Luke Kennedy singing Gethsemane during his performance of Jesus Christ Superstar at The Playhouse, QPAC in August 2010. This is not a concert. This is from the actual show. So. Much. Emotion.
I was in this production with Luke and can tell you that the direction was to underplay the emotion so as to show of Luke's exceptional vocal ability and not create an over the top depiction of Jesus. In the theatre this was an incredibly good choice. Every audience silently sobbed through Lukes performance. Perhaps it doesn't translate quite as well on camera but I can assure you that Luke was a devastatingly good Jesus.
But I do believe that since this is a musical you need to act and sing and that is why I love musical. Though I have to agree with other...amazing voice but probably be best at sticking to plain singing. Not musicals
Lachie Geraghty these comments are blind. Jesus is speaking to his FATHER. he is SAD and TIRED. He doesn't want to drink the poison, he is UNSURE. he has to convince himself in his faith in his own death even with no answer from his own Father and Lord. Luke played this beautifully. Bravo. The arc is tremendous.
Thank you for saying this. I absolutley love this take on it. Everyone wants the same big over the top freak out and a "rock" voice. This gives the song and character a lot of depth
@@ShortKid226 - The arrangement has changed a lot since the original album voiced by Ian Gillan - (you don't get a much bigger rock voice than his at that time!!); the original stage production (Broadway, NY) featured a rock singer - Jeff Fenholt; the original film featured Ted Neely - who started out as a rock singer but the original London production featured Paul Nicholas - a pop singer and actor. Various revivals over the years seem to have swapped between rock singers and musical theatre actors. As someone who was lucky enough to spend 15 years working in musical theatre and who would have killed to play the role of Jesus, I have to say that my interpretation (director willing of course) would have probably have been closer to Neely's than Kennedy's - both portray emotion but in very different ways. I love both versions - along with the aforementioned Gillan original and equally worth a mention is Steve Balsamo. The bottom line is that is a wonderful song - both from a performer's and listener's point of view - so long as the emotion of the moment - i.e. Jesus' insecurity that his intended path and the inevitable end result will mean anything, along with his fear that the courage needed may falter before reaching his 'goal' - is achieved does it really matter if that is via a big 'rock' voice or more classical 'singers' voice? I think not!! Ian Gillan - th-cam.com/video/Azawb907Bjg/w-d-xo.html Jeff Fenholt - th-cam.com/video/sRvpNa4ROkM/w-d-xo.html Paul Nicholas - th-cam.com/video/Ztw9RqZDFBY/w-d-xo.html Ted Neely - th-cam.com/video/2QW2Wh1OZBA/w-d-xo.html Steve Balsamo - th-cam.com/video/eVpq9yW9HS8/w-d-xo.html
I love Luke Kennedy's voice, so beautiful and in tune, without unnecessary embellishments, and his interpretation without playacting. Of all the ones I've had the opportunity to listen to, this is the one I like. He was not the one who decided on the costumes or the staging. His interpretation, for me, is perfect. Thanks to aussietheatrelover for introducing me to Gethsemane almost 10 years ago and thanks to Luke Kennedy.
This is truly one of the best performances of Gethsemane I have every heard/seen. This touched me more than some of the overwrought gut-wrenching wailing of some other magnificent performers.
I’ve seen this play numerous times and this is the most phenomenal performance. Luke’s incredible voice and understated perfection makes this moving song even more effective.
I don't know much about music or singing. But I truly love this performance. Words clearly enunciated, and I've watched it a few times and it really moves me.
LUKE KENNEDY...YOU ARE A SUPER SINGER...YOU ARE A DEITY...AN ANGEL...OR A NEFILHIN..WHEREVER YOU ARE YOU ARE FANTASTIC...JESUCHRIST BLESSED YOU..!!..NOW YOU KNOW..!!
Luke, dude. I have done a few of my dream roles. Jesus is one them, you have done a fabulous job man. Beautiful rendition, I like how you included a lot of riffs. You were still in tune man. Forget the haters, they're just jealous. Job well done.
I love how this is acted. Truly questioning, trying to sort through his thoughts and fears. I love this conversational tone in his discussion with God. You see as the song goes on his acceptance and steeling himself for what is to come. I haven't seen it this delineated in any other performance. And what he does vocally with the song is just insane!
