Customer Reviews

Jesus Christ Superstar: The 20th Anniversary London Cast Recording

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I've heard lots of versions of JCS and what puts this one over the top is quite simply Keith Burns's exceptional performance as Judas. Judas, IMO, is the star of this show. Without a flawless performance from the actor portraying him, this show can fall apart. The raw, electric emotion in Burns's voice brings everything about the character right up into your face. And that's just the vocal. The image I have of him possibly *performing* the role live and in front of me is more than I could bear. Of course, the other vocal performaces are wonderful as well (Claire Moore -- flawless), but to rate an album featuring a performer with this intensity and understanding of a character any lower would be an injustice. Hence, my compulsion to write this little review. Buy it. Enjoy it.

This is the version that takes the rock out of the rock opera. Paul Nicholas (Jesus) has a nice voice, but he isn't a rock singer and this part really needs one. He can't reach the high notes and falls rather flat on some crucial passages. I quite like Keith Burns as Judas and Claire moore as Mary. Victor Spinetti's Herod is very amusing. But most of the other singers seem to lack the passion that is required (listen to the lifeless 'Pilate's Dream' and 'Simon Zealotes').

There are much better versions of Jesus Christ Superstar, but musical lovers who aren't too fond of rock music might prefer this smooth take.

This recording is a good addition to the collection for Jesus Christ Superstar fans. However, although it has its moments, it lacks that certain magic that makes a JCS recording great. The musical arrangement could be better by far, with no songs surpassing the "okay" status and some (like "Simon Zealotes") turning up awful. Most of the cast is good, especially Claire Moore who is hands down the best Mary Magdelene since Yvonne Elliman, possibly even better than her. She is the best reason to buy this CD. Keith Burns is a good Judas (though there is nothing really special about his performance) and Jeff Shankly is a good Pilate. They are both frankly doing too much of what we've seen before, however (Shankly is practically doing a Barry Dennen impersonation and it shows).
The dissapointments of this album are Paul Nicholas's performance of Jesus (which always sounds as if someone has just gave him a jab to the stomach) and the performances of Gary Martin and Bogdan Kominowski as Caiaphas and Annas (Gary Martin has great bass but sounds as if he is coughing up a loogie and Kominowski does a bad Brian Keith impression). The most interesting part of the recording is the new version of "Could We Start Again, Please". The new lyrics by Tim Rice and the surprisingly terrific pop vocals by Paul (the only moment where he shines in this) and Claire are amazing and you can almost picture Christ rising to the heavens to the Superstar fanfare at the end.

Here's my take on the major parts of this recording:

Jesus: I disagree with some of the other reviews about Paul Nicholas' performance. I actually think he has a great voice for Jesus- it's got a strong baritone component that more than matches up with Judas ( a complaint about some Jesuses in JCS recordings is that they wilt or whine against the power and emotion of their Judas counterparts- read: Steve Balsamo or Ted Neely). Nicholas doesn't overdo it, just sings the part with the right level of power and emotion. Thinking of a 40ish/50ish Jesus however does lessen the appeal however.

Judas: Not bad, but not the most powerful by any means. Lacks soul, doesn't "go for it" enough. Picks a the easier lower octave too often, like in "Strange Thing Mystifying"- really ruins that number's potential. When he does express emotion, it sounds too often like he is expressing phlegm- must be an effort to squeeze out soul that isn't there. But he is better than some I've heard- he has his moments. Ranks below Carl Anderson and Murray Head, but overall has the right tonal quality and range.

Mary Magdalene: Very good, possibly the best.

Caiphas and Annas: Probably the best yet.

Simon Zealotes: Disagree with some of the other reviewers that this version stinks. I thought Simon had a great range and emotion, and the "soul girls"- "Christ you know I love you, did you see..." sound fantastic.

Pilate: Flat out excellent

Herod: Charming and fine, but not strikingly memorable.

Instrumental: Mixed WAAAYYY too soft in this recording- can often barely hear it. Sometimes lacks the necessary funk, but other times is surprisingly funky. I really wish "Heaven on Their Minds" and "Damned for All Time" would have rocked a little more, but then again other tracks like "What's the Buzz" are pretty darn hoppin' amongst the world of JCS recordings.

