Steve Balsamo is Jesus Christ Super Star in the flesh for this generation! Also check out his other performance as Edgar Allan Poe in Eric Wolfson's, POE. He brings Poe's persona to life!
I have never in my 50+years ever heard a voice so filled with passion and spirit as Steve's. He is indeed absolute!
Lloyd Webber is doing a TV show now to find a new Jesus. I don't know why, nobody he finds will ever be able to top this guy, who did it for the last revival.
WOW, one of my favorite songs from the show. And instead of Crucifying (pardon the pun) it like many of the cover's I've seen/ heard. Balsamo is unreal that high note... :O
Regardless of what you believe (or don't believe), you gotta admit, this is one hell of a topic. That moment where Jesus Christ (aka God himself) questions his very own authority and purpose is such an emotional scene. If anything, this stunning performance is only a tribute to the philosophical extent of that passage. It is my favorite and never fails to give me goosebumps. Cheers to an immense amount of talent and the greatest story ever written.
@cherry1311 There are many posts of this same video on youtube. Between them all they add up to more than one million. Maybe you could help get the number up by passing link to your friends and introduce them to this fantastic vocalist!
This guy is a MONSTER singer in the best connotation possible. I watched him in Jesus Christ Superstar in 1997 at the Lyceum, London, and what he did live was more than stunning. The whole group was excellent, but Balsamo rocked!
Not to mention that JCS is by far the best musical I've ever watched.
I bought the double CD at that time (with him as Jesus) and I can't get enough of listening to it.
Goose bumps all over. Every time I watch this I am amazed at the intensity he sings this song with on such a big stage. I think every single one of the 20000 people there, were brought to tears by this performance.
@SOLOxTU I was their at the time and i rememberd telling my sister that no one could sing this song better then Ted Neely. After hearing this i took my words back Steve is truly amazing. I've been a fan ever sinds.
I love JCS. It makes me laugh however, when i tell people that i love this musical, most will instantly think im going to start preaching about Jesus to them (When im really an agnostic/atheist). I remember one guy i used to work with, bought up JCS one day and i said i enjoyed it and loved the music. He said "LOOK don't go bible bashing to me! I don't believe in your s**t" and walked off.... lol. Then again, what do you expect when you work for ASDA:)
I'm a massive lover of Ted Neeley, but I often prefer Jesus with a cleaner voice, it juxtaposes to Judas really well. Ted's interpretation is astounding and his emotion, that's why I prefer his. THis is my second favourite Gethsemene. It's amazing
I was listening to the Vanden Plas cover of this one day, and my mom walked in and looked at me funny (i'm atheist) and said "are you listening to Jesus Christ Superstar?" and I just shrugged and said "I guess so"
Это самое, на мой взгляд, лучшее исполнение этой арии! Я в абсолютнейшем восторге! Всё "в яблочко": голос, актёрская работа, сценическая постановка--- всё!!! Потрясающий исполнитель!!!
To all Steve Balsamo fans; I'd never seen Mr. Balsamo's performance, and never thought I'd like anyone as much as Ted Neely, but Steve's rendition of GETHSEMANE brought chills down my spine. It was AWESOME!! BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO, Steve!!
This is arguably one of the best version of Gethsemane out there (and there are many). The high notes are wicked! I love the pure, raw emotion. That is one of the most stunning performances I have seen. Bravo!
I've just listened to Ted neeley's, Steve Balsamo's, Ian Gillan's, and John Farnham's versions. I'd have to say they are all amazing, but I think Steve has the best. It is just incredible. I do like how John Farnham's is more rock.
This is by far the best performance ever. I just listened to it 20 times in a row . Plugged in to my surround system. My neighbours came at my door! Angry. I said listen to this. How can this make U angry.
@jo120883 he cries on stage and you say its impassionate? you have definetly no idea what you are talking about (although i think is ok if you dislike him for me hes the best jesus ever (after the real one xD))
@xxgenisxx When compared with the Ted Neeley version, it seems Steve might have technically better voice, but Neely conveys the atmosphere alot better, they're both great performances. But I prefer Neeley's, Balsamo's is a little too polished
It's a damn shame Andrew Lloyd Webber didn't make a DVD of Steve playing the role on the West End. He made one after Steve finished, and Glenn Carter is not Steve i'm afraid. I know so many people who have requested Steve's version., but it does not exist.. :-( He is simply the best. x
@telbridget I don't know why they didn't. But in my opinion it was a big mistake..... HUGE!!!! Don't know how many DVD's they've sold with Glen but I believe it would have sold very, very many more if they had had the foresight to record the show live with Steve as JC. It was a classic performance that should have been recorded for posterity.
@1Youngcat I understand that ALW has said until all the Carter DVD's are sold there would not be any other issued. He must've had a lot made, and obviously they have not sold? Bet he has his own private copy somewhere?? He was moved to tears when he first heard Steve sing, so i bet he regrets not filming/recording the show now??
@telbridget If ALW has a copy of the Lyceum production he could have saved RUG a lot of money by just releasing it instead of the very inferior DVD they produced. Just as Eric Woolfson did with POE which is a live, full show recording of one of Steve's performances as Poe, cost a fraction of RUG's JC DVD but is fantastic. They just have to see the world-wide reaction to this Ahoy video to realise If they could release any recording of Lyceum production they could make a hell of a lot of money.
@telbridget The viewing of this stevebalsamouk posted vid has over 630,000 views but there are another five or six duplicates of it on you tube. Between them they have clocked up well over a million and the reaction to this one song is immense. Everyone I know who has seen that Lyceum show is still talking about his performance in it and would instantly buy it. Between them and fans of this video there are many thousands who would. So can you imagine the amount of sales they would have!!!
