Tag Archives: Jesus Christ Superstar

The best singer you never heard of

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“Yvonne Elliman began her singing career in London in 1969 and while an unknown was discovered by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. They asked her to sing the part of Mary Magdalene on their original concept album for “Jesus Christ Superstar”. After the album’s 1970 release she was part of the traveling cast for four years, appearing on the London stage, the original Broadway production, and in the Movie version. Had a Billboard Hot 100 Hit Single in 1971 with the song “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” from the album. One of only two people to appear on the original album, in the stage versions, and the movie, her performance as Mary Magdalene brought her a 1974 Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical. She sang backup for Eric Clapton, simultaneously with her own career, from 1974 to 1979. Part Japanese, Chinese and Irish.” – IMDB

Interesting singer at an interesting time. Just reading that bit above on how she was “discovered” as an 18 year old. How does a kid from Hawaii end up singing in London only to be discovered by the producers of one of the biggest plays/movies of the 70s?? Just bizarre. If you’ve never seen Jesus Christ Superstar I highly recommend it. It is out of this world for some of the dance and musical numbers. There is a group dance scene in front of these columns that is one for the ages (and I’m no even a particularly big dance fan). Its incredible what they did back then before they knew they couldn’t do it. Much like Godspell, only on a more spectacular level. She was just exceptional in the role of Mary Magdalene. Then to read she sang backup in the 70s for Eric Clapton was unbelievable.

The song in the video I posted “Hello Stranger”, is one of those like with Ray Coniff singers where I first discovered the voice as an “instrument”. The melodic nature of her voice is hypnotizing. [shoo bop, shoo bop my baby!]

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Jesus Christ Superstar

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What a film. Unless you lived through 1973 its hard to explain. There was a mini revival of sorts going on in popular culture. In song you had Spirit in the Sky, Jesus is Just Alright With Me, Day by Day. In film you had Godspell, Thief in the Night, Jesus Christ Superstar. All within about a 12 month period. Nicky Cruz from Cross and the Switchblade was doing revivals at high schools. Billy Graham was at the peak of his popularity. I swear there was a different feeling in the culture then. One of hope. Not the gloom and despair of today.

I tend to “discover” singers, books, films and such decades after their popularity has waned. Better late then never I suppose. What struck me about this film is how it flies in the face of modern Hollywood. Modern films seem to be concerned only in appealing to 12 yr old boys. If it doesn’t come from a comic book, it doesn’t get made.

JCS in a theological sense is just fine. I’m sure you can find someone with a complaint. What struck me about the film was its production value. It has aged so well over the last 45 years. Andrew Lloyd Webber did the music. Robert Iscove was the choreographer. The picture above is  21 year old Yvonne Elliman who played Mary Magdalene singing ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’. Incredible. I was trying to imagine someone that age in that role today. Couldn’t do it. Robin Lamont was about 22 when she sang Day By Day for Godspell that same year.

This dance number towards the beginning where the followers of Jesus dance for him at the ruins was one of the best in film of all time as far as I’m concerned. The enthusiasm, talent and sheer audacity of it was mindboggling. The sun, the dust, the 100 degree heat of the Israeli desert would have daunted other people. Not this group of twenty year olds who didn’t know they couldn’t do it. They just did it. The lithe dancers. I swear people were skinnier back then.

Ted Neeley as Jesus and his wonderful rock star voice. Joshua Mostel as King Herod will put you down in his song and dance number (“Prove to me that you’re no fool, walk across my swimming pool!”). Barry Dennen as Pontius Pilate was wickedly delicious. The two Pharisees with these huge black plastic hats! Roman guards with machine guns. Tanks and fighter planes. Director Norman Jewison made a wonderful film. And not one computer generated graphic. Its an incredible musical, couldn’t recommend it more.