Overall: A good rendition of the original that doesn't stray too far from it. Worth it for the performances of Caiphas and Annas, Jesus, Pilate, and Mary M. But probably the 1996 London recording or the original 1970 recording would be a better 1st buy.

My initial experience with this marvelous opera was the original vinyl recording. It was excellent throughout. This rendition, which I bought mostly due to pricing, was very disappointing to me. There was a sense of forced performance, an apparent attempt to "out-do" the original cast, and too much energy used to become "creative" with the original performance and vinyl recording. I agree with one reviewer who lauds the work of Claire Moore (Mary Magdalene), a key figure in the life of Christ, for purity of sound and depth of vocal quality. However, I stop short of saying she is better than the original cast person.
In fact, I'm returning this recording without regard for reimbursement in favor of spending a few bucks more for the original CD recording of JCS.
Respectfully,
Russell F. Mertz

As you all already know, there's been many copies of this Rice and Webbers' muscial, but there hasn't been a cd that contains a more modern stlye of JSC like this one!!
It has everything one wants in a JSC cd, singers that can really sing,musicians that can really play! When I first bought it,I was excited and happy because I finally bought a good and up to date JSC cd.
If you want a more up to style JSC cd, BUY THIS ONE!!!!

(Warning: the only thing that made me give this cd 4 stars other than 5 was the sometimes good vocals of Paul Nicholas. I felt that Webber should have recast Paul, he ruined a few good lines in the rock-opera)
Other than that, BUY IT!!!
Its like listening to a LIVE production of JSC performed right at your home!

The recording done by the London cast of Jesus Christ Superstar in tribute to the wonderful workings...yet again...by the one and only Andrew Lloyd Webber is phenominal! Not only is the singing fabulous but the instrumental aspect of the album is tremendous. Jesus Christ Superstar is looked at as one of the best musicals to recreate that life of Jesus Christ. The music, of course, is the most important part of the actual show itself and the way this particular cast sung it, it was a great addition to the show. If anyone is looking for a great album to sit down and listen to, I would highly recommend Jesus Christ Superstar done by the London Cast Recording as a 20th anniversary celebration, to be what you relax to.

I have been to see the play. I own the original cast remastered version CD from the early 70's and I own this 20th Anniversary London Cast recording version CD. I was an avid fan of JCSS from the beginning. After listening to the different versions so many times my CD player (record player in the old days) is totally worn out. Without going into details I find that this 20th Anniversary version is the one I enjoy most and the one I take out to play when I am in the mood to listen to JCSS. The original version is also great. I recommend owning both... but if I owned just one this would be the one. Overall this one seems to have more emotion in the voices and the more modern recordiong adds to the quality of the sound over the early 70's recording. Usually I like the original versions of most everything but in this case the more modern recording makes the difference and is the most enjoyable to listen to. Both cast versions are fantastic.

Well, like I said--this is not a review; I just wanted to answer the other person's question to whether or not this is the original cast recording. Well, the answer is:No, it's not. It's a re-working or a "special anniversary" recording. The original 1972 London cast recording was only a highlights album. But to make sure I don't waste your time, here is the main bottom line:Only get it if you are a die hard fan--the 1992 London is better than the original 1972 london cast recording. But to keep you amused, here are some details. Here are some of the cast as follows:

Jesus:Paul Nicholas
Mary:Dana Gillespie
Judas:Stephen Tate

This recording was a little too "disco" for me especially on "Simon Zealotes." But Nicholas actually doesn't scream in Gethsemane. But he does "yodel" somewhat. It's hard to explain.

But if you are still amused, here is the ordering information. Again, this can only be special ordered. It's a RARE item. It's out of print. Only luck:USED section or special order.

Here is the catalog number:

MCA RECORDS

"DMCF 2503 250 431 2"

Amazon.com, sorry for the double posting, but I thought this post didn't go through the first time.

I heard this recording from a friend, who loves musicals and it's awesome! Claire Moore is excellent as Mary Magdalene, even she sounds more sweet than Yvonne Elliman. I noticed on the CD that this is not the original London Cast recording, but my friend insist that this is the one, so I have to convince him that this is just a re-recording of 1992, do anybody can tell me if this is effectively a re-recording? Thank you!