Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds
Encyclopedia
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 feelings of the various characters. The two-disc album remains a bestseller, having sold millions of records around the world, and was the 40th best selling album of all time in the UK with sales of 2,561,286 by 2009. It has since spawned multiple versions of the album, a computer game, a DVD, and a 30th anniversary live tour.
), Chris Thompson (of Manfred Mann
), Phil Lynott (of Thin Lizzy
), Julie Covington (of Evita), and David Essex (Evita). Wayne conducts what would come to be known as the Black Smoke
Band and the ULLAdubULLA string orchestra.
"Forever Autumn
", "The Eve of the War", "Thunder Child", and "The Spirit of Man" are the most recognised individual songs on the album. "Forever Autumn" was a UK Top 5 single, sung by Justin Hayward. The album itself spent 290 weeks in the UK album charts. It was in the top 10 in 22 countries and reached #1 in 11 countries.
Most of the lyrics on the album were written by former Elton John
lyricist Gary Osborne
.
The album was one of the first recorded on 48 tracks, using two synchronised 24 track Studer
80s at Advision Studios in London. It was engineered by Geoff Young, who was instrumental in bringing the recordings together with only a 16 track desk. His skill in this regard was later recognised by George Michael
, who worked with him to record "Last Christmas
" and "Careless Whisper
" using the same studio and equipment.
The repetition of "Ulla!", the cry made by the Martians
, and certain musical refrains throughout the musical act as leitmotif
s.
The official album comes with several paintings by Peter Goodfellow, Geoff Taylor
and Michael Trim
that help to illustrate the story from beginning to end.
.
Two Spanish versions of the album were released in 1978, one featuring Anthony Quinn
in the role of the journalist, and the other for Spain featuring Teófilo Martinez in the same role. A German version was released in 1980 with Curd Jürgens
taking the part of the journalist.
A 1989 version of "The Eve of the War" remixed by Ben Liebrand
reached number 3 in the UK singles chart. A 1995 special edition of the album featured additional remixes of some tracks and additional conceptual art. Australia
n progressive metal
band Alchemist
released a version of "Eve of the War
" on a 1998 EP.
In 2000, a collection of remix
es of tracks from the original album — including several used in the 1998 computer game — were released on a double CD titled The War of the Worlds: ULLAdubULLA The Remix Album. While most of the contributors are relatively unknown, the album includes two versions of a remix of "Dead London" by Apollo Four Forty.
On 23 June 2005 the original album was re-released in two forms: one in a remastered 2-disc Hybrid Multichannel Super Audio CD
set; another in a 7-disc "Collector's Edition" featuring many bonuses such as various remixes, outtakes, and the actors reading from the unabridged script as well as the seventh disc being a DVD
showing the making of the album, produced by Phoenix Film & Television Productions
.
While the original ULLAdubULLA album had a very limited run and has since gone out of print, following the huge success of the 2005 re-release of the original album, ULLAdubULLA II was released on 17 April 2006. This single CD release was largely made of tracks from the original remix album, with some additional new remixes by Tom Middleton
and DJ Keltech
, and hip-hop versions of two tracks by DJ Zube. Middleton's remixes of "The Eve of the War" were also released on CD and vinyl.
released Jeff Wayne's Video Game Version of The War of the Worlds for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum
home computer
. It was also released in Germany as Jeff Wayne's Video Version von Der Krieg der Welten.
A 1998 computer game version, Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds
, was created by Rage Software. Jeff Wayne himself produced the musical arrangements for the game, consisting of 45 minutes of material re-scored and remix
ed in a newer electronica
style with techno
beats. The game's artwork was based on the illustrations found throughout the original album booklet, and some of Burton's dialogue as the journalist is used in the opening scenes.
A version of the game was also released for the Sony PlayStation
, although this was a more "arcade" style game.
In 2011 zGames released Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds: Minigame Adventure. The Minigame Adventure contains 12 unique minigames for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
CGI
film version set for a 2007 release. The film has yet to be released and is still in its production stages. Test footage of some of the Martian machines has been released to War of the Worlds online.
as Parson Nathaniel, Alexis James as The Artilleryman, and Tara Blaise
as Beth. Daniel Boys
(known from BBC's Any Dream Will Do
) was understudy for all the roles sung by male artists. A model Fighting Machine featured on stage. Also presented was a short animated 'prequel' to the story in the style of the upcoming feature-length film detailing the Martians' ecological destruction of their own world (which was originally made for the 1998 computer game Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds
) and their preparations to invade Earth, and including a short remix of "The Red Weed". The show was produced by Ray Jones Damian Collier
and Jeff Wayne.
The live show toured Australia and New Zealand in 2007, with dates in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Auckland. The Australian tour featured "Australian Idol
" runner-up Shannon Noll
as Parson Nathaniel, actress Rachael Beck
as Beth and Michael Falzon as the Artilleryman, alongside Justin Hayward and Chris Thompson from the original cast with Chris Spedding and Herbie Flowers in the band. A further UK live tour took place in December 2007 with Justin Hayward
, Chris Thompson, Alexis James, John Payne
as Parson, and Sinéad Quinn
as Beth.