People who say he was emotionless clearly don't understand what this song is about. And they don't catch the subtle shifts in Luke. My heart was breaking while he was singing the last part after his C6...there was PLENTY of emotion in him. Not everything has to be a hurricane. You could see the defeat, the fear, and the resolve in him. Beautifully done!
Love how he stays with the flow of the music. So many role players try to put their personal spin on it and it usually fails since it is out of sync with the instrumentation. I am in a community theatre production of Superstar as Pontius Pilate on April 9th, 2017 (5th year in a row now) in Allentown, Pennsylvania. I'm pretty passionate about it having rehearsed it in the shower for the last 37 years. :-) Love to All, Allen Howells
I've read some of the critics on here and surely the Internet is rife with critics. I will put my two cents in as someone who has worked in New York theater and worked on an Academy Award-winning film, Luke is brilliant in this performance. It's a completely committed performance and the technical ability here is awe-striking. His high notes and how long he holds them is beyond imaginable. Bravo Luke, you didn't just do good, you did brilliant. You're a superstar. Love from Los Angeles. (Oh and for the critics, please post your own performance of this song, I should like to see if you can come close to this).
FYI, Hgood, Luke went on The Voice two years after this was posted and came runner up. I stopped watching it for years, as I was certain he should have won. He's absolutely brilliant!
The problem is that we are only seeing one song. If he plays Jesus less physically the rest of the show and plays him with less emotion then this works. Its only if he gives big emotion the whole show except this that it would be bad. Totally love this. Everyone plays Jesus the same. Its nice seeing something different.
Gorgeous voice. Has a beautiful spin and warmth. I personally don't mind a Jesus that's more legit than rock--gives him a warm, vulnerable feeling. Nice job
for not being able to show anger he did an amazing job of portraying the emotions in the song. The movements were lacking but I feel that lends well to the fact that this song is essentially a prayer. I think it was beautiful!
Steve Balsamo's version - I'm having it played at my burial. Might sound morbid, but this was my answer when recently asked just that question - and after listening to many JCSstar performances since a child of eleven years, in the 70's you just can't beat it... strength, control, power, range and told the story. Wow.
First time watching this in May, at 3:45, I was like, "Dang!!!! Did I hear right?!" So I rewinded and definitely was blown away! Wow! Luke should've won the voice in Australia but...oh well.
These comments are disappointing. Trolls hiding behind keyboards. This guy sang his face off, incredibly well. Acted well. And you are sitting there comparing him to other artists, appreciate the performance for what he presents AND GET OUT THERE AND MAKE ART before you criticize others.
I haven't heard this song since the 70's. He performs it as well as the original performance on the "Jesus Christ Superstar Record". He is brilliant and the raw emotion that he puts into his songs makes him an outstanding singer. Surely he will be one of Australia's leading vocalists in the futire..
There's just no other performance of this song more powerful han Ian Gillian's original of the "Brown Album" His anger, his confusion about why he has to die. And come on, those Deep Purple pipes. He was the front man of the world's top grossing rock band in '71-'73
I was lucky enough to see him in Adelaide a little later - perhaps 2011? His voice is good recorded; coupled with his live performance though - magical.
To those who reckon his acting wasn't there, I saw this live twice and BAWLED. Definitely doesn't act the sh*t out of it like some of the other greats, but his voice is one of the BEST and he was terrific.
What a Voice. amazing artist as he proved last night on the VOICE when he performed A Time for us..... a sure winer for sure.. so glad that i saw him in Concert wih the 10 Tenors in Perh WA. a Star for sure.
Luv the man!!! its a pity I wont be here on the Final next Monday,, but I will vote many many times before I fly out! He is a winner! I I hope you will be humbled by your win! more luck!!
J'aime la voix si belle et juste sans fioritures de Luke Kennedy et son interprétation sans simagrées. Parmi toutes celles que j'ai eu l'occasion d'écouter, c'est celle que j'aime. Ce n'est pas lui qui a décidé des costumes ou de la mise en scène. Son interprétation, pour moi, est parfaite. Merci à aussietheatrelover de m'avoir permis de découvrir Gethsemane il y a presque 10 ans et merci à Luke Kennedy.
Sick of comparisons of all the great versions of this piece. They are all awesome, just different. Seems to be a lot of stress on the big high notes and if this lad is an indicator, soon only dogs will be able to appreciate it.
