My friend Jeff and his wife run a Christian retreat/conference center in the state of Washington. It's rewarding work, but often exhausting to give and give to other people, to be in perpetual service. So he came to visit this weekend for some relaxation and recharging of the batteries.The visit could not have been more perfect. Sightseeing, good food and drink, blissful massages, and lots of laughs. And late at night, viewings of Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (a perpetual favorite of mine, new to him) and Jesus Christ Superstar.
JCS has long played a significant role in my apprehension of the life of Jesus - or, more precisely, the life of Judas, whom I've long found to be a misunderstood character. But we weren't there to theologically sort out whether Judas was right to mortalize and de-Messiah-fy Jesus. We just wanted to watch a story effectively told through powerful acting and a crazily dramatic score.
"Everything's Alright" was the moment that summed it all up perfectly for us. Yvonne Elliman may be a whinyface, but she knocks this one out of the park with her selfless, all-encompassing concern for Jesus' life and comfort. Judas and Jesus each get a verse to ramp up their interpersonal drama a bit - their tension is the most underappreciated part of the movie - but by the end, what predominates after three minutes of waltz-time singalong is that warm, silent feeling that everything actually is all right.
Let the world turn without you tonight, Jeff. And happy birthday.
2 comments:
1. "Everything's Alright" isn't in waltz time. It's 5/4, mostly. The quirky time signature is the song's only hook.
2. I just got in from Atlanta, where they're advertising an all-new "gospel" version of Jesus Christ Superstar. I may have to break my Andrew Lloyd Webber embargo just to see it.
3. My favorite version (currently): The Indigo Girls' all-folk ensemble starring a female Jesus.
1. You're absolutely right about the meter. Good catch - thanks!
Post a Comment