" and "Falling Slowly" (Rochester, NY. 11-13-18) канала blutoband