Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds, The New Generation, is coming on 12th November. Jeff has embarked on a new interpretation of the iconic album, with guest stars including Liam Neeson, Take That’s Gary Barlow, Maverick Sabre, Joss Stone, the Kaiser Chief’s Ricky Wilson and Alex Clare!


Wonder if Gary will release Forever Autumn as a single.
Cant beat the original album though. Will be interesting how it turns out.

https://www.facebook.com/thewaroftheworlds

It's unfortunate because I loved the original double album.

But as Gary Barlow is on it, that rules me out as I refuse to listen to anything he's on

Hmmmmm how could you replace Richard Burtons narration.....that voice

One simple question.......................WHY?

I loved the original, fantastic album. One of the defining albums of my childhood. Not happy with any of those listed who are involved in this new version of it though, so I doubt I'll be buying it.

Could not agree more, the first album is a classic that I still listen to regularly. I tend to think Jeff Wayne is milking it War Of The Worlds for all he can.

one simple answer - money.
same as all remakes.

Hell's f*cking bells.

So many reasons to avoid.

Agree it will be bad. The stage tour is going to involve the new singers also though i doubt gary will do it.
Much prefer the brilliant voices on the original album.
Would be nice to see the songs back in the charts though

This new album is shockingly bad, liam neeson ruins it for me, he sounds really bad, nothing compares to Richard Burton. Same as for Forever Autumn, the only good version is Justin Haywood anyone else singing it just ruins it for me.
Even the star trek version sounded better than liam neeson.

why do they ruin things when the original is the best, they will alienate lots of fans with this new version.

I have been a huge fan of this album since it came out in '78, I have listened to this new version twice now and it isn't a patch on the original.

Like has been said Liam Neeson is no Richard Burton but he sounds bored and drones on in a monotone like he is reading from a script, which he is. But, he is supposed to be giving a first person account of his experience, he just sounds flat and unengaging.

As for the rest of the cast, Gary Barlow gives a reasonable rendition of Forever Autumn, Joss Stone sounds like a little girl, Maverick Sabre is trying too hard to sound like Phil Lynott and failing abysmally. Thunder Child was the only song that actually sounded pretty good to me, the rest of the production was full of whooshy unnecessary sounds which distracted too much from the music which again sounds far too processed. There seems to be no soul in this production.

I have tickets to see this at Wembley in a couple of weeks, I hope I enjoy it more than this new 'Spartacus' that Jeff has created.

Originally Posted by mal2pool
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds, The New Generation, is coming on 12th November. Jeff has embarked on a new interpretation of the iconic album, with guest stars including Liam Neeson, Take That’s Gary Barlow, Maverick Sabre, Joss Stone, the Kaiser Chief’s Ricky Wilson and Alex Clare!

I'd say that's the main one!

We're going to see the show in Cardiff next Monday. I think it'll be a good live show but I can't see the point in a second-rate re-hash of what has become a classic.

Utterly pointless!

Has Jeff Wayne gone soft in the head?! Gary 'boss-eyed' Barlow??!!

I love the original album and saw the first live shows - but no way am I interested in this unnecessary re-hash with this motley crew of no-marks.

I don't see the need for this new interpretation of a classic album, it feels at times that Jeff Wayne is exploiting the loyal following that War Of The Worlds has with the endless re-releases of the original album, endless touring of the show now this. I could not help but buy it though, It's not as bad as I thought it would of been there are some good performances on it. After listening to it a few times this week I still ask myself "why was this even done?"

Well after the failure of Spartacus in 1992, Jeff Wayne has done nothing but cash-in with War of The Worlds......

Ive heard Forever Autumn, which sounds as good as the original, but I get the impression, don't touch the Cd with a bargepole.

Is that right?

It's not bad, but it doesn't add anything special for there to be a remake.

I don't think this version will be fondly remembered in thirty years time.

No ! ....ive done nothing but cash in with War of the Worlds.

its not *that* bad, i like the music. the acting is a bit off, the only bit i really have a problem with is the spirit of man, joss stone sings good but thats the only decent thing about it.
No one can replace the originals, but in its own right its not that bad.

Listening to it now. Not impressed. Thirty years? I doubt I'll give it 30 minutes.

Liam Neeson is terrible. A complete lack of character. Richard Burton sounded like he was right in the middle of it. A great performance. I can just see Neeson standing there in a booth, reading the script. Awful.

I went to see it on saturday and Live its just unbelievable! the cast were really great. Iv been to every tour and i think this was my favourite, i just wish justin hayward was there then it would really have been perfect.