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

This is very bad....

04/16/1999

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I picked up this CD one day because 1) I love JCS and 2) I love hearing different versions of it. Of all the versions i have (now 7) this is far and away the worst. While Dave Willets was said to be a good jesus in his time, he is not on this album. The judas, while possesing a good voice, doesn't quite "get" the feel of the music. The orchestra is good but, honestly, it just doesn't sound like rock and roll, which is what this opera is meant to be about."

Here's the low-down...

Everett Olszewski | Erie, PA USA | 03/22/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I have every version of Jesus Christ Superstar to date. (March 2006) I am a musical theatre student, opera tenor, and I own my own theatre company so I have a pretty good idea of what's hot and what's not. This version is not. Jesus possesses a decent voice, but growls too much, and skimps out on the higher notes - Garden of Gethsemane in particular, which defeats the purpose of the role. Judas has a good voice, but struggles to ennunciate while singing the higher parts, he does put an interesting spin on the music though, a little "off the page" if you will. Pilate is good, so is Mary, and Caiphas. The orchestra is terrible. They have some bright points but the drummer sounds inexpirienced and half the time you would think they do not have a bassist. The title of the show is "Jesus Christ Superstar: A Rock Opera." This version is a musical, they're missing the "rock." If you're a collector like myself it will be worth something to you, otherwise, save your money. Truly, I've never heard a perfect version, the 1996 London Cast comes closest - Steve Balsamo with his 4 and 1/2 octave range and an incredible orchestra make this happen - buy that version if you're short on cash."