The musical arrangement of this Australian concert tour (and the New Zealand/Australia tour that followed with some cast changes) is my favourite orchestration of any version of the show I've seen or heard. It put the "rock" in rock opera. I'm so happy that all these years later some pro shot videos are surfacing.
Me too +M Ad I was lucky enough to have seen the '72 version of JCS starting Jon English, who is not in this video. Sadly he passed away from cancer :/ I shared a couple of links in my comments here, you might enjoy. Stevie Wright and Jon English were in the '72 musical. I was ten and was completely blown away esp by these two actors /muso's along with Marcia Hines, who was also brilliant. 🎶🙏🏼🌟
Exactly! The really lean heavy into the rock which is why the song is so much better in this version. The first 16 bars are just so heavy and metal that I’ve always been like “why isn’t the whole song like this?” Well this arrangement is the closest to that quality that I’ve yearned to head. Love it!!! I would probably even go a step further and get tune down or get rid of the piano portion and some of the string and just turn up the Lead Guitar and drums. I love that the tucked that bass funk down a bit. Love funk but that bass line kind takes away from the heaviness that I thing this song needs. Imo 🤷🏾♂️
this is awesome, I missed out seeing the concert back in 92. I have a very lonely admiration with this production, it was the first movie I ever saw, I was still in Greece when I was like 6 years old, and the music blew me away, only to have an awesome Australian cast redo it some 30 years later. I have not heard a better version of this song, or any of Judas's parts by a better vocalist than Jon Stephens. Proud Aussie here. Cheers for the upload dude
I was 8 when I saw this and when he came on the crowd went off. I seen the live arena with Tim Minchin and Mel C. Tim Minchin did a great job but will always go back to this version Jon just did something special for this version. The way he sings the whole song just gave me goosebumps
As an Aussie...this is the version I heard as a tween in the 1990's first..checking out the Classic 1970's movie version...I love this version the most , and it still gets stuck in my head..but respect and appreciate the 1970's version too.
Geez, I absolutely hate the blocking but dude has got this song down so well. I love the quality of his voice on this track. He has a rockers voice and that is what you need to sing this song, not a musical theater trained one. And if you are trained in musical theater vocally, then you have work to do to get you voice in shape for it. Again, love this performance!!!
It was basically a concert in the round, so unless you were there it doesn’t translate to screen. Listen to the e we while 1992 Aus cast album, these two (Jon Stevens-Judas (check outNoiseworks, his old rock band) and John Farnham -Jesus absolutely nail it. As bf the orchestrations are better than normal (you can’t hear it here).
Lucky to see this in concert in Adelaide.. same cast. So long ago I hardly remember it but I remember mum bought the cd and I listened to it over and over and over! John Stevens was incredible ... they all were!
20 years later and playing Pilate, still hot and fantastic singer, he's probably my favourite Pilate now after seeing him perform this year. Biggest shame that I don't have a video or audio recording of it though, if anyone happens to find one, I'll be the happiest girl in the world if you let me know.
This is my favourite version of this song on RUclips - by far. Though, near the end of 2014, I saw another Kiwi sing this song at a show in Auckland and he was absolutely phenomenal. It was Laughton Kora. But unfortunately his version isn't on RUclips. As for the show in its entirety, I preferred the 1994 New Zealand show over the 2014 version, but the latter was still worth seeing just to hear Laughton sing since he was one of the best singers I've heard live. I also liked Jay Laga'aia in the 1994 version, but Darryl Lovegrove, who sung Jesus' part in that version, stole that show. He was brilliant. Jon Steven's older brother, Frankie Stevens, actually played Caiaphas in that show. P.S. I wish I saw the above performance live, but I'm still lucky to have seen the 1994 and 2014 NZ versions. Kiwis rock the stage :)
Jon English starred in JCS in 1972, I was there. This is the '90's musical, yes they are all incredible. I knew the band who toured the music but not the musical, headed by saxophonist Tony Hicks. Very good too... omg, Steve Magnusson also incredible... jazz guitarist Wow. Cate Ceberano also incredible as Mary... knew her in the '80's. Thanks for sharing our Aussie musicians
I saw it live & was captivated by that throughout. Watching this video reminded me of that, but the video really doesn't capture just how powerful it really was, it was incredible, that spotlight on him as he stood there totally still was beyond words
I remember seeing this Stevens is a great singer, love Noiseworks. The whole cast was great but the best response was when Angry Anderson came out for his number, it was classic. And the act before hand were 2 sisters named Vicka and Linda Bull and they were excellent
This was the arena version. Jon went on to a proper stage version at the Sydney State Theatre with some of this cast a year or 2 later. He was much better, probably better direction and they have to act in the stage version, the arena they just sing the songs.
This production blitzed the movie version. I can’t listen to any other version and enjoy it apart from this one. This composition and performance is light years ahead of anything that’s been done before or after.
