Saw him on Broadway this past summer (2016). When he performed this song it was absolutely dead silent in the theater. You could feel it. I've never seen anything like it. I had tears uncontrollably rolling down my cheeks. The guy is amazing, stand ovation when the song ended. Will remember for the rest of my life, what an experience!! Thank you John Owen Jones for sharing your gift!
When I found out he was going to be Jean Valjean to close the Broadway production, I booked a trip for the entire family. I had the pleasure of seeing him before, but my family didn’t. My kids were young then, but still remembered the experience vividly.
Lemming Bot It's a natural progression for theater tenors. First you hope you are good enough to snag the role of Valjean and then, if you are, you go after the ultimate role: the Phantom. Once you've managed that, well, where does one go from the Phantom?
Ramin's voice is simply too young for Valjean in my opinion. I love his version of BHH, but I don't think it fits in the story well like Colm's version or JOJ's version. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of Ramin.
SoHills VetTech Yeah, I can't hear an old man from JOJ, but neither a young man. Ramin's voice gave the direct impression that he is a young adult in golden age.
All very good but Alfie Boe is the the best as far as vocal performance both live and studio is concerned. Never heard him failed a single note singing in Les Mis.
Julia D I was also thinking what about Alfie Boe! My personal top 3 in no particular order is Colm, Alfie and JOJ. I haven't heard Ramin's performance as Jean Valjean yet but I'm sure he's great, too! Maybe a little young for Valjean, though
I know... I saw JOJ live twice in this role and love every second of it! I told him on the backstage door, "You made me cry again", and he just replied "oh... so sorry!" ;)
John Owen- Jones is one of the few singers who can give me chills and goosebumps when singing. This was the best version of this song i have heard. I so wish i could hear him sing Phantom and Les Mis in person.
John Owen Jones, i discovered him when i went to see Phantom of the Opera for the first time last year and i am absoloutly in love with him and his voice. He is my phantom! Ugh, i want to see him in Les Mis, is he still doing that? Ugh, Love HIM!
saw him on broadway around 2007 and he was incredible. best valjean ever. best rendition of this song ever. completely mesmerized by his performance and stage presence.
What I love about JOJ is that he can bring the passion and the voice. I love how he gives a nod to Colm Wilkinson in a way during this song, but then can still put his own twist on it. Breathtaking. My favourite Valjean and Phantom.
JOJ has a magical majestic God-given voice! I bought his two CDs, John Owen-Jones and Unmasked, from iTunes. He is certainly a great interpreter of musical theaters and one of the top three Jean Valjeans I have heard.
Saw JOJ perform this on the West End. It goes without saying that there wasn't an audience member left sitting when it came to his turn to bow. I had never heard of him before that night, but never forgot just how god damned good he was.
My respects to this great performer, his voice is a delighful pleasure and his technique is amazing, someday if I could sing the tenth he does I would be completely happy.
his voice is incredibly smooth and he can really power out those high notes without any effort, absolutely amazing, and if im correct he plays phantom just as good
I have loved John Owen-Jones ever since I went to see him in Phantom 14 year's ago. He has an incredible voice and I have never forgotten his performance.
Have to say this guy is brilliant as Valjean when I saw him in Les Mis. I have heard he is equally brilliant as the Phantom and I cannot wait to see him in the touring production in Leeds on thursday.
I am lucky enough to say that I knew John well in our younger days in Burry Port. He's always had an amazing talent and is a credit to himself, his family and his home town. All who have ever known him are proud to say so. What a talent, what a voice... Genius!
I actually met him Last night!! I've got the picture and signature to prove it!! He is AMAZING!!! He's so funny, and such a lovely lovely man!! I adore him!! I went to see Les Mis' 2ice just to see him, and I actually got to talk 2 him face to face and put my arm around him!! how lucky am I!! I'm still hyped up!!!! XD xxx
my favourite Valjean! been lucky enough to have seen him play this role live twice, and seen him as the Phantom in phantom of the opera too. a true talent!
