Some fighting going on here, most of the Jesus singers aren't really comparable anyways, their voices are all different! All do a great job though, be it crazy Neely falsettos or crazy Farnham high notes! I suppose we should just be glad that music can be so open to interpretation and that nobody's wrong with what they think, but they're not right either. Respect the singers, if they're trying to give the song justice then that's good enough for me! :)
Here's the scoop folks. Jesus Christ Superstar SUCKS. The movie, the music the actors, the singers, the songs, the fairy tale bullshit subject...throughout the history of the tens of thousands of famous to no-name performers....all of it SUCKS!!!!!. It is a piece of shit from start to finish. Farnham's REAL SINGING contributions to this decades old abominational "falsetto fest" BY ALL BEFORE HIM make it a tiny bit bearable. Now shut the fuck up and go listen to your Bee Gees records.
@thespian302 I don't give a SHIT about profanity. Look up the definition of profanity or profane in the dictionary and you will see it means "not of the church". An organization based on a fairy tale will NOT dictate to me what I can and cannot say.
@FreeTheRocks Drew Sarich uses falsetto as well but still rocks it pretty hard, do you know his version? I'm not saying it's better than Farnham just maybe something you could also appreciate
@FreeTheRocks woah dude, im not trying to start anything, im not religious or anything just into theatre. i consider profanity "the use of obscene language in an uncalled situation" i didnt do anything to provoke just simply voiced my opinion. i like this music and the show, as i said, this show got me into classic rock. anywho, nice to have met you.
i just consider myself so lucky/fortunate to be able to listen to this version. it touches me at a place that only this version can. first its the voice,than the instrumentation,than the primal level that john and the arrangement of David bring out. its such a driving primal real version. i thought i'd be sick of it ,i've listened to it so many times but it just keeps opening up to new levels. it puts my poor little heart on the deck just about every time .
I personally prefer either versions with the upper G twice throughout the culmination (as Ian's) or non-falsetto ones (Wilkinson's). Nevertheless, that's a really good rock.
John might not be able to create such emotional intensity as well as Steve Balsamo... But my God, HE CAN SING! Definitely the most impressive vocal performance of this song, without a doubt my favorite version! Sends shivers down my spine, everytime he reaches the high part!
All this talk about who is better is just pathetic! Music is not about who is better, but about what YOU enjoy most! Telling someone they are wrong for liking one more than the other is just stupid.
My goodness... this performance just takes my breath away. Superb range and control and dynamics... a master at work. I could listen to this over and over. It's flawless.
And as for Michael he actually has a Contralto voice and is doing it in tuxedo on a Variety concert or in a studio. John is doing it a'la ROCK Concert! So therefore there is no comparison!
But check out Steve - Sorry he just blitzes the contest!
I am not comparing because it is done in a different style but Michael Crawford does a superb version of this - without falsetto and takes the top notes superbly and at length. Worth a listen but don't make comparisons
but the vocal itself is incredible. Best? that's just a judgement ...to each his/her own -- but this is not my favourite; and surely you can find a more flattering photo of the great Mr. Farnham?
I love this instrumentation, of course this is for him solo not the play, but it would still sound awesome. His vocals are great, but he doesn't hit the high notes, which I know he is capable of.eh, B+/A-
as you age, it is difficult to hit higher notes with either the falsetto or head. these singers are always getting some treatment to get their voices through. this is a nice version, but it is not as good as Ted's version. Doesn't mean that John isn't a better singer, just that for this Ted Neely was the King of the role.
Well, I'm blown away, to use an overused expression, I hadn't heard this before. Man, I love Farnham more than ever. Wonderful arrangement, very powerful. Thank you,
The thing is. John Farnham is very good but, it jus lacks something. but, the song was MEANT to be sung falsetto. while i don't really rate ted neeley, great singer though he might be. the high notes lack edge. but Balsamo shoots for the moon and he gets there sending chills down my spine with the harsh overtones from he falsetto but, forget all of them because Ian Gillan who performed the original studio recording in 1970 sings it with all the beautiy and subtlety this song requires. genius
@voltman57 Gillan was probably the worst person to sing this. listen to the album, it's cut before every high part so he could hit the notes. although it was technically a concept album, I'll give him credit for trying, but Neeley blew him away and that's why ted was in the movie and on the official soundtrack, not Gillan
neeley's voice is a lanky unstable malnourished giraffe compared to john farnhams voice. It's amazing because you don't ever get to see john sing darker styles of rock like this, there's a couple of songs in this production where john sings out these metallic screaming high passages. Not a common choice for john's vocal style but omg the power behind them is just phenomenal. Johns screams would make Neeley's screams piss themselves
For many in America, John is the best vocalist of all time. As a singer and life long student of voice, it's clear that Neeley and Balsamo use a "rock" concentrated falsetto on the high notes. It doesn't make it any less exciting though. I'm just partial to John as I think he sound best all the way through. This is no down cast on Neeley's legend at the part he has made so famous.
