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War of the Worlds Audio CD by Jeff Wayne
01/10/2004 . Source: Sue Davies 
pub: CD: Sony. 2 disks. Catalog: 35290. ASIN: B0000025CO. Price: £12.99 (UK). This is not really a review but a mere indulgence to remind readers about an excellent version of 'War Of The Worlds' made some years ago in 1978 by Jeff Wayne, a producer who had previously worked with David Essex, producing with Chris Spedding, the 'Stardust' album.
'War Of The Worlds' is quite grand in its design. Wayne got some respectable actors involved, Richard Burton and Julie Covington. He also enlisted Essex and Phil Lynott with Justin Hayward singing on behalf of Burton.
The result is a compelling version of the story that is changed and shortened to get it onto a double album (or CD as it is now) but retains the essential fear and mystery of the original novel by HG Wells.
Musicians produce the fantastic range of sounds using synthesisers and guitars in the main, which make us feel the presence of the Martians. The sound of the metal cylinders descending to Earth, the heat ray and the peculiar concept of the red weed being almost 'voiced' is topped only by the amazing war-cry of the Martians as they stomp over the Earth.
For me, it is the richness of Burton's speaking voice combined with the soaring and very sweet vocals of Hayward that humanise this tale of mass destruction.
There are weak parts. It does not feel like Burton and Essex are in the same room when they speak for instance and I took a dislike to Lynott's voice.
A mention for the very talented musicians Chris Thompson, Chris Spedding and Jo Partridge complement the actors and singers very well indeed.
So, as new versions emerge from the shiny cylinders, take some time to play this at full blast and shiver with Burton's opening words, 'No one would have believed the last years of the nineteenth century that human affairs were being watched from the timeless worlds of space...'
Chilling stuff!
The 20th Anniversary was marked by the video game. No, I'd never heard of it either but there is also a re-mastered version of the album with no doubt improved musical quality.
Sue Davies
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