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Rating: Can a slight fever lead you to write a delirious review about the fabulous '70s? Or rather, about a work that has marked, for better or for worse, many subsequent musical productions? Can a slight fever lead you to recall the "planetary tsunami" that struck millions of young people and left them there, sitting, shocked, in a cinema seat, for all the shows scheduled that evening?
Well, that's not a question I can answer. Perhaps I can say in my personal "defense" that I did my research and on the "coolest site on the internet", this story is not told, except in a reduced version, relegated to the exclusive 1970 musical work: what's more, that 2002 story didn't end with... and they lived happily ever after..., but with words used as blows to the teeth of those who, with disregard for danger, dared to review you-know-what "Jesus Christ Superstar" the album, for vinyl lovers, with that "poor" Ian Gillan...
The album, released in 1970, was enormously successful, so much so that Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tom Rice decided to adapt it for the stage, which debuted on Broadway on December 12, 1971 and the following year in London, where it remained on the bill for eight consecutive years. Then, a film adaptation was made of the musical in 1973, directed by Norman Jewison, starring Ted Neely, Carl Anderson, and Yvonne Elliman.
Who knows what captivating, new story with an unimaginable ending this clever person decided to tell: come on! I'm told it's a 2000-year-old story, imagine that it tells the last days of Jesus Christ's life: no less! Yet there must be something that, beyond the story, which is certainly not original nor new, attracted a horde of rowdy and rather irreverent young people into a cinema... for hours, I'd say more than one returned to the box office the next day, and the day after that, and the day after that...
Hooray, after careful investigation, I discovered the reason, actually I remembered, because... I Was There! of course, but it's the musical style, with a predominance of rock, so much so that the musical is often referred to as a "rock opera" as had already happened with Tommy by the Who and with a personal note, but strictly documented, for our Orfeo9, which debuted at Teatro Sistina, in Rome on January 23, 1970, ten months before Tommy: did you know that Tito Schipa Jr is absolutely the first author in the world to stage a rock opera?
But let's not get distracted: Jesus Christ Superstar is probably the most famous rock opera from 1970 to the present day! The plot is known, although Jesus is presented to us in his more human aspect (only in 1988 will we see Jesus in his human and not divine guise, in the beautiful film, The Last Temptation of Christ, by Martin Scorsese); Judas is black and becomes the victim, not the traitor, with a fate that befalls him like a boulder; Mary Magdalene is perhaps represented in the most classic way!
Unlike other cinematic adaptations of musicals, JCS is entirely sung, there are no spoken parts, except for brief phrases uttered between one piece and another.
And now... you can't ask me to talk to you about the music, the voices, the choirs, the choreography, the settings, the cinematography because they can't be described in a review like this: the reviewer has a fever and could be non-objective, but ...if you really insist...: the voices are perfect, the music etches grooves into your soul, the image of the crucifixion, with all the silence that follows, leaves a bitter taste in your mouth because until the end you hoped that the ending would be different and then, finally, to many, it seemed that on that cross the whole '68 movement ended and this, for those who were there, made those music pieces, in some way, represent the soundtrack of their lives!
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Overture (05:32)
CARLOTTA:
This trophy from our saviours, from our saviours from the enslaving force of Rome!
GIRL'S CHORUS:
With feasting and dancing and song, tonight in celebration,
We greet the victorious throng, returned to bring salvation!
MEN'S CHORUS:
The trumpets of Carthage resound! Hear, Romans, now and tremble!
Hark to our step on the ground!
ALL:
Hear the drums, Hannibal comes!
PIANGI:
Sad to return to find the land we love threatened once more by Roma's far-reaching grasp
REYER:
Gentlemen, gentlemen...
LEFEVRE:
Rehearsals, as you see, are under way, for a new production of Chalumeau's "Hannibal".
REYER:
Monsieur Lefevre, I am rehearsing.
LEFEVRE:
Monsieur Reyer, Madame Giry, ladies and gentlemen,
Please if I could have your attention, thank you.
As you know, for some weeks there have been rumours of my imminent retirement.
I can now tell you that these were all true and it is my pleasure to introduce you to the two gentlemen
Who now own the Opera Populaire, Monsieur Richard Firmin and Monsieur Gilles Andre.
FIRMIN:
And we are deeply honoured to introduce our new patron, the Vicomte de Changy
RAOUL:
My parents and I are honoured to support all the arts especially the world renowned Opera Populaire
LEFEVRE:
Vicomte, Gentlemen, Signora Carlotta Giudicelli, our leading soprano for five seasons now.
And Signor Ubaldo Piangi.
RAOUL:
An honour, Signor. I believe I'm keeping you from your rehearsal.
