JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

When I was a child I saw late on TV the movie version of JCS. It came deep on my mind and never really got back. Although I'm not a Christian I have a solid interest in the Christian movement (even to defend myself for the most radical ones) and particularly in the study of the origins of Christianity. And If I had to present to a regular guy (a normal one, who can't stand to philosophy, theology and Hystory of Religions) a balanced, single view of what the fantastic work of the criticism in Christian Theology has produced I'd show them Jesus Christ Superstar.

This is a work with a thesis behind it, and a good one. If there was a Jesus what he felt as a human person when confronted to death? What is friendship, loyalty, kindness, love all about? The Jesus Semynar in the 0's tried to answer some of these questions, concerning to what they called at the time the "historical Jesus". And this piece talks about it too. Of course the work is idiosincratic when presents the full story by Judas' point of view, but Tim Rice's lyrics are so good that I can believe that even an evangelical christian could be hypnotized by their power.

And the music? Ah, solid r' n' r 70's style. Of course the pieces are vocal-oriented, but the fantastic Overture shows to us all the power of this opera. A rock opera in full sense.

The original studio version is by far the best one. From this group only Yvonne Elliman and her sweet-so-sweet Mary Magdalene can be viewed on the screen, what is a pity. I really like the artists that appeared in the movie and the Carl Anderson' Judas is by far the greatest movie competitor to the studio cast' roles. But here you have a young Ian Gillan. In Rock phase, and it summarizes the power of this record.

This work isn't in any way prog rock. It's a rock musical, probably the greatest. Better than Tommy. Better than The Wall - studio. But not prog rock IMO. So with my heart trespassed I can't give more than 3 stars to this record, a piece that holds a special place in my heart and will never grow old on me. At least for one time Andrew Lloyd Webber hit the point!