If you think this is stunning you should have seen his performance in the West End Revival he starred in 7 years earlier. This gives you a taste but in the West end show he held that note at 3.54 for unbelievably about 26 seconds or so for most of his 400 performances. I doubt even Neeley could do that! Some have disputed this cos sadly no live recording exists. But is true! I was there for very many of those performances and counted it! He is unbeatable in this and his other stuff too IMO.
@jinkailai Which? Many clips of Poe on here. Search Steve Balsamo - Poe. Full DVD of premier in Abbey Road studios can be obtained from Eric Woolfson's site
or Amazon: look for: Eric Woolfson's - Poe: The World Premiere Performance DVD
If JC, sadly no DVD recording of his performance in the show but 1996 London Cast recording CD has the 26 second "Die" as he performed it in the show. Both well worth getting. Hope that helps.
Steve's Jesus is sad, unhappy after the last supper. Neeley's Jesus is angry, he bargains with his Father. That's why I prefer Steve's version, he plays Jesus as I think Jesus did in that night.
This is a masterpiece. Thank you, Steve, for this absolutely stunning performance.
@TubaOPF i agree, to a point. i believe the best interpretation of this moment/this song was drew sarich,although i very much enjoy mr balsamo's vocals here very much. this song is suppose to be the one point in Jesus's life where he is most vulnerable, most human. during the prayer at gethsemane, he was shown the horrors of how he will die, which will frighten any sane man. so there was fear,anger, bargaining, and acceptance. it was said that an angel came down to console jesus.
I agree that Steve is Amazing in his vocal style here,but I grew up with Ted Neely and was very lucky to see him....nothing against Stevie at all!! He's right up there with Ted
@misszackyfold@misszackyfold Thanks. I have just watched Ted Neerley's performance and realised that it is from the original film version. I am afraid I wasn't keen on it even back then. Personally I didn't find it a very inspiring performance and, unlike Steve's, it really didn't move me at all. Just as well that we all have different tastes.
@misszackyfold Oh come on! your opinion but If he doesn't know how to sing it then he wouldn't have been chosen by Andrew Lloyd Webber himself from over a thousand for the role. wouldn't have brought him to tears, wouldn't have over a million views btween this and dups of it ,wouldn't have thousands wanting him still perform it years later, wouldn't have vocal coaches giving cds of him singing it to their students and telling them if they can sing it like that they've made it. And they do!
@1Youngcat My point is that ted neeley sings this song more in a talking way. he's talking to 'god' i think that brings the message of the song across. i'm not saying he sucks. the way he (and everyone else who tried singing this) sings this song just isn't very convincing. to me that is. i think he sings it with the wrong emotion. but i'm a huge fan of the 1973 movie. never heard a better version or a version close to the 1973 one. especially JCS 2000 was horrible. they should feel ashamed.
Many great singers / artists have given great performances of this song, and understandably everybody has their favourites. But pure and simple as a vocal this is without equal. Stunning. If perfection is attainable , this is it !!!
This is the best performance of this aria ever. I have seen many great singers performing it, but not with this passion and pain that you can feel while watching Steve Balsamo. He is the best.
@Ehvera erm.... again..... he was NOT the first! Ian Gillan was. Steve Balsamo was the first to perform the new version of it in the West End. Very different from the film. Much more dramatic, less 70's hippy and more a brutal depiction of Jesus' last days! Performed to perfection by Mr B. Andrew Lloyd Webber's view, not just mine.
Раз 100 пересматривала...по-моему это лучшее исполнение этой арии!!!! так сильно (особенно, когда он в верхнем регистре), поревела вместе с ним... просто слов нет..
I havent listened to music for a long while for various reasons , but i stumbled across this, and having known Steve from years ago from the rock circuit i just have to say this is musically exceptional, tone, phrasing, timimg, emotion, the power to change the listeners emotion is incredible, well done Steve, faultless, comment is 7 years too late, but nonetheless, what a brilliant performance
Not bad at all, but still, the passion Ted shows, no one can beat that. Not so strange though, he has been doing it for years and years and years. This is much smoother, less raw than Teds. But he is good, just very different (just like the music).
But for me , there is only one that gives me goosebumps. Sorry Steve !
@Svitlanaa Everyone has his favorit´s. But steve does so many other projects, so i think he is the greatest singer. His version of gethsemane brings tears in my eyes exery time i hear it. he sings the song not only, he feels what he is singing. in this moment he is jesus.
I am not denying he is a great singer, like i said, he definately has talent. But in most cases, the original singer/artist/actor etc still stays best, and thats how i feel about this. The things you describe, especially that he is feeling what he is saying, all those things are for both to say. However; Ted is doing it for about 40 years, and seeing him in the actual movie, also makes him more authentic for me. But everyone has got his/her own favourite ofcourse ;)
@Svitlanaa erm...... but ted was NOT the original!!!! Ian Gillan was. Both are fantastic. Original or not, there can always be a better performance comes along. And for me this is it! Plus the guy is a multi-talented singer songwriter who is recognised in the business as one of the finest voices around today. I only ever hear Neely sing JC!
I am not denying he is a great singer, like i said, he definately has talent. But in most cases, the original singer/artist/actor etc still stays best, and thats how i feel about this. The things you describe, especially that he is feeling what he is saying, all those things are for both to say. However; Ted is doing it for about 40 years, and seeing him in the actual movie, also makes him more authentic for me. But everyone has got his/her own favourite ofcourse ;)
@lamusik63 Steve Balsamo probably got some onions in his sleeve to make himself cry ! :D
However, this ARIA isn't just a song: it's 70's....it's rock.. it's passion...it MUST be RAW, DIRTY, AGGRESSIVE...and Ted Neeley's got all of that. Balsamo is too much precise, clear and focused much on doing it right rather than doing it with the heart...he's a phenomenal singer but he's cold..he's a tender and static perfect teddy bear :D It's kinda listening Pavarotti singing with Bon Jovi let it rain :D
@Nope280 ' I hate to remind you, but the 70's are over. JCS is a West End/Broadway musical not
Tommy by the Who! Revised in the 90's by ALW who chose this man as his lead! So apparently Raw, dirty aggression is not a must for the composer! I don't imagine even one of the 14,000 or so people who were brought to their feet by this mans AMAZING voice and awe inspiring performance thought " ya but Ted..." . Screaming is not hard, ask a 2yr old but singing like this takes actual talent!
