Jesus Christ Superstar is perhaps the most controversial album this year has seen. I’d like to say right away that I don’t consider this album at all sacreligious. That’s one of the reasons I’m writing this article — to clear up a lot of misconceptions about the album and to review it.
The plot is based on the Bible. The story goes from Palm Sunday to the Crucifixion. Everything that happens in the Bible happens in the album, but there are also some additions. The writers wrote in conversations between Christ, Mary Magdalene, Judas, the Apostles, the High Priests and almost everyone connected with Christ in any way. The most important thing that this opera does is to make Christ more human and put motives behind whatever happens. For instance, the High Priests want Christ crucified because he is a revolutionary who is endangering their power. One thing that is interesting to note is that Judas is not made out as the worst scoundrel on the books.
From a technical standpoint this album is superb. The melodies, orchestration, execution and style are all on a very high level.
The last thing I’m going to say is that this album is worth listening to. Beg, borrow, or buy a copy of it and listen to it. Discuss it with your parents, your friends or your pastor. This is a good album.
Originally published in The Paper, April 1971.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1971_04.pdf, printed page 5.