2008 marked the 30th anniversary of the original album release and a number of events took place, including a "30th Anniversary" tour which started on 7 June 2009 in Dublin. The 30th anniversary saw Justin Hayward, Alexis James and Chris Thompson reprise their respective roles, with Shannon Noll
taking the role of Parson Nathaniel and Jennifer Ellison
as Beth. When Noll had to leave the show halfway through its 2009 tour, the role of Parson Nathaniel went to Damien Edwards, who completed the run. The virtual Richard Burton was also improved; the whole face was animated (an actor was found with a similar facial structure, all of Burton's narrative parts were mimed, and his face was super-imposed onto the face of the actor). In November 2009 Wayne announced on his website dates for another tour in the UK, Ireland, Germany, and Holland, and for the first time, Belgium, in late 2010–early 2011. Justin Hayward and Chris Thompson reprised their roles as The Sung Thoughts of the Journalist and The Voice of Humanity respectively, with Rhydian Roberts
as Parson Nathaniel, Jason Donovan
as The Artilleryman and Liz McClarnon
as Beth.
, London show was released 6 November 2006 by Universal. Disc 1 contains the live show and Disc 2 contains extras and a documentary of the making of the live show. It is titled Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds - Live on Stage.
Side B
Side C
Side D
Disc one
- Some pressings misprint the first track as "The Eye of the War"
Disc two
- Tracks 8 - 11 are only on the 1995 and 1998 re-releases.
- The 1998 version commemorated the twentieth anniversary of the original album.
Disc two
Disc three
Disc four
Disc five
Disc six
Disc seven (DVD)
This DVD accompanies Jeff Wayne in the memories of the intensive work while making the original album, featuring footage and an abundance of information about the participating crew and the workflow behind the album.
or on the 2005 SACD
version, the track layout is slightly different:
Disc 1 (The Coming of the Martians)
Disc 2 (The Earth Under the Martians)
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...
, retelling the story of 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...
by H. G. Wells
H. G. Wells
Herbert George Wells was an English author, now best known for his work in the science fiction genre. He was also a prolific writer in many other genres, including contemporary novels, history, politics and social commentary, even writing text books and rules for war games...
. Its format is progressive rock and string orchestra, using narration and leitmotifs to carry the story via rhyming melodic lyrics that express the feelings of the various characters. The two-disc album remains a bestseller, having sold millions of records around the world, and was the 40th best selling album of all time in the UK with sales of 2,561,286 by 2009. It has since spawned multiple versions of the album, a computer game, a DVD, and a 30th anniversary live tour.
Cast
- Richard BurtonRichard BurtonRichard Burton, CBE was a Welsh actor. He was nominated seven times for an Academy Award, six of which were for Best Actor in a Leading Role , and was a recipient of BAFTA, Golden Globe and Tony Awards for Best Actor. Although never trained as an actor, Burton was, at one time, the highest-paid...
– spoken wordSpoken wordSpoken word is a form of poetry that often uses alliterated prose or verse and occasionally uses metered verse to express social commentary. Traditionally it is in the first person, is from the poet’s point of view and is themed in current events....
s (The Journalist: the narrator-protagonist) - David EssexDavid EssexDavid Essex OBE is an English musician, singer-songwriter and actor. Since the 1970s, Essex has attained nineteen Top 40 singles in the UK , and sixteen Top 40 albums...
– spoken words and vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
(The Artilleryman) - Phil LynottPhil LynottPhilip Parris "Phil" Lynott was an Irish musician who first came to prominence as a founding member, principal songwriter, and frontman of the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy....
– spoken words and vocals (ParsonParsonIn the pre-Reformation church, a parson was the priest of an independent parish church, that is, a parish church not under the control of a larger ecclesiastical or monastic organization...
Nathaniel) - Julie CovingtonJulie CovingtonJulie Covington is an English singer and actress, best known for recording the original version of "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina".-Career:...
– spoken words and vocals (Beth) - Justin HaywardJustin HaywardJustin Hayward is an English musician, best known as singer, songwriter and guitarist in the rock band The Moody Blues.Hayward was born in Dean Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, England...
– vocals (The Sung Thoughts of The Journalist: "Forever Autumn") - Chris Thompson – vocals (The Voice of Humanity: "Thunder Child")
- Jerry Wayne – spoken words ("Epilogue, Part 2")
- Ken "Prof" FreemanKen Freeman (composer)Ken Freeman is a prominent English composer and session musician, primarily playing piano and synthesisers.He is most prominently known for his work playing most of the synthesisers on Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds, and also as the composer of the theme music for BBC...
– keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Chris SpeddingChris SpeddingChris Spedding is an English rock and roll and jazz guitarist, best known for his session work. Allmusic states - "Spedding is one of the UK's most versatile session guitarists, and has had a long career on two continents that saw him tackle nearly every style of rock and roll, as well as...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s - Jo Partridge – guitars (mainly The Heat Ray), mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
- George FentonGeorge FentonGeorge Fenton is a British composer best known for his work writing film scores and music for television, although he also writes music for the theatre. His real name is George Howe but he is better known by his pseudonym of George Fenton.-Selected film and television credits:Fenton has composed...
– santurSanturThe santur is a Persian hammered dulcimerIt is a trapezoid-shaped box often made of walnut or different exotic woods. The Persian classical santur has 72 strings. The name santur was first referenced in ancient Persian poetry...
