Jesus Christ Superstar

If you have never heard Ian Gillan sing Gethsemane ( found it on utube ) you would not realise quite how much is lost on this recording. I was so disappointed I looked for the original vynal just got that listened to it and the music has its heart back, not only that but spotted 2 of the singers on it also appeared in the 1973 film.If want a version of the 1971 version on cd this ok , if you want to feel the music take the time to find an un mucked about copy of the original 1971 recording.

It's really good to have a different recording. This one is as distinctive as the film soundtrack that I grew up with (so to speak). It's difficult to get used to a different version - and although every part is sung well, I still prefer Bob Bingham's bass version of Caiaphas - it's much more sinister!

I went to see this show when I was a kid with my family and we all loved it. Even my dad was moved to tears (and he was an athiest) but my Mum and I (especially) loved it. A few years later, I found the original LP recording of this in my local record library and took it out. I renewed it every fortnight for the next two years as that's how long it took me to save up and get my hands on my own copy. I just couldn't bear to part with it. I knew every word and note of this recording as that's how many times I played it. Much later, like another reviewer here, I paid an arm and a leg for a CD copy imported from the US.I am so glad there is to be an arena tour of this show and that this was the recorded version released to accompany the TV show. Unlike many other versions and recordings, this one shows the music in it's true light. It's a real rock opera as it consists of performmances by true rock artists. Ian Gillan is fabulous as Jesus and the supporting cast are all excellent but the performance of Murray Head as Judas steals the show for me. 'Heaven on their minds' is a masterpiece and 'Judas' Death' is so raw and painful that no-one can fail to be moved. I for one will be buying it to see if the remastered version is an improvement on the excellent 1970 cd already in my possession. WATCH THIS SPACE!

One of the very best ALW recordings. The quality is what impresses me as well as the wonderful music. ALW was fussy about how his music would be reproduced in spite of the protests from, one heard, Broadway eg, that he would insist on being control of production. One could understand their protests as they were used to being seen as the greatest of musical producers, but ALW is an exception to the rule and he was right to insist on control or not to let them have his work.I was most impressed by Murray Head's representation of Judas and the catch 22 situation that Judas is forced into. Someone has to betray Christ or Christ will not be arrested, condemned and crucified, and Judas was the chosen betrayer. This terrible catch 22 is explored by Tim Rice's wonderful and moving lyrics. The story of the Sacrificial King is always compelling drama, but this time it's not just Christ that has to fulfil the path that God has mapped for him, driving him to despair at times as he realises his life is forfeit no matter what he feels, but also the damnation of Judas for all time, as Judas sings in his most poignant song. Doing the Will of God is not an easy thing. Sacrifices are requireI think this is one of the most compelling and amazing musicals ever, based around a timeless story that never fails to arouse discussion. One of my most favourite pieces of composition and one of my most favourite CDs

Bought the original vinyl in Germany in the early 1970's and instantly fell in love with Gillan's voicing of Jesus. So many great performances on this. Not a huge musical theatre, or a fan of religious stuff for that matter, but this transcends those. Saw another touring production mid seventies too. Fun.

I think JesusChrist Superstar is my very favourite musical of all time ( along with Les Miserables!) and I already have the cd's from both of the films made of it. So I wasn't too bothered about getting the latest remastered cd of the early 70's show. To be honest, I thought it would sound dated. Then I read through all of the reviews on this page and everyone saying how it is the best version etc. So I bought it and I am really pleased that I did :) I agree with you all, it is THE BEST and the singers are just awesome. I can't stop playing it! It has the raw, gritty edge to it that I love to hear in rock operas, and it doesn't in the least sound dated. In fact, I think it beats all the other more recent versions easily, and I now realise that they have 'sanitised' it too much - messed it around and lost the raw, pure rock sound of it. I think that Andrew Lloyd Webber should go back to the original version of it and have it performed in this way! A wonderful cd and best played at full volume :)

Despite the VERY MINOR problems that various people have described, THIS ONE - THE 2012 RE-MASTER - is the BEST AVAILABLE JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR RECORDING AT THIS TIME. I have listened to it DOZENS OF TIMES for a week - now that I have a set that does not have manufacturing glitches - and the sound is FULL and PRESENT and ROBUST and, I repeat, ALTOGETHER THE BEST VERSION OF THE ORIGINAL BROWN CONCEPT ALBUM AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. And it does sound great the majority of the time. At times the vocals are so present that they sound as if they are coming from the room itself - not the sound system. THAT IS GOOD RE-MASTERING. This is the best available JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR recording on CD and according to the "liner notes" - due to various circumstances - this is as good as it's ever gonna get. If that is the case then it's not nearly as bleak as it might have been - this set will make you very happy. I am glad we have it! I am glad that is has been re-mastered and it is still a remarkably effective piece of musical theatre.

Beats all the other recordings of what for its time was a groundbreaking musical. Some quite stunning performances.