Interesting because Alfie pretty much owns this song. Don't judge by looks for one time (I know it's important, becuase it's acting), close your eyes and listen. Alfie took this to the max at the 25th. Still, your opinion is just as valid, I'm just saying that you may want to reconsider it :)
Gábor Szabó He really doesn't though. He puts hardly any emotion into it, and every note sounds like every other one - a curse of a poorly trained opera singer. Sure he hits the notes, but there is no variation, and the emotion is just not there.
Alfie's acting is with his eyes and face. He is a wonderfully trained lyrical tenor. Alfie sings that song humble and heart felt over a Sleeping Marius. It's called The Prayer of Les Mes, not the best actor in a musical. The entire show was written for a tenor. He is the only natural tenor. ALL of the others sing in falsetto. Cameron mackintosh wanted him for the move and pushed for it to happen but the studio wanted a Big American known movie star for lead. Not bad to be tapped for a million dollar movie as and the only person who can top you is because he's world known. Not better, just more known... Not bad for someone "who sings one note" and was the only JVJ asked. On top of that...he's handsome to boot. Order of JVJ... Alfie, john, (who plays. Alfie's understudy)!! The last two are a tie. I think Alfie is to humble to play the phantom. Although like other's I'd pay money to be proved wrong.
i've seen quite a few les mis productions here on youtube and found JOJ's valjean the most emotional (which isn't bad). voice-wise he is my fave. acting-wise colm wilkinson.
I hit this because I always believed that Alfie Boe made this song his own. I wanted to see anothers interpretation of it... this gentelman didnt dissappoint :) Loved it!
The movie and the musical are two different mediums, you can't deny that. The movie, although a musical, doesn't have vocals as the main focus. The movie aimed to heighten the emotional experience. Despite what you may want to believe, it's the acting that makes or breaks a performance, not singing. Ultimately, you have to be believable as your character. Hugh Jackman was believable. As an actor, he should be. He did his job just fine. The vocals were raw emotion, which I personally prefer.
What a beautiful man :D saw him in in edinbugh late last year doing this and I've been in love with his voice ever since... I sung this at my school award ceremony on wednesday and was extremely nervous xD no where near as good as him but that's to be expected... I mean... the man's god...
I just have to keep coming and listening to this performance for it's shear brilliance. It also makes me feel emotional listening to the awesome rendition by JOJ because his voice is great. Further when you understand the context of the song and relate it to the novel where Marius is on death's door you will understand the emotion of the whole song as Jean Valjean prays for the sleeping Marius.
Fabulous .. each man is great in his own right so perhaps it is futile to compare ... though hard to do, nevertheless, I try to take each Valjean on his own merits ... and I wind up applauding all of them.
I was lucky enough to see him as Jean Valjean last summer on Broadway. I went to a matinee viewing and had I had time, I would have been tempted to turn around and buy a ticket for that night's performance as well. He was amazing...and waited long enough for him to come out the stage door to get a picture and an autograph.
Finally someone heard what I heard....Colm strained to sing over the other 3 singers, I thought it sad. He is the first and got respect, he should have been happy. I love JOJ, but Alfie, WOW. Liked what you wrote totally
John Owen Jones is the best in my opinion. His voice is so beautiful.
Patricia Harman my dad knows him irl
He and Colm are the two master jvj
@@amandae8437 I think Colm and the Hungarian Vikidal Gyula are the bests.
He is the best!
Saw him on Broadway this past summer (2016). When he performed this song it was absolutely dead silent in the theater. You could feel it. I've never seen anything like it. I had tears uncontrollably rolling down my cheeks. The guy is amazing, stand ovation when the song ended. Will remember for the rest of my life, what an experience!! Thank you John Owen Jones for sharing your gift!
czcams.com/video/zD0VKVFb_lM/video.html
He's my all-time favorite
When I found out he was going to be Jean Valjean to close the Broadway production, I booked a trip for the entire family. I had the pleasure of seeing him before, but my family didn’t. My kids were young then, but still remembered the experience vividly.
I was in Les Mis in 2005 alongside him (little Cosette to his Valjean) and it was magical, he's such an inspiration - and a really nice guy!
Lucky!
Is it like a rule that if you play Valjean you also need to play the Phantom at some part in your career as well?
LOL, It's more likely that they both require very experienced tenors but I think your idea is better.