, zitherZitherThe zither is a musical string instrument, most commonly found in Slovenia, Austria, Hungary citera, northwestern Croatia, the southern regions of Germany, alpine Europe and East Asian cultures, including China...
, tarTar (lute)The tār is a long-necked, waisted Iranian instrument. It has been adopted by other cultures and Azerbaijan. The word tar itself means "string" in Persian, though it might have the same meaning in languages influenced by Persian or any other branches of Iranian languages like Kurdish... - Herbie FlowersHerbie FlowersHerbie Flowers is an English musician specialising in bass guitar, double-bass and tuba. He is noted as a member of Blue Mink, T...
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Barry Morgan – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Barry da Souza, Roy Jones, Ray CooperRay CooperRay Cooper is an English musician. He is a session and road-tour percussionist, and occasional actor, who has worked with several musically diverse bands and artists including George Harrison, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, and Elton John. Cooper is commonly regarded by music fans, critics and fellow...
– percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration... - Paul Vigrass, Gary OsborneGary OsborneGary Osborne is an English singer and songwriter from the United Kingdom.-Career:Osborne was born in London, educated in Switzerland, and followed his father into the music industry at the age of fifteen....
, Billy Lawrie – backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
About the album
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds was created by composer Jeff Wayne based on the 1898 novel by H. G. Wells. It features Academy Award nominated actor Richard Burton, Justin Hayward (of The Moody BluesThe Moody Blues
The Moody Blues are an English rock band. Among their innovations was a fusion with classical music, most notably in their 1967 album Days of Future Passed....
), Chris Thompson (of Manfred Mann
Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Manfred Mann's Earth Band is a British progressive rock group formed in 1971 by Manfred Mann.-Formation:Having started in the 1960s with a British band that had such hits as "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" and "The Mighty Quinn", then moving on to Jazz Fusion with Manfred Mann's Chapter Three, Manfred's third...
), Phil Lynott (of Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
), Julie Covington (of Evita), and David Essex (Evita). Wayne conducts what would come to be known as the Black Smoke
Black smoke
The black smoke, or black powder is a fictional poisonous gas in H. G. Wells' science fiction novel The War of the Worlds, used by the Martians to eliminate groups of humans remotely, especially artillery crews, before they could fire. The rockets from which they explode are fired from a "black...
Band and the ULLAdubULLA string orchestra.
"Forever Autumn
Forever Autumn (song)
"Forever Autumn" is a song by Jeff Wayne, Gary Osborne and Paul Vigrass. The original melody was written by Wayne in 1969 as a jingle for a Lego commercial. Vigrass and Osborne, the performers of the original jingle, added lyrics to the song and recorded it for inclusion on their 1972 album Queues...
", "The Eve of the War", "Thunder Child", and "The Spirit of Man" are the most recognised individual songs on the album. "Forever Autumn" was a UK Top 5 single, sung by Justin Hayward. The album itself spent 290 weeks in the UK album charts. It was in the top 10 in 22 countries and reached #1 in 11 countries.
Most of the lyrics on the album were written by former Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
lyricist Gary Osborne
Gary Osborne
Gary Osborne is an English singer and songwriter from the United Kingdom.-Career:Osborne was born in London, educated in Switzerland, and followed his father into the music industry at the age of fifteen....
.
The album was one of the first recorded on 48 tracks, using two synchronised 24 track Studer
Studer
Studer is a Swiss manufacturer of professional audio equipment, founded in Zurich in 1948 by Willi Studer. It is known primarily for the design and manufacture of analog tape recorders and mixing consoles. Studer also produce other technology solutions, such as telephony management systems and...
80s at Advision Studios in London. It was engineered by Geoff Young, who was instrumental in bringing the recordings together with only a 16 track desk. His skill in this regard was later recognised by George Michael
George Michael
George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley...
, who worked with him to record "Last Christmas
Last Christmas
"Last Christmas" is a song by British pop duo Wham!, released on Epic Records in 1984, on a double A-side with "Everything She Wants". It was written by George Michael, one half of the duo...
" and "Careless Whisper
Careless Whisper
"Careless Whisper" is a 1984 single by George Michael , released by Epic Records in the UK, Japan, and other countries; and by Columbia Records in North America. The song was George Michael's first solo single although he was still performing in Wham! at the time...
" using the same studio and equipment.
The repetition of "Ulla!", the cry made by the Martians
Martian (War of the Worlds)
The Martians, also known as the Invaders, are the fictional race of extraterrestrials from the H.G. Wells novel The War of the Worlds. They are the antagonists of the novel, and their efforts to exterminate the populace of Earth and claim the planet for themselves drive the plot and present...
, and certain musical refrains throughout the musical act as leitmotif
Leitmotif
A leitmotif , sometimes written leit-motif, is a musical term , referring to a recurring theme, associated with a particular person, place, or idea. It is closely related to the musical idea of idée fixe...
s.
The official album comes with several paintings by Peter Goodfellow, Geoff Taylor
Geoff Taylor
Geoff Taylor is an English fantasy artist. He has illustrated books for famous fantasy writers such as Robert Holdstock, Philip K. Dick, David and Leigh Eddings, Graham Edwards, Raymond E. Feist, Katharine Kerr, J. R. R. Tolkien, Roger Zelazny, and David Zindell...
and Michael Trim
Michael Trim
Michael Trim is an artist most famous for illustrating the cover of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds, which depicts a Martian tripod striking down the heroic Thunder Child...
that help to illustrate the story from beginning to end.
