Jeff Wayne – Jeff Wayne's Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds

Jeff Wayne – Jeff Wayne's Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds

First released in 1978, Jeff Wayne's Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds is one of the most ambitious and distinctive British concept albums of its era. Adapted from H.G. Wells' classic 1898 science-fiction novel, the production combines symphonic rock, progressive rock, electronic textures, narration, sound effects and theatrical storytelling to recreate the Martian invasion of Victorian England. The original production was recorded at Advision Studios in London between May 1976 and June 1977, with Wayne composing, orchestrating, conducting and producing the music.

The cast is a major part of the album's enduring appeal. Richard Burton provides the instantly recognisable narration, while the vocal performances include Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues on the haunting "Forever Autumn", David Essex on "The Artilleryman And The Fighting Machine" and "Brave New World", Chris Thompson on "Thunder Child", and Julie Covington and Phil Lynott on "The Spirit Of Man". The combination of spoken narrative and rock-opera performance gives the album a cinematic quality that was highly unusual for a record of its time.

The first half, The Coming Of The Martians, begins with the dramatic "The Eve Of The War" before moving through "Horsell Common And The Heat Ray", "The Artilleryman And The Fighting Machine", "Forever Autumn" and the climactic "Thunder Child". The second half, The Earth Under The Martians, follows the aftermath of the invasion through "The Red Weed", "The Spirit Of Man", "Brave New World", "Dead London" and the two-part "Epilogue". The music moves between huge orchestral passages, driving rock arrangements, synthesised soundscapes and quieter, atmospheric sections.

This 1996 Columbia special edition adds The New Files '96, presenting four additional contemporary remixes alongside the digitally remastered original production. These include "The Spirit Of Man (DubUlladub)", "Forever Autumn (Remix '96)", "Forever Autumn (Dark Autumn Dub)" and "The Eve Of The War (πr2h Mix)". The edition therefore combines the landmark 1978 recording with a distinctly 1990s electronic remix perspective.

The album's musicians include Herbie Flowers on bass, Chris Spedding and Jo Partridge on guitar, Barry Morgan on drums, Ray Cooper and Barry de Souza on percussion, George Fenton on exotic percussion instruments, and Jeff Wayne himself on keyboards and piano. The resulting production sits comfortably between progressive rock, orchestral music, electronic music and musical theatre, making it particularly appealing to fans of concept albums, classic science fiction and ambitious 1970s studio productions.

For collectors, this edition is especially interesting because it preserves the complete narrative structure of Wayne's original War Of The Worlds while adding the New Files '96 material. It is an essential title for fans of Jeff Wayne, Richard Burton, The Moody Blues, Phil Lynott, David Essex, progressive rock, rock operas and classic science-fiction concept albums.

Disc 1 — The Coming Of The Martians

1. The Eve Of The War — 9:06
2. Horsell Common And The Heat Ray — 11:36
3. The Artilleryman And The Fighting Machine — 10:36
4. Forever Autumn — 7:43
5. Thunder Child — 6:10

Disc 2 — The Earth Under The Martians

1. The Red Weed (Part 1) — 5:55
2. The Spirit Of Man — 11:41
3. The Red Weed (Part 2) — 6:51
4. Brave New World — 12:13
5. Dead London — 8:37
6. Epilogue (Part 1) — 2:42
7. Epilogue (Part 2) (NASA) — 2:02

The New Files '96

8. The Spirit Of Man (DubUlladub) — 4:14
9. Forever Autumn (Remix '96) — 4:46
10. Forever Autumn (Dark Autumn Dub) — 8:51
11. The Eve Of The War (πr2h Mix) — 6:19