gotta tell you there were alot of comments on a non issue here ... john didnt use a falsetto voice to hit even one not , wich is amazing , hands down the most powerful version awesome post
I think this song just demonstrates how bloody good John Farnham really is. He doesn't scream it, he doesn't falsetto - he sings it. His absolutely amazing powerful voice can carry it. I often have this song on replay! Thanks for posting
fuck you idiots who bitch and moan bout john singing with g with falsetto... wat the fuck does that even mean ?? cant u jst say wow that was excellent without being complicated bout it
@542672688 Calm down. John sings this song with very very little "falsetto". Most singers need to go "falsetto" to hit the high notes of this song. John is so good he does not need to go "falsetto". Just think of the Bee Gees...singing Staying Alive...like a bunch of women who saw a mouse...that is "falsetto"....:):):):)
I'm thinking Farnham could have hit that high G without falsetto, he hits two high F#s in The Last Supper. Still my favourite version though, by a long shot!
We can all thank David Hirschfelder for his input on the overall sound of this production.
If LRB didn't push John & David away.." with their new & hard edged sound pop sound"... Whispering Jack would be considered one of the best rock band Pop Rock albums of ALL TIME!!!
holy shit that was awesome....so glad i heard this version..i was gettin very sick of the wimpy crying versions.....if i was god and farnham was singing this to question me id completely shit myself....he means it doesnt he!......absolute classic rock voice....freetherocks thanks for the post mate!!!!!
Balsamo is fake falsetto? What is "Fake Falsetto"? You are full of shit dude! Balsamo is good in his own way, probably the best Jesus through acting. Farnham does this well, i also like Sarichs version of this song. Would like to hear Farnham do Heaven on thier minds etc.
I dont know what I think about the Bee Gees.....I mean I know they use pure falsetto and that they came up with that "ahh ahh ahh staying alive!" tune.
But how the heck does the powerful banshee screams that make up alot of the Gethsemane high G's make you think off the Bee Gees?
If you've seen Balsamo do this live, you will know he doesn't do Fake Falsetto. Sorry, but i him only 30 feet away, you see everything, warts & all. Balsamo is just incredible, full of real emotion and natural ability. i'm liking Farnham here. Love Gillan 2, this is different, not the theatrical version that Webber created for stage that's all. I like Farnham's other stuff , i'm not diss him, but U have it wrong about Balsamo mate, honest. His live stuff with his Band The Storys, is FAB too.
@telbridget What the hell are you talking about, Bridget? Do you know anything about vocal techinque? That's falsetto. He USED to have some head voice, but that's long gone. His Gethsemane is weak.
Balsamo is another fake-falsetto screamer like Gillan. Balsamo is a better "singer" than Gillan....but Balsamo's range is terribly exaggerated.....Gillan-like falsetto screaming doesn't count.
John Farnham is one of the best vocalists of the last 40 years or so and this is a great version, but it's not the best. Most people agree that the first version in 1970 has still to be bettered. Don't be so opinionated...you will turn people away from Johns marvellous interpretation!
I really like the musical arrangement of this production of the show (ie the New Zealand/Australian 90s version). It's an evolution of the original 70s score but not annoyingly so in a "Hey, look, we've made it modern!" way. The strings that come in in the "But if I die" bit and the instrumental after the "See how I die" bit are both fantastic.
