Jesus Christ Superstar

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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0602498744390 Format: Box set Label: Polydor MCA Records Manufacturer: Polydor MCA Records Number Of Discs: 2 Publisher: Polydor MCA Records Release Date: 2005-11-07 Running Time: 91 Studio: Polydor MCA Records
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Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: EXCELLENT Comment: The main reason for this recording to my mind was for the sensational performance from Steve Balsamo. Not really sure why they didn't record the complete revival cast as they sang better than most of the stunt casting here. David Burt (as in everything he has ever done) was brilliant on stage. Joanna Ampil looked good on stage but was too lightweight vocally for me. The stars were Varla and Balsamo and for them alone this is more than worth the purchase price. I doubt as complete performance Balsamo could be bettered!! Customer Rating: Summary: OK, but not the best. Comment: This is a reasonably good recording of Superstar, but I find it less musically convincing than the 1973 movie soundtrack version. The main difference is that the orchestrations here are firmly based on musical theatre genre styles, while the 1973 recording seems to have more musical inventiveness and energy. The vocal performances are generally good but, with the exception of Steve Balsamo's Jesus, not exceptional. Buy this second. Buy the movie soundtrack first. Customer Rating: Summary: Excellent Comment: I had the luck to see Jesus Christ Superstar as a young man, a long, long time ago when it was playing in London in the 1970's. I then introduced my sons to the Musical when we saw a touring revival at our local theatre about 3 years ago. My younger son was 9 at the time. He has ADHD and yet he sat through the entire performance absolutely enthralled. My older (at the time 13 year old) son is into Heavy Metal, but he too was enchanted. This recording is almost, but not quite as good as the live performance we saw. However, it remains very powerful and enjoyable and I return to it time and again. I love listening to "Everything's Alright" and "I Don't Know How To Love Him" as well as "Gethsemane", but the haunting and beautiful "Could We Start Again Please" has to rank as one of the most powerful songs I have heard, particularly in this context. Whether one is Christian or not, just a little empathy on the side of the listener will ram home the truth that His Disciples and followers must have been absolutely terrified and confused when Jesus was arrested and condemned. Lloyd-Webber and Rice created a masterpiece. I hope that it will come back to the stage in all its glory. In the meantime, make do with this good recording. Customer Rating: Summary: Misses the targets all around... Comment: What really annoys about this recording is the failure to match up to the material. The work is great - the performance and production is poor to say the least. So what went wrong? My biggest single criticism is the cast. In the original recordings it sounded as if the singers wanted to be rock stars - now they sound like they want to be in a musical. Mary is particualry poor in this version - she has lost the tenderness and naievety that made the 70s version so likeable. Alice Cooper at least gets the attitude right in his Herod, but I'm just not sure that Herod's Song suits him. As for the remastered music - well it sounds clunky, and the mix has either faded down or lost some of the wonderful instrumental parts (what happened to the wandering guitar that thread its way through Jesus Must Die?). I'm off to look for an earlier version. It may not be as digital, but hopefully it will have the soul of the piece. Customer Rating: Summary: THE BEST VERSION OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER'S CLASSIC Comment: Jesus Christ Superstar was Andrew Lloyd Webber's first big success and the second musical he did with, in my opinion, his best lyricist, Tim Rice. The show evoked much controversy when it first appeared in 1970, since the story of the Christ's final days is mainly told from the Judas' point of view and not always according to the Gospels. Hence Mary Magdalene mentions that she is in love with Jesus and after the last supper the Apostles are a bit drunk. Jesus Christ Superstar is considered as a turning point in modern musical-theatre. It presented something entirely different from past musicals: the plot was new and distinct, the lyrics did not sound shallow and the characters were precisely defined. Also, the piece was entirely sung-through so that the music and the plot became one. All the new musicals afterwards will use some of the new characteristics Superstar introduced leading to almost complete abandonment of the styles that the 50-is and the 60-is used in musicals. Over the years there were quite a few recordings, however, this one can be considered definite. Both Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice overlooked its making acting as producers, Lloyd Webber making the orchestrations. The cast was mainly assembled from the revival production that run in London from 1996 until 1998, but this recording is known as the studio cast, since Alice Cooper was called in for the role of King Herod. The score is certainly one of the best Webber has ever written; the pure rock sound of the orchestra is simply amazing. When compared to the older recordings, this one has a more polished score and the sound, i.e., the use of the guitars, drums etc, sounds more modern and appropriate. Tim Rice's lyrics are suitable and witty, fitting perfectly with the score. The cast on this recording made a fantastic job. Steve Balsamo as Jesus is a perfect match in both physical and vocal sense. His voice range is amazing and ranges from smooth and soft to extremely high. The way he holds his voice and hits the notes in "Gethsemane" left me with my mouth opened. One can feel the pain, sadness and unwillingness to finish his task and be crucified. His performance is absolutely amazing. The same thing can be said for Zubin Varla, who plays Judas. His voice is appropriately husky and his solos bring the house down. A clear distinction can be seen between his and Balsamo's voice. Joanna Ampil as Mary Magdalene is reasonable, although she sounds a bit too pathetic for my taste. Alice Cooper is hilarious in his "King Herod's Song", exactly as it is meant to be. The supportive cast was also wisely chosen, David Burt is strong and yet uncertain Pilate, the malice felt in Peter Gallagher's Caiaphas is just perfect. The orchestral performance is spotless. The score ranges from rock numbers to wonderful and touching ballads. The full libretto with cast photographs is included in the booklet. In the end, I would recommend this recording of Jesus Christ Superstar not only to anyone interested in the very best that the modern musical-theatre has to offer, but also to fans who are looking for the definite recording. More Reviews