Saw him on Broadway this past summer (2016). When he performed this song it was absolutely dead silent in the theater. You could feel it. I've never seen anything like it. I had tears uncontrollably rolling down my cheeks. The guy is amazing, stand ovation when the song ended. Will remember for the rest of my life, what an experience!! Thank you John Owen Jones for sharing your gift!
When I found out he was going to be Jean Valjean to close the Broadway production, I booked a trip for the entire family. I had the pleasure of seeing him before, but my family didn’t. My kids were young then, but still remembered the experience vividly.
I know... I saw JOJ live twice in this role and love every second of it! I told him on the backstage door, "You made me cry again", and he just replied "oh... so sorry!" ;)
John Owen- Jones is one of the few singers who can give me chills and goosebumps when singing. This was the best version of this song i have heard. I so wish i could hear him sing Phantom and Les Mis in person.
Ramin's voice is simply too young for Valjean in my opinion. I love his version of BHH, but I don't think it fits in the story well like Colm's version or JOJ's version. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of Ramin.
SoHills VetTech Yeah, I can't hear an old man from JOJ, but neither a young man. Ramin's voice gave the direct impression that he is a young adult in golden age.
All very good but Alfie Boe is the the best as far as vocal performance both live and studio is concerned. Never heard him failed a single note singing in Les Mis.
Julia D I was also thinking what about Alfie Boe! My personal top 3 in no particular order is Colm, Alfie and JOJ. I haven't heard Ramin's performance as Jean Valjean yet but I'm sure he's great, too! Maybe a little young for Valjean, though
I actually met him Last night!! I've got the picture and signature to prove it!! He is AMAZING!!! He's so funny, and such a lovely lovely man!! I adore him!! I went to see Les Mis' 2ice just to see him, and I actually got to talk 2 him face to face and put my arm around him!! how lucky am I!! I'm still hyped up!!!! XD xxx
Lemming Bot It's a natural progression for theater tenors. First you hope you are good enough to snag the role of Valjean and then, if you are, you go after the ultimate role: the Phantom. Once you've managed that, well, where does one go from the Phantom?
JOJ has a magical majestic God-given voice! I bought his two CDs, John Owen-Jones and Unmasked, from iTunes. He is certainly a great interpreter of musical theaters and one of the top three Jean Valjeans I have heard.
Fabulous .. each man is great in his own right so perhaps it is futile to compare ... though hard to do, nevertheless, I try to take each Valjean on his own merits ... and I wind up applauding all of them.
What I love about JOJ is that he can bring the passion and the voice. I love how he gives a nod to Colm Wilkinson in a way during this song, but then can still put his own twist on it. Breathtaking. My favourite Valjean and Phantom.
What a beautiful man :D saw him in in edinbugh late last year doing this and I've been in love with his voice ever since... I sung this at my school award ceremony on wednesday and was extremely nervous xD no where near as good as him but that's to be expected... I mean... the man's god...
saw him on broadway around 2007 and he was incredible. best valjean ever. best rendition of this song ever. completely mesmerized by his performance and stage presence.
I hit this because I always believed that Alfie Boe made this song his own. I wanted to see anothers interpretation of it... this gentelman didnt dissappoint :) Loved it!
Saw JOJ perform this on the West End. It goes without saying that there wasn't an audience member left sitting when it came to his turn to bow. I had never heard of him before that night, but never forgot just how god damned good he was.
Finally someone heard what I heard....Colm strained to sing over the other 3 singers, I thought it sad. He is the first and got respect, he should have been happy. I love JOJ, but Alfie, WOW. Liked what you wrote totally
I am lucky enough to say that I knew John well in our younger days in Burry Port. He's always had an amazing talent and is a credit to himself, his family and his home town. All who have ever known him are proud to say so. What a talent, what a voice... Genius!
Alfie is unmatched in the vocals but JOJ is probably the best mixture of stunning vocal capabilities and on-stage presence/acting. I'd choose him over anyone probably, but still, would love to hear Alfie live as well :)
my favourite Valjean! been lucky enough to have seen him play this role live twice, and seen him as the Phantom in phantom of the opera too. a true talent!
The movie and the musical are two different mediums, you can't deny that. The movie, although a musical, doesn't have vocals as the main focus. The movie aimed to heighten the emotional experience. Despite what you may want to believe, it's the acting that makes or breaks a performance, not singing. Ultimately, you have to be believable as your character. Hugh Jackman was believable. As an actor, he should be. He did his job just fine. The vocals were raw emotion, which I personally prefer.
his voice is incredibly smooth and he can really power out those high notes without any effort, absolutely amazing, and if im correct he plays phantom just as good
Good point and not to mention that performances by each singer can vary from performance to performance, but when performed right (or close to it) it is a very good song.
I haven't seen it yet either, but I have listened to most of the songs, and I haven't been so impressed. Perhaps the actors performances on screen will change my mind, but to me, this performance by JOJ is about as good as it could get. His voice is so powerful and beautiful but incredibly emotive and he colors his performance with beautiful subtlety and nuance. It is true artistry.
I have loved John Owen-Jones ever since I went to see him in Phantom 14 year's ago. He has an incredible voice and I have never forgotten his performance.
Have to say this guy is brilliant as Valjean when I saw him in Les Mis. I have heard he is equally brilliant as the Phantom and I cannot wait to see him in the touring production in Leeds on thursday.
My respects to this great performer, his voice is a delighful pleasure and his technique is amazing, someday if I could sing the tenth he does I would be completely happy.
