I was suprised to find this wasn't on You Tube, so here it is. 1997 Laurence Olivier Theatre Awards clip Steve Balsamo sings Gethsemane from Jesus Christ Superstar
Outstanding. This version had me in tears. Such emotion. And what a powerful voice. Steve is a fantastic singer songwriter too. A very talented man. Proud that he lives in Wales. 🙏♥️
Everytime I'm in tears with this performance. It smashes my heart wide open. It's not just the amazing music and arrangement. It's the delivery of someone capable of taking a harmonic composition and raising it to the next level of vibration and reaching into your heart and grabbing it unapologetically, screaming "hear this" on so many levels. I'm truly in awe. ❤
I totally loved this performance!!! every single and little part was just perfect! He's an IDOL. What a great voice and vocal range, what a great vocal technique! from a classical singing (lyric tenor) to a rock voice, he's awesome!
I've seen comments complaining about his lack of passion. This is an extremely tame performance because he was performing at an awards show, not a full performance. There's no need. There's something "performances at ahoy" or something like that. If you search him in gethsemane, that's likely to be one of the first to show up. He really gets into it, and he actually shows off his range much better. This is just like a smaller tame performance.
What is so magical about this performance is that he fully into character, he done't seem to care about the stage or the public, he is just singing his heart out: not for the show or the sake or entertainment he truly believes what he is singing in that moment.
His version is the best I’ve heard so far. His falsetto is great. He does not sound screaming like the rest. And the way he sustains his notes whewwww... thanks for sharing this talent.
You should also watch John Farnham (affectionately known as 'The Voice' for those who haven't heard of him) do it. He hits pretty much all those notes without having to use a falsetto and could hit a G5 (sans falsetto) all day, every day! He has close to a 3 octave range and can do it comfortably and continually whilst still being able to instantaneously bring it down to 'tender' with no signs of vocal strain after singing with such power that he moves his microphone to below chest level and almost to his navel at times. Plus, regarding the 'screaming', don't forget that; 1. JCS is a 'rock' opera, so 'screaming', or a belt is not 'unreasonable', 2. In the context of the song and what it is trying to convey with everything Jesus would be going through at that moment with the conflict and emotions etc, 'screaming' or belting would not be unreasonable, especially in a 'rock opera'. In fact, some artists are talented enough to still have control and be able to add vibrato, grit and distortion then immediately cease those additions to aid with conveying the emotion of the moment to that 'screaming'/belt. (See my example above) Having said all this, at the end of the day, music is such a 'personal' and 'individual' experience to people and we 'like what we like'. No one is really wrong in their interpretation of an artists performance. :-)
@@devilsadvocate2548 Not sure this is falsetto. He has a 3 1/2 octave voice. Listen to him sing here ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ALNa7348lYA.html and here ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-pLgJkwdtdpM.html
That's not a falsetto, is his head voice, that's why it sounds so clear and powerful, its a different technique, kind of "operatic", not exactly, but kind of. Hope I transmit the correct idea of what I mean.
Fantastic performance from a fantastic performer. His vocal range is inspiring and the way he is so in character is just phenomenal! I want to hear much more from him.
Out of all the people I’ve heard who use the falsetto method of hitting the high notes, I like Balsamo’s the most. He’s on pitch, holds the note out for a long time, and his vibrato is even. He sounds like he actually has control of the note, unlike other singers.
So incredible. those vocals are perfect ..this was an operatic performance at a black tie gala ..to those that cant figure out why he isn't dancing around.
Wow amazing performance from Steve he was the best jesus in jesus christ superstar I love him he's got one amazing talented voice well done Steve congrats wish I was there to watch him watch him all day I don't think anyone can top hid performance cause he's the only one who can sing so brilliantly
Oh my! I just had to see this performance of Steve Balsamo. Thank you for posting this. He blew me away with his performance at Ahoy in 2004 via YT. But this was seven years earlier. He does seem held back by the suit & tie event, and yet the emotions of the song are so intensely sung. Wow, those tears couldn't be helped as I also cried watching him sing it. Such a powerful, powerful song and his rendition is just as powerful. I know this rock musical by heart, listening to Ian Gillan & the original cast over and over on my father's 2 LP record when I was a teenager, and watching Ted Neely's version in the movie. And yet. Oh my gosh... Bravo, Steve! Your Gethsemane is the best I've ever heard and experienced, especially the one at Ahoy. Wish I could see you perform it live.
