J.R.R. Tolkien discussion

I was thinking the other day about the various audio versions of Tolkien's works. I love the BBC Radio version of Lord of the Rings though I was less impressed with their version of The Hobbit. There are a number of audiobooks out as well read by various people but the one that is dearest to my heart is this one.

As a kid after I read The Hobbit for the first time I mentioned it to my Grandfather. He dug out of the LP collection this gem: The Hobbit, in 4 LPs as read by Nicol Williamson, an actor best known today from his role as the chrome skulled Merlin from Excalibur.

Williamson does over 30 odd character voices in this recording. Sadly it's never been released on CD but recently a near perfect version of the recording was posted to Youtube. It's an abridged version (the full would have taken 8 LPs they calculated) but very few whole sections are skipped over

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ggm7XM...

I cannot begin to count the number of times I've listened to this. Well worth the time.

Thanks for this. I am definitely going to give it a listen and, hopefully, my two teenagers will as well. They've been very resistant to reading the book but liked the film, so this might be a good bridge between the two.

I agree with you about the radio dramatisation, never liked it.

I have an old set, I love Nicol Williamson's voice--vibrant and full-throated. Rolling Stones magazine has come out with a full issue about "The Hobbit." Beautiful illustrations. worth it.

I'm listening to it now. Wonderful. That's me set for the evening. Thanks again.

I too love the BBC Radio version of LoTR - the pictures in your head are always the best ones, and the music is perfect, Shdowfax's theme being my favourite. But I like 'The Hobbit' even better! It works very well indeed as a folk-tale rather than an epic, I think. In fact I must dig out my old cassette tapes... and listen to Nicol Williamson's LoTR as well. Thanks for the link.

Does anyone listen to or follow Carey Olson the Tolkien Professor on his podcast or website?

Paul wrote: "I was thinking the other day about the various audio versions of Tolkien's works. I love the BBC Radio version of Lord of the Rings though I was less impressed with their version of The Hobbit. The..."


Will check it out -- thanks!

Alexandra wrote: "Does anyone listen to or follow Carey Olson the Tolkien Professor on his podcast or website?"

No, but will take a look for sure. Thanks.

Alexandra wrote: "Does anyone listen to or follow Carey Olson the Tolkien Professor on his podcast or website?"

YES! He is awesome.

Alexandra wrote: "Does anyone listen to or follow Carey Olson the Tolkien Professor on his podcast or website?"

How did I not know about this guy? Will definitely check him out.

I really love the audio books read by Rob Inglis. He sings all the songs and I like to sing along but yeah I'm weird like that!

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