Some fighting going on here, most of the Jesus singers aren't really comparable anyways, their voices are all different! All do a great job though, be it crazy Neely falsettos or crazy Farnham high notes! I suppose we should just be glad that music can be so open to interpretation and that nobody's wrong with what they think, but they're not right either. Respect the singers, if they're trying to give the song justice then that's good enough for me! :)
cookieeclipse 2 weeks ago
Here's the scoop folks. Jesus Christ Superstar SUCKS. The movie, the music the actors, the singers, the songs, the fairy tale bullshit subject...throughout the history of the tens of thousands of famous to no-name performers....all of it SUCKS!!!!!. It is a piece of shit from start to finish. Farnham's REAL SINGING contributions to this decades old abominational "falsetto fest" BY ALL BEFORE HIM make it a tiny bit bearable. Now shut the fuck up and go listen to your Bee Gees records.
FreeTheRocks 3 weeks ago
@FreeTheRocks no need for profanity, i like the musical, and before it i never really listened to rock, it got me into it :)
thespian302 5 days ago
@thespian302 I don't give a SHIT about profanity. Look up the definition of profanity or profane in the dictionary and you will see it means "not of the church". An organization based on a fairy tale will NOT dictate to me what I can and cannot say.
FreeTheRocks 5 days ago
@FreeTheRocks Drew Sarich uses falsetto as well but still rocks it pretty hard, do you know his version? I'm not saying it's better than Farnham just maybe something you could also appreciate
MrVictorPhineas 4 days ago
@FreeTheRocks woah dude, im not trying to start anything, im not religious or anything just into theatre. i consider profanity "the use of obscene language in an uncalled situation" i didnt do anything to provoke just simply voiced my opinion. i like this music and the show, as i said, this show got me into classic rock. anywho, nice to have met you.
thespian302 4 days ago
i just consider myself so lucky/fortunate to be able to listen to this version. it touches me at a place that only this version can. first its the voice,than the instrumentation,than the primal level that john and the arrangement of David bring out. its such a driving primal real version. i thought i'd be sick of it ,i've listened to it so many times but it just keeps opening up to new levels. it puts my poor little heart on the deck just about every time .
flatoutt1 1 month ago
Ian Gillan did it the best.
TheQuiZNoKid 2 months ago
@TheQuiZNoKid If you mean that he SUCKED the best then yes....you are correct.
FreeTheRocks 2 months ago
@TheQuiZNoKid Nah, don't agree. Gillan was good, Farham also good, Balsamo BRILLIANT!
terrywboyd 3 weeks ago
Really really awesome version, but I miss something, it's the musicaltheatre part of this song and the falsetto. Still awesome thoguh
MrVictorPhineas 2 months ago
So, what you're claiming is that this version is better that Ted Neely's from "Jesus Christ Superstar"?...LOL!!!
WiseGuy5674 3 months ago
@WiseGuy5674 Ted the falsetto king who also talks through most of his performance? Yep...that's him.
FreeTheRocks 3 months ago
pretty sick rendition. i have to say that the picture you chose for the video isn't very flattering though haha
emeproducti0ns 3 months ago
I personally prefer either versions with the upper G twice throughout the culmination (as Ian's) or non-falsetto ones (Wilkinson's). Nevertheless, that's a really good rock.
art10nik 4 months ago
8 people hoped for disco version?
Rotceev 4 months ago
This is a mad version! super rocker, great!!
Agus3Mundo 4 months ago
The photo gives credit to the effort this guy puts intoa song
westsarebest 6 months ago
It's a great rock cover, one of the best perhaps.
But the feeling of Neeley's version would never be beat it for anybody, no Farnham, no Balsamo, no one!!!!!!
evilryu0 7 months ago
"THE BEST version ever....hands down."
I agree!!!
:)
Malwinacz 8 months ago
Ich habe mehrere Versionen gehört. Alle sind gut, aber diese ist wohl besser
MrPassante 9 months ago
John might not be able to create such emotional intensity as well as Steve Balsamo... But my God, HE CAN SING! Definitely the most impressive vocal performance of this song, without a doubt my favorite version! Sends shivers down my spine, everytime he reaches the high part!
Mark1871 9 months ago
Just wait... the greatest ever is coming in 2012. You won't believe it!!!
pianomankl 1 year ago
My personal favorite. Reminds me of singers like Johnny Gioeli, and Dio in a Broadway context.