Astonishingly good, even at that young age! He's still fantastic nowadays. "This guy is not Ted"....well thank God for that! So versatile in everything he does, brilliant voice and a lovely, humble, inspiring person too. Just perfect for the role of Christ....Gotta love Steve Balsamo
jorg1206 I was 19 when this came out and on tour in the UK with my first show. This absolutely blew my socks off when I saw it. How does he cry without it affecting his voice? Unbelievable ✌🏾💯
@@franktranks9445 Seriously? Give 3 examples that are better. Out of the ones I’ve heard, Ted has most emotion and beautiful variation in his vocal tendencies
And here is the man who was once thrown out of a school choir because 'he could not sing' - what a wonderful way of saying 'up yours!' to certain people. Lovely long hair too ... most dashing,
Neeley, Gillian were great, i love them both, and i REALLY love Ted, theyre all diferent and everybody will always have their favourites, but as a vocal, nothing else, this is pure and simple without equal. The purity of his voice is so rare and he is for my money the singer of his generation, anywhere on the planet !
Thanks for posting this video!! Travelled to London to see this man in JCS and, as you all can see, it was WELL worth is!!! Greetings from The Netherlands
For those saying Neeley is better you have to remember most of the videos I've seen of Neeley doing this are from the actual show where he's in character and the crowd(and cast) is in it too. This guy is singing 1 song at an awards show where the people are stuffing their faces. This version is damn good.
This was absolutely beautiful. It brought me to tears. I'd love to see his whole performance. Ted is great but Steve has put so much passion into his rendition. And, as stated this wasn't even in character during the play but at an awards show. His rendition is so spot on, plus he's very good looking and I'd love to feel his beautiful hair! I'm on a hunt for more!
I don't understand why people always have to compare the different versions of this. If something is good, it is good. It doesn't become less good because someone else sang it differently or better. To say "I prefer..." is fair enough but saying "x is better" means that you are always labelling the other as a loser. This is an incredibly difficult song to sing, whatever the style. As somebody pointed out, JCS is a "rock opera". Although they were posting to suggest it should be more rock, that description would actually suggest that it is perfectly acceptable to sing this with a rock style OR a more operatic/musical style.
I agree. I've heard many versions of this, right back to the original which I had on an LP, and all those have been different but all have been powerful and emotional. My personal favourite is probably Michael Crawford - I just love the man; his voice gives me goosebumps - but this verision is equally beautiful in a different way, and I would happily listen to either of them at any time.
I agree that each person brings a new element to the song and should be respected and recognized for that, but a person can in fact change the quality of the song, and frequently people that have the wrong kind of voice for a song will attempt to sing the wrong song for their voice.
Balsamo gave an excellent warm and very moving perfomance. This perf really is great. It is more legit than the rock and 70's tonal reedy completeness of Neeley's, however this is a great work/rendition to be revered. One can only imagine how awesome he was in the run with sets, costume, acting freedom and yes, without the dinner jacket and dinner theater award audience holding him back!
Lyndale Oliver-Musto Totally agree with you. However, I must admit I had searched for ages to find this guy, ? Name? Finally, one day stumbled onto Steve Balsamo, as I remembered seeing somebody sing this and so sincerely and openly cry. The one thing that I love about Steve Balsamo is that in character, even just the outfit, the "Musical Ahoy " version or here in a dinner suit, no outfit, arm gestures, kneeling , you just really believe he's living it each time, as the tears roll down his face in the last verse. It's electrifying to me.❤ But each singer gives their own special flavour to it. 😎
