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Which "Jesus Christ Superstar" CD is the best?

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#1

Which "Jesus Christ Superstar" CD is the best?

Posted: 6/13/05 at 1:11am

I'm doing it(with reher. starting at the end of the month)and I'm not familiar wit it. SO I need to get the CD. ANy help would be appreciated(sp?)!THANKS!Which
"I've always secretly longed for an actress to get to the top of the cherry picker and projectile vomit all over the guards below."- Wonderwaiter in the "Defy Gravity?" thread. ~~~~~~~~My dream? Sutton Foster as Cassie in A Chorus Line

Updated On: 6/13/05 at 01:11 AM

#2

re: Which 'Jesus Christ Superstar' CD is the best?

Posted: 6/13/05 at 2:03am

The original concept album (DECCA) is still the best. The Broaway cast (also DECCA) is just highligts but has some changes in lyrics and an added song "Could We Start Again Please." The movie soundtrack is a more complete reading of the Broadway version but the sound quality is not very good. The later versions tended to make updates and changes to teh sound so you really should find out what your director is using as his reference.

Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!

I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com

#4

re: Which 'Jesus Christ Superstar' CD is the best?

Posted: 6/13/05 at 2:13am

Thank you both SOOOO much! I'll email him right now and ask him.
"I've always secretly longed for an actress to get to the top of the cherry picker and projectile vomit all over the guards below."- Wonderwaiter in the "Defy Gravity?" thread. ~~~~~~~~My dream? Sutton Foster as Cassie in A Chorus Line
#5

re: Which 'Jesus Christ Superstar' CD is the best?

Posted: 6/13/05 at 7:06am

Personally I prefer the 1996 London Cast (2CD black cover) as it's the first one I ever listened to. It's not quite as '70s sounding as the concept recording, and the singing and production quality is higher than the OBC/OLC/movie recordings.

Updated On: 6/13/05 at 07:06 AM

#8

re: Which 'Jesus Christ Superstar' CD is the best?

Posted: 6/13/05 at 7:46am

My favorite is a 25th anniversary studio cast recording from the early 90's with Claire More, Keith Burns and Paul Nicholas. It's not easy to find anymore, but I love it.
"Y'all have a GRAND day now"
#9

re: Which 'Jesus Christ Superstar' CD is the best?

Posted: 6/13/05 at 7:58am

The original concept album is great, but the movie soundtrack is better. The only problem is that some of the copies of the movie soundtrack are poor quality. Still, Ted Neely and Carl Anderson totally rule together, although Ben Vereen in the broadway cast is great.
#10

re: Which 'Jesus Christ Superstar' CD is the best?

Posted: 6/13/05 at 9:36am

I'm with those who say the original concept album -- I've just never heard any other version I liked better. I would buy this as your introduction to the score.

I do like the Australian recording which re-worked the arrangements in very catchy, original ways. It was a great, "fresh" take on the songs.
"Do you know ChrisLovesShows?" "Yes. Why, yes he does!"

Updated On: 6/14/05 at 09:36 AM

#12

re: Which 'Jesus Christ Superstar' CD is the best?

Posted: 6/13/05 at 10:18am

Have you heard JCSS a Resurection? it came out in the mid-90's. It features the Indigo girls and a bunch of Georgia bands, its pretty cool, We did Superstar a year ago and I took a couple of their arrangements of some of the songs - it worked well. A different spin on things
#14

re: Which 'Jesus Christ Superstar' CD is the best?

Posted: 6/13/05 at 10:51am

I dunno, I have the concept CD, certainly love it, but I feel like my favorite at least from listening to it in a CD store is the "soundtrack" of the DVD made in like 2003. The voices are just fantastic.

Also, nothing can compare to Michael Ball's "Gesthmane" from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Royal Albert Hall Celebrtation. Really wish I had that version of the song...
"If there was a Mount Rushmore for Broadway scores, "West Side Story" would be front and center. It snaps, it crackles it pops! It surges with a roar, its energy and sheer life undiminished by the years" - NYPost reviewer Elisabeth Vincentelli
#15

re: Which 'Jesus Christ Superstar' CD is the best?

Posted: 6/13/05 at 10:56am

I don't like it when the CD cases are non-descript, especially when its a show that have tons of cast recordings available. I came across the one in the black box the other day, and it just says "The New Cast Recording", but lists no country or cast.
#18

re: Which 'Jesus Christ Superstar' CD is the best?

Posted: 6/13/05 at 11:38am

The original concept recording and the 1992 Australian cast are my favorites followed quickly by the film soundtrack and the 1996 London cast. The 20th Anniversary recording is probably the worst I've heard. I absolutely cannot stand it.

Though there are many good recordings, I don't think any really captured the energy and unique sounds of the original recording. It may be missing Could We Start Again Please, but as far as I'm considered, it contains the definitive performances. Barry Dennon, Ian Gillan, Murray Head and Yvonne Elliman cannot be matched.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#19

re: Which 'Jesus Christ Superstar' CD is the best?

Posted: 6/13/05 at 11:42am

Tony Vincent is on the 2001 "soundtrack" CD so of course that's the one I like best. re: Which 'Jesus Christ Superstar' CD is the best?

had they made a 2000 Broadway revival CD with him as Judas ... well... I'm still bitter that they never did. damn them...
#20

re: Which 'Jesus Christ Superstar' CD is the best?

Posted: 6/13/05 at 11:47am

After writing a 50 page research project on JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR---I kid you not.

I would recommend the Original Concept Album.

Those kids belt like there's not tomorrow, and what's hotter than that?

Right.

#23

re: Which 'Jesus Christ Superstar' CD is the best?

Posted: 6/13/05 at 5:01pm

I'd get the concept album - its wonderful.
"I don't really get the ending,all i can go with is when after several months,Judith saw Pat sang,and later she kissed him on the toilet,after that the story back to where Pat went down from the stage after he'd sung,and he went to the italian lady.I just don't get it,what Judith exatcly meant when he kissed Pat that she had seen,and did Pat end up together with The Italian Lady?Please help me,thank u very much!" Quote from someone on IMDB in reference to a movie he/she didn't understand. Such grammar!
#24

re: Which 'Jesus Christ Superstar' CD is the best?

Posted: 6/14/05 at 12:22am

I definitely think the new and latest London version of JCS is the best! It has the best sound quality, and Glenn Cater and Jerome Pradon are both perfect for their roles!
#25

re: Which 'Jesus Christ Superstar' CD is the best?

Posted: 6/14/05 at 1:23am

I'm in this show right now as Annas!!!!!! I bought the concept album to guide me and I LOVE IT!!!!!! It has Yvonne Elliman on it, whom I believe is the definitive Mary Magdalene, I really want to see the original movie, I saw the newer version and liked it!!!!!!

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