Jesus Christ Superstar

Since I watch the 1973 film every Holy Week, it’s nice to also have the 1970 concept album on vinyl to spin. There are subtle differences between the two. I greatly prefer Herod’s mocking song in the film, for example, more than the one on the record, but almost all the other songs, though different in tiny ways, are neither better nor worse. This rock opera is a family favorite, so when this one came up in this random list project, I saved it until I could spin it for all the kids. The songwriting here is fantastic, and yes, it’s quite kitschy in spots, and I love that, too. Showtunes are my thing, so I take them on their own terms. This album isn’t exactly showtunes, though, with its symphonic prog and art rock elements to it.

I love every moment of this album. It’s so beautiful, fun, and immersive. The storytelling is epic and fresh. “Try not to get worried, try not to turn on to problems that upset you.” Wisdom of the ages. The brilliance of this rock opera is how they took the source material and treated it merely as a narrative, drawing from it all its inherent artistic expression as well as its tragedy. The story of Jesus of Nazareth stands strong even when you take religion out of the picture, focusing only on the betrayal of a man by those he thought were his friends. Oh, and Pilate’s first song gives me chills. So powerful in its understatement.