No pun intended, but Jesus Christ! Is that even humanly possible to hit those notes? Is he part dolphin? I watched ever version on TH-cam and I think his is the most impressive although i am partial to Ted Neely's original film version. But as far as skill goes, I think Luke won it!!!
Thanks for sharing this on TH-cam, Luke has a very good voice. However check out Miquel Fernandez performance from 2007 in Spanish. You see, feel, hear the anguish deep from the very depths within....THAT IS A PERFORMANCE!!!
Luke's moving version of the song Gethsemane from Jesus Christ Superstar gives such insight into the raw emotions of Jesus' struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane as he petition's his father God to understand why he must die & being faced with willingly giving himself up to knowingly being put to death by being hung on a cross. Luke is a real example of going through his own struggle with depression & coming out of it & facing his demons,going on the Voice in Aus trying, giving his all.God Bless
Considering this is (or supposes to be) a son-to-father conversation I can image how this slightly modest version adds to the musicals reality factor. Of course, as a separate song one can put more 'emotion' in it, but remember who you are 'talking' to...
VERY Good job. Without a more traditional robe costume, beard and acting and some more inflection this still is a VERY good performance. And much closer to the reality of the role. Bravo.
Beautiful. A very emotional rendition. The only other version which approaches this is perhaps that of John Farnham which is also on TH-cam. I'll not pick between the two as each portray the drama of the moment in such a profound way.
That is crazy. Not human. Beyond all understanding. My god that was insane! He so effortlessly clubs so high with his voice. My eyebrows raised in shock. As for the dislikes of this performance on TH-cam, it boggles the mind. Let's see them attempt something half as brilliant. Awed in Lis Angeles.
I was in this production with Luke and can tell you that the direction was to underplay the emotion so as to show of Luke's exceptional vocal ability and not create an over the top depiction of Jesus. In the theatre this was an incredibly good choice. Every audience silently sobbed through Lukes performance. Perhaps it doesn't translate quite as well on camera but I can assure you that Luke was a devastatingly good Jesus.
But I do believe that since this is a musical you need to act and sing and that is why I love musical.
Though I have to agree with other...amazing voice but probably be best at sticking to plain singing. Not musicals
Lachie Geraghty these comments are blind. Jesus is speaking to his FATHER. he is SAD and TIRED. He doesn't want to drink the poison, he is UNSURE. he has to convince himself in his faith in his own death even with no answer from his own Father and Lord. Luke played this beautifully. Bravo. The arc is tremendous.
Thank you for saying this. I absolutley love this take on it. Everyone wants the same big over the top freak out and a "rock" voice. This gives the song and character a lot of depth
@@ShortKid226 - The arrangement has changed a lot since the original album voiced by Ian Gillan - (you don't get a much bigger rock voice than his at that time!!); the original stage production (Broadway, NY) featured a rock singer - Jeff Fenholt; the original film featured Ted Neely - who started out as a rock singer but the original London production featured Paul Nicholas - a pop singer and actor. Various revivals over the years seem to have swapped between rock singers and musical theatre actors.
As someone who was lucky enough to spend 15 years working in musical theatre and who would have killed to play the role of Jesus, I have to say that my interpretation (director willing of course) would have probably have been closer to Neely's than Kennedy's - both portray emotion but in very different ways. I love both versions - along with the aforementioned Gillan original and equally worth a mention is Steve Balsamo.
The bottom line is that is a wonderful song - both from a performer's and listener's point of view - so long as the emotion of the moment - i.e. Jesus' insecurity that his intended path and the inevitable end result will mean anything, along with his fear that the courage needed may falter before reaching his 'goal' - is achieved does it really matter if that is via a big 'rock' voice or more classical 'singers' voice?
I think not!!
Ian Gillan - th-cam.com/video/Azawb907Bjg/w-d-xo.html
Jeff Fenholt - th-cam.com/video/sRvpNa4ROkM/w-d-xo.html
Paul Nicholas - th-cam.com/video/Ztw9RqZDFBY/w-d-xo.html
Ted Neely - th-cam.com/video/2QW2Wh1OZBA/w-d-xo.html
Steve Balsamo - th-cam.com/video/eVpq9yW9HS8/w-d-xo.html
Don't worry man, everybody can see/hear/feel this is extraordinary! Great performance.
