Need info on J.R.R. Tolkien Audio Collection

[Elladan and Elrohir]

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!

[narfforc]

Go to Lord of the Rings Fanatic Shop, it is on there.

[Tuor of Gondolin]

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.

[davem]

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.

[Mithalwen]

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 ;)

[drigel]

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? :)

[Mithalwen]

I think I was lucky enough to get this really cheaply .. I can't imagine I would have payed a lot having the JRRT recording already on tape.

I am a huge fan of the BBC radio version which I have on tape and next time I am feeling extravagant would like on imperishable CD.... my only caveat is perhaps Robert Stephen's as Aragorn - but in some ways he is like the book Aragorn - and Arwen sounds very old... genuinely 3K . But everyone else is very good - and much is wonderful. Ian Holm, Bill Nighy and Peter Woodthorpe (Frodo, Sam, Gollum) hold me rapt in my least favourite (and read) sections of the story - I hold my breath every time at the peak of their discussion with Faramir. The music is also very evocative and is used well to carry the story. I listen to it frequently - the only plus point ot being ill the other weekend was that I got through most of it!!!