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War of the Worlds [CASSETTE]
 
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War of the Worlds [CASSETTE] [Import]

Julie Covington, Jeff Wayne, Richard Burton, Justin Hayward, David Essex, et al. | Format: Audio Cassette
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Audio Cassette (17 Oct 1990)
  • Format: Import
  • Label: Sony
  • ASIN: B00008FRMP
  • Other Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  Mini-Disc  |  MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 515,789 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

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Product Description

Album Review

Released 40 years after Orson Welle's infamous radio version of the HG Wells tale, Jeff Wayne's musical version of War of the Worlds straddles old-style radio drama and contemporary orchestrated narratives by Rick Wakeman and David Bedford. And while it lacks the sophisticated arrangements of, say, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, it does boast an impressively odd cast--this may be the only time that a member of Thin Lizzy worked with Richard Burton. Indeed, it's Burton's sonorous tones that sustain this work; his frequent solo narrations are eminently listenable, whereas sections featuring dialogue with other characters often come off as a bit stilted. The music is competent studio rock, and "Horsell Common and the Heat Ray" does strike just the right balance between Burton's narration and an accompaniment built around a buzzsaw guitar riff. Overall, it's pleasant as a period piece, and still a fine way to introduce younger listeners to Wells' classic tale. (And if you can find it in a vinyl, it comes with a nicely produced narrative booklet with gloriously lurid illustrations by Geoff Taylor.) --Paul Collins, All Music Guide

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
133 of 135 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I love this album! It was the first album I ever bought in about 1979. I'd been badgering people for some money towards it for my eighth birthday and then, when the day finally came, I remember coming back on the bus with it proudly tucked under my arm. The original had a large picture booklet with some fascinating paintings of the Earth under the rule of the martians - I particularly remember the one of the crows picking at the flesh of hoods of the martian tripods and these are faithfully reproduced in the new CD booklet.

This is a very unusual record that is quite unlike anything else before or since. It features superb musicianship with classic thumping 70s basslines from the excellent Herbie Flowers and top vocal performances from the likes of Justin Hayward, Phil Lynott and David Essex. Richard Burton's narration is hypnotic and the words are strangely poetic in a way HG Wells' original book isn't.

The recording still sounds just as good to me today and the CD remastering brings it to life in new ways I hadn't heard before.

If you have never come across this album, I would highly recommend it as a strange and satisfying listening experience. If you had it years ago, why not renew your acquaintance with this 70's classic?

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89 of 92 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I studied this piece of musical genius for my music G.C.S.E. in the late eighties and fell in love with it.BR>The remastered translation to CD can only be described as AWESOME! Jeff Waynes musical vision of H.G. Wells novel now makes my spine tingle like my old worn copies used to,only more so.
Richard Burtons opening dialogue is amazingly convincing,and you can understand why Orson Welles original broadcast caused such widespread panic in America in the early part of the last century,especially when you consider that the aeroplane was still really in its infancy,interplanetary travel really was in the realm of science fiction.
If you like instrumental music,especially with a '70's rock synthesiser twist,this is a must have CD. Yet although it is very much a product of its era it is a unique piece of musical history and as a result is timeless.
The War Of The Worlds should be part of your musical collection along with Rick Wakemans musical vision of Jules Vernes "Journey To The Center Of The Earth" another unique '70's instrumental classic.
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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
war of the worlds 24 April 2004
Format:Audio CD
This album has haunted me for the past 25 years. It scared the hell out ofme and still to this day sends a shiver down my spine when i listen to it.the music is excellent and the combination or Richard Burton's hauntingnarratio mixed with justin heyward, phill lynott and jeff waynes superbproduction, the album still to this day sounds fresh. Go buy it
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Burtons Magic voice
This is ann amazing piece of work and suitable for in car or home entertainment
An exciting story made even more remarkable by the quality of the recitals accompanying the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by mondo
Good service and great album
Nothing to add to the reviews of the actual album....good to hear it again. Sent quickly and well packed. Good price being a 'used' item. Very pleased.
Published 6 months ago by K
Memories Revisited
This album is one of those timeless classics. Originally purchased on vinyl was part of some the collection surrendered when my first and I split. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mrs. J. M. Hoye
War of The Worlds MP3 Download
The last time I heard the full version of WotW was back in the days of vinyl. Bought a CD copy of what I thought was the original version, only to find that it was a cut down album... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Tezman
Must have Classic
An all time classic, narrated by the charismatic voice of Richard Burton and a host of other 1970's pop stars that make it a compelling listen. Read more
Published on 26 Feb 2010 by Andy Amos
Not good
I ordered this item weeks ago on first class delivery and it still has not turned up!
Published on 6 Jan 2010 by Ms. N. N. L. Wilkins
Brilliant, but a tad dated
Dramatic, forceful and atmospheric, but above all the only adaptation to be faithful to the setting... Read more
Published on 15 Dec 2009 by T.
Brilliant Album
This is an absolutely brilliant album. It has some excellent music and songs on there as well as a very haunting bass intro which has stuck with me from the time this record came... Read more
Published on 22 April 2009 by I. M. Knight
It's not ageing well
I've had this album (in one form or another) for just over twenty years - I'm pretty sure I wanted it when it first came out, but it's original release price was very high at the... Read more
Published on 4 April 2009 by David Ryman
If Carlsberg made music
then they would not have done as good a job as Jeff Wayne and Co did on this EPIC piece, digitally remastered and now available as an MP3 download. Read more
Published on 31 Mar 2009 by J Molloy
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