Jesus Christ Superstar - Heaven On Their Minds (Zubin Varla)

[baggaratz]

Anyone have a clip of Zubin Varla performing the JCS anthem? I haven't been able to find it yet.

[jbucko86]

may be slightly biased but personally think Jon Stevens from the 1992 Australian recording is the best Judas. Amazing voice and raw power!

[generosos87]

Carl Anderson - best

Zubin varla - VERY close second

[cortezthemusic]

someone sad he's better than carl anderson no he's not he great musical theather singer but that wasn't cast in the musical or intended a man of soul was thanks carl

[FluffTheScouser]

As a member of various musical theatre societies throughout the years, this song never fails to be the inspiration to keep going. I don't care about who "outshadows" who, but Zubin's voice in this is just incredible.

[klsnorsk]

Serious??? He sounds like he's singing opera....

[pedroamaralcouto]

@klsnorsk Jesus Christ Superstar is opera (not classical opera; it's rock opera, but it's opera nevertheless).

The interpreters should express the characters feelings, specially in opera - it's a singing theatre.

Varla sounds angry, sarcastic and desperate. And that's good because that's how the character feels.

[TheKFCluver]

I wish this was in the actual musical. Then it would be too good to be truely on that CD.

[stephenmerton]

personally..... Zubin blows every other Judas out of the water !.......

[kadindarklord]

I'm sure that I heard the intro music somewhere in DBZ, but I can't remember.

[SanRafaelSwell]

Carl Anderson and Ted Neeley defined the roles of Judas and Jesus respectively. No one will ever touch them.

[Pettor]

Wow, this version is the best i've ever heard. The piano is freaking me out and so are Zubin's brilliant singing! One of my favorite songs of all time!

[FlippyMyDog]

imo he and carl are equally awesome, i got the movie and zubin's version and love them both.

[VictoryVideos]

the riff in beginning deserves some sort of nobel prize..

[12343212343212341]

I'm not a Christian, but this thing is purely awesome musical wise... Kudos to you, sirs.

[marinawell]

a lotta heart in this version, no doubt "all your followers object, to another noisy sect..." interesting new lyrics

[creepbg]

@marinawell he said conquerers

[youdontknowjack24]

zubin is my 3rd favorite judas, much MUCH better than jerome pradon. carl anderson and drew sarich are my top 2. still... LOVE THIS!!!

[MerelBx]

Great song! Best song of Jesus Christ Superstar also a good sound

[dwade1962eagle]

No such thing as better or best when dealing with professionals at this level. Only different. You do not have to dislike one to like the other. Carl Anderson forgives you if you like this more, as does Varla if you prefer Carl. The idea is to keep the music alive.

[malaviciosa]

Zubin Varla is the best judas. He's an actor singing and understanding Judas, not a vain singer. Such a gift!

[RoonJazz]

@malaviciosa I had the pleasure of meeting Zubin at the Stage Door after a performance of JCS, back in 1997. I had him to myself as everyone else was buzzing around Steve Balsamo!! Mr. V. was as charming, witty, warm and (INCREDIBLY gorgeous) as he is talented. Hope he's happy and doing lots of nice things these days. xx

[malaviciosa]

Zubin Varla is the best judas. He's an actor singing and understanding Judas, not a vain singer. Such a gift!

[Acetheretardedfreak]

definately the better version :) love it!!

[TheNellmonster]

I think all the actors who have played Judas and Jesus are awesome. Why is there such a big argument in the comments on like every Jesus Christ Superstar video about who's better? The musical upon itself is great, and it doesn't matter which actors or performers were better, they all have made the musical great. Why so much argument?

[batsheba1000]

It's good,but you have to check Adam Lambert singing it. AMAZING!!! The quality is not so great but Adam Lambert's voice is incredible. I hope he will do this musical one day!!

[prisonernumber24601]

@batsheba1000 No offense, but Lambert's teen pop American Idol voice ruins the song for me. It's a rock opera, suited for rock voices. I hope he does not do Superstar.

[BabeRainbow59]

I have seen JCS about 17 times - I was fortunate to see Steve Balsamo and Zubin Varla live and they were the absolute best - AWESOME !!!!!

[walks1000]

@BabeRainbow59

Totally agree these 2 together epitomised this story totally...

[ssjcuk]

@BabeRainbow59 they were amazing - so so good I have seen it 7 times and they were the very best - I saw them first and although all the other s were good they didnt come close, Steve Balsamo and Zubin Varla were unbelievable they both made me cry watching them, wish they would do it again!!