CloudcoleVII 1 year ago
All this talk about who is better is just pathetic! Music is not about who is better, but about what YOU enjoy most! Telling someone they are wrong for liking one more than the other is just stupid.
dantennis87 1 year ago 9
My goodness... this performance just takes my breath away. Superb range and control and dynamics... a master at work. I could listen to this over and over. It's flawless.
trumsolon 1 year ago
John is brilliant but "Steve Balsamo" is perfect!
And as for Michael he actually has a Contralto voice and is doing it in tuxedo on a Variety concert or in a studio. John is doing it a'la ROCK Concert! So therefore there is no comparison!
But check out Steve - Sorry he just blitzes the contest!
Chookas! ♥Ü♥
4adgray2 1 year ago
@4adgray2 Being afraid(or refusing) to compare a falsetto loser to a real singer seems to be all the rage these days.
FreeTheRocks 1 year ago
I am not comparing because it is done in a different style but Michael Crawford does a superb version of this - without falsetto and takes the top notes superbly and at length. Worth a listen but don't make comparisons
indah007 1 year ago
best version of this song, agreed ;D thank you for uploading!
TheSamara89kitten 1 year ago
EPIC!
mars500 1 year ago
...the vocal is lost in the mix to my ears.
but the vocal itself is incredible. Best? that's just a judgement ...to each his/her own -- but this is not my favourite; and surely you can find a more flattering photo of the great Mr. Farnham?
thisNewFoundLand 1 year ago
@thisNewFoundLand This is not a flattering photo?....to each his own I guess.
FreeTheRocks 1 year ago
@FreeTheRocks
well, i have seen better images -- but as we have said -- to each his own. thanks for the upload, by the way; Farnham is amazing.
thisNewFoundLand 1 year ago
@thisNewFoundLand The vocals seem lost in the mix because there is ALOT of reverb on them in the mix
00Ibanezist00 1 year ago
I love this instrumentation, of course this is for him solo not the play, but it would still sound awesome. His vocals are great, but he doesn't hit the high notes, which I know he is capable of.eh, B+/A-
zorland876 1 year ago
WTF.
Nuchicin 1 year ago
epic, i'm a huge ted fan, but i might have to admit that this is amazing.
michaelkringeta 1 year ago
as you age, it is difficult to hit higher notes with either the falsetto or head. these singers are always getting some treatment to get their voices through. this is a nice version, but it is not as good as Ted's version. Doesn't mean that John isn't a better singer, just that for this Ted Neely was the King of the role.
babystinky 1 year ago
wow ... I admired that ... brought me to tears ... impressed me incredibly ... A piece of ART in any respect and I´m greatful, it has been kept!!
Thanks so far ... I´m cordially grateful ...
vonschmeling 1 year ago
Well, I'm blown away, to use an overused expression, I hadn't heard this before. Man, I love Farnham more than ever. Wonderful arrangement, very powerful. Thank you,
chinook40 1 year ago
Absolutely Fantastic, the best voice of all time, John farnham is the best singer. please a new cd John.
alfredo1967 2 years ago
The thing is. John Farnham is very good but, it jus lacks something. but, the song was MEANT to be sung falsetto. while i don't really rate ted neeley, great singer though he might be. the high notes lack edge. but Balsamo shoots for the moon and he gets there sending chills down my spine with the harsh overtones from he falsetto but, forget all of them because Ian Gillan who performed the original studio recording in 1970 sings it with all the beautiy and subtlety this song requires. genius
voltman57 2 years ago 2
@voltman57 Gillan was probably the worst person to sing this. listen to the album, it's cut before every high part so he could hit the notes. although it was technically a concept album, I'll give him credit for trying, but Neeley blew him away and that's why ted was in the movie and on the official soundtrack, not Gillan
MichaelStan2009 1 year ago
neeley's voice is a lanky unstable malnourished giraffe compared to john farnhams voice. It's amazing because you don't ever get to see john sing darker styles of rock like this, there's a couple of songs in this production where john sings out these metallic screaming high passages. Not a common choice for john's vocal style but omg the power behind them is just phenomenal. Johns screams would make Neeley's screams piss themselves
guyverdio 2 years ago
For many in America, John is the best vocalist of all time. As a singer and life long student of voice, it's clear that Neeley and Balsamo use a "rock" concentrated falsetto on the high notes. It doesn't make it any less exciting though. I'm just partial to John as I think he sound best all the way through. This is no down cast on Neeley's legend at the part he has made so famous.