@Nope280 As one of the many thousands brought to an emotional crying wreck with this man's performance when he was in JC, I certainly cant agree that he is cold and static. Far from it! And the revival show that SB starred in was a totally different production. Far more dramatic than the rock/hippy production of the 70s. SB was chosen by ALW himself for it because he performed it EXACTLY how he wanted it to be performed. Neeley was chosen by film producers – SB was chosen by the composer.
3:57 - 4:08 great. Love ted, but I can tell that steve will be able to do that the same when he gets older :/...Ted had that 70s charm but that sort of singing ruined the voice over time
@amandirina Sorry not possible as I already claim at least that. On a serious note, the only thing missing from this video is being able to see the whole audience give a standing ovation at the end. Awesome, tears me apart every time I watch it.
Fantastic, love this performance, his best one of the ones I can find on youtube and the best version of Gethsemane on youtube in general (I took the time to watch a bunch of other singers).
It seems to me that this is a modern take on Neely's 1973 film performance. I mean, there are some inflections and vocal intonations that are straight copied. I do prefer the tone of his voice, it's a little richer than Neely's.
In the videos I've seen of his performances though, Balsamo's acting comes off as artificial. Kind of like the stuff you see in a Into to Acting course. It's...textbook? I guess. I mean...tears right before the moment of resolve? Weird timing. It all seems forced : /
I have been luckier enough to see Steve sing this song several time live and I saw him as Jesus in the West End singing this. He gets better with age singing the song. His voice gets more powerful and stunning. ALWAYS ALWAYS brings chills to me and a tear to my eyes. I am not a religious person.
I have the feeling that.. Steve Balsamo is perfoming Jesus Christ with his feelings almost perfectly, but he is just perfomer, when Ted Neeley feels the pain himself.
I saw him sing this in London in 1996. I don't 'do' musicals but he was stunning.
Andrew Llloyd Webber writes some amazing music and sadly Tim Rice seemed to let it down with some very twee (it's an English word) lyrics. This is one of the few songs that Rice didn't screw up.
Balsamo can sing and I've often wondered what became of him - he has a band called The Storys. Might be worth checking out?
@zacharoo2000 Sadly The Storys have split since last year. They were a fantastic live band. Check out one of my favourites by them: youtube.com/watch?v=pLgJkwdtdpM
For the past three years or so he has been touring the world with Jon Lord from Deep Purple as his vocalist. Example: youtube.com/watch?v=4vqL3ZXqwq8
If you want to know what he has been doing and is doing, check out his website: stevebalsamo.co.uk. Some great stuff on their and he personally posts on there regularly.
This one isn't bad, better than one other version I heard but, I am still partial to Ted Neeley's version. That's the one I grew up on and Ian Gillan's version. Even his though doesn't really compair to Ted's. To hear Ted slam those notes out on the 2010 farewell in his mid-late 60's... CRAZY!!!!
@rocksoli4 Others who have portrayed JCS all have brilliant voices, no question, but Ted Neeley puts passion in his singing. The others just sing, very well, but just sing! Neeley seems to understand what he is singing about. He understands how Jesus felt; the pain, the anger, the confusion, the heartache & the panic. So scared, alone and confused. ALL of this is portrayed in his singing. Other singers are just 'too theatrical' & don't convey the rawness of the situation like Neeley does!
@PurpleIvor Oh you are so wrong in this case. I have seen many perform this yet never seen anyone, including Neeley, sing this with more passion, emotion and feeling than Steve Balsamo. I have seen him perform this live many times over the years and he never fails to wring me out emotionally because you DO feel his pain, anger, confusion and his eventual giving in to God. You feel it in your gut and come away from it emotionally drained. Neeley, well I just don't get this with Neeley!
@Heyerkat Couldn't have said it better myself. I also saw Steve when it first hit the West End and it actually set me off a very beautiful spiritual path....that, to this day, I'm still on. A beautiful awakening. I've had the pleasure of meeting Steve and happy to share my little story with him :)
Yes, think you're right. Steve Balsamo really does has a very special voice and a deep-rooted connection to the part he's playing - Jesus Christ. He does evoke a picture of Christ sweating blood in the Garden of Gethsemane. His voice is superb and has so much depth.
This guy is amazing! I saw real tears in his eyes!
TheTitanic4 1 day ago
I LOVE Steve and have started a twitter fan page for his new Superstar show. You can follow all the latest new and gossip here. @superstar_itv
SmickersBelfast 2 days ago
Saw him do this live in london in the early ninties, has never been forgotten!
MrGVRT 4 days ago
Steve Balsamo is Jesus Christ Super Star in the flesh for this generation! Also check out his other performance as Edgar Allan Poe in Eric Wolfson's, POE. He brings Poe's persona to life!
I have never in my 50+years ever heard a voice so filled with passion and spirit as Steve's. He is indeed absolute!
StargazingForJesus 4 days ago
Lloyd Webber is doing a TV show now to find a new Jesus. I don't know why, nobody he finds will ever be able to top this guy, who did it for the last revival.
MrMischiefter 6 days ago 2
@MrMischiefter Ashton!!!
laequis 6 days ago
Best I've ever seen, what a performance !!
