Gift to friends, subscribers, and the world at large

[@ZEST123]

Thank you for listening to this gift. Let's be thankful that the owner of this gem of a recording by the great Nicol Williamson never played the 4 records. It's as if someone knew the value of the recordings for future posterity. I hope you may share this gift with your community. Nicol has given us all the ability to give the gift of giving, just as Nicol did during his legendary career. None worked harder to bring amazing performances of the theatre of the mind than Nicol. Peace, Zest

[@enigmasoftheancientworld5245]

Nicol was my father. My parents divorced when I was very young, and I listened to this every time I wished I could be with Dad. So quite literally tens of thousands of times. I learned to read by listening to the LP while following the sections my uncle Hugh had underlined for me. Some things I will share with you. Dad abridged the book himself to maintain a clear narrative flow. There simply was not a market for a 12+ LP set to contain the full story. His love for Tolkien's work was great, and he worked very hard to keep all the important parts. He was not happy with the cassette version which edited the LPs badly, particularly in the Riddles section. He recorded the entire album in under 100 takes, in two days. Beorn's voice is my grandfather. Dad decided early the best way to stay consistent with the voices was with regional accents. The dwarves are Yorkshire, with Thorin being a little different. Gollum is Welsh, Bilbo is Somerset, Beorn is Scottish, etc. The Elves were different, he felt they needed an ethereal quality, to somehow convey a lightness or purity of spirit but tempered with merriment. I think that's missing in most portrayals of Tolkien Elves, but Elves are hard to get right. The goblins he didn't want to make a specific region or country, but to me they were always Cyrillic, somewhere between course Greek and Russian. Before his voice was decimated by esophageal cancer, we were talking about doing LotR with a female voice actress. Cancer robs us of many things. This was my favorite thing that he ever did. None of the Hamlets, Macbeths, Merlins could ever compare to how deeply I feel this recording. And now, when I miss him, i come here and I read your comments, and I see that so many children lay in their beds and loved this story and the wonder contained within just as much as I did, and they still love it just as much today as they did then. So do I. 'Eyes that fire and sword have seen And horror in the halls of stone Look at last on meadows green And trees and hills they long have known.'

[@ZEST123]

I am deeply honoured that you take comfort in visiting and being with your father in voice and spirit. Thank you also for divulging such intimate details of your relationship with your father. Grateful too for the details of how this recording came to be in planning and production. Your describing of the dialects used and that your Grandfather also participated is very, very much appreciated. I am so thankful that you are able to read all the comments and take solace in the fact that your father gives comfort and entertainment to all. Please know that I am so honoured by your comments and sharing of intimate details of Nicol and his life. I wish you an abundance of good health and many more visits here. You are welcome and appreciated. May your father Nicol rest in peace knowing how much he is loved by you and all that listen. ❤️ Zest

[@matthewblanchard9301]

With Nicol Williamson's wide versatile vocals and a great soundtrack too boot(when needed) And J.R.R.T's masterful imagination......🧙🧝🧔📜🏔️🐉🗡️

[@godsconvict777]

When all else fails .i listen too this and fall too sleep..sweet dreams

[@ouijamaru420]

Bought this for 50¢ at a yard sale when I was like 10, listened to it regularly through summer vacations, have listened to this upload several times since finding it but just now making a comment: thank you for uploading and I'm surprised and glad it's still up

[@eastwoodeastwood2008]

will always be thr true gollums voice

[@mikerichards779]

I'm so old... I bought this in a record store in 1975 ... and I still have it. 😃

[@alwaystheirtocomment]

YESSS!!!! WE LOVES IT!!! WE LOVES IT FOREVA!!!!!!

[@Michael_Johnson_5446]

That was a kingly gift.

[@KiwiFisher01]

When I was 7 I used to sleep out in an uninsulated spider filled little wooden shed alone away from the house. I had this same recording on cassette and it got me through some real cold stormy nights. Although the smaug dialogue sometimes scared me a little, the book was always a comfort. Such good memories.

[@gman420gs]

People have

[@SNAAAAAAAKE]

No way! This is the very first version of The Hobbit I was given at about 7 or 8, didn't think I'd ever hear it again. Thank you for the upload!

[@petertorres3192]

Thank you Zest! 👍🖖

[@lukethomas216]

This is just superb! The best version of the hobbit, I think. It even beats the Rob Inglis AND Andy Serkis narrations- both of which are generally regarded as top tier 😁thanks for the upload 👍

[@gfrgmcfluff9710]

YYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! thank you ❤

[@themanalligator4813]

Me and my twin brother grew up listening to this version in bed every night. It's still brilliant to listen to. Thank you for posting.