Other versions of the album
To promote the 1978 release, an abridged album containing "Radio edits" was distributed to radio stations. Special intros and endings had to be added to certain tracks because they simply weren't written with radio in mind. The "air play" album turned out so well that in 1981 CBS decided to release it commercially under the unwieldy title Highlights from Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the WorldsHighlights from Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds
Highlights from Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds is a compilation album by Jeff Wayne. It was released by Columbia Records.-About the album:...
.
Two Spanish versions of the album were released in 1978, one featuring Anthony Quinn
Anthony Quinn
Antonio Rodolfo Quinn-Oaxaca , more commonly known as Anthony Quinn, was a Mexican American actor, as well as a painter and writer...
in the role of the journalist, and the other for Spain featuring Teófilo Martinez in the same role. A German version was released in 1980 with Curd Jürgens
Curd Jürgens
Curd Gustav Andreas Gottlieb Franz Jürgens was a German-Austrian stage and film actor. He was usually billed in English-speaking films as Curt Jurgens.-Early life:...
taking the part of the journalist.
A 1989 version of "The Eve of the War" remixed by Ben Liebrand
Ben Liebrand
Ben Liebrand is a dance music DJ. He has produced artists such as Forrest and MC Miker G & DJ Sven and remixed tracks by artists such as Salt N Pepa, Sting, TLC, Fun Fun, Tavares, Bill Withers, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Rick Astley, SWV and Phil Collins...
reached number 3 in the UK singles chart. A 1995 special edition of the album featured additional remixes of some tracks and additional conceptual art. Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n progressive metal
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
band Alchemist
Alchemist (band)
Alchemist is an Australian progressive metal band from Canberra whose style combines death metal, progressive rock, psychedelic, Eastern, Aboriginal and electronic influences. The band formed in 1987 and has so far released six studios albums, an EP and a compilation album. Work began on a new EP...
released a version of "Eve of the War
Eve of the War
Eve of the War is an EP from the Australian progressive metal band, Alchemist. The EP was released by Shock Records through its subsidiary label Thrust in November 1998. The title track, "Eve of the War" is a cover of the opening piece from the 1978 production, Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The...
" on a 1998 EP.
In 2000, a collection of remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
es of tracks from the original album — including several used in the 1998 computer game — were released on a double CD titled The War of the Worlds: ULLAdubULLA The Remix Album. While most of the contributors are relatively unknown, the album includes two versions of a remix of "Dead London" by Apollo Four Forty.
On 23 June 2005 the original album was re-released in two forms: one in a remastered 2-disc Hybrid Multichannel Super Audio CD
Super Audio CD
Super Audio CD is a high-resolution, read-only optical disc for audio storage. Sony and Philips Electronics jointly developed the technology, and publicized it in 1999. It is designated as the Scarlet Book standard. Sony and Philips previously collaborated to define the Compact Disc standard...
set; another in a 7-disc "Collector's Edition" featuring many bonuses such as various remixes, outtakes, and the actors reading from the unabridged script as well as the seventh disc being a DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
showing the making of the album, produced by Phoenix Film & Television Productions
Phoenix Film & Television Productions
Phoenix Film & Television Productions Ltd. is a Production and Post-Production company based in London at Three Mills Film Studios, founded in July 1998...
.
While the original ULLAdubULLA album had a very limited run and has since gone out of print, following the huge success of the 2005 re-release of the original album, ULLAdubULLA II was released on 17 April 2006. This single CD release was largely made of tracks from the original remix album, with some additional new remixes by Tom Middleton
Tom Middleton
Tom Middleton is a prolific British recording artist, music producer, remixer and DJ.A classically trained pianist and cellist, Middleton worked in the early 1990s with Richard D. James , co-producing "En-Trance To Exit" on the Analogue Bubblebath EP for Exeter's influential Mighty Force Records...
and DJ Keltech
Keltech
Keltech Keltech Keltech (born Lloyd Morganis an award-winning DJ and music producer.-Background:Keltech started started producing in 1990, and DJing in 1992 using modified second hand hi-fi record players, putting mix tapes in local shops and organising small raves for locals to gain publicity...
, and hip-hop versions of two tracks by DJ Zube. Middleton's remixes of "The Eve of the War" were also released on CD and vinyl.
Video games
In 1984 CRL Group PLCCRL Group PLC
CRL Group plc is a defunct British video game development and publishing company. Originally CRL stood for "Computer Rentals Ltd.". It was based in King's Yard, London and run by Clem Chambers....
released Jeff Wayne's Video Game Version of The War of the Worlds for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum
ZX Spectrum
The ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd...
home computer
Home computer
Home computers were a class of microcomputers entering the market in 1977, and becoming increasingly common during the 1980s. They were marketed to consumers as affordable and accessible computers that, for the first time, were intended for the use of a single nontechnical user...
. It was also released in Germany as Jeff Wayne's Video Version von Der Krieg der Welten.
A 1998 computer game version, Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds
Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds
Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds is a title used for two 1998 video games published by GT Interactive. The first is a real-time strategy game developed by Rage Software Limited for the PC...
