SINGER-SONGWRITER REVIEWS STEVE BALSAMO - Gethsemane (Jesus Christ Superstar)

[@rocioancares6586]

I love that you talk about his performance as an actor, that is out of this world, and about the lyrics, that are amazing. And by the way, yes, he cried, there are real tears falling down his face. Goosebumps!!! 💚💚💚

[@kristinwalden3122]

Sorry but once you see the passion of Ted Neely ..everything else sounds corny..

[@rokker101]

I know Steve as I studied Perf Arts with him at Neath in Wales .. he is a great guy and an incredible vocalist .. check out 'Immortal' taken from the eric woolfon musical 'Poe'

[@rocioancares6586]

I've just watched your reaction, and I loved it. I love Steve, he deserves much more credit and recognition, his performance moves me every time the same way it did the first time I watched it.

[@lIIuminatl]

Fantastic reaction. Not religious, not a massive fan of musical theatre, but this is singlehandedly the most encapsulated I have ever been in a live performance. Call me what you will, but I'll gladly share this masterpiece of a performance regardless of the reaction I get. Love music, love art, love perfection. This is it! Thanks for your analysis mate.

[@andyjonesofficial]

I'll call you Adam and you're bang on buddy - Steve is astounding

[@Gallinnster]

Steve is incredibly great, damn perfection. Thanks for reacting.

[@despinagounari7312]

Steve's performance is magnificent!!! He's my most favorite ''Jesus'' of all.

[@sarahvetoe8134]

Ted Neeley wants a word.

[@nezkeys79]

One of the greatest and most beautiful performances I have ever seen of any song. I prefer this to Gillans or Neeleys because of his acting and speech elements. Really got a sense that he was mad at god "forsaking" him Don't get me wrong I love gillan and I love deep purple but right here balsamo was something else

[@kaafromoz]

There are good voices, there are great voices and then there is STEVE BALSAMO. Fantastic is too mild a word for this performance. My wife and I saw him is Superstar in London in 2003 i think it was and wanted the show to go hours longer. Ty for the reaction

[@mareenorth8790]

Gets me every time too.

[@Lazy1708]

There is another aspect to the song. Steve holds the note while dropping to his knees and that's a non-trivial thing to do as well.

[@andyjonesofficial]

True indeed!

[@loismiller5944]

YES!

[@nezkeys79]

20:48 these two vocal ad libs are just wow "I will drink your Cup of poison" "Nail me to your Cross and break me" Also the way he just randomly speaks "kill me". Damn the finale to the song was so emotional

[@basho4130]

Heard this song by many singers, this will probably always remain my favorite.

[@AlmaGough]

I saw the original performance in London........wonderful......wonderful. Thank you.

[@karmicscope5259]

Steve Balsamo is the BEST in this role imo. He’s amazing!!! It seems like his voice, talent, & performance, was made for this role. So incredible. I never tire of this.

[@sitwellosbert]

check out, from the same concert 'Immortal' specifically written for his voice by Eric Wolfson, you think he's hit the amazing top note and then he goes even higher! Astounding voice...

[@Atlantis93]

This is definitely the best version of this. Truly amazing.

[@mariaelenagonzalez4450]

Saw him in 96 in London. My favorite production

[@guitarroth2639]

That is one of the greatest performances there is, for this song. Has anyone noticed he has tears running down his cheeks, when "then i was inspired.." section starts? (Oh, he did noticed them on the video, sorry :)

[@emilylarkin]

great analysis of a great song and an amaaazing performance

[@BohemianStix]

Steve is the bollocks! Such a great version of the killer track! Fucking slaying it! ☝️🤟

[@Angel-dq4cb]

The line You're far to keen tot watch me die: he sings the word 'far' in the most beautifull and pure note ever! The best performance ever 🎶🎶💕!!

[@bilhinton4385]

Awesome reaction/review to an awesome performance.

[@mareenorth8790]

Hi Andy … thoroughly enjoyed this breakdown of my favourite version of this. I saw my first production of JSC at age 11 in Sydney Australia ….and the last one I saw was in 2014 I think with Tim Minchin playing Judas. Lost count of how many productions I’ve seen in between but Steve Balsamo’s is without doubt my absolute favourite. His performance level, both vocally and artistically are beyond compare in my book. I’ve never seen it broken down like this before so thank you and I agreed with so much you said … so thank you, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. I was surprised to hear you compare him vocally to Ian Gillan as that was the first voice that came to my mind as well when I first heard Steve’s version. If you care to take the time … check out an Australian singer .. Jeff St John … who sadly passed away in 2018 … but had one of the most incredible voices I’ve ever heard. Thanks again … I’ve subscribed .. look forward to more x

[@aroundYouBlog]

His voice is just amazing 🙌🏼 great review!!

