Search - Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice :: Jesus Christ Superstar - Highlights

Definately Worth a Listen

04/19/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this CD after I wore out by father's tape of the 1970 London Concert Recording. It's a great performance, but to be fair I like the 1970 performance better. I think the 1970 London version conveys more passion. Overall, the vocalist on this CD execute their performaces more cleanly in this version than in the one I'm used to; it was nice to be able to hear the words clearly, but I think the amount of passion was reduced because of the exactness of the pronunciations and cut-off. And I have to say that I loved Alice Cooper as King Herod. Still, it didn't quite shake me to the core like 1970 did. The Performance of Jesus was good, but I think Steve Balsamo's voice sounded too feminine on the high note, beautiful as it is. And Joanne Ampil did not convey the sexual energy as well as she could have, her performance sounded a little to innocent for my tasts. Still, all in all this is an enjoyable version and I would recommend it to anyone who would like to hear a different rendition."

This CD rocks!

Maaike van Dam | Amsterdam, the Netherlands | 12/26/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This cd is perfect, no negative comments on it at all! I've never liked the music of Jesus Christ Superstar but after hearing this CD I simply love it. Joanna Ampil as Mary Magdalena is great, she was the reason for me to buy the cd (after seeing her in Miss Saigon: WOW!). Even though "I don't know how to love him" has been sung many many times by many people, she made a whole new song of it and gave it her own interpretation, which was great. Her "Everything's alright" and "Could we start again please?" were sung in a very sweet way, which I loved.Steve Balsemo as Jesus was also great, that guy can sing! I was amazed that he could sing so high without singing false. His "Gethsemane" almost made me cry (and believe me, I hardly ever cry when listening to a cd).The rest of the cast is also very good. The guy who sings Judas (I forgot his name...) is great and so is the rest. If you haven't bought the cd yet: buy it!"

Probably, the best new recording of the Superstar

Fernando Navarrete | Mexico, D.F. Mexico | 10/20/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This recording of Jesus Christ is very, very good.
If you alredy own a JCS recording, you'll find that this one is a very good choice.
Highlights:
The cast is probably, one of the best. ¿Why?
Zubin Varla is an indisputable heir of Murray Head and Carl Anderson, with a powerful, and sensitive interpretation of the apostle.
Steve Balsamo has a beautiful, gentle-soft voice.
"Gethsemane" it's breathtaking with that wonderful 20 seconds note.
Glenn Carter, (Jesus in the newest recording of Superstar) plays here the role of Simon. I have to say that his interpretation is pretty nice.
Funny Thing: The 70's idol of heavy metal Alice Cooper plays the role of Herod. It's quite curious to hear Cooper portraying this role.The cast also includes Joanna Ampil, David Burt and Jonathan Hart, as Mary Magdalene, Pontius Pilate and Peter, respectively.
Good choices. Just good, nothing extraordinay.

When I bought this cd I already had ten diferent recordings of Jesus Christ (including the newest one with Glenn Carter in the title role)but I was pleased to hear a such a good new recording of the Webber - Rice classic.
A must buy."