, was created by Rage Software. Jeff Wayne himself produced the musical arrangements for the game, consisting of 45 minutes of material re-scored and remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
ed in a newer electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
style with techno
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
beats. The game's artwork was based on the illustrations found throughout the original album booklet, and some of Burton's dialogue as the journalist is used in the opening scenes.
A version of the game was also released for the Sony PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
, although this was a more "arcade" style game.
In 2011 zGames released Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds: Minigame Adventure. The Minigame Adventure contains 12 unique minigames for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
Animated version
In late 2004 the ULLAdubULLA II production had been commissioned for an animatedAnimation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
CGI
Computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery is the application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media...
film version set for a 2007 release. The film has yet to be released and is still in its production stages. Test footage of some of the Martian machines has been released to War of the Worlds online.
Tour
A live tour, based on the album, began in the UK and Ireland in April 2006. Jeff Wayne returned to conduct the 48-piece ULLAdubULLA Strings and 10-piece Black Smoke Band. A "virtual" Richard Burton (a projected image of a young Burton with a super-imposed actor's mouth and jaw lip synched to the original Burton recordings) performed as The Journalist. Justin Hayward reprised his original role as The Sung Thoughts of The Journalist and Chris Thompson returned as The Voice Of Humanity. Also from the original recording were Chris Spedding playing lead guitar and Herbie Flowers on bass guitar. Other guest artists who appeared were the "People's Tenor" Russell WatsonRussell Watson
Russell Watson is an English tenor who has released singles and albums of both operatic-style and pop songs. The self-styled "People's Tenor" had been singing since he was a child, and became known after performing at a working men's club...
as Parson Nathaniel, Alexis James as The Artilleryman, and Tara Blaise
Tara Blaise
Tara Blaise is an Irish female pop, folk, rock singer. The eldest of six children, Blaise was born in London, but at the age of three moved with her parents to Ireland and grew up in the rambling hills of Aughrim County Wicklow....
as Beth. Daniel Boys
Daniel Boys
Daniel Boys is a British musical theatre actor, best known as a contestant on the BBC talent series Any Dream Will Do in 2007.-Acting Career:...
(known from BBC's Any Dream Will Do
Any Dream Will Do (TV series)
Any Dream Will Do, often known as 'Joseph', was a 2007 talent show-themed television series produced by the BBC in the United Kingdom. It searched for a new, unknown lead to play Joseph in a West End revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.The show...
) was understudy for all the roles sung by male artists. A model Fighting Machine featured on stage. Also presented was a short animated 'prequel' to the story in the style of the upcoming feature-length film detailing the Martians' ecological destruction of their own world (which was originally made for the 1998 computer game Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds
Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds
Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds is a title used for two 1998 video games published by GT Interactive. The first is a real-time strategy game developed by Rage Software Limited for the PC...
) and their preparations to invade Earth, and including a short remix of "The Red Weed". The show was produced by Ray Jones Damian Collier
Damian Collier
Damian Collier is a British producer, entrepreneur and business consultant for film, TV, music and stage.-Career and success:Collier has produced both independently and has collaborated with major film and TV studios such as Paramount Pictures, Fox, Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, and...
and Jeff Wayne.
The live show toured Australia and New Zealand in 2007, with dates in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Auckland. The Australian tour featured "Australian Idol
Australian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...
" runner-up Shannon Noll
Shannon Noll
Shannon Noll first came to prominence as runner-up of the first series of Australian Idol which led to him being signed to Sony BMG. Since then he has released five Top 10 albums and ten Top 10 singles. His first two albums That's What I'm Talking About in 2004 and Lift in 2005 debuted at No...
as Parson Nathaniel, actress Rachael Beck
Rachael Beck
Rachael Beck is an Australian stage and television actress.-Career highlights:Beck's best known role is that of Martin Kelly's niece, Sam, on the popular sitcom, Hey Dad...!....
as Beth and Michael Falzon as the Artilleryman, alongside Justin Hayward and Chris Thompson from the original cast with Chris Spedding and Herbie Flowers in the band. A further UK live tour took place in December 2007 with Justin Hayward
Justin Hayward
Justin Hayward is an English musician, best known as singer, songwriter and guitarist in the rock band The Moody Blues.Hayward was born in Dean Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, England...
, Chris Thompson, Alexis James, John Payne
John Payne (singer)
John Payne is a British musician, best known as the lead singer and bassist of Asia from 1992 to 2006 and from June 2007 with ASIA Featuring John Payne....
as Parson, and Sinéad Quinn
Sinéad Quinn
Sinéad Quinn and graduate of the University of Hull was a contestant in the first series of the UK BBC TV series Fame Academy in 2002. She later went on to sign a recording contract, released an album, and had a #2 UK single. She is married to Paul Stewart, drummer with The Feeling...
as Beth.
