What an amazing version. I watched a couple of other versions that have been mentioned. They didn't come close to John.
Steve Balsamo - what a weeny!! I laughed the whole way thru it. Especially when he reached the falsetto.Notes that high in an emotionally charged song just add comedy, not emotion or sincerity.
Ted Neeley - one word - painful! Farnham is an amazing singer who sells the song without over singing it like Balsamo & Neeley did. Also, Neeley is a SCARY looking Jesus.
@sweetsam2410 Balsamo and Neeley stuck a lot closer to the music as it was written by Webber. This is perfectly nice here, but it sounds more like a rock song than a scene from a musical.
@snamaarGoliM Given that Jesus Christ Superstar was billed as a rock opera I don't think there is a real problem with it sounding more like a rock song than a scene from a musical.
@cmcorrie I wasn't complaining. Just pointing out the difference. Personally, I think that performing it as a rock song makes it lose some of the despair that is in the scene. But I have nothing against it.
the different voices a singer uses is not in the note range used but in the throat placement - it is a physical thing not a pitch thing the voices a man can use is Boy Soprano Contralto (Alto) Tenor Barritone Bass and of any of them they may possition their throat in such a way to reach a falsetto sound Women can do it too! John Farnham is a tenor Michael Crawford is a Contralto
@4adgray2 He doesn't sound like a tenor to me he sounds more like a high baritone. And Michael Crawford is a far cry from a contralto. De De Bridgewater is a contralto Michael is what a tenor should sound like.
I'm sure I would have loved this if I hadn't grown up with Neeley and the movie version. This is good, don't get me wrong, but I just keep wanting to hear the, for me, "real" version :)
I'm convinced that people that think Balsamo is the end all of end all JCS performers just haven't heard enough JCS. He's extremely weak compared to others who have taken up the role.
Also, people need to stop thinking it's all about the high note. It's about the emoition. Farnham nails this.
Kamil Stravaka(sp?) from the Czech Cast also performs an outstanding Gethsemane without a High G - I think he goes up to E or something. But he's phenomenal as well.
Oh,no,no,..this cannot compare to Ted Neely's singing of this song.Only he can pull it off right.This guys good looking,but he aint Neely.I mean,wheres the power of the song? It isnt there.He didnt even sing the high note that Ted does even now,after 40 yrs!Sorry,guys.HeHe.
I love this version of the song, it is one of my favourites from JCS, though I honestly think I have found someone do it better. I saw a local production of JCS the other night and Luke Kennedy (of the ten tenors) was Jesus... he was utterly amazing. Still love John, will always love John, but Luke brought another level to the song.
john has a strong set of lungs & can sing anything from rock to ballads but sometimes he does vocal gymnastics, which are very clever & talented but he can lose a beautiful melody doing that. Ever since he took singing lessons, way back when he had the tv show with Debbie Byrne & he was in Pippin he's found it hard to sing a song as it was originally. When he did 'Corner of the Sky' on TV, from Pippin, it was unrecognisable from his version on the record.
I'm not impressed by this. He is not true to the incredibly difficult melody line which is a shame because Mr Farnham has a more-than-capable vocal range to sing Gethsemane properly. It's his own interpretation of course but just doesn't gel with me. Compare to Steve Balsamo's version and you'll see what I mean...
@MsPammo I couldn't agree more.. Farnham is a good vocalist, but he should have never tried Gethsemane..he blew it, it's an insult to Neeley.. If there is anyone who ever came close to Neeley it's Steve Balsamo
Say what you want about the different versions and other singers. But this guy could probably do a different version every night and it would be hard to choose your favorite. His voice is a real instrument and he is a master of it. He could improvise on any line in the song at will and do things that most singers cant. He is truely a great singer.
Say what you want about the different versions and other singers. But this guy could probably do a different version every night and it would be hard to choose your favorite. His voice is a real instrument and he is a master of it. He could improvise on any line in the song at will and do things that most singers cant. He is truely a great singer.
Although I am a huge John Farnham fan, the best version to this date ( apart from Neeley's original film version ) is the one from Steve Balsamo - Gethsemane from Jesus Christ Superstar - Ahoy, Holland - June 2004. It won't let me post link to said video sadly
@hefra344 He can hit the high G. He's one of the most versatile vocalists in the world, he simply chose to go a different root with this song. Hell, it was originally written as a Middle G, but Gillan chose to take it up an octave.
Also, I hate people who toot their horn about their vocal power. Any decent tenor can hit a G. It's about the feeling. And obviously you haven't heard that many recordings of Gethsemane, because not EVERYONE chooses the G.
@DrFlaxWebFLOO i know any decent baritone can hit a high G its not a hard note to hit. John Farnham is a great singer he definitely sang it better than bach did.
Plenty of baritones can hit a G5, sure, but it's definitely not an easy note for a baritone to hit. It's where the majority of the best baritone singers top out, a few exceptions being Graham Bonnet and Chris Cornell, who take it up a semitone.
I can't decide if I like this... anyone get the feeling that his performance is a little insincere? Nonetheless, a nice alternative version of the song...
it's heavy but doesn't lose the groove. and this vocalist simply owns the piece -- 'Gethsemane' is one of the great vocal challenges in modern music; this song requires more than chops and Farnham delivers on every level...
(@JavierBonillaC -- Neely's song?! ...yo son, the original was laid done in 1969 and the vocalist was Ian Gillan. Neely nailed - pardon the pun - the film version but it is hardly 'his' song).