[C3DMagic]

I love this version. Thanks for posting!

[itsbritneybitch69]

saw him bout 10-15 times doing this play at covent garden,best cast,i mustve been about 17,nice guy in real life,sounds even better in real life

[AlexK1986]

One of my favourite versions of this song!

[papalaz4444244]

Carl Anderson rules! this is so poncy.

[PtolemyJones]

This guy sucks... it's a rock opera, damn it, not a seniors only after dinner show. So over the top, it's almost funny. Where's Murray Head when we need him... sigh.

[scartaka]

this guy sings it really well, but I like the verson from Jerome Pardon the most! For my next statment, you all would jump into my face :D, because I don't like the version from Carl Anderson , I don't know , may becaurse Jeromes version I heard first....

your scartaka

[cdharg]

This guy is good but I think Drew Sarich blows him away along with Carl Anderson. Haven't heard anyone better!!!!!

[71452c]

great singer, still I prefer Carl Anderson's delivery. More feeling and energy

[sebenoky]

There are many great versions of this song. But this is IMO the best of them all. Zubin rocks.

[tilis83]

JESUUUUUUUUUS.................­..

[Becketts43]

My favourite Judas.

[gubban2]

the best judas ever <3

[R2burde]

for such an amazing song its hard to find a really good version of it. this guy was great.

[ThePurplediplidocus]

zubin is great

[scarlsoninc]

he holds the notes to long at some points when it is inappropiate but when he needs to he doesnt have them long enough and kinda takes some points a little slow. Good voice though

[babystinky]

Carl Anderson is #1. #2. Is Murray Head. Listen to both. Zubin Varla is great, as is a lot of other singers even Adam Lambert! But really, I have never heard the soul that Carl has recreated. Carl "felt" this deep down.

[Lotielin]

I love love LOVE this version!!!!!!!!!!

[Dylboy999]

i dont care zubin varla by far makes the best judas his voice is so powerful and clear.

[g15206]

Awesome vocal control. You hear the score. He must have REALLY tried not to listen to the great Carl Anderson. Good for him!!!

[wijinksi]

hands down, favorite Judas. amazing.

[superantichristlover]

The first Christian to die wins! Judas was the first

Christian to die for Jesus Christ!! and the Last Anti-Christ! The first will be last and the last will be first!

[superantichristlover]

Good old Judas, he was the first or the last to die before Jesus Christ! By suicide!

[sweetdee1959]

Carl Anderson was such a great singer and actor. He was from my hometown Lynchburg VA and we are still very proud of him. RIP Carl.

[jazzymcjazzster]

wait....he's the guy from little dorrit lol wow...contrast.

[Rinskesmiles]

CARL ANDERSON!!!!

[mtramm]

This is the best of all the performances on judas. This fella actually have a voice you can remember, and his technique is amazing.

[czahnie]

aussie version is waaaaaaaaaaaaay better!!

[hed99bpb]

the best vocal for judas, it's like if judas should have a voice it should be this :) emotional i can't say, it's only a record, no one can say if a person puts feelings into a record. You can't hear it on anyone. Not even Steven Balsamos version of Gethsemane, which is the most emotional musical i have ever heard. On the record he just sounds like a guy loving his falsetto :P

[couturesixfour]

he ain't no Carl!! he's kinda corny. carl put more soul into it. it was a good blend with the rock. their isn't much emotion in this song. he's just singing. he hasn't layered this song much. and he is cheating the belts on the big notes. so why is he the best again?

[metalbass406]

He's amazing...Zubin is most definitely the best Judas...no disrespect to Carl Anderson though. Does anybody know if there are any videos in YouTube where i can watch him performing,not the audio only?

[TheSpacesinthehall]

This is one of the best versions of "Heaven on their Minds" I think I've ever heard... and I mean EVER!

[MithraMusic]

Wow, I think this is one of the only performer I've heard who can actually compare to Carl Anderson. Incredible! I'm so glad I heard this vid.

[Skullin7r]

Drew Sarich?

[MithraMusic]

He's great, but I'm talking about a completely personal opinion, so while Drew is unbelievably talented and a great singer and performer, he's not one of the ones who really "does it" for me.

[Saphirechevy]

@MithraMusic I don't think so. Carl Anderson is the one and only.

[MithraMusic]

I didn't say he's better, haha, I just said that IMO he's definitely the closest alternative to Carl for me.