bworth4 2 years ago 2
gotta tell you there were alot of comments on a non issue here ... john didnt use a falsetto voice to hit even one not , wich is amazing , hands down the most powerful version awesome post
sunfit72 2 years ago 5
I think this song just demonstrates how bloody good John Farnham really is. He doesn't scream it, he doesn't falsetto - he sings it. His absolutely amazing powerful voice can carry it. I often have this song on replay! Thanks for posting
sharzberry 2 years ago
Great voice!!!!!!!!! wow!
Scumbaa 2 years ago
fuck you idiots who bitch and moan bout john singing with g with falsetto... wat the fuck does that even mean ?? cant u jst say wow that was excellent without being complicated bout it
542672688 2 years ago
@542672688 Calm down. John sings this song with very very little "falsetto". Most singers need to go "falsetto" to hit the high notes of this song. John is so good he does not need to go "falsetto". Just think of the Bee Gees...singing Staying Alive...like a bunch of women who saw a mouse...that is "falsetto"....:):):):)
FreeTheRocks 2 years ago 3
Ha, I love the 80s hard rock sound here! This is definitely a unique but awesome interpretation. Thanks so much for posting!
MithraMusic 2 years ago
your right!!!! quote best version ever hands down, get over it end quote!
czahnie 2 years ago 2
I'm thinking Farnham could have hit that high G without falsetto, he hits two high F#s in The Last Supper. Still my favourite version though, by a long shot!
StageHolder 2 years ago
This arrangiament is awesome!!!
DavidatorXXX 2 years ago 2
We can all thank David Hirschfelder for his input on the overall sound of this production.
If LRB didn't push John & David away.." with their new & hard edged sound pop sound"... Whispering Jack would be considered one of the best rock band Pop Rock albums of ALL TIME!!!
Metalhead1979 2 years ago
way "harder" than any other version i've heard. wouldn't go over all too well in america.
michaelkringeta 2 years ago
I have to admit I am impressed. Never been a great fan of his. But it is good
F1KillerQueen 2 years ago
Ted Neeley just set the bar too high. This is really good though. I like the new interpretation, guess you could say that it is better in some ways
ShaggyRaggy 2 years ago
not a Farnham fan but he was freakin brilliant in this...awesome song, the best in the musical!
23flowergirl 2 years ago 2
holy shit that was awesome....so glad i heard this version..i was gettin very sick of the wimpy crying versions.....if i was god and farnham was singing this to question me id completely shit myself....he means it doesnt he!......absolute classic rock voice....freetherocks thanks for the post mate!!!!!
swizzle1977 2 years ago 3
Balsamo is fake falsetto? What is "Fake Falsetto"? You are full of shit dude! Balsamo is good in his own way, probably the best Jesus through acting. Farnham does this well, i also like Sarichs version of this song. Would like to hear Farnham do Heaven on thier minds etc.
AdamJamesWoolley 2 years ago
This video:
Steve Balsamo - Gethsemane (ALW's Birthday Concert 14 Sept 08)
YouTube sMjg7Gl0VtQ
@ 7 minutes....fake, falsetto crap.
I like his voice....but I truly detest falsetto "head voice" singers.
Jesus Christ Superstar itself is a piece of crap IMO...Farnham is the only one who has done 99.9% of it without falsetto crap.
FreeTheRocks 2 years ago
Im not sure if Steve Balsamo is using "fake falsetto".
What is soo detestable about Head voice singers anyway?
PennyDreadful1 2 years ago 3
Two words..... Bee Gees.
FreeTheRocks 2 years ago
Ehh Bee Gees?
I dont know what I think about the Bee Gees.....I mean I know they use pure falsetto and that they came up with that "ahh ahh ahh staying alive!" tune.
But how the heck does the powerful banshee screams that make up alot of the Gethsemane high G's make you think off the Bee Gees?
PennyDreadful1 2 years ago
@FreeTheRocks Bee Gees aren't head voice. They're falsetto-users. And terrible.
DrFlaxWebFLOO 2 years ago
That's what I said.