I've seen the play from the original with Gillian to ever other version since..Even tho Gillian was the original it IS NEELEY'S SONG.. always has been always will be.
Ted's the greatest.. altho Steve Balsamo does it great also
@Fruitloop186 You never saw Ian Gillan doing this man, nobody did. He did it once only and that was the original version copied later on by Ted Neeley. Jon's version is the only version that doesn't coopy Ian's and therefore the only bonafide other.
@thisNewFoundLand I agree to you. The dark metal arrangement is simply amazing. Nowadays I belive this is the way this masterpiece should be sung.
Ian portrayed it. Ted nailed it. John took it next level (and Glen Carter destroyed it LOL XD)
I guess only thing missing in this version is the actual ending reafirming the "now, before I change my mind..." If John had done that there might be lot of us mindblowed around the globe... greets from mx cty
he fucked up the lyrics. when he kicks to the harmony, he is not very clean. yes, he is fantastic, and i could not do what he is doing. but look at Steve Balsamo. this dude is nothing.
I don't know, I think it's very tight between Ian Gillian and Ted Neeley, but they're both awesome singers. So is John Farnham, who sings this a bit different from them both, but his rendition is quite unique and awesome.
@madderbass I think Ted's version is the best. What sucks about Gillian is that I bet he could have blown us all away if he would not have looked at the whole thing as just another paycheck.
@Metalhead1979 - actually it can be taught I tech this kind of singing and besides that I know who his vocal teacher was - he was certainly taught to sing this way. But in all fairness there is a certain amount of talent that has to be there to begin with - and he has it.
There's no falsettto here folks! Pure full voice power, timbre and control to burn night after night. In my opinion he is without peer. But John don't forget the lyrics!! Anyone can hit those notes Balsamo hits in false. He sounds like a cat that's just had it's tail bit compared to this. I'm a massive fan!
people talk about Neeleys beacuse it makes them feel like they are in the know. neeley is fine for the 80's. Balsamo is amazing, so is ball. all those guys are, including fanhams.
Um. Neeley played Jesus from the 70s all the way to this very day. Balsamo is not amazing in anyway. He's better than Carter, but he's NOT fit for Rock Opera. At all. His best performance was on the Lyceum Album. Awful live. As for Ball... HA. What a pathetic excuse for a singer.
I agree with you, telbridget. Steve Balsamo's version is the best I've watched, far and away more convincing than anyone's. I don't feel any angst in this performance of Farnham. It's like he's just singing it for the sake of singing it differently. Great voice, but the message of the song isn't there.
Sorry, Glouxm, but for Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber to weep during his performance speaks tons of how awesome and flawless Steve's rendition is on stage.
No denying that Balsamo's version is awesome, he puts on a good show, but i feel thats what hes doing too. He nails the song perfectly but for me I'd rather listen to Neeley because of his raw 'grittyness'. To me Jesus wasnt a singer, Balsamo makes it seem like he is a singer and is singing (if that makes sense) whereas Neeley makes it seem more crying out in agnst. Either way they are both awesome in their own right. i swing more towards Neeley cause i believe he portrays the part more acurate
plus you dont have to cry in a performance to prove your showing emotion in the piece... and farnham does a good job. but he is obviously first and foremost a rock/pop singer not a theatrical singer... ppl just need to keep that in mind... I think he still busts out a dam good version
Webber and I don't feel emotions the same way! I believe Balsamo overracted it, whereas Farnham belted it out with anger and masculinity (apart from the height of the notes obviously). John Farnham is a rock singer mostly and an Aussie, so I guess that's why I understand and feel his version more.
High head voice notes do nothing for me. Get up there in chest voice! Might as well have a woman singing it otherwise ;) Farnham gets up there and retains his balls.
You're right, Neeley has an amazing voice. I'm not doubting that you think he's much better than Farnham in the way he sings the song. That's a matter of personal taste. For me personally, that high pitched warble is irritating.
@Glouxm There is only so high chest voice can go. And John Farnham is taking it right up there in here. His highest notes are mixed voice - head dominant, with chest reinforcement. There is NO falsetto in here at all.
@colino72 I know that! I don't remember saying there was any falsetto in Farnham's performance... I remember saying that he DIDN'T use falsetto and that Balsamo's version was too feminine with all of his whimpering. I'm not a singing teacher, nor am I a know-it-all "never-has-been" critic like most people on here. I'm just a "never-has-been" critic who knows what he likes to hear ;-) Where are all the upcoming Farnhams today? They don't sing RnB, so unfortunately we don't hear them.
@colino72 Ja, it's a shame mate. The overproduced pop music industry is about the show, not the music. Everyone has to outdo each other with better choreography, pyrotechnics and circus acts. It's all flash, no soul. There's nothing better than seeing a shit-hot band with a phenomenal singer out front, perhaps with an orchestra backing them up (if you want to get decadent). Yeehah!
This isn't the best recording of this song. All those people who are critics against John's version should listen to the version on the Official CD recording. Brilliant! No stuff ups here and his voice is just brilliant on it.