Lemming Bot It's a natural progression for theater tenors. First you hope you are good enough to snag the role of Valjean and then, if you are, you go after the ultimate role: the Phantom. Once you've managed that, well, where does one go from the Phantom?
+Wendigo Nasty Alfie Boe has not done Phantom at least I dont think he has
+Ian Elder Alfie is not phantom-material, but let him prove me wrong and I'll be happy :)
Gábor Szabó I agree,I have met Alfie and he seem too nice to play the phantom but I would also liked to be proven wrong
Colm Wilkinson, John Owen Jones and Ramin Karimloo are the best JVJ I've ever heard. Majestic voices and portrayals!
Ramin's voice is simply too young for Valjean in my opinion. I love his version of BHH, but I don't think it fits in the story well like Colm's version or JOJ's version. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of Ramin.
Joj doesn't sound old either IMO. Ramin and him sound vocally in the same age bracket. I don't hear an old man in joj
SoHills VetTech
Yeah, I can't hear an old man from JOJ, but neither a young man. Ramin's voice gave the direct impression that he is a young adult in golden age.
All very good but Alfie Boe is the the best as far as vocal performance both live and studio is concerned. Never heard him failed a single note singing in Les Mis.
Julia D I was also thinking what about Alfie Boe! My personal top 3 in no particular order is Colm, Alfie and JOJ. I haven't heard Ramin's performance as Jean Valjean yet but I'm sure he's great, too! Maybe a little young for Valjean, though
Perhaps the best version ever performed of this song.
Oded F Yea No.., Colm
His vocal is always perfect
Gerónimo Rauch though...
Colm is better
I know... I saw JOJ live twice in this role and love every second of it! I told him on the backstage door, "You made me cry again", and he just replied "oh... so sorry!" ;)
John Owen- Jones is one of the few singers who can give me chills and goosebumps when singing. This was the best version of this song i have heard. I so wish i could hear him sing Phantom and Les Mis in person.
I just have to love the cheeky grin he gives at the end of the song it's just great and he is probably thinking "yeah I know I nailed this song down".
There are some rare gems out in this world, JOJ is one of them!
JO and Colm Wilkinson are my two favorite broadway stars of all time
Colm and John are DEFINITIVELY the best "JV" EVER! i had the HONOUR to see the both live... there's no better...
I had the priveledge of seeing him live. Chills.
When I saw it there was an almost instant standing ovation, it was truly moving.
Same thing happened when I went! So beautiful.
He just SLAYS me. seeing him in Les Miz was the single most incredible experience of my life.
John Owen Jones, i discovered him when i went to see Phantom of the Opera for the first time last year and i am absoloutly in love with him and his voice. He is my phantom! Ugh, i want to see him in Les Mis, is he still doing that?
Ugh, Love HIM!
He was Alfie's understudy.
@Lisa Mitchell I’m fairly certain he played the role of JVJ before Alfie.
saw him on broadway around 2007 and he was incredible. best valjean ever. best rendition of this song ever. completely mesmerized by his performance and stage presence.
Just had to listen to this again. I have to say I love the cheeky grin on his face at the end.
I had the oppotunity to see him live at last saturday in Broadway (Les Miserables), simply was amaizing, the best I ever seen.
What I love about JOJ is that he can bring the passion and the voice. I love how he gives a nod to Colm Wilkinson in a way during this song, but then can still put his own twist on it. Breathtaking. My favourite Valjean and Phantom.
JOJ has a magical majestic God-given voice! I bought his two CDs, John Owen-Jones and Unmasked, from iTunes. He is certainly a great interpreter of musical theaters and one of the top three Jean Valjeans I have heard.
While Alfie will always be my favorited me this was just an incredible performance. Bravo JOJ
This has to be one of the most amazing performances I've ever seen. What control, tone and power! WOW!
This is amazing such talent and emotion something lacking in most singers now day
Saw JOJ perform this on the West End. It goes without saying that there wasn't an audience member left sitting when it came to his turn to bow. I had never heard of him before that night, but never forgot just how god damned good he was.
Watched him in Manchester - in my opinion, the best.
I love how, at 4:05, he smiles as if to say, "Yeah. I DID just blow your mind."
I've heard this song hundreds of times, so it's emotional effect has lessened on me. Usually. This completely reduced me to tears... I mean... Wow.
