Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Overture - Various Artists
2. Heaven On Their Minds - Zubin Varla
3. What's The Buzz? / Strange Thing, Mystifying
4. Everything's Alright
5. This Jesus Must Die
6. Hosanna
7. Simon Zealotes / Poor Jerusalem
8. Pilate's Dream
9. The Temple
10. Everything's Alright-Reprise
11. I Don't Know How To Love Him - Joanna Ampil, Soundtrack, Cast Of Jesus Christ Superstar
12. Damned For All Time / Blood Money

Disc 2:

1. The Last Supper - Cast Of Jesus Christ Superstar, Soundtrack
2. Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)
3. The Arrest
4. Peter's Denial - Cast Of Jesus Christ Superstar, Soundtrack
5. Pilate And Christ
6. King Herod's Song
7. Could We Start Again, Please?
8. Judas' Death
9. Trial Before Pilate (Including The 39 Lashes) - Cast Of Jesus Christ Superstar, Soundtrack
10. Superstar
11. Crucifixion
12. John Nineteen: Forty-One

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4176 in Music
• Released on: 2005-11-07
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: Box set, Original recording remastered, Soundtrack
• Dimensions: .35 pounds
• Running time: 91 minutes

Customer Reviews

Excellent
This double CD is, in my opinion, the best interpretation of Jesus Christ Superstar - the vocalists are amazing, Steve Balsalmo is the best Jesus (the Gethsemane on this CD is amazing,) Zubin Varla provides an incredibly powerful voice as Judas, Joanna Ampil has a strong Mary Magdelene, David Burt provides a brilliant Pontious Pilate (the song Pilate & Christ on this CD sounds amazing) and Alice Cooper portrays a pretty good Herod. (I also thought Annas was particularly good, though not as original as the interpretation provided in the 2000 version.) The instrumentation on this interpretation is very good - I particularly like the drum line which seems more imaginative than in other versions. The only slight snag is that I don't like the ending of Everything's Allright, I prefer the fade-out as with the 2000 version because it creates such a better fade in to This Jesus Must Die. Overall, very good: particularly Judas & Pilate.

THE BEST VERSION OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER'S CLASSIC
Jesus Christ Superstar was Andrew Lloyd Webber's first big success and the second musical he did with, in my opinion, his best lyricist, Tim Rice. The show evoked much controversy when it first appeared in 1970, since the story of the Christ's final days is mainly told from the Judas' point of view and not always according to the Gospels. Hence Mary Magdalene mentions that she is in love with Jesus and after the last supper the Apostles are a bit drunk.

Jesus Christ Superstar is considered as a turning point in modern musical-theatre. It presented something entirely different from past musicals: the plot was new and distinct, the lyrics did not sound shallow and the characters were precisely defined. Also, the piece was entirely sung-through so that the music and the plot became one. All the new musicals afterwards will use some of the new characteristics Superstar introduced leading to almost complete abandonment of the styles that the 50-is and the 60-is used in musicals.

Over the years there were quite a few recordings, however, this one can be considered definite. Both Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice overlooked its making acting as producers, Lloyd Webber making the orchestrations. The cast was mainly assembled from the revival production that run in London from 1996 until 1998, but this recording is known as the studio cast, since Alice Cooper was called in for the role of King Herod. The score is certainly one of the best Webber has ever written; the pure rock sound of the orchestra is simply amazing. When compared to the older recordings, this one has a more polished score and the sound, i.e., the use of the guitars, drums etc, sounds more modern and appropriate. Tim Rice's lyrics are suitable and witty, fitting perfectly with the score.

The cast on this recording made a fantastic job. Steve Balsamo as Jesus is a perfect match in both physical and vocal sense. His voice range is amazing and ranges from smooth and soft to extremely high. The way he holds his voice and hits the notes in "Gethsemane" left me with my mouth opened. One can feel the pain, sadness and unwillingness to finish his task and be crucified. His performance is absolutely amazing. The same thing can be said for Zubin Varla, who plays Judas. His voice is appropriately husky and his solos bring the house down. A clear distinction can be seen between his and Balsamo's voice. Joanna Ampil as Mary Magdalene is reasonable, although she sounds a bit too pathetic for my taste. Alice Cooper is hilarious in his "King Herod's Song", exactly as it is meant to be. The supportive cast was also wisely chosen, David Burt is strong and yet uncertain Pilate, the malice felt in Peter Gallagher's Caiaphas is just perfect. The orchestral performance is spotless. The score ranges from rock numbers to wonderful and touching ballads. The full libretto with cast photographs is included in the booklet.

In the end, I would recommend this recording of Jesus Christ Superstar not only to anyone interested in the very best that the modern musical-theatre has to offer, but also to fans who are looking for the definite recording.

Best version
This is the best recording of JCS yet! Balsamo has the most amazing voice and you can actually feel the suffering during "Gethsemane." Both of the characters playing Mary Magdalene and Judas truly shine. Particularly enjoyable was the Alice Cooper cameo as "Herod." I saw this version in London in '96 and it was more powerful than the early hippie versions. The production was performed in more period type costumes and had a very dark tone. When they brought it to B'Way a few years ago they modernized it and made it look horrible.