John Farnham is truely amazing, but it is so hard to compare different Gethsemene versions simply cause there are SOOOO many great ones! everyone who likes this version i think should check out Colm wilkinsons (first Judas ever) version. I think most of you will like it! peace
Eddibaba, I checked the Steve Balsamo version out and I thought it lacked true emotion. I think he overacted. His voice is good but he's more concerned with how "proper" he sounds. It was like watching a gay Jesus. Too much falsetto and head voice.
just had to comment if you don't mind. OMG how can you say Balsamo lacks emotion, he cries for goodness sake. I've seen him sing it live. believe me, the man does it with more feeling & sincerity than most. Steve also is more theatrical cos that's how Webber wanted him to sing it, he was JC on the West -end after all. Webber was in tears watching Balsamo do this, so what does that tell u? He's in Dublin doing JCS soon. There are many Balsamo fans, i for one, think he's one of the best. B x
Go find the JCS Australian Cast CD and buy it. Farnham isn't the only stunner on this cast. They really made a different-sounding 'sound' for the musical. Very modern, very rock, with HEAVY guitars and drums, slap bass, samples, etc. It's amazing and the orchestra parts are HUGE. It is very very worth adding to your collection if you don't have it already.
Here is an example of one track from the Australian Cast CD posted on YouTube:
(paste in URL) watch?v=KP-slmkNGN4
See how they funk it up with the porno slap bass? And Strange Thing Mystifying - check out Judas ! and then the Jesus retorts with the heavy guitars. AMAZING & modern !
@joeyra676 its head voice which can be made to sound like falsetto if u want it to cause i can make it sound like regular head voice, screaming or falsetto
I love John Farnham, but you clearly have not heard of David Phelps. He seriously has the voice of God on earth. nothing like him. His control at every part of his rang is outrageous. Check him out. Try his "O Holy Night"
Phelps is bloody phenomenal, very gifted. I'd like to hear him sing a variety of stuff. All I can find are hymns really. It'll be interesting to hear him in a few decades and see how his voice matures.
i don't care how high your throat voice that bit has to be done and done in falsetto it's in my eyes more impressive in falsetto
but there is one bit of this i like and that when he is hitting the top c in the Lyrics 'Can you show me now that i many not be killed in vane' that bit is tasty
Ted Neeley's is the best the most rocky and remember it was a "ROCK opera"
His voice is solid. Dislike the arrangement. Prefer Colm Wilkinson and Steve Balsamo, who are a generation apart in age but who both capture the suffering behind the lyrics. Thought Michael Ball's version pedestrian. Saw JC Superstar the movie which was also pedestrian.
Really...G note...G note... For "Christ's" sake...a high G is bread and butter to John Farnham. I've seen his concerts, his videos and own his records. He can do it all but who would seriously base their opinion on such precious technical crap. Decide simply if you like it or not. Basic stuff.
I think you'll find the screamed big G version was done some 22 years prior to this. Also if John could hit those big screams with the delivery of someone like Ian Gillan then he would do so. John Farnham is a great singer and I like his version very much, but everybody knows that Gillans is the definitive, and very first version.
RIghto people. Here's the facts. This was recorded a long time before the 'super high note' versions came out.
If he was given the chance John Farnham would not only do those versions, he would do them without falsetto. No joke. Probably the best rock tenor of the last 30 years.
I have heard many wonderful versions of this song, but Farnham's is the best: full-blooded, as intended
@NickLM2008 erm... this version is from 1992. The original version with Ian Gillan's high falsetto note is 20-30 years earlier. Nonetheless I think this version is one of the best.
Hey there ... I am a singer myself ... To hit that high ian gillian "G" falsetto scream is not that hard ... But listen to this guy , singing in full voice up to "F" above the high "C" that is fucking impressive !!! (just wach me "die" ....)
I swear, people are talking about falsetto as though it's something to be applauded... It's the easy way out. The falsetto rock scream is and always was a stupid invention in my "I don't know shit compared to all the other pseudo-experts on this page" opinion. WHOOOOOOO GIVES A FAAAAAAAAAARRRRK. I'm with you Freja on the F being sung in chest voice - nothing less than phenomenal.
@Glouxm You... can't... sing... high Fs... in... Chest... Voice... unless... you're... a... eunuch. The highest possible chest voice note for a tenor male is High E.
@DrFlaxWebFLOO yes, you can. i agree that farham is a fucking vocalist god, but, umh, yeah. i'm a tenor. i can sing high Fs in chest voice. so can farnham. so could my old singing teacher who was a barytone.
He should've done Heaven on their Minds as well. Would've worked wonders with that song.
MrVictorPhineas 2 weeks ago
good work John Farnham
lozonlineoz 2 months ago
hi again,
just wondering if you cant get the time to post the show on youtube. maybe you can send me the show on disc? I am a big Hey Hey collector
pluckaduck1111 3 months ago in playlist John Farnham
Makes me feel for him, great emotion song John
westsarebest 4 months ago 2
Not bad, but he's NO Ian Gillian.
lucabrasi1337 6 months ago
@lucabrasi1337
Thats very very true
VaiTrooper 4 months ago
@lucabrasi1337 No he's better, at least John 'performs' this song with some emotional depth unlike Gillan
BigDeanoSyd 4 months ago
@BigDeanoSyd Granted, we've never seen Gillan perform it live. Nor will we ever, at this point, seeing as how his voice is trashed.
enterthedome 2 months ago
christ(pardon the pun) its ok, not great , but not bad. i enjoyed it.
ludlowchris 7 months ago
could you please upload the Plucka Episode because I am one of his biggest fans and am a great collector of Plucka episodes.
pluckaduck1111 7 months ago
Do you have the Plucka Duck segment o this show??
pluckaduck1111 7 months ago
@pluckaduck1111 Yeah I have the whole show. I've gotta get around to posting the whole thing one day.
whispy94 7 months ago
freak of nature
fez11e 7 months ago
fair enough.
sweetsam2410 8 months ago
This sucks.
glenndermage 8 months ago
amazing. colm wilkinson did it falsetto... this is belting. BELT ABOVE TOP C (to TOP F) trumps falsetto 1 million times over.
sandyrass1 8 months ago
close up on rhythm guitar for the guitar solo, niiiiiice
bppics 8 months ago 2
Hardly the best.
semelecharter 9 months ago
What an amazing version. I watched a couple of other versions that have been mentioned. They didn't come close to John.
