Jesus Christ Superstar: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Album

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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0008811175726 Format: Soundtrack Label: Universal Manufacturer: Universal Number Of Discs: 2 Publisher: Universal Release Date: 1999-12-23 Studio: Universal
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Editorial Reviews: This 1974 Norman Jewison film may have been a critical misstep, but some fans actually preferred it to Broadway's rock spectacle. The thing is, Jesus Christ Superstar was first introduced as a two-disc rock opera, not unlike the Who's Tommy, as it even scored several Top 40 hits. While no set matches the original, it's still hard to go wrong with the music, no matter what the source. This also includes the pretty "Could We Start Again, Please," composed for the stage version, and sung here by the original LP's Mary Magdalene, Yvonne Elliman. Ted Neely (Jesus) and Carl Anderson (Judas), meanwhile, have spent two decades on the road, recreating their roles night after night, although they have to now be at least two decades older than Jesus was at the Crucifixion. --Bill Holdship
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: A good version, but the "definitive"? Comment: I have to say that my preference would be for the "Original London Cast" recording which is sadly no longer available to the Film Soundtrack version. Although the 'London Cast' album is only a single album and therefore only contains half the songs, the instrumentation seems crisper and tighter and generally speaking, the vocal performances are better. The lovely Dana Gillespie as Mary Magdalene is unbeatable and even Paul Nicholas (yes, he also featured in the original stage recording) puts in a fairly good performance too, though admittedly probably tries a bit too hard to put on a theatrical voice. If you know anybody who has a copy of the original 1972 album (and providing they still have a turntable), listen to "Trial Before Pilate" and compare it to the film soundtrack! To these ears, it's infinitely superior! It grabs your attention in a way that the film soundtrack version just isn't able to. The Herod of the 'London Cast' album still plays high camp, but in an amusing Liberace-esque way, whereas the Herod of the film tends to leave me indifferent. On the plus side, I think that Carl Anderson is quite stunning as Judas - absolutely faultless! Ted Neeley gives a good performance in 'Gethsemane', but as one reviewer has already pointed out, vocally he isn't the best choice for the role. Having said all of that, I wouldn't part with either version of the album - again, as a previous reviewer noted, this really was Lloyd Webber and Rice at their peak. The songs are fantastic and the tension between the characters of Judas and Jesus give the album/film an electricity that just wasn't present in any of their later work, albeit together or separately. Customer Rating: Summary: Jesus Christ Superstar... Comment: If, like me, you're primarily a fan of "rock music" rather than "musicals" then this the THE version of JCS. The orchestration takes it beyond classic rock of course ... but the feel of the score is still very much based in 1970s rock music. The vocals of Judas and JC exceptional ... personally, the classic musical/stage production type of voice turns me off ... but these guys are great. As are Magdaline, Pilot & the priests. Agree with the comments below about some of the screechy chorus parts and the horrible Herod rendition. But over all this is superb. Customer Rating: Summary: Hey J.C.! Comment: Over the years there have been many cast recordings of Jesus Christ Superstar but without a doubt this is the best. Apart from the fact that these portrayals of Jesus, Judas and Mary Magdalene (Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson and Yvonne Elliman) are my favourites, and you can't beat the film for passion and emotion, this is the most complete version of Jesus Christ Superstar as it not only includes all the songs from the stage show but the additional songs written for the film itself, including my personal favourite, "Could we start again please". I agree with other reviewers that I'd heard better sound quality from "remastered" CDs but even so, it's well worth the money and I'm delighted with it. A worthy companion to the DVD - brilliant. Customer Rating: Summary: Still the best recordings. Comment: I love this soundtrack,it is superb. I grew up on the songs from this musical and so this has a special place in my heart. It's true that in a couple of places the sound quality muffles a little but remember it was recorded 30 or so years ago. The main point i would like to make is that listening to the movie recordings of these songs for most of my life, and seeing three different theatre productions of this musical in my lifetime, the movie interpretations and singers are by far SUPERIOR to any actor/stage/singer that i have yet witnessed. I have thoroughly enjoyed each time watching this live in a theatre, but the quality of singing on this soundtrack is of the highest calibre and delivered with massive emotion. Watch the 1973 version yourself and witness Carl Anderson as Judas, Ted Neeley as Jesus and Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdelene. Their renditions of these songs still bring a tear to my eye as they are sung with such passion, depth and soul. Customer Rating: Summary: The definitive Jesus Christ superstar Comment: I was brought up on this film and soundtrack and I was thrilled they have brought out a re-mastered version. All of the actors personify who they are portraying and it shows in the music. More Reviews