Correction:Tough to compare here simply because the version of SB is from an orchestral concert and not from the show itself. His performance in the actual west end performance was more edgy and rock inspired. Nice to see though that there are intelligent comments here and NOT just the usual tearing down of one or the other. All 3 were great. I saw Neeley in 1972 in Baltimore and he was awesome. I still listen to the vinyl with Ian and as a whole just love that work. Thanks for posting.
Ted Neeley is so much better because he is not just singing a song. He has a story to tell us first and foremost. Too many who done this part, are self absorbed, and miss the mark.
Well said. Ted Neeley tells a story and his emotions ring true. The other singers show off how brilliant they are - I totally dislike Balsamo's version.
Gesang kann ausdrucksvoll nur sein, wenn die Technik selber perfekt ist. Technik bedeutet nämlich Einigkeit mit Instrument zu sein. Unser Instrument ist der Körper mit Stimmbändern und Luft, und die Seele kann alles ganz frei, momentan ausdrücken, was sie im Moment Fühlt: kein Abstand. Ohne Technik sind Möglichkeiten des Sängers begrenzt. Und die echte Farbe der Stimme ist bedrückt. Die Stimme fließt und fliegt nicht. Steve beherrscht die Stimme absolut. Ich hatte Gesangsunterricht bei der Renommierten Professorin. Ich wundere mich einfach, dass die Leute nicht immer den grossen ästhetischen Unterschied nicht hört. ❤
Bei der richtigen Gesangstechnik geht es um die Fähigkeit, natürliche Resonatoren, also „Mikrofone“, die sich in unserem Körper befinden, zu nutzen. Wer sie nicht nutzt, muss Druck auf seine Stimme ausüben. Es werden die Schwingungen des Hals-Chakras genutzt, nicht die des Kopf-Chakras. Jeder Druck reduziert Vibrationen. Alles ist wie im Leben - wenn man Gewalt anwendet, wird ein Gegenstand oder ein Lebewesen mit Widerstand reagieren, denn es gibt keine Freiheit. Das heißt, die Vibrationen sind geringer. Der Sänger hat die Illusion, dass er lauter, emotionaler usw. singtTatsächlich sind die Schwingungen seiner Emotionen niedriger als die Schwingungen der Emotionen eines Sängers, der die Gesangstechnik beherrscht und Nasen- und Kopfresonatoren verwendet. Beim richtigen Singen strömt Luft durch die Resonatoren. Luft sendet Schall weit, und dank der Beherrschung von Luft und Resonatoren kann alles jederzeit geändert werden, so wie ein Geiger mit einem Bogen den Klang einer Geige sofort ändern kann. Der Klang dehnt sich aus, fließt, ist weit weg und ohne Mikrofon zu hören. Sie können sofort von lautem Gesang zu leisem Gesang wechseln und umgekehrt. Die Resonatoren selbst befinden sich im Kopfchakra. Dabei wird die Energie des Kopfchakras genutzt. Und Luft ist die Seele selbst. Es ist kein Zufall, dass die Seele eines Menschen den Körper verlässt, wenn er aufhört zu atmen. Steve singt mit Luft, ohne Druck.
@@zariza62 "Singing can only be expressive if the technique itself is perfect". No WRONG. Most often a perfect or auto tuned voice, is much less expressive. Imperfections convey raw emotions. Almost nobody's voice is perfect, so it doesn't sound real.
If it wasn't for Ian who wailed with just the right emotion, not too much and set the standard for Ted and Steve who have many yrs to refine the performance to the audiences. Imagine the preparation before and three hours Ian did in singing for the record, only three hours and still defining the perfect Jesus while the rest improvised and refine into automatic performance. Still none could top Ian.
I saw Ted live in the 90's and it was wonderful, but side by side like this really showcases Steve's amazing voice. His singing is effortless and that range is crazy good! Chills for sure.
For me it's Ian Gillan hands down. He shows more than just his ability to sing. He shows a full array of emotions from confusion, to anger, to being exhausted, then finally resigned to the inevitable
It's Ian Gillan all the way! The entire original cast recording is made up of the definitive singers for this rock opera, in my opinion. They are all utterly superb. And the original recording has recently been remastered. A worthwhile purchase for all JCS fans. I have been playing it over again and again since getting it.
No, absolutely no joke. Steve's voice is tearful and beautiful. His range is incredible. His emotion is palpable. His interpretation is much more on the "sad & tired" side of the song. Ian was on the original recording, but when casting for the movie, ALW was blown away & said he knew instantly that Ted Neeley was the only one for the part. It's a 70's ROCK opera. No one rocks it like Neeley. That's why he's been singing it all these years and still fills the seats at pretty steep prices.
Ian Guillan THE BEST!!!! Highway star Child in time Strange kind of woman Black night Smoke on the water When a blind man cry Speed king Woman from Tokio Ted...what????
They all do great performances of the song....so it's simply a matter of personal opinion....and personally speaking....I love Ted Neeley's voice the best.