2008 marked the 30th anniversary of the original album release and a number of events took place, including a "30th Anniversary" tour which started on 7 June 2009 in Dublin. The 30th anniversary saw Justin Hayward, Alexis James and Chris Thompson reprise their respective roles, with Shannon Noll
Shannon Noll
Shannon Noll first came to prominence as runner-up of the first series of Australian Idol which led to him being signed to Sony BMG. Since then he has released five Top 10 albums and ten Top 10 singles. His first two albums That's What I'm Talking About in 2004 and Lift in 2005 debuted at No...
taking the role of Parson Nathaniel and Jennifer Ellison
Jennifer Ellison
Jennifer Lesley Ellison is an English actress, glamour model, television personality, dancer and singer...
as Beth. When Noll had to leave the show halfway through its 2009 tour, the role of Parson Nathaniel went to Damien Edwards, who completed the run. The virtual Richard Burton was also improved; the whole face was animated (an actor was found with a similar facial structure, all of Burton's narrative parts were mimed, and his face was super-imposed onto the face of the actor). In November 2009 Wayne announced on his website dates for another tour in the UK, Ireland, Germany, and Holland, and for the first time, Belgium, in late 2010–early 2011. Justin Hayward and Chris Thompson reprised their roles as The Sung Thoughts of the Journalist and The Voice of Humanity respectively, with Rhydian Roberts
Rhydian Roberts
Rhydian James Roberts , popularly known as Rhydian, is a classically trained Welsh baritone and crossover artist. He rose to fame on The X Factor in 2007...
as Parson Nathaniel, Jason Donovan
Jason Donovan
Jason Donovan is an Australian actor and singer. He initially achieved fame in the Australian soap opera Neighbours, before beginning a career in music in 1988. In the UK he has sold over 3 million records, and his début album Ten Good Reasons was one of the highest-selling albums of 1989...
as The Artilleryman and Liz McClarnon
Liz McClarnon
Elizabeth Margaret "Liz" McClarnon is an English pop singer, dancer and television presenter. She was a member of the group Atomic Kitten and originated the role of Paulette in the first UK tour of Legally Blonde the musical....
as Beth.
DVD
A two disc Region 2 DVD of the 2006 Wembley ArenaWembley Arena
Wembley Arena is an indoor arena, at Wembley, in the London Borough of Brent. The building is opposite Wembley Stadium.-History:...
, London show was released 6 November 2006 by Universal. Disc 1 contains the live show and Disc 2 contains extras and a documentary of the making of the live show. It is titled Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds - Live on Stage.
Track listing
All dialogue written by Doreen and Jerry Wayne, based upon H.G. Wells' original text. Music and lyrics by Jeff Wayne except as noted.LP
Side A- "The Eve of the War" – 9:06
- "Horsell Common and the Heat Ray" – 11:36
Side B
- "The Artilleryman and the Fighting Machine" – 10:36
- "Forever AutumnForever Autumn (song)"Forever Autumn" is a song by Jeff Wayne, Gary Osborne and Paul Vigrass. The original melody was written by Wayne in 1969 as a jingle for a Lego commercial. Vigrass and Osborne, the performers of the original jingle, added lyrics to the song and recorded it for inclusion on their 1972 album Queues...
" – 7:43 (Wayne, Vigrass, Osborne) - "Thunder Child" – 6:10 (Wayne, Osborne)
Side C
- "The Red Weed (Part 1)" – 5:55
- "Parson Nathaniel" – 1:45
- "The Spirit of Man" – 9:52 (Wayne, Osborne)
- "The Red Weed (Part 2)" – 6:51
Side D
- "Brave New World" – 12:13 (Wayne, Osborne)
- "Dead London" – 8:37
- "Epilogue (Part 1)" – 2:42
- "Epilogue (Part 2) (NASANASAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
)" – 2:02
Compact disc
Same as LP, reorganised as a double CD. Original CD release date 1985:Disc one
- "The Eve of the War" – 9:07 (Wayne)
- "Horsell Common and the Heat Ray" – 11:35 (Wayne)
- "The Artilleryman and the Fighting Machine" – 10:27 (Wayne)
- "Forever Autumn" – 7:55 (Wayne, Vigrass, Osborne)
- "Thunder Child" – 6:03 (Wayne, Osborne)
- Some pressings misprint the first track as "The Eye of the War"
Disc two
- "The Red Weed (Part 1)" – 5:51
- "The Spirit of Man" – 11:45 (Wayne, Osborne) [the LP's tracks "Parson Nathaniel" and "The Spirit of Man" indexed as one track]
- "The Red Weed (Part 2)" – 6:19
- "Brave New World" – 12:36 (Wayne, Osborne)
- "Dead London" – 8:36
- "Epilogue (Part 1)" – 2:42
- "Epilogue (Part 2) (NASA)" – 2:01
- "The Spirit of Man (Dubulladub)" - 4:15
- "Forever Autumn - Remix'96" - 4:46
- "Forever Autumn (Dark Autumn Dub)" - 8:51
- "The Eve of The War (pi-r2h Mix)" - 6:19
- Tracks 8 - 11 are only on the 1995 and 1998 re-releases.
- The 1998 version commemorated the twentieth anniversary of the original album.
Seven disc box set
Disc one- "The Eve of the War"
- "Horsell Common and the Heat Ray"
- "The Artilleryman and the Fighting Machine"
- "Forever Autumn"
- "Thunder Child"
Disc two
- "The Red Weed (Part 1)"
- "The Spirit of Man"
- "The Red Weed (Part 2)"
- "Brave New World"
- "Dead London"
- "Epilogue (Part 1)"
- "Epilogue (Part 2) (NASA)"
Disc three
- "UlladubUlla" - Papa Ootzie Remix
- "The Eve of the War" - Hybrid’s Fire in the Sky Mix
- "Forever Autumn" - N-TranceN-TranceN-Trance are a British electronic music group, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, who were formed by Kevin O'Toole and Dale Longworth, in 1990. The group has sold over 5 million records worldwide and some of their hit singles include "Set You Free", "Forever", as well as covers of the popular 1970s...