I watched this over and over.Luke you're a brilliant singer.God's gift❤
I love Luke Kennedy's voice, so beautiful and in tune, without unnecessary embellishments, and his interpretation without playacting. Of all the ones I've had the opportunity to listen to, this is the one I like. He was not the one who decided on the costumes or the staging. His interpretation, for me, is perfect. Thanks to aussietheatrelover for introducing me to Gethsemane almost 10 years ago and thanks to Luke Kennedy.
by far the most impressive rendition of this song. he was able to hold that note, without breathing, for 11 out of 12 bars!
This is truly one of the best performances of Gethsemane I have every heard/seen. This touched me more than some of the overwrought gut-wrenching wailing of some other magnificent performers.
I’ve seen this play numerous times and this is the most phenomenal performance. Luke’s incredible voice and understated perfection makes this moving song even more effective.
I don't know much about music or singing. But I truly love this performance. Words clearly enunciated, and I've watched it a few times and it really moves me.
I think his lack of cheezy over emoting is refreshing.
Damn, G5 is already high, but he just had to hit us with that C6
I know! That was amazing!!
LUKE KENNEDY...YOU ARE A SUPER SINGER...YOU ARE A DEITY...AN ANGEL...OR A NEFILHIN..WHEREVER YOU ARE YOU ARE FANTASTIC...JESUCHRIST BLESSED YOU..!!..NOW YOU KNOW..!!
Luke, dude. I have done a few of my dream roles. Jesus is one them, you have done a fabulous job man. Beautiful rendition, I like how you included a lot of riffs. You were still in tune man. Forget the haters, they're just jealous. Job well done.
Just attended concert in Surfers Paradise today. Luke you were wonderful. thank you so much
I love how this is acted. Truly questioning, trying to sort through his thoughts and fears. I love this conversational tone in his discussion with God. You see as the song goes on his acceptance and steeling himself for what is to come. I haven't seen it this delineated in any other performance. And what he does vocally with the song is just insane!
just listened to it and he's sensational. his transition in and out of falsetto was particularly incredible, cheers
This is brilliant! Never get tired watching it. I have goosebumps each time! You are ridiculously talented Luke!
I was lucky enough to see this production and it was so awesome. Basically, this was my introduction to musical theatre
This production was amazing, saw it twice because it was so good❤
Steve Balsamo's Ahoy 2010 performance is the quintessential one for me. But man, Luke nailed the shit outta that song!!
@@The_Riss C5 you mean?
Thanks for pointing that out, I'd forgotten that... That's freakin' insane man haha
That mini riff on "HOW" is amazing.
it's not that difficult..
Tyler mate not everyone can sing
Minute?
No matter how many times I hear Luke Kennedy sing this (and it's a lot) it hits me. He's freaking amazing.
Jack jacks bdf GFF Happy
Very talented man. I can truly relate to his struggles with depression but onwards and upwards, Luke. Keep going from strength to strength.
Unbelievably stunning. Awesome range, masterfully delivered. Luke has it all!!!
I've seen productions of this in London and in NY. This is the most moving version I've seen.
Man, there are sooo many good Jesuses. I'm addicted!
Steve Balsamo and John Farnham!
Beautiful. Thank you.
This is the best performance of this piece that I've ever seen!
the more I listen, the more I like. He is definitely is a wonderful performer.
People who say he was emotionless clearly don't understand what this song is about. And they don't catch the subtle shifts in Luke. My heart was breaking while he was singing the last part after his C6...there was PLENTY of emotion in him. Not everything has to be a hurricane. You could see the defeat, the fear, and the resolve in him. Beautifully done!
I was trying to describe the shift he makes and was failing miserably. You nailed it perfectly here.
I can't make up my mind who is better...Balsomo or Kennedy. Extremely emotional presentations by each. POWER!
Ted Neeley will and always be the Man. I'm a singer because of his performance. Blew me away as a kid and when I played Judas in high school.
Love how he stays with the flow of the music. So many role players try to put their personal spin on it and it usually fails since it is out of sync with the instrumentation.