Should of been Judas again... He is cocky, confident, swaggers and has a gravel voice.. Imagine him in production in 2013.. Awesome... Tim was ok.. Stevens was wasted as Pilate... He would of rocked
Stevie Wright whom you may recognise as lead singer of The Easybeats starred in the '72 musical JCS was also Awesome and sadly missed. RIP Stevie and Jon English :/ You might enjoy Stevie Wright singing his awesome song Evie ruclips.net/video/In1VeSjsBT8/видео.html
While I think of Jon as the ultimate Judas. I don't feel he would have fitted the 'theme' of the newest version. He was amazing as Pilate and his last song had me in goose bumps. He wouldn't have matched what they where trying to say (*rolls eyes about the whole political concept, but thats another thing all together). Judas and Jesus in that where meant to be young 30 something.. and as amazing as Jon is, he is not a young 30 something. Where as Tim has that slightly hippy Edgy feel to him.
Not a bad version of HOTM by Jon Stevens, however I think he tried to hard to characterise himself as Judas. He was like a bad hybrid of the late great Jon English and Jim Morrison.
The musical arrangement of this Australian concert tour (and the New Zealand/Australia tour that followed with some cast changes) is my favourite orchestration of any version of the show I've seen or heard. It put the "rock" in rock opera. I'm so happy that all these years later some pro shot videos are surfacing.
Me too +M Ad
I was lucky enough to have seen the '72 version of JCS starting Jon English, who is not in this video. Sadly he passed away from cancer :/
I shared a couple of links in my comments here, you might enjoy. Stevie Wright and Jon English were in the '72 musical. I was ten and was completely blown away esp by these two actors /muso's along with Marcia Hines, who was also brilliant. 🎶🙏🏼🌟
Completely agree
Exactly! The really lean heavy into the rock which is why the song is so much better in this version. The first 16 bars are just so heavy and metal that I’ve always been like “why isn’t the whole song like this?” Well this arrangement is the closest to that quality that I’ve yearned to head. Love it!!! I would probably even go a step further and get tune down or get rid of the piano portion and some of the string and just turn up the Lead Guitar and drums. I love that the tucked that bass funk down a bit. Love funk but that bass line kind takes away from the heaviness that I thing this song needs. Imo 🤷🏾♂️
Absolutely! D Hirschfelder re-scored it and it leaves the original for dead!!
Very sad I never got to see this. Jon Stevens did an amazing job
Absolutely the perfect voice for this, perfect interpretation, genius ☺️👏 thanks to you John, what a gift to us all xo
Jon Stevens is a recent discovery for me! What a talent!
this is awesome, I missed out seeing the concert back in 92. I have a very lonely admiration with this production, it was the first movie I ever saw, I was still in Greece when I was like 6 years old, and the music blew me away, only to have an awesome Australian cast redo it some 30 years later. I have not heard a better version of this song, or any of Judas's parts by a better vocalist than Jon Stephens. Proud Aussie here. Cheers for the upload dude
I was 8 when I saw this and when he came on the crowd went off. I seen the live arena with Tim Minchin and Mel C. Tim Minchin did a great job but will always go back to this version Jon just did something special for this version. The way he sings the whole song just gave me goosebumps
As an Aussie...this is the version I heard as a tween in the 1990's first..checking out the Classic 1970's movie version...I love this version the most , and it still gets stuck in my head..but respect and appreciate the 1970's version too.
This is one of the best versions I've heard!!!
We love him here in Australia.
Oh and I was at the concert in Sydney. We have the DVD so I may upload it on my Chanel
Geez, I absolutely hate the blocking but dude has got this song down so well. I love the quality of his voice on this track. He has a rockers voice and that is what you need to sing this song, not a musical theater trained one. And if you are trained in musical theater vocally, then you have work to do to get you voice in shape for it. Again, love this performance!!!
It was basically a concert in the round, so unless you were there it doesn’t translate to screen. Listen to the e we while 1992 Aus cast album, these two (Jon Stevens-Judas (check outNoiseworks, his old rock band) and John Farnham -Jesus absolutely nail it. As bf the orchestrations are better than normal (you can’t hear it here).
I was a big arena production. More like a concert than a production.
They were all big stars in Australia. It was a headline show.
Lucky to see this in concert in Adelaide.. same cast. So long ago I hardly remember it but I remember mum bought the cd and I listened to it over and over and over! John Stevens was incredible ... they all were!
Not me screeeeeeeaming when he came onstage at Boondall in those leather pants... I mean, that voice, those arms, those pants 💖🏆🕊️
The vest!!
This is stunning performance
20 years later and playing Pilate, still hot and fantastic singer, he's probably my favourite Pilate now after seeing him perform this year. Biggest shame that I don't have a video or audio recording of it though, if anyone happens to find one, I'll be the happiest girl in the world if you let me know.
