Godspell

Godspell is an American musical, and the first professional production was the off-Broadway one. The original London cast followed them within a year, and this is the studio recording made by the London team early in their theatrical run.The London production was greatly admired for its vivacity, energy and humour; and all of these things are on display in this studio recording. The cast were so good at what they did that the studio session was just a matter of miking everyone up and counting them in. Contemporary reports have it that the producer's main problem was persuading the cast not to act and dance while they were singing! They recorded the entire album in just one day.On stage, the interplay between David Essex and Jeremy Irons was much remarked on by the critics, and it comes over well on record - their acting comes through in their singing voices. That's true of pretty much everyone else, in their own ways, with the duet "By Your Side" featuring Jacqui-Ann Carr (alto) and Verity-Anne Meldrum (soprano) being a particularly good example.The vocal star of the show was Marti Webb - the powerful soprano who did all the descants, and whose voice stands out clearly on the many occasions where the ten-voice cast were asked to belt-voice a phrase. Marti's belt-voicing was simply a lot louder than anyone else's! On stage, all of the songs got rapturous applause, but it was Marti's solo piece, "Bless the Lord", that got the audience standing up and shouting encore. She sounds just as good on record.All in all, this album is the nearest possible thing to actually being there at Wyndham's Theatre in the early '70s, and it gets remarkably close. Put on your headphones, crank up the volume to theatrical levels, and feel the time machine taking you back.The only fly in the ointment is that the CD is ripped from vinyl. It is a good rip, though some tracks have more vinyl faults than others. It appears that the studio master tapes have been lost - unless someone somewhere knows better. Or maybe there is still some virgin vinyl lurking in a record store somewhere...

Saw this show as a school trip before David Essex was famous. I’ve never forgotten it. Couldn’t believe how many lyrics I could still remember. Lovely.

It is great to have this version on CD, it may not have been taken from the original Masters but it is still in my opinion the best version to listen to with such a great cast.

Being seculary spiritual living life day by day is important

Original London cast recording with David Essex, Jeremy Irons, Julie Covington, Marti Webb etc.Sound quality very good when played through my DVD box/TV (contrary to it sounding like something recorded from an old cassette that one reviewer mentioned).Also, the booklet inside had photos and information on the London cast (not the US cast someone else said they had received).Very, very happy to have his, as I have been trying to find the London cast recording for years (since I wore out my old cassette tape).

I gave up looking for this on vinyl & was pleased to find it available on CD, however, note that this is a recording from an LP.This is a great cast & I think it is the definitive version with a great performance (better than the film). Sadly I never saw this in the theatre.Enjoy.

Its nice quality even some Amazonians report that it is a vinyl rip. If it is they have done it well, although there is a low level hum when the music is finished that should have been filtered out using software. I enjoy the music.

I have been waiting for this recording of the Original London Cast with David Essex, Jeremy Irons, Julie covington, Maiti Webb and Company for years. At last it's here. Sounds great too!In my opinion it is the best recording of this classic score ever recorded. Yes better than the original broadway.David Essex and Company perform it perfectly. with all the emotion it deserves.If you like Godspell, then this is the best version to own.And on CD it brings out all the instrmentation. Bliss.

It has been years since my old cassette version of this gave up the ghost. I was thrilled to find this version available here.Having seen this cast at the Wyndham's theatre all those years ago it remains my preferred version with young David Essex, Jeremy Irons, Julie Covington, Marti Webb et all.The transfer is pretty reasonable.Certainly better than my ancient cassette!