[1greenny]

such symbios of Pradon & Sarich XD its really funny!!! never hear it before, AMAZING!

[flint66669]

zubin is the best judas, studio and live, awesome vocals. saw him perform in 96 with steve balsamo, totally superb.

[ChrisW21341]

Drew Sarich is better.

[saraomidvar]

god damn this is the best judas

[matmoose]

This guy's brilliant. He's easily the best, and the guitars sound like proper guitars in this recording.

[ssjcuk]

@matmoose me too - they were amazing - I have seen it 7 times and they were by far the best :-)

[THExPHANTRESS]

He has the best raw, rock n roll voice, but I actually prefer Roger Daltrey's version, his voice is much older and rougher, but it just seems right coming out of his mouth.

[czahnie]

jon stevens from the 1992 aussie cast is pretty awesome as well!!!! right up there!

[LeavesNoTrace]

Zubin! Saw you in Spooks a few years ago, Nice one!

Regards from fellow Ex Stratfordite Dirty Duck drinker :) Still got the flash motor?

[jalidav1]

by a mile, the best recording of this song ever. Zubin Varla rocks my socks

[dernhelm1984]

Zubin Varla is absolutely the best Judas. I never get tired of listening to him.

[KhelBlack]

Unfortunately he sounds amazing only on album. His live perfomances are bad. Especially "Heaven on their minds".

[skycry33]

this is a good one 2d best carl anderson is better in my opinion

[GASCONDUDE]

THE BES JUDAS EVER

[GASCONDUDE]

THE BEST JUDAS EVER

[SaulTiberiusNads]

I agree. This is an awesome version of this song!!!!

[darkfro]

without a doubt the best version of heaven on their minds...he was meant to sing this

[Headache721]

this is the best version of this song

[BroadwayGirl24]

THE GREATEST JUDAS EVER!

[itsbritneybitch69]

saw this at the lyceum theatre in covent garden about 10 times with zubin and steve b (playing jesus)it was amazing wish that cast wud cum back

[arykmoore]

So jealous!! Best Judas ever!

[itsbritneybitch69]

i know! i have such good memories it was about 11-12yrs ago nothing better then being drunk in london in the summer and seeing the show and chatting to them after,zubin had 2 pull my sister out of the way from gettin hit with a car,she was like "im never washing my arm again"! lol,she has though lol

[astaraelmelt]

i saw this live and i loved the way zubin played him. A little bit crazy from the start, He was truly a very good performer

[imxdefyingxgravity]

While I like Carl Anderson...no one beats the ORIGINAL Judas, Murray Head.

But I'd say that Zubin comes in 2nd to him, with Jerome Pradon following him, mainly because of the HUGE amount of emotion he puts into it. But yeah... Murray Head is the winner, hands down.

[jeffmaelstrom]

Meh, he's too musical theatre for me. I prefer a real rock/singer singer. Nobody beats Carl Anderson.

[luvzywooz]

BEST VERSION EVA!! This was defo made for him...end of story!!! ;P x x

[verdibahnsen]

no one does this better than john stevens...I'm sorry end of story

[luvdrma09]

ummmm no.....zubin AND definitely Drew Sarich does this WAYYYYY better!

[verdibahnsen]

drew sarich comes close, but seriously go listen to jon stevens do it

[luvdrma09]

i just listened to him......he's an amazing singer but im not getting the "listen to me/frustration" from him. he sounds like he just likes the song and is singing it because its good. idk i think Drew is still better

[silkrhiannon]

Excellent version of this song. I liked the 2000 cast with Jerome Pradon as Judas but Zubin blows him away.

[LordMoe9]

Zubin is great, but Carl Anderson destroys everyone else

[imgonnaeatamoose]

@LordMoe9 Drew Sarich Has a fantastic voice as well.

[babystinky]

@imgonnaeatamoose

Drew is a great actor. But his voice does what a lot of singers have happen. His higher notes get a "little squeezed". Singers Like Carl--Little Richard--Mccartney--seem to be able to hit higher notes in a "growl" that is more soulful and more difficult to achieve. Listen to early Robert Plant and his "growl" it was a amazing.

[imgonnaeatamoose]

@babystinky Another reason they all sound so good is because this song is amazing too xD

[gubban2]

@LordMoe9 I disagree, I think Carl is awesome, but Zubin owns this role!

[omgshmikey]

@gubban2 See, I think you're wrong. Carl Anderson sang this song with so much more soul. This guy is good, but CARL is the one who owns this role.

