Tolkien speaks

Insight Scoop calls attention to Bettnet's posting of a 1971 BBC interview with J.R.R. Tolkien:

.... In addition to the actual interview, it’s also a chance for some fans to hear his voice for the first time.

I’d heard his voice before. When I was a kid, I received for Christmas a record (an actual vinyl disc!) of Tolkien reading excerpts from his works, including the Lay of Beren and Luthien and A Elbereth Githoniel. It was fascinating to hear how to properly pronounce all those names and Elvish words. It was from Caedmon, I recall. ....

Mr. Bettinelli could be referring to any one of three albums produced by Caedmon: Poems and Songs of Middle Earth [Caedmon TC 1231], which also includes Donald Swann and William Elvin performing settings of some of Tolkien's songs, J.R.R. Tolkien reads and sings his The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring [Caedmon TC 1477], J.R.R. Tolkien reads and sings his The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers and The Return of the King [Caedmon TC 1478]. Happily, the Tolkien readings from the Hobbit and LOTR have been made available on CD, along with some additional material read by Christopher Tolkien, in The J.R.R. Tolkien Audio Collection.

It isn't Tolkien himself, but it would be wonderful if someone would produce on CD Nicol Williamson's version of The Hobbit - one of the best audio versions. Williamson was an incredible dramatic reader - each character is distinct - with subtle music and sound effects reinforcing the performance. It was originally a four-record album from Argo, issued in 1974.

I have all of these record albums still, but no longer have a turntable. I was extraordinarily happy to find the Tolkien readings from LOTR on CD.

Bettnet.com - Musings of Domenico Bettinelli