Jesus Christ Superstar [CAST RECORDING] [SOUNDTRACK]

Andrew Pask (Performer), Garry Cribb (Performer), Andrew Lloyd Webber (Composer), Simon Lee (Conductor), Ian Thomas (Performer), Ralph Salmins (Performer), Fridrik "Frizzy" Karlsson (Performer), Paul Keogh (Performer), Julian Poole (Performer), Pete Adams (Performer), Peter Adams (Performer), Ben Clare (Performer), Fergus Logan (Performer), Frederick B. Owens (Performer), Gerard Bentall (Performer), Glenn Carter (Performer), Golda Rosheuvel (Performer), Grace Anthony (Performer), Jerôme Pradon (Performer), Kevin Wainwright (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Andrew Pask, Garry Cribb, Ian Thomas, Ralph Salmins, Fridrik "Frizzy" Karlsson, et al.
• Conductor: Simon Lee
• Composer: Andrew Lloyd Webber
• Audio CD (March 27, 2001)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording, Soundtrack
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00005AREN
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #65,204 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Jesus Christ Superstar has been the definitive rock musical ever since its 1972 stage premiere in London. Revived to great acclaim in the late 1990s, it has everything you'd expect from a blockbuster: great songs, strong characterization, and, crucially, a cracking good story. This release is based on the 1998 London production (also available on video and DVD). For the revival, director Gale Edwards pulls few punches in her efforts to draw a modern interpretation from a gifted cast. Pilate's cronies are sinister Darth Vader look-alikes. The whole thing has a hard, brutal edge, which both startles and thrills. And anyone who dismisses musicals as lightweight confections could do worse than look at the way Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice treat Judas: this is a complex, well-written role. The performances are largely excellent: Jerome Pradon's Judas shines, and Renee Castle's Mary reinvents "I Don't Know How to Love Him" as a delicate exploration of her dilemma, far removed from its usual overblown treatment. Rik Mayall's relentlessly mugging Herod is less of a bonus than he would like us to believe, but he will doubtless appeal to his fans. And the quality of Glenn Carter's singing in the title role makes up for a slight deficiency in the charisma department. --Piers Ford

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Cast,But Missing Songs Ruins It All., July 21, 2001

By	Jason George Marcy (Oshawa, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

Unlike others who have reviewed this,I'm very fond of Jerome Pradon's Judas-maybe it's because I viewed the video first-a great performance.The real unfortunate thing(and a reason why I almost DIDN'T purchase the disc)is that a number of key songs are missing.Surely Sony could've forked up the extra four tunes for this release?The missing "This Jesus Must Die" ,the pivotal show moment of "Damned For All Time/Blood Money",and the wrenching "Peter's Denial" are TOTALLY inexcusable.I'd have rather missed out on "Could We Start Again Please". I certainly hope a COMPLETE version of this cast on cd will be made available.Definitely buy the extraordinary video performance,then maybe this as a nice side piece,but until a complete version comes out,devotees should pass on this disc.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars JCS 2000/2001, April 8, 2001

By	David M. Borkowski (Land O Lakes, Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been waiting for quite awhile to get my hands on the new CD, DVD and VHS of this great show since seeing it retooled for the new millennium. As soon as they became available I grabbed all 3 of them. I was shocked and disappointed to find that several of my favorite songs from the film/stage performance were missing from the CD. Songs such as "This Jesus Must Die", "Damned For All Time", "Blood Money", "The Arrest", "Peter's Denial", and even the confrontation between "Pilate & Christ"... They should have made this a 2 disc CD set and included ALL the great music from this classic production! Other than the missing songs from this CD, I am greatly satisfied... I look forward to a possible "Part 2" CD with the remaining songs... Thanks! :)

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the best!, March 27, 2001

By	Jim Whiteford (Saugerties, N.Y. USA) - See all my reviews

The best next to the 1996 London Cast with Zubin Varla and Steve Balsamo. Although this soundtrack doesn't have all of the songs (most noticable are "This Jesus Must Die" and "Damned For All Time"), this is still worthy of the price. Glenn Carter's Jesus is pure excellence while Jerome Pardon's Judas is very whiny but convincing and priceless. Frederick Owens as Caiaphas is excellent although all of his major songs are not on this CD. :( Renee Castle is the best Mary Magdalene ever portrayed. Tony Vincent steals the shows though as Simon Zealotes, he is just too good. Buy or don't buy the soundtrack but make sure to get the new movie.