[@custardCalliope]

Having this on cassettes when I was a kid are the reason I know how to use them

[@DamianLoved]

This is may favorite representation Bilbo Baggins-- the voice actor nails the role completely. Without adding spoilers, there's an interaction or 2 that feel legitimately creepy. So much fun for everyone here. Thank you so much for posting this, really.

[@ThisTrainIsLost]

Nicol Williamson is the finest narrator I have ever heard in my many long years. A wondrous production! ♥️

[@TrailsOfDoom]

I had these records as a kid, and listened to them so much I memorized them... One day in school while the class was reading it aloud, the teacher saw I didn't have my book out. So she asked me to finish the chapter. I finished it exactly as it was in the book from memory INCLUDING the voices (all from this recording)... Everyone was SHOCKED and you could have heard a pin drop. People would ask me to recite different parts for years after that. Thank you for putting this out there I lost my set!

[@skysapphirestormrage3792]

No one else can read The Hobbit correctly since Nicol Williamson. I fell in love with Tolkien's story read by this gentleman. I'm so happy to find it online where I can listen to it again. I wish I'd have found it while my kids were young.

[@Yorkshire-fox]

My Dad lent me this version when I was 10 back in the 90s. I refuse to listen to any other version. I have herd it that many times I sleep soundley to it but only this version will do. It truly is my favourite 💕! A real delight. Thanks for posting it 😸.

[@ironboley]

But it's not the full version

[@nickbartley5267]

My Mum always used to listen to it in the kitchen. Grew up listening to it. This is why I can't accept the films, because I know the book so well because of this. Sound of my childhood

[@jennifermcdonald5432]

I totally understand what you are saying. The very first version you listen to, stays in your mind as the authentic version, and every other one must measure up against it, and it never does, the voices sound wrong and don’t match the pictures in your head. For me, it’s the Rob Ingles version. The only problem with the version you love, is that it’s so incredibly cut down, it misses out an enormous amount of the story. I mean all the basics are there, but such a lot of the character of the story is missing! Nothing you can do about it, this version will be forever your version, you can’t change it. Sending good wishes from a fellow Tolkien lover in Australia!

[@RedRoosterhighjump]

I soooo agree

[@bartman898]

This voice will always be Merlin to me.

[@NS-oi9yd]

I love the narrator so much. He played Merlin the sorcerer in Excalibur....so my mind is picturing Merlin reading there and back again. It's so perfect

[@aishaharvey7051]

Thanks you for this🙏

[@mr.peevyshow1914]

Nicol Williamson

[@gilmoe73]

My 9 year old loves listening to this version. This is a Timeless classic!

[@whitehair8824]

The best Bilbo accent ever

[@WhoGitDaBiscuit]

This is awesome. Thanks for sharing this.

[@zoevee23]

My mom used to play this to me and my sister when we were little, (it was on cassette tapes). So many memories!

[@Jammer2112]

So true. As Nicol's son said, "The mould is broken. We will never see his like in the world again".

[@roysmith8602]

My god his son his really said that, please answer mind you its 8 years I hope your still alive. :)

[@katioconnor5295]

I grew up listening to LP stories, and radio programs that were, like this set, complete storytelling wonders. At 64 I still love listening to passionate storytellers and this is pure heaven! I discovered Tolkiens The Hobbit as a freshman in high school in 1975, the narrator is a true master storyteller, what a treasured find!😊

[@Thatsnailboi]

I've been unable to sleep for nearly 3 hours so I'm coming back to this childhood classic, didn't realise how much I missed it

[@amanwithnohands]

If only Peter Jackson had stuck with the original whimsy of the Hobbit

[@Jasper7182009]

If Nicol Williamson had read only the chapter with Gollum, it would've been a treasure of audio listening. But he did the book and I don't care if it's abridged or unabridged .... Great storytelling!

[@bernice6867]

I bought it on tape. But it ripped in one place.😢 So I am glad for this.

[@auroraborealis4673]

THANK YOU! I listened to the records all the time when I was younger. I miss those records.

[@scottyl9096]

It’s hard to find gems like this. Thanks for sharing . :)

[@GravesRWFiA]

he had such a wonderful voice and a version of merlin that was unique

[@eleanors.5398]

My Dad bought the original record and put it on 10 tapes. My little brother and I used to listen to it on a mini boom box with a headphone spliter. This is the soundtrack of my childhood.