Remix - "Horsell Common and the Heat Ray" - Max Mondo Remix
- "The Spirit of Man" - Spirit Of Dub—Tom FrederikseTom FrederikseTom Frederikse is an electronic music producer who has performed remix work for Sasha in the early-1990s on Sasha's single "Appolonia" as well as working with him as "QAT" on records including The Qat Collection. He has also done work for D:Ream other large labels such as Atlantic Records and...
/Gaëtan Schurrer Remix - "The Eve of the War" - HaniHani (producer)Hani is an American producer and remixer from New York City, New York whose restructuring of hits ranging from Michael Jackson to Alicia Keys have gone on to become club classics...
Remix - "The Artilleryman and the Fighting Machine" - Max Mondo Remix
- "Brave New World" - Todd TerryTodd TerryTodd N. Terry is an American DJ, producer, and remixer.-Career:Terry's productions extensively used samples blending the sounds of classic disco, the Chicago sound, and elements of hip-hop....
Remix - "Forever Autumn" - Dark Autumn Dub Tom Frederikse/Gaëtan Schurrer Remix
- "The Red Weed" - Mister Joyboy Remix
- "The Spirit of Destiny (The Parson Versus Palene)" - Cassidy/LanganGary LanganGary Langan is an audio engineer and record producer.-Biography:In 1983, Langan co-founded the ZTT Records label with Trevor Horn, Paul Morley and Jill Sinclair...
/WayneJeff WayneJeffry "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...
Remix - "The Eve of the War" - 1980 Disco Steve ThompsonSteve Thompson (musician)-Biography:Steve Thompson is an American record producer, Having worked with Guns N Roses, Madonna, John Lennon, Wu Tang, Korn, Cutting Crew, Belouis Some,Public Enemy, Whitney Houston, Metallica and Red Hot Chili Peppers...
Remix - "The Spirit of Man" - Max Mondo Remix
- "The Eve of the War" - Ben LiebrandBen LiebrandBen Liebrand is a dance music DJ. He has produced artists such as Forrest and MC Miker G & DJ Sven and remixed tracks by artists such as Salt N Pepa, Sting, TLC, Fun Fun, Tavares, Bill Withers, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Rick Astley, SWV and Phil Collins...
Remix - "Brave New World" - Dario GDario GDario G is the name of a dance music trio from Crewe, Cheshire, England. Despite popular belief the group are not named after the manager of Crewe Alexandra, Dario Gradi but changed their name from Dario to Dario G after being threatened with legal action from an artist of the same name...
Remix - "Dead London" - Mister Joyboy Remix
- "The Eve of the War Versus Animal and Man" - Forrest/Schurrer/Wayne Remix
Disc four
- Four Narrators (Opening Passage)
- Eve of the War [Original Unused Intro]
- Eve of the War [Early Band Take]
- Eve of the War [Stripped Down Mix]
- Eve of the War
- 'That' Laugh
- Out-Takes (From Horsell Common and the Heat Ray)
- Out-Takes (From Horsell Common and the Heat Ray) (Continued)
- Out-Takes (From Horsell Common and the Heat Ray)
- Horsell Common and the Heat Ray [Early Version]
- Out-Takes (From Horsell Common and the Heat Ray)
- Heat Ray Versus the Jangle Piano (Martian Versus Man)
- Artilleryman and the Fighting Machine [Early Band Take, Featuring Original Script]
- Richard Burton Out-Take
- Lego Toys [Original 1969 TV Commercial]
- Forever Autumn [Original 1972 Version]
- Bar Count-Under Attack (From Forever Autumn)
- Forever Autumn [Early Version]
- Bar Count Continues (From Forever Autumn)
- Paperboys [Original Unused Out-Take]
- Paperboys [Original Unused Out-Take]
- Paperboy Shouts and Panicking Crowd [Original Unused Out-Takes from Forever Autumn]
- Paperboy Shouts and Panicking Crowd [Original Unused Out-Takes from Forever Autumn]
- "Ugly Brutes!" and "See Them?" [Original Unused Out-Takes from Forever Autumn]
- Forever Autumn [Early Version]
- Thunder Child [Early Version]
- Thunder Child [Later Version]
- Four Narrators (The Earth Belonged to the Martians)
- Four Narrators (The Red Weed)
- Red Weed [Early Version]
- Unused Out-Take (From the Red Weed)
- Red Weed [Original Unused Part]
- Red Weed [Original Unused Part]
- Jeff's "Worth a Listen" Red Weed Alternative
- Original 75" Radio Commercial
Disc five
- Parson Nathaniel [2005 Revisited Version]
- Spirit of Man [Early Version With Unused Acting Parts]
- Spirit of Man [Early Version Guide Vocals]
- Spirit of Man [Jerry, Doreen & Phil Acting Out-Takes]
- Spirit of Man [Alternative Version]
- "Are You Ready Jeff?" [Acting Out-Take from the Spirit of Man]
- "Are You Ready Jeff?" [Acting Out-Take from the Spirit of Man]
- Spirit of Man
- Spirit of Man [Out-Take, Including Original Unused Script]
- Spirit of Man [Out-Take, Including Original Unused Script]
- Spirit of Man [Out-Takes, Including Original Unused Script]
- Spirit of Man [Beth & Parson Out-Takes, Including Original Unused Script]
- Spirit of Man [Out-Takes, Including Original Unused Script]
- Spirit of 'Mayan' [Parson Out-Takes]
- Spirit of Man (Beth Is Killed)
- Spirit of Man [Beth Is Killed - Original Out-Take]
- Spirit of Man [Guitar Solo]
- 'Outcries' (From the Spirit of Man)
- Spirited Man [Strings and Acoustic Guitar Alternative]
- Spirit of Man [Beth Out-Takes]
- Spirit of Man [Beth Out-Takes]
- Spirit of Man [Beth Out-Takes]
- Spirit of Man [Beth Out-Takes]
- Spirit of Man [Beth Out-Takes]
- Spirit of Man [Beth Out-Takes]
- Spirit of Guitars (Guitars and Strings from the Spirit of Man)
- Tea for Two: Jerry & Phil's Late Night Cabaret
- Parson Nathaniel Scream Out-Takes (From the Spirit of Man)
- Parson Nathaniel Scream Out-Takes (From the Spirit of Man)
- Original Parson Scream Out-Takes
- Original Spanish Parson Scream Out-Takes
- German Journalist and Parson Out-Takes
- Spanish Journalist and Parson Scream Out-Take
- "And There Was Nothing I Could Do to Prevent It" [Out-Takes and Master]
- Parson Nathaniel [Original Unused Song]
- "Less Piano and More Air, Please!"
