URBAN ASPIRINES: Jesus Christ Superstar

Monday, January 19, 2015

Jesus Christ Superstar - Studio Album 1970

Jesus Christ Superstar is a 1970 rock opera, whose music was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and whose book and lyrics were written by Tim Rice.

The musical started as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971. The musical is loosely based on the Gospels's accounts of the last week of Jesus's life, beginning with the preparation for the arrival of Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem and ending with the crucifixion.

It highlights political and interpersonal struggles between Judas of Carioth and Jesus, struggles that are not in the Bible narratives. The resurrection is not included. It therefore largely follows the form of a traditional passion play.

The work's depiction offers a free interpretation of the psychology of Jesus and the other characters.

A large part of the plot focuses on the character of Judas, who is depicted as a tragic figure dissatisfied with the direction in which Jesus steers his disciples. Contemporary attitudes and sensibilities, as well as slang, pervade the lyrics, and ironic allusions to modern life are scattered throughout the depiction of political events.

JUDAS DEATH Lyrics

My mind is darkness now
My god I am sick

I've been used
And you knew
All the time
God I'll never ever know
Why you chose me for your crime
For your foul bloody crime
You have murdered me!
You have murdered me!

PILATE Lyrics

Don't let me stop
Your great self-desctruction
Die if you want to
You misguided martyr!
I wash my hands
Of your demolition
Die if you want to
You innocent puppet!

SIDE ONE

01. Overture
02. Heaven on Their Minds

    03. What's the Buzz?/ Strange Thing Mystifying
    04. Everything's Alright
    05. This Jesus Must Die

    06. Hosanna
    07. Simon Zealotes / Poor Jerusalem
    08. Pilate's Dream
    09. The Temple
    10. Everything's Alright / I Don't Know How to Love Him
    11. Damned for All Time - Blood Money

SIDE TWO

01. The Last Supper       7:10
02. Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say)       5:33
03. The Arrest     3:24
04. Peter's Denial       1:27
05. Pilate and Christ       2:46
06. Herod's Song (Try It and See)       3:02
07. Could we start again please
08. Judas' Death       4:17
09. Trial Before Pilate        5:13
10. Superstar       4:16
11. The Crucifixion       4:04
12. John Nineteen: Forty-One       2:10

CAST

Jesus Christ : Ian Gillan ( Deep Purple )
Judas Iscariot : Murray Head
Mary Magdalene ; Yvonne Elliman
Pontius Pilate : Barry Dennen
King Herod : Mike D'Abo
Caiaphas : Victor Brox
Simon Zealotes : Johnny Gustafson
Peter : Paul Davis
Annas : Brian Keith
High Priest : Paul Raven