I will be here this evening to share your great triumph. My apologies, monsieur.
REYER:
Thank you, Monsieur Le Vicomte. Once more if you please, signor.
CARLOTTA:
He loves me!
GIRY:
We take a particular pride here in the excellence of our ballets, monsieur
FIRMIN:
I see why, especially that little blonde angel.
GIRY:
My daughter, Meg Giry.
FIRMIN:
And that exceptional beauty? No relation, I trust.
GIRY:
Christine Daaé, promising talent, Monsieur Firmin, very promising.
FIRMIN:
Daaé, you say? No relation to the famous Swedish violinist?
GIRY:
His only child, orphan at 7, when she came to live and train in the ballet dormitory.
FIRMIN:
An orphan, you say!
CHORUS:
Bid welcome to Hannibal's guests, the elephants of Carthage!
As guides on our conquering quests, Dido sends Hannibal's friends!
CHORUS WITH CARLOTTA AND PIANGI:
The trumpeting elephants sound, hear, Romans, now and tremble!
Hark to their step on the ground, hear the drums! Hannibal comes!
ANDRE:
Mosieur Reyer, isn't there a rather marvelous aria for Elissa in Act Three of "Hannibal"?
Perhaps if Signora...
CARLOTTA:
Yes...Yes...Monsieur Reyer?
REYER:
If my diva commands.
CARLOTTA:
Yes I do.
02 Heaven on Their Minds (04:22)
My mind is clearer now - at last all too well
I can see where we all soon will be
If you strip away the myth from the man
you will see where we all soon will be
Jesus! You've started to believe
The things they say of you
You really do believe
This talk of God is true
And all the good you've done
Will soon get swept away
You've begun to matter more
Than the things you say
Listen Jesus I don't like what I see
All I ask is that you listen to me
And remember - I've been your right hand man all along
You have set them all on fire
They think they've found the new Messiah
And they'll hurt you when they find they're wrong
I remember when this whole thing began
No talk of God then - we called you a man
And believe me - my admiration for you hasn't died
But every word you say today
Gets twisted round some other way
And they'll hurt if they think you've lied
Nazareth, your famous son should have stayed
a great unknown
Like his father carving wood - he'd have made good
Table chairs and oaken chests would have suited Jesus best
He'd have caused nobody harm - no-one alarm
Listen Jesus do you care for your race?
Don't you see we must keep in our place?
We are occupied - have you forgotten how put down we are?
I am frightened by the crowd
For we are getting much to loud
And they'll crush us if we go too far
Listen Jesus to the warning I give
Please remember that I want us to live
But it's sad to see our chances weakening with every hour
All your followers are blind
Too much heaven on their minds
It was beautiful but now it's sour
Yes it's all gone sour
05 Then We Are Decided (02:34)
CAIAPHAS
We've been sitting on the fence for far too long.
ANNAS
Why let him upset us?
Caiaphas, let him be.
All those imbeciles will see,
He really doesn't matter.
CAIAPHAS
Jesus is important,
We've let him go his way before.
And while he starts a major war,
We theorize and chatter.
ANNAS
He's just another scripture thumping hack from Galilee.
CAIAPHAS
The difference is they call him King,
The difference frightens me!
What about the Romans?
When they see King Jesus crowned,
Do you think they'll stand around,
Cheering, and applauding?
What about our people?
If they see we've lost our nerve,
Don't you think that they deserve,
Something more rewarding.
ANNAS
They've got what they want,
They think so, anyway.
If he's what they want,
Why take their toy away?
He's a craze!
CAIAPHAS
Put yourself in my place,
I can hardly step aside.
Can not let my hands be tied.
I am law and order.
What about our priesthood?
Don't you see that we could fall?
If we are to last at all,
We can not be divided.
ANNAS
Then say so to the council,
But don't rely on subtlety.
Frighten them, or they won't see.
CAIAPHAS
Then we are decided?
ANNAS
Then we are decided.
06 Everything's Alright (03:35)
Mary Magdalene)
Try not to get worried
Try not to turn on to
Problems that upset you
(oh) Don't you know
Everything's alright
Yes everything's fine
And we want you to sleep well tonight
Let the world turn without you tonight
If we try
We'll get by
So forget all about us tonight
(Apostles' Women)
Everything's all right
Yes everything's all right yes
(Mary Magdalene)
Sleep and I shall soothe you
Calm you and anoint you
Myrrh for your hot forehead
(oh) Then you'll feel
Everything's all right
Yes everything's fine
And it's cool and the ointment's sweet
For the fire in your head and feet
Close your eyes
Close your eyes
And relax
Think of nothing tonight
(Apostles' Women)
Everything's all right
Yes everything's all right yes
(Judas)
Woman your fine ointment
Brand new and expensive
Should have been saved for the poor
Why has it been wasted?