JazGilbert 6 days ago
perfect!!!!!!!!!!
verhoef65 1 week ago in playlist Favorite videos
Here is a great one that doesnt show up in the first page of youtube results. watch?v=Wnp5HrGGv8I
SentraMaster 1 week ago
Holy. Effin. Fuck.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
superkenalmighty 1 week ago
Great performance, at some points I still prefer the rock version of Drew Sarich:
watch?v=sqIWGh8DaGc
WuRscHtBr0T 2 weeks ago in playlist Liked videos
It's a pity that he is not never repeat this performance. Others do not look so grand ...Why ?
1Bastinda 2 weeks ago
@1Bastinda This is once in a lifetime performance.
Neuroneos 2 weeks ago 3
every now & then I come back to this amazing performance. Each time im reduced to tears.
robin101962 2 weeks ago
try giorgio lorito, you'll never regret it.
veralynn01 2 weeks ago
WOW, one of my favorite songs from the show. And instead of Crucifying (pardon the pun) it like many of the cover's I've seen/ heard. Balsamo is unreal that high note... :O
OisinFoleyMagic 3 weeks ago
You actually feel like he's about to be crucified. You can just feel his desperation and despair. The most amazing performance I've ever seen.
Ahuey88 3 weeks ago 2
the best
charmingg24 3 weeks ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Regardless of what you believe (or don't believe), you gotta admit, this is one hell of a topic. That moment where Jesus Christ (aka God himself) questions his very own authority and purpose is such an emotional scene. If anything, this stunning performance is only a tribute to the philosophical extent of that passage. It is my favorite and never fails to give me goosebumps. Cheers to an immense amount of talent and the greatest story ever written.
Urbano35 3 weeks ago
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Urbano35 3 weeks ago
when he cried i just fell apart, so much emotion from one man! it's almost insane
goldenlockie 3 weeks ago
I can not understand why this video has not more than 1 million views.
cherry1311 3 weeks ago
@cherry1311 There are many posts of this same video on youtube. Between them all they add up to more than one million. Maybe you could help get the number up by passing link to your friends and introduce them to this fantastic vocalist!
1Youngcat 3 weeks ago
2:55 absolutely stunning
LetsFightDucks 3 weeks ago
The man's got range
enginedog 4 weeks ago
even my heart is crying...
Althreya 1 month ago in playlist Favorite videos
This guy is a MONSTER singer in the best connotation possible. I watched him in Jesus Christ Superstar in 1997 at the Lyceum, London, and what he did live was more than stunning. The whole group was excellent, but Balsamo rocked!
Not to mention that JCS is by far the best musical I've ever watched.
I bought the double CD at that time (with him as Jesus) and I can't get enough of listening to it.
Two thumbs up!!
caiocmartino 1 month ago 3
I Favorited this song Two Times
TSkywalkerFF 1 month ago
Goose bumps all over. Every time I watch this I am amazed at the intensity he sings this song with on such a big stage. I think every single one of the 20000 people there, were brought to tears by this performance.
SOLOxTU 1 month ago
@SOLOxTU I was their at the time and i rememberd telling my sister that no one could sing this song better then Ted Neely. After hearing this i took my words back Steve is truly amazing. I've been a fan ever sinds.
kayaminnie 1 month ago
He is too "good boy" to sing this. Jesus was much more than just a "good boy". This is totally tasteless IMHO.
Columblues 1 month ago
Just amazing! Bravo Steve
manusonic6 1 month ago
I love JCS. It makes me laugh however, when i tell people that i love this musical, most will instantly think im going to start preaching about Jesus to them (When im really an agnostic/atheist). I remember one guy i used to work with, bought up JCS one day and i said i enjoyed it and loved the music. He said "LOOK don't go bible bashing to me! I don't believe in your s**t" and walked off.... lol. Then again, what do you expect when you work for ASDA:)
chubbylilloser85 1 month ago 3
I'm a massive lover of Ted Neeley, but I often prefer Jesus with a cleaner voice, it juxtaposes to Judas really well. Ted's interpretation is astounding and his emotion, that's why I prefer his. THis is my second favourite Gethsemene. It's amazing
jekaleksadrovix 1 month ago 4
The most powerful performance ever! Steve owns this song! Just perfect.....
jinkailai 1 month ago
SIMPLY PERFECT AND AMAZING!!!
Strandsoe 1 month ago
I was listening to the Vanden Plas cover of this one day, and my mom walked in and looked at me funny (i'm atheist) and said "are you listening to Jesus Christ Superstar?" and I just shrugged and said "I guess so"
traptin58 1 month ago
Steve Balsamo is GODLY
no pun intended
traptin58 1 month ago 4
The greatest and most fabulous Jesus Christ ever!
MySensualWorld 1 month ago
Это самое, на мой взгляд, лучшее исполнение этой арии! Я в абсолютнейшем восторге! Всё "в яблочко": голос, актёрская работа, сценическая постановка--- всё!!! Потрясающий исполнитель!!!
AngelRenata1 1 month ago in playlist Favorite videos
awesome no lie :D huge fan,
chocolatesanchez 1 month ago
Chills, for me that was incredible! What a performance!
gtromans 1 month ago 2
To all Steve Balsamo fans; I'd never seen Mr. Balsamo's performance, and never thought I'd like anyone as much as Ted Neely, but Steve's rendition of GETHSEMANE brought chills down my spine. It was AWESOME!! BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO, Steve!!
skudaarkaat1 1 month ago 17
This is arguably one of the best version of Gethsemane out there (and there are many). The high notes are wicked! I love the pure, raw emotion. That is one of the most stunning performances I have seen. Bravo!
