Best Jesus Christ Superstar Recording?- Page 2

[joanna2]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 9:58pm

Agreed! Drew is just pretty damn amazing no matter what he does.

[broadwaybound882]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 9:58pm

oops! Must've screwed up. Thanks for the correction, joanna!

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 10:13pm

My favorites are:

Original Concept Recording (The one that started it all)
1992 Australian Recording (Judas kicks serious ass in this version and there is NO better Jesus)
1996 London Revival Recording (I think this is my fav. out of the three)

[rosem7391]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 12:00am

Ahhhh I thought it was amazing at NSMT!
Nicholas is....quite beautiful.


Concpet recording concept recording concept recording.

[Jesus]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 12:32am

As much as I love the Concept Album, the 1973 film soundtrack is my favorite recording. With Carl Anderson's Judas and Ted Neeley's rendition of Gethsemane...well it doesn't get any better.

The 1992 Aussi album is fantastic, but I only recommend it to people who already have a few recordings, because it differes so much from the original sound.

[beuk-et-moi]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 6:06am

There are 3 versions i totally love that are 2 who are off mainstream and for exceptional different in the good way the Australian cast of 1992 and the best ever sung accapella version of "I don't know how to love him" the Dutch 2006 tour version.

And for the more mainstream version, without a doubt the 1996 London cast with the superb Steve Balsamo as Jesus Christ.
Just look on the net in y*u t*be for proof by typing Steve Balsamo, this guy has a range and intensity in "Gethsemane" that even tops Ted's version
Updated On: 10/9/06 at 06:06 AM

[RICRoyal2010]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 1:56pm

I played Judas this past spring and I found my favorite recording was with Jerome Pradon as Judas. I felt like his performance came through on the recording. Get the movie if you can, it's equally as amazing.

[musical_devotee]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 1:59pm

I would also go for the 1996 London Revival with Steve Balsamo. Not only does it have a superb cast, but also the orchestrations are much better than the concept album.

[peach]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 1:59pm

Ditto the 1970 concept recording.
The movie is pretty good too,
And definitely the London recordings.

[LouieLovesTheater]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 2:23pm

I'm totally jumping on the Australian Cast bandwagon. Kate Ceberano's Mary is phenomenal. I love the updated orchestrations (not for JCS purists though!) and appreciate that they didn't try to copy anyone else.

The Mexican Cast from 2001 has the updated orchestrations and some great voices. Superstar is truly a highlight here with some great Soul Sisters and a strong Judas.

I have some London Highlights version with Clive Rowe as Judas...he's a good Judas as well.

The German version (in English) with Anna Montanaro as Mary has some good stuff to it too.

Wish they had "officially" recorded the Nyack production with Emily Skinner and Billy Porter.

I did NOT care for the newest movie version recording. Jerome sang the whole thing through his nose.

The recording with Balsamo and Zubin Varla is also pretty strong...supervised by ALW himself.

Yvonne Elliman's voice was SOOOO 70's but I totally love it. She brings a total haunting quality to pretty much everything in the show. While that style of voice/singing is not what we are used to today...she's still one of the best Mary's on record.

[AugustBurns2]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 2:47pm

I really love the movie soundtrack. The performances and the voices are amazing!

I have a long story relating to this...listening to the JCS movie soundtrack on an 8 track in high shool in the band hall's uniform room (I went to an all boys private school) -- at this was the early 90's and an old 8 track machine was still working!!! Anyway...a guy from a lower class comes in - it was like a hangout area - during his lunch and I playing JCS 8 track. King Herod's Song is playing and he asks me - is this sacreligious? I thought it was funny.

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 4:04pm

I find the concept recording pretty untouchable in its energy and authenticity.

The first JCS recording I ever owned was the 20th anniversary recording, which I now find awful on almost eery front -- Clair Moore's Mary Magdalene being the one exception.

The 1996 London Cast (I believe this is referred to as the Lyceum recording, no?) is great, with very strong performances by Steve Balsamo and Zubin Varla, along with the best Simon Zealotes on record.

There was a thread several years ago called Best JCS -- do a search -- it was very informative.

Posted: 10/9/06 at 4:08pm

I actually really enjoy the movie soundtrack. I don't know if that's frowned upon here, but I find that it's the best combination of singers available. Dennen's Pilate improved from the concept recording, and while I enjoy them both, Anderson's Judas just tops Head's take on the role. Updated On: 10/9/06 at 04:08 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 5:52pm

along with the best Simon Zealotes on record.

*gasp* blasphemy!!! oh Tony how I love you...

[Lenexajones]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 9:12pm

The only one that I've heard is the film soundtrack. Still have memories of college, listening to it with big headphones on, singing along while typing term papers on an electric typewriter. It was the only way I could get things done. Drove the roommate crazy, but... Funny how certain things bring back sharp memories.

[sally1112]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 9:19pm

Does anyone else enjoy the concept album with the Indigo Girls?
Amy Ray as Jesus and Emily as Mary is simply wonderful.

[mustard]

Posted: 10/10/06 at 3:10am

I love the original concept album EXCEPT that Pilate is my favorite and some of his material is not on that album.

[JumpJumpJumpSoHigh]

Posted: 10/21/06 at 9:12pm

Totally with you SALLY1112 -- I love the Indigo Girls version of JCS. I'm a little so-so about Emily as Mary, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE Amy as Jesus! I only wish I could find the video somewhere....

~JJJ