He's unbelievable. With a voice like that, you don't need anything else. Well done JOJ.
My respects to this great performer, his voice is a delighful pleasure and his technique is amazing, someday if I could sing the tenth he does I would be completely happy.
his voice is incredibly smooth and he can really power out those high notes without any effort, absolutely amazing, and if im correct he plays phantom just as good
Better!
MY FACE IS STAINED WITH TEARS!!!
He is my favorite Valjean, after Colm Wilkinson... his voice is divine.
I saw him in Norwich in this and he is the best singer I've ever seen - so so good. Lovely voice :-)
I genuinely turn into a crushing 12 year old when I see him. I'm and 18 year old guy. I lvoe this guy so much.
this guy is intoxicating!
Love the smile at the end, almost as much as his amazing voice!!
Mr. Jones absolutely demolishes the "bring him joy" line. Wow, what a voice.
Heard him singing this for the first time a few years ago at the Faenol Festival in North Wales. It was a stunning performance.
I have loved John Owen-Jones ever since I went to see him in Phantom 14 year's ago. He has an incredible voice and I have never forgotten his performance.
Have to say this guy is brilliant as Valjean when I saw him in Les Mis. I have heard he is equally brilliant as the Phantom and I cannot wait to see him in the touring production in Leeds on thursday.
He is amazing, my heart flutters.
In a word: Stunning.
I am lucky enough to say that I knew John well in our younger days in Burry Port. He's always had an amazing talent and is a credit to himself, his family and his home town. All who have ever known him are proud to say so. What a talent, what a voice... Genius!
This is a brilliant performance and the guy singing deserves huge wraps..stellar
Beautiful! Absolutely breathtaking!
the best performance off this song i've ever heard in my life
My song, my prayer, and my tears for my son who is going through a very hard time now.
He's phenomenal! I love JOJ!
I actually met him Last night!! I've got the picture and signature to prove it!! He is AMAZING!!! He's so funny, and such a lovely lovely man!! I adore him!! I went to see Les Mis' 2ice just to see him, and I actually got to talk 2 him face to face and put my arm around him!! how lucky am I!! I'm still hyped up!!!! XD xxx
I'll never forget, that i heard him sing this song live! ❤ His voice is amazing. 🎉
what an amazing voice this man has...and so much passion! I've seen him in both Les Mis and Phantom and he is incredible in both shows!
I'm now officially jealous!
John Owen Jones is by far my favourite Jean Valjean EVER with Alfie Boe at second place
My gosh! I'm at a loss for words!!! This is simply astounding!!!!!!
=( I feel like crying at that last note. he was brought down from heaven
my favourite Valjean! been lucky enough to have seen him play this role live twice, and seen him as the Phantom in phantom of the opera too. a true talent!
bloody brilliant. He is amazing in this role and as the Phantom as well. I feel great pleasure in having seen him perform both roles, truly great.
I have seen him many times and he puts so much feeling in his vocals .
Hitting "the summers die..." like it was nothing. Well, hello to you, too, John.
The expression on his face at the end of the song is brilliant,he nails down the song.
I love him and this song. Always have tears in my eyes when I hear it and get goose bumps
That was amazing! So was his adorable smile at the end!
i love JOJ's voice and the passion he puts in
the same goes for Ramin Karimloo
i don't see the fascination with Alfie Boe at all
Interesting because Alfie pretty much owns this song. Don't judge by looks for one time (I know it's important, becuase it's acting), close your eyes and listen. Alfie took this to the max at the 25th. Still, your opinion is just as valid, I'm just saying that you may want to reconsider it :)
I see JOJ as a Colm/Ramin hybrid
I agree. Not a fan of Alfie Boe's. John Owen Jones is the best.
Gábor Szabó He really doesn't though. He puts hardly any emotion into it, and every note sounds like every other one - a curse of a poorly trained opera singer. Sure he hits the notes, but there is no variation, and the emotion is just not there.
