Parker's music certainly enhances the readings; I love that album as well, but I have heard Betjeman reading his poems without music on the radio, and they still sound good, he has a good voice.
Trish.----- Original Message ----- From: "Ian Macrae" <ian.macrae1@xxxxxxx>
To: <ebooktalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Sunday, October 06, 2013 11:34 AM Subject: [ebooktalk] Re: Authors reading their own work.But would Betjamin have worked as well without the period charm of Jim Parker's music? I think that first album is still brilliant. In particular I like the captain Webb track done in what he thinks is a salopian accent. There's something hilariously spooky about the repetition of the final line Rigid and dead.
On 6 Oct 2013, at 00:38, Elaine Harris (Rivendell) wrote:
Ah, had forgotten about John Betjeman reading his own work; really, really love it. How could I forget?! Have seen Roger Mcgough live as well as interviewed him; always hear him whenever I read anything of his. Take care, Elaine -----Original Message-----From: ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Trish Talbot Sent: Sunday, 6 October 2013 4:00 AM To: ebooktalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [ebooktalk] Re: Authors reading their own work.I can't imagine anyone reading Benjamin Zephaniah's work other than the manhimself. He has to be the ultimate in performance poets. I saw Adrian Mitchell performing his own poetry when I was a student many many years ago, and he was brilliant. I also enjoy hearing John Betjeman reading his own work. I once heard an interview with Stevie Smith not long before she died, (Or it might have been a recording played as a tribute to her after she died) and she spoilt her poems by singing them in a rather monotonous voice. Trish. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Elaine Harris (Rivendell)" <elaineharris@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <ebooktalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Saturday, October 05, 2013 7:08 AM Subject: [ebooktalk] Re: Authors reading their own work.Yes, agree about Mcgough and Dylan Thomas; don't know all of the others. One can only wonder how Shakespeare, Milton, Wordsworth and Browning would havesounded reading their own work. I suspect appreciation of authors or poets reading their own material is subjective, like the appreciation of the books per se. I know there are divided opinions about Alan Bennett's readings of his own work; I love it but many do not. Perhaps the universal truth is that not all writers make good readers andnot all readers can write but the appreciation of both or either is entirelyin the mind or ear of the beholder. Elaine -----Original Message-----From: ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Ian Macrae Sent: Friday, 4 October 2013 11:35 PM To: ebooktalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [ebooktalk] Re: Authors reading their own work.Stephen King is notoriously bad at reading his own stuff but I love le Cares interpretation of his books. The thing about poems and poets depends a bit on who and what you mean. for instance, I can't imagine anyone ever readingBeesley street better than John cooper clark. Same goes for Benjamin Zephaniah and I always thought that Adrian Mitchell was a brilliant reader of his own work as were the Liverpool three of Henri, Mcgough and Patton. And, of course, Dylan Thomas reading Fern Hill is a moment of magic. On 4 Oct 2013, at 14:02, Elaine Harris (Rivendell) wrote:I am not a fan of Val Mcdermid and have never heard her speak so am not judge. However, my better half has heard much of both James Herriot and John Le Carré read their own writings and was impressed by neither. I expect Stephen Fry and Tony Robinson could manage admirably, both being skilled actors as well as writers. Some years ago I talked to the organizer of a poetry festival; I asked her if poets were necessarily the best people to read their own work. The reply was an unequivocal, "No, dear". Of course, we have all heard exceptions to this rule but I daresay it applies equally to many anauthor.Take care, Elaine
