Reaction - Ian Gillan - Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) - Jesus Christ Superstar - The Album

[@uomoragno74]

11:23 Great sound video man! This is my favorite song of the record.

[@nobodyaskedbut]

This is the original version of the title role of the rock opera. Gillan was allowed to create the role in his own vocal image and it was, of course, a brilliant performance which helped the album to become such an international success. All the other versions of this role are based on his performance because they have to be.

[@paulyjbluey6408]

Gillan nailed this!!! Sublime vocals

[@drivingwithtodd1781]

Gillan --- one incredible voice!

[@lindalou6105]

He IS Jesus as far as the musical goes. This always makes me cry

[@petraspath842]

Gillan sings the part Neeley is the part and his performances reflect this

[@rockl085ter8]

That high 'money' note wasn't written by ALW but improvised by Ian. It is what all others are judged by since...

[@ninoorjon]

Excellent review. Ian Gillan's version has become a standard for other performers, his improvisation has enriched the original part and it is impossible to surpass it.

[@drivingwithtodd1781]

Knowing Ian Gillan was the voice of Jesus on the album made for a sure buy of the record. I was a huge Deep Purple fan!

[@robinbeerman4726]

From what I understand Ted Neely was there first choice.

[@ninoorjon]

@@robinbeerman4726 Ted Neely was the third choice. Gillan was the first - he sang the part of Jesus on the original concept album and created a standard for other singers. On Broadway, this role was played by Jeff Fenholt, with Tad Neeley as an understudy. When they decided to make the film in 1972, their first choice was Gillan, who turned down the role due to financial disagreements. After this rejection, Jewison hired Neeley.

[@robinbeerman4726]

Still like Neely voice and passion better.

[@robinbeerman4726]

Could you do a reaction with Neely singing Gethsemane. Carl Anderson also was wonderful as Judas. Of course the movie is mostly not biblical, but people who know the bible know.

[@delorangeade]

Even as a long time Deep Purple fan, hearing Gillan's vocal on this was a revelation to me. Maybe the best rock vocal I've ever heard. I don't think any other rock singer exhibits the dynamic range Gillan demonstrates here. I believe in his autobiography Gillan says he did two takes of Gethsemene and thinks this is the second. He says in a recent interview he did all his vocals for JCS in one session, other than a small spoken section which he overdubbed later.

[@drivingwithtodd1781]

Thank you for your great comment!

[@victorstefanovsky6902]

This is the original performance and to this day the best one! I love the one of Ted Newley but this is a bomb!

[@Eyes_On_America]

Needed to watch it twice, for your reaction 1st and 2nd with my eyes closed

[@kenibnanak5554]

There are versions of the play done in several years in multiple countries in multiple languages in different years. Many are on KZbin. Some are very well done with varying interpretation. Worth watching a few. Many foreign singeing talents we hardly ever hear in the US. The languages may be different, but telling which song is which is easy.

[@karenrawling2322]

I saw Ian Gillan in Jesus Christ superstar in the west end London and have loved this ever since

[@larteonceagain]

That would unfortunately have been impossible. Gillan never performed in Jesus Christ on stage. He did the record and partly created the songs that Jesus sings, but he never performed them in any other way.

[@fortiterinresuaviterinmodo5549]

The voice of hard rock

[@yozaseig3870]

Such a shame he decided not to do the movie would of been amazing and he certainly looks the part too. Superb vocalist!!

[@drivingwithtodd1781]

From what I read, Ian was offered the role in the movie but couldn't swing it with his commitment to Deep Purple.

[@pageribe2399]

@@drivingwithtodd1781 I read that Gillan wanted 250,000 British pounds, plus inclusion of DP in some way, to do the movie. The producers thought that was a tad excessive. LOL

[@robinbeerman4726]

Nobody knows what Jesus' looked like.

[@althrace-49]

@@pageribe2399 My understanding was that filming was to take place during a scheduled tour for Deep Purple. In order to do the movie at least part of the tour would have had to have been canceled. So basically he was saying, if I'm going to do this movie I expect that neither me nor my bandmates will lose any potential money that we would have earned otherwise. Which was a fair amount of money between all of them.

[@larteonceagain]

3 hours according to Gillan, Webber and Rice.

[@americangirlsdolls4life7]

Don’t feel it compares to Ted. The emotion isn’t the same.

[@jormalonnberg1578]

Have you ever thinkd to listen Ian Gillans (with Deep Purple) Child in Time . Back to back , with this Getshemane. Both are done in same year 1970. I dont know witch was first of them?? But I only asking someone to do it , comparing them, how they are different or are they?? Events partied 2000 years. One in somevere now called israel, other I think in southeast asia. got the idea???

[@hellboywithhorns9576]

you want someone to sing gethsamane, he sings more than fine.....but....if you want someone to sing the song with passion, teds the man especially between 5.10-5.35. just my opinion, both are great, but one is greater

[@daphnethornton4829]

I personally prefer Ted Neely 's version for the film because it seems more real. I think a too polished vocal would have spoiled the authenticity of what he was portraying. Gillian has a very amazing powerful voice having said this but for the film version I prefer Ted Neely. You need to be able to act the part well not just sing well.

[@billdemudd6697]

older brother had the yellow and purple lp,very sinful sounding we'd go to london to see show in 70's,old man would ask ask us,what show do you want to see? lasers,rock n roll,and a hippy themed christian message of course,again lol!

[@robinbeerman4726]

Ted Neely version in the movie is much better. You have to remember he was in the dry heat of Israel,acting, and climbing a mountain at the time he was singing.

[@hassestockholm]

No, he wasn’t! It was playback.

[@clairwalshe9468]

love him but ted Neeley is better

[@tl-em6xw]

Wrong, the original is the best.nobody came close even this time.

[@WhizzingFish12]

I dont think so. Neeley is good and theatrical, but his voice is thinner and screechy up high. Gillian is so thick and powerful with a scream that raises the hair on your arms. I think that at his peak (he really hurt his voice with smoking and hard living) Gillian was the greatest male voice that rock has ever seen.