I’ve heard many of the performances of this song and to my ear Jon Stevens version is the best
This is my favourite version of this song on RUclips - by far. Though, near the end of 2014, I saw another Kiwi sing this song at a show in Auckland and he was absolutely phenomenal. It was Laughton Kora. But unfortunately his version isn't on RUclips. As for the show in its entirety, I preferred the 1994 New Zealand show over the 2014 version, but the latter was still worth seeing just to hear Laughton sing since he was one of the best singers I've heard live. I also liked Jay Laga'aia in the 1994 version, but Darryl Lovegrove, who sung Jesus' part in that version, stole that show. He was brilliant. Jon Steven's older brother, Frankie Stevens, actually played Caiaphas in that show. P.S. I wish I saw the above performance live, but I'm still lucky to have seen the 1994 and 2014 NZ versions. Kiwis rock the stage :)
Jon English starred in JCS in 1972, I was there. This is the '90's musical, yes they are all incredible. I knew the band who toured the music but not the musical, headed by saxophonist Tony Hicks. Very good too... omg, Steve Magnusson also incredible... jazz guitarist Wow. Cate Ceberano also incredible as Mary... knew her in the '80's.
Thanks for sharing our Aussie musicians
amazing
Jim Morrison costume aside, this is a great version of HOTM by Stevens.
Holy moly that is incredible
How powerful is stillness?!? Even in an arena this size, Farnham's pure stillness is SO epically powerful...
I saw it live & was captivated by that throughout. Watching this video reminded me of that, but the video really doesn't capture just how powerful it really was, it was incredible, that spotlight on him as he stood there totally still was beyond words
Bloody awesome ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Brilliant
Only we don't see or hear enough of him
I remember seeing this Stevens is a great singer, love Noiseworks. The whole cast was great but the best response was when Angry Anderson came out for his number, it was classic. And the act before hand were 2 sisters named Vicka and Linda Bull and they were excellent
Really? Man, it will be AWESOME have the oportunity to hear/see the footage with Jon Stevens singing/acting on Judas Death from this production!
yep and he did a fabulous job - gee this film clip brings back memories
U are amazing As Judas Jon
....and believe me... my admiration for you hasn't died...
"Please remember that I want us to LEV!". Jon Stevens sings like a rock god here.
and he was AMAZING.
This is amazing
Hard to split who was the better version Jon Stevens or Jon English but both better than all the others
This is my absolute favorite version of JCS, but goddamn Jon moves like an animatronic in the first part.
I wish I could find a leak or something online, I'd love to hear him as Pilate :( I live in the UK, so I saw the UK Tour cast.
oh please!!!!!
please post the rest!!!
Let us remember that the 92 Aussie version was performed “in the round”
This was the arena version. Jon went on to a proper stage version at the Sydney State Theatre with some of this cast a year or 2 later. He was much better, probably better direction and they have to act in the stage version, the arena they just sing the songs.
if only an archangel had pipes like that.
Description says "Jon English" -- that's JON STEVENS.
Kudos to Stevens for attempting the vocal gymnastics lines of the magnificent Carl Anderson!
Thx for spotting the typo. Fixed.
@@JCSZone -- Well, like Jesus said, "My work here is done."
Attempting? He does a pretty darn good job - not perfect, but very few are with this song.
Jon Stevens is going to be playing the role of Pilate in the New Arena Tour of JSC this year.
NEED A BLU RAY REMASTERED VERSION PLEASE!!!!
This production blitzed the movie version. I can’t listen to any other version and enjoy it apart from this one. This composition and performance is light years ahead of anything that’s been done before or after.
Should of been Judas again... He is cocky, confident, swaggers and has a gravel voice.. Imagine him in production in 2013.. Awesome... Tim was ok.. Stevens was wasted as Pilate... He would of rocked
Jon is the hottest Judas ever!!!!
Don't u mean Jon Stevens not Jon English?? thanks btw
Prowling around that round stage like caged tiger...
Stevie Wright whom you may recognise as lead singer of The Easybeats starred in the '72 musical JCS was also Awesome and sadly missed. RIP Stevie and Jon English :/
You might enjoy Stevie Wright singing his awesome song Evie
ruclips.net/video/In1VeSjsBT8/видео.html
No problem:)
While I think of Jon as the ultimate Judas. I don't feel he would have fitted the 'theme' of the newest version. He was amazing as Pilate and his last song had me in goose bumps. He wouldn't have matched what they where trying to say (*rolls eyes about the whole political concept, but thats another thing all together).
Judas and Jesus in that where meant to be young 30 something.. and as amazing as Jon is, he is not a young 30 something. Where as Tim has that slightly hippy Edgy feel to him.
Not a bad version of HOTM by Jon Stevens, however I think he tried to hard to characterise himself as Judas. He was like a bad hybrid of the late great Jon English and Jim Morrison.
Kia ora e tama maori I te taumata o te ao. Hu.... cha maori boy too much.
Kurt Russell can sing!
Because he can LOL
Jon English did a better version I think
Jon English and Trevor white were better I think.
Weak
He's a Kiwi so no not black
Jon English did a better version I think