Steve Balsamo - what a weeny!! I laughed the whole way thru it. Especially when he reached the falsetto.Notes that high in an emotionally charged song just add comedy, not emotion or sincerity.
Ted Neeley - one word - painful! Farnham is an amazing singer who sells the song without over singing it like Balsamo & Neeley did. Also, Neeley is a SCARY looking Jesus.
sweetsam2410 9 months ago
@sweetsam2410 Balsamo and Neeley stuck a lot closer to the music as it was written by Webber. This is perfectly nice here, but it sounds more like a rock song than a scene from a musical.
snamaarGoliM 8 months ago
@snamaarGoliM Given that Jesus Christ Superstar was billed as a rock opera I don't think there is a real problem with it sounding more like a rock song than a scene from a musical.
cmcorrie 7 months ago
@cmcorrie I wasn't complaining. Just pointing out the difference. Personally, I think that performing it as a rock song makes it lose some of the despair that is in the scene. But I have nothing against it.
snamaarGoliM 7 months ago
not nice.....
reyvroxas 10 months ago
Love this guy.
CloudcoleVII 1 year ago
Comment removed
david8897777 1 year ago
@david8897777
Totally agree with you! Take Steve Balsamo's performance in Ahoy, Holland - June 2004 as example. One can tell he is the best for this song.
jd2011music 10 months ago
4adgray2 1 year ago
@4adgray2 He doesn't sound like a tenor to me he sounds more like a high baritone. And Michael Crawford is a far cry from a contralto. De De Bridgewater is a contralto Michael is what a tenor should sound like.
rtcopper 11 months ago
I have heard many versions of this song == sorry, Michael Crawford owns it
indah007 1 year ago
I'm sure I would have loved this if I hadn't grown up with Neeley and the movie version. This is good, don't get me wrong, but I just keep wanting to hear the, for me, "real" version :)
Fro0lik 1 year ago
John Farnham could hit that high note in his sleep. John sings this with dynamics and power, no falsetto screaming... just pure, controlled power.
trumsolon 1 year ago
I'm convinced that people that think Balsamo is the end all of end all JCS performers just haven't heard enough JCS. He's extremely weak compared to others who have taken up the role.
Also, people need to stop thinking it's all about the high note. It's about the emoition. Farnham nails this.
Kamil Stravaka(sp?) from the Czech Cast also performs an outstanding Gethsemane without a High G - I think he goes up to E or something. But he's phenomenal as well.
DrFlaxWebFLOO 1 year ago
Oh,no,no,..this cannot compare to Ted Neely's singing of this song.Only he can pull it off right.This guys good looking,but he aint Neely.I mean,wheres the power of the song? It isnt there.He didnt even sing the high note that Ted does even now,after 40 yrs!Sorry,guys.HeHe.
ChimeraAZ 1 year ago
Wow, John at his , we chase his mind ,voice and reason, when the best, utouchable
pngaia 1 year ago
Wow, John at his best-ist
pngaia 1 year ago
I love this version of the song, it is one of my favourites from JCS, though I honestly think I have found someone do it better. I saw a local production of JCS the other night and Luke Kennedy (of the ten tenors) was Jesus... he was utterly amazing. Still love John, will always love John, but Luke brought another level to the song.
OriginalAcrobat 1 year ago
john has a strong set of lungs & can sing anything from rock to ballads but sometimes he does vocal gymnastics, which are very clever & talented but he can lose a beautiful melody doing that. Ever since he took singing lessons, way back when he had the tv show with Debbie Byrne & he was in Pippin he's found it hard to sing a song as it was originally. When he did 'Corner of the Sky' on TV, from Pippin, it was unrecognisable from his version on the record.
merrymerry20 1 year ago
There is actually falsetto :P (4:06)
But obviously not cause he can't hit the note in his chest.
Man, I just don't get how he does it... that note is like the top of my falsetto and he hits it in chest.. crazy.
CamNacson 1 year ago
I'm not impressed by this. He is not true to the incredibly difficult melody line which is a shame because Mr Farnham has a more-than-capable vocal range to sing Gethsemane properly. It's his own interpretation of course but just doesn't gel with me. Compare to Steve Balsamo's version and you'll see what I mean...
MsPammo 1 year ago
@MsPammo I couldn't agree more.. Farnham is a good vocalist, but he should have never tried Gethsemane..he blew it, it's an insult to Neeley.. If there is anyone who ever came close to Neeley it's Steve Balsamo
Fruitloop186 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Say what you want about the different versions and other singers. But this guy could probably do a different version every night and it would be hard to choose your favorite. His voice is a real instrument and he is a master of it. He could improvise on any line in the song at will and do things that most singers cant. He is truely a great singer.
peghead1959 1 year ago
Say what you want about the different versions and other singers. But this guy could probably do a different version every night and it would be hard to choose your favorite. His voice is a real instrument and he is a master of it. He could improvise on any line in the song at will and do things that most singers cant. He is truely a great singer.
peghead1959 1 year ago
Although I am a huge John Farnham fan, the best version to this date ( apart from Neeley's original film version ) is the one from Steve Balsamo - Gethsemane from Jesus Christ Superstar - Ahoy, Holland - June 2004. It won't let me post link to said video sadly
J30STM 1 year ago
AMAZING!
troyful 1 year ago
couldnt hit that high G that sucks i can so can every one else that sang the song that says something about john
hefra344 1 year ago
Comment removed
TheTomReid 1 year ago
@hefra344 He can hit the high G. He's one of the most versatile vocalists in the world, he simply chose to go a different root with this song. Hell, it was originally written as a Middle G, but Gillan chose to take it up an octave.
