I am a huge fan of Webber and Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar (way and by far either man’s best work) and have been since I was around 7 yrs old. If you talk to my mom, she can tell you all about the funny things I used to do when ‘the rock music’ was playing on the turn-table.
The 1st Superstar album we had came on 2 LPs. It was the ‘pre-motion picture version’ and featured Ian Gillan as Jesus and Murray Head as Judas. I highlight these two ‘characters’ as they are the key to the rock opera. Without 2 singers that can scream/sing with power the soundtrack is nothing. These 2 singers were very capable with Murray Head doing an outstanding performance. In fact, I maintain until recently he was the best Judas ever.
Along with the great cast, the thing that I think made this the best of all the versions I have heard is that the rock instrumentals were performed by Deep Purple. This really gave the soundtrack a hard rock feel that has never been beat. A case in point is the version of Damned for All Time/Blood Money. This is a Judas tune so it tends to be one of the hardest rocking songs on the album. Probably the hardest song. The sound produced by Deep Purple is incredible and stands up with any 70s rock song that was ever produced (and ranks up there as one of my favourite songs of all time). There is a good 35 second instrumental in the middle of this song that is very unique to this album and has spoiled me so much that whenever I’ve heard or seen this song performed live, I always feel a twinge of disappointment when the alternative versions of the song neglect to follow suit.
That being said, the Superstar Motion Picture Soundtrack is also outstanding. I remember this version being one of the first CD purchases I ever made. It was back in my 1st semester at Waterloo when I decided to join the Columbia House music club. I had just purchased my 1st CD player and was anxious to build up my library.
I was initially disappointed when I received the cd because I was fully expecting to get the original album. But the disappointment soon faded when I began listening to my favourite Judas and Jesus tunes being sung by Carl Anderson (deceased) and Ted Neeley respectively. Both had such vocal range that they won me over. In particular, Neeley with his distinct and powerful voice sang the songs so well that I simply cannot hear another version of them without comparing against his version(s) and inevitably realizing how poor they are in comparison. His version of ‘Gethsemene’ is locked in my head never to get out. Brings a tear to my eye whenever I hear it.
Today I still have the original album on LP but have since bought the same version on CD. In addition, I have the Motion Picture Soundtrack on CD and the DVD of the motion picture itself. I love them all and listen to them fairly regularly. It usually works out that when I’m more in a Judas mood it’s the original but when I’m in a Jesus mood it’s the motion picture. So, on Good Friday, by rule, it is always the motion picture version.
It was with great excitement in 1992 when I discovered that most of the original cast of the motion picture including Neeley and Anderson where touring North America on a ’20th Anniversary of the Movie’ tour. I was able to catch this performance in Toronto at the Roy Tompson Hall. I will never forget this performance. It was grand and it was loud. It met all expectations and more and has become the performance I compare all other musical performances against – not just other Superstar performances, any musical performance. The cast was brilliant. A vibrant Neeley and his masterful voice were beyond words. I still get goosebumps to this day when I hear ‘Gethsemene’ and remember how well he did it during that performance. Incredible.
So, with hesitation, a few years ago, Sonia and I went to a local performance of Superstar at the Centre in the Square. We were excited to go since it is my favourite musical after all. But we were concerned about how the actor playing Jesus would be able to pull off the difficult songs. And with great disappointment we cringed as this actor tried desparately to hit/scream the extreme notes and then basically give up and shift down some octaves to save face. Of course, the performance was destroyed and in our estimation reduced to a 3rd rate high school auditorium showing. Saddened I was tainted and needed solace in my recordings. Saddened that there can really be only one Jesus.
A new light shone recently as I flipped open the Centre in the Squares upcoming attractions to see: “Jesus Christ Superstar: starring Ted Neeley”. I could hardly believe what I saw. It was like Jesus was resurrected or something (as if that could ever happen). We immediately purchased 2 top of the line tickets to see the 2nd performance that happened last Tuesday. In addition to the best Jesus you could have performing, an additional treat was that Corey Glover of Living Colour was going to play the role of Judas. Huge potential to be a great show.
With great anticipation we listened to the Overture – which if you’ve never heard – it is a very powerful beginning. A medley that introduces the major themes and melodies that you’ll hear throughout the performance. It culminates with the classic “Superstar” theme as we get our first look at Jesus as he appears on stage in blinding white light.
The roar of applause has tremendous as Neeley took the stage. I was in shock. This man has aged. No longer is he the youthful ethereal Jesus of younger days. Neeley has aged and it showed. He is after all 63 yrs old. It was at that moment when my excitement turned into apprehension: will this fragile looking man be able to hit the notes or will I forever be ruined as the last un-recorded notes I hear from him are harsh and blemish my perfect memory of his voice. Since he doesn’t sing until the 2nd song I didn’t have to worry about it just yet. Instead, I spent the next 5 minutes with my jaw dropped as Glover sings Too Much Heaven to perfection. As anticipated, he fills the role of Judas more than adequately. As it turns out, he equals if not betters any Judas I had heard. And trust me, I am very critical when it comes to judging the performance of Superstar. His performance of “Judas’ Death” will stand out in my mind. I know Sonia thought his performance was outstanding and the best of the cast.
But would I think the same? Would Neeley be able to meet my expectations? My unfair expectations? I must admit the pedestal had been raised so high on my opinion of his past performance that it has probably ruined any chance of a future performance of Jesus, including one from an older Neeley himself, from meeting expectations.
In the end, with respect to Sonia’s choice of Judas, Neeley steals the show. The heavenly voice comes through in the end. Although I was concerned at first, by the time he finished his part in “The Temple” I was fairly certain he was going to nail “Gethsemene”. Even though he required all his efforts to hit the notes and it was clear they didn’t come as naturally to him anymore – he could still do it. He could still be the Jesus I know. And when he performed Gethsemene it was outstanding. The memory lives on.
We were not disappointed with the performance. In fact, I think it’s safe to say we were rejuvinated and look forward to a future presentation of Superstar. I think this performance gives me closure on the Neeley era. The performance given by Glover with Judas, I see that it is in fact possible to have new blood come in and still bring the magic to the stage. I promise to go in eyes and ears wide open when I seek out the next performance, whenever that may be, and whomever that Jesus may be.