We could have raised maybe
Three hundred silver pieces or more
People who are hungry
People who are starving
Matter more
Than your feet and hair
(Mary Magdalene)
Try not to get worried
Try not to turn on to
Problems that upset you
(oh) Don't you know
And we want you to sleep well tonight
Let the world turn without you tonight
If we try
We'll get by
So forget all about us tonight
(women)
Everything's all right
Yes everything's all right yes
(Jesus)
Surely you're not saying
We have the resources
To save the poor from their lot?
There will be poor always
Pathetically struggling
Look at the good things you've got!
Think while you still have me
Move while you still see me
You'll be lost
You'll be so sorry
When I'm gone
(Mary Magdalene)
Sleep and I shall soothe you
Calm you and anoint you
Myrrh for your hot forehead
(oh) then you'll feel
Everything's alright
Yes everything's fine
And it's cool and the ointment's sweet
For the fire in your head and feet
Close your eyes
Close your eyes
And relax
Think of nothing tonight
(Apostles' Women)
Close your eyes
Alose your eyes
And relax
Think of nothing
Everything's all right
Yes everything's all right yes
07 This Jesus Must Die (03:46)
PRIEST 1
Good Caiaphas the council waits for you
The Pharisees and Priests are here for you
CAIAPHAS
Ah gentlemen - you know why we are here
We've not much time and quite a problem here
CROWD (outside)
Hosanna! Superstar!...
ANNAS
Listen to that howling mob of blockheads in the street!
A trick or two with lepers and the whole town's on its feet
ALL
He is dangerous
CROWD (outside)
Jesus Christ Superstar - tell us that you're who they say you are
ALL
He is dangerous
PRIEST 1
That man is in town right now to whip up some support
PRIEST 2
A rabble rousing mission that I think we must abort
ALL
He is dangerous !
CROWD ( outside )
Jesus Christ Superstar....
ALL
He is dangerous!
PRIEST 2
Look Caiaphas - they 're right outside our yard
PRIEST 1
Quick Caiaphas - go call the Roman guard
CAIAPHAS
No wait - we need a more permanent solution to our problem...
ANNAS
What then to do about Jesus of Nazareth
Miracle wonderman - hero of fools?
PRIEST 2
No riots, no army, no fighting, no slogans
CAIAPHAS
One thing I'll say for him - Jesus is cool
ANNAS
We dare not leave him to his own devices
His half - witted fans will get out of control
PRIEST 1
How can we stop him?
PRIEST 2
His glamour increases
PRIEST 1
By leaps every minute
PRIEST 2
He's top of the poll
CAIAPHAS
I see bad things arising - the crowd crown him king
Which the Romans would ban
I see blood and destruction, our elimination because of one man
Blood and destruction because of one man
ALL
Because, because, because of one man
CAIAPHAS
Our elimination because of one man
ALL
Because, because, because of one, 'cause of one, 'cause of one man
PRIEST 1
What then to do about this Jesusmania?
ANNAS
How do we deal with the carpenter king?
PRIEST 1
Where do we start with a man who is bigger
PRIEST 2
Than John was when John did his Baptism thing?
CAIAPHAS
Fools! You have no perception!
The stakes we are gambling are frighteningly high!
We must crush him completely!
So like John before him, this Jesus must die
For the sake of the nation this Jesus must die
ALL
Must die, must die, this Jesus must die
CAIAPHAS
So like John before him, this Jesus must die
ALL
Must die, must die, this Jesus must,
Jesus must, Jesus must die!
08 Hosanna (02:55)
Crowd:
Hosanna, Heysanna, Sanna Sanna
Hosanna Heysanna Hosanna
Hey J.C., J.C,
won't you smile at me
Sanna Hey Superstar
Priest:
Tell the rabble to be quiet
We anticipate a riot
this common crowd is much too loud
Tell the mob who sing your song
that they are fools and they are wrong
They are a curse
They should disperse
Crowd:
Hosanna hey sanna sanna sanna hosanna
hey sanna ho sanna
Hey J.C., J.C. You're alright
by me sanna ho sanna hey superstar.
Jesus: WHy waste your breath
moaning at the crowd,
nothing can be done to stop
the shouting,
if every tongue were still
the noise would still continue
the rocks and stones themselves
would start to sing
Crowd and Jesus:
Hosanna Hey sanna sanna sanna
Hosanna Hey sanna hosanna
Crowd:
Hey J.C., J.C. won't you fight for me
Sanna hosanna hey superstar
Jesus:
Sing me your song but not for me alone
sing out for yourselves for you are blessed.