Holly24tm 2 months ago 6
79 dislikes?? How can that be. Steve is Awesome !! Thank you for posting..
ndog2005 2 months ago
OMG!!! This is just breathtaking!!! I have never seen anything like this in my entire life!!!
carolina198614 2 months ago 4
I've just listened to Ted neeley's, Steve Balsamo's, Ian Gillan's, and John Farnham's versions. I'd have to say they are all amazing, but I think Steve has the best. It is just incredible. I do like how John Farnham's is more rock.
JAMBEANO56 2 months ago
@JAMBEANO56 glenn carter?
taraaboland 1 month ago
This destroys me. Every. Time.
Kibetha 2 months ago
Охуенно!!!
fil00005 2 months ago
This is by far the best performance ever. I just listened to it 20 times in a row . Plugged in to my surround system. My neighbours came at my door! Angry. I said listen to this. How can this make U angry.
Absolute no words to describe this!!!
ouwezakhooi 2 months ago 47
@ouwezakhooi "said listen to this. How can this make U angry." hahahahahahahahahhahaha
FFCKH 1 week ago
EXCELENTTTTTT
terrordosmil 2 months ago
HOLY SHIT
universox 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Great song. The best performance ever, I think it's better than ted neely song. I love this opera. I cant stop listening to it.
"Can you show me now..."
martinportela8 2 months ago
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martinportela8 2 months ago
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martinportela8 2 months ago
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martinportela8 2 months ago
Impresionante.....
jo120883 2 months ago
@jo120883 he cries on stage and you say its impassionate? you have definetly no idea what you are talking about (although i think is ok if you dislike him for me hes the best jesus ever (after the real one xD))
xxgenisxx 2 months ago
@xxgenisxx When compared with the Ted Neeley version, it seems Steve might have technically better voice, but Neely conveys the atmosphere alot better, they're both great performances. But I prefer Neeley's, Balsamo's is a little too polished
Phlegasus 2 months ago
@Phlegasus thats a matter of taste i also like ted neeley a lot but i prefer steve ;D but saying steve was imapssionate is simply not true ;D
xxgenisxx 2 months ago
It's got to be a bitch when your dad's like... God.
JeffreyWerewindle 2 months ago 4
@JeffreyWerewindle That's just it, God is our Father. It's just most of us don't acknowledge it.
toservechrist1 2 months ago
so much power 2:55 , you cant even hear the people apploud.
RremcoOWweelL 2 months ago
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1Youngcat 3 months ago
"Then I was inspired, now I'm sad and tired
Surely I've exceeded expectations
Tried...I'd want to know, my God...Why?".
leosky2 3 months ago
It's a damn shame Andrew Lloyd Webber didn't make a DVD of Steve playing the role on the West End. He made one after Steve finished, and Glenn Carter is not Steve i'm afraid. I know so many people who have requested Steve's version., but it does not exist.. :-( He is simply the best. x
telbridget 3 months ago
@telbridget I don't know why they didn't. But in my opinion it was a big mistake..... HUGE!!!! Don't know how many DVD's they've sold with Glen but I believe it would have sold very, very many more if they had had the foresight to record the show live with Steve as JC. It was a classic performance that should have been recorded for posterity.
1Youngcat 3 months ago
@1Youngcat I understand that ALW has said until all the Carter DVD's are sold there would not be any other issued. He must've had a lot made, and obviously they have not sold? Bet he has his own private copy somewhere?? He was moved to tears when he first heard Steve sing, so i bet he regrets not filming/recording the show now??
telbridget 3 months ago
@telbridget If ALW has a copy of the Lyceum production he could have saved RUG a lot of money by just releasing it instead of the very inferior DVD they produced. Just as Eric Woolfson did with POE which is a live, full show recording of one of Steve's performances as Poe, cost a fraction of RUG's JC DVD but is fantastic. They just have to see the world-wide reaction to this Ahoy video to realise If they could release any recording of Lyceum production they could make a hell of a lot of money.
1Youngcat 3 months ago
@telbridget The viewing of this stevebalsamouk posted vid has over 630,000 views but there are another five or six duplicates of it on you tube. Between them they have clocked up well over a million and the reaction to this one song is immense. Everyone I know who has seen that Lyceum show is still talking about his performance in it and would instantly buy it. Between them and fans of this video there are many thousands who would. So can you imagine the amount of sales they would have!!!
1Youngcat 3 months ago
Beautiful!!!!!!!!♥
KaliKarma7 3 months ago
If you think this is stunning you should have seen his performance in the West End Revival he starred in 7 years earlier. This gives you a taste but in the West end show he held that note at 3.54 for unbelievably about 26 seconds or so for most of his 400 performances. I doubt even Neeley could do that! Some have disputed this cos sadly no live recording exists. But is true! I was there for very many of those performances and counted it! He is unbeatable in this and his other stuff too IMO.
1Youngcat 3 months ago
@1Youngcat where can I find that performance? Can you help me?
jinkailai 1 month ago
@jinkailai Which? Many clips of Poe on here. Search Steve Balsamo - Poe. Full DVD of premier in Abbey Road studios can be obtained from Eric Woolfson's site
or Amazon: look for: Eric Woolfson's - Poe: The World Premiere Performance DVD
If JC, sadly no DVD recording of his performance in the show but 1996 London Cast recording CD has the 26 second "Die" as he performed it in the show. Both well worth getting. Hope that helps.
Heyerkat 1 month ago
Steve's Jesus is sad, unhappy after the last supper. Neeley's Jesus is angry, he bargains with his Father. That's why I prefer Steve's version, he plays Jesus as I think Jesus did in that night.
This is a masterpiece. Thank you, Steve, for this absolutely stunning performance.
