Musicals!

Back when I started this musical-themed blog, in one of the first articles, there was a brief mention of some of my first musical discoveries. I presume that most people's first music is whatever their parents are listening to, which is my daughters are partial to Hotel California, anything by Imiskoubria and Peggy Zina (yuk!). (Imiskoubria are a greek hip-hop band for those who don't know)
I often find that some of this music has been indelibly etched into the brain, never to be erased. That must be because, at such young ages, our brain is much more impressionable.
And that must be why I can remember almost word for word the lyrics from pretty much everything by the Carpenters, Carole King, The sound of Music and The king and I!
Which of course has lead my wife to asking often "Are you SURE you aren't gay?"
I really love all of this music, even the musicals and even though I never considered myself to be a big "musicals" fan.

There is however one musical which I also used to listen to a lot at the time and which I consider gave me my first true Rock roots. This was "Jesus Christ Superstar".

Even know when I hear the staccato rhythm of the opening of "Heaven on their minds" I can't help a little air guitar...



It was only much-much later that I discovered that it was Ian Gillan who sang/played the part of Jesus and Murray Head of Judas. Also unlike Andrew Lloyd Webber's later productions , many musicians in "JCS" were hard rockers.

If anyone is interested in more info look it up on wikipedia there is extensive info.

Anyway I looked through youtube for a good version of one of the songs sung by Mr. Ian Gillan but couldn't find anything... so you must make do with this little gem.



Beyond these first musicals I listened to I avoided the rest like the plague. Especially as a one time rocker I could not be seen listening to "west side Story" , could I?
Last year though I let my guard down and went to see a fantastic production. there was a lot of hype about it and I tell you it was worth it!
Me and oldest daughter left the wonderful open air cinema (best place to see it) almost skipping and singing ABBA songs all the way...

Mamma mia!!!




I tell you, I'm not... really!!