[@EmilyKresl]

I've never seen this guy sing, I'm only familiar with the original album and the film.. but I'm blown away. I would love to see your reaction video to the film version of Gethsemane. Fun fact I grew up Christian but my grandpa wouldn't let me watch this, so when I was 13 my mom rented it and I was hooked (1996), I got my friends to reenact the album with me on the walk home from school and we got a lot of weird looks. 39 lashes is always playing in the back of my head somewhere. Excellent breakdown, you just got a new subscriber dude! Rock on

[@RJRmassage]

Excellent reaction video. Steve's performance is magnificent.

[@nickcooper1000]

Hi Andy, Thanks for your review and comments. It's great to Hear the opinion of others who are passionate about music. ... I only want to say... My Teenage Christ was Ian Gillan and for decades I thought that no one would be able to sing this song as well as him. I've seen and heard dozens of people sing this and am now firmly of the opinion that this particular performance is the best one, both in terms of technique and covering the complex emotions of the piece. In only a few minutes Steve has to swing between sadness, dispair, anger, bargaining and acceptance, which he does so wonderfully well.. Having seen an interview with him the tears are real and while it's so exceptional to be able to, as you say, cry & sing simultaneously it's a common feature of other of his performances. While, as you comment, there have been so many other wonderful singers who have impressed with this song I do believe that this particular version will take some beating. Regards Nick

[@christine4109]

I'm a new Dimash fan. I just watched your reaction to Dimash's Across Endless Dimension and heard you mention Steve Balsamo. Steve Balsamo is one of favorite singers too. He was fantastic in his portray of Edgar Poe in an off Broadway musical as well. So glad that you reacted to him. Both Steve and Dimash deserve to be known more in the West.

[@divanymph]

I'm a Ted Neeley fan. I find this to be very pretty as Ted is more raw. It's nice though. My favorite show of all times. So glad I had the opportunity to do the show a few times in my life.

[@RJRmassage]

Another thing: the first time we hear that 5/4 rhythm is "Everything's Alright" and it's so powerful to hear it again at the most tense moment of the show, especially under that high pitched surrender!

[@RJRmassage]

And here's a deep dive: when Judas has his 5/4 rhythm in "Heaven On Their Minds' it's a reverse of Mary Magdalene's. His duplet followed by triplet, hers is calmer, triplet followed by duplet.

[@andyjonesofficial]

That hadn't occurred to me - I'll have to listen back for that one!

[@leithmacdonald4242]

Wonderful version. You might also enjoy a version done by Luke Kennedy in 2010 for the Queensland Theatre Compamy (it is on KZbin too). He was one of the "Ten Tenors' and also does a fabulous job on the song.

[@miccromsolomon4260]

What I love in this rendition is it gave justice to the song. The message get through the listener with his acting. This song is based on the Agony in the Garden and definitely I feel His agony.

[@loismiller5944]

Thourgh the rhythmic part, Andy, it stays in the 4/4/ - genius!

[@elaineteut9579]

The story that is interesting, Andrew Lloyd Webber tells the story of Steve coming in to try out for the part of Jesus and he said, ‘ I had this young man sing Gethsemane and I was blown away and I said would you sing that again and he did.” I had him come back again and he did it again.” You could tell how absolutely “gobsmacked Webber was. Webber than had Steve sing it for the audience there. The way Steve hits those high notes, just amazing and yet that beautiful peacefulness too. It made me cry and still does.

[@missimin]

Gethsemane by Steve Balsamo is my favorite. Thanks for reviewing it.

[@clairwalshe9468]

Neeley is my favorite Jesus, but this comes a close second.

[@MoonLight-shadow2005]

Me gusta mucho. Para mi, el mejor en todos los aspectos. Pero hay que ver a Dan Basco

[@ponkeythemonkey7737]

Interessant, habe wieder was dazu gelernt. Danke

[@richardarcher3435]

Ted Neeley was my teenaged Jesus so that is possibly why I prefer him but really, the complete opposite change from Ted screaming out "Alright I'll die" to Steve's (and plenty others) quietly speaking those lines, I find that change really astoundingly bad. The music builds up and up and then collapses at the wrong place. To me that just does not work at all. Having such a discussion with his father about such a subject, you wouldn't take all the guts out of those dramatic words and virtually whisper them like you were saying something like "Alright, I'll take the bins out" :) Also, it sounds really funny him singing "I wanna know" instead of "I want to know". There's a time and place for slang and that just ain't one of them. Anyway, thanks for the review and pointing out those crazy mixings of timings. One of my favourite classical composers, Gustav Holst, was also into such crazy time changes I believe.