FreeTheRocks 2 years ago
If you've seen Balsamo do this live, you will know he doesn't do Fake Falsetto. Sorry, but i him only 30 feet away, you see everything, warts & all. Balsamo is just incredible, full of real emotion and natural ability. i'm liking Farnham here. Love Gillan 2, this is different, not the theatrical version that Webber created for stage that's all. I like Farnham's other stuff , i'm not diss him, but U have it wrong about Balsamo mate, honest. His live stuff with his Band The Storys, is FAB too.
telbridget 2 years ago
@telbridget What the hell are you talking about, Bridget? Do you know anything about vocal techinque? That's falsetto. He USED to have some head voice, but that's long gone. His Gethsemane is weak.
DrFlaxWebFLOO 2 years ago
@DrFlaxWebFLOO No, no - his voice is in fantastic shape now as years ago. He sings in full head voice/mixed register. Not a bit of falsetto here.
colino72 1 year ago
John Farnham is great in this role ... but the best at this has got to be Trevor White (aussie stage production 1970's) ...
roxycat68 2 years ago
Hmm his high parts sound pretty airy...not bad but airy
PennyDreadful1 2 years ago
Comment removed
boris357 2 years ago
Balsamo is another fake-falsetto screamer like Gillan. Balsamo is a better "singer" than Gillan....but Balsamo's range is terribly exaggerated.....Gillan-like falsetto screaming doesn't count.
FreeTheRocks 2 years ago
Ted Neely was the best
MidnightRequiem7 2 years ago
Then why is this in your favorites?..:):):):)
FreeTheRocks 2 years ago
Hahaha, It´s a great version too
MidnightRequiem7 2 years ago
Holy shit, Farnsey is kickin' arse! 8D
HanoiKyle 2 years ago
my favourite is drew sarich, or steve balsamo, but this is quite good, from overall vocal performance :)
tubbiestix 2 years ago
gran interpretacion, no la mejor pero en verdad poderosa y con sentimiento
nunez666 2 years ago
La mejor.
KathyRockett 2 years ago
Simply the best version there has ever been..or will be :-)
cat131313 2 years ago 3
Absolutely agree with you.
SugarplumSue 2 years ago
I grew up with this album- nothing else will ever compare for me. I will always think of John as the best Jesus ever.
toryvbaby 2 years ago
Without a doubt the greatest rock tenor of our age, and probably the greatest version of this song in a true 'rock' sense.
NickLM2008 3 years ago 15
I agree
pungadoo 2 years ago
i think you'll find best version is by darryl lovegrove new zealand cast recording...I KICKS ARSE!!!!! x x x
Stalkergirl123 3 years ago
John Farnham is one of the best vocalists of the last 40 years or so and this is a great version, but it's not the best. Most people agree that the first version in 1970 has still to be bettered. Don't be so opinionated...you will turn people away from Johns marvellous interpretation!
tertious3 3 years ago 3
This was the 1994 Aussie show right? I love the arrangments they used in that show... great version. Not Ted Though... but great
penty14 3 years ago
it's a great voice. not the best, but a great voice!
henrysvg 3 years ago 2
I really like the musical arrangement of this production of the show (ie the New Zealand/Australian 90s version). It's an evolution of the original 70s score but not annoyingly so in a "Hey, look, we've made it modern!" way. The strings that come in in the "But if I die" bit and the instrumental after the "See how I die" bit are both fantastic.
raisingirl83 3 years ago
so many songs have this name...
PANDAWILLPWN 3 years ago
this shits all over the other contemporary versions. infact the whole cast is awesome!
czahnie 3 years ago 4
Thanks for this - JF is awesome. I miss him. Have you listened to his Black Dog sound check on here?
bunnieroe 3 years ago 8
Farnham is hands down the best Jesus, if not the best male vocalist in the world. No argument.
Metalhead1979 3 years ago
Totally agree - John is THE best vocalist there ever has been or ever will be.
SugarplumSue 3 years ago 2
gillan is the best jesus
adriano079 3 years ago
Your "favorites" are full of Bon Jovi stuff....:):):):)
FreeTheRocks 3 years ago
yes i like bon jovi but not alone, i like guns n roses, deep purple, acdc, mr big, queen and aerosmith
adriano079 3 years ago
Totally agree - no argument from me:-)
SugarplumSue 3 years ago