TubaOPF 3 months ago 3
@TubaOPF i agree, to a point. i believe the best interpretation of this moment/this song was drew sarich,although i very much enjoy mr balsamo's vocals here very much. this song is suppose to be the one point in Jesus's life where he is most vulnerable, most human. during the prayer at gethsemane, he was shown the horrors of how he will die, which will frighten any sane man. so there was fear,anger, bargaining, and acceptance. it was said that an angel came down to console jesus.
jgalt7 2 months ago
@jgalt7 well said
toservechrist1 2 months ago
he is fantastic brilliant performance
45littlemiss 3 months ago
superb song..superb performer..
StratosMe 3 months ago
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nope. it doesn't get better than this.
Jehnnycash 3 months ago
Исполненно по-сумасшедшему!!! я в восторге!
kotyamoscow 3 months ago 3
You cannot beat steve balsamos voice , his range is huge - Rickie arthur
charlie1473 3 months ago
I agree that Steve is Amazing in his vocal style here,but I grew up with Ted Neely and was very lucky to see him....nothing against Stevie at all!! He's right up there with Ted
shauna122364 3 months ago
For me, this is one of the most stunning and convincing performances ever.
1BeeJenks 3 months ago 56
@1BeeJenks maybe you should watch the 1973 version. ted neeley understand how to sing this song, this guy doesn't
misszackyfold 2 months ago
@misszackyfold @misszackyfold Thanks. I have just watched Ted Neerley's performance and realised that it is from the original film version. I am afraid I wasn't keen on it even back then. Personally I didn't find it a very inspiring performance and, unlike Steve's, it really didn't move me at all. Just as well that we all have different tastes.
1BeeJenks 2 months ago
@misszackyfold Oh come on! your opinion but If he doesn't know how to sing it then he wouldn't have been chosen by Andrew Lloyd Webber himself from over a thousand for the role. wouldn't have brought him to tears, wouldn't have over a million views btween this and dups of it ,wouldn't have thousands wanting him still perform it years later, wouldn't have vocal coaches giving cds of him singing it to their students and telling them if they can sing it like that they've made it. And they do!
1Youngcat 2 months ago 3
@1Youngcat My point is that ted neeley sings this song more in a talking way. he's talking to 'god' i think that brings the message of the song across. i'm not saying he sucks. the way he (and everyone else who tried singing this) sings this song just isn't very convincing. to me that is. i think he sings it with the wrong emotion. but i'm a huge fan of the 1973 movie. never heard a better version or a version close to the 1973 one. especially JCS 2000 was horrible. they should feel ashamed.
misszackyfold 1 month ago
Супер спел
remiorom 3 months ago
look up the stratford shakespeare festival's version of jesus christ superstar.
CaptureTheDream90 3 months ago in playlist CaptureTheDream90's favorites
WOW!!! Moving
litolmae 3 months ago
This is a great version but if you like Neeley surely Drew Sarich is better again, no?
MoranPTom 3 months ago
@MoranPTom IMO ....NO!
1Youngcat 3 months ago
@1Youngcat Why not? Neeley's definitely isn't sung as well but more importantly, I find Sarich more believable X10!
MoranPTom 3 months ago
@MoranPTom I think drew is a better judas. Look jcs amstetten.
lamusik63 3 months ago
Именно это исполнение выворачивает. Стив, ты лучший!!!
Dinka581 3 months ago 3
Steve is better
lamusik63 3 months ago
BTW, in June 2004 Steve was of 33 :) (like Jesus Christ had been).
Great music, Great voice, Incredible performance!
The best performance of this Gethsemane I have ever seen. Though I like Jan Gillan very much too.
Bravissimo!
Olyull 3 months ago
My goosebumps had goosebumps.
Jehnnycash 3 months ago 4
I recommend listen Dima Bilan too. He did a very classy and emotional performance. I am very impressed.
cherry1311 3 months ago
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Olyull 3 months ago
@cherry1311
It was really nice! Really. I'm not a fan of Bilan, but he performed strongly, that's true.
But Steve is better :)
Olyull 3 months ago
Let me recommend you also to listen to Eurovision winner Russisn singer Dima Bilan. very stunning
mkartal100 3 months ago
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cherry1311 3 months ago
i can say only one steve are fantastic
TupacZShakur 3 months ago
Why is it every time i hear this song. Tears flow from my eyes. If the story of Jesus were ever real. In this song I do understand what he feels
orionblaze000 3 months ago
Many great singers / artists have given great performances of this song, and understandably everybody has their favourites. But pure and simple as a vocal this is without equal. Stunning. If perfection is attainable , this is it !!!
MrGrungefuttock 3 months ago 53
@MrGrungefuttock And he achieved perfection...as Jesus Christ, who was perfect. Coincidence?
omegagilgamesh 2 months ago
This is the best performance of this aria ever. I have seen many great singers performing it, but not with this passion and pain that you can feel while watching Steve Balsamo. He is the best.
quest42good 3 months ago 4
Actually Steve is not better than Ted neeley (judging from this performance). But it doesn't matter.
We love ted because he was first:)
Ehvera 3 months ago
@Ehvera erm.... again..... he was NOT the first! Ian Gillan was. Steve Balsamo was the first to perform the new version of it in the West End. Very different from the film. Much more dramatic, less 70's hippy and more a brutal depiction of Jesus' last days! Performed to perfection by Mr B. Andrew Lloyd Webber's view, not just mine.
1Youngcat 3 months ago 3
Раз 100 пересматривала...по-моему это лучшее исполнение этой арии!!!! так сильно (особенно, когда он в верхнем регистре), поревела вместе с ним... просто слов нет..
MsNavika 4 months ago 5
@MsNavika абсолютно согласна. смотрела различные версии, но эта, вне конкуренции!!
AnnaRollerblade 4 months ago in playlist мое
C'est quelque chose vraimant incroyable...
AnnaRollerblade 4 months ago
He is 33 year`s old at 2004......
