{"product_id":"jeff-wayne-war-of-the-worlds-pc2-35290","title":"Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds (Vinyl 2xLP, PC2 35290)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eJeff Wayne's Musical Version of \u003cem\u003eThe War of the Worlds\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatalog:\u003c\/strong\u003e PC2 35290  |  \u003cstrong\u003eSide A Matrix:\u003c\/strong\u003e AL 35291 - 1A - 2HZ\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most ambitious and enduring concept albums ever committed to vinyl, \u003cstrong\u003eJeff Wayne's Musical Version of \u003cem\u003eThe War of the Worlds\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e is a landmark of late-1970s progressive rock and orchestral pop. Released in 1978 on Columbia Records, this double LP adaptation of H.G. Wells' 1898 science fiction masterpiece became a phenomenon — spending \u003cstrong\u003eover 330 weeks on the UK Albums Chart\u003c\/strong\u003e and selling more than \u003cstrong\u003e15 million copies worldwide\u003c\/strong\u003e. It remains one of the best-selling albums in British music history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Jeff Wayne\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJeff Wayne\u003c\/strong\u003e is an American-born, London-based composer, producer, and musician who spent years developing this project before its release. Drawing on his background in orchestral arrangement and commercial production, Wayne crafted a sweeping, cinematic score that blends rock, progressive, and classical elements into a seamless dramatic whole. The album was a labour of love — reportedly taking three years to complete — and the ambition of the undertaking is audible in every groove.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Album\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNarrated by the legendary \u003cstrong\u003eRichard Burton\u003c\/strong\u003e in one of his final major recordings, the album follows Wells' original story faithfully: a Martian invasion of Victorian England, told through the eyes of a terrified journalist. Burton's rich, authoritative voice anchors the drama, while a stellar cast of vocalists — including \u003cstrong\u003eJustin Hayward\u003c\/strong\u003e (The Moody Blues), \u003cstrong\u003eDavid Essex\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ePhil Lynott\u003c\/strong\u003e (Thin Lizzy), and \u003cstrong\u003eJulie Covington\u003c\/strong\u003e — bring the characters to life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe orchestration is lush and detailed, recorded with a full orchestra and choir alongside electric guitars, synthesizers, and rock rhythm sections. The result is a genuinely theatrical listening experience — one that rewards headphones, a quality turntable, and an uninterrupted evening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ePC2 35290\u003c\/strong\u003e is the North American Columbia double-LP pressing. The Side A matrix \u003cem\u003eAL 35291 - 1A - 2HZ\u003c\/em\u003e is consistent with an early domestic pressing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHighlights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e\"The Eve of the War\"\u003c\/em\u003e — Justin Hayward's iconic opening track, driven by one of the most recognizable synthesizer riffs in rock history; it became a standalone hit single\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e\"Forever Autumn\"\u003c\/em\u003e — a hauntingly beautiful ballad performed by Justin Hayward, later released as a UK Top 5 single; one of the album's most emotionally resonant moments\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e\"The Spirit of Man\"\u003c\/em\u003e — a dramatic duet featuring Phil Lynott and Julie Covington, capturing the psychological collapse of a preacher confronting the invasion\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e\"Brave New World\"\u003c\/em\u003e — David Essex delivers a chilling portrayal of the Artilleryman's delusional optimism amid the ruins of civilization\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRichard Burton's narration throughout is a performance in itself — measured, grave, and utterly compelling\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe album's production, overseen entirely by Wayne, set a new standard for concept album ambition and remains sonically impressive on a quality playback system\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eRecord Condition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCarefully cleaned with a \u003cstrong\u003eSpin-Clean record washer\u003c\/strong\u003e and stored in new inner plastic sleeves\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMinor surface scuffs consistent with age — \u003cstrong\u003eplayed flawlessly\u003c\/strong\u003e on a quality turntable with \u003cstrong\u003eno skips\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMinor pops and crackles noted, as expected for a vintage pressing\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRecord grade: \u003cstrong\u003eVG (Very Good)\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eJacket \u0026amp; Sleeve Condition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eLittle wear from age — presents very well\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eJacket grade: \u003cstrong\u003eVG (Very Good)\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal inner sleeve included\u003c\/strong\u003e and in very good condition\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCondition shown in photos — please review images carefully before purchasing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA monumental listening experience and a genuine collector's piece. Whether you encountered it as a child and never forgot it, or you're discovering it for the first time, this is an album that demands to be heard on vinyl — the format it was made for.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Portage MCC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47810462253309,"sku":"PC2-35290","price":20.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/9597\/7651\/files\/PXL_20260708_163414828.jpg?v=1783528719","url":"https:\/\/portagemcc.com\/fr\/products\/jeff-wayne-war-of-the-worlds-pc2-35290","provider":"Portage MCC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}