I am in a community theatre production of Superstar as Pontius Pilate on April 9th, 2017 (5th year in a row now) in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
I'm pretty passionate about it having rehearsed it in the shower for the last 37 years. :-)
Love to All,
Allen Howells
Brilliant is a understatement
Holy wow.
Amazing voice.
I've read some of the critics on here and surely the Internet is rife with critics. I will put my two cents in as someone who has worked in New York theater and worked on an Academy Award-winning film, Luke is brilliant in this performance. It's a completely committed performance and the technical ability here is awe-striking. His high notes and how long he holds them is beyond imaginable. Bravo Luke, you didn't just do good, you did brilliant. You're a superstar. Love from Los Angeles. (Oh and for the critics, please post your own performance of this song, I should like to see if you can come close to this).
Hgood1 I totally agree with you. He did a great job. His higher register is beautiful.
FYI, Hgood, Luke went on The Voice two years after this was posted and came runner up. I stopped watching it for years, as I was certain he should have won. He's absolutely brilliant!
@@TheSallye33 - In any other year he probably would have won - but Harrison Craig won the people's hearts - and had a bloody good voice as well.
Those notes :O he has an amzing range...and the emotion behind each word...flawless
Wow, nuanced and stunningly powerful. Amazing!
The problem is that we are only seeing one song. If he plays Jesus less physically the rest of the show and plays him with less emotion then this works. Its only if he gives big emotion the whole show except this that it would be bad. Totally love this. Everyone plays Jesus the same. Its nice seeing something different.
I wanna cry every time I hear this song. SO beautiful. Such an underrated musical.
Gorgeous voice. Has a beautiful spin and warmth. I personally don't mind a Jesus that's more legit than rock--gives him a warm, vulnerable feeling. Nice job
for not being able to show anger he did an amazing job of portraying the emotions in the song. The movements were lacking but I feel that lends well to the fact that this song is essentially a prayer. I think it was beautiful!
The riffs after the “whyyyy” section were gooorgeous
LOVE THIS- And Lukes voice is so amazing. God bless
Steve Balsamo's version - I'm having it played at my burial. Might sound morbid, but this was my answer when recently asked just that question - and after listening to many JCSstar performances since a child of eleven years, in the 70's you just can't beat it... strength, control, power, range and told the story. Wow.
I'm having always look on the bright side of life played at my funeral.
Omg ! Luke, your voice is so amazing. You make my day
Brilliant!!! I was waiting for something like this singer.... brilliant!
I didnt know him... before the voice... but...I can not stop loving every single sound he produces by his mouth.... amazing.
First time watching this in May, at 3:45, I was like, "Dang!!!! Did I hear right?!" So I rewinded and definitely was blown away! Wow! Luke should've won the voice in Australia but...oh well.
If you want emotion, see Steve Balsamo`s performance at Ahoy Holland
If you want emotion, seeing some baby seals clubbed should have the desired effect.
If you want emotion, you have to see Szomor Gyorgy! You won't regret it
Steve's performance is by far my favourite.
@@gypsyblack5994 Absolutely wonderful performance!
потрясающее исполнение. Особенно на фальцете - это нечто ЗАПРЕДЕЛЬНОЕ... Я плакал...
These comments are disappointing. Trolls hiding behind keyboards. This guy sang his face off, incredibly well. Acted well. And you are sitting there comparing him to other artists, appreciate the performance for what he presents AND GET OUT THERE AND MAKE ART before you criticize others.
What a performance! What a performer! Go Luke, you good thing.
I haven't heard this song since the 70's. He performs it as well as the original performance on the "Jesus Christ Superstar Record". He is brilliant and the raw emotion that he puts into his songs makes him an outstanding singer. Surely he will be one of Australia's leading vocalists in the futire..
There's just no other performance of this song more powerful han Ian Gillian's original of the "Brown Album" His anger, his confusion about why he has to die. And come on, those Deep Purple pipes. He was the front man of the world's top grossing rock band in '71-'73
*WHOA* ... bravo! Very good treatment!!!
So beautiful!
I was lucky enough to see him in Adelaide a little later - perhaps 2011? His voice is good recorded; coupled with his live performance though - magical.
To those who reckon his acting wasn't there, I saw this live twice and BAWLED. Definitely doesn't act the sh*t out of it like some of the other greats, but his voice is one of the BEST and he was terrific.