Also, I hate people who toot their horn about their vocal power. Any decent tenor can hit a G. It's about the feeling. And obviously you haven't heard that many recordings of Gethsemane, because not EVERYONE chooses the G.
DrFlaxWebFLOO 1 year ago
@DrFlaxWebFLOO i know any decent baritone can hit a high G its not a hard note to hit. John Farnham is a great singer he definitely sang it better than bach did.
hefra344 1 year ago
@hefra344
Plenty of baritones can hit a G5, sure, but it's definitely not an easy note for a baritone to hit. It's where the majority of the best baritone singers top out, a few exceptions being Graham Bonnet and Chris Cornell, who take it up a semitone.
Danerage 1 year ago
@Danerage im a baritone and can take it up a semitone and an octave to a G#6 and i can hit B5, A5, Bb5, or G#5 with no problem
hefra344 1 year ago
@hefra344 In falsetto/whistle, sure.
Danerage 1 year ago
@Danerage whistle is head voice not falsetto in falsetto though i could probably go to an E6 but in head voice i can hit an A5, Bb5, B5 and even a C6
hefra344 1 year ago
@Danerage not to be an asshole but unless ur a baritone u wouldnt know how easy it is to hit a G5 is easier for me to hit than a G4.
hefra344 1 year ago
@hefra344 Not to be an asshole, but if you're following Jowox's register logic all of your high range is falsetto.
Danerage 1 year ago
@Danerage no high range can be either falsetto,head voice, or mixed voice like i said i can hit G#6 in head voice and only up to E6 in falsetto
hefra344 1 year ago
@hefra344
Not going to bother arguing with you when you're unlikely to listen to reason, as most people do when their 'range' is in question.
Danerage 1 year ago
@Danerage no i will listen to reason im always looking to know more
hefra344 1 year ago
I can't decide if I like this... anyone get the feeling that his performance is a little insincere? Nonetheless, a nice alternative version of the song...
theguythatsings 1 year ago
...i really like the arrangement.
it's heavy but doesn't lose the groove. and this vocalist simply owns the piece -- 'Gethsemane' is one of the great vocal challenges in modern music; this song requires more than chops and Farnham delivers on every level...
(@JavierBonillaC -- Neely's song?! ...yo son, the original was laid done in 1969 and the vocalist was Ian Gillan. Neely nailed - pardon the pun - the film version but it is hardly 'his' song).
thisNewFoundLand 1 year ago 2
@thisNewFoundLand
I've seen Farnham live about 37 or so times. He's amazing live in concert.
whispy94 1 year ago
@thisNewFoundLand
I've seen the play from the original with Gillian to ever other version since..Even tho Gillian was the original it IS NEELEY'S SONG.. always has been always will be.
Ted's the greatest.. altho Steve Balsamo does it great also
Fruitloop186 1 year ago
@Fruitloop186 You never saw Ian Gillan doing this man, nobody did. He did it once only and that was the original version copied later on by Ted Neeley. Jon's version is the only version that doesn't coopy Ian's and therefore the only bonafide other.
Weaponx58 1 year ago
@thisNewFoundLand I agree to you. The dark metal arrangement is simply amazing. Nowadays I belive this is the way this masterpiece should be sung.
Ian portrayed it. Ted nailed it. John took it next level (and Glen Carter destroyed it LOL XD)
I guess only thing missing in this version is the actual ending reafirming the "now, before I change my mind..." If John had done that there might be lot of us mindblowed around the globe... greets from mx cty
grdoxsme 1 year ago
Why does people lose more time discussing who's better and less enjoyng the music and the unique great voices - great on it's own registry?
ruixalves 1 year ago
yawn. wake me when its over. then i'll go listen to neeley or balsamo.
N0vakDj 1 year ago
he fucked up the lyrics. when he kicks to the harmony, he is not very clean. yes, he is fantastic, and i could not do what he is doing. but look at Steve Balsamo. this dude is nothing.
boxesbaby 1 year ago
@boxesbaby you do realise that this is the guy that brought us Whispering Jack and You're The Voice?
wetyuppy 1 year ago
@boxesbaby how ignorant.
merrymerry20 1 year ago
listo hijode ppppp
oscarcamilosesto 1 year ago
esta cansion es de camilo sesto
oscarcamilosesto 1 year ago
@oscarcamilosesto Esta canción es de Andrew Lloyd Weber, so ignorante.
Nuchicin 1 year ago
not too bad,
i wouldnt wanna see him in a loin clothe!
he just performs the song, no emotion, pretty dull.
Steve balsamo owns this song.
kazzeeee 1 year ago
I love this soundtrack..
BobrahamCDavies 1 year ago
Awesome vocal ability.
VIDEOHEREBOB 1 year ago
I like this arrangement more so than the singing...
