Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of Spartacus
Encyclopedia
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of Spartacus was a 1992 concept album
by Jeff Wayne
and others, telling the story of Roman
gladiator
, Spartacus
.
It starred Anthony Hopkins
, Catherine Zeta Jones (in her first recording role), Fish
, Ladysmith Black Mambazo
, and others. It was also the first Jeff Wayne
release that is not related to his musical adaptation of
The War of the Worlds
. Based on a story outline by Jeff Wayne, the script was written by writer Brian Sibley
and playwright John Spurling with Sibley responsible for the tracks in 'Animal & Man', 'The Eagle & the Hawk' and 'The Appian Way' and Spurling largely responsible for those in 'The Parting of the Ways' and 'The Last Battle'. Also starring in the album is Chris Thompson and Jo Partridge, who appeared in The War of the Worlds
. Originally, Thompson had a singing role, but his song was dropped from the final version of the album. It is rumoured that Thompson possesses the only copy of his song.
The artists for the album were Gino D'Achille, Christos Achilleos
and Andrew Wheatcroft, art directed by Richard Evans
Disc 2: "The Parting Of The Ways"
Total Running Time: Approx 120 Minutes
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
by Jeff Wayne
Jeff Wayne
Jeffry "Jeff" Wayne, born in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, is a musician best known for Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds, his musical version of H. G. Wells' The War of the Worlds...
and others, telling the story of Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
gladiator
Gladiator
A gladiator was an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals. Some gladiators were volunteers who risked their legal and social standing and their lives by appearing in the...
, Spartacus
Spartacus
Spartacus was a famous leader of the slaves in the Third Servile War, a major slave uprising against the Roman Republic. Little is known about Spartacus beyond the events of the war, and surviving historical accounts are sometimes contradictory and may not always be reliable...
.
It starred Anthony Hopkins
Anthony Hopkins
Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins, KBE , best known as Anthony Hopkins, is a Welsh actor of film, stage and television...
, Catherine Zeta Jones (in her first recording role), Fish
Fish (singer)
Derek William Dick, better known as Fish, is a Scottish progressive rock singer, lyricist and occasional actor, best known as the former lead singer of Marillion.-Biography:...
, Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a male choral group from South Africa that sings in the vocal styles of isicathamiya and mbube. They rose to worldwide prominence as a result of singing with Paul Simon on his album, Graceland and have won multiple awards, including three Grammy Awards...
, and others. It was also the first Jeff Wayne
Jeff Wayne
Jeffry "Jeff" Wayne, born in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, is a musician best known for Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds, his musical version of H. G. Wells' The War of the Worlds...
release that is not related to his musical adaptation of
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds is a 1978 concept album by Jeff Wayne, retelling the story of The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells. Its format is progressive rock and string orchestra, using narration and leitmotifs to carry the story via rhyming melodic lyrics that express...
The War of the Worlds
The War of the Worlds
The War of the Worlds is an 1898 science fiction novel written by H. G. Wells.The War of the Worlds may also refer to:- Radio broadcasts :* The War of the Worlds , the 1938 radio broadcast by Orson Welles...
. Based on a story outline by Jeff Wayne, the script was written by writer Brian Sibley
Brian Sibley
Brian Sibley is an English writer. He is author of over 100 hours of radio drama and has written and presented hundreds of radio documentaries, features and weekly programmes.- Early life :...
and playwright John Spurling with Sibley responsible for the tracks in 'Animal & Man', 'The Eagle & the Hawk' and 'The Appian Way' and Spurling largely responsible for those in 'The Parting of the Ways' and 'The Last Battle'. Also starring in the album is Chris Thompson and Jo Partridge, who appeared in The War of the Worlds
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds is a 1978 concept album by Jeff Wayne, retelling the story of The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells. Its format is progressive rock and string orchestra, using narration and leitmotifs to carry the story via rhyming melodic lyrics that express...
. Originally, Thompson had a singing role, but his song was dropped from the final version of the album. It is rumoured that Thompson possesses the only copy of his song.
The artists for the album were Gino D'Achille, Christos Achilleos
Chris Achilleos
Chris Achilleos is a painter and illustrator who specialises in fantasy artwork and glamour illustration. Born in Famagusta, Cyprus, his family emigrated to the United Kingdom in 1959, where he currently resides....
and Andrew Wheatcroft, art directed by Richard Evans
Richard Evans
-Literary figures:*Richard J. Evans , English historian on the subject of Germany before and during World War II*Richard Paul Evans , American author of books with Christian themes; best known for 1995's The Christmas Box...
Track listing
Disc 1: "Animal & Man"- Destiny - [Jeff Wayne/Gary Osborne]
- Animal & Man (Part 1) - [Jeff Wayne]
- Animal & Man (Part 2) - [Jeff Wayne]
- For All Time - [Jeff Wayne/James Cassidy]
- Whispers - [Jeff Wayne/Gary Osborne]
- The Eagle & The Hawk - [Jeff Wayne/Gary Osbourne]
Disc 2: "The Parting Of The Ways"
- Going Home - [Jeff Wayne/Gary Osbourne]
- The Parting Of The Ways - [Jeff Wayne/Gary Osborne]
- We Carry On - [Jeff Wayne/Gary Osborne]
- Trust Me - [Jeff Wayne/Gary Osborne]
- Two Souls With A Single Dream - [Jeff Wayne/Gary Osborne]
- The Last Battle / The Eagle & The Hawk - [Jeff Wayne/Gary Osborne]
- The Appian Way - [Jeff Wayne]
- Epilogue (Part 1) - [Jeff Wayne]
- Epilogue (Part 2) - [Jeff Wayne]
Total Running Time: Approx 120 Minutes
Main cast
- Anthony HopkinsAnthony HopkinsSir Philip Anthony Hopkins, KBE , best known as Anthony Hopkins, is a Welsh actor of film, stage and television...
- Marcus Crassus - Catherine Zeta Jones - Palene
- Alan KingAlan King (singer)Alan King is an Edinburgh born musician, best known as lead singer of rock band Walk on Fire and as lead vocalist on Jeff Wayne's follow-up to War of the Worlds, Spartacus with Fish, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Anthony Hopkins. King has supported Foreigner, Dan Reed Network and Nils...
- SpartacusSpartacusSpartacus was a famous leader of the slaves in the Third Servile War, a major slave uprising against the Roman Republic. Little is known about Spartacus beyond the events of the war, and surviving historical accounts are sometimes contradictory and may not always be reliable... - FishFish (singer)Derek William Dick, better known as Fish, is a Scottish progressive rock singer, lyricist and occasional actor, best known as the former lead singer of Marillion.-Biography:...
- CrixusCrixusCrixus was a leader of the slave rebellion in the Third Servile War, along with Spartacus and Oenomaus.He was a Gaul , and had been a slave for several years before the revolt. Crixus had fought for the Allobroges against the Romans and had been captured. Like his companions, Crixus had trained as... - Chris Thompson - OenomausOenomaus (rebel slave)Oenomaus was a gladiator from Gaul, who escaped from the gladiatorial school of Lentulus Batiatus in Capua. Together with the Thracian Spartacus and a fellow Gaul, Crixus, he became one of the leaders of rebellious slaves during the Third Servile War , but died early in the war.Oenomaus was...
- Jimmy HelmsJimmy HelmsJames H. Helms is an American soul singer.-Early days:Helms' first release "Ragtime Girl" was put out on Pye Records in 1963...
- Isoricus the Cilician Pirate