[gubban2]

@omgshmikey as earlier said, I too love Carl, he really gets the part of Judas well. And I never saw Zubin live, so I don't know how his acting was ( I would have to guess brilliant though), but I think he sings better than Carl overall, but I guess that's where we disagree xD

[lickmestick182]

@LordMoe9 Carl Anderson sucks

[jalidav1]

this is by one thousand miles the best recording of this song ever

[fieryheadedgirl]

I absolutely agree. Zubin Varla is so incredibly sexy too, man what I wouldn't give...!

[bigstuff204]

amazing - put simply

[xofintimacy]

anybody know where to find the other songs from the 1996 london cast?

[Chocciesavedmylife]

London 1996 cast can not be beat by anyone, I love Zubins voice.

He was amazing live

[BroadwayGirl24]

THE BEST!!!

he is so amazing.

[freudshaped]

zubin = best judas, and i've heard TONNES. can't fault this recording! i go to the same youth theatre that he used to go to.

[czahnie]

The aussie version was a straight forward rock concert version! so there was no need for "acting!!"

[johnvaljean]

My favorite Judas. If you want an angry Judas with no emotional depth go ahead and get the Aussie cast. Sorry but Judas needs various levels. It's called acting. Plus zubin's nasal british (danish?) rock voice is so appealing.

[Unflexablegrace]

Perfect balance between polish and soul.

Best version I've heard.

[pikeybot]

not as good as the film version but comes close.

[SharonluvsJesus]

Better than the original! Amazingly piercing to the soul and heart as well as the ears. Stargazer

[Lotielin]

This is my favourite version of the song!

[czahnie]

BUT CHECK THAT END NOTE!! AWESOME!

[czahnie]

SORRY PEOPLE. THE 1992 AUSSIE CAST SHITS ALL OVER THIS! Are you people deaf?

[SecretBroadwayLover]

best recording.

best judas.

i cant even listen to any of the others because no one can compare to him.

plus the instrumentals on this recording are so much better.

[Chocciesavedmylife]

Same here, have tried watching and listening to other versions its this cast all the way.

[jalidav1]

totally agree, most other singers dont make it past the first 'jesuuuuuus' for me. this is amazing, he should definitely sing more

[rachpheonix]

Definitely my favorite recording of the show.

[jalidav1]

best recording of this song ever

[maryjivinjane]

Wow!!

[mapend]

I'm not going to lie, when I first heard this version (like... 8 years ago now... oh god.... it's been that long?) I thought this voice was way to smooth for Judas, but the more I listened to it, and got used to it, the more I fell in love. Every Judas has a great quality to them, that make them unique. I don't really have a favorite Judas for that reason. (well... ok, i am in love with Serken Kaya for being so damn hot, but that's beside the point :) )

[klmnumbers]

i ADORE this recording of this show.

I really fell in love with Zubin from this recording, oh man. His voice is just rough enough that it's not too polished. Judas' death scene kills me everytime I listen to it.

[jalidav1]

zubin varla has one of my favourite voices, the guy is amazing

[kayaminnie]

i think this is the best recording of JCS great Judas and Jesus. I really love Steve as Jesus and Zubin as Judas. But Drew Sarich is the best Judas for me.

[emiaal]

varla is the best!!!!

[goepinflames]

Eeek!

Zubin! <3

This version is so good.

He is most certainly my favorite.

He has a great voice and I can just...wow...

'Nuff said.

[boffe19]

Isn't this recording from London?

[fuckapotomis]

i agree wit drwebflaxfloo varla is better than pradon. fave judas deffo

[dqb1970]

I saw JCS at the Odeon in London, back in '97 this guy Zubin Varla was amazing. Great voice

[Oathbreakingninja]

Wow this guy is basically on par with Carl Anderson.

[riddlefiddler]

Which recording does he appear on?

[mapend]

1996 if I'm not mistaken.

[artearo80]

This guy's good, love his voice and depth.

[BLU8]

I love his version of this song! He's one of my favourite Judas'!

[DrWebflaxFLOO]

Varla is the good version of Pradon.

[youdontknowjack24]

amen, just as steve blasamo is the good version of glen carter

[bigstuff204]

Varla and Balsamo are the 2 greatest Judas and Jesus of all time. Carl Anderson and Ted Neeley included! Pretty big statement to make i am aware.

[Slamazzar]

Along with "Let The Sunshine In" - the most moving song I know!