PatrickisL 1 year ago
This song is of Ted Nelley. No one else. But this guy is good to.
goldwizard 1 year ago
I don't know, I think it's very tight between Ian Gillian and Ted Neeley, but they're both awesome singers. So is John Farnham, who sings this a bit different from them both, but his rendition is quite unique and awesome.
madderbass 1 year ago
@madderbass I think Ted's version is the best. What sucks about Gillian is that I bet he could have blown us all away if he would not have looked at the whole thing as just another paycheck.
dalailamajake 1 year ago
Colm Wilkinsons is better???? are u on crack???
joshpiterman 1 year ago 2
OMG! Superb
victoriam1984 1 year ago
Good Job. But his song belongs to the original singer of this song and Colm Wilkinson. Colm brings such passion and drama to his version.
grpvn8 1 year ago
Trip! Even the guy from Little River Band did this intense song!
CaptGage 1 year ago
Nice hair, eh?
StCroixBoix 1 year ago
Godly!
MrKyleMatthewJ 1 year ago
Awesome Johnny!
bworth4 1 year ago
Camilo Sesto number one !
marxtador 2 years ago
I wonder what John feels when he screams like that. That's alot of emotion!
Metalfan85 2 years ago 2
BEST LIVE VERSION!!! HANDS DOWN!!!
So stop all the bickering.... And deal with it.
Farnham is a Freak of Nature.
This sort of talent CAN'T be taught.
Metalhead1979 2 years ago 3
@Metalhead1979 - actually it can be taught I tech this kind of singing and besides that I know who his vocal teacher was - he was certainly taught to sing this way. But in all fairness there is a certain amount of talent that has to be there to begin with - and he has it.
RocktheStageNYC 1 year ago
But Farnham is a fucking vocalist God.
DrFlaxWebFLOO 2 years ago 2
CHILLS! seriously! wow
jeeeem 2 years ago
Truly an amazing performance by one of the world's most underrated performers!
rawmark 2 years ago 7
holy crap. this is awesomer than awesome.
stvgbone 2 years ago 2
it´s better when Camilo Sesto sing this song
colla2004 2 years ago
good,but Camilo Sesto is the king in this song :D
delucasr9 2 years ago
There's no falsettto here folks! Pure full voice power, timbre and control to burn night after night. In my opinion he is without peer. But John don't forget the lyrics!! Anyone can hit those notes Balsamo hits in false. He sounds like a cat that's just had it's tail bit compared to this. I'm a massive fan!
affubilbok 2 years ago
john is very professional singer....i like niko beridzes version of this song very much
sofi5224 2 years ago
Ted Neeley.......only singer for this song sorry
JDough1434 2 years ago
Lisa Origliasso tweeted this =D
Gusanito8Ramones 2 years ago 7
Did she really?
whispy94 2 years ago
yes she is ! :o
BOUNTYaimeMIA 2 years ago
yup (:
SophhiieeOx 2 years ago
yes =)
Gusanito8Ramones 2 years ago
@whispy94 Who cares?
Ashtree 1 year ago
@Gusanito8Ramones Who is that?
hannah4colbert 1 year ago
@Gusanito8Ramones and now..she did it again...
tamahomehotohori20 1 year ago
people talk about Neeleys beacuse it makes them feel like they are in the know. neeley is fine for the 80's. Balsamo is amazing, so is ball. all those guys are, including fanhams.
gitfaced 2 years ago 2
Um. Neeley played Jesus from the 70s all the way to this very day. Balsamo is not amazing in anyway. He's better than Carter, but he's NOT fit for Rock Opera. At all. His best performance was on the Lyceum Album. Awful live. As for Ball... HA. What a pathetic excuse for a singer.
Farnham is pretty Godly.
DrFlaxWebFLOO 2 years ago
I agree with you, telbridget. Steve Balsamo's version is the best I've watched, far and away more convincing than anyone's. I don't feel any angst in this performance of Farnham. It's like he's just singing it for the sake of singing it differently. Great voice, but the message of the song isn't there.
Sorry, Glouxm, but for Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber to weep during his performance speaks tons of how awesome and flawless Steve's rendition is on stage.
ascphil 2 years ago
No denying that Balsamo's version is awesome, he puts on a good show, but i feel thats what hes doing too. He nails the song perfectly but for me I'd rather listen to Neeley because of his raw 'grittyness'. To me Jesus wasnt a singer, Balsamo makes it seem like he is a singer and is singing (if that makes sense) whereas Neeley makes it seem more crying out in agnst. Either way they are both awesome in their own right. i swing more towards Neeley cause i believe he portrays the part more acurate
papersimon 2 years ago
plus you dont have to cry in a performance to prove your showing emotion in the piece... and farnham does a good job. but he is obviously first and foremost a rock/pop singer not a theatrical singer... ppl just need to keep that in mind... I think he still busts out a dam good version
papersimon 2 years ago
Webber and I don't feel emotions the same way! I believe Balsamo overracted it, whereas Farnham belted it out with anger and masculinity (apart from the height of the notes obviously). John Farnham is a rock singer mostly and an Aussie, so I guess that's why I understand and feel his version more.
Glouxm 2 years ago 2
Exactly! Balsamo ACTS. Balsamo, Farnham... they FEEL.
DrFlaxWebFLOO 2 years ago 2
Oh and let's remember, Jesus was a carpenter, not a Eunuch.
Glouxm 2 years ago 2
a fine interpretation, but not what you expect from someone singing Gethsemane. I expect the singer to go high when the time comes.
This is just... colorful!
Vito13 2 years ago
High head voice notes do nothing for me. Get up there in chest voice! Might as well have a woman singing it otherwise ;) Farnham gets up there and retains his balls.