Its interesting that you say Gillan's performance lacks interpretation and emotion. What is he interpreting? he was the first to perform it and nothing to interpret from. Your point about emotion is a good one, personally I hear a ton of emotion in Gillans delivery but remember he is not performing for an audience where Neeley had to deliver emotion to visually as well as musically get his pont across. Neeley was a great actor/singer, but the pure voice is Gillans hands down.
Wow disappeared? Has sold over 100 million albums with Deep Purple and solo and has a top 10 album as we speak with Deep Purple in half the countries in the world. He was the only singer to be invited twice by Luciano Pavarotti to sing Nessun Dorma with him.
+Kevin Afton - That is simply your opinion, and I respect it, but I still disagree. Ian was the first...everybody else was just covering his version, as he laid the groundwork for the song. Ian shows the most emotion and expression all around in my opinion. The other guys are adding too much of an opera singer voice. I'll stick with Ian.
Rick Bowman Ian is a better singer but Ted nailed down the song. Just listen to the "why" high c part. Ian messed it up but Ted nailed it down. Ted might build on Ian's interpretation but he took it to another level with his emotion and interpretation.
@@billbelcher7099 nonsense. It is the same octave, but sounds thinner because gillan uses throaty compressed falsetto, and Ted uses connected head voice, witch has more volume.
Ian Gillan? the Deep Purple, Black Sabbath's Ian!!! Steve Balsamo's voice is so impressively high and beautiful. know him quite late at the Kompendium project album. Jesus must have the greatest voice. Amen!
Ted Neely is absolutely the best singer, no doubt. His voice is the best. More depth and soul. He's got desperation, anger and suffering at once in his interpretation. Like a real actor!
Just a question of taste realy, fantastic singers all of them. I guess Balsamo is the most educated singer but Nelley has something realy special in his voice.
No, I like range, strength and those who push to their limits. Ted is all 70's rock. He has the range. He's the ultimate. Steve's voice is like silk and I love his sadness, tears, emotion. Ian is weak and there's a reason he wasn't the star of the movie and has disappeared, lol.
Dawn Wilson he wasn‘t the star in that very weak movie because he refused the role. Where did you listen the wide range of neely, because he hadn‘t one! So, you are not very informed!
Excellent exercise - thank you! . SB is a good surprise, but I agree there's a lack of edge, perhaps for being a concert version. As for Gillan, Murray and the lot, it was and still is my true and first love. My 69 album version is one of my most cherished albums.
Have you ever seen him in person? (Ted, that is) I have many times. I took my 2 sisters and Mom the last time he was through Pittsburgh. One commented on the almost mania as Ted finished Gethsemene and the shouts of appreciation at other high notes and strong points. You're right about his fans being crazy about him, but he wouldn't have such a following if he weren't so great! Credit Ian with the "Why" scream, but the rest, sorry, it's all Ted! lol ~enjoyed the convo!
I think that Ted Neeley was very inspired in that song and for me his version is the best, especially on the highs notes I think Ted is so much identified with the part to be really god and his voice seems to come from heaven. ;) I like the Gillan version too but I don't like the Balsamo version.
123ixora agree with you all the way...with the 1973 Neeley. Ian for the voice, Neeley for emotional content. But the 1993 Neeley: WOW. The voice. The emotion. He nailed it both.
Yes, you comment is spot on. Ted is way superior when it comes to the acting. Ironically enough he is equally superior when it comes to the singing. So not much to discuss here actually.
exactly what it says - he just very like his own performance, he likes his singing, he like how his voice sounds - he doesn't care the audience, he cares about himself.
I guess it depends on how you view the song as to who is the best singer of it. If you want despair then Balsamo or Gillan are both good. Personally I view the song as one of anger and frustration with an edge of confrontation. For this reason - Ted Neeley is the man for me.
Ted Neely, he just fits my picture and sounds amazing. have never been able to replace this man in this role, but the other performers do sound excellent. it's not personal, it just is, in my opinion.
In my opinion, Ian Gillan has the best voice due to its strength and power. I find Ted Neeley's voice thin and weak. To me, it's Gillan, then Steve, then Ted.
I respect that you feel so strongly about Gillan and I do understand about hearing him first. I grew up on Superstar from the beginning. My uncle is a drummer and as soon as the album came out, he was on it, lol. I spent a lot of time with him and I loved it too. Now, all these years later and having heard many play the role, I am quite able to be objective.
Is this the one you're talking about /watch?v=Km5FMBbzjJI Time Rice says, "I remember Andrew and I were very keen for Ian to do the film" and "We would have loved him to have done the film" ;-) Ted Neeley was Norman Jewison's choice, not ALW or TR.
I am glad you made this and now I can't make up my mind. I have been around for all three. They all have great range. I was in grade school when I saw the play and have loved it every since. Now even my kids like it.