[@petervolkofsky4481]

Ah, what a lovely gift to family road trips (:

[@newworldastrology1102]

Try the full cast audios from focus on the family for the lion the witch and the wardrobe and c s Lewis’ other books in the series! :) they’re also on KZbin. You’ll all love them!

[@tor5234]

My favorite actor...he will be missed. thanks.

[@kmikalb]

Many thanks for this marvous, and pristine GIFT.

[@byallmeanspaint4298]

Thank you for such a clean recording. I used to play this version to my children. Back in the day. I am so grateful for the chance to hear it again. Its probably the best abridged "Hobbit" ever.

[@mightybaloo1880]

Whenever we went on long road trips when I was a kid, my dad would pull out the cassettes of this. Some of my happiest memories were those long rides listening to this. It's abridged, but I've never cared. It'll always be my favorite audio version.

[@RichardPhillips1066]

"Mutton yesterday, mutton today..and blimey if it don't look like mutton again tomorrow.." "never a blinking bit of man flesh ive we had for long enough " "shut yer mouth "

[@m.n.tarrint9187]

yayyy! Thank you# This old recording is really hard to find and you were so lucky to come across it in Goodwill. I grew up listening to this in the 70s and it is the only recording of The Hobbit I consider worth listening tp.

[@dustinneely]

Thank you. 🙏

[@TaiChiGhost]

What a fabulous reading! I read the Hobbit in the Sixties, and now this performance has brought new life into it. Many thanks, this is a princely gift indeed!

[@GaiaDanu]

Feeling Gratitude 😍🙏🏻🙇🏻‍♀️ What a fantastic gift! 💝💝💝

[@Kit-and-Stoma-Bob]

My sister and I were talking about this today. We had a tape version and listened to this frequently on car journeys, or at home. I’ve tried many versions, with only the Andy Serkis version being ok enough to fill the void until I found this brilliant version again. (Also, I swear Andy Serkis must have heard this)

[@sportjunk70]

Thank you for this, I haven't heard it since late 70's :-). Had it on cassettes which have been stolen by the borrowers

[@falloffthepipe]

It makes your mind go on a Adventure

[@christopherscottb]

I haven't heard this since I was about twelve (46 now) when I would check it out from the library. I dug it hugely back then, and it's extremely cool to hear it again after decades. Thanks most kindly for posting.

[@avibank5115]

Best narrator. So consistent and distinct with his voices.

[@dlee3710]

Avi Bank These characters speak with the lyrical quality of Wales which was Williams native tongue. Well suited to dwarves!

[@Dracina]

This is my favorite reading of it, nice to have it all in one video instead of having it split into sides, thank you

[@sadlobster1]

Merlin narrating the Hobbit, how awesome is that

[@mikaelj3760]

sadlobster1 couldn't be better

[@deewalker6944]

Thanks guys love and appreciate all the hard work that goes into these amazing stories! Love and light from NZ

[@LoryLilyBomber]

One of my most favorite gifts, ever. Thank you

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

Good narration. I was joking. it's excellent. My punctuation needs work.

[@PLuMUK54]

I have this on several cassettes, but no longer have the means to play it, though I certainly would never get rid of them. It is still my favourite version. Though the unabridged version is very good. I discovered Tolkien when I was 15, and in the past 52 years have read the books every year. I have also listened to at least one or another of the recordings every year. Since the LOTR films I've also watched them regularly. I think that I am addicted. I had started this year's reading only 2 days ago, but now I have put that to one side to relive happy memories of this version.

[@freakfreak12345]

I wasn't really interested. But there's someone I know who has always wanted to hear this one again, but because vinyl is so hard to get for things like this, I've never been able to find her a copy to listen to. But when I found this, she jumped for joy. You've made an old lady's day very, very good. And I thank you myself. Because I'd never have heard the end of it :P

[@nukaghoula]

These cassettes got me through some very dark times and sleepless nights in my childhood, I'm so grateful to hear it again ☺️ thank you so much for this upload, it means so much to so many

[@jameswarne5915]

What a narrator! Also, a great troll (Return to Oz) and Wizard (Excalibur)

[@lisawhite7790]

I have listened to this book many times I started listening in palmer Alaska years ago and I have taken to listening to it again in Florida now but it always seems to remind me of home

[@demcrusher7086]

YOU HAVE THIS ON VINYL?!! You are a KING sir!!