What a Voice. amazing artist as he proved last night on the VOICE when he performed A Time for us..... a sure winer for sure.. so glad that i saw him in Concert wih the 10 Tenors in Perh WA. a Star for sure.
Just like most people here,ever since i heard him on the voice,i been checkin out his other stuff, just fkn amazing,i want MORE !
stunning!
Man, you've been blessed with an Amazing voice!
...also you were a great Jesus, you've done Him proud
BRILLIANT. BRAVO.
Luv the man!!! its a pity I wont be here on the Final next Monday,, but I will vote many many times before I fly out! He is a winner! I
I hope you will be humbled by your win! more luck!!
simply stunning great voice
greets from holland
Brilliant voice!
J'aime la voix si belle et juste sans fioritures de Luke Kennedy et son interprétation sans simagrées. Parmi toutes celles que j'ai eu l'occasion d'écouter, c'est celle que j'aime. Ce n'est pas lui qui a décidé des costumes ou de la mise en scène. Son interprétation, pour moi, est parfaite. Merci à aussietheatrelover de m'avoir permis de découvrir Gethsemane il y a presque 10 ans et merci à Luke Kennedy.
Still outstanding 👏one in a million kind of talent
one word awesome
"...but if i die
see the saga through
and do the things you ask of me
let them hate me, hit me, hurt me
nail me to their tree..."
Sick of comparisons of all the great versions of this piece. They are all awesome, just different. Seems to be a lot of stress on the big high notes and if this lad is an indicator, soon only dogs will be able to appreciate it.
Great voice, but no one can ever be as incredible as Ted Neeley. Respect to this guy and his talent.
love his voice
love your voice luke. wish you would sing gethsemane on the voice. you would smash it out of the park.
No pun intended, but Jesus Christ! Is that even humanly possible to hit those notes? Is he part dolphin? I watched ever version on TH-cam and I think his is the most impressive although i am partial to Ted Neely's original film version. But as far as skill goes, I think Luke won it!!!
Thanks for sharing this on TH-cam, Luke has a very good voice. However check out Miquel Fernandez performance from 2007 in Spanish. You see, feel, hear the anguish deep from the very depths within....THAT IS A PERFORMANCE!!!
Great job, with a tough song. My favorite song from the opera.
*Rock* opera.
Goosebumps
Bloody brilliant!!! God bless you Luke ... you DO have a gift! :)
Incredible
I only want to say happy Easter
Fantastic
I want to see him in a theatre. Thanks for uploading this
Michael Crawford has set the bar pretty high for this.
BRAVO!
Luke's moving version of the song Gethsemane from Jesus Christ Superstar gives such insight into the raw emotions of Jesus' struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane as he petition's his father God to understand why he must die & being faced with willingly giving himself up to knowingly being put to death by being hung on a cross. Luke is a real example of going through his own struggle with depression & coming out of it & facing his demons,going on the Voice in Aus trying, giving his all.God Bless
Слава Богу...вжился. Боялась, что он так и будет просто петь💐
That falsetto is brilliant
Considering this is (or supposes to be) a son-to-father conversation I can image how this slightly modest version adds to the musicals reality factor. Of course, as a separate song one can put more 'emotion' in it, but remember who you are 'talking' to...
Amazing
Wow great job!
VERY Good job. Without a more traditional robe costume, beard and acting and some more inflection this still is a VERY good performance. And much closer to the reality of the role. Bravo.
Beautiful. A very emotional rendition. The only other version which approaches this is perhaps that of John Farnham which is also on TH-cam. I'll not pick between the two as each portray the drama of the moment in such a profound way.
2:38 awesome note that he hits. AMAZING!!!!!!!!!
He certainly is the best looking Jesus; that face would get me to do anything.
If you search TH-cam for Hey Jude.mp4 there's another example of his falsetto there. Definitely worth a look.
That is crazy. Not human. Beyond all understanding. My god that was insane! He so effortlessly clubs so high with his voice. My eyebrows raised in shock. As for the dislikes of this performance on TH-cam, it boggles the mind. Let's see them attempt something half as brilliant. Awed in Lis Angeles.
0.24 is perfection
OMG. Love ya! Love the high notes
Such a perfect person
If you search youtube for Ten Tenors Hey Jude mp.4 Luke's amazing in that too.
- Wow.... W O W !!!