Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds (Alive) - The eve of the war 26-11-2010 Antwerp

Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds was performed alive on stage at the Lotto-Arena in Antwerp Belgium on november 26, 2010.

Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds is a 1978 concept album by composer Jeff Wayne, retelling the story of the 1898 novel The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells. Its format is progressive rock using narration and leitmotifs to carry the story along in between rhyming melodic lyrics that express the feelings of various characters. It features Academy Award nominated actor Richard Burton, Justin Hayward (of The Moody Blues), Chris Thompson (of Manfred Mann), Phil Lynott (of Thin Lizzy), Julie Covington (of Evita), and David Essex. Wayne conducts what would come to be known as the Black Smoke Band and the ULLAdubULLA string orchestra. This classic album was in the top 10 in 22 countries and reached #1 in 11 countries including The Netherlands and Australia, in all its releases it sold over 14 million copies worldwide.

The first performance of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds Alive on Stage was in April 2006. Jeff Wayne returned to conduct the 48-piece ULLAdubULLA Strings and 10-piece Black Smoke Band. A "virtual" Richard Burton (a projected image of a young Burton) performs as The Journalist. Justin Hayward reprises his original role as The Sung Thoughts of The Journalist and Chris Thompson returns as The Voice Of Humanity. Also from the original recording are Chris Spedding playing lead guitar (the heat ray) and Herbie Flowers on bass guitar. Other artists on this tour were Rhydian Roberts as Parson Nathaniel, Jason Donovan as The Artilleryman and Liz McClarnon (of Atomic Kitten) as Beth.

By the way if you ever get the chance also listen to Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of Spartacus , released in 1992, Jeff Wayne's only other major a part of The War of the Worlds. Its cast included Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta Jones, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Jimmy Helms (London Beat), Alan King, Chris Thompson and Marillion's Fish.

The song is "The eve of the war", the opening track of the first half of "The War of The Worlds" entitled "The coming of the Martians", in which it is stated that the chances of anything living on Mars are a million ton one. The vocals, both on the album and in this live setting, are by Justin Hayward.

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