Alfie's acting is with his eyes and face. He is a wonderfully trained lyrical tenor. Alfie sings that song humble and heart felt over a Sleeping Marius. It's called The Prayer of Les Mes, not the best actor in a musical. The entire show was written for a tenor. He is the only natural tenor. ALL of the others sing in falsetto. Cameron mackintosh wanted him for the move and pushed for it to happen but the studio wanted a Big American known movie star for lead. Not bad to be tapped for a million dollar movie as and the only person who can top you is because he's world known. Not better, just more known...
Not bad for someone "who sings one note" and was the only JVJ asked. On top of that...he's handsome to boot.
Order of JVJ... Alfie, john, (who plays. Alfie's understudy)!! The last two are a tie.
I think Alfie is to humble to play the phantom. Although like other's I'd pay money to be proved wrong.
i've seen quite a few les mis productions here on youtube and found JOJ's valjean the most emotional (which isn't bad). voice-wise he is my fave. acting-wise colm wilkinson.
Tremendous, singing and visual presentation!
Brilliant performance of a brilliant song, enough said really.
God, that was beautiful! JOJ is awesome.
Omg this song makes me cry :') AMAZING SONG!!! I love JOJ!!!
What an absolutely stunning performance! I saw him in Les Mes a year or so ago and his voice just completely floored me, he's AMAZING!
His emotion, power and range is stupendous!! I love him!!
His EYES!!! So perfect!
He ranks among my favorite Valjeans! And Phantoms too!
I hit this because I always believed that Alfie Boe made this song his own. I wanted to see anothers interpretation of it... this gentelman didnt dissappoint :) Loved it!
Freaking awesome performance by the brilliant JOJ.
Ive watched like 20 versions. Hes the best
I saw him and everyone was moved by his performance.
amazing every time i watch it... excited to see him as JVJ this year!!!
The movie and the musical are two different mediums, you can't deny that. The movie, although a musical, doesn't have vocals as the main focus. The movie aimed to heighten the emotional experience. Despite what you may want to believe, it's the acting that makes or breaks a performance, not singing. Ultimately, you have to be believable as your character. Hugh Jackman was believable. As an actor, he should be. He did his job just fine. The vocals were raw emotion, which I personally prefer.
he is the best jean val jean! he was amazing when I went to see him!!!
What a beautiful man :D saw him in in edinbugh late last year doing this and I've been in love with his voice ever since... I sung this at my school award ceremony on wednesday and was extremely nervous xD no where near as good as him but that's to be expected... I mean... the man's god...
I read JOJ had just one singing lesson, his teacher told him he didn't need any, he was already a natural at singing like this.
Colm will always be my favorite voice. but look at JOJ's eyes...I don't care the music any more...
That had me in tears
I never had interest in Les Mis til I saw this. I absolutely have to see the show as soon as I can now.
He is SO GREAT!!!
I just have to listen to this again and again.
I have to agree with you about the hands also! Such an amazing performance! He is able to capture so much emotion!
Hahaha when he's done he has such an 'emotion-flip', he goes really happy at once haha.
best valjean ive ever heard... such a beautiful natural voice :)
Amazing talent. So lucky to have seen him sing live!
I just have to keep coming and listening to this performance for it's shear brilliance. It also makes me feel emotional listening to the awesome rendition by JOJ because his voice is great.
Further when you understand the context of the song and relate it to the novel where Marius is on death's door you will understand the emotion of the whole song as Jean Valjean prays for the sleeping Marius.
I love Colm dearly too, but this rendition is absolutely magical.
This is indeed wonderful! Not seen the movie yet - it does not open in my country for two months.
Love me a bit of JOJ :)
Fabulous .. each man is great in his own right so perhaps it is futile to compare ... though hard to do, nevertheless, I try to take each Valjean on his own merits ... and I wind up applauding all of them.
John Owen-jones is just.... beyond words
Wow... that was amazing!
Absolutely flawless performance.
Fantastic. Great Phantom also.
best version of this song EASILY
I was lucky enough to see him as Jean Valjean last summer on Broadway. I went to a matinee viewing and had I had time, I would have been tempted to turn around and buy a ticket for that night's performance as well. He was amazing...and waited long enough for him to come out the stage door to get a picture and an autograph.
Finally someone heard what I heard....Colm strained to sing over the other 3 singers, I thought it sad. He is the first and got respect, he should have been happy. I love JOJ, but Alfie, WOW. Liked what you wrote totally