Dawn, Ted is good but the Jesus in JCSS was based off Ian Gillan's singing in Deep Purple's In Rock. Take a listen and message me what you think, /watch?v=PfAWReBmxEs
Thanks so much catheinexxyc, a very fair point -i guess i feel a Gethsamane moment breaks genres. That breakthrough can happen when music is transposed from source to movies, etc. i played this in primary sch in London,, knew no other version. Made an impression. Wouldn't listen to it for over 30yrs. When i listened to Neeley, his version rang hard as a breakthrough vocal as befits a gethsemane- broken, lost: & was never mannered. Thanks again for being so kind to consider replying. God bless
JCS is a rock opera, It was written as a rock album. Not as a film, not a Brodway musical. I can´t hear no ROCK singer here but Mr. Ian Gillan, one of the best rock singers in history.
Ted Neeley is a great actor, no doubt, but the strenght of a powerful voice, changes of tunes and overall, experience in singing is Deep Purple's vocals Ian Gillan, I respect the opinions of the others but you must think twice before to compare an actor and a pro singer. Gillan had a contract with Deep Purple on those years, so responsability keep him away from touring and making a movie...
Agreed that is what I hear as well, Neeley delivers the emotion visually and does enough vocally because he is an actor/singer. He is not a front man for one of the most powerful and influential rock bands of all time.
Jan Gillan is the most impressive! He doesn’t need body moves to express emotion, only his voice. The way he performs the high oder low keys show his ability to put emotion in his song and impress. If you close your eyes and listen the three you cannot say Gillan ins‘t the best! Neely don‘t even sing all because he can‘t and Balsamo is to weak. Gillan has the most beautiful version. You should only listen the all song
In the (pointless) discussion on 'Who's best: 'Ted or Ian' I must answer.....Steve Balsamo, hands down! Thanks for this compilation for now I am absolutely sure its SB for me all the way. All 3 have brought good things to this role, but there can only be one King of Kings! And guess what? Its not one of the 70's stars for me: I've moved on. As it appears it was time for a more theatrical, sensitive approach. The son of God... is Welsh :)
If 'whining' sounds that skilled and good, and a man who's not afraid to show his emotions is being labeled a 'Nancy boy', than man... do I love whining Nancy boys!
Funny how some people can't seem to get their point across without using insults.....I dont need to insult good people like Ted, Ian, and a lot of other ones that sung Gethsemane/the lead in JCS, and brought their own things to the role (Drew Sarich, John Farnham, etc.etc ) On topic: 'Anger' is not the only emotion you feel I imagine, facing what Jesus had to go through. Thats exacly what I dont like about Ted's performance in JCS; I couldnt relate to him throughout the whole movie. I could relate to Steve's Jesus from the first second on. But thats all in the eye of the beholder I guess... Lets agree to disagree and enjoy the great song, Hugodogobob
My observation is based on hearing him in the movie, and other RU-vid videos. To each his/her own, my preference by far is Ian, but that's what makes life interesting. And I'm taking them in their totality, not just on this particular song. By the way, I'm also from Pittsburgh. Let's Go Bucs!!! Hopefully, we can agree on that!!!!!
tough to compare gere simply because the version of SB is from an orchestral concert and not from the show itself. His performance in the actual west end performance was more edgy and rock inspired. Nice to see though that there are intelligent comments here and just the usual tearing down of one or the other. All 3 were great. I saw Neeley in 1972 in Baltimore and he was awesome. I still listen to the vinyl with Ian and as a whole just love that work. Thanks for posting.
Ted's neck is massive with muscles built from singing. Sorry, we just have to agree to disagree. Gillian was asked AFTER they had already seen and wanted Ted. Watch his interview. There is also an interview with Andrew L Webber discussing how perfect Ted was for the role. I'm aware of Gillian and Deep Purple, but we're discussing the performance of Gethsemene, the absolute highlight of the opera, the most difficult song written with its range and interpretation. Ted, hands down, can't be beat.
It's Gillan not Gillian. IG was the first choice based on his performance on Child in Time off the In Rock album.. He is the best choice and the original JC. Maybe Ted was perfect for the movie but as far as singing goes Ted is not number 1.
And I respect your opinion too, remember I think Neeley performs the song well and he was a better choice to both act and sing the part. If you remember the movie 'Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band' having pure singers act in a movie isn't usually a good thing. Neeley's emotion is great, that is his strength, as someone said below: Gillian strength is his power, Neeley his emotion and Balsamo his operatic ability. Gillan has emotion and Neeley has power, I just prefer the rock power more.
1. Gillan's performance - "sad and tired", the song of a man in despair, the one who stands on a line between life and death and can't cross it without help, without at least some answers. 2. Neeley's performance - angry and demanding, he doesn't beg, he almost threatens for what he wants. 3. Balsamo's - I don't know... seems like he's too much in love with his voice and don't even care whether there is a god or no... So my choice - Gillan, he truly caught his "character".
In my opinion, in comparison to Gillan's voice, Neely's sounds weak and thin. Of course, anything artistic is subjective, and what I hear will differ from what others hear. To my ear, Gillan has the far more powerful voice.
![Gethsemane [Mash-up Trio] - Ian Gillan - Ted Neeley - Steve Balsamo](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
