1975 J.R.R. Tolkien Reads and Sings His The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring

Release Date: 1967.10.18
Reader: J.R.R. Tolkien
Language: English
Organisation: Caedemon Records
Catalog: TC 1477
Duration: 58 minutes
Unabridged: n/a
Country: UK
Licenced: Yes
Formats: Vinyl, CD, Digital

This represents the first time the public heard Tolkien’s own original voice performing extracts of his work. While released in 1975, the audio was actually recorded in August 1952. Tolkien was staying with his friend George Sayer in Malvern. Sayer owned a Ferrograph tape recorder – a novel piece of technology at the time. Tolkien had never seen a tape recorder and was suspicious of it. He jokingly said he should “cast out any devil that might be in it” by recording the Lord’s Prayer in Gothic.

Sayer placed the microphone very close to Tolkien to compensate for his naturally thin, rapid speaking voice. This created an “intimate” and powerful audio profile that wasn’t entirely representative of his public speaking voice. Sayer noted that Caedmon did not attempt to reduce background noise for the 1975 release. You can clearly hear the “hiss” of the original 1952 magnetic tape.

The LP is famous for Tolkien’s “Gollum voice,” which is raspy and distinct, providing the blueprint for many later interpretations. Tragically, Caedmon cut out the Lord’s Prayer in Gothic and the conversational chatter between Tolkien and Sayer.

It was released simultaneously with TC 1478 The Two Towers / The Return of the King.

Release History

Coming soon…