Glouxm 2 years ago
dam straight
papersimon 2 years ago 2
lol farnham may have balls but Neeley has an amazing voice....and sings this song wayyy better
JDough1434 2 years ago
You're right, Neeley has an amazing voice. I'm not doubting that you think he's much better than Farnham in the way he sings the song. That's a matter of personal taste. For me personally, that high pitched warble is irritating.
Glouxm 2 years ago
@Glouxm There is only so high chest voice can go. And John Farnham is taking it right up there in here. His highest notes are mixed voice - head dominant, with chest reinforcement. There is NO falsetto in here at all.
colino72 1 year ago
@colino72 I know that! I don't remember saying there was any falsetto in Farnham's performance... I remember saying that he DIDN'T use falsetto and that Balsamo's version was too feminine with all of his whimpering. I'm not a singing teacher, nor am I a know-it-all "never-has-been" critic like most people on here. I'm just a "never-has-been" critic who knows what he likes to hear ;-) Where are all the upcoming Farnhams today? They don't sing RnB, so unfortunately we don't hear them.
Glouxmed 1 year ago
@Glouxmed Cool - must have mis read. Agree 100% on your comment on up and coming etc....
colino72 1 year ago
@colino72 Ja, it's a shame mate. The overproduced pop music industry is about the show, not the music. Everyone has to outdo each other with better choreography, pyrotechnics and circus acts. It's all flash, no soul. There's nothing better than seeing a shit-hot band with a phenomenal singer out front, perhaps with an orchestra backing them up (if you want to get decadent). Yeehah!
Glouxmed 1 year ago
jessica veronica (the veronicas) tweet this video on twitter :)
BiLLgetRock 2 years ago 3
Farrnham at his best - the ultimate showman - if you have doubts about "the Voice" have a look at his song "you're the voice" here on Youtube
Deeinqld 2 years ago 2
This isn't the best recording of this song. All those people who are critics against John's version should listen to the version on the Official CD recording. Brilliant! No stuff ups here and his voice is just brilliant on it.
sharzberry 2 years ago
John Farnham is truely amazing, but it is so hard to compare different Gethsemene versions simply cause there are SOOOO many great ones! everyone who likes this version i think should check out Colm wilkinsons (first Judas ever) version. I think most of you will like it! peace
Viktorjohnsson 2 years ago
ehh...Steve Balsamo the best...
Eddibaba 2 years ago
Eddibaba, I checked the Steve Balsamo version out and I thought it lacked true emotion. I think he overacted. His voice is good but he's more concerned with how "proper" he sounds. It was like watching a gay Jesus. Too much falsetto and head voice.
Glouxm 2 years ago
just had to comment if you don't mind. OMG how can you say Balsamo lacks emotion, he cries for goodness sake. I've seen him sing it live. believe me, the man does it with more feeling & sincerity than most. Steve also is more theatrical cos that's how Webber wanted him to sing it, he was JC on the West -end after all. Webber was in tears watching Balsamo do this, so what does that tell u? He's in Dublin doing JCS soon. There are many Balsamo fans, i for one, think he's one of the best. B x
telbridget 2 years ago 2
For you, I guess. You complaining about the type of voices he uses?
BlackRainZero 2 years ago
Go find the JCS Australian Cast CD and buy it. Farnham isn't the only stunner on this cast. They really made a different-sounding 'sound' for the musical. Very modern, very rock, with HEAVY guitars and drums, slap bass, samples, etc. It's amazing and the orchestra parts are HUGE. It is very very worth adding to your collection if you don't have it already.
kevinwayte 2 years ago
Here is an example of one track from the Australian Cast CD posted on YouTube:
(paste in URL) watch?v=KP-slmkNGN4
See how they funk it up with the porno slap bass? And Strange Thing Mystifying - check out Judas ! and then the Jesus retorts with the heavy guitars. AMAZING & modern !
Funny that it was from 1992 !
kevinwayte 2 years ago
Jon Stevenson whooped ass too. He's very good ey. Not as good as Johnny though...
Glouxm 2 years ago
Neely does a great scream.."why should I die"., but Farnham overall has the better voice and more power than all other. Farnham by far the best.
sehnaz1 2 years ago
It's a hurricane of a voice - very impressive. but in my opinion he lacks the acting chops - still it's probably my favorite recording of the show.
henrysvg 2 years ago
All I can say is "Awsome" Why is he not more in the public view?
banditband34 2 years ago
AFAIK he's an Australian legend.
thedonpetrucci 2 years ago
a kind of falsetto lol not so amazing.
ptuofptcnn 2 years ago
No falsetto mate. All chest voice.
chappoaj 2 years ago 12
@chappoaj He sings forsetto like 15 times in the song
joeyra676 1 year ago
@joeyra676 its head voice which can be made to sound like falsetto if u want it to cause i can make it sound like regular head voice, screaming or falsetto
hefra344 1 year ago
John Farnham. An Australian singer. He's only the greatest male vocalist in the world. Even Elton John and Tom Jones acknowledge this.
chappoaj 2 years ago
I love John Farnham, but you clearly have not heard of David Phelps. He seriously has the voice of God on earth. nothing like him. His control at every part of his rang is outrageous. Check him out. Try his "O Holy Night"
merlin46550 2 years ago
Phelps is bloody phenomenal, very gifted. I'd like to hear him sing a variety of stuff. All I can find are hymns really. It'll be interesting to hear him in a few decades and see how his voice matures.
Glouxm 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Who is this clown? Why does he dare Neely's song? Is he not afraid he will go to hell for singing what is not his?