[@andyjonesofficial]

This is really interesting, because I actually saw that quiet acceptance as being the next stage of grief - I thought Steve did an amazing job of moving through those stages in the song, and these quieter lines reflect moving on from anger to realising he has no way out. The "wanna" thing is quite Broadway, I'll admit, but it has never bothered me. I feel much of this is connected to how we got to hear the song first and how it was delivered at the time :-)

[@cecilia108]

@@andyjonesofficial personally I like that quiet acceptance. It always make me cry after that...

[@sarahvetoe8134]

@@andyjonesofficial Ted’s take was angrier and I find that to be a more human response. It’s an angry acceptance of the inevitable. This is gorgeous and a beautiful interpretation, but it’s a tad too clean for me in this role. Technically, it’s perfect. It’s just a matter of taste. It’s not wrong, just not my taste.

[@robinbeerman4726]

better. Guess I will always like Ted newly better. He was in the desert of Isreal climbing a mountain while acting.

[@dimamontekristo9527]

Лучшее исполнение. Остальные-отказываюсь слушать...пробовал. есть только один(на мой взгляд) мужчина который может "бросить вызов" STEVE Balsamo .... это - Josh Groban😁The best performance. The rest, I refuse to listen ... I tried. there is only one (in my opinion) man who can "challenge" STEVE Balsamo .... this is Josh Groban

[@EmilyKresl]

Also totally random but can you do a review of Rocky Horror Picture Shows' Sweet Transvestite?

[@byronmitchell3784]

"I JUST WANT TOO SAY".. "GETHSEMANE". I WAS 13 IN 1970 WHEN I FIRST HEARD IAN GILLAN PERFORM THIS ON THE ALBUM... THEN TED NEELEY IN MOVIE ADAPTATION IN 1973 . And now Steve Balsamo playing Jesus.. All were meant to be acting this role... how funny after this past year how the comparison hasn't changed..Politicians and religeon..

[@chrisnalle5483]

Can we agree on Carl Sanderson tho, that original Judas is crazy

[@johnh0595]

Carl Anderson

[@chrisnalle5483]

@@johnh0595 typo, I know the man’s name well lol

[@johnh0595]

Amazing. Saw him live twice. Once with Ted.

[@chrisnalle5483]

@@johnh0595 never had the privilege

[@JaneDoe-ge5di]

Yes really an amazing performance! Interesting breakdown, always learning something new. How about Nightwish s Phantom of the Opera?

[@andyjonesofficial]

I'm considering a double review: Tarja/Marko and then Floor/Henk!

[@JaneDoe-ge5di]

@@andyjonesofficial that would be great!👍

[@LemonSquezzed85]

Talking about contemporary vocalists and height. Maybe you would be interested to do Dimashes vocal analysis ? New release "Stranger" covers bass/baritone/tenor/and soprano ranges.

[@elaineteut9579]

Watch Mel Gibson’s “The Passion”, I would be scared and angry too.

[@queent3343]

Please comment on anything from Beneath the Waves and the second Chimpan A album that he did with Robert Reed of Magenta.

[@andyjonesofficial]

I've really enjoyed everything I've heard by Chimpan A!

[@carinalundstrom7566]

In my opinion this song belongs to Ian Gillan

[@andyjonesofficial]

I can't fault Gillan - I grew up listening to Deep Purple! He was the original JCS recording artist and sang the whole musical in just a few hours. But after that he didn't continue with the role. Steve is the most balanced version between technical skill and emotional impact to me. But I totally respect everyone's taste there!

[@robinbeerman4726]

He is being truer to the words written. I this is why it's not biblical. Jesus knew why he had to die. But, he was a man facing a terrible death and frightened and tired and probably frustrated at the 3 apostles who didn't stay up with him. A opera there is no speaking.

[@chrisnalle5483]

Lol, whoops. No sooner posted that comment and he hits Ted

[@OronOfMontreal]

Too fabulously MGM / Broadway Musical in vocal style, not Rock Opera enough for my taste. Balsamo is talented, but this has lost the Rock n Roll heat of the original recording and of the 1973 movie,

[@robinbeerman4726]

This isn't biblical but can still move you.

[@GRTakerTh]

not bad but you just can't beat Ted Neeleys version on this

[@chrisnalle5483]

Should we tell him about Ted Neely?

[@bethdavis1812]

TED NEELEY

[@andyjonesofficial]

Since I actually talk about Ted in this video, I can only assume you just go round people's videos writing that. Not sure what you hope to accomplish with that...