- Artilleryman Returns [With Unused Parts]
- Artilleryman's Out-Takes (From Brave New World)
- Artilleryman's Out-Takes (From Brave New World) (Continued)
- Artilleryman's Out-Takes (From Brave New World)
- Brave New World [Early Piano Demo]
- Brave New World [Early Band Take]
- Artilleryman's "I've Got a Plan!" Out-Takes (From Brave New World)
- Brave New World [Acoustic Alternative]
- Brave New World [Alternative Version]
- Spanish Artilleryman's Plan (From Brave New World)
- Acting Out-Takes (From Brave New World)
- Acting Out-Takes (From Brave New World)
- Acting Out-Takes (From Brave New World)
- Acting Out-Takes (From Brave New World)
- Acting Out-Takes (From Brave New World)
- Original 40" Radio Commercial
- Regressing Bar Count
Disc six
- Dead London [Early Version, Featuring Original Piano Demo]
- Dead London [Early Band Run-Through]
- Murderous Out-Takes (From Dead London)
- Murderous Out-Takes (From Dead London)
- Bar Count (From Dead London)
- Breathless Out-Take (From Dead London)
- Epilogue I [Early Band Take]
- Four Narrators (Epilogue)
- Unused Alternative NASA Epilogue Out-Take
- Unused Alternative NASA Epilogue Out-Take
- Unused Alternative NASA Epilogue Out-Take
- NASA Epilogue Spanish Version
- Spanish Narrator Out-Take
- Spanish Narrator Out-Take
- Spanish Narrator Out-Take
- Spanish Narrator Out-Take
- (through 31.) Original Narration and Acting Parts [Unabridged]
Disc seven (DVD)
- The Making of Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of War of the Worlds
This DVD accompanies Jeff Wayne in the memories of the intensive work while making the original album, featuring footage and an abundance of information about the participating crew and the workflow behind the album.
iTunes / SACD version
When bought through iTunesITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
or on the 2005 SACD
Super Audio CD
Super Audio CD is a high-resolution, read-only optical disc for audio storage. Sony and Philips Electronics jointly developed the technology, and publicized it in 1999. It is designated as the Scarlet Book standard. Sony and Philips previously collaborated to define the Compact Disc standard...
version, the track layout is slightly different:
Disc 1 (The Coming of the Martians)
- The Eve of the War - 9:09
- Horsell Common and the Heat Ray - 11:35
- The Artilleryman and the Fighting Machine - 10:36
- Forever Autumn - 7:41
- Thunder Child - 6:16
Disc 2 (The Earth Under the Martians)
- The Red Weed (Part 1) - 5:55
- The Spirit of Man - 11:37 (tracks Parson Nathaniel and The Spirit of Man are combined)
- The Red Weed (Part 2) - 5:24
- The Artilleryman Returns - 1:27 (on physical CD, this is a part of The Red Weed (Part 2))
- Brave New World - 12:14
- Dead London - 8:35
- Epilogue (Part 1) - 2:30
- Epilogue (Part 2) (NASANASAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
) - 1:30
Chart positions
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australian Kent Music Report Kent Music Report The Kent Music Report was a weekly record chart of Australian music singles and albums which was compiled by music enthusiast David Kent from May 1974 through to 1998... Albums Chart |
1 |
| Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... LP Top 50 |
1 |
External links
- Official website
- Mike Trim Art
- Jeff Wayne's War Of The Worlds review (album and DVD) at War Of The Worlds Invasion website
- Electric Sky - 'Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds Live - A Journal'
- War of the Servers, a film made by machinima group Lit Fuse Films in Garry's ModGarry's ModGarry's Mod is a sandbox physics game using the Source engine. Garry's Mod has been available on Steam's content delivery service since November 29, 2006...
based on Jeff Wayne's musical.