[@johnvarricchio6856]

Thank you 🙏🏻 Really enjoyable

[@morgantrevino4881]

Once I was around 9 or 10 I listened to the recording before bed on many nights to the point where I have much of it memorized almost 10 years later

[@christinewallace4578]

This is the version I remember! Thank you so much!

[@GreatGreebo]

Late comment here since this was posted but thank you very much.

[@Jokkerswild1234]

Man I used to lay in my bed as a boy and listen to this for hours... Thanx for posting this.

[@davypatt5869]

Wow never heard this one before many thanx and blessings

[@ironyelegy]

A gift indeed... Thank you.

[@Jammer2112]

Wow. This is fantastic and far more superior to other recordings of this on the net. Every word is crystal clear.

[@SLEBZ666]

Thank you sooo much! Actually love this for relaxing.

[@nukaghoula]

Still using this for snooze. Sure wish all the words already being in here didn't mean I don't need to hear some weird thing say them or to see some lovely patterns in smoke

[@joyadurchoudhury9127]

My favourite version by far. So wonderfully read! Thanx for uploading 😎

[@vanprometheusean]

Thank you a thousand times over for sharing this with us. I listen to this almost everyday since I found it. It brings me right into the heart of the Shire and the magnificent Hobbits and the timeless grand adventures!

[@alyh3721]

I remember finding this right at the beginning of lockdown and using it to get to sleep! This and The Wind in the Willows were some of the favorites in 2020. Definitely listening to this one soon, how can I say no to Nicol Williamson?💗💗💗

[@harmony8021]

Such a gift. Thank you so much. This is the only version that matters

[@byallmeanspaint4298]

Thank you. I remember this version from decades ago. This is a brilliantly clear recording too.

[@rotekampfflieger-dr.I]

This is beautiful.

[@laurenkelly4151]

I remember when this movie came out in 1977

[@elysium619]

Thanks so much for this recording! Nicol Williamson's reading is brilliant, made so by his array of such expressive voicings. Great bedtime listening; so easy to be carried away!

[@SebastianAmmerlynd]

Wonderful performance! Love it! Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪

[@JckSwan]

Such a great reading. 😀

[@michaelodonovan7405]

Thanks a million, this is a cure (temporary) for a restless mind.....

[@EdwardPearse]

This is amazing. Far clearer than the recording I have already. And my own copy of the record has been played so many times. Thank you so much for posting this.

[@trash_cam]

i used to listen to this so much as a kid. thank you for putting this up!

[@Stuckinchapterthree]

Thank you so much. This brings back memories.

[@sharonrowlette382]

Thank you for this. I have been trying to find a copy for a long time! I am enjoying it so much!

[@janetellis4651]

Thank you so much for posting this - sorry my comment is so late! I have lovely memories of this recording and it is great to hear it again. Thank you for sharing.

[@sophiadicicco9967]

I‘v been listening to this audiobook since I was 6

[@jtrevino5268]

Such wonder!

[@bossgrimley7589]

I listen to this every few months at night and again, thank you!!!!

[@ipz-DonIgnacio]

Thank you very much, Zest. This is a true treasure.

[@JamesSimmons-d1t]

I was translating "The Hobbit" into French on the bus to prep school in 1965. The limits of my Pocket Gem dictionary when 'goblin' was provided as something closer to 'wee fairy or spirit', inclining me to perceiving the non-isomorphic nature of literary translating. My brother was memorizing the Alice poetry parodies. My dad had done 8000 lines of the Aeneid, for fun!!! Mediocre imitation of Homer, which I was reading in Greek by 1967...Edith Nesbit, George MacDonald, Hilaire Belloc, Edward Gorey. New Yorker cartoon collections, "The Phantom Tollbooth"...those were the daze, my friend... we thought they'd never end... "Fare well wherever you fare... until your eyries receive you, at your Journey's End." Which was the name of a 'circle', a dead end in Princeton. Sigh. Fairpoint Convention.

[@skateboardgolf7499]

Thank you!!

[@guilledcf1547]

this is just gorgeous

[@ballHand]

one of the greatest stories every told

[@inkpenproductions3373]

Welcome back zest. Thanks for this, it's my kids' favorite.

[@Lynnscookingblog]

Thank you. I used to have a cassette of this and played it often to my children at bedtime (now in their late teens). It must have gotten lost in a house move though, so it's been lovely to relisten to it again.

[@macphersonjeremyjoff7964]

Thank you, wonderful adaption.

[@Princess_karen]

I have this set of records, it is in pristine condition