RBWLada 4 months ago
did he fake cry? dude. as if the singing and acting wasnt already awesome
thestainisgone485 4 months ago
@thestainisgone485 I think it´s not a fake, he believes what he is singing.
lamusik63 4 months ago
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Brilliant! But, in my opinion, Dima Bilan's is the best version ever!
See the live perfomance: watch?v=CjLcEm4GTO4
dreamshores 4 months ago
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dreamshores 4 months ago
Best. Re-watched too many times to count.
Enverz001 4 months ago
And tell that it's a coincidence ... Just 33 turns ... This is the best version of ARIA 's!!! BRAVO!!!
SofiMagler 4 months ago
I havent listened to music for a long while for various reasons , but i stumbled across this, and having known Steve from years ago from the rock circuit i just have to say this is musically exceptional, tone, phrasing, timimg, emotion, the power to change the listeners emotion is incredible, well done Steve, faultless, comment is 7 years too late, but nonetheless, what a brilliant performance
ianbod1 4 months ago
just no words ....
Anya580 4 months ago
Ну, о х у е н н о , же!!!
olegnoman 4 months ago
Not bad at all, but still, the passion Ted shows, no one can beat that. Not so strange though, he has been doing it for years and years and years. This is much smoother, less raw than Teds. But he is good, just very different (just like the music).
But for me , there is only one that gives me goosebumps. Sorry Steve !
Svitlanaa 4 months ago
@Svitlanaa Everyone has his favorit´s. But steve does so many other projects, so i think he is the greatest singer. His version of gethsemane brings tears in my eyes exery time i hear it. he sings the song not only, he feels what he is singing. in this moment he is jesus.
lamusik63 4 months ago
@lamusik63
I am not denying he is a great singer, like i said, he definately has talent. But in most cases, the original singer/artist/actor etc still stays best, and thats how i feel about this. The things you describe, especially that he is feeling what he is saying, all those things are for both to say. However; Ted is doing it for about 40 years, and seeing him in the actual movie, also makes him more authentic for me. But everyone has got his/her own favourite ofcourse ;)
Svitlanaa 4 months ago
@Svitlanaa erm...... but ted was NOT the original!!!! Ian Gillan was. Both are fantastic. Original or not, there can always be a better performance comes along. And for me this is it! Plus the guy is a multi-talented singer songwriter who is recognised in the business as one of the finest voices around today. I only ever hear Neely sing JC!
1Youngcat 4 months ago
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@lamusik63
I am not denying he is a great singer, like i said, he definately has talent. But in most cases, the original singer/artist/actor etc still stays best, and thats how i feel about this. The things you describe, especially that he is feeling what he is saying, all those things are for both to say. However; Ted is doing it for about 40 years, and seeing him in the actual movie, also makes him more authentic for me. But everyone has got his/her own favourite ofcourse ;)
Svitlanaa 4 months ago
@lamusik63 Steve Balsamo probably got some onions in his sleeve to make himself cry ! :D
However, this ARIA isn't just a song: it's 70's....it's rock.. it's passion...it MUST be RAW, DIRTY, AGGRESSIVE...and Ted Neeley's got all of that. Balsamo is too much precise, clear and focused much on doing it right rather than doing it with the heart...he's a phenomenal singer but he's cold..he's a tender and static perfect teddy bear :D It's kinda listening Pavarotti singing with Bon Jovi let it rain :D
Nope280 4 months ago
@Nope280 Oh, i´m a fan of both. I like classic and rock. And i like teddy bears.
lamusik63 4 months ago
@Nope280 ' I hate to remind you, but the 70's are over. JCS is a West End/Broadway musical not
Tommy by the Who! Revised in the 90's by ALW who chose this man as his lead! So apparently Raw, dirty aggression is not a must for the composer! I don't imagine even one of the 14,000 or so people who were brought to their feet by this mans AMAZING voice and awe inspiring performance thought " ya but Ted..." . Screaming is not hard, ask a 2yr old but singing like this takes actual talent!
disney4real 4 months ago 4
@Nope280 ALW chose SB to be his lead for his revised JCS in the 90's. Ted Neeley was not even ALW's choice for original musical in the 70's..
jd2011music 3 months ago
@Nope280 As one of the many thousands brought to an emotional crying wreck with this man's performance when he was in JC, I certainly cant agree that he is cold and static. Far from it! And the revival show that SB starred in was a totally different production. Far more dramatic than the rock/hippy production of the 70s. SB was chosen by ALW himself for it because he performed it EXACTLY how he wanted it to be performed. Neeley was chosen by film producers – SB was chosen by the composer.
1Youngcat 3 months ago
3:57 - 4:08 great. Love ted, but I can tell that steve will be able to do that the same when he gets older :/...Ted had that 70s charm but that sort of singing ruined the voice over time
pkingsleyisback 4 months ago 3
Let´s get the million
lamusik63 4 months ago 3
I may be responsible for at least 600,000 of this 612,048 views...
amandirina 4 months ago 2
@amandirina Sorry not possible as I already claim at least that. On a serious note, the only thing missing from this video is being able to see the whole audience give a standing ovation at the end. Awesome, tears me apart every time I watch it.
82ndmoosey 4 months ago 15
Oh gosh, this is art, and I'm so glad it's documented for us to share in it.
KaitlynLela 4 months ago
@KaitlynLela It´s not only gethsemane. Allhis songs are fantastic.
lamusik63 4 months ago
Steve Balsamo for the 2014 (movie)production of Jesus Christ Superstar!!!!!
BabyMieuw 4 months ago 4
@BabyMieuw That´s what i say , but who plays judas. serkan Kaya or drew sarich
DuBBleXX 4 months ago
@DuBBleXX Sarich
wispera 4 months ago
Ah, the perfect man!.....
michellegeering 4 months ago
@michellegeering with the perfect voice
DuBBleXX 4 months ago
@DuBBleXX yes the best
Cloosytoyou 4 months ago
@DuBBleXX yes the best
Cloosytoyou 4 months ago
@Cloosytoyou Let us hope that one day this will be happend,
DuBBleXX 4 months ago
OneBoredSoul
You´´re so right. No one can make it better. I hope we can hear them sing together one day.