There is not one of you who can not win the kingdom
The slow the suffering
The quick the dead.
Crowd and Jesus:
Hosanna Hey sanna sanna sanna
Hosanna Hey sanna hosanna
Crowd:
Hey J.C., J.C. won't you die for me
sanna hosanna hey superstar.
11 Pilate's Dream (01:49)
I dreamed I met a Galilean
A most amazing man
He had that look
You very rarely find
The haunting hunted kind
I asked him
To say what had happened
How it all began
I asked again
He never said a word
As if he hadn't heard
And next the room was full
Of wild and angry men
They seemed to hate this man
They fell on him and then
They disappeared again
Then I saw thousands of millions
Crying for this man
And then I heard them mentioning my name
And leaving me the blame....
12 The Temple (05:36)
(Moneylenders and Merchants)
Roll on up -- for my price is down
Come on in -- for the best in town
Take your pick of the finest wine
Lay your bets on this bird of mine
Name your price I got everything
Come and buy it's all going fast
Borrow cash on the finest terms
Hurry now while stocks still last
(Jesus)
My temple should be a house of prayer
But you have made it a den of thieves
Get up, get out
My time
Is almost through
Little left to do
After all
I've tried for three years
Seems like thirty
Seems like thirty
(Crowd)
See my eyes I can hardly see
See me stand I can hardly walk
I believe you can make me whole
See my tongue I can hardly talk
See my skin I'm a mass of blood
See my legs I can hardly stand I believe you can make me well
See my purse I'm a poor, poor man
Will you touch, will you mend me Christ?
Won't you touch, will you heal me Christ?
Will you kiss, you can heal me Christ
Won't you kiss, won't you pay me Christ?
(Jesus)
Oh, there's too many of you, don't push me
Oh, there's too little of me, don't crowd me
Heal yourselves!
13 I Don't Know How to Love Him (03:59)
I don't know how to love him,
What to do, how to move him.
I've been changed, yes, really changed.
In these past few days when I've seen myself
I seem like someone else.
I don't know how to take this
I don't see why he moves me.
He's a man, he's just a man.
And I've had so many men before
In very many ways:
He's just one more
Should I bring him down? Should I scream and shout?
Should I speak of love - let my feelings out?
I never thought I'd come to this - what's it all about?
Don't you think it's rather funny
I should be in this position?
I'm the one who's always been
So calm, so cool, no lover's fool
Running every show
He scares me so.
I never thought I'd come to this - what's it all about
Yet, if he said he loved me
I'd be lost, I'd be frightened.
I couldn't cope, just couldn't cope.
I'd turn my head, I'd back away,
I wouldn't want to know -
He scares me so.
I want him so.
I love him so.
14 Damned for All Time / Blood Money (04:38)
JUDAS
Now if I help you, it matters that you see
These sordid kinda things are coming hard to me.
It's taken me some time to work out what to do.
I weighed the whole thing out before I came to you.
I have no thought at all about my own reward.
I really didn't come here of my own accord.
Just don't say I'm ... damned for all time.
I came because I had to; I'm the one who saw.
Jesus can't control it like he did before.
And furthermore I know that Jesus thinks so too.
Jesus wouldn't mind that I was here with you.
I have no thought at all about my own reward.
I really didn't come here of my own accord.
Just don't say I'm ... damned for all time.
Annas, you're a friend, a worldly man and wise.
Caiaphas, my friend, I know you sympathise.
Why are we the prophets? Why are we the ones
Who see the sad solution - know what must be done?
I have no thought at all about my own reward.
I really didn't come here of my own accord.
Just don't say I'm damned for all time.
ANNAS
Cut the protesting, forget the excuses.
We want information. Get up of the floor.
CAIAPHAS
We have the papers we need to arrest him.
You know his movements. We know the law.
ANNAS
Your help in this matter won't go unrewarded.
CAIAPHAS
We'll pay you in silver, cash on the nail.
We just need to know where the soldiers can find him.
ANNAS
With no crowd around him.
CAIAPHAS
Then we can't fail.
JUDAS
I don't want your blood money!
CAIAPHAS
Oh, that doesn't matter, our expenses are good.
JUDAS
I don't need your blood money!
ANNAS
But you might as well take it. We think that you should.
CAIAPHAS
Think of the things you could do with that money,
Choose any charity - give to the poor.
We've noted your motives.
We've noted your feelings.
This isn't blood money - it's a ...
ANNAS
A fee.
CAIAPHAS
A fee nothing more.
JUDAS
On Thursday night you'll find him where you want him.
Far from the crowds, in the Garden of Gethsemane.
CHOIR
Well done Judas. Good old Judas.
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