It's a shame that the care taken on the dvd didn't translate to this extravagently-priced audio version. The vocals are muffled, as if sung into a plastic garbage pail. Then they're mixed so far forward that the drums and guitar completely dissappear. As a result, the rock numbers and the ballads alike lose their emotional kick. The power of the transitions between songs, like the goosebump causing way "Trial Before Pilate" segues into "Superstar" in the movie, are totally destroyed by a couple of seconds of dead air inserted robot-like between every tune.

I can't understand how anything remastered for cd, repackaged, and sold for over thirty bucks can actually sound worse than a seventies vinyl album. How could they get it so wrong? They didn't even print the lyrics, which I seem to remember in the original l.p.

Buy the dvd and play that instead, with or without the picture. It only costs half as much as the two cd set and the sound is far superior.

35 of 35 found the following review helpful:

The Only **Complete** Superstar!  Apr 24, 2001
By Alan Caylow
I'm a huge fan of "Jesus Christ Superstar," and while I love the original 1970 album, the 1973 movie version/soundtrack album is equally just as powerful. While the 1970 version remains the best "Superstar" recording in several ways, certainly in regards to production and sound quality, the 1973 movie version tops the original recording in one respect at least: it's the only COMPLETE version of "Jesus Christ Superstar." The 1973 movie & it's accompanying soundtrack album present "Superstar" in a wonderfully expanded version that actually builds on the amazing accomplishment that composer Andrew Lloyd Webber & lyricist Tim Rice had already achieved with the landmark 1970 album.For the movie version of "Jesus Christ Superstar," Lloyd Webber & Rice had to write some extra material in order to beef up the film. The extra musical goodies they supplied include "Then We Are Decided," a great song that the high priests Caiaphas & Annas sing, in which they contemplate in private their plans against Jesus. This song is a great addition to the opera, as it delves a bit deeper into these two characters & their motives. That it's almost never performed in any stage production of "Superstar" these days is a very sad ommission. "Then We Are Decided," in my opinion, SHOULD be a part of all future "Superstar" recordings and performances. But for now, it's only available on the movie soundtrack.Other bonus material include an extra lyric for Jesus to sing in "Hosanna," the lovely Mary & Peter duet "Could We Start Again Please?" (which IS included in most of the recent "Superstar" productions, thankfully), and last but not least, a dramatic, extended version of the "Trial Before Pilate" that greatly improves on the shorter, original version. The original "Trial" is fine, but there's a LOT more conflict & drama between Pilate & the crowd in the extended "Trial," as Pilate is shown greatly wrestling with his own conscience over what his final decision on Jesus' fate should be. It's a very powerful moment, indeed. Once again, I'm glad that many productions of "Superstar" lately DO incorporate the extended version of the "Trial."You get a marvelous cast that includes brilliant vocal turns by Ted Neely, Carl Anderson, and Yvonne Elliman in their respective roles of Jesus, Judas, and Mary, and, of course, the classic music & lyrics by Lloyd Webber & Rice, performed here with great passion by the assembled musicians, almost just as good as on the original "Superstar" album. The sound quality, however, isn't all that spectacular---it sounds like everyone is singing through a telephone line! (Okay, I'm exaggerating a bit). But nonetheless, the performances are first-rate, and so is the music. In the end, this is an excellent version of this legendary rock opera, and it's the ONLY version of the musical that's 100% complete. Personally, I suggest buying BOTH the movie soundtrack of "Jesus Christ Superstar" and the original 1970 version, too. They compliment each other very well, and they're the only recordings of "Superstar" you'll ever need to own.

48 of 53 found the following review helpful:

Highly disappointed  Jul 13, 2004
By Anthony "mrwhy"
I am a huge fan of Jesus Christ Superstar and feel that the movie version is the best of all. This is the soundtrack of the movie and it does not do any justice to the movie at all. The quality of the CD is terrible! There really needs to be a re-recording and reissue because this is inexcusable.

If you are a fan of the movie like me, then other than watching the movie, this soundtrack is the only choice, but do not let the five star reviews fool you. You will be disappointed.

If this is going to be your first introduction to Jesus Christ Superstar then please do yourself a favor, skip this CD and get the DVD instead.

23 of 24 found the following review helpful:

In my mind, this is the *only* "JCS" soundtrack to have!  Oct 22, 1999

Having seen the musical a number of times on stage and having seen the movie more times than I can remember, I remain a huge fan of "Jesus Christ Superstar," as presented by Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, and Yvonne Elliman. This is truly an outstanding presentation of incredible material, and I highly recommend it over any other version. I'm quite shocked by the reviews calling these tremendous actors' voices "weak" or "passive" -- I see no basis for this whatsoever. Truly, Ted Neeley is absolutely stellar in the role of Christ -- he is decidedly *not* passive, but incredibly emotional (which one would think is a requirement for the role!). Carl Anderson's performance actually elicits pity for the cursed Judas. . .and might even make one hope he was pardoned. Yvonne Elliman's voice is sweet and poignant -- her "I Don't Know How to Love Him" is beautiful. The entire soundtrack is haunting, and the instruments are far better on this version than on any of the others. What more does an audience need?!

11 of 11 found the following review helpful:

Worst remaster ever?  Oct 19, 2005
By Eddie E Edwards
For the DVD version I would give this a 5-star rating. However, as others have pointed out, this 'remaster' actually sounds worse than the original 1974 vinyl version! Everything sounds like it was recorded in a tin can, and there is an annoying silence inserted between every track for no apparent reason other than to ruin the flow of the album. What were they thinking? The way they treated this great music borders on offensive. If you want to hear how this music *should* sound, get the DVD or even VHS.

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