DuBBleXX 4 months ago
This version is some tones under the original version.
BringMeBackHer 4 months ago
Before they get too old, we need to have a production of JCS with Steve as Jesus and Drew Sarich as Judas.
OneBoredSoul 4 months ago
Fantastic, love this performance, his best one of the ones I can find on youtube and the best version of Gethsemane on youtube in general (I took the time to watch a bunch of other singers).
Tacheron 4 months ago 4
I love this!!! love how the crowd erupts at the big notes, and then you could hear a pin drop when it goes quiet! he is amaaaaazing!
HollyJaks 4 months ago
It seems to me that this is a modern take on Neely's 1973 film performance. I mean, there are some inflections and vocal intonations that are straight copied. I do prefer the tone of his voice, it's a little richer than Neely's.
In the videos I've seen of his performances though, Balsamo's acting comes off as artificial. Kind of like the stuff you see in a Into to Acting course. It's...textbook? I guess. I mean...tears right before the moment of resolve? Weird timing. It all seems forced : /
sisyphusmustbe 4 months ago
Excellent!!
yenhyang 4 months ago
The only people who think there is a better performance than this are just nostalgic.
Calvero416 4 months ago in playlist Calvero416's Favorited Videos 2
I have been luckier enough to see Steve sing this song several time live and I saw him as Jesus in the West End singing this. He gets better with age singing the song. His voice gets more powerful and stunning. ALWAYS ALWAYS brings chills to me and a tear to my eyes. I am not a religious person.
F1KillerQueen 4 months ago 3
Listen to the version of drew sarich Vienna 2008 it has all that this song needs. maybe me favorite after Steve balsamo
DuBBleXX 5 months ago
See the tears running over his face, than you belive that he feels the pain too
DuBBleXX 5 months ago 3
I have the feeling that.. Steve Balsamo is perfoming Jesus Christ with his feelings almost perfectly, but he is just perfomer, when Ted Neeley feels the pain himself.
giglema 5 months ago
Maybe he was good wen he was younger, but no he has not such a clear and powerfull voice like Steve
DuBBleXX 5 months ago 3
The only one to be as good as or maybe even better than Ted Neeley.
XXmrsXXshadowsXX 5 months ago 2
best version i've ever heard
kimmokim13 5 months ago 2
I saw him sing this in London in 1996. I don't 'do' musicals but he was stunning.
Andrew Llloyd Webber writes some amazing music and sadly Tim Rice seemed to let it down with some very twee (it's an English word) lyrics. This is one of the few songs that Rice didn't screw up.
Balsamo can sing and I've often wondered what became of him - he has a band called The Storys. Might be worth checking out?
zacharoo2000 5 months ago
@zacharoo2000 Sadly The Storys have split since last year. They were a fantastic live band. Check out one of my favourites by them: youtube.com/watch?v=pLgJkwdtdpM
For the past three years or so he has been touring the world with Jon Lord from Deep Purple as his vocalist. Example: youtube.com/watch?v=4vqL3ZXqwq8
If you want to know what he has been doing and is doing, check out his website: stevebalsamo.co.uk. Some great stuff on their and he personally posts on there regularly.
1Youngcat 5 months ago
..speechless
Mersoit 5 months ago
Nothing to say, fantastic
JCS 2014 Steve Balsamo as Jesus, Drew Sarich or Serkan Kaya as Judas
it should be epic
Ba_sie
DuBBleXX 5 months ago
Gethsemane always sends shivers down my spine and moves me to tears...this version was no exception. Thanks a lot for posting, I loved it.
Luisabarros7 5 months ago
It's almost like ted neeleys version, but not so like it that it sounds like a cheap imitation. Beautiful.
Curvins 5 months ago
This one isn't bad, better than one other version I heard but, I am still partial to Ted Neeley's version. That's the one I grew up on and Ian Gillan's version. Even his though doesn't really compair to Ted's. To hear Ted slam those notes out on the 2010 farewell in his mid-late 60's... CRAZY!!!!
BassDrive5 5 months ago
@rocksoli4 Others who have portrayed JCS all have brilliant voices, no question, but Ted Neeley puts passion in his singing. The others just sing, very well, but just sing! Neeley seems to understand what he is singing about. He understands how Jesus felt; the pain, the anger, the confusion, the heartache & the panic. So scared, alone and confused. ALL of this is portrayed in his singing. Other singers are just 'too theatrical' & don't convey the rawness of the situation like Neeley does!
PurpleIvor 5 months ago
@PurpleIvor Oh you are so wrong in this case. I have seen many perform this yet never seen anyone, including Neeley, sing this with more passion, emotion and feeling than Steve Balsamo. I have seen him perform this live many times over the years and he never fails to wring me out emotionally because you DO feel his pain, anger, confusion and his eventual giving in to God. You feel it in your gut and come away from it emotionally drained. Neeley, well I just don't get this with Neeley!
Heyerkat 5 months ago 49
@Heyerkat Couldn't have said it better myself. I also saw Steve when it first hit the West End and it actually set me off a very beautiful spiritual path....that, to this day, I'm still on. A beautiful awakening. I've had the pleasure of meeting Steve and happy to share my little story with him :)
San64 5 months ago
@Heyerkat
Yes, think you're right. Steve Balsamo really does has a very special voice and a deep-rooted connection to the part he's playing - Jesus Christ. He does evoke a picture of Christ sweating blood in the Garden of Gethsemane. His voice is superb and has so much depth.
lkofron 4 months ago 5