JavierBonillaC 2 years ago
Hey back up a bit. Why don't you try and get up on a stage and do that live like he did?
whispy94 2 years ago
you cant do this song with out falsetto top G
i don't care how high your throat voice that bit has to be done and done in falsetto it's in my eyes more impressive in falsetto
but there is one bit of this i like and that when he is hitting the top c in the Lyrics 'Can you show me now that i many not be killed in vane' that bit is tasty
Ted Neeley's is the best the most rocky and remember it was a "ROCK opera"
notchkiss 2 years ago
Yeah....And John Farnham is the greatest "ROCK" Tenor of them all.
Just listen to him sing Black Dog
Metalhead1979 2 years ago
heard it very good
but the way he does this particular song is not as rocky as ted's. its abit lighter but still good
notchkiss 2 years ago 2
Is he a tenor?
PennyDreadful1 2 years ago
Well he has the range of a Tenor... So technically he is a Tenor.
Metalhead1979 2 years ago
He seemed to be struggling on that high note alittle.
PennyDreadful1 2 years ago
His voice is solid. Dislike the arrangement. Prefer Colm Wilkinson and Steve Balsamo, who are a generation apart in age but who both capture the suffering behind the lyrics. Thought Michael Ball's version pedestrian. Saw JC Superstar the movie which was also pedestrian.
SlightlySusan 2 years ago
Really...G note...G note... For "Christ's" sake...a high G is bread and butter to John Farnham. I've seen his concerts, his videos and own his records. He can do it all but who would seriously base their opinion on such precious technical crap. Decide simply if you like it or not. Basic stuff.
mangusb 2 years ago 4
I have a hard time understanding how anyone honestly thinks Gillians (though an excellent vocal), falsetto screams top this performance.
PascalsWager5 2 years ago 4
Amazing Vocal.
Like some others have said-Scary full voice range.
PascalsWager5 2 years ago 4
I think, the best version is Ted Neely!!!
not just for the vocal performance...
the 3 (Farnham, Gillan, Neely) are absolutely great, in their own style,
but Neely's fits best in this case!!!
...not Gillan, not Neely "G" high scream are "falsetto" !!! falsetto is another thing!!!
don't give wrong technical notions, if you're not well sure about what you're saying!!!
anyway...I love all the 3 versions and singers!!!
himknow71 2 years ago
Ted Neely's version is the most emotional of all.
For me, for that reason, it's the best.
John is a pop singer-This version is very pop in comparison,
PascalsWager5 2 years ago
i agree ted's is the best by far i think
notchkiss 2 years ago
Not bad, but not the best version. Remember, this is Jesus Christ trying to express his anguish that he must die. Ted Neely does it best.
porthosdx90 2 years ago
I think you'll find the screamed big G version was done some 22 years prior to this. Also if John could hit those big screams with the delivery of someone like Ian Gillan then he would do so. John Farnham is a great singer and I like his version very much, but everybody knows that Gillans is the definitive, and very first version.
leostrater 2 years ago
I hope you aren't implying Gillan is a better singer. Gillan has to stand on s tepstool to kiss Farnham's ass.
TexasRokker 2 years ago 5
RIghto people. Here's the facts. This was recorded a long time before the 'super high note' versions came out.
If he was given the chance John Farnham would not only do those versions, he would do them without falsetto. No joke. Probably the best rock tenor of the last 30 years.
I have heard many wonderful versions of this song, but Farnham's is the best: full-blooded, as intended
NickLM2008 2 years ago
I would say "the" rock tenor
whispy94 2 years ago
@NickLM2008 erm... this version is from 1992. The original version with Ian Gillan's high falsetto note is 20-30 years earlier. Nonetheless I think this version is one of the best.
Lordseverin 1 year ago
This is simply incredible. Nobody did Jesus the way John Farnham did, and nobody ever will. Just listen to him as he shouts, "Just watch me die".
Noiseworker 2 years ago 2
John Farnham is the best rock tenor of our time.
DrWebflaxFLOO 2 years ago 2
i'm having a lot of trouble loading this
youdontknowjack24 2 years ago
(3.07)
Freja6185101 3 years ago
Hey there ... I am a singer myself ... To hit that high ian gillian "G" falsetto scream is not that hard ... But listen to this guy , singing in full voice up to "F" above the high "C" that is fucking impressive !!! (just wach me "die" ....)
Freja6185101 3 years ago 2
yes but to hit it with a good resonance and make a rock scream out of it is quite different and more difficult then just going full falsetto.
And yes, doing the head voice F is tough and very impressive
LordMoe9 3 years ago 2
Well yes, apart from the fact that Gillan's high G isn't exactly falsetto.
Maddolis 2 years ago
I swear, people are talking about falsetto as though it's something to be applauded... It's the easy way out. The falsetto rock scream is and always was a stupid invention in my "I don't know shit compared to all the other pseudo-experts on this page" opinion. WHOOOOOOO GIVES A FAAAAAAAAAARRRRK. I'm with you Freja on the F being sung in chest voice - nothing less than phenomenal.
Glouxm 2 years ago
@Glouxm You... can't... sing... high Fs... in... Chest... Voice... unless... you're... a... eunuch. The highest possible chest voice note for a tenor male is High E.
DrFlaxWebFLOO 2 years ago
@DrFlaxWebFLOO yes, you can. i agree that farham is a fucking vocalist god, but, umh, yeah. i'm a tenor. i can sing high Fs in chest voice. so can farnham. so could my old singing teacher who was a barytone.
stvgbone 2 years ago
@myself oh, and i still have my balls
stvgbone 2 years ago