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07-18-2005, 04:45 PM | #1 |
Shade of Carn Dûm
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Halls of Mandos
Posts: 332
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Need info on J.R.R. Tolkien Audio Collection
Hey all,
Thinking seriously about buying the J.R.R. Tolkien Audio Collection. I searched for it, and it's been mentioned favorably in several threads, but I need more info on it. Can anybody who owns it (or has heard it) give me some details? I'm mainly talking about sound quality, and listing of the actual Tolkien selections that are included (i.e., from Hobbit, LOTR, Silmarillion, etc.). Thanks!
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"If you're referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door." THE HOBBIT - IT'S COMING |
07-19-2005, 02:07 PM | #2 |
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Muddy-earth
Posts: 1,297
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Go to Lord of the Rings Fanatic Shop, it is on there.
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07-20-2005, 08:54 AM | #3 |
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Pennsylvania, WtR, passed Sarn Gebir: Above the rapids (1239 miles) BtR, passed Black Rider Stopping Place (31 miles)
Posts: 1,548
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In addition to that 4 cassette collection of excerpts (some by JRRT),
the audio cassettes of LOTR and the Hobbit are interesting, except that only one speaker does all voices and some (especially his Legolas, sounds rather , umm, effete?). I'd say they would have done better with two or three actors doing various voices.
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07-20-2005, 12:38 PM | #4 |
Illustrious Ulair
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties
Posts: 4,240
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The JRRT Audo Collection is out on cd & the sound quality is much improved over the cassettes. The first two cd's are Tolkien himself reading & singing excerpts (mostly the verses, but there's also most of Riddles in the Dark & the section of Of Herbs & Stewed Rabbit with Goillum & Sam's 'interaction'). I have to say that Tolkien sings very well - Galadriel's lament in Quenya & Sam's Troll Song are included.
The other two cd's are Chrostopher reading Beren & Luthien & Of the Flight of the Noldor. Worth getting. |
07-20-2005, 01:32 PM | #5 |
Pilgrim Soul
Join Date: May 2004
Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle...
Posts: 9,458
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I do own this (4 cds and a cassette selection) and since I loaded 2 of the CDs onto my computer I listen to those...
I don't think they were particularly expensive and although JRRT's recordings in particular show the limits of the technology they were made with,nevertheless there is a particular pleasure in hearing the author read his own works. His voice is slightly more rural than I expected which makes Sam's speeches an especial delight. As for Christopher's readings, he has a clearer and more patrician delivery (sounds like a high church sermon) which rathe suits the style of the Silmarillion. Another bonus is to get "definitive" pronunciations . I was rather delighted to find that JRRT says Morrrdorrrrrrrr
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09-21-2005, 11:37 AM | #6 |
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: commonplace city
Posts: 518
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I am bumping this thread because, after a couple of spins, I feel I can say I would definately recommend this audio collection! I agree with Mith and Davem here.
Not having been a big audio book collector, I was iffy on getting the BBC production. I will now! Although like the others, I am pleased to hear the authors voice, I am extremely impressed with Christopher! I would listen to him read word for word the entire Silm (10-15 cds..?) if it were available. I will also go on the record in saying that this collection far exceeds the movies in influencing my personal mental image of the books. It is far more natural to me to hear Christopher's voice as my mental voice as I read the books, than it is to picture movie Elrond or Frodo as my mental picture as I read the books, if that makes sense. My imagination apparantely far exceeds current Hollywierd movie making technology... I am so taken with Christophers reading of the Luthien/Beren love story. I am more impressed with Huan now as well, for some reason. I almost put on a new thread to argue that Huan (pronounced Hoo Awn - not Hawn - thanks Chris!) was a more powerfull / important entity than Gandalf. Think I should? |
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